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way. Her parents would freak if she went missing again, but maybe she could cut school tomorrow, get a note from Mr. Tippicks. She could take the bus or the train as far as it could go, then cab it or hitchhike. Yeah, like that wasn’t suicide. Even then, would there be enough time to get to Windfree and back for the demo?
    Maybe.
    If only Dree, Jasmine, or Hutch owned a car. Hutch would probably steal one for her, but grand theft auto didn’t seem like a good idea either.
    The phone rang. Maybe it was one of them calling to get the lowdown. Moving quickly before her parents could answer, and maybe stop the conversation, she grabbed the phone and, without bothering to check the CID, pressed talk.
    â€œHello?”
    â€œHi, Siara,” a male voice answered. It was slow and uncertain, but she knew who it was.
    â€œJeremy?”
    Did he want to yell at her? He didn’t sound angry.
    â€œI’m…just checking in. You know, wanted to see if you’re all right, that sort of thing.”
    Wow — he’s not thinking we’re still together, is he? He couldn’t possibly be that dense. How many times do you have to hit a guy with a crowbar before he gets the idea?
    Filled with anxious energy, she found it easy to say what she assumed had been implied. “Jeremy, I really don’t think we should be seeing each other anymore.”
    He just laughed. “Yeah. I sort of got that impression when you whacked me upside the head.”
    Okay, so that’s not it.
    â€œRight. Sorry. So…how’s your head?”
    â€œBruised. No concussion, though.”
    â€œJeremy, I had to—”
    â€œI know. You had to save Harry Keller. And I had to try to stop you, and if I’d succeeded, he would be dead right now, and I’d be wondering if I should’ve stopped you. So I guess you were right.”
    â€œWow. Jeremy, that’s so…enlightened. You sure your head’s okay?”
    â€œCome on, Siara, have I ever been a bad guy to you?”
    â€œNo,” she admitted. “Never.”
    Even Harry had tried to strangle her once. Of course, he was possessed by a Glitch at the time.
    â€œGlad we got that straight. I just wanted to let you know that there are no hard feelings or anything, and I guess I understand why things didn’t work out, even though I don’t really.”
    â€œWe’re just really different, Jeremy.”
    â€œYeah. That was why I liked you. I thought we had this yin-yang thing going. I always really liked your poem about the clock and that Greek guy, Emphasis.”
    â€œThat’s Sisyphus, Jeremy, but come on. You’re the captain of the football team and the chess team. You’ve got your pick of any girl in the school. You’ll get over me.”
    â€œSure, but I figure it’ll take a week or so.”
    Just a week? Siara thought, but she laughed a little into the phone.
    â€œThat’s how long I’m grounded, anyway,” Jeremy said with a weird little chuckle. “It’s ridiculous. I’m eighteen, I should be able to do whatever I want, but the folks pay the bills on the Humvee, so I’m only supposed to take it to and from school for the next two weeks. You?”
    â€œA month. I’ll probably get time off for good behavior after I help out with my mom’s demo, but I just wish—”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œNo. Never mind.”
    â€œGo ahead, tell me.”
    â€œNo. It’s not fair to you,” Siara said.
    â€œWe’re way past fair, Siara. At least let’s stay honest. Say it.”
    â€œOkay. I really want go see Harry.”
    There was a brief silence.
    â€œI should’ve guessed. So why don’t you? That part of the grounding?”
    â€œMy dad doesn’t think I should go see him, especially not before the demo.”
    â€œHe’s right,” Jeremy answered flatly
    â€œWhat? You think Harry’s a bad influence,