ONCE UPON A TIME

Chapter 3

Aria’s POV

“Trial 157,” Zoe said flatly.

I immediately braced myself for yet another shock—literally. The last few trials had either electrocuted me, created walking disasters, or straight-up exploded.

It had been a week since we started working on cloning me so I could go back in time to meet Xander. And so far? Nothing but chaos. Three clones looked like me but had the combined intelligence of a broken toaster. One clone tried to eat a lightbulb. Another kept reciting K-pop lyrics and refused to put on pants. The rest? Just heaps of bubbling gunk.

At this point, I was convinced I’d never get to Xander.

“I think I did it this time!” Zoe screamed, practically jumping in place.

“Seriously?” I asked, wide-eyed.

She nodded rapidly, her dark curls bouncing. “Come look!”

I stepped out of the containment chamber and stared at the figure standing across from me.

She looked exactly like me. Same electric-blue hair, same smirk, same nose that crinkled slightly when confused.

“Okay,” I said slowly, crossing my arms. “What’s my favorite gun?”

“Chain machine gun,” she answered without hesitation.

“Why?”

“A misfired round doesn’t stop the weapon from functioning, as it might with guns that use energy from a fired cartridge to load the next round,” she said, reciting almost word-for-word what I’d told Zoe a dozen times before. “It’s simply ejected. You like it because it’s reliable, even under pressure.”

I grinned. “She’s perfect.”

“I know,” Zoe beamed.

We did a few more checks, but it was clear—this clone was finally stable. She could mimic my behaviors, answer questions, and most importantly, not start a fire trying to microwave a spoon. It was time.

I gathered everything I needed to blend in with the time period. Zoe, being a tech genius and low-key illegal hacker, had already programmed all my documents into the 2019 systems. Once I landed, I’d just have to trigger the embedded code, and boom—I’d exist on paper. I was now officially Aria Williams: age 21, mechanical engineering student, part-time intern.

I gave Zoe one last hug, clutching her tightly. “Thanks, Z. Seriously.”

“Don’t make me regret this,” she said, blinking back tears. “And if you get stuck in the Ice Age again, I’m not pulling you out.”

“No promises.”

With that, I stepped into the temporal gateway.

Five Hours Later

You know the truly sad thing about time travel?

Entering the wrong loop.

So far today, I had been to the Stone Age (a mammoth tried to lick me), the Ice Age (I got frostbite in places), the birth of Jesus (awkward), the literal apocalypse (like, world-ending fireballs and sky cracks), and the creation of Earth (a lot less majestic than expected).

After what felt like an eternity, I closed my eyes, focused hard on 2019 New York City, and pushed through the wormhole one last time.

I landed with a thud, opened my eyes, and immediately saw it.

Times Square.

The crowd around me was roaring with joy. Giant screens displayed the words: Happy New Year 2020 in glowing lights. Confetti rained from the sky. Horns blared. Strangers hugged and kissed and danced.

I grinned. Finally.

It was time to find Xander.

Xander’s POV

You ever get that feeling?

Like something big is coming? Something that’ll change everything?

Most people feel dread. Panic. A sense of impending doom.

Me?

I felt ecstatic.

It was the first moment of the new year, and everything was perfect. Business was booming—my weapons company had just secured another top-tier government contract. The champagne was expensive, the people were dressed in glitz and glam, and the rooftop of my Manhattan skyscraper was alive with energy. I raised my glass, toasting the room.

“To another year of prosperity,” I said, voice smooth and steady. “And even greater invention.”

Everyone cheered.

Some tried to catch my attention—investors, old friends, strangers hoping to score favors. One woman in particular wouldn’t stop following me around, wearing enough makeup to qualify as a performance artist and enough plastic to float a boat. She clung to my arm with a fake laugh that grated on my nerves.

I gently but firmly peeled her off and made my escape toward the corner of the rooftop.

I needed air.

The cold wind brushed against my face as I leaned against the railing, looking down at Times Square below. Thousands of people cheered and danced under a sky bursting with lights and fireworks. I could barely hear the noise from here, but the sight of it all? Breathtaking.

It wasn’t just the new year—I could feel it. Something was different.

Like the universe had finally taken a breath, just before exhaling something massive.

I didn’t know what was coming.

But I was ready.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flash of bright blue hair moving through the crowd below.

I frowned. That wasn’t common. Not here.

Then, for the briefest second, I thought I saw her look up.

At me.

My pulse quickened.

What the hell was that?