It hadn't been long since it started. The feeling of being in midair, the feeling of ice enveloping you in its frozen embrace. Bailey had mentioned it to his parents many times before, but they shut down the idea almost immediately.

     Nervously, Bailey gripped the straps of his backpack, digging his nails into the fabric. The hairs on his arms stood up straight as the chill wind blew past.

     Bailey grew up as an only child. It had its perks, but also its downfalls. Both his parents were wonderful to him, undoubtedly spoiling him whenever the chance came. But even then, he felt as if there was more to them then meets the eye. Something they were holding hostage from him, like a secret...

     'No, don't think like that. You know they wouldn't keep secrets from you.' Bailey scolded, narrowing his eyes at the sidewalk as if it were himself. When he was only six, he remembered his mother holding him close to her heart, telling him that no matter what, they would never keep anything from him. Of course, he had said the same thing to her. It almost hurts to imagine them hiding something from him. So it begs the question... are they?

     Bailey's school came into view, a relieved sigh escaped his lips, draining away all his worries. Yesterday, the teachers were telling his grade about a new student coming. It ended up being a warning to be polite... his grade didn't have the best track record.

     Coming up to the front of the school, loud footsteps followed closely behind. "Bailey! Wait for me!" A giggle escaped his lips as he turned to meet his friend Anna. Her fiery red hair lit up in the sunlight, "Hey, dude. You didn't shut the door in my face this time!" Anna said, jokingly punching him in the arm. "Well, I was feeling nice today. Besides, you've done the same thing to me countless times!" Bailey scolded, propping the door open with his foot. "Now get in, before I change my mind."

     Bailey met Anna back in fifth grade when she first moved here. Whether it be fate or luck, they stuck together like two puzzle pieces. Bailey saw them as siblings more than friends, that was just how comfortable they were together.

     "Hey, you think the new kid is here already? I need to look at his face." Bailey scoffed, "look at his face? That's the creepiest thing you could ever do!" "erm, I just need it for... science?" Anna blushed, holding up her hands in defense.

    Bailey stared directly into her eyes, "okay, what's the real reason, you weirdo." Anna let out a quiet sigh, "I heard he had cool green eyes, and I wanted to see..."

     Furrowing his eyebrows, a small smirk formed on his lips. "Um, okay. I guess it could be worse. Just don't jump him."

***

     Bailey fiddled with his pencil, feeling oddly nervous. He had heard the new kid would be in his first-period class, and the only empty seat was right beside him. Bailey furrowed his brows at how cliché that was.

     The teacher, Mrs. Rose, walked in with her arms filled with books. Quickly, she set them down and turned to the class. "As you may know, we have a new student joining us. Please kindly welcome him, Drew." The teacher motioned to the door as a boy walked through. He had curly blonde hair, and bright green eyes, just as Anna had hoped. He was quite small, maybe even the shortest in their grade. "Hello. I'm Drew Davis, I'm very happy to meet you all." Drew scanned the room, then settled his eyes on Bailey. Feeling awkward, he looked down at his desk.

     "There's an open seat next to Bailey. Bailey, please raise your hand so that he knows who you are." Slowly, Bailey extended his arm in the air, nervously letting out a silent sigh. Drew made his way over, grinning as he sat down. "Hello, Bailey. Can we be friends?" Drew whispered, catching Bailey off guard with the offer. "F-Friends? Um... y-yeah! Sure?" He stuttered, mentally smacking himself in the face. 'Smooth move, now you sound like a big jerk.'

     "Perfect, now take my hand," Drew whispered, extending his hand carefully as to not look suspicious. "Wh-what?" Drew grasped Bailey's hand, almost by force. A feeling surged through him, a feeling of being trapped in ice. The world around him seemed to slow down until everything stopped.

"Sorry about this, you probably think I'm insane!" Drew giggled. Bailey's mouth was agape. "Bailey, I know you don't quite understand what's happening, and neither do I. But I needed to find you, and joining your school was the only way. Please, come with me."

Bailey shook his head, trying to wrap his mind around whatever all this was. "Are you telling me that you just froze time for me?" Drew rubbed the back of his neck shyly. "No actually, you did. I just needed to hold your hand to force you to do it. I mean, I could do it myself, but shapeshifting in public is a no-no." Bailey felt like he got punched in the stomach. "You know, you're really scary and I don't like that. How do I unfreeze time?" Drew extended his hand once more, "come with me, and everything will start to make sense."

Is it smart to trust a stranger? No. Is it smart to trust a stranger with magic? No. But with his mind-controlling his body, Bailey extended his hand and left behind the world he knew and loved.

***

"Oh my god! I'm dead!" Bailey cried, holding onto Drew as if his life depended on it. "Um, actually you're not. Yet..." "yet!" Bailey screeched. "I think I'm gonna pass out..." he mumbled, closing his eyes in confusion and fear. "You're in my world. And you can't die, not yet anyway." Bailey felt his breath leave his body. "Please don't sacrifice me, I don't even know if this is a dream... my brain can't handle" his arms waved frantically, not being able to process words properly.

Drew smiled, placing his hands on his hips. "Well, to put it like this, you're a Time Traveler."