OMG, A CUL8R Time Travel Mystery

by Kat, Bob

  Austin and Zoey headed into the school building that looked much different than the one in 2013. Scott and Kelly walked back downtown and found a phone booth. The first one had had the book stolen out of it, so they walked a couple blocks further down until they found a booth that had a book that was intact. Neither of them had ever been in a phone booth before and laughed as they crowded in. Scott lifted the metal-clad book up to the tiny shelf and opened it. They flipped through it until they came upon the address where Wendy lived in case Zoey didn’t gather that information today. It was only a couple of blocks from the school, so they walked by just to see what they were going to be dealing with. No one appeared to be home, but Scott knocked on the door anyway. When there was no answer, they left, disappointed that they would have to wait until later to meet the family.

  They headed to the library to research public records to see if they could find anything out about Wendy’s family. Any clues would help.

  Meanwhile at school, Austin studied his new schedule and was delighted that he had finished registration just in time for gym class. To his surprise, registration had been a breeze. He had nearly chickened out when he walked up to the desk and was greeted by a much younger Mrs. Carter. But then he remembered that there was no way she would recognize him since, technically in this time frame, they’d never met. She was sympathetic when he told her about his mother, a story that had actually brought tears to his eyes because it was so close to being the truth. He filled out all the paperwork with the information Kelly had provided, and Mrs. Carter said she would get it right into the mail so they could have their transcripts by the end of next week.

  Perfect.

  Since their story had been that they were fraternal twins, they were both placed into twelfth-grade classes. Zoey’s schedule was very different than his because she had been able to get into almost all of Wendy’s classes. Zoey had played the friend card by telling Mrs. Carter that Wendy was an old friend, and it would really be helpful if they were in the same classes since Zoey was starting the semester so late. Outside the office, he and Zoey had gone their separate ways, promising to meet up after school and walk back to the motel together.

  Although the high school was in the same location as the current one, it had radically changed over the years. In 1966, it was still the old wooden building that had housed all twelve grades until two years ago when a separate elementary school and junior high was built, and those grade levels had moved off campus. Much smaller than the modern brick building Austin was used to, it was very easy to find his way around. There weren’t but a few hundred students in all four grades, compared to the two thousand that were in the 2013 version of South Beach High.

  As with all new students, Austin and Zoey attracted a lot of attention. It didn’t hurt that they were both attractive. Austin was not oblivious to the flirtatious looks of the girls he passed in the hall as he headed for the gym. Now he just had to figure out which one was Wendy.

  He found an empty locker in the locker room and changed into his gym clothes with a couple dozen other boys his age. As he jogged out on the practice field he was excited to see that he recognized the coach. The coach Decker he knew was much, much older, probably in his sixties. The 1966 coach Decker must have been just out of college. Austin relaxed because that meant he already knew what would be expected of him. He glanced over at the girls’ PE class and saw Zoey, already surrounded by a group of girls. For whatever reason, she was right. If anyone could quickly infiltrate the exclusive ranks of the pretty and popular, it would be her. She noticed him looking her way and gave him a little finger-wiggle wave. Austin waved back as she headed off to play soccer.

  “Cute girl.” Austin turned to see Coach Decker, too, was watching Zoey.

  “Zoey? She’s my . . . uh, sister,” Austin said.

  “Oh. Well, why don’t you get out there and show me what you’ve got.” Coach Decker tossed him a football. “You look like you know your way around this.”

  “I’ve played a little ball . . . back in Texas, and you know how Texans are about football.” Austin joined the rest of the class, and they ran a few drills, taking turns being quarterback. After leading his squad to three quick touchdowns, Coach Decker blew his whistle and sent everyone else to the showers. But he called Austin aside. “You’ve got one hell of an arm.”

  “We won the title for the last two years.”

  “I can see why.” The coach studied Austin for a few seconds. “I’ve got three QBs and all three have been injured. I’ve got no one to even suit up for Friday night. It’s homecoming against our arch rivals, the Naples Golden Eagles. You interested in stepping in? I could simplify the plays for you. It’s a really important game, and I’d hate to have to forfeit.”

  “Run any wildcat formations?”

  “Wildcat? Funny you should ask. I’ve been thinking about some new plays and that’s what I was calling them.”

  “Huddles and slant plays?”

  “Oh, yeah, I’ve been trying to teach those to the boys. I could get you with the first team at practice today. Interested?”

  Austin looked doubtful. This violated one of Scott’s rules. He couldn’t remember which one, but he was pretty sure Scott wouldn’t approve. “I promised my dad I’d look after my sister. She’s hoping to stay late for cheer practice in case she can make the squad.”

  “Perfect. You’ll be on the field next to them, and both practices get over about the same time. Besides, I know the head cheerleader. I’m sure I could put in a good word to Wendy about your sister.”

  Wendy? How many cheerleaders could the school have named Wendy? Austin jumped at the opportunity. “I’m sure Zoey would appreciate that.”

  “I’ll see you after school then?”

  “I guess so.” Austin knew Scott would have a cow, but surely the fact that this was a shortcut to Wendy would make him chill. “Better run. I don’t want to be late to class.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  “You did what!” Scott’s eyes bulged as he stared at Austin.

  “It seemed like the quickest way to get Zoey and Wendy together. Besides, it’s Coach Decker. I just wanted to see what he was like when he was young.”

  “That clearly violates rule number six and it’s borderline on number five.” Scott was practically shouting.

  Austin had never seen his friend so upset. “It’s going to be okay,” he tried to reassure him. “It’s just a way of fitting in and not raising any suspicion.”

  Scott just kept shaking his head and muttering. “First, Zoey jumped in, now this.”

  They were all in the girls’ room, hanging out after everyone had returned. Kelly was stretched across the bedspread, regardless of germs. After having walked all over town today, she was exhausted. Austin was sore from his first football practice of the year. Scott was furious. Only Zoey seemed invigorated by the day’s activities.

  “If anyone is interested, I’ve got some information,” she announced. Everyone, even Scott turned toward her. Once she was sure she had their full attention, she continued, “I met some cool girls, but the cheer squad was full. But Coach Decker who also coaches them told me I could work out with the rest and be a back-up. Well I got to team up with Wendy . . . yes, that Wendy to learn the moves. She and I hit it off great.” She paused for dramatic effect.

  “And . . .?” Scott prompted impatiently.

  “And, I know where she works after school. She’s a carhop at the Avalon drive-in. I thought we could drop by there for dinner tonight.” Zoey was clearly pleased with herself.

  “I’m hungry.” Kelly perked up.

  “Me, too,” Austin agreed.

  Scott, never one to stay mad for long, relaxed and nodded his head. “Good job, Zoey. I think we could all use some food. It’s been a long day.”

  “The Avalon is just a couple blocks away, thank goodness. My feet are killing me,” Kelly said. “By the way, I stopped by the office and paid for another day on our rooms. They were asking about
our parents, but I told them they were still at work. I’m not really comfortable lying.”

  “Would you be more comfortable sleeping in the alley or under the pier?” Zoey asked rhetorically. “This room is bad enough, but at least we have a bathroom and a lock on the door.”

  Kelly sighed. It was definitely for the better good. Besides this couldn’t be held against her since she didn’t really exist in this time period, could it?

  They reached the Avalon, a busy drive-in restaurant. Colorful neon lights circled the building and stretched out over the awning-covered parking spaces. Each one had a speaker with a built-in microphone so customers could drive into the space and order from the posted menu. Several minutes later, a carhop, dressed in a short uniform zipped out on a pair of roller skates with the order and hung a tray on the side of the vehicle. She collected the money, then skated over to another car where the customer had finished and removed their tray. There was also a group of tables in between the two rows of parking for people to sit who either didn’t have cars or who wanted to get out and congregate with people from other cars.

  “It’s sort of like a Sonic with attitude,” Zoey commented, and everyone nodded their agreement.

  The kids found an empty table toward the end of the dining area because it would give them a good vantage point to watch what was going on while being able to talk freely and not be overheard.

  A girl skated toward them, and Zoey nudged Scott in the ribs. “That’s her.”

  As Wendy braked to a smooth stop next to them, all eyes were on her with uncommon interest. She didn’t seem to notice as she handed them menus. “What can I get for you?” she asked as she flipped open her order pad and tapped it impatiently with her pen.

  “Do you have any chicken nuggets?” Kelly asked

  “Did you see any on the menu?”

  “Actually no . . .”

  “Well anything not on the menu won’t be on your order,” Wendy clarified.

  “Then, I’ll take a hamburger with fries and a bottle of water,” Kelly ordered.

  “Bottle of water? We have it in cups.” Wendy looked confused.

  “Then a Diet Coke, please.”

  “Diet Coke? We have Coke or Tab.”

  “What’s a Tab?” Kelly asked.

  “It’s a Coke without all the calories.”

  “Oh, then I’ll take that.” Kelly sat back in her chair, glad to let Wendy’s attention move to someone else.

  “Same as her but with a Coke,” Scott ordered.

  “Okay. And you?” Wendy turned to Austin.

  “I’ll have a double burger and fries with a Coke. Can you super-size that?” Austin asked.

  “Supersize what?” Wendy was growing impatient with the whole group as more cars traded places in the lot.

  “The fries and Coke. Make them bigger. You know, super-size them.”

  “So you want a large fry and large Coke?”

  “Exactly.”

  “You?” Wendy glanced at Zoey and her expression softened. “Oh hi. How’d it go on your first day?”

  “Not too bad. Some things are a little different than . . . uh, where we came from,” Zoey answered.

  “What would you like to order?”

  “I’ll take a plain hamburger and a Tab.”

  “I’ll put this right in, thanks.”

  They sat there and observed the comings and goings for about ten minutes when their food finally was delivered by Wendy.

  “Listen, sorry I got so nastygram with you all. This week is homecoming. I don’t have a date and Janet’s grandmother died. She had to go out of town for the funeral, and they’re expecting me to do it all. They won’t even let me off on Friday for the game . . . anyway I’m sorry.”

  “Janet?” Zoey asked.

  “Yeah, Janet is the other girl who usually works evenings with me. She’s just a junior, but she’s cool. Unfortunately, she’ll be gone until Saturday, and I have to handle it on my own.

  “Can’t you hire someone temporarily?” Kelly asked.

  “Do you know anyone who needs a job?”

  “Maybe,” Kelly said cautiously, sliding a sideways glance at Scott. Did this violate any of the rules? He shrugged, giving her his approval.

  “Can you skate?”

  “I boogie board.”

  “Boogie what? Never mind, I’ll take that as a yes. So let me talk to the manager. The hours are a bummer and you’ll run yourself ragged. But the good things are that you get to keep your tips and they pay in cash daily. Interested?”

  “Sure, I could use the extra money.”

  “I’ll go check right now. You guys need anything else?”

  “I think we’re good. Thanks.” Austin answered for the group.

  Wendy skated over to a convertible and picked up their tray, then skated inside. She returned a few minutes later, dropped off an order at a new car, then came back to their table.”

  “You’re all set up. Can you start tomorrow?”

  “I . . . uh, yes.” Kelly was amazed it was that easy.

  “He said you can fill out the paperwork tomorrow. We start at 3 p.m., but he said if you could get here around noon, that would be better.”

  “Tell him I’ll be here at noon, then.”

  “You don’t go to school?” Wendy asked.

  “No, I . . . I’m home schooled.”

  Wendy looked at her like she was speaking a foreign language. “Yeah, right. Well, see you tomorrow when I get here after practice.” She smiled at Zoey. “And I’ll see you in first period.” She flashed a flirtatious look at Austin, then skated off. An old pickup truck had just parked in an empty space, and she went over to it.

  From their angle, no one at the table could see who was inside, but it appeared that Wendy was having a pretty heated discussion with its occupant. After a couple of minutes, she skated away, and the truck backed out and drove off.

  “Well I found a job. I can’t skate though, but how hard can it be?” Kelly finished the last of her fries. “You guys all have something important to do, so maybe I can, at least, help a little with the expenses and keep an eye on Wendy when you’re not around.”

  “Cool. Maybe you can get us a discount on our food.” Austin extended his hand for a fist bump with Kelly which she returned with enthusiasm. They could save money and eat well.

  “I wonder who was in that truck. He seemed really pissed at her.” Scott took another bite of his burger.

  “Maybe it’s her ex-boyfriend,” Zoey suggested. “She said she didn’t have a date for homecoming. Maybe they just broke up. I’ll try to find out tomorrow.”

  Within a few minutes Wendy had stopped back by to check on them. “Do you need anything else?”

  “Can I get a refill on my Coke, please? ” Austin asked.

  “No, but I can get you another Coke,” she looked at him and smiled. She skated off for another large Coke.

  “How do you do that?” Scott asked.

  “What?” Austin replied.

  “Get girls to drool on you without so much as trying.” Scott was more impressed than envious.

  “It’s a gift.” Austin shrugged and smiled.

  Wendy skated up with a new drink for Austin. “Here you go. Will there be anything else tonight?”

  “We’re good,” Austin said. “Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “I hope so.” Her smile revealed two very appealing dimples in her cheeks.

  Zoey bristled, but remained commendably silent. She apparently was more concerned with getting back to 2013 than in protecting her claim on Austin.

  THURSDAY

  THEY ALL WENT to breakfast together before Austin and Zoey headed off for school. Scott and Kelly walked to the park and sat at a picnic table and compared notes. “So what did we learn yesterday?”

  A young couple were sitting on a blanket, reading books and listening to a small transistor radio several feet away. The strong harmonies of The Beatles drifted across the crisp October air.

/>   “I sort of like that music,” Kelly admitted.

  “Really? That’s what you learned?”

  “No, I was just making a comment. Everywhere we go, we’re surrounded by music. It’s kind of cool.”

  “Yeah, I’ve always liked Beatles’ music,” Scott admitted. “Some of the lyrics are really amazing.”

  “I don’t think our music will be so eternal,” Kelly noted. “I can’t imagine ever hearing a Justin Bieber song in an elevator.”

  “Does that mean you like Justin Bieber?”

  “Sure, but he’s getting a little goofy for me. I’m not too crazy about seeing his underwear all the time. And what’s with that whole monkey thing? My favorite is Taylor Swift. Her songs mean something.”

  “I sure wouldn’t want to be her ex-boyfriend. I don’t want a break-up song written about me.”

  Kelly laughed. “Yeah, but I sure would like to look like her. So tall, so thin. Great hair, great face. She’s perfect.”

  Scott looked at her critically. “You’re not so bad.”

  “That’s a positive negative.”

  “You’re not like any other girl I’ve ever met.” Scott ducked his head, suddenly shy.

  “You’re not like any boy I’ve ever met.” She felt her own cheeks flush hotly.

  “I meant that in a good way,” he hurried to add, realizing she could misinterpret it.

  “Me, too.”

  Scott looked up and Kelly met his gaze. It was awkward and warm at the same time, and they both smiled, then looked away.

  “Anyway, I hope Zoey has more info tonight.” Scott traced the names that had been carved into the wooden table top with his finger. “She’s turning out to not be horrible.”

  “There’s that positive negative again.”

  “Yeah, well, she’s sort of difficult to like.”