A Time Story

Chapter 8- part 1

"So you're going to old earth?" said Sylvia. They sat at a table on the outskirts of the trading center. Rylan's had a book open and bags under her eyes from staying up past curfew. Zoe, on the other hand, didn't looked like she missed a wink of sleep.

"Yeah," Zoe crossed her arms, "and we have to read these stupid books cause our mentor's such a loser!"

"Isn't 2012 when the ancient monsters arrive?" Sylvia asked.

"That timeline's been altered," Evelyn stated. "Not sure how that tribe predicted their arrival."

"You mean the Mayans?"

"It's pointless to read history honestly," Dynica said. "It'll always change by the next cycle. Just learn about the general culture and you'll be fine."

"Well, we can't find anything on it," Zoe complained. "Would be easier if we can change these books back into holodisks but I can't figure it out no matter how many ways I clapped my hands."

"You may not have to," Evelyn added, "it sounds like a standard training mission. You'll probably be back before Dynica and I are done on Jupiter."

"Plus Sylvia can help you," Dynica suggested, "she can practically read in her sleep."

"I have to study for my mission but I can help them for a few triples," Sylvia nodded. "You should also go over their time units. It shouldn't be that hard since they're very close to each other. Cycles are years, sets are weeks, hours are triples, and that's all I can remember."

"It's so sad Sylvia and I couldn't come with you dearies," Yavin cried. "The four of us would have make the perfect team."

"Shuddup Yavin," Dynica teased. "You sound like you're 70."

"Few triples are fine," Zoe nodded. "Not sure how we'll drag them to your apartment."

"You can use pocket orbs!" Sylvia exclaimed.

"Too expensive," Evelyn blurted. "Not everyone can afford porbs like you."

"How about a backpack?" Dynica suggested. "We can get them cheap if you have 100 points to spare."

"Oooh... oooh...," Sylvia called. "I also have five you can use!"

"What do you think Rylan?" Dynica turned to her.

"Sounds good," Rylan faintly mumbled before returning to her book.

"What's with her?" Rylan heard Dynica whisper. "It's been three phases already."

"She needs more tiiime," Yavin defended. "The experience was probably traumatic."

"Yavin's right," Zoe agreed. "Ry just needs more time... I think."

Rylan would be less quiet if she could only express her feelings. The guilt from Ray ate at her everyphase, but how would everyone react if they knew the truth? Dynica would probably make fun of her. Evelyn would call her an idiot. Maybe Yavin would listen, but she wasn't sure. Zoe and Sylvia, forget about it! Even worse, what if they kicked her out for her doll-like sympathies? At least for now, they would her 'so-called' friends.

Rylan tried befriending other girls, but didn't get far. Plenty dismissed her for being a newborn or carrying primitive books from the 21st century. As consequence, she spent most of the set alone in her room. The loneliness she once feared welcomed her like a friend. The world out there had too many judging eyes. At least alone, she could truly be herself. She coped by having conversations with her reflection, even changing her hair back to "natural long" to make her happy. Though a reflection wasn't much, at least it felt like company. A pretend girl that felt bad-like-her.