Time After Time (Book 3) DISCONTINUED

Chapter 3

"So, do you want to talk about it?" Hope looks away from the clock and back towards the school psychologist. "Talk about what?" She asks. "What happened in gym class." He tells her. "It was an accident." "And nothing triggered it?" Flashbacks of gym class run though Hope's mind. "No. Like I said, it was an accident." "Do you think maybe you were working out some anger, maybe some relationship issues?" Hope glares at him. "My relationship with my wife, is fine. Thanks for asking." He nods. "I meant, your social relationships. Your friendship." Hope just glares at him. "Ok, why don't you tell me what happened yesterday?" Hope sighs. She remembers what happened yesterday. She definitely remembers. The kids in the library whispering about her dad. Her emotions getting the better of her. Lights flickering, books flying off of shelves, the kids laughing before she shorted out the wiring by blowing up the lights. They way they all stared at her. "Yesterday, um, I had a really bad headache. "Mhm." The door suddenly opens and Landon walks in. "What is he doing here?" She asks as she sees her ex best friend. "I thought it would be good for the three of us to talk." He smiles. "Well you can't really have couples session if we're not a couple, can you? And if you're worried about that department as well, Josie and I are doing just fine." Hope nods. "Now if you wanted an ex friends sessions, well...." Landon sits down. "I don't know what we are." He sighs.

"Well, he walked away because he thinks that I can't handle him being human. Which is bullshit, by the way, Josie is human now and she and I are perfectly fine." Hope points out. "But Josie is your wife, and according to your children, she does get her powers back eventually." Hope stares at him. "Wait, you spoke to my kids?" He nods. "I did, yes. But only to gather more information about what's been going on, to help you figure it out better." Hope scoffs. "I'm so grounding them both." She muttered. "I didn't walk away." Landon protests. "Well, your feet physically moved in a different direction." Hope snarks. "I mean, I didn't walk away from this friendship. Not permanently. I just needed...I..." "What?" "I don't know." Landon sighs. "Yeah, well, things are complicated, clearly." Hope sighs. "I actually think that it's all connected. Landon, the anger, your kids, your father." Hope scoffs. "You're wrong. I don't have time for this, alright? I was on the trail of a monster, so..." "A monster?" Hope nods. "Yes, I saw it walk on the school grounds, and I tracked it into the building, and I tracked it into this room, actually. Oh my god, you're the monster." Hope glares at him. "Hope." He chuckles. "You know who I am, I'm Dr. Goodfellow. I'm the guidance counselor here. You have known me your whole life. Remember?" Hope stares at him for a second before shaking her head. "Right. Sorry. Don't know what's wrong with me lately." She walks out and heads to class.

Later on, when she walks down the hall, she sees posters everywhere. She grabs one off the bulletin board as she spots Landon. "Salvatore: The Musical?" "Yeah, it's a musical about the founding of the school. Dr. Goodfellow said now that I'm human, that I have to start thinking about colleges, and he told me I'm talented at writing music. And apparently, the school needs a musical program for the, the accreditation board, so-" "I don't sing in public." She hands him back the poster. "Ok, uh actually, I wanted to- sorry, I wanted to ask. I know things are awkward and I don't really know what's going on between us, but I could really use your help with all this stuff. Because, I mean, you knew all these people for real. Some of it involves your dad." "What?" Landon nods. "Yeah. He's part of the story of the school. You both are." Hope shakes her head. "We're not characters in your musical, Landon. My family stays out of it. And that includes my kids, as well." She walks away to find Josie. After walking the school, she goes to her room and knocks. "Come in." She opens the door and smiles at her. "Hey you." Josie stands from her bed and gives her a kiss. "How's your day been?" Hope sighs and throws herself on the bed. "Ooh, not good, I'm guessing?" Josie bites her lip. Hope turns and looks at her. "Did you know Landon is doing the school musical?" She asks her wife. "Landon? Why?" Hope shrugs. "I guess since he's human now, he wants to start thinking of what he'll do when he gets out of here. College and all that." Josie nods. "Makes sense. I'm still not sure about that either, then again, I'm not sure we'll even make it to college." She sighs. Hope shakes her head and holds Josie's hand. "Jo, don't say that. I know it seems hard now, but it'll get better. We just have to pull through for now. We'll get our happily ever after, I promise." She kisses her softly. "So, were you going to audition?" Hope smiles. "Oh no, not a chance." Josie shakes her head. "Fair enough, me neither."