When All the Clocks Are Wrong

By Beth Goder

Jen locks her bike and heads towards the theater. She needs a break from studying, but more importantly, she needs to find Ash, who has her Soil Science notes. Jen promises herself she won't try to kiss Ash--they'll see the midnight movie, Ash will hand her the notes, and then, summer vacation. That's it.

Before she reaches the theater, Jen feels a familiar frisson, disorienting, dizzying. When the red lights of the marquee blink 12:45 a.m., Jen isn't surprised. The clock thing is happening again. She left her house with enough time to meet Ash outside, buy a ticket, grab a soda. But now, it's 12:45 a.m. One hour later than it should be.

All her life, time has disappeared like this.

She buys a ticket--it's not too late to catch the end. In the darkness, she stumbles between the rows but can't find him. The movie lights up the screen--a romantic comedy or a tragedy--she's too nervous to pay attention. When the credits roll, Jen is pushed out with the exiting crush. No Ash.

Jen passes Soil Science. She doesn't see Ash until sophomore year, when he introduces her to his girlfriend.