Just Between Us

Chapter One

As a child of motion sickness, I carry dramamine on me at all times because it makes me feel secure, like I have some control over when I...go somewhere.

The truth is that I have no control over where I go or when I go. It's a cruel trick of nature really. Give the girl with severe motion sickness the ability to travel through time without warning. She'll be sick most of the days of her life.

Yes, you read that right.

Time travel. Not only is it possible, I'm your living proof of it.

"Emily, you have to take your dramamine," Mom says as she hands me a paper bag that she now has learned to keep in her purse. "Especially when you know we're taking the bus."

The bus is the second worst way for me to travel. All the stopping and going, the crowds of people, and no seatbelts. It's almost as bad as being snatched from any precise moment and being thrown into another on a whim. For you non travelers out there, it's similar to the sudden flip your stomach does when turbulence hits.

"I did," I groan before breathing in to the paper bag.

It's not a lie. I definitely took dramamine before getting on to the bus but for me, that was nine days ago. I've been living on the down low in the 50s for the last week and half, waiting to return home.

She sighs, exasperated, "Well, let's pray that the car is fixed soon and that it won't cost us an arm and leg." Apparently getting into at-fault collisions that insurance won't cover because apparently time traveling isn't insured is another casualty of my abilities.

"We're three stops away," Mom assures me, "Let's distract you from the nausea. What are you wearing to the dance?"

I openly glare at her, "And that's how you're distracting me from wanting to throw up? Talking about the dance?"

"What," Mom frowns.

"I don't want to go to the dance," I inform her. Mom probably thinks it's insecurities because I didn't look like her in high school, but that's not it. At least, that's not all of it. Sure, I don't have my mom's gorgeous flowing hair or her perfect physique but as far as I knew, she also didn't have my ability to travel. Going to a dance where I could potentially make a fool of myself from now until eternity was not on my high school bucket list.

"That's ridiculous, Em," She shakes her head and blows off what I have to say, "It's your senior year. You and Alexis bought your dresses, you're going."

The truth is I had no say in whether or not I could stay home tonight instead of attending the dance. My best friend, Alexis, is coming to pick me up. She and mom had it all planned out. Mom was voted the homecoming queen her senior year, Alexis is on the homecoming court, and I have no choice.

When we finally make it home, Alexis's jeep is sitting at the curb. Which meant someone was home to let her in and start making my night a misery.

"I told you I would give you a ride home," Alexis tells us when we open the door, "You didn't have to take the bus."

Emily thinks back nine days trying to remember her plausible excuse, but too many Elvis Presley songs and poodle skirts have filled the gaps. She doesn't remember nine days ago like she remembers today.

"Nonsense," Mom tells her, "It's good for us to take the bus. Makes me feel so metropolitan."

"Mom," I roll my eyes at how ridiculous she sounds, "We're going to my room."

"Yes, go get ready," She waves her hand at us and goes to prepare food while Alexis and I make our way down the hall.

"Did you hear about Jackson," Alexis starts, "He's voted King."