Too Late
1260 Words
“Time’s up. Submit your papers.”
I placed my pen on the desk before giving my script one last glance. Then I smiled, satisfied. I was definitely acing this test. The topics were exactly the same as they had been in my past life. I was getting no less than a hundred.
I proudly handed my paper to the professor before leaving the lecture theatre. A few of my coursemates had deep frowns on their faces as they reviewed the questions. Others sagged their shoulders when they realized they’d written the wrong answers.
‘Perhaps I should start a test prediction business,’ I thought. I could give people points of concentration to study before a test and get paid.
But then I shook my head.
That would raise too many eyebrows. I might be suspected of cheating or, worse, sleeping with the lecturer to get the questions beforehand. Overall, it was a bad idea.
I sighed as I left the faculty. Then I made the short trek to K-Fein. After getting my coffee, I took an empty seat and waited.
I’d been doing this since Sunday, waiting to see if Elijah would ever show up.
Unfortunately, he never did.
It had been three days since I last saw him. It seemed I’d scared him off completely, which was quite ironic, to be honest. The Elijah King scared of little old me? It would make anyone laugh.
I took a sip of my coffee and sighed. I didn’t even like coffee that much, but I’d probably drunk more coffee than water over the last couple of days.
Thankfully, it tasted good.
I raised a hand and massaged my neck, suddenly feeling sore. I took another sip from my coffee and sighed as my arm started aching this time.
Random body pains had become common lately, and I knew for a fact they weren’t a result of anything I’d done.
‘What is that jerk doing this time? Smashing his arm against a wall?’ I gritted my teeth as the ache intensified. ‘Ah, to hell with everyone. Can’t a girl enjoy a moment of peace?’
I finished my coffee with a frown. Thankfully, by then, my arm was feeling better, so I stood up and left.
Before returning to the dorm, I stopped at a restaurant and bought a load of food before taking the campus shuttle back.
Quinn hadn’t come around since the party. Last I’d heard, she’d actually been suspended after a bunch of students reported her. As for Jace, he was still recovering but would be facing disciplinary action too. I doubted I would see their faces for a while, if ever.
I entered my room and dropped a bag of fried chicken on Denis’s desk. I smiled.
“I bought food.”
She looked up from the drama she was watching on her laptop and peeked into the bag. A small, impressed smile crept onto her face.
“You bought so much. What’s the occasion?”
I leaned in with a proud smile.
“Today, I’m going to win a lot of money.”
Her eyes widened. “What? How?”
I shook my head.
“You’ll see. You can come with me if you want. I’m not talking about a small amount of money either. I’m betting all my savings on it.”
Denis’ brows furrowed.
“Did someone tell you they could multiply your money if you gave it to them? Aurora, you’re a business major. You should know those are scams.”
I waved a dismissive hand before giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
“Trust me. This isn’t a scam. Eat up and get dressed. We’re going to watch a match after this. Do you like football?”
She shook her head.
“Not really.”
I tilted my head.
“Neither do I.”
“Then why are we watching a match?”
“You ask a lot of questions. Just eat.”
She chuckled and picked up a chicken wing, taking a bite.
“Thanks for the food.”
I nodded before returning to my corner. I opened my phone and stared at the little over two thousand dollars in my account. Today, I was going to bet every cent on the Premier League.
^^**^^
Later that evening, Denis and I arrived at a betting shop just outside campus. The moment Denis looked at the building, she gave me a skeptical look.
“I didn’t know you gambled.”
“I don’t. I’m here to place a bet. I know today’s winning team, and I plan on making a fortune.” I nodded toward the door. “Come on. Let’s go.”
We started walking.
“Wait. How do you know the winning team?” She asked. “You didn’t believe a weirdo online, did you?”
“I am not that gullible, Denis.” I snorted, looking for an explanation to give her. Finally, I said, “I had a prophetic dream. That’s how I know.”
“You’re going to bet your entire savings on a dream?” She looked flabbergasted.
I gave her a firm nod.
“Yes.”
She stared at me for a long moment before shaking her head.
“Okay then. Let’s go.”
We entered the shop. It buzzed with noise. Televisions mounted on the walls played highlights from previous matches while dozens of hopeful gamblers crowded around the counters.
We looked completely out of place among the rowdy crowd of men.
I approached the counter with Denis trailing closely behind me. I could feel her pinching the edge of my sweater.
“What are you pretty ladies doing here? Did you lose your way?” the man behind the counter asked as we approached.
He was short and lean, with a face full of beard. He looked at us with something between concern and confusion.
“No. I am here to place a bet on today’s Premier League match,” I said confidently.
“The Premier League?” He c****d a brow. “Do you know today’s date, young lady?”
“It’s—”
I didn’t get to finish before he cut me off.
“It’s June 3rd. The Premier League ended on May 24th.”
My eyes widened.
“What? That’s not possible.”
He scoffed.
“You have a phone. Look it up.”
I quickly fished out my phone and searched for it. He was right. The Premier League had indeed finished on May 24th. But how was that possible?
It didn’t end until June before…
Or did it?
I’d assumed it was on June 3rd because that was the day I’d seen a social media post about it in my past life. I wasn’t a football fan and didn’t bother to confirm the date.
I groaned.
Why hadn’t I done my research?
Not that it would’ve helped since the match had already been played before I time-travelled back. Still, I could’ve spared myself the humiliation.
“I guess your prophetic dream came a little too late,” Denis whispered behind me.
I clicked my tongue and turned around. She looked like she was seconds away from bursting into laughter.
“Don’t you dare.”
She snorted, clutching her stomach.
“I can’t believe you came all the way here without doing any research because of a dream. Since when did you become spiritual?”
I sighed.
“Let’s go.”
She chuckled and followed me out of the building, some men laughing mockingly behind us.
- Writer
