I eagerly typed my reply, warning him that I’d probably have to bring my brother along. But he said that he didn’t care since he was going to have his little sister with him. And I could invite Kate, too if I wanted.
That would be a yes! I typed and hit the send symbol.
He sent back a smiley face, and I headed down to dinner, the grin stretching across my entire face. When I sat down at the table, I struggled to hide my excitement.
Right then, I felt happier than I’d felt in a very long time.
Chapter 4
On Monday morning, I was up before my alarm, in the shower, and eating breakfast before Mom or Oliver were even out of bed. When Mom eventually shuffled into the kitchen, she placed her hand on my forehead with a sleepy frown.
“Uh, Mom? What are you doing?” I asked.
She shrugged and made her way to the coffee pot. “Just checking to see if you’re sick.”
“Why? I feel fine.”
“Yes, but you’re out of bed without me asking you to get up. Must have been some date yesterday,” Mom mumbled with a wink. “Can’t wait to see him again?”
I shook my head and didn’t bother replying, but smiled as I stared down at my bowl of cereal. I was anxious to get to school and see how today would go. What would Zac do? Would he hang out with his friends or would he stop and talk to me? What about at lunchtime? I couldn’t bear to see him with Jade hanging all over him again. Suddenly, I wasn’t so hungry and carried my half-finished breakfast to the sink.
“Holly? You were beaming two seconds ago, what’s wrong?” Mom asked before I could disappear back upstairs to finish getting ready.
“Nothing, I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine at all. Is it about Zac?”
I tugged at my black sweater and gave a subtle nod.
“Oh sweetie, no matter what happens, remember you’re very young, and he’s one boy.”
“It’s not him I’m worried about,” I replied quietly. “It’s a girl in my class.”
Mom’s face hardened. “Jade? Is she still giving you trouble?”
“No…I mean kind of, but it’s fine. I’ll be fine.”
Mom bent down, so we were eye level, and gripped onto my arms. “Listen to me…no matter what that girl says to you, remember you are a very bright young girl, you’re beautiful, and people like her only give people like you a hard time because they’re jealous. Ok? Ignore her, show her it doesn’t bother you, and she’ll leave you alone.”
“I know, Mom.”
“And if she doesn’t, then tell me and I’ll march down to her house and have a word with her mother.”
“Please don’t do that!” I begged in horror. “Mom, really, I’ll be fine.”
She frowned as she smoothed my hair down and kissed the top of my head. “I’ll resist the urge to be crazy over-protective Mama bear, for now. Go on, finish getting ready, so you’re not late. But if she keeps giving you trouble, make sure you let me know.”
I started to walk away, then stopped and rushed back to hug her tightly, before darting upstairs. I knew she hadn’t had it easy in this town after Dad disappeared. And it hadn’t been easy for her before that. She’d been the daughter of the crazy scientist, and everyone in this small town liked to talk. Jade’s mom and my mom had a history together. They’d started as friends, but then my dad came along and fell for Mom instead of her friend. That ruined their friendship.
And now, I wondered if history was going to repeat itself.
As I finished brushing my teeth, Oliver stepped out of his bedroom, his backpack slung over his shoulder, and I followed him downstairs. He grabbed a granola bar and tried to sneak out of the house, but Mom caught his backpack and pulled him into a hug. He pursed his lips then hugged her back.
“Mom? Can I go now?”
“Yes, yes, go,” she urged and watched us walk out the front door. “Love you guys!”
“Love you, too, Mom!” I called back, waving. I knew she would watch us until we disappeared from her sight.
Oliver was never talkative in the morning, and I enjoyed the quiet as I walked alongside him, both of us deep in thought. When we reached the middle school, he had to continue to the high school, one block over. He gave me his usual brotherly smile, and a small wave then kept on going, still munching on his granola bar.
I hurried up the steps of the building, through the mass of students slowly making their way there, and found Kate at her locker. “Hey.”
She greeted me with a bright grin. “Have you seen Zac yet?”
“No, but I need to ask you what you’re up to this coming weekend?”
“Hmm, don’t think I’m doing anything. Why?”
“Zac wants to go to a movie, but I know Mom’s going to make me bring Oliver. Zac’s taking his little sister as well. Do you want to come? Zac told me to ask you.”
“Really?” She tugged at a loose strand of blond hair, and I knew her answer before she opened her mouth. “I’ll have to double check with my mom, but yeah, I’d love to go.”
“You want to see Oliver,” I teased.
She nudged me with her elbow. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” But the smile remained on her face.
I opened my locker and hung my backpack inside, ready to empty it when I chanced a glance down the hall. Zac had just walked in, and as he was quite tall, I was able to see him over the heads of the students milling about. My palms grew clammy, and I tried to swallow the lump in my throat. I lifted my arm to wave but stopped when Jade’s loud laughter echoed down the hall. Kate gave Jade a disgusted look as she pushed her way through the crowd to reach Zac, her followers trailing behind her. I held my breath, waiting for her to attach herself to his side and for him to laugh and joke with her as he always did.
But when Jade reached him, Zac barely seemed to notice her. His eyes scanned the crowd, and I raised my hand. He spotted me, and his warm smile had my stomach filling with butterflies. He left his friends behind, headed right past Jade who was chatting animatedly beside him and maneuvered his way through the group of students. Jade glared at him as he walked away and I swore the entire hall fell silent as he finally came to a stop.
Right in front of me.
“Hey, Holly,” he said and leaned casually against the locker beside mine.
“Morning,” I replied and stared into his shining blue eyes. “I think your friends are confused,” I whispered, leaning in a bit.
He shrugged. “Who cares what they think!”
This wasn’t happening. It all had to be a dream, and I was going to wake up to find Zac still hanging out with Jade and her friends. But after I pinched myself, Zac was still standing beside me, asking how the rest of my Sunday had been. For a second, I couldn’t get the words to come out. Then Kate gave me a helpful nudge, and I was able to ignore everyone else around us.
“Actually, I think my brother and I found out something kind of interesting.”
“Oh yeah? About your grandpa or your dad?”
“Grandpa. Oliver found a picture of him with another scientist.” Kate moved closer so she could hear better. “You guys remember that weird substitute last year? The one with the ponytail?”
“Mr. Banes?” Zac asked. “He was strange, smelt like mothballs and had that funny accent. He liked to hum classical music, all the time, too.”
Kate bobbed her head. “Yeah, he would always do it in tests. Told us it would boost our brain power. But that habit of his was so annoying. What about him?”
“Well, we found a picture of him with our grandpa.”
Kate closed her locker, holding her books in her arm, and stared at me. “You’re sure?”
“Yeah, pretty sure.”
“And he didn’t know who you were when he was teaching us, by your last name or anything?” Zac asked. “That’s…strange.”
Oliver and I thought so, too. But it gets weirder,” I started, then stopped myself short. Kate knew all about the time machine, but Zac had no idea. What would he think if
I told him that according to my mom, Mr. Banes died more than twelve years ago?
Deciding to skip that part, I focused on a different explanation instead. “We think Mr. Banes is the T guy, Grandpa’s partner, and we’re trying to figure out if he’s still around.” I widened my eyes at Kate, hoping she’d understand what I was getting at, but she was watching something else down the hall.
“Well, he was working here last year,” Zac said, sounding hopeful. “Maybe ask a few of the teachers. They might know him.”
“Maybe.” I looked to Kate then followed her gaze down the hallway.
My pulse pounded in my ears, and I wanted to disappear as quickly as possible. Jade was glaring daggers at me, her thumbs were hooked into her belt, and she was taking in my every move.
She’d been mean to me before, but now I knew I was in trouble. I gulped, my hands shaking so much I nearly dropped my books.
Then Zac filled my vision.
“Holly, ignore her,” he said quietly, but firmly.
“Uh? Oh, I’m fine, really.”
He reached out and squeezed my hand. “I never liked her, just so you know. She always just hung around and…I don’t know.”
“I get it,” I assured him even though I really didn’t, not completely. “Jade is easier to put up with than trying to tell her to go away. Trust me, I know.”
He frowned, and I could see that he wasn’t sure what I meant by that comment. “I’ll walk with you to your first class?” he offered.
Kate said she’d see us later and Zac and I headed down the corridor, although I could still feel Jade’s eyes burning into my back. Trying to put her out of my mind, I chatted with Zac about our plans for Saturday as well as the substitute teacher, Mr. Banes. Zac wanted to help me track him down if he could. I was surprised at how involved he wanted to be. He seemed to be genuinely interested in helping me figure out one of the mysteries of my family. And I knew his interest was genuine. I could feel it.
When we reached my classroom, he paused for a moment and smiled. “See you in history class,” he said, before walking away and throwing a hoot over his shoulder.
A few kids he passed stared at him like he was weird, but he didn’t seem to care. I stepped into first period as if I was in the middle of a dream. I was sure that my crush liked me back. Maybe it would be a good Monday after all.
***
History class was more entertaining than usual. We were asked to form groups for a future project involving a report on an aspect of Ancient Egypt, and we were allowed to choose our group. Kate and I shifted our desks closer together, and Zac quickly joined us, followed by Ben, and TJ, two of Zac’s friends. I was surprised at first and a little worried, but once we settled in, we found them to be just as much fun as Zac.
Jade glowered at me the entire time until the bell rang, but I did what Zac suggested. I ignored her. He wanted to hang out with me, and it wasn’t up to her to say if that was alright or not.
Our teacher explained that we’d have plenty of class time to complete our project. She said we’d be given time with our group in the library and also the computer lab so we could complete the necessary research. That was exciting enough, but after history class it was lunchtime, and Zac and his two friends walked with Kate and me to the cafeteria. I sat with Kate at our usual table while the boys headed off to grab some food.
“Wow,” Kate said, watching the three of them walk away.
The rest of Zac’s usual group sat across the way, but they didn’t seem put off at all by his decision to sit with us. They met up at the sandwich line, laughing and jostling each other.
“Why can’t girls be like that?” I asked, pulling out the sandwich I’d brought from home and my bottle of water. “They all seem to just get along with pretty much everybody.”
“A lot of girls just like causing trouble.” Kate sighed, eyeing Jade who had just walked in the door.
“Yeah, I think you’re right!” I nibbled at my lunch, replaying the day so far in my head.
Jade headed straight for the table where Zac usually sat, and I nudged Kate so she’d turn and look. Zac, TJ, and Ben left the lunch line, walked right past Jade, and joined us. The look on Jade’s face was priceless. I’ve never seen cheeks turn such a bright shade of red. It was hard not to laugh at her astonished expression.
When it abruptly turned to anger, I ignored her and joined in the conversation going on around me. Everyone was talking about our project, and TJ was offering some great ideas. He looked at each of us for approval; his excited grin was contagious.
I never thought that planning for a history project could be so much fun.
And when he suggested that we should meet up together at someone’s house so we could prepare for the final presentation, we all nodded in agreement.
Zac sat right beside me and now and then, bumped his shoulder on mine. He offered me some of his fries, and we shared them, as well as a few smiles every few seconds. I felt so happy and relaxed around him. It was just like a dream come true.
With a few minutes left before the bell, I stood to throw my trash away and use the bathroom. It was empty when I entered, but when I exited a stall and turned the water on to wash my hands, the door opened, and Jade walked in. Her friends were right behind her. They crossed their arms and glared at me, not saying a word.
I did my best to keep my face blank, but my heart raced, and I was starting to panic.
“What are you doing?” Jade snapped.
“Washing my hands, what does it look like?” I replied, keeping my tone light. “Do you need something? All the stalls are open.”
“I’m not here to use the bathroom.”
“Ok, then what do you want?” I finished washing my hands and went to grab a paper towel, but she stepped in front of me, blocking my way. “Can you please move?”
“You didn’t answer my question. I asked you what are you doing?”
I tilted my head to the side and stared at her. She was wearing makeup, and it was obvious she’d spent time that morning piling her hair into a topknot on her head. “Why do you always try to look so old? We’re twelve, Jade, supposed to be having fun, running around outside. Not acting like we’re sixteen and in high school.”
Her friends gasped, and her jaw dropped. I was a little shocked myself, wondering where my confidence had come from.
“Just let me dry my hands and get out of here.” I stared at her.
“No.”
I ground my teeth and waited, not sure what to do.
“Stay away from Zac. He likes me, not you.”
I stared back at her defiantly. Who did she think she was anyway?
“Whatever you say, Jade!” I locked my eyes on hers, but all the while, I was trembling inside. She had her group of friends with her, and they all stood watching and waiting to see what she would do next.
Jade sighed and tossed her head back. “I’m only going to warn you once, Holly. You’re not good enough for Zac. You’re just some worthless girl without a dad and a crazy older brother.”
I looked at her, a million phrases swirling inside my head. I wanted to stand up to her. I wanted to tell her just to leave me alone. But instead, I didn’t utter a single sound.
“You’ll never be one of the cool group,” she continued, her spiteful tone ringing in my ears. “You’ll never be popular. And Zac? Why would he be interested in someone like you, anyway.”
“Yeah, Holly!” her friend, Maxine spoke up, her smug stance mimicking Jade’s.
I glanced at Maxine in disgust; she followed everything that Jade said and did. I wanted to say to her…Don’t you have a mind of your own? But still, the words would not leave my lips.
“Think about it, Holly!” Jade’s voice had taken on an evil tone. “He probably just wants a good mark for his history project. Why else would he want to work with you? Now stay away from him. Or you’ll get what’s coming to you!”
She emphasized her last sentence threateningly as she turned on her
heel and left the bathroom, her group of followers right behind her. I could hear their laughter through the door as it closed behind them.
I stumbled back into the wall and slid down it, hugging my knees to my chest. Tears burned in my eyes, but she wasn’t going to make me cry. She wasn’t! I was stronger than that.
But what did she mean by…you’ll get what’s coming to you? I didn’t doubt that she was capable of doing something horrible. And what she said about Zac…was that true? It couldn’t be. No matter how many times I repeated it over and over in my head though, I could not help but worry.
Why was Zac suddenly interested in me? Even though we’d had so much fun yesterday and working on the history project was fun as well, he had never wanted to hang out with me before. I tried to convince myself that he’d enjoyed himself as much as me.
I got to my feet and was wiping my face when Kate burst through the bathroom door, carrying my books. What would I do without her for a friend?
“Hey, are you ok?” she asked, frowning. “We have to get to class.”
“Yeah, yeah I’m fine,” I lied.
“You don’t look fine. What’s wrong?” She glanced over her shoulder. “I saw Jade come in here.”
“Hmm, no, must’ve missed her.” I took my books with a muffled thanks and followed her out of the bathroom. Zac was hanging around close by, and he waved when he spotted me. But I couldn’t talk to him right now, not without having a full-on breakdown. I gave a half-hearted wave back, turned, and made my way to class. Kate was talking to me, but I was too lost in my thoughts to listen.
Stupid Jade. Or stupid me.
I couldn’t quite decide yet, but I guessed I would find out soon enough.
Chapter 5
The rest of Monday passed by in a blur and was filled with me trying not to catch Jade’s eye and looking for ways to avoid bumping into Zac. Kate pestered me with questions, but I managed to make up excuses and said I wasn’t feeling very well.
Time Traveler - Books 1, 2, 3 & 4: Books for Girls aged 9-12 Page 11