Past Time

6- Just a Breather

My thoughts were all jumbled together. I just needed to get my mind off things and enjoy Rochester, NY my home city.

I checked my messages and answered Brianna and Dylan, asking them if they would like to meet at our usual place, the icecream shop just a few blocks from Highland Park.

They, of course agreed since they were ice cream addicts. I personally preferred Boba, but I scream for ice cream like everyone else does right?

Dylan and Brianna were my childhood friends and they've stuck with me through everything. I met them in kindergarten when Dylan kicked Brianna because he liked her. She ended up crying and I had to tell him that kicking girls was not the way to tell them you like them. They don't know I'm a spy though, just a high school drop out.

The sky was gray and unforgiving. It felt chilly as I walked the streets of New York. I passed by a large TV screen in the midst of a huge crowd. "Time travel might just be the new future! Scientists have discovered a way to change the rules of time. The president says-" I hurried away, desperate to keep my mind off of my time travel mission. I was scared and I knew it.

I met them at the shop and we went in. The familiar smell of cotton candy ice cream greeted us and the room was filled with advertisements and posters of all the differant flavors and shakes.

I got my favorite, cookie dough in a sugar cone.
Brianna and Dylan got the special for the day (Neapolitan) and we sat at the table outside.

Dylan was wearing his favorite gray hoodie and sat down,"So you answered my text a few hours late."

I rolled my eyes, "You'll go days without answering mine!"

His green eyes narrowed teasingly, "I've only done that like once!" That was his final words of English as he burped Twinkle Little Star between each bites of ice cream. I tried to cover my face as people looked at us alarmingly. By this point I was used to Dylan's "burping practices" as he claimed.

"DYLAN PLEASE," Brianna cut in, getting bored of our conversation. She was a few skin tones lighter then me with dark brown hair and dark eyes.

"Hey Clarissa are you okay? You look down," Brianna remarked.

I took a deep breath, "I saw my dad today."

Dylan paused mid-burp and Brianna gaped at me. "What did he do? Did he finally apologize for his absence?!" Brianna accused angrily.

"No, I don't think an apology would make up for his actions. I still don't forgive him, but...I'll tell you guys later. I don't feel like it right now," I said glumly, licking my ice cream to avoid the topic.

Dylan and Brianna dropped the sensitive subject, not pushing me. Conversing with my friends really brought up my mood and I realized how thankful I am for them. They really were my family. Unlike someone at the Agency.

Now, to tell them about the next three days. If only I could tell them I was going to time travel and possibly save the country!

I sighed,"Oh yea, guys I'm going to be gone for the next couple of days."

They exchanged confused looks and asked me in unison,"Why?"

"Well you know my job at McDonald's? They are promoting me to the buisness aspect, but it requires training so they are sending me to Illinois for a few days."

"I thought you quit you job at McDonald's three months ago?" Brianna was not buying it. I did actually work at McDonald's, but it was absolute hell so I quit three months later.

"No, I was thinking about quitting but I didn't,"
I answered, thinking on my feet.

Dylan was annoyed, "Three days? You are supposed to stay at my house this Friday and binge eat tacos together!" I completely forgot that today was Wednesday. I even requested to not be on duty Friday. Plans had changed,"I can't anymore, sorry maybe next week."

"You're getting serious about this McDonald's job now?" Dylan questioned still not accepting I couldn't go.

"Yes, who else is going to want a high school drop out with absolutely no skills?"

"Oh come on Dylan, if anything she is already more successful than us! She has a steady job and is being promoted! If you think about it we don't even have jobs and wouldn't be able to support ourselves." Brianna had a proud look on her face and seemed genuinely happy for me.

Dylan had an unusual serious look in his face as he said, "Clarissa if you need to talk to us, we're here."

"Of course," I gulped. I felt guilty for making up a complete lie to them. They deserved a better friend than me.

After saying bye to them, I walked to the Agency by myself. The sun was beginning to set and the air got considerably cooler. I almost wished I had a normal life so I could just go to Brianna or Dylan's house and we would continue to talk through the night.

I do not have a normal life. I have to accept that.

I would have to prepare for my mission tomorrow and tell Dylan and Brianna I would see them next week.

After arriving back at the E.C Agency I quickly headed to my room. They gave me three days worth of 1700s style clothing as well as a bag sprawled on my bed. There was a file on my desk and I skimmed through it.

It stated that I was to leave all modern day objects behind except for the watch, as to not mess up the past. It did not however exclude food so I quickly packed a few twinkies because I couldn't survive without them. It's not like I'd share these Twinkies with someone anyways.

I double checked that everything was prepared and the familiar feeling I get before a mission settled in.

Except this was like no other mission I'd done before.