Just Between Us

Chapter Three

We've been in the woods for hours. The commotion at the barn seemed to be over but the real chaos was just beginning. My secret couldn't be kept for much longer and even though he's been silent, the questions are bound to come.

He's sitting on the ground. The heavy-breathing subsided long ago, but that didn't mean he's caught his breath. His stare is blank; He hasn't worked up the courage to ask what was going on. Maybe he was giving me time to explain myself or come up with an excuse but I hadn't even caught my breath myself. I won't until we're back in 2019. 

"Just spit it out already," I finally say. 

He snaps his head at me and I meet his eyes. His eyebrows furrow together and he doesn't say anything.

"You must have a lot of questions."

He looks away again not knowing what to say. I don't press him anymore but I stretch out my legs in front of me and that's when I notice how muddy my feet are. I left the pair of heels back at the barn in our escape for our lives. 

I look over at the boy sitting next to me feeling guilty. He's still dressed in his suit and tie but not nearly as handsome as when he first came. The dress shirt is untucked, the tie is worn low, and he is worn out. Time travel sucks the life out of you and it's my fault that's so unkempt.

"I guess I should have known when you told me it was a dream," He finally says, "Dream people usually don't tell you it's a dream." 

"Yeah," I sigh, "Not my finest lie." 

I'm usually better on my feet here but it's not everyday I'm caught alone with a boy. That's Alexis's place. If she were here right now sitting next to this boy, she'd probably be able to win him over with her charm. He'd believe anything she had to say. Sometimes, I wish I brought her into my secret life, but how would she ever know. 

"Why did you lie?"

It's a serious, valid question but still took me by surprise. After the barn fire and gunshots and everything that just happened, I think it's safe for him to assume that if he knew the truth he would have wanted me to lie.

"It's better that way," I shrug, "Or at least I think it is. This has never happened to me before so this is all new."

"Well, I can assure you," He says grabbing the back of his head, "This has never happened to me before either. Blacking out and waking up in a wilderness to a..."He pauses taking in information about me, "Complete stranger hasn't exactly been crossed off on my bucket list."

I smile faintly. 

"So, who are you," He presses further, "And what exactly is happening?"

He's been patient long enough and I could try to come up with another lie but that wouldn't be of much help to either of us. He's already proven to be an obstacle in the presence of danger for not knowing. And honestly, I just don't have the energy to keep up a lie for however long we're here for. 

"If I told you the truth to begin with," I sigh, "You wouldn't believe me." He leans his head back onto the tree trunk and I do the same. "And I'm not sure you'll believe me when I tell you the truth."

I expect him to say something along the lines of "Try me," but he doesn't. He stays silent, taking in our environment. Taking in me again. I didn't like how his eyes searched me. It made me self conscious just thinking about the thoughts swirling in his head. 

He probably thinks I'm a freak and if he doesn't yet, he definitely will when I tell him. 

"Just promise you'll believe me," I ask him. It's a hard thing to request. Ask a strange to trust you, no questions asked. "I asked you if you trusted me earlier and you did."

He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. His eyes searched my face for something he could put his faith in until he finally nodded. It caused my stomach to flip over itself and I have to cross my ankles on the ground and  anchor myself from floating away. 

I let out the breath I've been holding in and close my eyes shut when I realize, "I've never said this out loud before."

Maybe for him it's instinct, but he grabs my wrist and gives it a firm squeeze. I look down at our hands and smile. He's trying to comfort me, to let me know that he'll believe me but I don't quite believe him. When my eyes reach his, I finally speak again. 

"The last thing you remember was being at the dance, right?" He nods. "Well, that night did happen, but it also hasn't happened yet." 

The eyebrows furrow together again and I realize I'm not making much sense, "That's vague I know. Again, I've never said this aloud, let alone to someone else."

"Just say it," He encourages, "Be as blunt as possible."

"I travel through time."

Neither of say anything for a moment. He doesn't laugh or make any sudden noises. When I look at him, his face is blank. There's no question written on his face. Nothing that indicates he even heard my confession until he simply says, "Okay."

Now, I feel the confusion manifesting on my face. "Okay?"

"Yeah, okay," He shrugs, "I said I'll believe you. I believe you." 

There's the flip in my stomach again but it's accompanied by something beating loudly in my chest. I can hardly believe that he believes me. This isn't something any normal person would believe.

"W-why?"

The corners of his lips flip into a small smile, "Why do I believe you?"

"Aside from the fact that I asked you to," I press further, "No one could believe something just because they're told to, can they?"

He shakes his head, "No, I guess not. But those were Union soldiers back there. So either we are in a very believable civil war reenactment or we're somewhere in the 1860s."

"What," I cough, "How did you-?"

1860s. I hadn't even figured out where we had been, but it was like second nature to him. He just knew.  

He laughs lightly at the shock I'm wearing, "American history is my best subject and I come from a long line of veterans. American Wars are my specialty."

"You're taking this a lot better than I expected," I tell him, "No questions? Nothing?"

He sighs, "Trust me. I have a million questions but I am starving and my head hurts. I can barely even think straight. Please tell me, we can somehow get food."

"Yeah, but first we have to change," I look at our clothes, "Now that I know we are in the 1800s we have to do our best to fit in."

I stand up and reach to pull him up. He looks at my hand warily, "One more question you haven't answered yet. Who are you?" 

"Here," I look around carefully, "You can call me Amelia."

I could have told him my real name. It's not far off, but it might be best for us both if we didn't use our real names. "And what do I call you here in the 1860s?"

"Just call me by my name," He shrugs, "Mason Wyatt works for any time period."

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Honestly, he took the news a lot better than anyone ever expected right? Complications are definitely sure to come when he starts thinking more clearly - I'm excited fo it. 

Anyone else? 

And chapter dedicated to @dlcroisette for guessing the time period before the last chapter ended :) 

Next chapter's dedication goes to the first person to comment and suggest a song for me to add to my "Just Between Us" writing soundtrack. It better be a good one ;) 

xoxo

Daisy