Free Time After Time by Wendy Godding

me.’ I was being ridiculous, but I couldn’t help it. Something about Marcus set me on edge. The way he looked at me. The way he’d stepped out of my dreams and into the house next door. That last fact alone was enough to give me the creeps.
    ‘O-kay,’ he said, sighing heavily.
    He pulled into the school parking lot and switched off the engine. I climbed out and slammed the door, stalking in the direction of my first class, anxious to get away from Marcus Knight and his absurd normalcy. Didn’t he know he was currently courting me circa 1806? How could he not remember? How could he not recall that two hundred years ago his name was Heath Lockwood and, like now, he’d managed to turn me into a quivering mess, albeit for different reasons?
    Marcus was beside me in a flash. ‘Look, I don’t know what your problem is, but I thought maybe we could be friends,’ he said, easily matching me stride for stride.
    ‘I don’t need friends,’ I replied, ‘and trust me, you don’t need me as your friend.’
    ‘But we’re neighbours.’
    ‘That is a fact I can’t change.’
    ‘You could at least thank me for the lift.’
    I stopped, turning to face him. His eyes sparked with amusement. What was with him anyhow? Why was he so intent on talking to me? Maybe I should get leave me alone tattooed across my forehead, maybe then he’d get the hint.
    Staring at his face, at his deep brown eyes and wide mouth, I had a sudden urge to kiss him. My imagination ran away of its own accord, and I could almost feel his soft lips pressed against mine, smell the warm scent of him and hear the soft thud of his heartbeat pressed against my own.
    As if I’d kissed him before.
    Had I kissed him before? My mind grew foggy as I raced through all my dreams and memories. I had kissed him before, I was sure of it. But I couldn’t find it in Penelope’s story, at least not yet.
    I began to sway, tilting towards him and feeling slightly faint, when he caught me, steadying me upright. ‘Are you okay?’ he asked, his voice concerned, brows knitted together.
    ‘Fine,’ I said, pausing before I continued. ‘Um, thanks for the lift.’
    Then, before he could say another word, I hurried off, ignoring the feel of his heated gaze on my back and the way my heart felt as if it might beat itself free of my chest.
    ‘So you really can’t come tomorrow night?’ I asked again.
    Beth shook her head. ‘Sorry. I promised my mum I’d go to the dance if she paid for my car.’
    ‘But it’s Hard Candy!’
    ‘I know, but there’s nothing I can do,’ Beth sighed, ‘It’s just one night.’
    I sighed and picked at my lunch. ‘Ugh, one night of torture. You couldn’t pay me to go,’ I looked at Laura, ‘What about you?’
    Laura had the grace to appear shamefaced. ‘Well…’ She exchanged looks with Beth.
    ‘What?’ I asked, eyes narrowing suspiciously at my two friends. ‘What’s going on?’
    ‘Well, I can hardly turn up to the Spring dance on my own,’ Beth offered lamely.
    ‘So you’re going too?’ I demanded of Laura, feeling further betrayed.
    ‘Well, you wouldn’t want Beth to face it alone, would you?’ countered Laura.
    I was furious. ‘Well, why didn’t you ask me?’
    They exchanged another look. ‘What would you have said?’
    ‘No. I would have said no , because I have principles, and I stand by them. I thought you guys did, too.’
    ‘C’mon, Abbie, it’s just one school dance,’ Beth muttered.
    ‘And I suppose you’ll be going to prom, now, all of a sudden?’ I mumbled, feeling more socially rejected than I ever had before.
    Silence greeted me.
    ‘Oh my god!’ I shrieked, drawing the attention of those at the surrounding tables, ‘You are thinking about prom!’
    ‘My mum said it’s an important rite of passage and that I’ll regret it if I don’t go,’ Beth mumbled, her cheeks flaming red.
    I grabbed my bag and stood up. ‘Your mum? Fine. You do exactly what your mummy says.’ I shot Laura a