Before My Time Shorts: The Outsiders

Where Did Lillian Go?

I need Wikipedia pages for all my characters so I remember everything omg 😂

Lillian's POV
2022
Timeline D

I loved being Aunt Lillian. I got to stick around my best friend and her amazing husband, and hang out with one of the most adorable babies on the planet. They named him Goldie, which I definitely voted for. Not one of the weird names that Soda suggested. Alas, I was so happy for them. Everything was working out, and everyone was happy.

However, I am human. I envied what Bri had. She had a handsome adoring husband, their own place at 22 years old, and the most precious little boy. I always wondered what would have happened if I had that. If Two was able to stay in 2017, like Soda was able to.

I was absentmindedly walking around my apartment, finger drumming on the Time Machine that I was holding in my hands. Should I go back? Just for a couple days, just to say hi. I really wanted to know how they are doing now that Soda, Pony, and Darry are gone. Plus, I was craving to see Two-Bit. And I did not want to see him in a nursing home, but to see him in his prime.

I finally decided to take a couple day vacation for myself. I would be back in a second, no one would know I was gone.

I sat on the edge of the bed, slowly and carefully flipped switches and twisted gears until the Machine made a soft hum. I placed the metal hand around my head, and the T-bar between my legs. I set the date for June 1, 1971, and pulled the lever.

*****

June 1, 1971

Two was beyond surprised to see me. He was older than I saw him last, his hair was a little longer and thicker, and he looked a little bigger, like he packed on muscle mass. I didn't want to go back to 1966 and risk seeing my other self. That's a big rule with time travel, you know.

Besides, it was easier for us to be the same age anyways.

He was so excited to see me. His face lit up like a Christmas tree and twirled me around and around. We talked about how much he misses the Curtis Boys, and even how Pony's book finally got published a few years ago. He said that he never graduated high school, because once you turn 21 you can't go to high school anymore. I wonder if they have the GED option yet.

Steve and Two were left in charge to take care of the house. They put all the stuff that the Curtis' left behind in a storage unit for the boys to clean out in 2017, and sold the house for them. Two said that whenever he passes through the neighborhood, he sees a family instead of the boys. They have two little boys, who are constantly bickering and riding their bikes.

The days passed by too quickly. I didn't realize how much I missed Two until I saw him again. I didn't like to think it, but he's my soulmate. It's so hard being so far away from him all the time.

I was putting back on the clothes I came with and packed my little backpack of what I brought over. I was setting the date of the Time Machine when Two came into the room.

"You don't have to leave now," he said, "you've got a groovy lil Time Machine. You can stay here as long as you'd like."

"I know. But I have responsibilities and things I have to do in 2022," I said.

"You truly don't have to, ya know. You can stay. Forever. I moved out of my folks place a couple years back, you can live with me."

I couldn't believe what he was offering. Me, to stay in 1971. Impossible. I couldn't just abandon my entire life.

"But I'll never see my friends or family again. I'll never see Bri again. And if I stay, I might interrupt the space time continuum and cause Bri to never be born."

"I did some snooping when I was in 2017," Two said with a smug look on his face. "The name of my wife, and who is the grandmother of Bri, her name is Lily."

It took me a second, because I didn't know anyone named Lily. Then, it clicked.

"Get outta here." I sucked my breath in. I squealed happily and jumped into Two's arms and gave him the biggest hug. "Yes, I'll stay!"

*****

2000

I was rocking my newborn granddaughter in my arms, watching her stretch and coo. It wasn't until I was reminded that her name is Brianna that I remembered I was holding my best friend. I knew I was going to meet my past self in a few years, because I remember meeting Bri's grandma a lot.

"There there," I said softly as a rocked baby Bri in the chair. "You're going to have a beautiful life. Full of adventures, traveling, and a handsome husband. Bri, you're going to become a beautiful young lady."

I knew she would grow up not knowing who I really am, and that I'll be gone before she finds out. Two and I have discussed it, and we won't tell her unless she asks. It won't be for a long time, but for now I'm going to hold my tongue and help give my best friend the best start in life.