A GIFT OF TIME

Episode 2

"Claire" My brother called as softly as he could after staring at him for what seems like hours but was just a couple of seconds.

"I...I don't know how to tell you Charlie" I confessed tears making their way to my eyes. Charlie scoffed taking a nervous pace towards my bed before deciding to sit down.

"What's going on Claire?" Charlie asked, face straight.

"I had... This... Weird dream, I don't even know if it's a dream. I feel like I died Charlie, I died and come back" I stated my brows furrowed in obvious confusion. I couldn't believe my own words. There was no doubt Charlie wouldn't as well because he was staring wide-eyed at me with a brow arched in obvious disbelief.

"Look, Charlie, I know this sounds stupid but it did happen-

"you died and come back?" my brother asked me lips sucked in as if holding back laughter. He was indeed holding back laughter because next I know he was cackling.

"It's not funny" I frowned at Charlie who was now rolling on his belly in laughter.

"Okay," he coughed unable to control his laugh.

"So, I have a ghost sister?" he asked and I frowned then he took another session of laughter. I sighed took my laptop and head out pissed at his stupid act.

Moving to the sitting room, I restarted my laptop and reloaded Nicholas's profile. Recalling how Steph had gotten my brother's number from his f******k wall, I tried to generate Nick's mobile from his wall, which I successfully did. I switched on my phone to be welcomed by the frozen wallpaper on it. Typical of me I thought inputting Nick's number.

"Hello this is nick, currently unavailable, please leave a message" the phone sounded after ringing for some minutes. his voice made my heart flutter. I knew he was probably not with his phone and I kept calling to hear his voice over and over again but to my dismay, he picked after the fifth call.

"hello" I heard him say to the phone and I froze. Who could I possibly say I was? I questioned myself and immediately disconnected the call. I felt my heart ached and I found myself squeezing the hem of my dress tears streaming down my face. I sobbed loudly until Charlie made his way down. I didn't mind his presence and continue to weep because I had to go with the latter conclusion. I was dead and somehow I find my way back. No matter how much I think about it, it was crazy.

"Claire" my brother called voice timid, expression dark and crushed.

"Claire" my brother called again expression suddenly guilty.

"if you're gonna laugh at me, leave Charlie" I let out hoarsely.

"Claire I'm sorry, it just sounded so absurd. I'm certain you'd do that in my shoes" Charlie's little attempt to defend himself was ridiculously soothing. Deliberating on it for a second I realized I would have done exactly that in his shoes or worse. I sniffled and stared at him for some seconds before deciding to clean my eyes.

"Would you listen to me now?" I asked and he despondently nodded.

"Charlie, I... I don't know what to think too. It's driving me crazy" I told him before explaining the dream that sounded so much like reality, to him. It was surprising how Charlie had listened attentively to every single detail I told him. He had that quizzical look on his face too. It really was strangely confusing but it was the truth.

"So....you tried looking for the Nick guy?" he asked looking nervous and I watch his hand tremble probably in fear or nervousness, I couldn't tell.

"Yes" I timidly replied showing him my laptop screen.

"Nicholas Robinson, his surviving sister Nicole Robinson-

"Don't say that" my brother sharply corrected.

"but she's the only one that survived-

" I said don't say that! " Charlie snapped and I frowned before realizing he was scared. He was scared. I gapped at the realization.

" We cannot die. No I cannot die" Charlie muttered his legs nervously shaking on the Sofa.

"you're freaking out?" I stated the obvious.

"How can I not freak out Claire, you just told me I died, protecting you. As absurd as it may sound I believe you, I feel stupid for believing you. But I can't help it. I believe you and I wouldn't have, if you hadn't acted stupid after you came back from the hospital, I wouldn't have if you hadn't told me about my MBA or... Is this some stupid plan of yours Claire, a plan to get back at me for hiding your training wheels-

"Charlie!" I called in protest.

"This is absurd Claire" my brother declared.

"I know, it totally sounds stupid but I remember you stealing mom's money and in my previous life mom had found it in my room and I was grounded" I revealed and I left my brother's jaw drop leaving his mouth agape.

"I returned the money Charlie, look... I'm not asking you to believe me but I just want you to understand this stupid phase I'm going through, I mean I totally found my frozen obsession funny now" I added, adding to the shock on my brother's face.

"Okay, that's enough for a day Claire, I can't take more" Charlie stated weakly and trembled to his feet.

"You know, I feel this... Is some kind of gift Charlie. To save you, to save mom and Nick" I said staring dreamily at Nick's picture that was stuck on my computer screen.

"I don't know how to believe this Claire. It's just too much. I mean, how are you going to stop the whole world from going into ruins?" my brother cussed

"I have two whole years to plan that," I told my brother my expression frank and straight.

" you...are going to stop some freaking unknown zombies, aliens whatever. My point is... It's mission impossible" Charlie declared.

"I can't do it alone" I admitted

" Good you know " my brother commented.

"And I'm going to need some help" I agreed gaze fixed on my brother who pretended dazed at my sudden expression. He turned to look back perhaps my gaze was on something else but turned to me to give me a crazy look.

"No you're not looking at me" Charlie shook his head vigorously heading upstairs.

"Charlie" I called after him but he was moving upstairs not sparing me a glance. He was completely ignoring me and worse he slammed his door to my face.

"Charlie please think about it, I need your help" I practically pleaded.

"No way Claire I'm not dying" I heard him say from the inside.

"you will nevertheless" I mumbled.

"what was that?" he questioned.

"Nothing, just said you won't" I said softly knocking on his door.

"you can't prove that" he retorted.

"Charlie" I called in response.

"Go away Claire" he yelled and I slightly flinched at his high-pitched voice.

"Just please, think about it" I finally said moving away from his room to mine. That must be the only explanation for it. I was dead. And I came back. I wished Nicholas was in the same state as I am, as selfish as it sounds I wished for it.

I couldn't really remember my password on f******k so I retrieved it. I spent the remaining time left of my day stalking Nick on f******k. I saved most of his pictures and his videos. I was watching his recent live video of him playing with his little cute adorable dog when I fell asleep.

I found myself watching Charlie and Nick dying. I love you, Claire. Those words echoed as I fell. I kept falling and I felt my back landed on a rock with a rough and breaking sound. That woke me up in a start.

I gently remove the cover and put my legs into my fluffy flip-flop slippers before making my way to the window. I stared blankly into the window and recall the flash of my memory that had come in a dream. In one simple statement, I had died. But one question still lingered on my mind.

How am I alive and in my younger body? So many questions. I thought as I pulled down my stretchy blacktop to cover part of my blue jeans.

"morning mom" I greeted walking downstairs to meet my Family, Mrs. Evans and Danny who happens to be my neighbor, and my classmate who had been crushing on me for years. Mrs. Evans was Danny's mom.

"Hi, Claire" Danny gave a shy smile with a wave of his hand.

"Oh, morning Claire" Mrs. Evens greeted.

"Morning Mrs. Evens" I smiled moving towards the kitchen but stopped at the sitting room to peck my mom and Dad good morning.

"Morning honey" my mom replied before I made my way to the kitchen to get breakfast. It was Sunday morning and Thankfully my parent wasn't rushing to work.

"Thanks, Mrs. Chadwick, I so much appreciate it" Mrs. Evans' voice triggered a memory.

Mrs. Evans had come to ask mom to help check on Evens because she would be traveling for four days, she had left but had a fatal accident before arriving at the airport. The glassware I had in my hands slipped at the memory. The shattering sound of the glass had my parents rushing down to the kitchen.

"Claire are you okay?" my mom asked worriedly on getting to me frozen in place.

"I.. I." I stuttered trying to make a statement but it comes out rather incoherent.

"It's alright, you don't have to be so shocked about it, why don't you head to the dining room while I dish your breakfast and clean this-" my mom eyed the pieces of glasses with disgust.

"broken bits up" she completed and I sluggishly moved to the seating room. There was no way I could eat my breakfast in peace with that on my mind. It was something that's quite clear. I recalled Danny getting so lean and depressed about the loss of his mom. His mom had divorced the previous year, I remember how he looked surviving the trauma of his parents splitting, he was worse when his mom died, the memory was tormenting me and I found myself running upstairs in a dash. I haven't even finished my breakfast. I groaned in discomfort barging into my brother's room, making him flinch in reaction.

"I need your help" I announced to him eyeing the gamepad in his hands with obvious distaste.

"not now Claire" he snapped at me.

"Someone is gonna die if you don't get your a*s out right now" I raved. Okay, that got him. He was blankly staring at me before his expression changed showing pure confusion.

"Charlie, I've lived this life. And I know it. Danny's mom is gonna die less than an hour if you don't get up and grab your car keys right now" I managed to explain without gritting my teeth.

"Danny's mom? Mrs. Evens?" his eyes lit up in realization and I nodded in affirmation.

Next I know I was rushing to the garage with my jobless brother to change someone's future. I have no idea just how many people I'll impact with this gift I was given but I hoped it's positive.

"Seat belt Claire" My brother instructed and I fastened my seat belt before my brother stepped on the gas.

"I wish you won't have to involve me in this messed-up life of yours, Claire." My brother muttered loud enough for me to make out as he overtook every other car in front of us.

"Are you sure she's headed this way?" my brother asked as he overtook a car again.

"yeah, this accident happened here. Hold on a second. That's Mrs. Evans Car" I screeched pointing to Mrs. Evans Camry.

"Mrs. Evans" my brother yelled his call as he aligned himself with Mrs. Evens' car.

"Mrs. Evans" he called again head slightly poked out trying to halt Mrs. Evans as we were on the highway. It took a while before Mrs. Evens heard our call.

"Stop" my brother yelled and she was forced to pull the car over. We pulled behind her and slowly get down from the car.

"Okay what are we supposed to tell her?" my brother whispered his question to me and I blinked furiously unsure myself.

"Claire you can't expect me to tell her she was gonna die in some minutes" my brother informed through gritted teeth as we were already close to Mrs. Evens who had already climbed down from her car.

"don't worry, I'll handle it, we just have to delay her" I whispered my reply.

"Is something wrong Claire, I'll be late for my flight" Mrs. Evens complained and I forced a smile.

"Mrs. Evens, Danny was hit by a car but not to worry we already rushed him to the hospital but we need your signature to get him treated" how stupid I thought immediately after I had finished putting my sentence together.

"Good try" my brother whispered to me and I frowned.

"It sounded a lot cooler in my head" I mumbled and my brother stifled his laugh at the quizzical look on Mrs. Evans's face.

"You, he needed an emergency leg surgery and as his mother, they need your consent to carry on" I reframed my lie and she pouted in realization.

"That kid! I hadn't been an hour since I left and he's already into trouble!" Mrs. Evens muttered looking for a pen. Pulling a sheet from a notepad she scribbled down her signature and handed it to me just that moment we heard a huge explosion ahead. We all flinched but I relaxed and heaved a loud sigh of relief.

"Thank you Mrs. Evens you can leave now" I urged drawing my brother with me as I headed for his car. He was forced to move into the car.

"What was that?" my brother asked Confusion and fear were all written on his face.

"An industrial Tank explosion, we just saved Mrs. Evens life Charlie" I declared meeting my brother's nervous gaze.

"Hey guys, where have you been?" my mom asked immediately we moved in but my brother was sluggishly moving himself to the stairs but he froze at dad's sudden comment on the news on TV.

"I can't believe an industrial tank exploded, how in the world did that happen?" Dad muttered to himself and my brother watched for a second the TV before turning to meet my gaze. I knew it was gonna be hard for Charlie to accept but we can't let that apocalypse happen. I was not gonna allow it. I thought as I made my chart. Two years I thought smiling at the work I had made on the wall. It was a chart of my two years mission. I can do this. I told myself.

Charlie was completely locked in for six days. He only came down for meals. Mom was getting worried but I was more worried. I wish he'll get himself together soon. With every second our time passes. And I knew better than anyone that I couldn't do it without him.

"Charlie" I called going into his extremely littered room with a tray of food in my hand. He was sprawled shirtless on the bed looking perturbed. I sighed putting away the empty cans of soda on his table and laying his food gently on it.

"Charlie" I called my brother again and he reluctantly sat up on his bed.

"Mom is getting worried, Charlie if you keep acting like this, mom's gonna found out and I'm certain, you wouldn't want her being in the same state that you are" I informed meeting Charlie's ties eyes.

"It's hard, I know Charlie, but have you ever thought about how I must be feeling right now? Okay if I had died and remained dead it would have been terrible but I died, every night the scene replayed in my head, Charlie. I'm the one who watched you die, I'm the one who had the image etched in my memory, Charlie. My memories enough are killing me. I'm the one who saw dad and mom buried, I think you're lucky Charlie." I stated and Charlie sighed.

"How are we supposed to stop an apocalypse, Claire? No matter how much I think about it, I don't have a clue. We can't just show up at the research institute and inform them an alien ship was going to show up in two years Claire-

"If we can't stop it, then we survive it," I told Charlie and he smiled.

"surviving sounds simpler" he chuckled and then smiled.

"Okay, let's do this but you should prepare for prom" my brother reminded and my eyes widened in realization.

"Do you have any idea who you're going to prom it?" Charlie asked and I felt colour drain away from my face.

"Claire?" my brother called worriedly.

"I was waiting for Ken, but he didn't show up. He went to prom with Leslie" I timidly relayed.

"Well, maybe someone might like to go with you" Charlie smiled and I furrowed my brows in a confused look.

"Danny showed up yesterday after his mom arrived to ask about you know 'his accident', told him it was a prank. we kinda talk, he seems he was scared to ask you but I told him he shouldn't be-

"I thought you didn't leave your room" I said developing frown lines.

"I did, I was at the front pouch last night, you were asleep" Charlie revealed.

"Good to know" I nodded.

"Claire this is your chance, go to prom with Danny, you should show that dude you give no damn," Charlie said standing to face me but his figure completely engulfed me. He was way taller than I am.

"I.. I.. Don't know Charlie" I confessed and he smiled.

"I told Danny I was gonna lure you out, so you can pretend you have no idea, it might be late but, it's better late than never Claire and after prom" he sighed.

"We face the reality" He said and I moved into his arms in a warm hug.

"Thanks, Charlie" I said gratefully. Charlie grabbed his shirt and lead me downstairs asking me to wait outside then I saw Danny approaching.

"Hi, Claire" Danny greeted his expression flushed and shy.

"Hi" I greeted back pretending not to be affected. Danny wasn't really so bad. He was the nerdy type of guy. He had sandy blonde hair with smoky Grey eyes and his extremely bushy eyebrows made him stand out. He was handsome in his own type of way.

"Um... I.. What are you doing outside?" he asked hoping to mask his obvious nervousness.

"I don't know. Charlie actually asked me to wait for him" I lied just as my brother told me to.

"Claire, will you go to prom with me?" Danny blurted his question immediately covering his mouth. I let out a soft chuckle at his childlike attitude.

"I.. I... I'm so sorry...I-

"I'll go to prom with you Danny" I shut his stutters with my declaration.

"You...you will?" he asked rhetorically making me chuckle.

"yeah I will" I repeated and he beamed.

"It's getting cold. I should get inside" I suggested but he was numb. I stifled a laugh at his reaction.

"Goodnight Danny" I told him making my way to the door.

"Um...goodnight" I heard him mutter after I had closed the door behind me. I saw my brother, dad, and mom standing in front of the sitting room with a wide smile.

"Surprise!" they announced giving me the biggest shock of my life. It was a shimmering sky blue dress.

"Mom" I cooed unbelievably moving towards the dress which rested against the sofa.

"Thank you" I was practically crying in happiness. Maybe my mom would have done this for me in my past life if I had a date to a high-school prom.

"Thanks, mom, dad... Charlie" birthday said hugging my family. That moment I made a vow to myself. I wasn't going to lose them this time. Tomorrow was going to be fun! I thought smirking as I recalled just how humiliated I felt when Ken had shown up with Leslie but I found something unfamiliar in my memory. It was Brian and Nick. I saw flashes on both boys looking for someone on the dance floor. They had passed by me without my knowledge of it. Why was I just finding out?!

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