Author's Note: Hello again! I just want to say thank you to all of those who have favorited and alerted me and/or this story. Clicking on my reviews for this story and seeing such awesome comments are the fuel to my flame. Enjoy chapter 9! (Chapter 9 already, I'm impressed with myself; I write rather slowly.)
Disclaimer: I don't own The Outsiders; I only own my OCs.
"Well, there is the Apple in Paris," Onyx suggested, reading my mind somehow.
"We're gonna need a full-fledged crew in order to steal it, though," I added.
Lea's jaw dropped. "Kimberly Ellice Curtis and Onyx Benjamin Cade, the best of the goodie-goodies on planet Earth, are planning to steal a time machine in Paris?" she asked in awe.
"More like the only time machine. This is our one chance," I reminded her.
Lea scoffed. "Like you even have to ask! I'm in; let's get a crew."
January 29, 2012; 12:30 pm
Lea wasn't kidding when she said that Onyx and I were goodie-goodies. Before embarking on our crazy road trip to save two family trees by stealing a time machine from a world-class security organization, I just had to get Granddad's permission to do so.
When the three of us joined Granddad for lunch, we had planned for one of us to ask him. However, we hadn't exactly established who would have the honor. So when we were sitting at the table eating our cold-cut sandwiches, we had a little silent mental battle via our eyes to determine who would pop the question. Here's how it went:
Lea: Onyx, you do it. You're the one with the family issues here.
Onyx: Nuh-uh; you do it. I'm not speaking up.
Lea: Well, it's not like I'm doing it. The man freakin' hates me; he'll say no. Kim, you do it then.
Me: No. Freaking. Way. First off, he doesn't hate you, Lea, and second, he'll get suspicious if it's me.
Lea: I don't give a damn; just ask the question!
Me: No! I'm not saying you do it, because I agree that he'll say no, but it's not me. And don't you talk to me like that; I'm your best friend! Onyx, you have to ask him.
Onyx: But I can't!
Me: Yes you can.
Lea: Just do it, Onyx. He's not gonna kill you.
Onyx: Fine. But if he does kill me, then it's all your fault, Matthews.
Lea: Hey!
Me: Heh heh.
Onyx cleared his throat and spoke up. "Um, Mr. Curtis… you remember that conversation we had about a year ago…"
"Yes; why, Onyx?" Granddad asked, his warm eyes suddenly full of concern. I made a mental note to myself that whatever it was they talked about must have had something to do with the migraines.
"Well, we know why I have these headaches, and we know what to do to stop them, but we—"
"Need my permission," Granddad finished, meeting my eyes. Realization seemed to seep into his expression as he spoke. "Of course. But before you go, you'll need some supplies, correct?"
He stood up, went over to the closet, and pulled out an old backpack made of jean fabric. He walked back to the table and placed it down in front of his plate. "This used to be the backpack I used in high school, but I had your name sewn on it before you were born so it won't get confused with the one back in 1967. You may not know this, Kimberly, but this quest of yours… You were born to do this, Kimberly. This is your destiny, and I know you will be just fine," he told me, smiling.
I was shocked. Granddad knew about this all along? Just then, though, my sense of logic kicked in. If I succeeded, then Granddad would've met me back in 1967 and he would remember everything that happened. He was expecting this since I left the past to come back home, most likely.
"…Thanks," I said lamely, my eyes wandering towards the kitchen floor.
"No problem," Granddad responded seamlessly giving me a little shove towards the stairs. "You should get packing; it's going to be a long journey for you three."
He was absolutely right; it would be.
January 29, 2012; 4:35 pm
I decided to take inventory of all our survival supplies now that everyone was all set.
Flashlight… check.
iPods… check.
Cell phones… check.
Batteries… check.
"Hey, Kim! I've got something else for ya!" Lea exclaimed, dashing in and hopping onto her bed. She pulled out an old knife and handed it to me; I took it hesitantly. The blade looked like it hadn't seen the sun (or a cleaning, for that matter) for years. "It's my grandfather's good ol' switchblade," she explained, excitement coloring her voice.
"How'd you get it?" I asked in marvel.
"I was downstairs having a glass of lemonade when your grandfather stopped me and gave it to me. He told me to modify it in some way so it doesn't get confused with the one in the past."
"That makes sense. If your granddad has the same blade back then, it would be smart to change it up a little bit so you'd know it's yours, not his."
"Exactly," Lea giggled. "I'm all done packing my personal stuff. So is Onyx. Are you?"
I sighed "No, I'm still taking inventory of the survival supplies."
Lea scoffed. "Come on, let me finish. You need to pack, Kim," she insisted, pushing me over to my empty suitcase.
January 29, 2012; 10:18 pm
Granddad bought us McDonalds that night and brought our meals up to our shared bedroom for me and Lea and the guest room for Onyx. I was finally going through all my stuff and checking off what I needed.
Shirts… check.
Jeans… check.
Undergarments… check.
Sweatshirts… check.
Shoes… check.
Now I was finally ready. I needed all my sleep in order to be at my best tomorrow, when we start off on our road trip. My breath slowed, and my eyes closed. Here we go…
