Free Fusion by Imogen Rose

again.
    “Kell!” I snarled. “That wasn’t me kissing David. I think it was my doppelganger. Can’t you see how it all fits?”
    His tone was cold but steady when he finally spoke. “You say that you don’t remember anything, so how can you be sure it wasn’t you?”
    “I just know. Same way you say you know that I am the same girl you knew last year.”
    He looked unsure, but the anger seemed to subside. “We should talk to Ariele.”
    I scrunched my nose at him. “Why?”
    “Ariele knew you from the other dimension. It’s possible that she actually knew this doppelganger we’re hypothesizing about.” He shook his head. “It still doesn’t make sense.
You
are the one who knew how to play hockey and claimed to be from the other dimension.”
    “It sort of does make sense if Gertrude is the doppelganger’s dog.”
    “Hmm. I think I can see where you’re coming from, but it’s totally blowing my mind. You’re actually thinking that David’s going out with her? With your double? That’s bizarre. Why wouldn’t he have told me?”
    I shrugged.
    “Do you mind if I call Ariele?”
    “No, if you think that’ll help us figure out this mess. Do you trust her?”
    “Yeah, totally.” He picked up his cell and called her while I got us some water from the kitchen. By the time I got back to the study, he was putting his cell back in the pocket of his leather jacket.
    “Thanks.” He took the glass from my hand. “Ariele’s at her house. She told us to head on over. Ready?”
    “Sure, let me just grab my jacket.”
    Sitting on the back of Kellan’s Harley on the way to Ariele’s gave me a chance to think. I wasn’t enthusiastic at all about going to see Ariele, not really getting the point. Instead, we should be spending our time needling David for answers. I’d called him as I was getting my jacket, but it went straight to his voicemail. I’d left him a message and planned to find him as soon as we were done visiting Ariele.
    I closed my eyes, enjoying the cool breeze hitting my face as we sped down the highway. I pictured Ariele, seeing her chestnut hair and clear hazel eyes. I didn’t feel any connection to her at all, either good or bad. At any other time, I would have made an effort to be friends with her. She seemed like a nice person, and Ali and Maria sure liked her. However, at the moment, I didn’t feel I had the energy for new people in my life. I was too busy struggling to figure stuff out. Anyhow, I’d humor Kellan for now.
    I put on my brightest smile as I spotted Ariele waiting for us on her porch when we pulled into her driveway. I better be on my best behavior after our last meeting. She broke into a smile when I waved at her cheerily.
    “Hey, come on in! Mom and Dad are out shopping, so we’re on our own. Do you guys want anything to drink?” She led us into her kitchen.
    “No thanks. I’m good,” I said as Kellan shook his head. I sat down on one of her bar stools, feeling oddly at home even though I had never been there before.
    I didn’t mind when Kellan started telling Ariele about what Gertrude had shown me and then about the phone call. She sat and listened attentively.
    “Interesting, and it sure puts another spin on things. Arizona, I am guessing that you don’t remember the pictures I showed you?”
    I had no idea what she was talking about and shook my head.
    “Hang on.” She got up and rushed off.
    “What’s that all about?” I whispered to Kellan.
    “Wait a sec, and you’ll see.”
    Ariele returned with a handful of photographs. She handed one to me. It was a pic of me standing on the ice with a hockey stick. I had no memory of it. I guessed it must have been from last year. Before I could ask, she handed me another picture. It was the same as the last one, except I had removed my helmet. I gasped. My hair was brown. I looked exactly like the memory Gertrude had shared.
    “Wow.” I looked at both Ariele and Kellan, waiting for an explanation. Instead