Philip's old sedan chugged along the darkened street, its interior illuminated in short bursts as the amber streetlights passed overhead. The vehicle somehow managed to both look and sound like it was on the verge of breaking down every time Kaitlyn got in. Of course, that wasn't saying much. With the time loop, it may as well have been immortal.

She sat uncertainly against the worn passenger seat, not quite relaxed enough to lean back fully. How they'd gotten to this point was still a bit of a mystery. Maybe I'm overreacting. This is only the second time I've eaten at the restaurant, after all, since I didn't go during that whole lab debacle. But still, why? Why did he offer to drive me home this time?

Looking back, Philip had seemed more amicable all loop. Especially during the last time he'd given her a ride. That itself was another mystery to unpack, but almost certainly had to do with the programming stuff. Right?

Maybe… am I about to get a new ending?

"I'm glad you enjoyed your meal."

Kaitlyn glanced over. Philip's grey eyes were still focused dutifully on the road ahead, flicking occasionally to check the mirrors. Both hands gripped the steering wheel firmly as they puttered along.

"Thanks." She smiled. "It really was nice. You're a really good server, you know. You really sell that whole classy vibe. Heck, for a minute there I could pretend I was some rich kid or business owner or something other than a college freshman."

"I appreciate the compliment."

"Have you ever considered eating there?"

"The cuisine we serve is significantly outside of my acceptable price range. Not to mention that I am able to sample the dishes for free as Scarra sends them home with us." His eyes met hers for a moment before returning forward. "Not to say that your decision was entirely frivolous. But in my case, it's not justifiable."

"I get it." She nodded in agreement. "I usually wouldn't do something like this, either. But between having something to celebrate and how good Scarra's cooking is, it's hard to resist." And with everything resetting tonight it's even harder. Gotta spend that extra money somehow.

"I expect that you have additional motivation, considering your interest in cooking in general. If I'm not mistaken, you seem to pursue it as another skillset to hone rather than a mere hobby. Similar to programming."

Kaitlyn thought for a moment. "Yeah, kind of. I am trying to get better at it as much as I can. But it's mostly because I really enjoy it. The fact that I can make a business off of it is just a bonus."

"Then you don't seek to find employment as a chef or in the food industry at some point?"

"I…" She frowned. "I hadn't really thought about it. Do you think I could?"

"Ostensibly, you already have." The streetlights cast Philip's face in alternating flashes of light and shadow. "Additionally, if you are able to prepare food and ingredients to Scarra's satisfaction, I expect you would have less trouble than most in finding a place to start out. Meeting his standards is no mean feat, as Mrs. Anatonia will not hesitate to tell you."

"...Huh. I'll have to think about that." Actually becoming a chef likely wouldn't be an option here in the game, outside of what she was already doing. Or maybe there were more doors open now that she had the skills. But once she got outside…

…Right. Outside. Ending the game.

"...Is something the matter?"

"Huh?" Kaitlyn blinked.

"Your expression soured quite suddenly."

"Ah, sorry. Just… thinking." With an effort, she smoothed her brow. She hadn't even realized her face had changed.

"May I ask what about?"

For a moment, she considered deflecting the question. After all, this was a prime opportunity to ask Philip more personal questions, wasn't it? But something stopped her.

I… I think I need to talk to someone about this stuff. Get some stuff off my chest. It's not like he'll remember tomorrow, anyway, so… might as well, right?

"...I was thinking about my family."

"Your family?" Philip frowned ever so slightly.

"Yeah. I just… I miss them. Maybe it sounds dumb, but…"

"How long has it been since you've seen them?"

Kaitlyn chuckled dryly, looking down at her lap. "A long time, years. Way longer than a semester. They… don't live around here, exactly."

"I see."

"I…" Her hands clasped together. "I know that I'll see them again, one day. At least, I hope I will. But… but what if I don't? Hell, I've changed so much, what if they don't even recognize me? What if… What if…"

What if I never get home?

She bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to overflow. Back when she was just starting out, the loneliness had been bad enough. But now, after all this time? Now that escape from the loop itself wasn't even certain?

I don't want to give them up. I don't want to think about the fact that I might never get back, or that they think I'm dead or kidnapped. But it's getting really hard not to go that way.

"What is your family like?"

Once again, Philip's words interrupted her thoughts. But the usual sharp diction and clipped words felt… blunted, somehow. A bit less harsh.

"My f-family?" Kaitlyn sniffled a bit, wiping her nose with the sleeve of her blouse.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Yes. Do you have any siblings?"

"...No. It's just my mom, dad, and me…"

"Tell me about them."

And so she did. With a deep, shaky breath, Kaitlyn began to talk about her parents. What they looked like, what they talked like, what things they did together when she was younger. It felt a bit strange at first, and not just because the memories felt a lifetime away.

I can't believe I'm telling this stuff to Philip, of all people.

Eventually, the red-brick buildings of Hartland University came into view. But instead of pulling up to the curb like usual, Philip turned the car aside to find a parking spot as Kaitlyn continued to talk. He sat there silently as she spoke, simply listening until she fell into silence.

"Is there anything else you'd like to say?"

"No." With a deep breath, Kaitlyn straightened. Her shoulders felt lighter, somehow. As if some of the tension there had dissipated over the course of the conversation. "I think… I'm feeling a bit better now. Thanks. Sorry to ramble on like that…"

"No apology necessary." He turned to look at her. "I did not mind listening."

She gave a slight smile and wiped at her red-rimmed eyes. She'd managed not to cry, but it had certainly been close. "Still, I'm kind of jealous. You've got your family right around the corner, right? You don't have to worry about this stuff."

As Philip continued to meet her gaze, something changed. There was the briefest flicker of emotion in his grey eyes. One she'd never seen before.

Did I imagine it? Or was that… anger?

Before she could say anything, Philip broke eye contact. "I suppose so. Regardless, we are here. I should be heading back to the restaurant."

"Yeah. Sorry for keeping you." Setting it aside as just her imagination, she unbuckled and reached for the door. "Thanks again, Philip. For everything. The ride, and dinner, and… well, for listening, too."

"Of course."

With that, he backed out and drifted off into the night. Kaitlyn stood there for a moment, waving goodbye as the car receded in the distance. Then, as it crested the hill, she headed inside.

I guess I did need to talk about that stuff, after all. Her breaths formed the faintest misty puffs in the night's chill. I thought it would just hurt, and it did. But… I think I also got some resolution. Somehow.

As she trudged up the stairs and unlocked her door, Kaitlyn continued to think back on the interaction. It had felt strangely good to talk about her family. To not just mourn and miss them, but to also remember the good times. The things that made her miss them in the first place. It was bittersweet.

I'm not giving up on seeing them again. Not yet. Flopping into bed, she nestled under the covers. But I can admit that I want to see them again.

With that, she rolled over in bed and closed her eyes. It was nearly time to reset.

***

Cycle 26 Complete!

New Ending Unlocked!

Ending: Distant Relations

Total Endings Unlocked: 7

Writing – A (100%)

Calculus – A (100%)

Statistics – A (100%)

Chemistry – A (100%)

Genetics – A (100%)

Intro to Programming – C (78%)

***

Sunlight peeked through from behind Kaitlyn's closed eyelids. With a deep inhale, she rubbed the sleep out of them and sat up. The fluffy covers of her bottom bunk folded over themselves as they slumped slightly.

Yup. I got a new ending.

She took a moment to glance around the dorm in its pristine, start-of-loop state. Then, she squeezed her eyes shut again. Progress Report.

Progress Report

Current Cycle:

Cycle 27 (Week 1)

Endings (7/20):

Alex (3/3 – Complete!)

Dinner Date

Comfort Food

Rotten to the Core

Ian (1/3)

???

A Winding Path

???

Philip (1/3)

???

Distant Relations

???

Vinny (1/3)

???

???

Party Crasher

Elliot (0/3)

???

???

???

Other (1/5)

???

Under the Radar

???

???

???

Achievements (8):

The First of Many – Unlock your first ending

What Friends are For – Unlock a friendly ending for any male lead

Walking Red Flag – Unlock a bad ending for any male lead

Happily Ever After – Unlock a romance ending for any male lead

From Every Angle – Unlock all endings for a single male lead

Wingman – Complete the "Rachel and Cedric" easter egg

A Solid Start – Unlock 5 unique endings

Dean's List – Ace all five classes

She nodded to herself. The newest addition to the list matched up with what she'd suspected. A Philip friendship ending. I never thought I'd see the day…

It certainly made sense though. Not just with the guy's friendlier disposition toward her, but also because of the shared interests. Maybe getting tutored in programming was a must for his route. And working at Chella's. And going to the restaurant for dinner. In fact, there were a lot of things that might have been related to this.

A thought struck Kaitlyn suddenly. In theory, everything that happened in this world was based on Heartthrob University. But how could the game possibly manage all of this in the console version? Working at the restaurant was simple, but what about getting tutored in a completely unrelated subject? And auditing classes?

Dang. I wish I could have played the real Heartthrob University even more, now. I really wonder how in the world they designed Philip's routes so that you can do them by just clicking through menus. No way they're as in-depth as they are here. Right?

The idea suggested that there might in fact be other, easier ways of earning routes like his. However, if there were, Kaitlyn didn't know them. It was just one more reason to rue the lack of foreknowledge she'd come in with.

As for the ending itself… it filled her with conflicting feelings. For one, more endings was always a good thing. If there was a way out of this game, then that was it. But at the same time, it served as yet another reminder of things she'd rather avoid.

Though… I'll probably have to start thinking about that stuff soon, anyway. If all goes well, at least. I can't avoid it forever.

The specter of future romance endings loomed over her. She pulled the blankets more tightly around her shoulders and shivered. I'm getting there, game. Just… it's not so easy when you're on this side of the screen, you know?

With that, she flung the covers off and swung her legs off of the bed. Her fuzzy pink socks settled onto the carpet as she stood.

Well, no point worrying about it now. Time to get going.