Chapter 4 – Convergence
Phil didn't get much sleep after he got back from the baseball game. He told Curtis all about Keely, and Curtis agreed to help Phil get his hands on his father's technology. He said he'd bring something to school the next day that would help him reach his girlfriend.
"Here it is Phil. Just plug this into your Wizrd, follow the installation steps that appear on screen, and you've go yourself a fully backward compatible time phone". Curtis handed Phil a small stamp sized computer chip.
"Thanks a ton Curtis. You have no idea what this means. Now I just have to figure out how to get one to Keely in the past so we can talk whenever we like".
"Phil. It's backward compatible. That means you can use this to call any telephone in the space-time continuum. Just input a specific time and the appropriate telephone number. Just don't tell anyone I gave you this. Could get my dad in big trouble.", Curtis explained.
The bell rang, and students dispersed from the Pickford High hallway and made their way to class. But Phil didn't hear it. In a few short hours he'd be talking to the love of his life.
Keely and Matt were eating lunch together in the H.G. Wells cafeteria.
"So… how come you don't talk to Via anymore?", Matt inquired.
"We had a fight. I was being rude with her, she said something mean about Phil, and then I told her that she wasn't a true friend. I want to apologize, I just don't know how", Keely explained.
"Don't apologize. You did nothing wrong". Matt was poking at his lunch with his fork, but not eating. He had a tired look on his face. Keely noticed, but didn't say anything.
"You think? I think I want to apologize anyway though. Hey, did you hear about the body they found in Pickford lake?" Keely asked, changing the subject.
"Yeah. It's horrible. We still on for tennis this afternoon?"
"Oh, yeah, I'm looking forward to it", Keely responded in a surprised tone. Matt didn't look like he had the energy for tennis.
After school, Keely and Matt made their way over to the school's tennis courts. After warming up a bit, Matt opted to serve first.
"I have to warn you, my serve is nasty. Actually, I'll just use my second serve", Matt said confidently.
"Hey, no holding back now. When I beat you I don't want there to be any excuses". Keely lined up at the baseline, ready to return serve. Matt served the tennis ball into the back corner of the service box, towards Keely's forehand side. The ball had a lot of pace and topspin. But Keely handled it well, returning it down the line with even more pace. Matt was unable to get to it. He banged his racket against the court in frustration.
"Alright Teslow, if that's how you want to play, you got it". Matt didn't seem as confident now.
Keely proceeded to unleash on Matt a barrage of aces, winners, volleys, drop shots, and smashes, until she had won decisively.
"Man, I can't believe I just got beat by a girl", Matt said, exasperated. He was out of breath and red in the face.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Keely couldn't help but notice that Matt was acting out of character all day, as if something was wrong. So she decided to brush off the sexist comment.
"Yeah well, gotta split Keely. See you in school tomorrow".
"Hold on Matt, is everything alright?"
"Yeah, I just forgot about some errands I said I'd run before my dad got back from his business trip. Don't have much time"
Keely gave her friend a concerned look and waved goodbye. Just then, her cell phone rang. Keely looked to see who was calling. Unknown caller. Keely was curious as to who the caller might be.
"Hello?"
"Hey Keels! It's Phil!"
"Phil? You're back? Where are you?" Keely's face lit up.
"Actually, I'm still in the future. My friend's dad invented this device that allows me to call people in the past."
"Oh man, that is so awesome! Now we can talk all the time!" Keely tried to sound enthusiastic, but Phil picked up on her disappointment that they wouldn't be able to see each other in the flesh.
"I know it's not ideal Keels, but it's better than what we had before, which was nothing. And if everything goes according to plan, I should be making a trip to the 21st century in the not too distant future. Or past. Heh, that's confusing".
"Really! That's awesome! What's the plan?" Keely's face again lit up.
"Well, time travel is currently being regulated by the government. Any time trip you want to make has to be approved by the government, and you need to have a good reason to go. So, I'm taking this class on the 21st century, and I have to do a research project for it. I filled out an application to do my project over the course of a week in 2006. I should have an answer in a few days", Phil explained.
"What about after that? Are you going to have to go through this process every time?", Keely asked, concerned.
"One step at a time Keels".
Keely and Phil spent all afternoon and night on the phone with each other, until they both fell asleep. They filled each other in on everything that was going on with their lives. Well, almost everything, as Keely forgot to tell Phil about a certain blonde haired boy who she used to have a crush on and was now spending most of her time with. Nothing was going on between her and Matt, Keely convinced herself, but now was not the appropriate time to worry Phil.
Author's Note: Okay, the plot is starting to move along. I have to warn you, it will be taking some unexpected turns. And please review people! I know people are reading from the stats page. Just a few sentences is all I'm asking for.