Let's continue through the day. Maybe the week. Thanks, guest reviewer.

The first thing I did when I got home was call Dad's business to let him know that school had been cancelled. "One of the girls committed suicide over the weekend," I explained when they finally put me through to him. "She was super popular and everyone knew her, so the school faculty thought they should cancel school for the day, but the decision was so late that they only made it when we were already at homeroom. Don't worry, I'm just going to catch up on homework and get ahead on my reading for the day."

At least, that's what I meant to do. I mean, I got my homework finished, ready. I got up to date on my class reading. But that's as far as I got, up to date, not ahead. The thing is, I was innocently up in my room, doing absolutely nothing wrong when I heard a noise at my window. I'd left one of them open on purpose to see if it would happen.

JD grinned at me as he climbed in. "You said you'd invited me to break in some time, so I figured since I know you're free, I'd take you up on that."

"When we haven't even been on a first date?" I said, mock sternly. "Unless you call what we did yesterday a date, I suppose."

"Yeah, I do," JD said with a slight smirk. "Getting slushies from Seven-Eleven is a date in my book. But I guess if you really want a traditional date, I have enough money to buy you lunch if you're up for it. You said your parents were out until ten and we can always come back here afterwards…"

He was literally starting to give me puppy-dog eyes, so I sighed, making like I hadn't wanted or expected him to visit. "I guess we could do that."

We went to Denny's, which I was glad still existed. We didn't have anything particularly fancy, not that fancy things were on the menu in the first place. I ordered a patty melt, which was one of the cheaper melts, basically a cheeseburger with bread instead of a bun. JD ordered a chocolate lava cake.

"I was expecting you to go for the ice cream," I teased. "You know, since you love brain freeze."

JD just grinned and said "I buy slushies to forget, Indie. I don't want to forget you. Especially not when I offered to pay for both our lunches. I wanted something I can't make at home."

We talked for the whole time in our booth, not really paying attention to anyone around us. I somehow hadn't expected JD to be such a good listener, but he seemed really interested in me. Like he wanted to know everything about me. Any other time, that would have been easy, but I had to keep my guard up and while I could be honest to a point, I had to keep twenty-first century stuff out.

But I did feel comfortable enough to say when he asked what music I liked, "Promise not to laugh at me? I actually really like musicals. Show tunes. Especially high-energy modern ones."

JD didn't actually laugh like I asked, but he did look a bit amused. "I can't say I've seen that many, apart from some of the movies," he said, "But I understand the appeal. I remember when I was really little, maybe four or even three, and Mary Poppins was being rereleased. My mom took me to see it." His face took on a wistful expression.

I wasn't sure what to say here. I knew that his mom was dead, but I couldn't say anything to that effect since he hadn't told me that and he'd wonder how I knew.

"Your dad didn't come?" I finally said. I knew he wouldn't have, but it was at least a safe question.

"My dad?" JD snorted. "He doesn't have any sense of culture, high or lowbrow. It's why I got into books and classical music. The same thing with movies. Because I had to do most of it on my own. Life would be so boring without a bit of culture, and I had to start somewhere. Anyway," he went on quickly, "Do you have a favourite musical?" He really didn't seem to want to talk about himself. Every time I tried to ask him something, he'd say something vague and then try to get me to talk more about myself.

I thought about his question now, trying to remember which ones existed in this time. Not Hairspray – that was the year I was born. Not Wicked or Legally Blonde or School of Rock. "Um…" I thought about it, and then remembered the two I liked best. They both existed by now, and one of them even had a movie adaptation of the musical. Well, in my time, both of them did, but the star of one of them was barely older than we were right now. "I like a bit of horror, so Sweeney Todd or Little Shop Of Horrors. I liked the book version of Carrie and the soundtrack. I haven't been able to see it, but I'm sure it would be right up there if I had."

JD nodded. "I've seen the movie of Little Shop – not the musical, the old black and white one that it was based on. Found it on a cassette a few years back at a garage sale. I don't think I've ever seen Sweeney Todd, but I think I know the story. Is that the one about the killer barber whose neighbour puts his victims into meat pies?"

I nodded, smiling and trying very hard not to entertain the idea of praising Johnny Depp's performance in the movie (he'd been an actor since 1984, but he was so young that I'd heard the original creators of Heathers had considered casting him as JD, and not just because they shared initials – he did have plenty of roles later on that did seem similar to Slater's. He wasn't the only one they considered, but Brad Pitt was their number two choice and they decided against it because he was too nice). "So…" I said, "I know you haven't seen many, but have you seen enough to have a favourite?"

Like I did, JD stopped and thought. Then he said "I saw The Phantom of the Opera about a year ago when we were living in New York. I read the book before I saw it – that's why I bought a ticket to it at all – andI felt bad for the Phantom. He didn't actually do anything wrong to Christine. Not seriously. He just wanted to be loved."

That took me by surprise. I hadn't expected that kind of empathy, but, as I reminded myself, JD wasn't unlike the Phantom himself, and it was up to me to make sure he didn't have to deal with that kind of rejection. It didn't make him another stalker, even if he was prone to taking things a little further than most people and really might kill someone if I cheated on him with them. It was kind of cool that he'd seen it on Broadway. I knew it was still running there in 2019.

"I got that feeling too," I said honestly, "But he could have shown himself to her properly instead of just showing up to kidnap her, then to bring her back, then kidnap her again and threaten Raoul's life. He was actually driving her away with what he did."

"But he didn't do anything technically wrong up to that point," JD pointed out. "He was treated unfairly just for being scarred. Love isn't wrong. I don't think love is ever wrong."

I just nodded and he went on "So you like horror? I mean, that's what you were saying just then. Are you into books and movies with horror as well? I don't really engage with it most of the time. I do read vampire books, but that's it.."

So I happily talked about the older horror movies and books I liked, making sure not to mention Scream but praising Wes Craven, and waxing lyrical about Stephen King without saying how I'd reached him from reading second-hand Goosebumps books as a child. Of course, the vampire books of my time were very different to what 80s teens were used to. Mortal vampires, heroic vampires, vampires who went against their nature…even humans who would grow up to be vampires and immortals that could be restored to mortality.

Meanwhile, I tried to get JD to talk just a little bit about his family, just so I didn't have to reveal that I knew he had a drunk blowhard for a dad and that his mom committed suicide. He clammed up a bit, but admitted that it was just him and his dad at home. He made it very clear that there was no love lost between him and his dad and that he ran the household (or households) most of the time.

"We might have to hang out at my house a bit," he said, "But I'm hoping Dad will be working late. I know I'd rather come to yours if I can."

"I can understand why," I said sincerely. "Even with my parents being workaholics, they're pretty good about letting me do whatever I want." Which might explain why they didn't seem to notice that I wasn't hanging out with friends or doing anything outside of school back – or forward – in 2019.

The only thing I got JD to talk about properly other than his interests (mostly classic books, music and surprisingly, comic-based movies) was something I'd expected via the movie – he did have a saxophone. "I haven't had lessons or anything," he admitted, "I'm self-taught, so I'm not great, but it helps when I'm down. Admittedly not as much as slushies, but if it's something little, I can just play."

I smiled. "So if we went back to your house, could I convince you to play it for me?"

JD laughed. "Indie, I know you like to take risks, but your ears might not recover." I giggled, and he added "But seriously, if you really want to hear it, start thinking about how you can talk me into it."

We did go back to my house after lunch. At first, we just went up to my room and we both lay on my bed, just chatting. Yes, we both fit. It was a king single, but while I was sort of average, JD was slender despite being strong and had enough room on one side. He had to scrunch up a little lengthwise because he was quite a bit taller than average, but that was okay.

Then we got bored of doing nothing but talking. We were on our own, the door was locked and the windows were tightly closed. At first, we were just making out. The words to "Dead Girl Walking" floated into my head and I wondered if that was what this was leading to, and if I was ready. I even hummed a little bit of the tune when my mouth was free.

I decided to just wait if I felt unsafe, and if I did, then I'd stop. I was sure that JD would listen to "stop" – this wasn't idealizing him. He could be a little forceful in day-to-day life – I knew it from the musical – but not in this respect. Maybe in the movie, but this was the musical. I carried on, and didn't stop him when his hands went to my T-shirt and tugged it over my head carefully. It wasn't rough, like you read about in the really steamy novels that didn't care about anything but those scenes, but I would rather be able to wear my clothes again instead of having them ripped off and ripped apart at the same time. Had I expected to have anything ripped off me, I would have chosen something I actually didn't wear, so I was glad that's not the route it was going.

JD stopped kissing me for a moment, but he didn't let go of me. "If you want me to stop, just tell me," he murmured. "I haven't done much before, but I know just by instinct that it's no fun when it's not mutual. I can't imagine wanting something when I know you don't. Hopefully I'll be able to tell by your response, but if I don't stop and you don't want it, don't be afraid to say something."

I'd been right. JD had some dangerous flaws, but not asking for consent wasn't one of them.

"Go slow," I whispered back, "But don't stop unless I ask." I knew that we were going much further than most couples would do when we'd only become official yesterday, but considering JD had gone the whole way with a girl he'd only talked to twice in the musical, I'd already expected that he wouldn't have a problem with doing just that unless I stopped him. And now, I didn't feel like stopping. I'd been crushing on him for months, and knew him so well it felt like we'd been together longer.

He kissed my earlobe, even nibbling on it gently for a moment while unclasping my (size C) bra. I sighed happily under his ministrations.

"You look beautiful right now, Indie." JD said in a whisper. "You're so much prettier when you smile like that."

I didn't look in the mirror to see if there was any truth in that. I was pretty sure he was biased. Either way, the only time he stopped anything was when he got up to take his coat off. That said, that sort of felt special. It wasn't just anyone that got to see JD when he wasn't wearing it. I was wondering if it would be a little weird for me since there was only one scene in the musical when he took it off and that was in 'Dead Girl Walking', but it just felt…natural. Maybe because this wasn't just some character who had cartoon apparel. This was real, and devoted to me. He pulled everything else off without breaking contact with me.

I wasn't planning on recounting every detail. Actually, the foreplay felt so good that I wasn't sure if I could recount it if I tried. What I could recount is that JD knew I'd never gone further than kissing because I'd said so, and because of that, he tried to be gentle in every way, but still led. It was almost as if he'd done it before, even though he'd told me he hadn't gone any further than I had.

We were under the covers by that time, and as if he'd read my thoughts, he whispered against my skin "I've researched. Have my books taught me the right things?" So it was just his love for reading that allowed him to make me feel so good.

I giggled at the ticklish feeling from his breath. "Hell yes!"

Remember how I said I could ask to stop when I felt unsafe? Well, it never got to that point. Yeah, I hadn't had a chance to get birth control and neither of us had condoms on hand, but I just never wanted to stop him. I'd just have to get the morning after pill when I did get birth control, and buy a packet of condoms as well, so we could do this again. I'd known JD a lot longer than he'd known me and I'd always believed that, while dressed and armed, he could be threatening, I'd feel safe with him in an intimate situation like this. I half-expected him to stop earlier, and he did pause before the final moment.

"Um…do you have anything?" he whispered, sounding awkward.

"I'll get everything tomorrow," I whispered back. "Morning after as well as the pill, then I'll be able to make sure nothing happens if we do it now. I don't care right now – let's."

JD nodded at my admission. "I'll go slowly," he promised. "It might hurt. If you want me to stop, I will."

I felt totally safe, although it wasn't really much fun for me. It hurt like he said, but I didn't want to stop him because he really was being gentle and reassuring, and I didn't think it was fair. JD paused halfway through and asked me if I was okay, but I just nodded and said "Go on." I didn't get the nirvana everyone went on about, but it didn't matter too much. I'd known beforehand the first time wouldn't be much fun, and I'd still committed.

"Well, I could tell it hurt." JD admitted when I told him after. We were cuddling, still under the covers but not doing anything further. In some ways, that felt even better than anything before. "I knew you weren't enjoying it because of the way you tensed up, but you told me to keep going. I've heard that the first time always sucks, especially for girls. I didn't enjoy it much, either – I'm sure I'll only ever enjoy things when my partner does. But from everything I've read, I know it'll be better the second time. I mean, I don't want you to do anything you don't want to, Indie, but if you wouldn't mind…"

"We can try again," I agreed quickly. "Another time, when I've got everything we need for next time. Give me a few days."

JD held me closer. "Fair point. I can wait. And," he chuckled, "I can repeat what I know you did like."

I giggled a little, nestling even closer. "I didn't think Mr Cool Overcoat would be happy to stay unclothed and cuddle after that experience."

JD laughed. I could feel that rumble. "It feels good, though, having someone to hug close. Almost as good as everything we've already done. Maybe just as good in another way. Hugs isn't something Dad and I ever do. He's not the hugging type. Maybe I just want to make up for lost time."

We stayed that way for what could have been hours, talking the way we had on our date. JD even opened up a little. He still wouldn't talk about his family, but he told me some stories about the schools he'd been to, little anecdotes and some funny stories about insane teachers, including the time he'd almost gotten kicked out for losing his temper with the principal for punishing a bully's victim.

By the time JD thought to leave, it was sunset. It was a fairly clear day with just a few fluffy little clouds, clouds that were now tinged pink and gold.

"Looks like the kind of day we've just had," I murmured, staring out at the sky. "Pretty amazing."

JD glanced at the sunset. "I see what you mean. The day has to end, though, unlike us. We don't have to – we can have more days like this."

Something about having a boyfriend just destroyed my feelings from most of 2019, or lack thereof. It was like my zest for life had been restored. I'd felt a little more active since I'd started living in 1989, but this was far stronger than just a new challenge. It was another reason to live, to look forward to tomorrow. I hadn't felt suicidal in 2019, but I hadn't really felt bothered about life. Now I was enjoying it.

We agreed that I'd pick JD up for school the next day in my car, since it just wasn't safe for me to take the motorcycle, and that we'd mostly not hang out in school, but not hide it if we ran into each other outside of math class. In that class, we would at least sit together. Then I could spend breaks and lunch with my friends and I wouldn't have to worry about splitting my time.

JD dropped a quick kiss on my forehead before I saw him out (through the door). "Our love is God. See you tomorrow, Indie."

Don't tell me you didn't see that line coming! Like I said, it doesn't take long for JD to get close and I don't see him talking much about himself. Ana hasn't been in any serious relationships and she feels like she's known JD for years (technically she has), so that's why she feels comfortable with him. I didn't put detail because I don't want to make this explicit. Also…I discussed whether JD would sympathize with the Phantom with my flatmate who adores the musical, and she thought it was likely. Also, I may have fudged when Mary Poppins would have been rereleased and how old JD would have been, not to mention where. It would have been in 1974, and I imagine him being born late in 1971. Just pretend it was rereleased slightly later.

Also, the bit where JD almost gets expelled for losing his temper with a principal was inspired by a Jacqueline Wilson book where a teenager says he got expelled for yelling at his headmaster on the behalf of a "sad little kid". Check Chapter 7 of My Sister Jodie for details.