Chapter Text
Alice had learned to expect surprises while time traveling, but outside of that she preferred things to be predictable. Everything at school was well-scheduled, with classes followed by lunch, more classes, and then after-school meetings and sometimes a shift at the Point Café.
That was fine with Alice. If she was going to keep her grades up and get in all the extra-curricular activities she needed to fill up a good college application, her time had to be keenly managed and her calendar had to be full. No conflicts, no wasted time, no surprises. Alice took one last look at her daily planner, placed it neatly on her top locker shelf, and closed her locker door.
"Surprise!"
Alice turned around and nearly fell to the floor. "Who are you?" she asked. "And why do you look just like me?"
"Because I am you," said the young woman in front of her. "Just two days in the future. OK, pay attention, we don't have much time."
Alice looked quickly around. There was no one else in the hallway at that moment, so no worries about explaining this situation to anyone else.
"Why are you here?" she asked her future self. "What's happening?"
"What's happening, " Future Alice said, "is that Zoey is about to come around that corner and tell you about an emergency meeting of the dance committee."
"But I have to work at the Point in a few minutes," Alice said. "I can't do both."
"Exactly," Future Alice said, pointedly. "That's why I'm here. I'll work your shift at the Point while you work on decorations for the dance. A couple people were sick today so work on decorations is falling behind and they need to catch up."
"Umm, okay," Alice said. "Are you sure it wouldn't just have been easier to skip one of them? I mean, time travel seems a little bit excessive doesn't it? How did you know it would even work?"
"It's better to show up for things," Future Alice assured her. "We don't want people to think we're not reliable. Besides, I'm already here so we might as well take advantage of this opportunity."
"Well, OK," Alice said. "I guess that's all right. I don't think anyone will suspect anything. But we both do need to be careful. Having to explain this would be worse than being unreliable."
"Absolutely," agreed Future Alice. "Now just remember that in two days, which is Saturday, you need to jump into the pond to come back here to this time. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day, so you won't have time. So jump on Saturday."
"OK," Alice replied. Future Alice held out her arms then, and they hugged awkwardly.
"OK, this is weird," Future Alice said.
"So weird," Alice agreed. "Is there anything else I need to know?"
Future Alice stepped back and thought. "Clothes are in the dryer," she said. Then she turned, rushed to the stairway and quickly descended.
What's that supposed to mean? wondered Alice. This whole thing is strange. But if you can't trust your future self, then who can you trust?
A few moments later Zoey came around the corner at the opposite end of the hallway. "Oh, good, you're still here," she said. "Emergency Dance Committee meeting. A couple people were sick today so work on decorations is falling behind and we need to catch up. Can you come and help out?"
"Sure!" said Alice. "I just happen to be free."