Skipping Forward

by Bethany Wicker

  “Well, what are you waiting for? It’ll be better than the movie we had planned. Change out of that dress first though. It’s a little weird for me to see that much of your skin.”

  I shook my head at him. “You’re so weird. Get out and I’ll be in your room in ten.”

  “I’ll get some snacks.”

  By the time I got to Maddox’s room, the game was on with a mound of snacks on his bed.

  “I’m going to go ahead and break into the chocolate snack cakes,” I stated as I snatched one up.

  “The perfect remedy to date problems.”

  “And how would you know that? Since when do you date?” I teased.

  “I don’t. I’ve just heard that in movies.”

  We both laughed as he handed me my remote.

  “Let’s kick butt,” Maddox cheered. He started the game up, but paused it to ask, “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Nope,” I replied.

  “Well, I’m here if you ever do. I’m not sure what made you want to play these games with me, but I really enjoy it. Thanks, sis.”

  I grinned at him. “Thanks for letting me.”

  And that was how I spent my Sunday: slaying zombies with Maddox. He was right. It was exactly what I needed. But the anxiety came back when I realized I’d have to face Rhett at school tomorrow.

  ~*~

  The big guy upstairs was looking out for me. Rhett wasn’t in school today. I hoped he wasn’t sick, but I was more than happy to put off facing him for another day.

  I’d been avoiding her all day, so I wasn’t surprised when Autumn bombarded me at lunch. “So I take it the date didn’t go well since you didn’t answer my calls and texts yesterday? I almost called the police thinking Rhett took you out to the swamp to kill you.”

  “I’m not ready to talk about it,” I groaned and avoided making eye contact.

  At least not right now. I would fill her in when I no longer felt sick to my stomach about it.

  After a few minutes, she sighed. “Fine. I’ll let it go for now.”

  It was a little strange without him in cooking class. We’d gotten used to being a team of four, so we cooked way too much food. The teacher let us take the leftovers home. We’d cooked chicken and dumplings, which was one of my favorites. Rhett was missing out on a good meal.

  When I reached my car at the end of the day, I was more than surprised to see Autumn leaning against it.

  “What are you doing here? What about your brother?” I asked.

  “He’s out sick today, so he’s already home. Now, I want the deets. I let you go the whole day, but it’s killing me. Now, spill.”

  I groaned. “I don’t remember it.”

  “You time skipped?”

  I nodded my head and tears blurred my vision. “The worst part is that I think we both enjoyed it.”

  “Then, what’s the big deal? Put your big girl pants on and try again.”

  “I ran out of the car crying when he dropped me off.”

  “Ick. I’m sure we can think of a rational explanation for that.”

  “Yeah, right. He probably thinks I’m a crazy crybaby. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to have a normal date, so how could I expect to have a normal boyfriend like Rhett?”

  “You could just tell him the short-term memory excuse that your parents originally thought. That sounds logical enough. I think.”

  “Ugh. Who am I kidding? Stick a fork in me. I’m done with dating.”

  Autumn scoffed. “That’s ridiculous. One, that was your first date since I’ve known you. And two, you’re only seventeen. You have lots of failed dates ahead of you.”

  She burst into laughter and I shoved her. “Haha. Very funny.”

  “Whatever, it’s not the end of the world, Molly. I gotta get going though. The bro has been home alone, which means he needs another dose of medicine by now. You’ll be fine. You’ll see.”

  She hugged me goodbye and sped out of the parking lot. That girl terrified me when she drove. I was so happy that I had my own car finally. I used to have to hitch a ride with her everywhere, but my parents bought me this car about four months ago. Now, I was the designated driver and was more than happy about it. I’d drive anywhere she wanted before getting in another car with her behind the wheel.

  I pulled up home and my good luck quickly changed. Rhett was waiting outside my house, perched on the hood of his car. His eyes followed me as I pulled into the drive, but I didn’t get out. His knock on the window startled me. I swallowed hard and climbed out of the car.

  “Why weren't you in school today?” I questioned without meeting those analytical eyes.

  “I was trying to figure out how to handle our next encounter,” he admitted. “I don't want to ruin what we could have.”

  “You ruin it? I thought that was my job. Look, I have a confession. I have short term memory loss. I couldn't remember the date, so I panicked.”

  “Short term memory loss? That’s what you’re calling it?” Rhett chuckled.

  “Are you seriously laughing at me?” My eyes narrowed at him.

  He sobered up quickly. “No, not at all. The complete opposite. I want you to be open with me. About everything. There’s also one other thing I’ve been dying to do.”

  His arm snaked around my waist and he pulled me closer to him. I wanted to ask what he was doing, but his lips crashed into mine and my brain shut down. I returned the kiss eagerly. It was weird this was my first kiss and I couldn’t believe I’d been missing out this whole time. His warmth made my toes curl and my body molded into his perfectly.

  No, this was too much. My head started to pound and I pushed him away. I was going into emotional overload and was about to skip again.

  We could never be if I always had to be cautious of skipping every time we kissed.

  “If you focus on the now, then you won’t time travel,” Rhett stated without hesitation. “Just focus on your emotions, but switch your thoughts to the present and you’ll be fine.”

  He moved to kiss me again, but my body wouldn’t respond. It was frozen in shock. I roughly pushed him off me and he stumbled back.

  “How the hell do you know about that?” The fact my mouth still worked at all was surprising.

  “I have a confession,” he stated with a sigh. “I can read minds, so I know what’s actually happening to you.”

  I stared at him for the longest time. “Are you mocking me?”

  “No, not at all.” He sounded offended.

  “Then explain everything because you aren’t making much sense.”

  “So reading minds makes less sense than time traveling?” He raised his eyebrows at me.

  “I don’t actually time travel. I can’t control it and can only go into the future. If I could time travel then I would be able to go back to the past too. I just call it skipping forward.”

  “What if you can travel to the past but just haven’t figured out how yet?”

  “How about you get back to explaining this whole mind-reading-thing? I can only take one life-changing info dump at a time.”

  “Okay, deal. Well, some humans, like you and me, can access our whole brain. Because of that, we discover certain talents that we possess. That’d be the easiest thing to call it. My talent is reading minds and I can’t be kept out either. Yours is that you can manipulate time. You just haven’t learned how to control it like I have. That’s what I want to help you with.”

  “If you can read my thoughts, then why did you ask me where I wanted to go on our date when you probably already knew?”

  “Out of curtesy, I don’t always read your mind. However, it just happens sometimes when I get nervous, like on our first date. I knew you were freaking out about skipping time and it made me want to help you more.”

  “So now I’m a charity case?” I shot him an incredulous look.

  “Not at all. You’re like me and people like us look out for each other. Plus, I’d like to see where a relationship with you takes us. I
’m the only guy that can understand what you do. I’ve discovered your tell. There’s always a metal-like smell that surrounds you when you do it.”

  “I thought I was the only one that could smell it,” I admitted. “Autumn claims that she can never smell it.”

  “Being able to access our whole brain gives us better senses, especially smell.”

  “Why is this whole thing not common knowledge and how do you even know about it?”

  “Most don’t know about us because Normals are quick to write us off as crazy or just think we’re lying. So, we keep it to ourselves. My parents don’t even know what I can do. I know about it because I met someone else who could read minds. He introduced me to his wife who could move things with a simple look. It was pretty cool seeing her demonstrate it. He taught me everything I know and that I’m not loony. Maybe you can meet them some time.”

  “Yeah, my parents never believed me when I tried to tell them. They think I’m a compulsive liar to get myself out of trouble. Okay then, if you can read my mind then what am I thinking about right now?”

  Peanut butter and jelly. Peanut butter and jelly.

  “Peanut butter and jelly,” he answered correctly.

  My mouth dropped open. “That’s freakin’ cool.”

  “So, once again I have to ask. Reading minds is weird, but not time traveling, or skipping, as you like to call it?”

  I scratched the back of my head nervously. “I guess we’re both weird then.”

  “Does this mean you want to be my girlfriend and give us a try?” Rhett inquired with hopeful eyes.

  “We’ve only had one date.”

  “So … that’s a yes? Your mind is saying yes.”

  “That’s going to get old real fast.”

  He laughed. “I promise to give you as much privacy as I can control. But you have to stop picturing what I’d look like shirtless.”

  “I am not!”

  He laughed harder. “No, but the look on your face is hilarious. I want to hear you say it.”

  I giggled at him. “Fine, yes. Let’s see where this goes. Do we shake hands now or something? I feel like we just bartered for something.”

  “I’m bartering for your heart.” His mouth moved towards mine again, but I let him this time.

  I reluctantly pulled my lips from his soft ones. “I have to ask, are you always this cheesy or are you trying to make a good impression?”

  “I don’t think of it as being cheesy. I think I’m romantic and yes, I’m always like this, but you’re the first girl I’ve used my charm on.”

  “Yeah, right. Someone as good looking as you probably has a few past girlfriends.”

  He shook his head. “They’re all Normals. Only someone like you would see the real me, so why would I waste my time with them?”

  “Well, just know that we’re going to have to take things slow. Moving too fast would probably give me whiplash from skipping so much.”

  “Sounds like a good plan to me,” he agreed.

  “Oh, and I’m pretty sure I’m not really processing all this so I’ll probably have more questions for you when my brain turns back on.”

  “And I’ll be there to answer them.”

  He made it seem so easy, but what if I screwed this up by not being able to control skipping forward? He made me nervous, and heightened situations always triggered my…talent, as he called it.

  “What are you thinking about?” He asked with raised eyebrows.

  “Nothing.” I smiled. “And thanks for not prying. Did you want to come in?”

  “Of course.” He grinned.

  We shared one more kiss before we pulled away and went into my house. My parents were shocked to see a boy in our living room besides my brother and didn’t even try to hide it.

  “This is Rhett, sweetie,” Mom praised. “The guy who took our daughter on her first date.”

  “First date?” Rhett looked at me curiously and I put my head in my hands. I wasn’t going there tonight.

  “Well, if you want to date my daughter, then you’ll have to stay for dinner so I can grill you—I mean get to know you.” Dad plastered on a fake smile that didn’t hide his threat too well.

  Dad left no room for argument, but Rhett replied anyway with, “I’d love to.”

  “Do you need to let your parents know?” Mom asked, but Rhett just shook his head in a ‘no’.

  We all gathered around the dinner table. Dad, Rhett, Maddox, and I talked while Mom finished preparing dinner.

  “You do know that if you hurt her, then I’ll hurt you?” Maddox asked, but it was definitely more of a threat than a question.

  “I thought that was my job,” Dad complained and finally took his hard eyes off of Rhett to glance at Maddox.

  I was so embarrassed, but Rhett didn’t seem fazed.

  “Neither of you have to worry about that because I don’t plan on hurting her.”

  “Well, one thing my games have taught me is that things don’t always go as planned.” Maddox glared at Rhett suggestively.

  Rhett turned to me with another grin. “See why I wish I had a sibling? They have your back no matter what.”

  “Speaking of family, what do your parents do?” Dad inquired and he returned to watching Rhett like he was waiting for him to mess up.

  “My dad handles mortgages and refinancing houses and my mom is a real estate agent. They’re the perfect duo if you need to buy a house,” Rhett replied.

  “What agency do they work for?”

  “Oh, they own their own. It’s called Advanced Home Mortgage and Realty,” Rhett answered. “What do you do, sir?”

  “That’s pretty incredible. I’m actually a lawyer, so keep that in mind while you’re dating my daughter.”

  “Dad,” I whined with mortification.

  This is getting ridiculous.

  Rhett chuckled. “Will do, sir.”

  Mom brought out the ham she baked and saved me from further embarrassment. Mom had also made mashed potatoes and green beans for the sides. We each served ourselves and Rhett wasn’t shy with his helping. That boy could eat.

  We ate in silence. Each person was too busy stuffing their face to form a conversation. Rhett seemed to be enjoying Mom’s cooking as much as we did every night and it brought a smile to my face.

  At least I didn't have to be embarrassed about Mom’s cooking too. Dad and Maddox did enough of that, so it was nice to have one normal relative. The rest of the night, Dad and Maddox made a point to be obnoxious and Mom would ask normal questions. I was pretty certain she was the only sane one.

  I confronted them after I escorted Rhett out. “Really guys? Did you have to be so ridiculous? Were you trying to scare him away?”

  “Yes,” Dad answered bluntly while Maddox stayed quiet.

  “Ugh, you're annoying,” I muttered. “Weren’t you just wishing me luck, Maddox?”

  He shrugged his shoulder. “I figured Dad was playing his part well, so I had to be the annoying little brother. It’s my job.”

  “You’re not getting paid for it, so it’s most certainly not your job,” I mocked.

  Maddox blanched and Dad fidgeted. Mom wanted to avoid this conversation and left the room.

  “Are you?” My voice was harder this time.

  “I’m not allowed to answer that question,” Maddox whispered.

  “Are you freaking kidding me?” I looked at them incredulously.

  Dad and Maddox didn’t say anything else, but Maddox was shifting on his feet nervously. Dad was looking everywhere except at me.

  “You guys are so unbelievable. Did you know about this Mom?” I paused and waited for an answer.

  After a few moments, Mom yelled back from her bedroom, “I told them it was a stupid idea.”

  “Unbelievable,” I murmured angrily.

  “Hey, I’m supposed to stop any guy from moving in on you. I’m your dad and proud of my position. I should be the only man in your life.”

  “What about me?” Madd
ox looked appalled.

  “You’re still a boy,” Dad answered the same time I said, “You’re a traitor.”

  “I just wanted the new zombie game. Ugh, forget this. I’m going to bed,” Maddox grumbled.

  “Yeah, I’m going to sleep too before I slap someone,” I stated.

  “Hey, young missy. I am still your father, so there will be no slapping.”

  “Not right now you aren’t. You’re a teenager just like me. At least that’s the way you're acting.” I stormed up the stairs, but not before seeing his smug smile.

  I closed the door to my room, rather loudly, and grabbed my tablet. I sat at my vanity and played games on it since it was still only eight. I wasn’t ready for bed just yet. Plus, I just couldn't get my thoughts off Rhett and his confession. The thought of being able to access one hundred percent of my brain was so insane, but felt so right at the same time. It was as if I knew that was the answer to my issue all along. Like I just needed someone to say the reason for my time skips out loud and everything clicked into place.

  Chapter Six

  A couple of weeks flew by and it was finally Halloween, my favorite holiday. Rhett was supposed to be coming over and we were going to hand out candy from my front porch. We were too old to trick-or-treat and I didn’t feel like going to Alec’s party. I wasn’t ready for that, but Rhett didn't mind.

  Rhett parked on the street to leave the driveway open for trick-or-treaters. He was the best looking version of Clyde I’d ever seen.

  “You make a beautiful Bonnie.” Rhett gave me a soft kiss on the cheek.

  “You’re a pretty sexy Clyde.”

  “I see you have everything ready.”

  He motioned towards the table I had set up. There was a bowl full of candy with fake spiders surrounding it. A fake vampire was standing at each end of the table.

  “Have I told you I love Halloween?”

  “Yes, you have.” He chuckled and pulled me in for a tight hug. “Before our night begins, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you for the longest time.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “Will you be my girlfriend? Officially?”

  My cheeks heated. “I thought we were already dating.”