A GIFT OF TIME

Episode 3

My brother and I watched from the window and giggled as Danny recomposed himself looking at the car mirror of his mother's Mustang which he was using to take me to prom. We laughed as he perfumed his mouth while he waited for me to make an appearance.

"He's one funny guy if you ask me" Charlie commented studying my expression closely as I laughed at Danny's funny actions.

"Yeah, he is" I agreed my eyes fixed on Danny from the window.

"And he likes you" my brother announced and I abruptly turned to him.

"No, No no Danny-

"No what?" he asked as I made my way to my dressing mirror to adjust my hair which was pinned in place by shimmering hairpins.

"I know what you're getting at Charlie," I told him ignoring him as I fixed my dress. I had been completely dressed for almost an hour but my brother told me it was tradition for girls to delay guys while they come to pick them for prom. Stupid ideology. I fussed over it for a second but decided it wasn't a bad idea after getting to my room window to see Danny acting all weird and funny. And now my brother has funny suggestions up his sleeve.

"I mean the guy is cute without his nerdy weird-looking glasses which I'm glad he wasn't with tonight and he's a freaking genius and to crown it, he's completely into you Claire" my brother announced and I scoffed.

"I like someone else Charlie " I announced and he sighed.

"And you're not even sure he'll like you back. I mean this guy likes you in the future and not now that's a huge deal." my brother pointed but I only sighed in response.

"Also, about the flashes, you told me you had Claire. In any case, if you find this Nick guy at the party you cannot ditch Danny. It'll be completely unfair-

"Did he like bribe you or something? why are you so interested in him?" I asked face straight at Charlie who was shrugging his shoulders in a rather funny way.

"Well-

"Well? " I urged for him to continue because right then I knew there was something behind my brother's support for Danny.

"He gave me 200 bucks-

"Ah, I knew it!" I exclaimed gritting my teeth as I glared eyeballs to eyeballs at my brother who was slowly moving towards my door.

"But he's sweet-" I didn't let him finish before throwing him a shoe in response.

"Hypocrite!" I spat at nothingness as my brother had immediately disappeared. I exhaled deeply trying to act as cool as I can while I make my way down after readjusting my makeup. Danny practically held his breath as I made my way down the steps with my eyes glued to him. Didn't know when he entered the house but I was glad he was in.

"Awwn you look dashing sweetie" My mom complimented as I moved into the sitting room in the shimmering sky blue dress they got for me and it was complemented by my teardrop crystal earrings.

"If I saw you outside, I would almost mistake you for another person dove. You look breathtaking" My dad added giving me a light peck.

"Extremely breathtaking." Danny dreamily muttered as he continued to stare.

"That's my sister" My brother declared nudging Danny a little. I abruptly turned to him with a frown on my face and before I knew it he was lurking behind my mom to avoid my killer glares.

"Watch your steps" Danny cautioned while I carefully climbed down the stairs of the porch after leaving my family inside. Their exquisite remarks and comments kept me blushing till I was settled in the car.

"You look really lovely tonight" Danny remarked as I fastened my seat belt.

"Thanks, Danny" I smiled trying not to be too flattered by all the compliments.

"Shall we?" he asked before raving the engines and next I knew. We were on our way to Serene High school. For some kind of reason, I was getting nervous as we approached the school. I mean I have lived the time and I knew the setting, the dance, the people and all. I know I shouldn't be nervous but I couldn't help it. I inhaled and exhaled loudly as we zoom into the parking range. Danny got down and helped me get down from the car.

"Thank you" I muttered and I noticed his sudden nervousness as well. Recalling I realized he hadn't attended the dance in my previous life. People said he didn't have a date. I wish I could tell him 'being there.

"One minute please" he requested bringing out an inhaler to quickly get the moisturizer into his throat.

"You're asthmatic?" I asked completely surprised at his act. He nodded nervously then suddenly embarrassed he had to do that in front of me.

"It's alright really. It's just funny we live next to each other all these years and even went to the same high school without figuring out." I smiled and I saw his face slowly brighten up.

"It's fine" I assured and he slowly pocketed his inhaler and gestured his arms for me to hold in a gentlemanly type of way.

I saw few familiar students moseying towards the hall entrance with their dates. Stay calm. I mentally reassure myself putting up the smile I had lacked in my previous years. I regretted giving my ex-boyfriend Ken the opportunity to make a fool out of me in my previous life. This time, it was my time to screw him.

"Hey, Claire" few friends exclaimed as I walked in with Danny. The deco was still the same. The shimmering disco lights in the middle of the hall and chairs at the end for anyone who mind to seat, the food table was at the far end of the hall, many students were gathered in the middle while soft beats were played underneath as people just started arriving and they were so many murmurs as everyone kept exchanging pleasantries.

"Wow, didn't tell me you were betting on Danny" Amanda whispered. Amanda was somehow a close friend in high school but we got separated after I went to college.

"Didn't know as well" I whispered as well trying not to make it awkward because things had changed between Amanda and me, we weren't close anymore.

"Hey hi," I greeted Linda and Stephanie as they walked up to me.

"Glad you didn't forget, I was gonna worry if you did" Stephanie joked and I let out a soft chuckle my hand still completely trapped under Danny's arms.

"Wow, love that dress" Linda gushed and I smiled in response.

"My mom got it for me" I simply explained.

"Oh, mom did all the work huh?" Linda giggled but I merely smiled. My eyes fell on Ken across the room and I mentally scoffed as I ignore him. He had told me I came to the dance without a date because I was still head over heels for him and I couldn't forget him. I had been completely embarrassed but couldn't do anything. Why else would I show up to prom without a date? High school prom. Dumbass I mentally scolded myself for the stupid act I pulled back then.

"Hey hi," Ken smiled making his way to me with Leslie's hand locked in his arms. Like I gave a f**k!

"Hey hi Ken, glad you found yourself a date. Didn't know anyone would want to go out with you after your falter failure in your first relationship" I smiled making the first attack.

"Actually I'm not going out with him, he's just my prom date" Leslie immediately defended and I scoffed. Bonus!

"Cut the act Claire, you aren't exactly going out with Danny, you just brought him dressed up to dance to my face" Ken sputtered and I swear I wanted to kick his face but refrained as Danny's hand unconsciously tightened on mine and he made a protective gesture of moving his arms around my waist while smiling at Ken's face before deciding to reply him.

"How could you be so sure?, it's not her fault she chose someone with brains this time over someone with wrecked empty skulls" Danny countered for me but I was shocked. He didn't just say that? I mentally asked myself because he practically got me and Ken staring at him in awe. Even Leslie couldn't help it.

"Screw you" Ken muttered and Danny scoffed.

"Same to you dude" he said after him as Ken painfully walked away.

"Wow" I exclaimed gaze fixed on Danny while I recovered from the shock of the stunt he just pulled.

"Didn't know you got it in you buddy" I joked playfully patting him. He smiled giving me those doting look that made my heart cringe in guilt. I mean it was quite obvious he loved me but I knew I couldn't reciprocate it, not when I still love Nick.

"I'll get us something to drink" Danny offered releasing my hand to move to the far end of the hall. He came back with a glass of red wine. Didn't know it was allowed. It was high prom so it might be. I thought taking the drink from him. I joked and chatted away with few more friends before the waltz dance started. I was completely enjoying myself.

"Can I have this dance?" Danny politely asked in his all charming glory and I snickered. I took his gestured hand and followed him to the dance floor. He was a really good dancer. I was doing a good job on the dance floor, twirling around when Danny wheeled me to but things get sloppy when my eyes fell on someone. Nick. My mind wails in alarm.

"Ow," Danny exclaimed as I stepped on his foot.

"Sorry" I apologize completely distracted.

"Claire, you okay? you seem a little... distracted " Danny figured out and I sighed.

"Do you mind, I think I need to use the restroom?" I requested trying to bottled in my fears and nervousness.

"Oh, not at all. I'll be here when you get back" he said leading me away from the dance floor towards the entrance. My heart skipped a beat when Nick and I locked gazes. Those charming sea-green eyes just stared at me. I didn't know how to feel. Nick averted his gaze like I'm a nobody and it made my heart weeps. I made my way into the restroom trying to hold back my cries but I failed miserably at it. I broke into choking sobs immediately after I was in a cubicle. After a while of letting my heart out, I made my way outside the cubicle to redo my makeup.

What was Nick doing here by the way? I got curious but I wasn't going to let it get to me. I was going to win Nick over but definitely not now. I still have some plans for the layout. I have to completely handle this whole dying thing without letting it affect my normal life. I don't know how I was gonna do it but I know I was gonna figure it out. What was Nick like in his earlier years? I was getting more curious. No matter how hard I try to keep his thoughts away I just couldn't get rid of them. It was worsened when I came face to face with Nick right before I made my way into the hall.

He wanted to brush me off but I halted him which I regretted I did. I wasn't ready to face him just yet and I knew it.

"Nick" I called and he froze in his tracks turning to me with a curious glance.

"Do I know you?" he asked after waiting some seconds for me to introduce myself.

"No, not really, I'm a friend...on f******k. I doubted it'll be you at first but it really was you" good move Claire. I praised myself for coming up with the perfect lie.

"I'm Claire, Claire Chadwick," I said gesturing over my hand for a handshake which he took warmly.

"Nicholas Robinson" he exchanged the gesture.

"I know that but it's good to... You know... Remind me" I sloppily said and I knew my nervousness was suddenly getting at me.

"So, what are you doing here by the way?" I asked trying to control my racing heart.

"Oh, I came with a friend-

"Brian? "I filled myself in and he furrowed his brows at me. Made me realize the mistake I made. Knowing too much could be disturbing sometimes.

"How did you know?" he asked and cautiously bit down on my lower lip.

"I'm a friend of his too... On f******k, chatted few times but I doubt he'll recognize me" I covered for myself and he nodded.

"Nick you leaving?" I heard Brian's voice just at that time from behind me. Not a good time I thought as I hear his footsteps approach.

"Brian" Nicholas called for him to come closer as he studied my expression closely.

"What's up? you can't leave yet Nick. I have to hitch a ride with you home" Brian implored before he realized I was there.

"See you got yourself a Preet" He whispered to Nick but he was terrible at it because I could make out his whole statement.

"No, just one of those girls you know" Nick whispered back in reply. I was starting to think they were oblivious of my presence because I could make out their discussions. Danny at the moment decided to grace us with his presence. It was a good idea and I consciously slipped my hands in his to show both of the boys I wasn't those girls they were seeing me as.

"Danny, meet Nicholas and Brian" few friends I met on f******k. I introduced and I saw this nervous gleam in his eyes. It was like he was trying to avoid their gazes.

"Hi, Nicholas. Nice to meet you" Nicholas greeted with a smile gesturing a handshake but surprisingly he ignored it and leave.

"Sorry" I muttered taking off after Danny.

"Danny, Danny" I called trying to catch up to him as he immediately left the hall.

"Danny!" I snapped unable to take his sudden weird attitude. He halted and looked back at me finally realizing what he'd done.

"Why did you have to leave like that?-

"And why did you have to leave me to attend to them? "he answered back with a question.

"What?! I wasn't leaving you. I was in the ladies' room" I defended and he frowned.

"But I found you with them" he pointed out.

"Yeah, I know that because I met them on my way back to the hall " I countered.

"Okay, just stay away from them Claire. They are bad guys from Brighton high," he said and I frowned.

Nick? A bad guy? What was he talking about? the Nick I knew was a good guy and...also live in 2022. I reminded myself and I sighed.

"Okay fine. Can we go back inside now?" I asked almost pleading as I felt the chilly air sprouting my skin hairs in goosebumps.

"Yeah, I'm sorry... I shouldn't have done that. It was stupid of me" he muttered finally realizing his fault.

"What did they did to you anyway?" I asked but he seems a bit inconvenient talking about it.

"Okay, I understand if you don't wanna talk about it but can we please go inside" I finally pleaded and he nodded with a grunt.

"I messed up didn't I?" he asked after we were back inside.

"Not really, I mean I understand you trying to protect me thingy. It was really a brotherly thing to do" I smiled and I saw relief washed over his face. We were having our drinks after moving to the back of the hall when Danny did the most stupid thing ever. He tried to kiss me.

"What are you doing?" I questioned his actions of closing the space between us and tilting his head forward.

"Oh, I.. I...I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that" he stuttered. Yeah, the second time he shouldn't have done that. I don't know why but I was annoyed.

"I want to go home" I suddenly blurted.

"Claire I'm sorry. I really shouldn't have-

"It's okay Danny, I just... I just want to go home" I said tired of his apologies.

"Claire" he breathed.

"Danny" I called my voice higher than usual.

"Okay, I'll get you home" he renounced and I sighed following him. There was this tension between us that I didn't understand. He was glancing over at me every once in a while as we made our journey back home.

"Claire" He finally called.

"Look about those guys, The Nick guys had ganged up on me for winning a debate competition which was held in Brighton. I broke a nose in the process" he revealed. I realized why he didn't want to talk about it. It was hard admitting to being bullied and picked on. Easy focus. It was hard.

"I'm sorry for that," I said apologizing in Nick's stead but in an actual sense, it sounded like I was feeling sorry for him.

"It's nothing to feel sorry about. Nerds get that a lot. I mean we are always the easy focus of bullying" He admitted sadly. But I smiled to liven up the mood.

"Does this thing works?" I asked referring to the car tape.

"Yeah, yeah it does" He smiled glad he'd managed to put that up to my face. I switched on the tape and Taylor Swift's voice resounded.

"Old thing" I mumbled. But didn't know Danny made it out.

"What?" that's like the latest music in town" he countered and I smiled.

If only he knew how outdated that new song was in 2022, he probably wouldn't say that. I was completely enjoying the song and the ride when I saw something that made my heart skipped. It was Danny's eyes. It changed color and it horrified me.

"Goodnight Claire" he wished after getting down after me in front of our house.

"Goodnight Danny," I said back trying not to freak out at the scene from earlier. I could be wrong. Why would Danny's smoky grey eyes color briefly changed to ocean green in a mini second? I must have seen wrong. It didn't happen. No, it didn't. I reassure myself sighing before forcing Danny a smile and wishing him good night.

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