After She Betrayed Me, I Watch Her Fall

"Mia, do you think I'd go viral if I live-streamed in a bikini in Aspen right now?" My instinct was to tell her not to, but then a thought hit me. This was the same question Mandy Moore, my bestie, had asked me in my past life. I'd been strongly against it. We were both city slickers, totally unaccustomed to Aspen's freezing weather. There was no reason to take such a stupid risk. But she'd argued, "Mia, isn't your boyfriend in Aspen? He's the captain of a search and rescue team. What's there to be afraid of?" I still refused to budge. So she grabbed my cat and threatened to throw him off the 26th floor if I didn't go with her. Left with no choice, I went with her to Aspen, where it was -22°F​, and climbed all the way to a mountain peak for her live stream. Later, a blizzard hit, stranding us on the mountain with no help in sight. She stripped off my warm clothes, leaving me to die of hypothermia, while she wore them and survived until the rescue team arrived. She even pretended to cry, claiming I'd willingly given her my clothes. That memory filled me with hatred, making me want to tear her apart. But I forced myself to calm down and keep a straight face. Putting on a smile, I looked at her and said, "I don't know if you'll go viral, but I'll support whatever you decide. We're best friends, after all." I silently swore that since I was given me a second chance, I'd make sure she got what she deserved. Delighted by my answer, she squealed, "Mia, I knew you were the best! Let's book our flights tonight and leave tomorrow." I tested the waters. "Sure. It's freezing in Aspen. We should hit the mall and get some proper winter gear." Mandy scoffed. "It's just snow, Mia. It's not like we've never seen it before. How cold could it be? Besides, you can just bundle up, and if I get cold, you can lend me one of your layers." Her words reminded me all over again how clueless and nasty she had been. She deserved to freeze. It wasn't worth risking the search and rescue team's lives for someone like her. I checked the weather on my phone. A once-in-a-century blizzard was forecast for Aspen in two days. The locals were already stocking up. Only a moron like her would think of exploiting a natural disaster for views. "Fine, let's go to the mall together. You can get your winter coats, and I'll get my bikinis." Mandy wrapped an arm around my shoulder and leaned against me playfully. Once, I'd have found it sweet. Now it just made me sick. I eased away without making it obvious, keeping about two feet between us. Then, putting on a hurt look, I said, "Okay, but we'll have to split up. The bikinis are on the third floor, and I need to hit the outdoor section on the fifth for heavy winter gear." Mandy frowned. "Can't you come to the third floor with me first? I need you to help me pick out the sexiest bikini." I walked ahead, rolling my eyes hard and pretending not to hear. I couldn't have cared less about her bikinis. All I cared about was surviving this blizzard—because I still had a family and a boyfriend. They all loved me. In my past life, my death in Aspen destroyed my parents. And my boyfriend received an official written warning for leading an unauthorized rescue mission to find me. This time, I had to be careful, prepare well, and make sure I got out safe. I bought two big bags of gear, covering myself from head to toe. When I got down to the third floor and walked into the lingerie section, I spotted Mandy trying on a bikini while a sales assistant adjusted the straps. "Tighter. I want to show off every curve." How tacky. I couldn't stand looking at her. I pulled out my phone to check the weather in Aspen. Right now, it was -18°F. Over the next two days, temperatures would fall to -22°F, and the blizzard was set to arrive the day after that. I glanced at Mandy in her leopard-print bikini and found myself actually looking forward to this trip.