Saturday

12:16P.M.

Unfrozen

~Jessica

Jonathan’s Car

“JESSICA?” Jonathan spun around in disbelief.

“Uh, hi.” Jessica looked around the car. “Doesn’t look like it’s midnight yet.”

“Yeah, it’s not.” Melissa muttered.

“Then why the heck am I here?”

“Yes, ask me because I just have all the answers.” Melissa rolled her eyes.

“Sorry.”

“Jess, there are twelve more hours until midnight.”

“Yeah, I kind of noticed.” Jess said the same moment Melissa said, “Thank you, Dr. Obvious!”

“This isn’t an eclipse thing either.” Jonathan said. “Should we call Dess?”

“No, not yet. Not unless she disappears and it happens again.” Melissa said. Jessica really wanted to see Dess again, but she’d be graduating soon and then she could come with them across the country. Rex could probably come, too. Then they’d all be back together again.

“Well, I guess we should go get something to eat.” Jonathan turned back to the road and started driving again.

“Fine by me,” Jessica said, enjoying being actually riding in a car again, “but, just so you know, my eating pattern is permanently screwed.”

Saturday

12:31P.M.

Speed of Light

~Axellia

The Enjersons’ Car

“You were awesome, Zelli.” Heather told her as they got in the car after her game.

“Thanks.”

“I mean you ran all the bases in, like, a few seconds!” Heather didn’t even know. That was slow for Axellia, after last night, when she was sure she could run at the speed of light.

“Duthansle.” Axellia said ‘double thanks’ in their secret language.

“Welcoo, Zel.” Heather said ‘You’re welcome.’ Axellia thought they were in major need of a new language; the old one was so obvious.

“Shi Pen?” Zel asked, ‘How’s Pen?’

“Obasnolway.” Translation: ‘Obnoxious, as always’

“So, prood?” English: ‘So, pretty good?”

“Giss.” ‘I guess.’

“Will you two stop speaking your jibberish?” Grandma Tessa asked.

“Fiwenell.” Zel told her grandma.

“Axellia?”

“Fine, we will.”

“Good, now we need to pick up your sisters, Axellia.” Zelli; her little brothers, Keith, Nigel, and Trevor; her big sisters, Kairabelliannae and Keeli; and her oldest brother, Colin, had lived with their grandma since their mom remarried.

“If Bell and Keel are going to Heather’s house, can Heather come with us?” Zelli asked.

“Actually, Kairabelliannae and Keeli are going to dance with Cara and Lara, not staying at the house.” Zelli didn’t understand her grandmother’s need to call everyone by their full name. She was especially strict when it came to Axellia’s and Kairabelliannae’s names.

“Fine.”

Saturday

12:35P.M.

Hot Meal

~Jessica

A Restaurant

As they walked into the restaurant, the air was filled with the smell of fresh food. Jessica inhaled deeply and Jonathan smiled at her. It felt weird to be holding his hand and not flying. She didn’t want to go back, though. She never wanted to be trapped there again.

They sat down at a table in a near vacant area of the restaurant. A waitress walked up. She looked them over, three teenagers; one sitting so close to the window that she was practically glued to it; one with big headphones, music on full blast; and the last calmly reading the menu to himself. Jessica didn’t think they looked odd, but then again, all she could concentrate on was the smell of food. “Are you ready to order?” the waitress asked.

“Uh, yeah.” Jonathan seemed to order the whole menu. Jess chose everything that sounded like she would get it fast and warm. Melissa got a salad and a soda. The waitress gave her a thankful look.

Saturday

12:55P.M.

Dead

~Jonathan

A Restaurant

After they had all devoured their food, Jess seemed to fall asleep in her chair. Jonathan ordered more food, the waitress giving him a martyred look. When the food had been brought over, Melissa gave a small gasp. “What?” Jonathan asked. But Melissa was shaking Jessica.

“Jessica! Jess wake up!” Melissa was saying.

“Melissa, what in the name of Carlisle are you doing?” Jonathan asked.

“She needs to WAKE UP!”