Billy hoped it worked. His whole life was on the line. If it didn't work, one of many things could happen. He could suffocate in a locked washing machine. He could have just electrocuted himself. He could douse himself in laundry detergent and come out buck naked to a very confused Moist. Maybe he shouldn't have stripped down before hopping in. But he didn't want anything to hinder him in the "new" world he'd be going to. The remote was designed to implode once the desired point was reached. Which it just did right now, in his hand. But something else was put into it, his fingers closing around the plastic.
Opening his eyes, Billy found himself standing outside the Laundromat, basket of clothes in his hands, gray and red shirt on, jeans… dressed. He was there the morning that he had gotten the ELE letter! Eyes lighting up at the fact that his time machine had worked, Billy strode into the coin-laundry.
Only to hunch over and peer in a bit of fear at the object of why he came back. Penny. Standing there, sorting her clothes. She was so beautiful, and it brought tears to his eyes to see her again. Since the moment she died his life had been over, nothing had mattered. Now, to lay his eyes on her once more… his world was so new. That was the idea. A new start, a new world. Perfect. Setting down his basket he opened one of the washers, he kept glancing at Penny out of the corner of his eye, like he always had. Wait…
Like he always had? Wasn't the point of this to change what always had been? Yes, yes it was. So let's do that. Billy abandoned his clothes, leaned on one of the washers, and opened his mouth. Nothing came out. His heart was in his Adam's Apple, chocking him. Come one, you can do this Billy Buddy. No, not Billy Buddy, not yet. Not yet. Come on, you talked to her before. No, no you haven't, don't do that. Don't get them confused, you can't do that. What happened doesn't matter, it's what has yet to happen that does.
"Love your hair."
"What?"
Perfect.
"I, uh. I love your hair."
She gave that beautiful smile, the one that brought a smile to his own face and made him blush. His face was so hot right now, the blood rushing up and making it red.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. I'm, uh. I'm Billy."
"Penny." Don't do it, don't blather on and on like you did when she… when she… she what? What had she done? Had she done something?
"I've. Um. I've seen you here before, haven't I?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"You like frozen yogurt?"
And that was all it took.