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Jeremy blinked. Then blinked again. The image in the bathroom mirror didn't change. At first he didn’t even notice anything was wrong, until he took a closer look and realised his reflection was taller than him, that it was wearing a cardigan he hadn't touched in weeks, and its hair was messy in a way the Squip would never allow. The reflection blinked - and wasn't that a weird sight - it tilted it’s head slightly in way that reminded Jeremy of a confused puppy; something he very much didn't do.
“Is this a Squip thing?” he asked after a moment of silence, no other explanation could make sense of this weird hallucination. The reflection pursed its lips, staying quiet. It scanned him up and down, eyes roving from his styled hair to the form-fitting shirt it lacked. It looked back at him, head tilted down slightly to make direct eye contact. “You still have the Squip?” It asked.
Jeremy suppressed a flinch when his reflection spoke back with his voice, he had been expecting it, sure, but that didn't make it any less weird. Instead, he stood up straighter, puffing out his chest like he was instructed to “Yes” he answered.
The reflection looked crestfallen, which didn't make any sense. It took a deep breath, clenching and unclenching its fists - something Jeremy wasn't allowed to do anymore, and let it out in a heavy sigh. “Look” it said “You’re not going to believe me- I know because I wouldn't believe me, but I’m you. I’m Jeremy Heere, a couple of months in the future”.
Jeremy blinked. Then blinked again. Then he laughed “You expect me to believe that?” he asked incredulously “Dude, I know my brain is weird but this is just insane”.
The reflection made a frustrated noise “It’s true!” it insisted “I’m you- just - look, ask me a question only you would know the answer to”.
Jeremy crossed his arms smugly “Trick question” he said haughtily “You’re from my brain, so anything I know-”.
“I automatically know too” the reflection finished with a smug expression “Isn't that what you were going to say?”.
Jeremy scoffed, ignoring the seed of doubt that lodged in his throat “That’s barely proof” he deflected “If you’re really me in the future, then tell me if you’re dating Christine Canigula yet”. If by some chance this really was him in the future- the Squip had definitely succeeded by then, right?
The reflection’s lip twitched, like it was laughing at a joke he didn't understand. “I’m in a committed relationship if that’s what you’re asking” it said vaguely.
Jeremy frowned “With Christine, right?” he pressed. The reflection smiled, saying nothing.
The boy sighed, massaging his forehead aggressively “If this is my psyche trying to tell me something” he grumbled under his breath “You’re not being very clear about it”.
The reflection laughed - that ugly wheezing sound that Jeremy detested. “I know you don’t believe it, but I am actually you from the future” it said softly. Jeremy looked up to see its mirthful smile had shifted to something more melancholic, something that looked disgustingly like pity “And there’s something I want to tell you so bad … but we’ve seen enough time travel movies to know that knowing the future changes it”.
“If you’re from the future” Jeremy said haltingly, tendrils of doubt slowly climbing up his throat “How are you here?”.
The reflection shrugged “Your guess is as good as mine, dude. I don’t remember this happening at all”. It looked him up and down again, frowning at his appearance (not that he could tell why considering he looked leagues better than the wanna-be in the mirror). It hummed contemplatively, giving him a sad smile.
He had officially had enough of this hallucination / fever dream / actual science-defying act of time travel. “I’m going to bed,” he announced.
The reflection nodded “Okay. You do that”. Jeremy turned around, fully intending on forgetting this entire interaction. A voice called out for him just as his hand reached the bathroom doorknob “One more thing. Just some advice? Don't lose Michael”.
Jeremy recoiled like he’d been slapped “What?” he demanded, whirling around to meet his reflection. Only, it looked normal. Styled hair, tight shirt, haunted expression-
God he looked like a mess, Squip would kill him for letting his appearance be so flawed. It was only then he noticed that the supercomputer hadn't said anything at all during that entire exchange. He shook his head, he was way too tired, he was going to bed.
He didn’t think about it at all the next morning.