Jonathan stood still, looking at the open window as if contemplating a mad leap in the remaining seconds.

“Listen,” Jessica said, “I told her I had a surprise for her, and she really did want to meet you. Just for a few minutes, then she’ll go to bed.”

Finally Jonathan laughed nervously and sat down on the windowsill, one leg up as if he’d just darted through. “Okay, sure. I’m glad to meet her. Just one question.”

“What?”

“What is it with you and your little sister, anyway?”

Jessica smiled. “It’s a work in progress.”

Seconds later the world shuddered. The blue light faded, and rich colors settled over everything. Her room looked alive again, set free from the arresting paleness of frozen time.

“—is so retarded,” Beth finished.

“Okay,” Jessica said. “You can look now.”

Beth dropped her hands, a resolutely unimpressed expression already fixed on her face, one that lasted about half a second.

“Jesus!” she cried, half jumping up from the bed. “Who the hell…?”

Jessica started to say something, but laughter snorted out of her instead of words. She struggled to suppress more giggles and felt her face turning red.

Jonathan smiled, holding out his hand.

“Hi, Beth, my name’s Jonathan,” he said politely. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”