A Step Through Time

Chapter 1

It started off as a refreshing Summer. Finals had just ended and everyone was leaving to party at the lake or sleep away life at home.

Sitting on a bench in front of the school, I close my eyes and feel a summer breeze blow across my face. The sound of trees rustling in the wind fills my ears as I relax and retreat into my thoughts.

"Hey, Kat!"

Keeping my eyes closed I take a deep breath and address my best friend.
"No Alex, I will not help you incinerate anything you have in your mad scientist lab."

"Oh you're so funny. Actually, you know that secret thing I've been working on?"

"No, if its secret why would I know about it?"

"And you know how you've been begging me to tell you?"

"No-"

"WELL." He exclaims and I hear the creak as he plops down next to me. "Todays the day sister! I need a helper, an Igor if you will, to assist me in the final touches of my master piece."

I crack one eye open. "Sooo?"

"Sooo, that lucky person could be you."

"Do I look like I have a hunched back?"

"I don't know, is that a rhetorical question?"

I draw my fist back and punch him in the arm.

"Excuse you! Thats not a way to make me say yes."

"Please!" He gets down on his knees and grabs my hand in his. "Katherine Rennaé Thatch, I need your help on this. I need someone who eats, sleeps, breathes, and craps out history."

Wow, how endearing.
Quirking an eyebrow I stare down at him.
"And you think thats...me?

"You do it so gracefully."

"Hmm." I say pretending to think it over. "Will I get paid?"

"With my love."

"Any benefits?"

"Nope, if anything you might actually die."

"Alex!" I exclaim, snatching my hand out of his grasp.

"I'm kidding!" Rubbing the back of his neck he refuses to meet my glare. "Mostly."

Not giving him an answer, he hangs his head. Long brown hair falls over his dimpled face. Alex was attractive enough, he was thin but had broad shoulders that he still had to grow into. An inch taller than me, he stopped at a solid 5'7.

"Kat, I can't do this by myself. And I'm so close! I'm so close to doing the impossible."

Groaning, I try to avoid his puppy eyes. I hate seeing him like this. Though I could get used to the begging.

"Alright, if I'm going to help you and theres a risk that I'll die, which there always is, I at least expect a soda and hot Cheetos there waiting for me."

Immediately his face brightens, getting up he pulls me into a bone crushing hug.

"Yes! Anything you want! I owe you big time for this."

"Yeah you do."

"Okay okay, meet me later tonight around 10. I'll text you the address."

"10? As in pm?"

"Yes, you're gonna have to come late and since you agreed I need you to listen to me very carefully." He turns very serious, gently grabbing me by the shoulders , his dark brown eyes bore into my blue ones making me a little scared.
"Don't tell anyone where you're going tonight or what happens when you come with me. Turn off your phone as soon as you leave your house, I've already added your fingerprint to the scanner on the door."

Dumbfounded, I remain silent for a few minutes before I speak.
"My fingerprints? How'd you get my fingerprints?? Alex, what is going on?"

"I-I cant tell you, at least not right now. Just meet me at my lab and I'll explain everything. Also, I stole your pencil for the prints. Trust me."

Wrapping my arms around myself, suddenly chilly as goosebumps appear on my arms.

"Pencil stealer." I mutter.

"Kat!"

"Alright, I trust you. I'll see you later."