“I think Aiden said those things to Josie because of a misunderstanding,” Zoey said. “If he’s really fake, we’ll figure it out sooner or later. And when that happens, I won’t like him anymore. Don’t worry. I’m not that dumb—I’m not gonna keep liking him no matter what.”
Josie realized it wouldn’t be easy to change Zoey’s future. The best thing now was to help Zoey see who Aiden really was—before Natalie noticed her.
“Want me to go with you to talk to him?” Josie asked. She knew Aiden might not admit anything, but it was still worth a try.
But Zoey shook her head. “Let’s not. I believe you didn’t lie, so there’s no need to confront him.”
“Don’t you want to know why Aiden said those things?” Allison asked, glancing up from Josie’s diary. After reading it, she believed Josie. Josie had written it right in front of them. The entries went all the way back to when she first moved into the dorm. No one could plan something that complicated years in advance just to match up with what happened today. And even if someone could, there was no way it’d be Josie.
Allison just wanted to expose Aiden for who he really was and make him pay for hurting Zoey. But Zoey didn’t want that. She still liked Aiden and was too scared to ask him anything. She was afraid of what she might find out.
“I don’t want to know,” Zoey said softly, her face a little pale. “I said it’s over. I misunderstood Josie before, and I’ve already apologized. We’re still friends.”
Adeline and Allison looked at each other, then turned to Josie. They were hoping Josie could convince Zoey. Maybe Zoey would listen to her now. But Josie knew words probably wouldn’t be enough. Once someone had made up their mind about someone—good or bad—it was hard to change that.
If they wanted Zoey to let go of Aiden completely, they needed real proof. Josie had to find a way to show everyone who Aiden truly was.
“Aiden already turned you down. That means he doesn’t like you,” Josie said, holding Zoey’s hands and looking her straight in the eye. “We can’t stop you from liking him, but promise me you won’t tell anyone else. And don’t confess again—unless he comes to you first.”
Zoey looked uneasy. “Josie, I—”
“I’m with Josie on this,” Allison cut in. “Whatever his reason was, he shouldn’t have treated you like that. You can forgive him if you want, but we can’t stand by and watch him hurt you again. Zoey, just promise Josie.”
Zoey shut her eyes for a moment. “Okay, I promise. I won’t tell anyone else I like him, and I won’t bring it up to him again.”
Hearing that made Josie feel a little more at ease. As long as Zoey kept quiet, Natalie wouldn’t find out she liked Aiden. And if Natalie didn’t know, she wouldn’t go after Zoey. At least for now, Zoey would be safe. Back in the original timeline, Zoey didn’t get hurt until years later. If Josie could expose Aiden before that, she believed Zoey wouldn’t get involved with him again.
“Alright, we’ve read your diary,” Adeline said, snapping Josie out of her thoughts. “Are you gonna rip it up now?”
Josie took the diary. “Yeah, I’m gonna rip it up. It’s like saying goodbye to who I used to be.”
“You should’ve done that a long time ago,” Allison said. “I know I probably shouldn’t say this, but I think it’s a good thing you left Professor Lawson’s team."