I didn't see him the next day. Or the day after that. Or the next week. It had only taken me three days to unpack my overnight bag, and only another day to give up on my ideas of adventure. I continued on with my life, each day weighing on me a bit more. How could I have been so stupid? He had probably figured out who I was and changed his mind. And quite honestly, I couldn't blame him.
"Excuse me, Ms. Stella?" The young girl, Ellie, who lived next door was tugging on my skirt. I turned to her, crouching down to her level with a friendly smile. "Ms. Stella, someone asked my mommy about you yesterday." It took a lot to keep my smile from faltering. If that man had told the royal family of their crasher, I could be in serious trouble.
"Oh? I do hope your mommy said nice things." Ellie giggled, and I waited for her to continue.
"He didn't stay very long, said he would be back. Mommy said you were sad, but you don't look sad." The girl studied me, and I was jealous for a moment of her youthful ignorance. It would be gone far too soon.
"Well, you can tell your mommy that I'm not sad. You can always bring this back to your family." I handed her a basket and her eyes widened. I winked as if it were a great secret. "Go straight home with that, and give your mommy my thanks, okay?" The girl giggled and skipped off, and I sighed. I sincerely hoped the man had come asking for himself, but I was far too worried about the alternative. I turned and headed inside to think about what I should do.
A strange sound pulled me from my thoughts of running to the next kingdom, and it seemed to be coming from my garden. I stood slowly, making my way to a window to peek out carefully. A large, blue box with glowing lights stood in my garden, making what sounded like settling sounds. Any thought of fear was gone as I stepped out towards it. I approached slowly, reaching a hand out to brush along the outside gently. It seemed to hum, and I peeked around the corner.
"Stella." I turned and came face to face with the mystery man. He gave a small, hesitant smile, and I'm reminded of the fact that the ball was a week ago. I step away from the box with my arms crossed.
"Why are you here?" I don't mean for my voice to sound so harsh, but the pain of rejection flashed hot across my chest. His smile faltered just a bit, and he took a step closer. I matched it with a step back, not wanting him to cloud my judgment. He sighed.
"Stella, I'm so sorry. I realize I may be a day or two late…"
"A week." He blinked at that.
"A week? How can I be a week late?" He seemed more distressed now, and I sighed.
"I guess you don't really have that time travel ability. Good day, sir." I turned to head inside, ducking my head as I try to push away the feelings I'd successfully pushed away all week. He grabbed my arm, and I was starting to get annoyed with him stopping me. I huffed as I turned.
"It's the Doctor. Not sir, the Doctor. And I do have time travel, I really do. I know we're off to a bad start, but please come on one trip?" He seemed to be pouting like a child, and I was never too good at saying no to the neighborhood children when they did that. I huffed again, and pulled my arm away.
"Fine, one trip. That is all I am going to promise to you, Doctor." He beamed, and I couldn't help but relax a bit. "Now, explain to me how we're both supposed to fit in your tiny ship? Unless, of course, that's just a sort of pod." He shook his head, heading for the door and throwing it open.
"Step in and see for yourself." I walked over slowly, and stepped in, my eyes widening in shock as I look around. The interior was bright and spacious, and I was overwhelmed by the place. I heard the door shut behind me, but couldn't pull my gaze from the column in the center. "It's called the TARDIS." He rested his hands on my shoulders gently, leaning in to speak quietly in my ear. "Time And Relative Dimension In Space. She's my ship."
"It's so…open in here!" He chuckled behind me, giving my shoulders a small squeeze before moving around me to what appeared to be the controls. I followed along slowly, brushing a hand along the set up. He moved around at a surprising rate, flicking switches and pressing buttons.
"So, anywhere in all of time and space, anything that has or will happen. What would you like to see first?" He grinned at me, hand hovering over one of the switches. I can't help but give my own grin.
"Surprise me."
