One more chapter

Lucas had been staring at his phone for 20 minutes. Mara sat across from him at the café.

"You're doing it again."

"Doing what?"

"Disappearing into that app."

He smiled. Didn't look up.

"There's this story. I can't stop."

She leaned over. Curious despite herself.

"What's it about?"

"A guy who gets a letter. Written to him. From his future self."

Mara went quiet.

Send it to me.

He looked up. Finally.

You said apps like this were a waste of time

She grabbed her coffee. Looked away.

He laughed and hit share. They read in silence.

Then Mara put her phone down slowly, she stared at her cup for a moment.

Can I tell you something weird?"

Always.

She took a breath.

I've been writing stories on that app. For months."

That's not weird, that's cool

They're all about you.

Lucas went very still.

Different versions of you. Different choices. Different endings.

The café noise faded.

I never published them. I just... needed somewhere to put it.

What does Lucas do?