When she woke up, it was 9:20am. She turned the radio on. She was just lying in bed, closing her eyes and listening to music.
“And now it’s time for the 9:30 news flash”, said the radio host. “Today is February 27th 2025, the teachers strike is going on while…”
She suddenly opened her eyes and sat up.
“I’m back ? For real, this time ?”, she thought.
She got out of bed and started to cook eggs. She absentmindedly ate her breakfast. She still couldn’t shake off the memory of herself covered in blood in the woods. She was taken out of her thoughts by the beeping of her phone as she received a text. It was from Angélique. “Don’t forget about tonight’s reception at our office. I’d die of boredom if you don’t come. Nice opportunity to wear a pretty dress ;-)”
This made her smile. “Count on me”, she answered.
She went on with her day. Wrote a few things, corrected a few others.
She spent quite a while choosing what dress and shoes to wear. She went for a blue dress with white flowers printed on it, a white cardigan and white shoes.
“A red dress ? Seriously ?”, she thought, shaking her head.
She arrived at Angélique’s work place around 6 pm. A lot of people from big companies were invited. It was quite a huge reception, 200 people were expected.
“Even the big boss of Moonlight corporation will be here”, said Angélique.
Upon hearing this, she just froze.
“What am I supposed to do ?”, she thought. “Run away before any of this happens ? If I don’t meet him, I won’t kill him with a spade…”
She felt her heart racing. She was remembering that night in the woods, with all the blood. She was remembering every moments she time jumped into. She also remembered all the good things that were written in her diary and that she saw on Facebook.
“Could this be avoided ? Could it be fixed ? It takes 2 to make the effort… Can I just run away some time before May 23th 2025 if nothing has changed ? Would I be able to run away if I am in love ? Would he let me leave or try to control everything even more ? What really led me to kill him with a spade ? Is it supposed to happen no matter what ? Or did I jump in time so that it doesn’t happen ? What is the right move ? Is it fixable or should I just run away ?”
All of these thoughts were overwhelming her. But she knew she had to make a decision. Fast.
“Are you ok ?”, asked Angélique, “You look very pale”.
“I don’t know”, she answered. “Maybe I should just go home”
“Are you sure ?”, asked Angélique, disappointed.
“Yeah, sorry…”, she said, while trying to leave. The room was already filled with guests. She was so deeply into her thoughts, she didn’t see the waiter arriving from her left. She ran into him, causing him to spill all the drinks from his platter on the man in front of them.
“I’m so sorry”, she said to the waiter and to the man, who turned around, soaked in Champagne.
She stared at him for a while, he didn’t look angry. He smiled at her. She just felt like crying. It was too late.
“I’m sorry, Mr Harrison”, said Angélique, who followed her, wondering if she was alright. “Here are some napkins”, she continued, very embarrassed.
She didn’t say a word. She was looking at the floor, thinking of a way to escape. She knew it was too late already. She was worried about what would happen next.
“Are you ok ?”, asked Tyler.
She looked at him, with a terrified look in her eyes.
“Are you ok ?”, he asked again.
“Yes, sorry. I didn’t… Sorry.”
“Well, nevermind. Just keep me company for a while, then. It’s not like someone died or anything.”, he jokingly said.
She looked at him with a desperate expression on her face. She couldn’t refuse. She couldn’t run. All she could do was try and hope for the best. Hope for a different ending.
She felt trapped. She was obliged to stay, at least for now, as a courtesy to at least Angélique, whose boss ran across the room to see what was going on.