Page 19 of Time After Time
I wasn’t always thrilled to help, but I did—especially during the busy season, when the fruit was at its peak.
Dad’s eyes, the colour of rich honey, gleamed with a kind of excitement, as if this had always been his dream. Maybe it had. He often said that for us to truly thrive, we’d eventually have to leave this town. But what was it about that idea that captivated him so much? I wasn’t sure, not entirely.
Sylvie’s gaze locked onto mine just as another cough echoed through the room. Her brows shot up, and she stepped back slightly, her lips pressing into a thin line. Her eyes traced the tightness around my jaw and the hard set of my shoulders. The storm brewing behind my eyes was obvious to her—I couldn’t do this today. But who was I kidding? These talksalwayslanded like a heavy blow to my chest, squeezing the air from my lungs.
“Dad,” she said, drawing his attention as he paused. I didn’t look at him; my focus stayed on my sister. “Could we maybe save this conversation for another time?”
I swallowed hard, bracing myself for his likely insistence that there was no time to waste. But then I remembered Sebastian’sreassurance that there was time—and I believed him. “We still have time.”
I wasn’t sure if Sylvie said it for my sake or Dad’s.
Sebastian’s version was all about me finding my passion, while Sylvie’s felt more like,“There’s still time before Gen decides which program to choose.”It was hard to tell if she was sending Dad a signal or just nudging me to let him know I wasn’t interested in the path he had in mind for me.
“And she smells like horse shit.”
When I finally summoned the strength to look at my dad, his face had gone serious, his eyes searching mine for something. I forced a tight grin in response.
“So, that’s what I’ve been smelling.” A pair of warm hands squeezed my shoulders affectionately and reassuringly. “Let her get in the shower, Michael.”
My dad nodded and, after a brief look at my mum, managed a smile—one that didn’t reach his eyes, the same fake smile I had given him earlier. It made me wonder if he saw through my mask, too.
As soon as I was free, I sprinted upstairs, with Mr. Whiskers close behind me. He wasted no time, curling up in the cosiest spot on my bed, right in the centre. I, on the other hand, lingered in the shower, scrubbing away every trace of that awful farm animal smell.
When I stepped out of the bathroom, the fresh scent of soap still hanging in the air, I saw two lumps on my bed, one bigger than the other.
Sebastian was sprawled across the middle, propped up by a pile of cushions, absorbed in a book. Luckily, it wasn’tPersuasion, the book we were reading together. I was relieved it was something else.
He had already showered and changed into fresh clothes, a white t-shirt and grey shorts. His shoes were discardedcarelessly on the floor, and his feet were tucked comfortably into white ankle socks.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice a little breathless. I felt a rush of relief, thankful that I’d got into the habit of dressing in the bathroom.
Sebastian didn’t look up at first, lost in his book. I could hear the soft sound of him chewing, distracted. When I glanced down at his chest, I noticed a bag of gummy bears resting there. I blinked. Those weremygummy bears.
“You sounded like you needed someone,” he said, his gaze still fixed on the pages of his book. It was impressive how quickly he could sense my mood from just a text, but I was just grateful that he was here.
When I didn’t respond right away, he set the book and the gummy bears down on the side table and sat up straighter on the bed, his brow knitting together in concern.
“Is there really time?” I asked, and he looked at me, his expression puzzled, as if he were trying to solve a complicated riddle. “Is there enough time to figure out what I really want?” I threw my hands up in frustration, the damp towel slipping from my hair. “Before the summer ends?”
Sebastian shifted, pulling his legs in from their extended position. “A lot can happen over the summer,” he whispered.
“I hope so,” I muttered, “because soon enough, time won’t be on my side.”
He sighed, his fingers still wrapped around his ankles, his gaze dropping to his lap as he shook his head. “Why the rush, Gen?”
“Because I feel like I’m supposed to…”
“No,” he interrupted, his expression earnest. His brows were on the verge of furrowing, the corners of his lips turning downward as he shook his head. “You’re not supposed to have your whole life planned out right now. We’re young, and there’sstill time. Throwing ourselves blindly into the depths of the ocean won’t help us at all. You have time, and you shouldn’t feel pressured to decide what you want to do right now or before the summer ends.” He leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper, as if the words were meant only for me. His chest rose with a slow breath, eyelids fluttering shut for a moment before he looked at me again. “Please don’t hate me for saying this.”
“I won’t get angry.” Stepping closer, my tone softened as I leaned in. I could see the strain in his eyes, hear the urgency in his voice.
“If you go along with your dad’s wishes…” I shuddered, but his words kept coming. “If you do what he wants just to make him happy, you’ll end up regretting it. Sure, you’ll make him happy, but what about you?”
My bottom lip trembled as I looked away, quickly blinking to hold back the tears that were already welling up. I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop them—not in front of Sebastian. There was something about him that made me want to open up, something that made being vulnerable feel almost like a strength.
His words reminded me of the dream. I could still feel how unhappy I was, drained of passion, too tired to care, and isolated. I wasn’t really living. I was just getting by.
My name was whispered, and it sent a shiver through my chest. The warmth of Sebastian’s presence crept closer, the soft rustle of sheets signalling he’d risen from the bed. Before I could raise my thumb to my lips, his quiet voice interrupted. “Listen,” he whispered, his breath brushing my skin. I kept my gaze down, feeling his hands fold around mine, the weight of them suspended between us. “I believe in this, Gen. I know we’ll find what drives you before summer ends. We have time, and every bit of it matters.” I nodded, still staring at our hands, fingers tangled together. “But if we do find it... will you go after it?”
