Until We Met Again ( Rowan and Johnson )
Chapter 42

Chapter 42

But don’t be fooled by Rowan’s stoic facade. Deep down, he was profoundly touched. He never expected that, after all this time, Karla would treat him the same as before. Rowan- even had this surreal feeling that Karla had never left, that she’d been by his side all along. It was as if she’d only been gone for a few days, not four long years.

What Rowan didn’t know, however, was that for Karla, it really had only been a few days.

After polishing off the last bit of the pasta, Karla patted her belly, let out a satisfied sigh, and said, “Finally full, what a bliss!”

Rowan didn’t utter a word. He gathered up the dishes and headed to the kitchen. Karla called after him, “Need a hand?”

“No,” came Rowan’s icy response.

Karla raised an eyebrow, noting his grudge–holding nature. He was still miffed with her, but hey, it’s teenage rebellion, right? If she couldn’t handle a teenager, then she’d be living a lie.

So, when Rowan finished washing up and came back, Karla gave him a look that said, “Come here, sit.”

Rowan had intended to grab his pajamas and get ready for bed, but he knew Karla had something to say. Not wanting to seem too compliant, he deliberately dawdled in his room before coming out, adopting an expression that read, I’m not eager to listen, but if you’ve got something to say, make it quick.‘

Karla couldn’t help but want to laugh, seeing right through his act. Such a stubborn kid, acting all high and mighty–typical teenage angst.

“Are you mad at me? Mad because I took off without saying goodbye, just disappeared and then showed up out of the blue?” Karla was a pro at interrogating… oops, inquiring.

With some people, you can’t beat around the bush. Directness is key.

And sure enough, Rowan cut to the chase, “Why did you vanish all of a sudden?”

“Uncontrollable circumstances,” Karla replied, not exactly lying. After a pause, she added, “But one thing you mustn’t get wrong–I didn’t leave because I didn’t want you. So stop being mad at me.”

Rowan looked down, silent for a long moment before finally speaking, “I remember you said you were a time traveler. You appeared in my life to protect me. Why then did it take

years for you to show up again? Is there some danger to me now?”

four years

Karla couldn’t very well spill the beans, so she spun her tale further, “I am indeed a time traveler. As for why I left suddenly and reappeared just as unexpectedly, that was all decided by your future self.”

Karla believed it best to toss the ball in his court. She watched Rowan furrow his brow, puzzled by his own decisions. Why would he make such choices?

When Rowan pressed for an answer, Karla feigned innocence, “How should I know? Don’t you know what’s in your own mind?”

And just like that, Rowan was caught in Karla’s web. For now, the young Rowan couldn’t yet outwit the cunning little fox that was Karla. Give it a few years, and she’d be the one dizzied by his antics.

Realizing he wouldn’t get a straight answer, Rowan shifted gears, “Then what’s the purpose of my future self sending you here this time?”

Karla’s eyes danced mischievously as she replied, “Classified for now.”

It was as good as saying nothing. Since she chose to keep secrets, Rowan didn’t press further. Knowing that she’d remain by his side for the time being was enough for him.

“Now it’s my turn,” Karla had a burning question, “After you woke up that day, didn’t Burk tell you how I vanished?”

Karla was curious about this detail. She’d disappeared upon having her photo taken, which Burk should have noticed. Didn’t he mention anything to Rowan?

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“He claimed he knew nothing,” Rowan informed her. “By the time he entered the room, you were already gone. Though, he did mention replaceing a photo he’d taken of you when he was developing his pictures.”

Karla pondered the implication. It seemed at the moment of her disappearance, Burk had no memory of it. In other words, he didn’t realize that taking her photo caused her to disappear.

That was for the best. It saved her the trouble of concocting more excuses.