Walking in the Wind One Direction EDITING

1. Back for You

*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*
I smack the alarm clock on the nightstand, my hand slapping it harder than necessary. My head feels like it's been run over by a truck, a dull ache pulsing behind my eyes. It's the kind of headache you get after a night of drinking, but I know for a fact that I didn't go out last night.

Slowly, I crack open one eye—and immediately regret it. There's only a tiny gap between the curtains, but the sunlight sears through it, stabbing me right in the retina. Groaning, I turn onto my side, reach for my phone—and then freeze. I squint at the screen, blinking in disbelief.

Wait this isn't my phone? I mean it is but it's my phone from like a decade ago?

I bolt upright in bed, the headache getting worse. My eyes scan the room, my childhood bedroom staring back at me. The walls are still that faded blue I remember, and my old posters are plastered everywhere. Even my pet hamster is still in the corner of the room, running on his wheel.

There is no way.. What is happening.

I clutch the phone to my chest, my heart pounding. I yank the charger out of the wall and tap on the screen. The calendar opens with the date displayed: 11th of April, 2010.

This is not real. This must be a joke right? Yesterday it was 16th of October 2024... I don't remember what I did yesterday, but I know it wasn't THIS.

I scramble to my feet, rushing to the window and yanking open the curtains. The blinding sunlight floods the room, but I barely notice. This is insane. I hesitate for a second, then walk slowly toward the mirror. I'm afraid to look, but I have to know.

I take a deep breath, then look at myself.

A sigh of relief escapes me when I see my reflection. I look like... I look like a 16-year-old. My hair is still long and black, my eyes still that dull blue-gray, my lips plump and pink. It's me, but I'm younger—so much younger.

I stare at myself for what feels like an eternity, trying to wrap my brain around the fact that this isn't a dream anymore. I'm not 23 anymore. I'm 16 again.

Wake up! Wake up! Nothing. Guess we'll go along with this dream then. Would've been worse if I were 9 years old again. Thank god at least I transformed into a decent age.

"Amber!"My mom's voice jolts me out of my thoughts.

"Amber are you awake?!" She yells at me from downstairs.

"Yes!" I shout back, even though I'm still in a daze. I hear her footsteps on the stairs, getting closer.

The door creaks open, and she peeks her head into my room. "Are you getting ready?"

"Ready for what?" I ask, genuinely confused.

She narrows her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. "Ha-ha, don't act like you don't remember."

"No, seriously, Mom. For what?" I frown, my confusion deepening.

I am so confused. This actually doesn't feel like a dream anymore as I'm interacting with her. Is this real? Doesn't she realize that this shit is happening? Is it just a normal day for her?

Her expression falters, just a flicker of concern. "You and your sister. The X Factor audition is today. She hasn't shut up about it since she signed up. And she secretly signed you up too, she told you last night."

Wait. What? I freeze, my stomach dropping. I didn't know Jade could sing—let alone that I was signed up for an audition.

My mom rolls her eyes as she turns to leave. "Now don't look so surprised and hurry up. We're leaving in 30."

She shuts the door, leaving me to process the absurdity of it all.

What is happening? Does this mean I have to go and get up on stage and sing? And why is that the least surprising realization of the day?

I turn toward my closet, half-expecting it to be filled with clothes from 2024. Instead, I'm greeted with a blast from the past—tank tops, beanies, skinny jeans, plaid shirts. Everything is perfectly folded and exactly my size. I feel like I'm in some kind of warped time capsule.

Well, I guess I'll have to make it work.

I grab a pair of black skinny jeans and a simple black top. A quick shower, some mascara, and a messy bun later, I look... 16 again. The outfit's simple enough to fit in, but it still feels weird, like I'm wearing a costume.

I guess this will work for this era? I think these are the trends these days? If anything is the same that is...

Just as I'm about to leave the bathroom, Jade bursts in. She's even more impatient than I remember.

"Dude, hurry up, we gotta go!" She grabs my arm, tugging me toward the stairs.

"Wait, I'm ready!" I stammer, stumbling over my words. My gaze flicks to her. She looks different—older than she should be.

"I said we gotta go. Im not about to be late to this audition!" She nags. I snap out of my intens stare and stumble on my words "ye-yeah sure. I'm ready."

"You said that already," she snaps, not giving me a chance to explain. "Let's go, before we're late to this audition!"

I grab my bag from the counter and follow her downstairs, my mind still racing.

"I've got granola bars for breakfast in the car." My mother says, bundling up in a scarf. "Now let's go!"

I follow Jade to the door, still struggling to wrap my mind around all of this. Outside, my stepdad's car is running like some kind of getaway vehicle. My sister climbs in first, and I scramble to catch up.

I tug on a pair of Converse, my hands shaking. I race after her, tripping over my untied shoelaces and nearly falling down the driveway.

"Amber, come on!" My mom shakes her head, but there's an exasperated smile on her face.

Guess this is gonna be the weirdest day of my life.