May 2040
Kara's POV:
I wake up to find that I can't move. My legs and arms are tangled with Tiana's. I feel like a human pretzel.
His eyes never left the road, and I could tell he was getting antsy as I maintained the silence in the car. My face softened a bit, but it morphed into confusion.We pass townhouses, skyscrapers, parks, and pools on our drive. Kids play mindlessly among one another, and adults converse and bond over drinks. This group of teens, guys, was strolling out of Starbucks, taking selfies and yelling "period", when a couple girls catcalled them.
12 pm, Kara's HouseTwo girls are sprawled across a plush couch, sound asleep,at 12 pm.One is still dressed in her hot pink party dress from the night before. She had turned numerous heads in the crowd in he
Shawn's POV:The excited look in her eyes says it all. She's not serious about this--she doesn't get the severity of the situation. We can't just up and decide to join--who are we kidding?She, who isn't even a believer,cannotup and decide to travel through time and change the world. That'snotgonna happen.
I open the unlocked front door to see Shawn's mom butt-ass naked on the couch.Yep, she's as comfortable as I remember.
Kara's POV:Once he finishes cleaning up the mess--by himself, I start to draft a text to Jack, but frankly I have no clue what to say.Get the fuck out of my house, weirdo; What about "break up" don't you get?;or maybe the infamous read notification? That never works. I just have to deal with him in person... sadly. Shawn insisted on wiping up the lemonade himself, so that I wouldn't "ruin anything else". Jokes on him, I wouldn't have objected anyway.
Kara's POV:Okay. It's a new day. Sure, my circumstances have not changed--this hasn't been a normal summer since the beginning. I'm fine, though. I'mfine.Time to go to work and do normal teenage girl things.
Kara's POV:That guy... Mr. Grayson, I guess, is gathering everyone. He has his blue suit and mask on. I honestly think he looks ridiculous, but hey, ifhebelieves it'll get us closer to a counterrevolution, far be it from me to question it."My people!", he booms, "What are we gathered here for?".Andrew raises his hand, "The counterrevolution!", he shouts so that everyone can hear."Yes, Andrew,that is our purpose. We will bring the world back to normalcy", he announces."Chant, I tell you,chant"."RE-VERSE, RE-VERSE", the crowd emphasizes each syllable. Just like that first night. Everything's the same--except it's dayand I'm here voluntarily (more voluntarily...).I look over at Shawn and he's chanting will all his might. I never would have pegged him for a team effort kind of person.He's obviously passionate about this cause. Maybe I
Lacey'sPOV:I'm the president.I'mthe president. I keep repeating this in my head. I'm convincing myself--no I'm convincing them.I don't need to convince them. I'm assertive, agressive, and I get shit done.Right?That's how I should act.That's how it needs to be.There's no alternative.I look through the large windows of the oval office and I see my great big city. I see the place I've transformed from a crime capital to a respectable society.I did it.Certain contributors helped, but essentially I created this world. Terra, my she rest in peace, was my best friend. Ever since I met her, I think I've been a better person, really.She convinced me not to blame myself for what happened that night so long ago; she helped me gain the courage to build this society we live in now. Mental note: I need to call Harold to check up on him and Jack.
And they lived happily ever after... not. After finding out some screwed up things about their pasts, themselves, and the state of the country, Kara, Shawn, and the gang have more to go through. Kara and Shawn's New New World won't go as easily as planned, and they need to find their way out of a global mess.Will Kara and Shawn's relationship survive in the world where equality reigns?What new obstacles and people will they meet on their journey?What do the new realizations they've made mean for them in the world they've created?Find out in the 2nd book: Chasing Time -- chapters will likely be out on November 27th.Thanks for reading. Please leave a review.
July 2040~Next Week Friday~Kara's POV:Tonight is the night. We will finally go through with our plans, and I don't feel an ounce of guilt.Just because Shawn and I were the only ones to figure out how fucked up this all is, it doesn't mean it's any less fucked.We've been talking a lot this past week--going on little food dates, shopping, any situation where we could hang out together really. I would go grocery shopping with this guy if it meant we could walk around in each other's arms, occasionally staring into the other's eyes and thinking about how much we like each other. I'd seen the sides of him that he usually concealed, and I love being that special person that he could confide in at times.Maybe he was right... I am one of those people? I try not to get too mushy around him, but it's all still going on in my head.To my parents, he's my "friend." They don't know exactly what I do
Shawn gives me a worried expression. "Everything okay?" he whispers.I nod yes.Clearing my throat, I hold out my hand to shake hers, "Hello, we were here yesterday. We've come back to talk to Terra Thompson again," I smile at my young mother. She hasn't even met dad yet. What if I did something to alter her life, and she doesn't meet him? Then I wouldn't have been born... I would cease to exist..."Are you okay? You're looking a bit sick," she says warmly. If only she knew."Fine. Can you point us into her direction?" I respond curtly.She smiles and points to Jack's mom-to-be. "Thank you."We enter and she recognizes us immediately. As she's approaching us, Shawn pulls me aside, "I hope I'm not overwhelming you or anything," he says."Huh?""I mean, we've started this thing a little early. I hope it doesn't seem like I just want to serve myself with all of this. It's still a while before we planned to do this, but if we talk
2024"AAHHH!" I scream.Why the fuck didn't anyone tell me this would be so painful? I grab onto one of the nurses. "Help me!"She stammers, "Ma'am, as I've told you, there's nothing more I can do. You already took an epidural. If I give you any more medicine, your life will be at risk," she says matter of factly.Fuck her. Fuck this. I'm in a random building in the middle of nowhere, pushing a baby through a keyhole. Fuck Harry.Fuck this country. Tears are streaming through my ears and the only support I have is from my assistant--and that's because I threatened his job. I have to give birth in this remote location so that no one knows I've gotten pregnant. Even though technically we've reformed, getting knocked up is not a good look for me as president--the first female president of the United States. No one will know about this--no one."AAHH!" I let out a short shriek."He's coming down," that bitch nurse says lowly.
December 31st, 2020Lacey's POV:It's a cold, crisp morning: a pleasant time for change. The majority of citizens is ready for it, and the rest need to get on board. We are trailblazing today.We started with private loans and donations from supporters for the cause, and now we have government funding. I moved out of that messy dorm and into a modern themed condo in northwest D.C.Terra moved in downstairs with Harry. I can't believe that relationship lasted this long. I thought one would have cut the other loose by now. Instead, everyone has to watch their toxic relationship from the sidelines. One moment, they're in love, talking about their kids' names. The next moment, they hate each other, and he comes running back to me. I wonder if Terra knows where he goes in the middle of the night during their fights. After 3 years, it's still upstairs, in my apartment, where he escapes to. Every time it's: "I'm fucking done with her";
I'm laying in his arms as he massages the back of my hand with his thumb. I could stay in this cuddling position forever. Secretly, he's such a softy. "One of those people", he called me when we went back in time. He is, too. I put my underwear and bra back on because I felt a little awkward. No matter how open we are, I still think I'll be self conscious about my body. Society says we're not supposed to be. "Be confident", my mom reminds me. But it's not that easy. Even before Andrew's party, I questioned wearing that yellow two piece... I was so relieved when Shawn offered me his flannel.Some candles flicker on the bedside table. "You lit candles," I smile.He frowns, rolling his eyes, "What?""You're so romantic," I coo."No," he affirms, "I just happen to like candles."I giggle. "Leave me alone," he hits me on the head with a pillow."Don't be embarrassed to admit that you have a soft side, Shawn. I won't tell anyone," I zip acro
Kara's POV:He opens the door shirtless again, arousing a primal reaction in me. After this agonizing evening, I just want him.So the only reasonable response was to press my lips on his."Mmmph" he groans, grabbing the small of my back, and closing the door behind me.He places his hands on my neck while massaging our tongues together. Jeez.He pulls back for a breath, "What's gotten into you?""Are you really asking questions, or are you going to take me up to your bedroom?""You do not have to tell me twice... ever."He promptly picks me up and we head to his room, just like that first night.He closes the door softly and places me on his bed. His room is surprisingly clean."A clean room? How uncharactaristic of you," I whisper lowly, breathless from our earlier activity."Hey! I like organization, too... sometimes."I roll my eyes."Anyway, back to something more interes
"You know we all go to the same school, right?""Yeah," she sighs, "Well kind of... I don't really remember seeing you until Andrew's party."We've been in the same class for about 7 years."While you were pushing people around in the hallway, I was by one of the lockers you missed during your tirades," I say flatly.She stutters, "We-Well, it's all part of high school. Sometimes people need a little push every now and then."*Every day*She's looking a little annoyed. I need to seem more into her for this to look legit. Then, I need to make it clear that I would rather never see her again."You look really nice.""I know."I'm reaching the end of my patience.Kara's POV:"So, talk.""Right here?""Right here."He shifts in his seat, "I want you to know that I did love you."I scoff. Please."Is that all?" my patience is running thin."N-No. Serious
Jack's POV:Phew."Who was that?""Uh, nobody.""Ready for dinner?""Yep."We're having chinese food. Dad hasn't been cooking lately because of work, so this is our third night ordering out. He should just listen to me for once and take a break.We sit down and dish out our plates. "Dad, I really miss your cooking.""What about all those times you'd want to eat out. You just simply can't be pleased," he chuckles.I laugh, "After a while, I end up wanting the opposite one. I'm indecisive, what can I say?""Indecisive, yes. You still can't seem to pick who to be with: Kara or Jaden."I almost choke on my chicken. What did he just say?"Uhh," I stare into my plate. He knew?"Don't think that you can do much of anything in this town without my knowing, son.""That's an invasion of privacy.""The only thing that surprises me is that Kara never knew. With your traipsin