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chapter three
The next morning, I woke up early. It was almost 6:30. I was really surprised because I’m more of a night owl than an early bird. As the room slowly started to come into focus, I felt weird. The room didn’t seem the same. I didn’t feel the same either. All of a sudden I realized what was wrong. This wasn’t the same room! I hurried over to a mirror on the dresser in the corner and checked my reflection. I gasped as I saw it. My hair was shorter. My face looked different. This was freaking me out. My mind raced. What could have happened overnight? Not much. Unless this is the work of Zac. I searched for proof of the date. My watch! I was wearing it. I looked down at it. It said 6:30 AM, March 14, 2002.
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Zac growled and pushed at my hand, which was shaking him awake.
“Zachary Walker Hanson!” He tried to block out the voice, but it didn’t work. He was jolted out of his dream by a very angry Taylor. He looked up into Taylor’s face sleepily.
“What do you want? I was having a good dream.”
“What the HELL is going on here Zac?” Zac frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“What do I mean?!?!?!? Yesterday, it was my 16th birthday, today, it appears to be my 19th birthday? Once again, what the hell is going on?” Zac yawned.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you. In this time, each night is three years. So, happy birthday.” He broke out into a very off-key chorus of Happy Birthday. I clenched my teeth.
“You just conveniently forgot to tell me? Real great Zac.” I moved towards the door. I had some work to do.
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By eight, I had explored the whole house. Apparently, my family had moved into a MUCH bigger house. It had three floors, two kitchens, ten bedrooms, one family room, 5 bathrooms, two living rooms plus a bunch of other rooms I didn’t take the time to thoroughly explore. I wondered what I should do. I wondered what it was like in the rest of the world. I went upstairs and got dressed. I found a pen and some paper in what was obviously the most used kitchen and started to write a note.
Hey
Guys,
I went out, be back in a few
hours.
Tay
I grabbed the keys I mysteriously recognized as mine and went outside. I had a lot of work to do.
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I cruised down the familiar roads, observing all he could. I hadn’t seen any major changes except for a few buildings that weren’t there anymore. I wound up at the mall, wandering around. When I was in front of Waldenbooks, I heard a strangely familiar voice.
“Tay!” I whirled around.
“Alexis!” I said. Then I frowned. How did I know that name? Why did I recognize this girl? She hugged me, and I hugged back.
“What are YOU doing here?” she asked, pushing a stray strand of my hair behind my hair.
“Oh nothing,” I said amiably. “Just messin’ around.”
“Oh!” she said suddenly. “I almost forgot, it’s your birthday!” Don’t worry, I forgot too. Last time I checked, I was sixteen. Now I’m nineteen. She pulled out a small box.
“Open it,” she urged. I smiled at her.
“What is it?”
“You’ll just have to open it and see.” I opened it to reveal a choker. It was a silver heart. On the back it said ‘Alexis and Tay. March 2001.’ I pulled it out of the box and fastened it around my neck.
“Do you like it?” she asked cautiously. Suddenly I remembered. The choker! The one Zac gave me last nigh- er, um, a little while ago. I reached up to my neck. It was still there!
“Listen Lex,” I said. “I gotta get back, my family’s probably waiting. I’ll call you later, okay?” She nodded. I kissed her. That freaked me out a little. I wasn’t even sure who this girl was and here I was kissing her. Oh well, I thought as I walked for the bathrooms. Soon I’ll be home and Zac WILL explain everything to me. If it’s the last thing I do before I turn 22 in the night…
I walked into a stall just in case. I put my hand around the charm and rubbed it in my fingers. I squeezed it, and everything started to fade away…