"Lyra?"

"Hmm?"

"You've been staring at me all day. What's going on?" Dad said without looking from his plate.

We were at my favorite Oriental buffet. The one that would eventually pass to a new owner in a few months time. Everything changed. The food. The layout. The people. It became less personal and more sterile. The food had the same name but worse taste. I stopped going since then. Now, I couldn't believe my eyes or tastebuds. I've missed this so much. I've missed my dad.

I picked up another piece of sushi with my chopsticks while quietly chuckling at my father who was using a fork to scoop a piece out of his soy sauce.

"It's easier with these, Dad."

"Don't avoid...the question, L," he said through a mouthful of food.

I forgot how much I looked like my father. It's been so long. I just wanted to absorb every detail down to the random grey strands in his hair.

"I just been enjoying our time together," I murmured. There's so much I wanted to tell him.

He stopped chewing for a beat, putting down his fork.

"I'm enjoying our time together too. You've been kind of distant lately. I don't know if it's because of the situation with Eli or growing pains but it's nice seeing you smile again."

He gave me a small smile of his own. Tears threatened to surface so I stuffed a piece of spicy chicken in my mouth. Can I really have him back?

"So, how's the job search coming? Are you going to become a big shot and be moving out anytime soon? Your room would make for a nice home gym." He chuckled as he lightly pushed his plate away.

I rolled my eyes. Then I remembered my journal. I have to keep my facts straight.

"Ha ha, funny. Ummm I haven't found a place that's hiring yet. I was thinking about checking Book It. A bookworm got to be around books, right?"

He nodded, pondering something over.

"Have you checked any places by the beach? I thought you knew someone who worked at one of the stalls or shops there. If you have a connection, use it."

David.

"Yeah...I'll see what I can do."
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When we got home, Dad almost pushed me out the door again.

"Are you sure you don't need me for anything?" I offered for the third time.

"Honey, I'm fine. I'm probably going to shoot the breeze with Graham later tonight or work on stuff around the house. I love you, but I need a break from your hovering."

I laughed. I guess if I were in his position, I would be annoyed after awhile too.

"Go see about job openings or hang out with friends or something. Have fun."

With that remark, he made a point of opening the door and handing me my keys.

"If you want, get me a slushy or something from the beach," he said before giving me a kiss on the forehead.

Summer was in full blast aside from some clouds rolling in so biking wasn't an option. Driving to the beach with the windows down was blissful aside from my hair slapping me across the face every once in awhile.

I had to keep reminding myself that this isn't 2018. My dad didn't just miraculously come back into my life. I had travelled back in time. That fact caused the questions to flow.

Will I get yanked back to the present after the month is up? Will I go back at all? Will there be a butterfly effect?

By the time I pulled up to the beach, the sun was peeking between the clouds. I tapped on my phone, contemplating.

Should I call Tilly to meet me here? Should I tell her what happened? Would she believe me? What was going on in her life around this time? Are we on good terms?

Water plopped on my phone and instantly I pushed it back into my pocket as fat droplets pounded against the sand. Kids screamed as they ran up the shore as if it were hailing while their parents followed slowly behind.

I managed to run under a stall's awning but not without most of my hair and clothes getting drenched.

"Came out of nowhere, didn't it?"

"Yeah," I huffed, turning as I squeezed my hair, "but we need the rain."

David smiled politely as he readjusted the cap on his head. He really didn't change that much.

"What can I get for you?"

"Ummmm."

"We have Pepsi products, slushies, and different kind of ice cream bars here," he said gesturing to the display cooler in front of him.

"Right...ummm..."

"You're Lyra, right? Didn't we have a class together?"

"Yeah, we did. How are you doing?"

He kinda remembers me. Just play it cool.

"Pretty busy. We're short a person so we're kinda spread thin."

"That's a bummer."

I ordered a strawberry slushee for my dad and turned to walk away.

Don't waste this chance.

"Are you hiring?"