Page 78 of Time After Time
He thought for a moment, then nodded in recognition.
“Okay, that shirt with white shorts?” His head tilted to the side, and I nodded, picturing how good he looked in that combination. “See you at the festival?”
He didn’t wait for my answer.
He knew it would be a given. Instead, Sebastian stood up, his posture slightly awkward as he kept his hand on the back of my thigh for a moment longer.
The sun dipped lower,spilling golden light across the sky and everything beneath it. The decorations I had spent days choosing shimmered in its glow, their colours coming alive in the fading light, swaying gently with the breeze as if dancing with the setting sun.
A proud smile spread across my face, though my fingers nervously twisted the sides of my dress, feeling the sweat forming on my palms. I took deep breaths, taking in the sight of everything I’d worked so hard on. The town square clock had already chimed seven, marking the festival’s start, and my nerves had spiked as soon as I noticed the first guests arriving.
Everything was even more perfect than I had imagined.
The fear I’d had—the worry that I wouldn’t be able to capture this beautiful image in my mind—vanished, because what I’d created was even better.
Strings of colourful lanterns zigzagged above, while white and blue flowers dangled from the streetlights, which had been modified to cast a soft, wave-like light that caressed the path we walked, imitating the waves of the ocean.
A little girl with pink ribbons in her red hair noticed the lights reflecting on the ground, gripping her grandfather’s hand tightly as she giggled and stepped over the glowing patterns beneath her feet. Her grandfather chuckled and glanced up at the streetlights, intrigued by them. Others began to notice too,exchanging smiles, snapping pictures, and stepping over the reflections of the shimmering lights.
Suddenly, the mouthwatering scents of cotton candy, popcorn, caramel apples, and other treats invaded me. A summer festival wouldn’t feel the same without them, and I couldn’t help but smile, knowing Sebastian had pitched in and offered advice to the people making them.
The caramel on the apples shimmered in blue and white, glowing as beautifully as the caramel on the popcorn and the cotton candy, which had been shaped into clouds and seashells. Everything was perfect, and I could hardly believe I had played such an important role in bringing it all together.
Taking a deep breath, I scanned the growing crowd, wanting to catch every reaction. I wish I had a time machine just to replay this moment over and over, each time focusing on a different person.
Families trickled in, parents smiling at their laughing children, old couples clasping hands in awe, and groups of family friends trying to take it all in.
“Perhaps the best festival in a long time.” The words wrapped around me, making me smile so widely that I feared I would hurt my cheeks. Turning to my left, I spotted the mayor, her eyes gleaming as she took in the scene. “This is incredible, Geneviève.” I started to thank her for trusting me, for giving me the freedom to bring this vision to life, but she stopped me with a raise of her hand and a soft shake of her head. “We might just have to hire you next year.” She winked, then strolled away, leaving me standing there, glowing from her words as she wandered off to explore the rest.
A soft melody, almost drowned out by the happy squeals around the festival, accompanied the arrival of my parents and Sylvie. My dad was busy laughing and chatting with Robert, while my mum had her arm linked with Cora’s as they pointed atsomething that had caught their attention. Then, I felt two pairs of eyes on me. Sylvie was grinning widely, her eyes widening as she took her hands to her head and made a gesture indicating her mind was exploding, letting out a scoff that said just how impressed she was with what I’d done. The other gaze belonged to Sebastian. His cheeks had a slight flush—probably from skipping his sunscreen again—and his hair was tousled, as if he’d been nervously running his fingers through it.
But what caught my attention most was his shirt. A soft pink that almost perfectly matched the colour of my dress.
His smile was breathtaking, and for a moment, his gaze drifted from mine as he took everything in. Then, just as quickly, he met my eyes again, exaggeratedly mouthing a ‘wow,’ making me chuckle, gratefulness blooming in my chest.
Sebastian’s expression softened, something unspoken passing between us, before he turned toward his parents. Leaning in, he whispered something to Robert, who then glanced at me with a soft smile. He gave a small nod in my direction, said something to my dad, and, with a gentle tug on a confused Cora’s hand, led her away. Sebastian followed, his eyes lingering on me for just a second longer before they disappeared into the crowd.
It was the perfect moment to step closer to my parents and Sylvie, who was the first to notice me approaching, her eyes never leaving mine. “Sis,” she called out, drawing my parents’ attention. “Who knew you had it in you to make this the best festival Golden Sands has ever seen?” Her tone was teasing, and I couldn’t help but laugh, my smile stretching so wide that my cheeks started to ache. “Our neighbours are going to be so jealous. They might try to steal you for their own festivals!”
Another chuckle escaped me, and I felt a surge of strength as Sylvie took two steps closer and enveloped me in a tight embrace. I closed my eyes, relishing the moment. It was as ifSylvie sensed I needed a bit of her bravery, and once again, she seemed to read me effortlessly. “Is this it?” Her question initially puzzled me, but it quickly became clear. I tightened my hold around her just a bit more, confirming her suspicions.
When we parted, Sylvie’s smile gave me the final boost of courage I needed to turn and face my parents.
My dad continued to scan the surroundings, while my mum’s gaze met mine, her eyes bright and teary. I loved that about her. It didn’t matter if what my sister and I had accomplished was small. To her, it was still a significant achievement and worth celebrating.
“Gen, sweetheart, this is…” She paused, her eyes drifting back over the festival before returning to me. “This is stunning. I can’t even find the right words to express how happy—” The last word came out almost as a question, as if searching for a better way to describe her feelings. “How happy the colours make you feel, the soft music, the smells… everything. It’s simply breathtaking.” Before I could respond, she wrapped me in her, swaying us and kissing my temple, much like Sylvie had.
“Thank you, Mum.” My voice was barely more than a whisper. As I ensured my dad remained distracted, I blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill. “I’m so glad you like it.”
When I turned to my dad, I found him staring at me with a serious expression that made me swallow nervously. I was left grappling with my own thoughts, trying to figure out the best way to tell him I had finally discovered what I wanted to do—a path that was nowhere near any of his suggestions.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sebastian leaning against one of the streetlamps, his hand running through his hair as if he were anxious for me but as soon as he caught my gaze, he straightened up, flashing a reassuring smile and nodding withsuch conviction that I turned back to my dad, locking my eyes with his.
“I don’t want to study any of the things you suggested.” My words came out in a rush, so I took a breath and repeated myself, determined to get my point across. “I don’t want to move to the city. I know there are more opportunities there, but this place is where I belong.” I was gripping the sides of my dress so tightly that my fingers were starting to feel numb. “Actually, I love it here. I want to be an event planner. Right here. I’d…” I paused, shaking my head a bit and breathing in before continuing. I laid out my plans to him as I had shared them with Sebastian, ending with my dream of opening a wedding venue in Golden Sands. “And, I thought I wanted—no,needed—everyone to like my decision and be okay with it, but I don’t need that anymore. This is for me. It’s what I want.”
For what felt like hours, my dad remained silent, his expression unreadable. My mum watched him intently, trying to decipher his thoughts, while Sylvie, who had stepped back a bit, simply smiled at me. Her smile, however, only heightened my anxiety as I struggled to interpret her expression.
“I’m sorry, Dad.”
