Every Day

A wakes up as Alexander and feels an immediate connection to Alexander—his music, his books, his favorite quotes, his lifestyle. The parents, who Alexander has a great relationship with, are heading out on an anniversary trip, and they leave him with plenty of food and money while they’re gone. A/Alexander gives them an anniversary gift: a 10-hour mix of music that they can listen to during their drive, along with freshly-baked cookies, all wrapped in a bag that is covered in post-it notes on which he has written quotes from his parents, containing advice they have given him over the years. It’s clearly a very loving relationship between them. A thinks, “For a moment, I forget who I really am” (307).

At school, it’s also clear that Alexander has strong relationships with his friends. Alexander is playing with at least three different bands in the upcoming Battle of the Bands. The friends are there for each other, and he realizes that these friendships are built on commitments. A accesses Alexander’s memories to see the type of life Alexander has led, which has allowed him to be so close to so many people. A is tempted by what Poole has offered: a way to stay and take over the life of the person for more than one day: “If I could stay in this life, would I?” (309).

A sees that Alexander is the perfect person to “stay” in. A admires his “kindness. Creativity. Engagement in the world. Engagement in the possibilities of the people around him” (309). Further, Rhiannon is only two towns away. A emails Nathan and asks for Poole’s email address. A then emails Rhiannon and says they need to meet.

When Rhiannon arrives at the bookstore, A suggests that they pretend that they have never met before and today is their first meeting. They know nothing about each other: “No past. No future. Just present. Give it a chance” (311). Rhiannon doesn’t see the point at first but then goes along with it. They get groceries, and while getting groceries, their mood lightens as they laugh and tell each other stories about themselves.

Once they get home, they start preparing dinner and everything seems perfect as they cook. They work well together, even though neither one of them really knows how to cook: “I can’t help but think this is the way it could always be—the easygoing sharing of space, the enjoyable silence of knowing each other” (314). When they finish cooking, it’s after nine. A says s/he wants to take Rhiannon to Alexander’s favorite place, so they put the food on trays, grab some candles, and head outside, to Alexander’s tree house. They eat dinner by candlelight, and A is in awe of Rhiannon’s beauty. A kisses her and thinks, “She is my first and only love […] This will never happen again” (316).

A is aware of the time, which is ticking closer to twelve o’clock. A knows s/he has to tell Rhiannon of his/her decision. A tells her everything that has happened with Nathan and Poole. Rhiannon asks, “So you can stay?” (317). A says they can’t.

A tells her that A can’t take Poole’s offer to stay in Alexander’s body because that would be murder. Instead, A says that s/he must go away and Rhiannon must stay with Alexander. Rhiannon is upset, but A holds her, reassuring her about Alexander: “He’s a good guy. […] He might even be a great guy. And today’s the day you first met” (318). They proclaim their love for each other, and A assures her that she will love again, that there will be many future loves for her. For A, however, there won’t be.

They want to build one last memory, one they will treasure forever. They want to fall asleep together. They run back to the house because the clock is counting down. It is almost midnight. They say their final goodbyes, promising to remember everything. A knows s/he has nothing else: “I will never have a photograph of her to carry around in my pocket. […] We will not grow old together […] I will never be able to keep anything she’s given to me” (321). A knows that she will wake up next to Alexander tomorrow, and Alexander will remember her. A falls asleep.