Part 1I Time-Traveled to Defeat My Boyfriend's Dead Ex, Only to Die Saving Her

My boyfriend had a ghost.

Everyone says you can't compete with the dead.

Fine.

Then I'll bring the dead back to life, and then I'll defeat her.

I used a time machine to become her high school classmate, the one who would save her from the edge.

I’d give her light. I’d give her love. I’d be the one in her corner.

I never expected that in the end…

I would become the ghost in her story.

* * *

I finally saw him—Ethan’s ghost, the girl who died too young. Seraphina.

Here I was, standing in the senior classroom of Northwood High’s advanced track, listening to our new homeroom teacher, Mr. Davison, introduce me. "Class, this is Lia. She’s a transfer student from out of state. Let's make her feel welcome."

A wave of warm applause broke out, but it didn't stir the girl buried in a book in the back of the room. Seraphina.

She sat alone in the last row, an empty seat on every side of her, like a deserted island.

Mr. Davison told me to pick any open seat.

My mission was clear. I walked straight to the empty desk beside her.

I dropped into the chair and beamed at her. "Hey, new desk buddy. I'm Lia. Hope we can get along."

She finally lifted her gaze from her book.

And I finally saw her face.

She was a classic, fragile kind of beauty. Skin so pale it seemed to glow, features like they were painted on, but her expression was numb, vacant. Honestly, the group photo I’d seen at Ethan’s house didn’t capture a tenth of her beauty.

So my rival was this stunning, I thought, a little smugly. At least I won't lose face.

My self-congratulation was cut short by her voice, as cold and flat as a frozen lake. "Find another seat. I don’t like people sitting next to me."

That sharp?

Weren't these idealized ghosts supposed to be gentle, kind, the epitome of all things good? Had I gotten the stereotype all wrong?

But I had traveled through time for her. I wasn't about to give up that easily. I brazenly reached for her hand, my voice dropping into a playful, wheedling tone. "But you're so pretty. I have a thing for sitting next to gorgeous girls."

She froze.

I could tell she had never in her life encountered someone so completely shameless.

It took her a solid moment to react. She snatched her hand back and ducked her head, pretending to focus on her book again. She was trying to act like nothing happened, but I could see the blush creeping up her neck.

I hid a triumphant smile.

When it comes to winning people over, if I’m number two, no one dares claim to be number one.