by Box Set
“Are you Adeline?” I asked just to confirm.
She nodded. “Yeah. I’m sorry I don’t remember your name.”
“Casey.”
Her lips, which were a bright cherry red, widened into a grin. “This is so cool! I honestly didn’t think I’d ever see you again. You wouldn’t believe how many times I’d kicked myself for not getting your contact info.”
“Same! Do you still… ”
Adeline nodded. “But not so often, anymore.”
“Me too. I haven’t tripped since summer.”
“Trip. Right. I remember now that you called it that.”
Mr. Ryerson clapped his hands again, gaining our attention. Our next stop was Grauman’s Chinese Theater, which was in walking distance.
“Are you guys coming?” I asked Adeline.
“Nah. We’ve done all the tours. But we’re having a BBQ together tonight, so we can meet up later.”
“Great,” I said. “We have a lot to catch up on!”
“I know!”
I contemplated this happy reunion as we walked north on Highland and west down Hollywood Boulevard. It felt so good to know there was another person on this planet, a person my age, who was like me. I wished I could tell Nate. I retrieved my phone—it was on vibrate for school—and stared at the screen. Still nothing from him. Spain was nine hours ahead of the west coast and he was probably sleeping.
I thought Austin might’ve moved on from his brief infatuation with me, but once we hit the Boulevard, he snuck up from behind and became my shadow.
“Pretty cool, hey?” he said. I agreed. The whole California vibe was cool. The hills were green, the sky was blue and most of the smog that had lingered in the morning had burned off.
We jostled down the crowded sidewalk, and I was glad I wore a light sweater to prevent unwanted skin-to-skin contact.
The Grauman’s Chinese Theater was a bodacious architectural venture with long curvaceous lines, bright colors and tall dog statues that were imported from China when the theater was built. The building was enough to demand a persons attention, but my focus was on the famous cement imprints of the hands and feet of famous movie stars.
Misha pointed. “There’s Mary Pickford! And Douglas Fairbanks.”
We’d studied film history and had learned that Mary Pickford had been a super huge silent-film star. Her engagement and marriage to Douglas Fairbanks ranked as high in popularity around the world as when Prince Charles married Lady Diana. They were American royalty, the current Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie of their time.
She’d become quite the businesswoman, too, and was originally part-owner of the Chinese Theatre.
I knelt down and pressed my hands in Mary Pickford’s imprints and laughed. “I’m such a giant!” My fingertips extended far beyond the star’s.
“She was a petite woman,” Misha said. “That’s how she got all those child roles.”
We stood in line to get inside the theater and I felt a warm body press up against my back. I took a step forward, inwardly cursing the crowds, and crossed my arms against my chest, making sure I wasn’t touching anyone. The body behind me shifted forward, too. I turned on my heel, prepared to politely ask whoever it was to step back, but I found myself staring into Austin King’s green eyes.
Of course.
“A little space, please,” I said.
“I think you should give me a chance,” he said, shuffling up beside me.
“Chance for what?”
“To be your boyfriend.”
“I already have a boyfriend.”
“Yes, I know. But like I said before, you need to spread your wings. Dip your toes in other pools of water. You’re too young to settle on the first guy who shows interest in you.”
My shackles raised in offense. “I’m not settling, and who cares if he was the first person to notice me like that? Why didn’t you notice me back then if you’re so great?”
“I did notice you. All the guys did.”
“Shut up.”
“I’m serious.”
I huffed. “You didn’t notice me until ten minutes ago.”
“That’s not true. The guys noticed you. Maybe not the jocks, but the kind I hung with did. You weren’t exactly approachable, you know.”
I had to concede that.
He tilted his head, letting muddy blond locks fall into his eyes. “You intimidated me.”
I shot him a look. “I don’t think anyone intimidates you.”
He laughed. “Maybe not now, but then, I was just a shy kid.”
Austin pushed his hair off his face and held my gaze. “Look, Casey. You’re beautiful and smart. Which is why I can’t understand why you’re not being more open minded. How do you know I’m not the right one for you if you don’t give me a chance?”
“I can’t. I love Nate. We’re a couple. I’m sorry.”
Austin shoved his fists into his jeans pockets and looked at me sheepishly through dark lashes. “You can’t blame a guy for trying.”
He was a good-looking guy. Suave and persuasive. “I’m certain you’ll find another girl soon.”
He chuckled. “I haven’t exactly given up on you yet, Donovan.” He flashed me a smile before jogging to the front of the line to join Spike and Thomas.
I pushed Austin’s words from my mind while I dragged through my purse for my phone. Please let there be a message from Nate. I sighed at the empty screen, then thumbed a message.
Casey: I’m at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre! Wish you were here!! Can’t wait to hear about Spain. Are you winning?
I wanted to go on, but I didn’t think he’d appreciate my long windedness, especially if it was going to cost him a zillion dollars.
Chapter Nine
The BBQ was hosted by the family of one of the students in Adeline’s group, a small girl with long dark hair and a lot of facial piercings, who walked with a leg brace. She also sported the fancy starlet-type name of Bluebell. We were told that her father was a studio hot-shot, but I’d never heard his name before. They lived in an impressive home in Hollywood Hills that boasted a pool and a multi-million-dollar view of the Los Angeles area all the way to the ocean twenty-five miles away.
I spotted Adeline immediately. She wore an A-line skirt that ended well below the knee and had bright orange lipstick on her full lips. Her bleach-blond hair was parted on the side into a fat-curl bob. She stood on the other side of the pool. From a distance, she really did look like Marilyn Monroe.
She was in the middle of a friendly conversation with Bluebell and a nice-looking guy I hadn’t seen in the scriptwriting class who looked like he’d rather be surfing. Adeline looked my way and I waved to catch her attention. She smiled and motioned for me to join them.
“Hey, Casey. Have you met Bluebell? She’s in our script-writing class.”
“Not officially,” I said. I waved my fingers and tucked my hand behind my back before Bluebell tried to shake hands.
Adeline threaded an arm through the guy’s tanned elbow. “And this is my boyfriend, Marco.”
I nodded. “Hi.”
“Marco surprised me by showing up tonight,” Adeline said. “He was supposed to leave for a family event today, but his trip was postponed until tomorrow.”
“That’s great,” I said. “How long will you be gone?”
“Just a few days,” Marco said. His gaze dropped to his feet before flickering to Adeline’s, and it was obvious that they had a strong thing going by the way their eyes lit up when they looked at each other. His fingers ran down her arm until they were clasping hands. I swallowed down a lump of envy. I hadn’t seen Nate for almost three weeks and hadn’t heard from him in four days.
“I’m going to see how things are doing in the kitchen,” Bluebell said. She limped away, carefully dodging patio furniture and students lounging about.
“Marco,” Adeline said with a purr, “would you mind getting us something to drink?”
“Sure,” he said. He pulled his hand f
ree and gave us a friendly smile before heading for the drink station on the other side of the pool.
“He seems nice,” I said.
“He is,” Adeline agreed.
“Does he know?”
She surprised me by shaking her head. “I’ve tried to tell him, but he doesn’t believe me.”
“Really? But the way he holds your hand… you’ve never taken him back?”
“No. Not that I’ve been especially careful, as you can see.” She shrugged a shoulder. “It just hasn’t happened.”
“How long have you been together?”
“A year and a half.”
I was shocked by her answer. A year and a half with one guy and he still didn’t know about this other part of her life?
“I’ve been with my boyfriend Nate for that long, but he knows all about it.”
Adeline’s eyes widened with surprise. “I’m not sure what Marco would do if it happened. He’s already convinced I need therapy.”
Marco returned with two sodas before we could go any deeper. Knowing Marco wasn’t acquainted with our lifestyles, I refrained from asking more questions. I could tell by Adeline’s look that she had more she wanted to say to me, too.
“Did I interrupt something?” Marco said at our silence.
“Just girl talk,” Adeline said, and then she added, looking at me. “We’ll catch up some more later, okay?”
I nodded and watched them walk away together.
Bluebell’s parents were curiously absent. The whole affair was catered by their kitchen staff and overseen by Mr. Ryerson and Ms. Bianco. They introduced ice-breaker games to get us to interact with the Hollywood High students and then finally announced that the food was ready.
I took a seat at one of the many tables erected for the occasion and drank in the view. The horizon sparkled with lights as the day turned to twilight. I wondered what had happened to Misha and searched the party for her. She was looking my way as she stood in line for her food. I waved her over. She made some kind of hand signal I couldn’t decipher. She knew where I was if she wanted to find me. I spotted Adeline and Marco standing near the pool. They were talking intensely to each other, both with deep frowns on their faces. Their easygoing style had turned into something much more intense.
Someone dragged a chair beside me, and I looked to see Austin taking a seat.
He was persistent if nothing else. I had to give him that.
I nibbled on Cobb salad and a BBQ chicken leg.
Austin had a mound of food on a paper plate, and it was quite an event to watch how fast he consumed it.
“Impressive,” I said.
He pushed a pile of bones to the side. “Thanks. Years of practice.”
I found my gaze cutting to his profile. Austin had a nice face, strong cheekbones and a chin covered with blond bristles that glinted in the rays of the setting sun.
“Why don’t you have a girlfriend?” I asked. It seemed blunt, but he hadn’t exactly been Mr. Subtle.
He faced me and parted his lips into a smile. “Just waiting for the right one to come available.”
“Uh-huh.” My eyes zeroed in on those lips. They were different from Nate’s, but nice.
To my horror, Austin noticed. He smirked and pointed to his face. “See, you want to try these out, don’t you?”
“No, I don’t!”
“Sure you do. You’ve only kissed one guy.” He smacked his lips. “Any time you wanna have a go, just let me know.”
I scoffed in an effort to distract from the flush of embarrassment heating my cheeks. I covered my eyes and muttered. “Don’t hold your breath.”
His phone buzzed and he pulled it out of his back pocket.
“News from home,” he said.
“Oh?” I reached into my bag for mine, grateful for the change in subject. “I didn’t know we had wifi here.”
Austin’s lips pulled down into a frown.
“What is it?”
“I don’t think you want to see.”
Now I was curious. “What?” My phone was taking too long to link up.
“It’s the Terrier’s Facebook site.”
I’d been following, but hadn’t had a chance to check it since the morning. At that time, there had been no new updates.
“Are they losing?” I reached for his phone. “Let me see.”
He pulled his arm back so the phone was just out of my reach. “No, they’re winning. And celebrating.”
I extended my arm again. “Please?”
He gazed hard at me with eyes that looked worried.
“Austin!”
“I don’t think you want to see this.”
“Why?” I reached for him again. This time he hesitantly placed his phone in my palm and I stared at it in disbelief. My heart squeezed like a heavy foot had stepped on it. Nate’s foot.
It was a cheerleader after-game party shot. Fiona had one arm wrapped around Nate’s neck, an over-flowing beer mug in the other, and she was planting a big kiss on Nate’s cheek. His eyes were closed, and the shot was kind of blurry, but you didn’t have to be a brain surgeon to see that they were together.
My throat clogged up, and I couldn’t suppress the tears that filled my eyes. Austin’s arm slipped around me, and I found myself crying into his neck. He smelled good. Musky and manly.
Next thing I knew, his lips were on mine. And stupid, stupid me, I kissed him back.
Chapter Ten
I placed two hands on Austin’s chest and pushed sharply, breaking free from his lips.
“What are you doing?!”
He cocked a brow. “I think the question is what are we doing?”
“Oh, God.” I buried my face in my hands. I felt sick.
“It’s not that big a deal, Casey. It’s just a kiss.”
It was a big deal. It was cheating! Here I was all worried and upset about the Floozy throwing herself at Nate and the first opportunity I had to kiss another guy, I moved my tongue! And I wasn’t even drinking!
What was the matter with me???
I jumped to my feet and ran, not even caring that I was bumping into people. I felt dizzy and awash with light.
Oh, no! I was about to trip back in time just like Tim warned me, and it was all Austin King’s fault! I accidentally ran into one of the girls, and she began to topple into the pool and reflexively grabbed at what was next to her, which happened to be me. Skin on skin!
I followed her into the water, swallowing a good amount of chlorine in the process.
My legs flailed as I tried desperately to touch the bottom. My fingers ran along the vinyl lining before I managed to get my footing. Then suddenly I was standing, dripping wet, on dry ground. The pool was gone. The students were gone. Bluebell’s house was gone.
I heard panting behind me and turned to see Adeline Savoy. She was the girl I’d knocked into the pool.
“Casey?” Adeline said. “Was it you or me?”
“I think it was me.”
Adeline’s drenched clothing clung to her curvaceous form, her short blond hair a wet cap on her head. I glanced down at my equally soaked body, tall and slim. We both wrapped arms around our shivering bodies. The sun was about to set, taking its daytime warmth with it.
I took in our barren surroundings. Dirt roads doodled the hillside along with short wooden stakes marking new lots. In the distance I spotted a new house under construction, and on the hill beyond were the big letters spelling out Hollywoodland.
We were in the past, but not 1863.
“It’ must’ve been you,” I said. “The 1950s?”
Adeline shook her head. “Something’s off.” She studied the Hollywoodland sign with an expression of confusion, “That sign…”
A motor caught our attention and we turned to the direction of the sound. A car came sputtering into view. Not a thick, rounded-body automobile one expected to see in the fifties, but a black jalopy. Big narrow wheels, its body looking more like a carriage than a car. It zoomed by, kicking u
p dust, backfiring on its way past.
“Was that a Ford Model T?” I asked. “It looked brand new.”
A second car much like it passed by in the other direction. I stared at Adeline. “When are we?”
She shook her head again, and a flash of unease crossed her face. “I have no idea, but this isn’t my time.”
I stated the obvious. “It’s not mine either.”
I rubbed my goose-pimply arms. “Maybe, against incredible odds, we both tripped at the same time. And the fact that we were touching while it happened caused a reset?”
Adeline scrunched her nose. “Met somewhere in the middle?”
We shared a worried look. “We need to find out what year this is,” I said, “and find a place to spend the night.”
Adeline nodded in agreement. “Let’s go.” We headed toward the dirt road and down the hill.
It was a decent trek to civilization, but at least my skirt and blouse were drying out somewhat. I removed my sweater and hung it over my arm to give it a better chance.
I knew what had triggered my trip, the kiss, but I wondered what had triggered Adeline’s. I remembered the tense conversation I’d witnessed from across the pool. “Did you and Marco have a fight?”
Her bottom lip inflated. “You could say that.”
I didn’t know her well enough to probe further. It wasn’t my business. It was just pure bad luck that we both happened to be tripping at the same time while touching each other. The chances of that ever happening were slim to none, so of course it would happen to me.
We reached the bottom of the hill and I stopped, realizing I had no clue where I was. “Lead the way,” I said to Adeline. “You know this place.”
Her brow furrowed between wide-set blue eyes. “I know it in the twenty-first century and in the 1950s,” she said. “It looks a lot different now.”
We made it to a main street, and I spotted a road sign that said Hollywood Boulevard. The street was filled with Model Ts or vehicles that looked very similar. The road rules of the day seemed to need regulation and crossing the road looked perilous. Dusk required headlights, which looked like big bug eyes, and the streets were infested. A street car, a blend between a bus and a rail car, motored down tracks in the middle of the lane and pedestrians crossed anywhere that suited them. Compared to modern times, the traffic flow was slow, but still, I wouldn’t want to get hit by a jalopy.
