I'm not sure what's different this time. I return the touch, running my fingers along his arm. Then we smile… — Dustin Thao

I've made some mistakes in this timeline. But there's one I have to fix before going back.

"If the astronomy thing doesn't work out, you would be a great chef," I tell him and take another sip of coffee. "You know what they say... whether a poet looks through a pantry or telescope, he always sees the same thing." "Is that a real quote?" "I might have revised it a little." He smiles. "And what's it supposed to mean, exactly?" "It means you see the possibility in things," I say confidently. "Regardless of what you do. Everything's a universe, if you really think about it. "I like that," he says, nodding. "Maybe you should major in philosophy." "Don't know if I'm smart enough for that." "I think you're smarter than you think you are." I don't say anything back because I'm not used to hearing people say this about me.

He leans back, taking me in again. "I don't think I got your name, by the way." I smile. "Oliver. And you?" "I'm Ben." "Ben," I say, mostly to myself. "I've always liked that name."