Jeff had to run to make it to class. Clearly, he'd have to adjust the alarm.
As he arrived, he tried diligently to not be distracted as he headed into his first class. But the dark braid hit in just the right places on the girl in front of him. He figured Bogg would understand this sort of distraction, but still, he'd said he would never go there. And for all Bogg would understand, Jeff knew he'd also offer a lecture. Jeffrey was supposed to actually pay attention. Jeff could comprehend the idea of "Do as I say, not as I do."
He chuckled quietly to himself, wishing he could chat with Bogg about this one. But he turned his head and headed into the classroom.
He was almost through the door when the girl turned and looked at him with eyes that reflected every color of the forest. He gasped.
"Jeffrey! I am told you made it possible for me to be in this impossible place!" she said, laughing and running to him with a hug. "Our history is available only through what you wrote. Thank you!"
"Maralah?"
"Of course, it is me," the girl said. "I know I am older, but …" she cut off for a moment. She was a 6-year-old when they met, maybe Jeff didn't recognize her at all. "I thought you would know me, but regardless, I'm grateful."
"Abeytu, Hinto, Payat?"
"Jeffrey, Abeytu and Payat died in a raid, the whole village. It was terrible. I think I did, as well, but these Voyagers, they brought me here. They said it was possible because of the record you had left. And while I miss them, I am glad to be alive," she said. "I don't know of Hinto. He was in his wife's village, and I don't know how widespread the raids were. The only records are those you wrote. I've looked."
"I'm glad you are, too," Jeff said, his voice slightly catching. He looked long at Maralah. Time travel was weird, because she was no longer the gapped-tooth 6-year-old. Nor was she even the six years younger Jeff might have expected. She was plucked at 16 or 17, it appeared, and Jeffrey found himself still grinning at even her softest smile.
Even as a kid, that smile was infectious, he thought. And now they were of an age.
"Hey, would you like to come for dinner tonight?" he asked as he continued into the classroom. He knew it was likely a bad idea, but he also knew he desperately wanted to spend time with this girl.
"Sure, just know I'm vegetarian."
Jeff laughed, "With the hunting and …"
"I didn't do any of it. And yeah, vegetarian."
Jeff thought through the meals in the freezer and realized he might have to learn to cook more quickly than he had expected.
