The Time Traveler's Wife

The Best Friendship

November 1999

Carmilla appears in someone's attic, staring at an open window, shivering as soon as the crisp autumn breeze touches her skin.

There's some giggling from a young child behind her and she tenses, clamping her eyes closed. Flashing a kid would definitely not be ideal.

"Well, Carmilla? Do you want the clothes, or not?"

Carmilla's eyes widen and without thinking, she spins to look at the girl.

A bright eyed, blonde girl with a warm smile. And an adorable missing tooth front and center.

"Uhh... Laura?"

The girl bunches up her face. "Uhh... Carmilla?" she mocks. "Duh, who else would it be? I haven't grown THAT much since the last time we saw each other!" Laura waves the clothes at her. "Are you gonna take these or are you gonna keep standing there saying my name all confused?"

Carmilla chuckles and takes them, putting them on quickly. "Sorry, cutie. This is my first time traveling back in time to meet you. Hell, I just met you in my present."

Laura's eyes widen. "Whoa, really?"

Carmilla nods.

"So if I were to thank you for helping me with that bully, you'd have no idea what I'm talking about?" Laura concludes dejectedly.

"Sorry. None," Carmilla replies. "How many times have we met? For you, anyway."

Laura frowns in concentration before she holds up three fingers enthusiastically.

Carmilla pretends to take a while counting them. "Ah. Five times."

Laura's eyes widen and she checks how many fingers she's holding up before narrowing her eyes in a glare. "Not funny, Carmilla."

"It's pretty funny," Carmilla comments.

She watches with amusement as the girl turns away with an annoyed huff. She follows Laura out of what she assumes is her house. No one seems to be home, in spite of it being evening.

Carmilla is looking around the neighborhood. It's not often she gets to travel to a location where a pile of clothes is waiting for her. She usually spends most of her time trying to plan a break-in and enjoying the scenery is a rare luxury.

"Well, come on, slowpoke. We're gonna miss it," Laura grumbles. They turn a corner into a park.

"Miss what?" Carmilla asks, picking up her pace to catch up with Laura.

"The meteor shower," Laura answers as she leads Carmilla to a spot with a blanket and a picnic basket.

"Laura Hollis, is this a date?" Carmilla asks, watching as Laura's body stiffens.

"Wh-WHAT? N... No!" she squeaks. "Nuh uh! Ew."

Carmilla laughs and gently pats Laura's shoulder. "Calm down, spaz. I'm just joking."

"We gotta work on your jokes," Laura growls, settling down on the blanket.

"I'll make a note of that," Carmilla deadpans as she sits down next to Laura.

Laura opens the basket and pulls out some sandwiches. "My dad made them," she says, handing one to Carmilla. "Well, I watched him make one and then after he left the house, I copied what I saw him do."

"Crafty," Carmilla remarks. "Which one did you make? So I know to avoid that one."

Laura scowls and tosses a wrapped sandwich at her. "Next time, I'm leaving you out in your travels naked."