Time Is A Messy Thing

Chapter 3

I got up and left my room. I had to go outside.

I went past the familiar doors, through the familiar hallways, out the most recognizable door to the garden. Now that I was outside I felt as thought I could think better. I knew it was a stupid idea but I couldn't help it, I always felt better outside. More space to run, to breathe, to think even.

Now that I really think about it I was probably slightly claustrophobic.

Now that I was standing outside, I began to really think about my, our, past. I thought of how much we played around, the games we played despite all the scolding we got for getting dirty in the mud. How when Griffin went to school Em and I would play in the mud, get dirty, then spread that dirtiness to Griffin when he got back. How much he enjoyed it even when his parents-

"You okay?"

Reacting on pure instinct, I turn around and stand up startled at the sudden, booming voice I heard behind me.

"Grif, you scared me."

"I was going to come out here to think but I saw you instead." He said giving me the once-over in his usual fashion he did even when we were kids.

"Beat you to it." I say with a small, sassy smile at the end. He chuckles.

"I can tell." He looked at his feet. 

" What were you thinking about?" I ask.

"Nothing" he replies, I forgot how much I missed British accents. They really are much fancier then American ones. 

I smile at the thought of Em's Scottish-British accent. It sounds pleasant and I bet nobody would be able to pin point where its from.

"How did you find me? I mean when I was 3." I ask, completely out of the blue.

He looked confused for a second then replied, "No clue, you're only as old as I am and we were only 3 when we met one another."

"I was wondering how we first met each other. Would your mother know?" I was slipping back to 'mother' instead of 'mom' already. That was faster then I thought it would be.

"Probably. I mean, she was the one that found you, along with father." His voice cracked a little as he trailed off on his last word.

"What happened to him? I saw his painting in the hallway." I asked this with so much confidence I surprised even myself. He shifted uncomfortably on his feet. 

"A war."

"A war?" I parroted back.

"A war. He was drafted to go to one. I still can't believe how much it affected everything."

"How big is it?"

"Worldwide. We call it 'The Great War'. I don't know what other places call it."

"World War One you mean?" I say not thinking. I seem to be doing that a lot lately.

"Wait, one? Like one of two? There's a second one? Oh no." He spits out. Concern growing on his face as he talks.

"What? No. I was just-" 

"Just?" He leans in closer to me as if he could intimidate me enough to finish my sentence. I had to tell him. I have to tell them. I would be leaving in about two weeks now. I have to tell them. Oh god how do I tell them. I'll just say it. But first Em needs to get here.

"Grif go get Em."

"Why?"

"Just do it." He looks at me suspiciously, but goes anyway. 

I pull out my phone. An iPhone 6. #TeamApple. The only thing I'm giving Android is their battery power. That's the only thing. 

I scroll through  my pictures. I see really good pictures of Chicago, pictures of Italy, pictures of almost everywhere in the world. Paris, pre-Eiffel Tower was really pretty. I love the candles. I smile at the pictures of some of the friends I accidentally made. I've googled a few of their names. Only one of them became famous. 

After a few minutes I hear a angry voice which I'm guessing is Em's, having just been woken up and the other has to Griffin's.

"What do you want?" Em asks, clearly annoyed. 

"I... Have to tell you something... " I say getting quieter as I finish my sentence. 

This got their attention. Em's sleepy eyes become alert and Grif moves his attention from something behind me directly to my face, studying it like he always did.

"What is it?" He asks.

Moving her head to to face Griffin, all the while keeping her eyes focused on me she says,"What do you think? She's gonna tell us where she went..." Em says, observant as ever. 

"I doubt you'll believe me but I feel like I have to tell you..."

"Damn straight you do" Em says, startling Griffin with her use of foul language. "You were gone for a really long time. Honestly as long as you don't lie I don't care if Grif believes you or not. I will."

I pause thinking about her words. Even for Em's far-fetched way of thinking, time-travel was going to be hard for her to grasp, I don't care what she says. 

I look at my two long lost friends. I think of all the things that started between us and I feared what would happen to us if they thought I was lying. 

"I... I time travel." I say, squeezing my eyes shut. 

I waited a few moments before opening them again. My right one first, I had more control over it.

I stared at them through my one open eye. I could barely see anything but the way they were standing hadn't changed at all. I saw a familiar look on Em's face. It doesn't matter how you grew up or what you've said or done, everybody's been given the look of 'are you telling the truth?' 

"No. Tell us the truth." Grif says, his features stone cold. 

Em lightly smacks his arm. I can't help but smile. She would always do that and mother would get mad at her. "You idiot, of course it's the truth!" she said, a bit to loud "Just look."

Grif gives me yet another once over. His eyes squint together, examining the way I'm standing, and I'm suddenly very aware of it. My right hand is hiding in the space between my left elbow and my left arm is angled across my body, covering my stomach. I was looking at the ground and I was hunched over a little. I looked down. My feet were pointed together ever so slightly, but if I knew Griffin, he'd notice. I look back at Griffin and as I suspected he saw what I felt.

Scared. Nervous.

"Fine." He said finally, like the decision of my truth was his.

"Really?" I said quieter than a mouse. Em smiled happily, almost smugly as I'm sure she thought it her triumph of convincing Grif I wasn't lying. And truth be told, it was hers. 

"Yes. Listen C-" He stopped himself suddenly and the memory I had before knocking on this door flooded back into my head. I teared up and I think about how different everything would be if I had stayed. 

I see the pain in Grif's eyes too.  There's no hiding it. He continues.

"Listen. You can tell us more later, but right now I'm tired. Let's go to bed and we'll talk more tomorrow. I think the market's open tomorrow, we can talk while we walk. Sound good?"

The tone he used reminded me of how your mother talks to you when something's not up for debate. Emily recognized it and her gaze moved from Griffin to me as she awaited my acceptance. 

"I'd rather talk about it somewhere less public, but okay." I said, standing up straighter. 

"Tomorrow morning then?"

"Tomorrow morning." I replied.

"Perfect."

He turned around to walk back inside. I waited a few minutes then followed.

Oh boy.