The Time Traveler's Wife - The Other Side

The Best Friendship

November 1999

Once again, Carmilla appears in the attic, facing the window. At least this time it's not in the middle of the day. Laura giggles at the memory of the last time Carmilla appeared, but Carmilla still doesn't turn.

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

Carmilla turns to look at Laura.

"Uhh... Laura?"

Laura bunches up her face in amusement. "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. Six 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 follows Laura outside, telling Laura that she's grateful that Laura also gave her a jacket this time around.

Carmilla is looking around the neighborhood and Laura is growing impatient.

"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.

"Wh-WHAT? N... No!" Laura squeaks, panic forming in her chest. "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."

Carmilla laughs and picks it up, peeling the plastic and taking a messy bite.

"You eat like a slob," Laura comments, mildly disgusted.

"Happens when I eat something tasty," Carmilla replies with a bit of food flying from her mouth.

Laura gives her a smug look. "I made that sandwich."