Back in Time

Day 1

"Mia you need to wake up", whispered Apollo as I jumped out of fright. "What happened?"

"It's nothing you just scared me that's all", I replied as he slowly helped me off the living room floor "where are we?"

"Well your home well not really home you're next door", he stated, pointing through the living room window when I noticed a teenage girl dressed in her black and white attire, hair nicely combed into a ponytail. I didn't waste any time before immediately sprinting across the lawn and over the fence. I paid no attention to Apollo shouting that I should come back. I ran up to the young lady before coming to a stop deciding that I should go back. Before I knew it, she turned to face me which resulted in her being startled.

"Hi uh do I know you," she asked, but before I could say anything, a much older lady exited the house.

"Emma who's your new friend," she asked

"I don't know her she just came up to me."

"Oh my bad I'm your new neighbour uh Sandy", I replied, holding back the tears.

"Well, Sandy welcome to the neighbourhood my name is Hester and this is my lovely Daughter Emma."

"Thank you for the warm welcome, well I have to get going now."

"Are you okay?" Emma asked

"No I'm fine my eyes sometimes get a little watery I better get going now bye", I replied, wasting no time before sprinting back to the house without looking back. Moments after I entered the house, I collapsed on the living room floor.

"I should have told you sooner, I'm so sorry you had to see that."

"I-I just need some time alone to process this if you don't mind", I stuttered as I was able to feel the warmth of Apollo's arm wrapped around my shoulder.

"Mia I know it's hard for you and I don't want to rush you when you're this vulnerable but it's best you start now than you regret it later, your sister needs you", whispered Apollo with his arm still wrapped around my shoulder.

"I-I know but I don't know what to do?"

"I understand that's why I'm here, I'm here to help you," he stated nodding his head in which I rapidly nodded my head in agreement before stuttering an "O-OK" wiping the tears off my cheek I had the strength to stutter "w-what do I do now."

"Well you can start by, stop crying and together we can both figure out a plan how's that sound."

"Okay, I can do that", I replied with a giggle.

He embraced me one last time before assisting me off the living room floor. "So what's your next move" asked Apollo.

"Um, I think my next move is to get as close as I can to Emma and Mia well that's if I just knew how."

"Well, that's why I'm here I think I have a solution to your problem."

"Okay, what is it?" I exclaimed. Without a moment longer, Apollo placed his palm forward, and in his palm appeared an envelope. "In this envelope, you'll find an identification card that you'll be identified as a new teacher at Oxford High School."

"I'm a teacher at Emma's high school, are you crazy what if she thinks I'm a stalker or something."

"I highly doubt that and Yes, you are a teacher."

"Wait but I don't know how to be a teacher, I'm not even good with children."

"Well, I guess you'll just have to learn."

"Yeah, Your right"

"Well then she won't be there for long so you don't have a lot of time before she goes off to college so what are you waiting for your students are waiting."

"But how do I get there."

"All you have to do is ask"

"Uh okay um Apollo could you take me to the school," I asked hesitantly, but instead, he busted out laughing.

"What"

"Why did you say it like that?"

"What do you mean?"

"You sound like a robot."

"I didn't understand I was just nervous."

"I get it and yes I can take you to the school", he chuckled, resting his hand on my shoulder before we both appeared in the female's bathroom.

"Wait why did we emerge in the girl's bathroom."

"Well, you don't want your students to see you appear in front of the class."

"Oh right, that's true."

"Well, then you don't want to be late for class now do you?"

"Oh, right my class."

"Don't be scared if you need me just whisper my name", he stated before fading into thin air.

I took a deep breath before entering the classroom of students either talking to their friends, texting, making out and much more.

"Um good morning everyone my name is Sandy uh Sandy McDonald I will be your new teacher so I would like to ask everyone if you could stand and introduce yourselves so um we'll start from the f-front row and we'll work our way down", I stuttered.

"Oh hello my name is Emma I'm the girl you met this morning but I must say Miss McDonald we'll be graduating tomorrow and I'm not sure we should be getting a new teacher if we'll be leaving the school are you sure you're in the right class" with my body all tensed up not knowing what to do I hear Apollo's soft voice whisper in my ear explaining that I am a substitute teacher.

"Oh my bad I'm actually in the right class unfortunately your teacher is absent for today and I'm just your substitute teacher", I replied

"Oh okay, so what will we be doing today Miss McDonald."

"Uh well like how it's your last day why not do what you do best."

"What is that exactly?"

"Well uh we have some board games in the classroom so why not start off with that."

"What are we in the 80s we have phones you know", a female student shouted in which everyone started bursting out laughing.

"Amanda have some manners she's our teacher for Chrissake let's show her some respect and do what she says."

"Thank you, Emma, um we can start off with cards but for now I would like if you all could break out into groups of five that would be great" I stuttered as this was a nerve-racking experience, but overall the nervousness Emma made it into a fun experience. Sadly the day ended with me not getting remotely close to Emma. But with a little luck on my side, Emma approached me.  

"Today was fun Miss MacDonald", Emma exclaimed

"Well, it's my duty to make it fun."

"Your weird but you're cool", Emma replied with a small giggle

"Thanks so uh whens your sister coming back."

"Um, I didn't tell you that I had a sister."

"Uh when you left your mom and I talked a little and she uh, she told me about Mia during our conversation", I stuttered, knowing that was a lie that will maybe come back to haunt me later.

"Oh, right my mom, of course, well she'll be back somewhat tomorrow so do you live alone Miss McDonald."

"Oh um, my sister passed away not too long ago. You know you kind of remind me of her"

"Oh, I'm so sorry I can't imagine losing my sister. She's my whole world although she can sometimes be a bitch oh sorry for my choice of words."

"It's fine."

"Well I am going home and before I leave I must say my mom does make a mean lasagna and I'm pretty sure my mom wouldn't want you to eat alone especially me."

"I appreciate your invite and I do like lasagna", I replied as she eyed the teardrop trickling down my face.

"Don't worry about it and you don't have to cry."

"It's just heartwarming that you're inviting me over for dinner."

"It's okay I'm normally the one who invites all my new neighbours over for dinner it's kind of a weird way I make friends anyways dinner starts at 6 I have to get going I'll see you later", moments after Emma left, I was started by a small tap on my shoulder that almost gave me a heart attack.

"Oh come on I thought you've gotten used to that already."

"As you can tell I haven't."

"Alright-alright I won't do it again so tell me how was your day today but not here it's too risky anyone could walk in", Apollo stated

"Oh okay, Apollo could you take me home please," I asked. With one tap on my shoulder, we appeared inside the house.

"So how did it go," Apollo asked, falling back on the living room chair, crossing his legs.

"Well I got the chance to get close to Emma and she even invited me to dinner isn't that's great."

"Wow, that's great what time is dinner."

"It starts at six."

"Well while you wait you could at least get a change of clothes"

"Wait I have clothes."

"Of course you do, you just need to take a closer look I'll give you a little hint you didn't quite explore the rest of the house and I think you should", with both his hand in his pockets, gesturing me to go upstairs. With excitement written all over my face, I made my way upstairs to explore. After analyzing almost every room upstairs. I suddenly came across a beautiful red and white dress nicely placed on the bed, paired with black heels. I quickly got dressed and made my way downstairs to see Apollo with his hands still in his pockets and a smile on his face.

"How do I look?"

"Beautiful" as I walked down the stairs, something came across my mind, which instantly turned my smile into a frown.

"Apollo, what's going to happen if I don't make it in time?" I asked, slowly making my way over to the couch. With a now faded smile, Apollo sat next to me.

"I don't think this is what you want to hear right now."

"I do"

"Well, Your sister will permanently stay dead, and so will you."

"O-Oh just as I thought."

"I'm so sorry, those are the rules" with an awkward pause, Apollo Started me by shouting, "IT'S TIME."

"Don't you think I'm a little overdressed?"

"With what you're going to have to go through after this I think you should enjoy it as much as you can."

"Your right", I replied as Apollo escorted me towards the front door. With nothing but the feeling of the adrenaline running through my veins as I struggled to knock on Emma's front door, it wasn't long before the door was opened by Emma's mom Hester.

"Hi Oh I'm so sorry what's your name again," she asked

"Oh hi, I'm sandy your neighbour."

"Oh, right I'm sorry I'm not good with memorizing names. Nice dress don't you think you're a little too overdressed" with a terrified look on my face. Hester straight away started laughing. "Calm down I was just kidding you don't have to be so scared, you can just head inside Emma's setting the table I'll be right back", she replied, patting me on the shoulder.

"I should have known it was a joke, she is my mother, after all, it's really strange how terrified I felt just knowing she has no clue who I am", I shouted in my head before heading inside to see Emma setting the table.

"Hey you look great I can see you dressed exquisitely just to eat my mom's lasagna but that's okay come-come take a seat, dinner will be ready soon", Emma exclaimed as she was on the verge of laughing. She sat next to me as we both waited a few more seconds for Hester to return.

"So sandy I heard that you're a new teacher for oxford high. How was your first day" Hester asked, handing me the salad bowl?

"Well, to be honest, it was difficult at first but with Emma around, she made it easier she was so helpful with assisting me with the students", I replied, passing the salad bowl over to Emma.

"Well that does sound like my Emma", Hester giggled, passing over the tray of lasagna and the garlic bread. We laughed and boned over dinner as it had to come to an end.