Time Into Time (Dicontinued)

Chapter 1

Did I want things to turn out the way they did?

To be honest, I'm not completely sure. There was a lot, and I mean a lot, of suffering, but then there was also success and happiness. Good things happened, but so did bad. Who's to say if things had been any different if it would've been better? 

There could have been a lot more suffering, and pain, but there could have been a lot more happiness and relief. Who knows? I sure don't, but I will admit, things did not turn out the way I thought. Maybe if it had it would've been better, but thinking about it now, it most likely would've been worse.

But I'll let you decide all that for yourself.

Hello. I'm Alex. Alex Whitebeck. 

I'm almost 13 years old. (At this point in the story at least). I have blonde hair, and brown eyes, yeah cool right? I'm built pretty well too, not bragging or anything. 

I live in Midvale, Utah and go to Midvale Middle School, one of the few white people there. This is my 7th grade year, woo-hoo, school is soooooo fun. Luckily, it's almost the end of the school year.

Everything was going well, I had straight A's and was heavily involved in the theatre program. I walked to school that day going to my first period class, which was theatre. I had just sat down when my teacher, Mrs. Curtin came over.

She's my favorite teacher. The best part is that she understands my theatre references and is overall just a nice person. I'm pretty sure she's in her late 30's.

"Hey Alex. Do you remember the monologue you auditioned with earlier this year?"

"Yeah, I think so"

"Good. I just found out that they have orientation for the incoming 6th graders today and I have to have people go down and talk about the theatre program" She breathes deeply

"Don't you just love it when that happens?" I say sarcastically

"So much fun" She simply replies, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Is there anything you want me to say?"

"Not really. Just talk about the theatre program and what we do I guess"

I nod and look through my stuff for my monologue. I pull it out and smile, "Can I practice it during class today?"

She nods, "Of course, thank you so much!"

"Anytime" 

Full disclosure, if it were any other class, I probably would have no chance to do something like this and if another teacher asked, I'd probably make some excuse saying I couldn't. All through that day I practiced and practiced until the moment finally came.

I walk onto the stage and told the audience about the theatre program and everything, then the big moment came. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and stepped into my element. 

I finally open my eyes and say, 

"You're a meddling, mean-spirited old man, Eros, and you won't get any mercy from me just because you have no beard or white hair! You were about to send me off to a tryst with death! 

That's right, I know all about it! Prometheus spilled the beans on Thetis and the prophecy of Zeus's doom! No woman's worth that! Not to mention all the little pranks you've played over the years! Every time you send me down to Earth to have a little fun with some mortal, I have to change into a bull, a satyr, a swan, an eagle ... I'm a one-man zoo! I'm surprised you haven't had me turn into a bunny rabbit or a mouse!

Why can't these women ever be in love with me? I am the ruler of Olympus, after all! Why do they always have to have some sort of animal fixation! Just once, I'd like to show up as myself—be appreciated for my own charms! I mean, what kind of woman kisses a swan?! 

As long as I'm honking and molting and flapping those ridiculous wings, she's in heaven, but the second I show my true form, she nearly kills herself trying to escape! I don't get it. Apollo doesn't have this problem......Maybe it's the hair." 

I start and my instincts take over, making gestures, emotion and timing all fall into place. I finish and bow, getting a lot of applause and laughter from the end line.

I smile and walk offstage before going outside, finding one of my best friends (and quite possible my only real friend), Vasilia, a friendly little red-head, standing outside waiting for me. 

I call her little when really she's about an inch shorter than me, if I said that out loud I probably get slapped upside the head, she's really touchy about that and women's rights. Just a fair warning for anyone who might talk to her in the future

"You did great as always"

"Thanks, Vas" We start walking

"Can I spend the night at your house?" Vasilia is an orphan, so she likes to stay at our house a lot. The question comes out naturally and is asked almost every day.

"Of course"

I don't live too far away from school so we reached my house quickly, I run inside, holding open the door for Vasilia. 

I start to head to my room but am stopped by my mother, "Alex", she calls from the other room.

"What?" I walk in, Vasilia follows close behind.

"It's your birthday tomorrow..." She trails off

"Yeah, and?"

"Um, never mind. Vasilia, are you spending the night?" She's obviously tense and hiding something.

"If that's all right" Vasilia says nervously

"Of course it is, m-may I speak with you alone?"

She nods slightly, I look between the two of them. They are hiding something from me and are very nervous about what it is, but I still walk out to leave them to talk, maybe that will help.

I try to work on homework but get distracted, but my ADHD makes that very hard. I hear crying from the other room and....I may or may not have eavesdropped a little.

"I-is there any other way?" I hear my mom say, I'm guessing the answer is no judging by the increased crying.

"I'm sorry. We have to go in the morning"

I hear someone start to move and I back away from the door, hurrying back to my room sitting down just as my mom and Vasilia walks in. They've hidden the fact that they were crying pretty well.

"H-hey" She tries to sound strong but fails, the fragility showing through.

"Hi" I say, looking down.

"Th-there's a camp, I-I have to send you too, I'll explain more in the morning b-but then you'll have to leave"

"Why?"

"I-I'll tell you in the morning, p-please just try and get some sleep. That's why I can't tell you" Her voice cracks and she starts to tear back up, "Vasilia will go with you"

I nod, tearing up myself, before suddenly hugging her.

She flinches for a second before hugging back, whispering, "I love you"

"I love you too. I'll see you in the morning" I attempt a smile and it helps my mom calm down a little. She walks out with her head down slightly, obviously starting to cry again.

I walk over to Vasilia, who has been standing there silent this whole time, and she turns away mumbling, "I need to go to bed" and walks out, but I can tell by her tears that she won't be sleeping anytime soon.

I start pacing around my room, wondering what could possibly make them this worried. I probably would have done that all night if my mom hadn't specifically told me to get some sleep. That must mean something big is going on the next day. I finally walk over to my bed and lay down, quickly falling asleep.

Little did I know, my mom's explanation would never come.