"You may not understand but please, don't touch that rock."

"Which one, the gourd looking one or the other random scattered rocks."

"Particularly the gourd one."

"Why are you so interested in it. After all, it's all your fault I'm doing whatever you think I'm doing. You have no right to stop me, not after you lied to me."

". . . Who said I was lying?"

I took out a note from my pocket and flung it towards him, spitting at it as it landed

"She did."

I was a complete mess as I awoke to the sound of my alarm. Unfortunately, I was acute to high noises so ignoring it wasn't an option. I shut off the alarm with a slam, undoing my long hair from the pony tail it was in from yesterday.

There's going to be a note in my shoe locker today, right?

Unless this was some practical joke. After all, someone else could've written that article. It wasn't like it was in my handwriting or anything.

But for some reason, it reminded me of two years ago when I met Fujiwara and that girl (still didn't catch her name). I didn't want to get caught up in whatever mess they were making but my pride wouldn't allow it. Still, as I trudged up that hill I wondered if things would get better or worse.

I've been a pretty optimistic person for most of my life so you could guess what I decided.

I never noticed this before but people stayed at least three meters away from me whispering about something. Kind of disturbing.

Wait, don't tell me . . . they were talking about me right? The lonely antisocial girl? At least I didn't talk in a monotone or else people would try to lock me up in a crazy house.

. . . Why was I caring about what other people thought? Let's get back to the big picture here.

I hesitated as I drew close to my shoe locker. I could just ignore that piece of paper when I opened it but if I did what would happen? I was speculating about who this Asahina Mikuru was and on the top of that list was a time traveler/slider like that bastard Fujwara. It only made sense.

So if I avoided taking that note, would I mess up the time continuum?

If I remember what that girl told me two years ago it was along the lines of "destroying the cause before things could take effect."

. . . But as you know, I'd never pass up the opportunity for adventure. Ever.

I opened my locker and shoved whatever piece of paper into my bag, startling a few people beside me. The whole hall went silent as I dashed towards the women's restroom with a determined look on my face.

As I got there I saw a couple of girls but as soon as they saw me hightailed out of there. I ran into a stall, slammed it behind me, and locked it. If I could lock the entire restroom I would do so but after I scared the hell out of those things . . .

The reason for my out burst: I didn't want other people in the know. They weren't waiting for anything to happen and it wouldn't be fair at all for them to find out that I was on a top secret mission. Though I should get serious now. It's life or death.

"Make sure you sit on this bench okay :)"

. . . Are you serious? She was just writing about how it's "time is running out" and "it's necessary" and she writes a ":)" of all things? This Asahina-sensei has the same personality as her figure – curvy.

Anyway, besides that small detail, the map along with the note told me to go to some park near my middle school. There was a red highlight near the top of the map reading "bench at 7:00".

. . . Was a map necessary because I know where the park is. She could've just written "Go to the bench farthest North at seven and wait there." She didn't need a map at all. Is she stupid or what? Whatever, I was just wondering what would be waiting at this particular bench. Another clue?

. . . Asahina-sensei, I'm really not in the mood to play scavenger hunt. But I guess that's the fun of it all.

After running out of the bathroom I happened upon that same Asahina-sensei that was stupid enough to write a smile in her world ending notes.

She didn't look happy.

Actually, wait more like pissed.

I thought she was mad at me but I realized she wasn't even looking at me. She held her cell phone tightly as she glared at it with vigor.

"I can't believe they seriously want me to do tha–"

She stopped when she realized I was standing there, looking straight at her. She pocketed her cell and smiled at me pleasantly, forgetting her previous anger.

"Oh, why hello Suzumiya-san! Didn't see you there at all."

I would normally glare at her but since I knew she was the one giving me notes (or at least I think so) I was hard pressed to ask her questions. Like if she was from the future. Or if she had met Fujiwara. Or what I was suppose to do. Or if John Smith was dead. Ultimately, I gave her a look of extreme impatience like a child holding back from the guilt of eating all the cookies in a jar.

Asahina-sensei looked at me curiously before looking at her watch.

"Ah, look at the time. I should be getting to class. You should be doing so as well, Suzumiya-san."

She started walking away.

"Wait!"

She stopped and looked over her shoulder.

"Yes?"

My mouth moved up and down in exercises, my mind going through the things I could ask her. I was never this speechless or frozen, maybe two years ago but I always knew what to say. I decided to sigh and shake my head.

"Thanks for uh . . . th-the warning! Yeah, that . . . thanks a lot . . ."

How cowardly. How come I couldn't think of anything better? Has my self-esteem really been this low before? How stupid and pathetic! What is wrong with me?

I was expecting Asahina-sensei to laugh at my face but it was quite the opposite. She frowned deeply as she turned around.

"You have nothing to thank me for."

I stood there stunned.

"You should get to class."

And she walked away.

You know when I said I could maybe understand this Asahina? Yeah, this was the reason why I could never understand her. Well, when this is over, I'll thank you a million times over. After all, you're the on who allowed me to go on an adventure. It's only natural to thank someone for a great experience, correct?

. . . How wrong I was.

I don't need to tell you how class went since it was basically the same thing as yesterday. The only thing extra was that I was constantly looking at the clock, slowing time down even further. I wonder what time is like when you are a time traveler? I'm sure a clock is pointless since you wouldn't need to measure it in order to bake a cake and stand there for thirty minutes. All you would need to do is time travel forwards and there you go, cake for everyone.

. . . If only time travel was a piece of cake (terrible pun, I know).

Anyway, when that bell rung I shot out of there like a bullet on steroids, jumping down those stairs like a grenade, rolling down the hill like a bomb, skidding to my front door like a rocket that suddenly jumped into hyperspace, and then finally jumping onto my bed out of gas.

I then realized that I had to wait for three hours. Three whole hours. Homework wasn't an option. Reading a book wasn't an option. Watching T.V. would never be an option in the first place (unless I was really bored). So what could I do?

If only I had taken my time down that hill, I would've wasted thirty whole minutes. Why does it have to be seven? Not five? Five thirty? And better yet, four-thirty? Why do I have to wallow away for three whole hours in my room doing nothing? I want to battle aliens! Time travel! Maybe even read someone's mind! Something!

Instead I had to wait patiently for it to come to me. How horrible cruel!

Fortunately, the three hours went by quicker then my time at school and I called back to my mom that I would be going to the convenience store down the street. I couldn't say I would be meeting with friends since I had none . . .

I had left my house at six thirty giving me a whole half whole to reach that park bench.

I was underestimating myself since I got there with fifteen minutes to spare.

Nothing was on the bench. I decided to look underneath it but nothing. Maybe it had to be seven on the dot? Did I come too early? Asahina-sensei didn't say I couldn't come early so it should be alright.

Or maybe I'm going to meet her? The one who wrote these notes. She probably wanted to meet me face to face. I certainly had tons of questions to ask that I have been holding back. I also find it unfair that she gets to communicate to me through notes when I have no way to respond. It makes me feel so powerless . . .

After sitting on that bench for at least ten minutes, the evening sky finally closed in on me. I decided to lay down, flipping my hair over my shoulders to get it out of the way. I wish I could tell time by the stars, then I would know if it was seven yet.

Was it just me, or was I getting a bit tired? No, I can't fall asleep! I needed to get answers, dammit! I struggled to stay awake but the over empowering sense of rest took over my eyesight.

Are you telling me that I got excited over nothing! I waited impatiently for this!

Damn irony.

"Oi!"

Poke

"Oi, you alive?"

Poke, poke.

Go away. This annoying thing poking my cheek is only mocking my pain. It was probably ten now. I missed all the action. Why does this always happen to me?

"Is this thing yours? Are you into machines or something?"

I suddenly opened my eyes and made for whatever this machine he was referring too. His hand was in the way so I immediately grabbed and twisted it. He shouted in surprise and pain and I snatched this chip looking thing off the ground along with the note that was with it.

"What the hell was that for?"

I didn't bother looking at him as I looked at the note in my hand.

Mail this to XXX without the return address.

. . . That was it? I waited here for this stupid chip thing? I'm not some messenger boy! I fumed as the guy beside me started blabbing again.

"Why were you sleeping on this bench? Did you run away or something?"

". . ."

"Oh, I see then. Well, if you want to play silent then I guess I'll leav–"

"Did you see anyone?"

I continued to stare at the paper, ignoring whatever random junk he had just said.

"Wha–?"

"I said did you see anyone besides myself, near this thing?"

He remained silent as I narrowed my eyes.

"No . . . ?"

I sighed and got up off the bench, flicking my hair away from my face. I then took the time to look at the face of the person who had woken me up.

He looked pretty normal; I knew for a fact that he wasn't the person who had left the note and chip. He was in the normal attire of jeans and t-shirt and was carrying a bag of some sort. I started wondering if I was suppose to meet this guy and maybe I was suppose to find something out from him.

"Hey . . . can you stop staring at me . . . it's kind of . . . awkward . . ."

"Who are you?"

He paused to think.

"Why, I am Old Saint Nick. Who are you?"

Is he serious? I glared at him. He laughed slightly at his own joke.

"No really, I'm not giving my name to some strange homeless girl. You might do fraudulent acts like extortion or blackmail in order to gain cash."

That's your excuse? How pathetic . . .

I continued to glare at this enemy with full force. I don't know why but I had a deep hatred for this guy. You understand, right? I grumbled as I stuck the chip in one of my pockets along with the brief note. Old Saint Nick (I'll call him this since he asked for it) looked at me with curiosity.

"What's that thing?"

I froze.

"No idea."

"Seems like it was important enough for you to attack me."

"And why do you care if it looked important? I don't know what it does but I know it's important."

"I see . . ."

He really doesn't get it.

"Look, think of it this way. I was waiting for someone to come pick me up but after waiting for a few hours I was starting to get a bit tired and took a nap. You see, my friend is into computers so I thought for a brief second that my friend had come but left a vital part of her project behind and that you were some homeless person stealing it. So, I did the best thing I could do and defended it."

I looked at him encouragingly. He didn't look persuaded.

"So if your friend was going to pick you up, wouldn't she eventually come back?"

Damn, this guy isn't a moron.

"Well . . ."

"Hmph, you're a terrible lier."

Caught red-handed.

"So . . . unless you aren't going to beg me for money, I'll be on my way then."

"Wait!"

He stopped walking and turned around.

"What?"

"What's in that bag?"

He looked at it briefly before glancing at me.

"Stuff for cram school."

Oh . . . well okay then. I was hoping that it was something of importance but I guess I was wrong. All I got out of this adventure was some weird chip that I probably couldn't use. That's okay though . . . (I'm a terrible lier, remember). I realized that this guy had been looking at me for a while. The hairs of my neck stood on end.

"Do I . . . know you from somewhere?"

I looked at him closely, focusing my energy into his eyes. I strong force of nostalgia hit me, my vision doubling over.

"I don't think so . . . ? No, definitely not likely," I replied, cupping my chin in confusion. He sighed as he shifted his bag over his shoulder.

"Okay . . . well then. Bye homeless girl."

Wait, I'm not homeless . . .

But before I could reply, he had disappeared.

. . .

Something in my gut told me that I would be seeing him again.

". . . Who said I was lying?"

Told you it would come faster :). Also, other stories that I am writing will be put put on hiatus (since I'm single-minded and can't work on two-three stories at a time. I also like this story better :D ) Thanks for the reviews so far and for those who are too shy to speak their mind . . . well get over it (no, I'm just kidding :p ).

Next chapter will be probably slower to come.