"Happy Birthday!"

She woke up again, in her princess room. She woke up, once again, frightened.

A look at her mother said it all.

Her hair was blonde. Her hair was blonde during the majority of Michelle's childhood, until she dyed it brown when she began middle school.

She went back in time. Again. And she'd do it until she couldn't anymore.

"Thank you, Mom! Can I have some breakfast?"

Her mother laughed. "Breakfast? Dear, your party starts in a few hours! You have to get ready! You'll be eating plenty of cake later!"

"Well, I guess you're right. "

Michelle remembered having a birthday breakfast *every* sunglass birthday morning. No matter what. She felt a little betrayed. Like something was up.

She took a shower, as told to by her mother. And she brushed her teeth, again, like her mother told her to.

They waited for her hair to dry before curling it to be ready for her party.

Her mother let her curl her hair in the kitchen so she could look out the window.

It was bright and beautiful. A perfect day.

When her mother let her curlers sit in her hair, she looked for the calendar, which normally hung on the pantry door.

Luckily for Michelle, it was there.

And the year was 2009. The day was her tenth birthday.

And she was crushed. Absolutely crushed.

"Okay.. While we're wait, you can put on your dress, dear. It's in the bathroom."

"Okay, Mom." Michelle went to the bathroom and picked up her yellow princess dress.

It seemed like more of a younger thing to do, having a princess party and all, but Michelle and the other girls thought it'd be fun. Well, the first time around.

I look like a fool! An utter fool! I'm fifteen! I'm not.. I am.. Ten. Today.

She looked at all of her surroundings, taking a deep breath. The zipper of her dress didn't zip. That was *not* good.

She took a deep breath and walked out of the bathroom.

Two of her friends, Rocky and Layla, who were adorned in similar attire.

"Happy Birthday!" They shouted to a frightened Michelle.

Michelle replied with a sheepish smile. the girls looked at her, confused, and walked up to her.

"What's the matter?" Rocky asked, putting a supportive hand on her shoulder.

"My dress won't zip. I feel like an idiot. Like I want to cancel my party. "

The doorbell rang, interrupting the conversation for a single second.

"I just feel awful! And I don't even have my curlers out yet!"

Layla smile at her reassuringly. "It's just us girls! We only wanted to do this for fun! It's fine. Curlers or no curlers, and even with the broken zipper. Belinda's here. She Just walked in. Let's all get ready to have a good time! Okay!"

Michelle nodded her head. "Okay."

And Layla was right. The party was fun. And though she was fifteen in her head, she still wasn't opposed to running around in her princess dress. Or playing with dolls or anything, as she was when she woke up.

I wish I didn't have to grow up. I wanted to be a kkid forever... Maybe I still do. I don't know. I just don't know...

The party was almost over and most of the girls left. But not without a joke from Tommy.

As each of the remaining girls walked out of the front door, he tripped them. And as Michelle prepared to walk out the door, he tripped her too.

I had fun today. And yesterday too. But I can't go on like this.. Being a kid is great, but I've got to grow up. I've got to! So I won't cease to exist !

She took a bus to downtown Fort Wayne, and her mother followed her every step.

She ended up at the antique mall, staring the clock down in the front window.

*Store closed. Off for vacation. Searching for new treasures. Will be back in June. - Mike*

The years really had gone backwards. Mike, an old retiree, still owned the store in 2009, before his younger son took over.

"Michelle!" Her mother screamed Her name, running frantically to her. "Dear, what are you doing?"

"Mom, I need the clock.. I'm fifteen, Mom! I need to go home!"

"Dear, what are you talking about?"

"That cuckoo clock! In the window! Dad bought it when I was fifteen! I'm messed with it and got sent back here!"

Tara laughed and picked up her daughter. "That's a creative story, but you're right.. Your father's been saving for years to buy that cuckoo clock. He says by the time you're fifteen, he'll have enough money to buy it. How did you know that?"

"Because when I was fifteen, he bought it!"

"You must've had a bad dream, dear. Let's go home. It's been a long day."

I know, it really has..

By the time Tara arrived at her parking space, her daughter fell asleep in her arms.

Her daughter was also propelling further back in time. Further in The Twilight Zone.