29
SHIRA’S OFFICE
WAITING ROOM
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH
11:33 P.M.
Allie shifted restlessly in the waiting-room chair, trying to get comfortable. Outside, campus was all lit up, and lightning illuminated the sky. Inside, her heart was racing. How could she possibly explain her quest for medicine at this hour? Shira had all of her records. She knew Allie J was in perfect health.
The Oprah muse paced outside Shira’s door, wringing her hands and shooting deadly glares at Allie whenever she could. Unlike Thalia, she offered no hope. In fact, her mannerisms suggested the exact opposite.
All Allie could do to keep from fainting was think of Darwin’s kiss and hope that his mother found her half as charming as he did.
But wait? What was the big deal? She’d just casually stroll into the office and tell Shira she was on a writing bender. And that sometimes when bending, she’d wander around alone in the night consumed by the spirit within her. She could say it was something that happened during her creative voyages and that she didn’t remember anything about medicine. How hard could it be? After all, she was a pretty decent liar. The fact that she was still there, masquerading as some green-blooded songstress was proof of that. Who knew? Maybe she’d end up bonding with Shira. Maybe they’d become—
Shira’s office door clicked open.
Allie stood to greet her new mentor. But it wasn’t Shira who walked out. It was a girl.
The girl wasn’t beautiful, but she wasn’t ugly, either. Her jet-black hair was shiny and parted down the middle. Her skin was pale. Her eyes were green. Her dress was white. Her feet were bare. Her left cheek was dotted with a single mole…
Suddenly, Allie’s limbs turned weightless. Her forehead began to bead with sweat. Her tongue swelled.
“Whoa.” The girl scanned her top to bottom. “The odds are slim, but you could be my twin.”
Allie remained still. The room started spinning. Her ears rang.
“Allie A. Abbott”—the Oprah muse turned to Allie with a catty grin—“meet Allie J. Abbott. Shira will see you now.”
Allie turned to run. But before she could lift her feet off the glass floor, the world went black.