The air smelled different. Alice blinked, adjusting to the soft glow of morning light filtering through lace curtains - curtains she didn't recognize. The world around her felt muted, slower, like stepping into a forgotten dream. But this wasn't a dream. It was real. And it wasn't her time anymore - it was her mother's, Isla's, teenage years.
Shock washed over Alice in waves, rooting her to the spot. Her mother wasn't supposed to look like this - so young, so carefree, so unfamiliar yet deeply known.
She hadn't expected it, but relief settled over her. As she looked at her mother's beauty, a quiet calm replaced the storm in her heart. Maybe this wasn't where she belonged, but somehow, in this moment, she felt safe.
Her teenage mother tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Who are you? Are you here for my birthday?"
It was June 25 - her mother's birthday. She had just turned 16, the same age as Alice. The thought sank in, making everything feel even more surreal. This wasn't just the past - it was her mother's youth, unfolding right in front of her.
Alice answered nervously. "Yes?"
Isla smiled. "Today is a very special day. I invited many people, but you're the first to arrive. That means you get to taste my cake first."
They went to the kitchen together, sharing a piece each. As Alice chewed slowly, Isla suddenly asked, "Which class are you from? I don't think I remember you."
Fear gripped Alice. She hesitated, unsure what to say. Her heart pounded as she scrambled for an answer.
"I'm Alice. I don't study here. I'm from another school," she finally said. "You invited me before the holidays."
Luckily, her mother simply nodded, as if accepting the explanation before moving on.
Not long after their conversation, Isla's best friend, Juli, arrived.
"She was really pretty when she was young," Alice thought.
"Hi! Happy birthday! Here's your gift," Juli said, handing Isla a beautifully decorated box.
Her mother was so happy that she forgot to introduce Alice.
"And this is?" Juli asked, glancing at Alice.
Isla answered casually, not paying much attention. "Juli, this is Alice. She's from another school. Alice, this is Juli - my best friend."
Alice didn't need an introduction. She already knew Juli as her mother. But now, seeing her as a 16-year-old girl, it felt completely different.
The house buzzed with laughter and excitement as more of Isla's friends arrived. Music filled the air, a cheerful melody from an old record playing softly in the background.
Alice watched as Isla and her friends playfully teased one another, their conversations flowing with ease. They shared inside jokes, the kind that only lifelong friends understood, making Alice feel like she had stepped into a world she wasn't meant to see - but one she was starting to enjoy.
They decorated the room together, stringing up colorful banners and arguing playfully over where to place them. Someone accidentally spilled glitter all over the table, and instead of panicking, the girls giggled and tossed more into the air, turning the mess into a sparkling celebration.
Isla spun around, laughing, her excitement contagious. "Alice, come on! We need to see who can blow out the most candles before the wax melts!"
Before she could think, Alice found herself cheering, laughing, and joining in, completely caught up in the moment.
But now, it was time for her to get back to the task. Alice remembered the old lady telling her to show people what they have forgotten.
"What might it be? Money? Friendship? Love?" she wondered.
Then, it hit her - she needed to show people to be grateful for what they have and to see the good in everything.
"But why? Why me out of all the people?"
She went to the bathroom, asking herself these questions.
As soon as she entered, the old lady appeared before her. "You must focus on the task you were given," she said calmly.
"Why am I here? How do I go home?" Alice asked, tears slipping down her cheeks.
"I chose you for this task."
Alice felt an unexpected sense of calm and asked, "But why me? Why me out of everyone?"
The old lady smirked. "Have you ever realized that you are different from the others?"
Alice remained silent for a moment before asking, "But how am I supposed to change the whole world on my own?"
The old lady answered, "Who told you that you are alone? This is part of your task. You need to find the missing piece."
And just like that, she vanished again - green light flickering in the empty space she left behind.
Alice stood frozen, the old lady's words echoing in her mind. The missing piece? What did that even mean? Before she could even process it, a chill ran down her spine - something had changed in the air. Was there really someone else time-traveling in this moment?