The Time Traveler's Wife - The Other Side

The Relationship Advice

January 2008

Six years went by both quickly and slowly.

All that time Laura spent at Danny's house when Mrs. Lawrence took care of her while Sherman was always at work led Laura and Danny to consider each other best friends-- although Laura always clarified that she still considered Carmilla her best friend, too.

Laura was always going to see Danny play baseball or basketball. Danny was always joining in on Laura's adventures to take pictures and feel that connection with her mother. She listened to Laura babble about shows even though she couldn't stand to watch them with her.

At the end of middle school, Danny asked Laura out. Laura said yes.

And for three years, they've been dating.

But lately, there was a feeling in the pit of Laura's stomach that she couldn't quite identify or shake.

If only mom was still here, Laura frets. Her father was beyond great and doing his best, but she didn't want to put all the stress of her growing pains on him.

Laura had invited Danny to go with her to go see a film called Persepolis, which she knew wasn't exactly Danny's taste of movies. But it was Laura's and that should be good enough. Right?

So Laura's donned her favorite Tegan and Sara shirt and ripped jeans and decided to continue to ignore that feeling in the pit of her stomach. Besides, she's still early for the movie.

She's on her way out when she feels a small shift in the air and frowns. She hadn't felt something like that since...

Carmilla.

"Hey, stranger," Laura says as Carmilla is standing in the attic, clearly still trying to focus on her new surroundings. "Welcome to 2008."

"Whoa," Carmilla exclaims. Laura isn't sure what's causing this reaction. "You look... uhm..."

"The last time I saw you was six years ago," Laura points out.

"Diggin the hair," Carmilla chuckles, putting on a black t-shirt and sweatpants. Laura realizes she's got a bunch of different-colored highlights in her hair. "Wanna start catching me up on the past six years? If you want."

Laura leads Carmilla out of the attic and towards her bedroom, unsure of where to start.

Luckily, Carmilla seems to sense this. "Let's see you're... what? A sophomore in high school?"

Laura nods, pausing in the hallway. "When was the last time you saw me?"

Carmilla laughs. "Spoilers."

"Annoying as ever," Laura comments. This felt natural, even after six years of not seeing her. "Before we catch up, let's do this first."

Laura pulls out a small handheld camera and motions for Carmilla to follow her.

Carmilla starts taking in the room, clearly never having seen it like this. There are definitely new fandom paraphernalia and pictures up, including her favorite picture of her with her mother, taken by some random lady at the park the first time she met Carmilla.

"Recording time!" Laura declares from across the room, having situated her camera on her bedroom desk. Carmilla makes her way over as Laura begins speaking. "Hello, gentle viewers of the future. Last time we saw Carm was in May of 2002. And apparently last time she saw me, was in Spoiler Territory." She tugs Carmilla into frame. "So now, we're in 2008. I'm seventeen years old. And Carmilla is..."

"Twenty eight," Carmilla replies.

"Cool! We're getting closer in age," Laura says. She frowns, realizing her younger self had never thought to ask Carmilla something before. "Wait, what year were you born?"