Timelines Are Not Meant To Be Joined Together (SAMTBK Vol. 5)

Act 1: Platinum Kids

Max's P.O.V.

I was walking home from my job when I passed by Claire's apartment building. Maybe... no.

I decided against going inside the building again. My feelings will be no different than last time if I do... and everyone has had enough of seeing me come home crying. I'm an adult now for crying out loud!

No pun intended...

I tapped my ID card against the lock, unlocking the door.

"Maxy!" I was tackled into a hug by Serenity.

"You need to stop doing that, Sere!" I tell her. "We're not kids and my back is very prone to injuries now."

Instantly she got up and apologized multiple times... in French?

"Sere, you're speaking French again," Aera said from the doorway to the next room over.

Did I forget to mention that this was our group home?

Also, Serenity takes a French class as an extra curricular, so that was probably why she slipped into that alternate language... again...

"Sorry, Aera. It's a habit I need to break."

"You got that right," Itsuki (nicknamed Itsu by Serenity) agreed, coming up next to Aera.

"Can I please take off my shoes and coat in peace for once?" I asked, putting my coat on the coat rack.

"Has anyone seen Jersey? I just repaired her hoverboard."  Ahsoka came into view, holding her wrench.

"The two left in a hurry. Something related to X getting fired." I looked at Cara with shock.

"AGAIN?! HE'LL NEVER KEEP A JOB TO SAVE HIS LIFE!"

I sighed and went to my room, which I intentionally claimed at the back of the second-level hallway.

What?

Aera's music is too loud.

So of course I'd make sure my room was the furthest from hers.

I put my bag down by my desk and went to the window. My thoughts, as usual, instantly went to Claire as I watched the sun set.

She'd love this place... all of us together like this...

I groaned, as I knew what I had to do... again...

I went back to the door and put my coat and shoes back on.

"Where are you going?" Ahsoka questioned.

"The pier. I'll be back in maybe an hour."

"An hour?! WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO TELL JUSTIN WHEN HE COMES BA-"

I left in the middle of whatever she was going to say. Justin was like a hall monitor and kind of set a curfew for us. He should return in a bit over an hour... and he expects us to be eating supper by then...

Then... as I stood on the pier that overlooked the water, I heard a voice...

It was singing...

And it sounded familiar...

(Listen to the song as you read the rest)

I felt the song all around me, as if the very wind was delivering the message.

Someone was coming...

Someone I knew...

I'm trying to remember... but my own mind was fighting me.