Clara Marie:

After I recognized the photo Emilio had shown me, everyone went nuts—a new phrase I learned. Laleh immediately called my mom, and she picked me up as soon as school ended. She drove me to the hospital, where I had to sit through test after test to see what I could remember. The doctor grew more and more confused with each one.

"We should have done more extensive testing when you were first here," she admitted. "This is a very odd case. It appears you remember most school-related knowledge, but you seem unaware of all history after 1840. Your knowledge of items, like cars, is spotty, and you have limited awareness of most modern inventions. The only detail of your life that you can recall is this restaurant where your friend works."

I bit my tongue to keep from telling her the truth. Through some unexplainable magic, I had traveled through time. I didn't believe in magic, but there was no other explanation for what was happening. I just didn't know how it had happened. I almost thought it might be because of that old wish-granter man.

I could not remember where I had seen the building before. It looked different now, with signs, nice windows, and a fresh coat of paint, but I had seen it. The building had to be very old if I recalled it. It had been there for nearly two centuries. It was a shame they were tearing it down.

"I think we can say your memory is returning," the doctor stated. My mom gasped.

"Oh, I can't believe this. Your memory is coming back. That's the best news I could hope for!" she exclaimed.

I smiled weakly. My "memory" wasn't coming back. I felt bad for her. Her daughter had been replaced by an impostor. I wondered where Noelle really was. She had a wonderful mom. I wished she were really my mom. I though my father would like her. Well, anyone was better than Stepmother. But I understood Stepmother now, and why she had asked me about the suitors. She had been forced to marry my father. I didn't think my father had wanted to marry her either, but he probably thought it was best for me. My mom wouldn't tell me what happened to Noelle's father. When I asked, she only said he wasn't coming back. I didn't know if he was dead or had left, like my real mother. I knew Noelle's mom would never do that to me. I mean—would never do that to Noelle.

After some more boring explanations about my "memory" and how long it would take for it to return, we were finally able to go home. I had made up my mind. I was going to tell Laleh and Emilio about the time travel. They would probably think I had gone crazy, but I needed someone's help. It was hard for me to admit, but I couldn't get back home on my own.

"Can I go meet up with Laleh and Emilio?" I asked my mom, trying my best to use modern words.

"Um, okay. Be back in an hour," she said.

I used my phone to call Laleh, and she agreed to pick me up and take me to Truffles, where Emilio was.

"What did the doctor say?" she asked as soon as I opened the door.

"I'll tell you when we meet up with Emilio. I don't want to explain it twice," I snapped.

"Oookay," she said. "Didn't mean to make you mad. Are you okay?"

"Yes. I'm just... dealing with a lot right now."

"Ok. Sorry." It was quiet for the rest of the car ride, and I regretted snapping at Laleh.

"I'm not mad. I don't know why I said that so harshly. I'm sorry."

"It's fine. I've never seen you mad—except when you finished Unlocked. You almost broke my desk."

"Um, okay," I said, not sure what Unlocked was.

"Oh my god!" Laleh suddenly exclaimed. "You don't remember any of the books you've read! You can reread them without knowing what happens. You're so lucky! And you don't know who Luke's father is! I can't wait to watch Star Wars with you!"

I nodded, not understanding a word she said.

"I sound crazy, don't I?" she laughed. "Don't worry, you'll be crazy again soon." Laleh spent the rest of the car ride explaining different books and movies that I apparently had to read or watch immediately. She was delighted to find out I had read the first Harry Potter book already.

"Just wait until the last book. I still haven't gotten over the Battle of Hogwarts."

"Don't spoil it!" I exclaimed; I hadn't gotten around to starting the next book yet.

We pulled up to the restaurant. Seeing it in person cemented my recognition of the building. Not only had I seen it before, but I had also been inside. Suddenly, I remembered where I had seen it. When I was little, Papa and I would wander the streets, looking for beautiful buildings so he could sit and sketch them. Sometimes, he would even paint his favorites. This had been one of them. It was a restaurant back then too.

We headed into the restaurant, and Emilio greeted us from the host table. The inside had changed a lot over the years. When I visited as a young girl, it had red curtains, long wooden tables, and candles in the windows. Now, it had small, circular tables and booths in the corners. There were electrical lights instead of candles, obviously. Still, despite the modern updates, it remained cozy.

"So," Emilio nervously tapped the table, "Noelle, how did the doctor's appointment go?"

"It's complicated."

"Let's go sit down," Emilio said. The three of us squeezed into a small corner booth, and I took a deep breath.

"I think I have a way to save the restaurant."

Emilio opened his mouth to ask how, but I continued before he could interrupt me. If they stopped me now, I was not sure I would ever gather the courage again to try and explain.

"You said that if the building was historical, they couldn't destroy it, right?"

"Yeah, that's right." Emilio furrowed his eyebrows.

"This building is historical. I know, because I visited it in 1840. That's the time I'm from. I'm not Noelle. My name is Clara Marie, and I have time-traveled."