Two to Teleport

Allegra- 1

One minute. One minute until class ends. I’ve already finished the worksheet. I could be out of here so fast, you wouldn’t even believe me. And I mean it.

Let me explain. My name is Allegra. I’m 13, I’m in eighth grade, I dance and swim, I’m smart...

Oh, and I can teleport.

I don’t know how that last part came to be. When I was in third grade, I was at home one afternoon in my room. That night, we were leaving to go to Tahoe, up to my family’s small cabin. I was so excited, and I just wanted to be there now! I could picture it in my head- the big, comfy couch, the old wooden dining room table, the bedroom with the big soft bed… And suddenly, I was there. In Tahoe, in the cabin, standing beside my bed. I freaked out. Was I dreaming? How did I get here in a split second? I ran my hand along the top of the blankets, and I knew it was real. This was real. I was actually here, in the cabin, in Tahoe. And I had just teleported.

I knew I couldn’t stay. My parents would be looking for me to come help pack up the car.  I was faced with the task of getting home. I figured if I had gotten here just by thinking about it, that’s how I should be able to get back, right? I took a few deep breaths. I pictured my bedroom. Nothing happened. I sat down on the bed. All of the sudden, I had an idea. I should do something to figure out if this was in fact real. So, I pulled the pillow from under the neatly made bedsheets and put it at the foot of the bed. If it was there when I arrived with my family, I’d know.

I got back onto the mattress and sat cross-legged. I closed my eyes and took three deep breaths. My bedroom. The blue walls. The white comforter. The family photograph on the wall. The pile of dirty laundry.

I opened my eyes. There I was, sitting cross-legged in front of the pile of laundry on my bedroom floor. I smiled, laughed out loud, and then stood up. What had I just done? I didn’t quite know, and didn’t have much time to reflect on it because my mom was calling me to bring my bag to the car.

---

RING.

Finally! I grab my backpack and rush out. Students all around me stream out of classroom doors and into the hallways. I stroll to my locker and open it, the combination now just muscle-memory to me. I place my binders in my backpack, the biggest ones in the back, the smallest ones in the front, and zip it up. And then, I walk behind the building. I look around, my eyes trying to see if anyone’s watching me.                                                                              

Nope. I am alone.

I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and then I’m in my driveway at home, standing in front of the gate. I smile at the satisfaction of how easy teleporting makes getting places. Walking into the house, I hear my mom call out “Hi sweetie! How was your day?”

“Fine. Where are you?”

“In the laundry room.”

“Oh. Ok. I’m going to get a sandwich, ok? Before swim practice.”

“Alright. Be safe!”

“Yes, I know.”

I drop my backpack in my room and change out of my school uniform and into shorts and a t-shirt. I grab five dollars from my secret money stache and shove it in my pocket.

I want to imagine the smells of the fresh-baked bread and the warm feeling. I want to think about the fresh veggies and meats. But instead, I have to think about the alleyway behind the shop. The employees only sign, the shiny garbage can.

I feel the slight tug I always feel when I teleport.

Whoosh.

I’m there. I quickly walk out of the alley and onto the sidewalk. Around the small building, to the front door of The Sandwich Shoppe. As I open the door, small bells ring, and a lady appears from the kitchen.

“Allegra! How are you, sweets?”

“I’m fine, thank you Ms. Martch.”

“What would you like today? Do you have swim practice? I can get you the honey turkey sandwich so you’ll have some energy!”

“That would be great! Thank you.”

She whisks into the kitchen and I sit down at the bench by the front door. Soon enough, she reappears with a small bag in her hand.

“Five dollars, hon.”

“Here you go. Thanks!”
“You’re certainly welcome. Have a good day!”
“You too!” I say as I walk out. I saunter back to the alleyway and teleport back into my kitchen.

---

“Oh goodness, you scared me, Al. You have your sandwich? Good.”

“Yup. I gotta hurry and eat it before practice.”

"Don't make yourself sick. You typically eat those delicious sandwiches way too fast..." She says, smiling and amused.

"I know."