Skipping Forward Read online

  Skipping Forward

  Bethany Wicker

  Skipping Forward. Copyright © 2017 Bethany Wicker.

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Printed in the United States of America

  First Edition, 2017

  ISBN: 978-1543057171

  Cover Design Copyright © 2017 Ammonia Nikolova

  For Henley, Lucien, and the Family

  Thank you BB for all you do.

  Chapter One

  The air in the room was dense and my jaw was stiff as I chewed my food. Our utensils clanked against our plates as my family and I ate. Dinner was usually quiet, but not when Aunt Berty joined us. Like tonight, and she was persistent about having the boyfriend conversation, or lack there of.

  “You should swipe up a guy before all the good ones are taken,” she pressed. “I would know all about that.”

  My irritation had hit its peak and the scent of metal dulled my senses. I blinked twice before realizing that I was sitting up in bed. Looking at the clock, I noticed it was morning and groaned. I’d time-skipped right through dinner. I had no recollection of what happened last night, but I’d never skipped through sleep before. As I yawned, I wondered just how much sleep I’d gotten.

  I didn’t want to waste time thinking on it because I was going to be late for the movie with my best friend Autumn. So, I hopped out of bed and hoped I didn’t miss out on anything too important last night.

  “Where do you think you’re going, missy?” Mom asked as she rounded the corner.

  I froze with my hand on the knob to the front door. “To the movie theater with Autumn?” I answered, but it came out as more of a question.

  “I don’t think so. You’re grounded remember?”

  “For what?”

  She tsked. “Molly, you can’t keep using that memory problem as an excuse. You’re seventeen now and you need to start acting like it.”

  “But I really don’t know what I did.”

  “I’ll have none of that today,” Mom chided. “Now, get back to your room and think about what you did to your Aunt Berty.”

  I let out a groan before stomping my way back up the stairs to my room. My bed was still warm from last night and my body sagged into it. I closed my eyes and tried to think about what I’d done to make Mom so mad, but I really couldn’t remember.

  Mom thought I had short term memory loss and she’d taken me to every specialist in the state of Louisiana hoping someone could help me, but it was to no avail. They couldn’t do anything for me because I didn’t really have a memory problem.

  My problem was that I could skip into the future. Sometimes it was by my will, but most of the time it wasn't. It might not have been an issue if I could remember what happened during the time I skipped, but it was always blank.

  The first time it happened, I’d been seven years old and yelling at my mom about going to play outside with my friends, even though I was sick, when a metallic tang surrounded me. I blinked and the next thing I knew, I was in the hospital. I freaked initially because I didn’t know how I’d gotten there in the first place. It turned out that I didn’t listen to my mom and played outside in the cold while sick with the flu. I ended up in the hospital when it developed into pneumonia. I’d skipped a whole two days.

  When I first told my parents that I couldn't remember disobeying Mom or being with my friends, they thought I was lying to get out of trouble. But when I kept having instances of the same metal taste and smell that was linked to forgetfulness, I tried to figure it out myself. It wasn’t until I was ten that I discovered I could make myself skip time and tried it when I’d been getting fussed at by Dad. I’d traveled three hours into the future and found that I’d been punished, but couldn’t recall it.

  When I relayed my ability to them over and over again, they thought it was time to seek help. They took me to see everyone: psychologists, therapists, neurologists, endocrinologists, and cardiologists. All the tests I went through pointed to the conclusion that I was a perfectly healthy child and they couldn’t find anything that proved I had memory problems.

  When I was younger, I used to overhear my parents discussing what they should do with me. They believed the doctors and were starting to rationalize I was just trying to get attention. The older I got, the less I time skipped. Now, it only occurred without my control and usually when I was under a lot of stress.

  A few times, I attempted to go backwards in time to try to undo ever telling them, but it was never successful. I learned quickly that I could only travel forward and I’d only been able to skip a day at most.

  Now, at seventeen, I realized I couldn't get that time back and was losing those pieces of my life, bit by bit. I didn’t want to miss anything again, but that was easier said than done. It had gotten to the point where I was getting sick and tired of trying to decipher how to control it.

  A rap at the door yanked me from my thoughts. Aunt Berty poked her head in with a weak smile. Her wild red hair fell over her green eyes and she fought to push it back. She gave up and sighed awkwardly. “I bargained with your mom that if you apologized to me for calling me the ‘crazy cat lady’ then she’d reduce your sentence.”

  A laugh bubbled in my throat. “The crazy cat lady? I said that?”

  Well, she did own about ten cats. That was without exaggerating too. Aunt Berty never married or had kids, so she started adopting cats. She claimed they were her children and even bought them Christmas presents that she ‘helped’ them open every year on Christmas Day. Even though the cats ruled her life, they didn’t rule the house. Her place was always spotless and smelled clean. I wasn't sure what her trick was but she needed to share it with my parents. Then, they could use it on my brother who was thirteen and had some serious body odor.

  “Listen, you know you’re my favorite niece—”

  I cut her off. “I’m your only niece.”

  She huffed. “That’s beside the point. Look, you don’t have to pretend not to remember with me.”

  There it was. Aunt Berty, like my parents, thought that I was faking it all. I’d stop trying to convince them otherwise.

  “I’m sorry, Aunt Berty. I didn't mean to call you names. I’m not sure what came over me,” I stated as politely and sincere as I could muster.

  She sighed and tried to tame her wiry hair again. “I guess that’ll do. Thanks and I’ll be sure to tell your mom that you apologized. If you ever want to talk, you know I’m here to listen.”

  “Thanks, Aunt Berty.”

  She smiled one more time before she exited my room. I heard her tell my mom about what I said and then she preceded to say her goodbyes. The front door opened and closed and I started counting to ten.

  When I reached the number ten, Mom burst through the door. “Your Aunt Berty doesn’t think you need to be punished, so I’ll let it slide for her sake. She doesn’t want you to be in trouble on her account. You better buy her cats Christmas gifts this year as a thank you. She’s always looking out for you, even when you don’t realize it.”

  “I know, Mom. I’m not sure why she feels that way. Maybe it’s the whole not having kids of her own,” I tried to reason.

  “Not really sure why you’re complaining. You should want more people on your side, especially with the predicaments you get yourself into.” Mom ran her fingers through her red hair.

  It was a habit that her and her sister shared along with the color of their hair. The only difference was that Mom’s was stick-straight and Aunt Berty’s was a curly mess. They liked to call me the oddball because I had my dad’s onyx hair. I w
as the only girl on my mom’s side of the family to not have red hair. I did have her green eyes though.

  “Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard that somewhere before. So, since I’m not grounded, does that mean I can go to the movie theater with Autumn?”

  Mom shook her head and half-smiled. “I guess so, but you better be home by five and no buts.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” I mocked saluted to her and darted to the door before she could change her mind. Five was early, but I was taking what I could get.

  ~*~

  Autumn was waiting for me by the concession stand. She had her chestnut hair tied back into a sleek ponytail and her blue eyes were hidden behind her thick glasses today. We’d been best friends for eight years and it still surprised me to see her in glasses. She wore contacts a majority of the time.

  She eagerly waved me over. It made me laugh because I’d already seen her. She was a little on the quirky side, but that kept things interesting. After my proclamations of time travel, kids wanted nothing to do with me, except for Autumn. She believed me then, and she still did today. I was so grateful to have a friend like her. Because the other children blacklisted me, Autumn and I became the weirdos in high school, but it only made our friendship that much stronger.

  “What took you so long? The movie’s about to start,” she asked as she pulled me in for a quick hug.

  “I almost had to bail on you. Mom had grounded me because I apparently called my aunt the ‘crazy cat lady’.”

  “You did not,” she exclaimed with a giggle “Doesn’t she have like ten cats though?”

  “Yeah, but that didn’t help my case, especially since I don’t remember doing it.”

  “Oh, no. Time skipped again?”

  “Yeah, but at least it’s been a couple of months since the last occurrence.”

  “Well, let’s hurry up and get some snacks so we can get into the movie before it starts. I’m sure the previews are on by now.”

  “Most likely.”

  We both ordered a small popcorn, a box of candy, and a bottled water. Our seats were perfectly in the middle of the theater. We were seeing the newest scary movie that was out and as expected for a Saturday, the room was packed. All the murmurs hushed as the first scene flickered on the screen.

  I kept my focus on the movie and tried to rein in my emotions. I hadn’t been able to sit through a full scary movie without skipping through it. It was like my brain pressed fast-forward to the end so I wouldn’t be afraid. It’d been a while since I tried to control it but it was getting out of hand. I could do this.

  My eyes blinked from the dryness of trying to keep them open. A metallic tang swirled around me and when I opened my eyes again, the credits were rolling. Autumn was talking excitedly, but stopped when she noticed my blank stare.

  “It happened again, didn't it?” She frowned.

  I took a sip of water and nodded my head. “I wasn’t even scared yet when it did.”

  “Maybe it’s because you were anticipating it too much and focusing too hard on not skipping that it just reacted anyway.”

  I groaned. “I’ll never get the hang of it. Next thing we know, I’ll blink and wake up wrinkly. I keep missing out on shows so who knows what else I’ll miss out on. It was a good movie too, wasn’t it?”

  “No, not at all. It was completely terrible. Your typical haunted house movie.”

  That was the biggest no/yes I’d ever heard, but I was thankful she was trying to make me feel better. She was just a horrible liar and that wasn’t a fault.

  “So, what now?” I inquired. “I still have a couple of hours before I have to be home.”

  “You have to be home for five? But it’s a Saturday night. That should be illegal,” Autumn complained.

  “I guess I’m not completely off the hook. Want to stop at the candy shop down the street before I head back?”

  “Heck yeah I do,” she cheered in agreement.

  On the way to the exit, I smacked into a hard body and I was knocked to the ground. A strong, sturdy hand assisted me back to my feet.

  “I’m sorry,” the stranger said. “I wasn’t watching where I was going. Are you okay?”

  I turned to face a very good-looking guy. He was about my age with chocolate hair and honey eyes. I blinked a couple of times before I found my tongue. “It’s okay. I wasn’t looking either. I haven’t seen you around before. Are you visiting from out of town?”

  “How’d you know?” He grinned.

  “I—um, this is a small town. We pretty much all know each other and I think I’d remember seeing you.”

  I felt my cheeks heat up. I couldn’t believe I just said that out loud. I needed an exit. Now. He was saying something, but the world deafened around me. The all-to-familiar silvery, coppery scent invaded my mouth and nostrils.

  My eyes opened and I was in my room. I grabbed my clock and it read nine o’clock. I’d skipped the whole remainder of the day

  What the hell.

  I grabbed my cell and called Autumn. The few seconds it rang felt like a lifetime. I immediately bombarded her with questions of what happened when she picked up.

  “Whoa, slow down. You mean to tell me you don’t remember tall, dark, and handsome asking you on a date?”

  “He did? What did I say?”

  She laughed. “I’m just joking, but you guys did seem to hit it off. He just moved from Michigan and is going to our school, so you’ll be seeing him again Monday. Try not to be too nervous so you can actually remember talking to random cute strangers.”

  “You’re evil. I can’t believe you actually managed to pull off a joke,” I teased back. “This is why I don’t talk to hot boys. I can’t even remember the conversations. Why does that species make me so nervous?”

  “I’m not sure, but I get nervous too. They’re just so intimidating, so you better get your beauty sleep tomorrow. Maybe feel a little better. Heck, he might not even remember you.”

  “I’d be surprised if he did. I’m not that special.”

  “You’re joking, right? You can travel into the future. Not many people can do that. Well, no one else can do that that I know of.”

  “You make it sound cooler than it is. I really just lose parts of my life. That’s a better way to say it.”

  “Well, whatever. What are you doing tomorrow?”

  “I’m just going to veg out and have a movie day.”

  “Huh, that sounds like a good idea. I think I might just do the same. Goodnight, time-traveler.”

  “Goodnight, bestie. Until Monday.”

  I closed my eyes and realized I didn’t even remember his name, but his honey eyes lingered on my mind. He was the first good-looking boy I’d spoken to in a long time and I’d forgotten the rush it gave me.

  But I didn’t need that distraction right now.

  I hoped he wouldn’t find me on Monday.

  Chapter Two

  Monday morning was a little different from the usual one. I actually took the time to do my makeup and pick out a nice black shirt and jeans. This had nothing to do with that guy though. This was for me. And I was a total idiot if I actually believed that.

  I parked my SUV next to Autumn’s small car and mine swallowed hers like usual. She wolf-whistled when I jumped out.

  “Aren’t you looking sexy? I didn’t know you had boobs. You should show those suckers off more often or maybe donate some to me so I can. I’m so flat chested I could pass as a boy. Speaking of boys, is this all for him?” She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

  “Nope. This is all for me. I just wanted to look good.”

  “And make him vie for your attention? Well, it’s working because he’s looking.”

  Autumn looked behind me and I followed her eyes. There he was standing, on the other side of the parking lot. No, wait. He was walking this way. I looked back at Autumn who wriggled her eyebrows again.

  I felt my heart speed up and did the most logical thing. I bailed. That was probably the fastest I’d ever crossed the
parking lot to get to school.

  I found my algebra class and took my seat with fifteen minutes to spare, which meant I was the only one present. The teacher wasn’t even in the room yet. My foot bounced nervously as I watched the clock. The bell for class finally rang, and only then did all the students pile in.

  It wasn’t until halfway through the lesson that I finally relaxed. I was so worried that it was going to be like one of those cliche romance movies where he would be in my first class. It was a relief that he wasn’t and I paid attention to the teacher for the remainder of the time.

  The bell sounded and I became anxious again. It was stupid that one boy could do that, but I realized I was really afraid of skipping again. The older I got, the scarier it became.

  After the movie theater incident, I knew I wasn’t any closer to controlling it, which meant I would continue to avoid situations that brought it on.

  I made it to History without seeing him and it wasn't until lunch that I saw him again. He was in line with Alec, who was one of the popular jocks. Alec was your stereotypical football player, except that he got good grades, but that wasn’t well known.

  The guy was laughing at something Alec said and he followed Alec to the popular table. And there went any chance of him talking to me again. I was weird and nerdy and the popular group didn’t associate with people like me, which was perfectly fine in my book.

  When I got my plate of red beans and rice, I met Autumn at our usual table in the back of the cafeteria. She usually brought her lunch, so was always sitting before me. She grinned at me when I sat down.

  “Well, did you talk to him?”

  “Sure didn’t and I don’t plan on it.”

  “What, why not?”

  “Because, I don’t need a guy making my life more complicated. I do an excellent job of that all by myself.”

  She sighed and put her apple down. “Look, I love being friends with you, but I don’t want to be the weird girl my whole life. This could be our opportunity to jump up the social ladder. Don’t you want to take it?”