I turn around, my heart beating out of my chest. It really is her. It really is my mother.

Or is it? "Mom," I ask, my voice cracking. "Is it really you?" "Why, of course it is, dear," she replies. "I hope you realize that you stayed out past curfew. Your father and I are letting you slide this time. Don't make the same mistake again." My head is practically swirling with confusion. She's acting like this is normal. Like I belong here. This feels like deja vu. Like it's happened before. Like I...traveled back in time. "Oh, by the way, I talked to Lori's mom today," Mom says. "Lori wants to get together with you this weekend. I suppose that you'd like to go?" Who the heck is Lori, I think. I suddenly remember that Lori must have been one of my old friends. Goodness gracious, I completely forgot about her! I wonder how she is. "Hello," Mom says. "Lyrica!" I snap myself out of my deep thoughts, "Yes?" "Are you okay," my mother asks. I open my mouth to answer but stop when I see Mom looking at my chest with a confused expression on her face. "Where did you get that," she asks, fiddling with the locket that Chase gave me.

I chuckle nervously, "Oh, that? Oh, th-that's nothing. It's just a little...something that one of my...friends at school gave to me." "Oh," Mom chirps. "Which friend?" My answer is silence. I have no idea what is going on, but if I mention something about the present, it might change the past, and therefore the present and the future. I can't let that happen. I decide to change the subject. "How's Dad," I ask. She sighs, "That man is as mean as always. I don't understand why he's always so angry." So my parents must have been fighting before my formerly evil dad...well... "Are you sure you're all right, dear," Mom asks. "I'm fine," I lie. She looks skeptical, "All right then."

As much as I would love to stay here with my mother, I have to get back to present time. Everyone is probably worried sick about me. I'm not exactly sure how I'm gonna get back, but I'll find a way eventually. "Mom," I say. "Yes, dear," she replies. I engulf her in a tight hug. She seems taken by surprise, but she hugs me back. "I love you," I say, softly. She chuckles and strokes my hair, "I love you, too, sweetie." When I finally let go of Mom, I go up to my room. I still remember where it is. It even looks the same. I flop down onto my bed and think, How am I gonna get back to the present?

I got to the past just by passing out. Maybe I just need to fall asleep. But if I'm asleep, then...is this all a dream? Am I just hallucinating again? No. I can't be. This feels too real. I don't know how it happened, but I traveled back in time, and now, I need to figure out how to get the back to present time. Maybe I have some sort of time traveling bionic ability that I unlocked when I passed out or something. That's the most logical explanation that I can come up with right now. All of a sudden, the silver heart locket that Chase gave me starts glowing blue. Whoah, I think. That's it! This locket must give me the ability to time travel! I have the best boyfriend ever! Wait a minute. If I can time travel, then I can travel to the future! Then I would be able to see what's gonna happen and how to be successful in the journey!

I hold the locket tightly in my palm. "Show me what the future holds," I say. "Will we be successful in our journey?" I squeeze my eyes shut as the locket glows a bright blue. When I open my eyes, I'm standing in...Mission Creek Park? How did I get here, I think. "Another night, another disaster," says a voice. I turn my head to see a lady news reporter on the TV. I look for the date, and my eyes widen when I see the the words, February 5th, 2022. That's next month! Appearantly, I didn't travel too far into the future. "Just yesterday, a mailman was stabbed to death by an unknown criminal, who seemed to have inhumane superhuman abilities," says the news reporter. "Could it be a Bionic Villain? Can we still trust the so-called Bionic heroes that roam free today?"

My attention is focused completely on the TV, until I hear myself screaming, "NO! Please! I'm begging you!" I whip my head around to see...myself. My future self is on her hands and knees, crying and screaming and begging. Future Me must be talking to someone. My heart jumps into my throat as I get a closer look. Everyone, and I mean all of my loved ones, look weak and injured. Except for Chase. Because he is being held up by the back of his shirt by some hooded figure who is aiming a glowing red blade right at his back. My heart jumps into my throat. "Please," Future Me begs. "Don't hurt him!" The hooded figure just laughs and his blade starts glowing red. "Lyrica," Future Chase sobs. "Lyrica, I love you!" "I love you, too," Future Me cries. Future Chase sobs, "Lyrica...I want you to move on. Forget about me." "No," Future Me says, softly. "No, don't talk like that, you're gonna be okay." Tears are streaming down Future Chase 's cheeks. "You're gonna be okay," Future Me says. "You're gonna be okay, you're gonna be okay." "I love you, Lyrica," Future Chase cries.

I can only stand and watch helplessly as the future love of my life dies. Right in my future self's arms.