"You won't have many days left if you keep that up!" a woman shouted at me. I was on my way home from the bookstore with a cigarette in my mouth. Little did she know that 'cigarette' was a white toothpick. Ever since I started baking and cleaning the toothpicks I'd been used to carrying one in my mouth. She wasn't helping me as much as she thought.

I turned to her taking the pick out of my mouth and holding my arms out. She just glared and I turned around again. My apartment wasn't too far away, she wasn't worth my time.

I went to the bookstore to work. I was writing my first book and hoped the atmosphere of paperbacks could get the juices flowing. My parents thought I'd be a teenage author but twenty five isn't so bad. These things take time you know.

I checked back to my first floor shack of an apartment room and set my shoes by the fireplace. I placed my bookbag on the hook and lay down on my couch. The cool autumn evening called for some tea. I had grown accustomed to the drink, I liked it hot and not iced. I threw away my toothpick and preheated my teapot waiting for the second boiling in my kettle.

It was half past six. My favorite show Golden Girls was having a marathon that day. The tea better be ready soon. I got back on the couch and set the channel to the show. The hour struck 11:00 as I lay half asleep. I should have gone to bed, but there wasn't a tv in my room and the noise was soothing. I should probably go to the bathroom before sleeping...

I woke up in my apartment at 7:00 that morning. I couldn't lie there as long as I wanted to 'cause I had to go to the bathroom from the tea the night before. As I brushed my teeth I noticed my bathroom looked different. The walls were white instead of faded purple and the rug was blue instead of torn up black. It was overall a bit retro.

I didn't pay too much attention as I left for the bookstore in a rush. Changed to my black and white flannel, jeans, shoes, bag and hat along with a new toothpick and ran out the door.

The scenary was different too. The streets were strange, buildings around me were bricked and houses were hosted with class. I had come to realize I had no clue where I was. This wasn't Oregon. This wasn't even 2024. Vintage cars driving on the left side of the road meant Europe. The newspaper stand meant 1996. 1996? I was in Europe in 1996?! I time traveled again! I didn't actually believe it would happen!

Usually I woke up in the streets of Australia. And Malcolm would find me in my pajamas or Margaret would take me in from the enchanted snow. That was so long ago. Now I had my own place. In Europe. I could never afford that on my writing/doggy hotel salary at home. Great, how could I afford that with no job at all?

I walked inside a crowded building close by (it stinks!) and saw news reporters and screaming people everywhere.

"Where are they?" someone shouted.

"Shut it, they're not here yet!" another voice cried. Their accents were thick with English. This was definitly Europe. The camera crew had one camera pointed at a large door while another was pointed at a table with two large chairs. The table had microphones and water cups and was guarded by security. Well whoever is coming must be important.

The building I was in was right across the street from my apartment. There were tons of people going in and out, I don't know why I didn't pick a quieter spot. This place was close enough I guess. People shoved their way this way and that trying to get closer to the front door. It was blocked off so we all had to squeeze our way through the back. I held my bag tightly as I was afraid of it or any of its contents would get lost or stolen. Not that I had much to lose. Nothing was in it anyway!

Guess my time travel removed everything. Great. Now I had no work to pay the rent. Which must have rocketed price wise. I stood around waiting to see what was going on and kept out of anybody else's way. "I thought they were coming," someone said. "I thought I saw them."

"That's not their car. That one is red, theirs is black."

"All these people..."

"I'm over here!" A swarm of people were discussing among each other and shouting to each other across the room we were in. The crowd was making me uncomfortable and I considered leaving. But curiosity held me in my spot.

A black car pulled up to the building. People inside and out were crowding as close as they could until some security had to keep them under control. Two men came out of the car and walked toward the building. The throng was overwhelming, especially at the heights they were at.

"We need a sheepdog or somethin'," Malcolm said. "They've already started rippin' the car apart." They both walked in, greeted by more excitement and chaos. Making their way to the table, applause and cheers coming from all sides. Malcolm sat down on one seat before his brother pulled the chair out only to use it as a step stool to reach the table. More applause erupted as well as a few whistles when Angus bowed in regards to his antics. Malcolm laughed a bit in response and several women lost it. Angus smiled and stood up straight again. His eyes glanced the back of the room and saw-someone. He narrowed them and strained to see who it was.

Hannah.

He smiled to himself and stepped off the table to sit in the chair placed for him. Hannah had come back a third time, and he'd definitly see her later. But how'd she get here in Europe? You'd think she'd be in Australia. Every day Malcolm went out there to check for her. If he was gone or sick, they'd send a friend or Angus would go himself if available.

A question from an interviewer snapped him out of his thoughts but Malcolm answered. Good thing too, he hadn't really heard the question anyway. Better pay attention, don't want to be caught staring at someone and have that be the incoming question.