Olivia called me again last night, and I don't know why I picked up. Maybe it's because my heart still races when her name lights up my phone. Or maybe, it's because I'm an idiot who's not ready to move on.

"Raheem," she said with that ache in her voice that makes me weak. "Can we talk?"

"Yeah," I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. "What's up?"

She sighed. "I just miss you."

"I miss you too," I spat out.

My classmate, Jun-ho groaned in the other bed and muttered something under his breath. Suddenly, the bathroom light flicked on along with the tap. A curled towel came floating out towards me. I jumped out of bed and grabbed my backpack to use as a shield against the dripping cloth whipping at me.

"Everything okay?" Olivia asked.

"If you're gonna let her play you again while keeping me up, get out," Jun-ho yelled as the towel lashed my leg.

"Dang, bro!" I said, feeling the sting on my calf. "Chill, I'm going outside."

"What was that, baby?" Olivia asked.

"Nothing, I was just mumbling—still half asleep," I chuckled.

"Well, try to stay awake for me, okay?"

"For sure," I slipped out the door. "I'm gonna go get some cold air on my face. But I've gotta be quiet, so Mr. Singh doesn't hear me," I whispered. "Gimme a sec."

"Okay," Olivia giggled.

I tiptoed down the empty hotel hallway until I got around the corner. Then I stopped in front of the door, pulled my hoodie out of my backpack and hauled it on before walking outside.

Olvia kept chatting with me until I found a bench in front of the river just down the hill from the hotel. As we talked, time stood still. For a while, it seemed like she hadn't broken up with me. The birds singing as the sun rose over the mountains added to the magical feeling floating through the pine-scented air.

Then Olivia stopped talking right after I heard her phone buzz.

"Hello?" I said.

"Sorry," she sounded rushed. "Can I call you back later?"

"Sure," I shook my head, and the line went dead.

God, I'm stupid.

It was him. Olivia always gets like that when he calls. I got up and made tracks towards the hotel, kicking myself with every step. As luck would have it, the bus was gone. My phone was on three per cent, and the change in my pocket counted up to five whole dollars. I exhaled deeply and stormed off towards the woods.

Once there, I made sure no one could see me and chanted this spell:

"A thief must steal to earn his name.

Hours, minutes and seconds I claim;

I will to rob a crook called Time.

Take me back to when chance was prime."

A whirlwind engulfed me.

I woke up back in my hotel room right before Olivia called, and turned off my phone. I slept like a log that night.