Arrival

The rest of the trip was a blur of motion and noise. The Night Owl Express made up for lost time, rattling and shaking as it sped toward the capital.

Felix didn't sleep. He sat in 14A, staring at the seatback in front of him, replaying the almost-kiss over and over again.

When they pulled into Union Station, the morning sun was filtering through the massive arches of the platform. The debate team was a mess of groggy teenagers and luggage.

"Let's move, people!" Mr. Harrison shouted. "Taxis in five!"

Chloe stood up. She swung her heavy tote bag over her shoulder. She looked tired, but she paused before stepping into the aisle.

"Hey, Stat-Man," she said.

"Hey," Felix said, adjusting his glasses. He felt awkward. The variables had shifted, and he didn't know the new formula.

"Thanks for the... field test analysis," she said. She reached into her pocket. "I finished the sketch."

She tore the page out of her book and handed it to him. It was folded in half.

"See you at the hotel?" she asked.

"Yeah," Felix said. "See you there."

Chloe turned and joined the stream of passengers exiting the train.

Felix stood alone in Row 14 for a moment. He unfolded the paper.

It was him.

But it wasn't the nervous, stiff Felix he saw in the mirror. It was Felix looking at the stars. He looked calm. He looked thoughtful. He looked like someone who understood the alchemy of the universe.

And at the bottom of the page, written in glitter pen, were three words:

*To be continued?*

Felix looked at the drawing. Then he looked out the window at the busy platform where Chloe’s messy bun was bobbing through the crowd.

He didn't check his itinerary. He didn't check the time.

He folded the paper carefully and put it in his breast pocket, right over his heart.

Felix smiled. For the first time in his life, he didn't know exactly what was going to happen next.

And he liked the odds.