"I found you!"
The somewhat voice of a customer echoed through the bakery, who I could only describe as having erupted into the store with their declaration, interrupting my work as I dutifully refilled the bread trays. "Welcome, can I get you anything?"
"You! The charming fellow in the maroon apron." The voice exclaimed, only this time, it was accompanied by a hand on my shoulder. Well, not the strangest thing a customer has done.
"Can I help you with something?" I tried to maintain as neutral an expression as possible, but as I turned to face this customer, I feared I had met eyes with a grinning lunatic, who was visibly vibrating with energy. For some reason, those sparkling eyes and bright smile seemed familiar somehow. I shook off the odd sense of closeness, she was probably just a repeat customer.
"Spend the day with me."
Ah, nevermind she is a lunatic. I always regretted not putting a panic button under the counter.
"Why? And who are you, exactly?" I countered.
The lunatic was unfazed by this, still not breaking eye contact or that smile. "Because if you do, I'll buy out every pastry in this bakery, I'll even pay right now if you agree." Oh, a rich lunatic, though if I go along with this so easily, does that make me a lunatic too?
"As if, you'd be crazy, not to mention incredibly suspicious to pay me off just to spend the day with me." Calling her bluff should get rid of her, but a part of me hoped it was true. Buying out the entire store for a day would be enough to cover rent for the month.
"$10,000. Is this enough for you?"
She waved the check in my face. Sold. I shoved the check in my pocket, not at all eagerly, and pulled out my keys.
"Lock up and let's go! Pack some treats for the road too."
This strange person didn't seem like a murderer, and I haven't got anything better to do so what the hell. A couple hours of my time with a weirdo is worth it for $10,000. It felt strange nonetheless, like I've known her before, but I'm sure I'd remember if I had. She certainly acted like we weren't strangers, casually waiting for me by the door as if she had done this a hundred times before, greeting me with an outstretched hand, eager to set off.
"Ready for the day of a lifetime?"
I could only nod dubiously as I reached for her hand as curiosity overwrote any sense of suspicion. Then she snapped her fingers and the world changed. We were just on the sidewalk just a second ago yet now there was grass beneath our feet and vibrant flowers surrounding us.
"Pretty neat huh?" There it was again, that uncannily warm smile, but that wasn't enough to make me forget what just happened. I could only muster a "What.", mindlessly letting her lead me over to a picnic setup, only realising it after being unceremoniously shoved down to sit. The chequered blanket creased as she joined me, helping herself to the basket of pastries.
"You wouldn't believe me anyways."
"Well, I already hardly believe anyone would pay me $10,000 to go on a picnic, so go ahead."
"Do you believe in time travel?" She paid no mind to my raised eyebrow and continued. "Picture this, a brilliant time traveller fated to traverse across all time in search of their lover, lifetime after lifetime, never ageing. With a little luck, they get to spend the day with them before being sent to the next timeline." She looked lost in thought, staring at the clouds through the gaps in her fingers, almost as far away as they were.
"That sounds lonely, a day is hardly anything to this ‘immortal time traveller' you speak of." I mused. As if I brought her back down to Earth, she beamed like the sun. "On contraire my friend, today is shaping out to be rather beautiful."
"What do yo-"
"Hey! You're trespassing on private property!"
"Wait, this isn't your garden?! Where even are we?"
"Oops, let's get going!" Grabbing me in a swift movement she hauled me up, pulling me as I stumbled clumsily behind. I should be anxious, angry, and afraid. I should turn back and pretend none of this happened, call the police, just something logical. Yet through all the giddiness and adrenaline all I could think about was how much I didn't want her to let go, that I craved to get to know her more. With another snap of those fingers we landed somewhere else.
"Surprise...?" She awkwardly gestured towards the general vicinity with jazz hands and for the first time today she actually seemed nervous. Even through the dizzied haze of exhilaration, I could recognise the burnt popcorn and confectionery; we were at the fairgrounds. It was so absurd I couldn't help but meet her eyes and laugh. This is insanity. Teleportation? Time travel? Trespassing? Not any three words I had ever thought I'd use to summarise my afternoon and yet here I was, laughing with tears in my eyes with a stranger that felt like a long lost friend, drawing the concerned attention of passing onlookers.
"Okay, where to next?"
The rest of the day was a blur, easing into the flow of casual conversation only felt natural while circling the fairgrounds, indulging in sideshows and snacks. She only needed to hold out her hand for me to take it instinctively, bringing us to the top of the ferris wheel with the snap of her fingers.
"How do you do that?" I snapped my fingers too, only to be disappointed by reality.
She laughed, and my heart ached inexplicably. "Immortal time travellers get some pretty cool perks."
"I can't decide if you're crazy, or if I'm crazier for believing you." I sighed. "Then did you find the one you were looking for?" She bobbed her head. "Is a day ever enough?" Silence hung in the air, settled and comfortable with the faint chatter of the crowds below us.
"It has to be." She paused. The air went still, like the world paused with us. "Being able to have a rare perfect day makes it all the more beautiful though, doesn't it?" I wanted to ask so many more questions but the words died on my tongue for the fear of shattering our bubble, bringing me back to reality, to a world where today never happened.
"When does it end?" It was barely a whisper, but I know she heard me. The sunset was gorgeous from up here, bathing us in its warm hues, yet its fleeting beauty felt like a goodbye as our carriage sank with the sun.
Her back was facing me, and I wanted nothing more than for her to turn around.
"When the moon rises to its peak."
"We have time till then don't we?"
I pulled her along this time, to the edge where the fairgrounds met the forest. The strings of a viola sang in a distance, declaring farewell to the sun, replaced by the amber glow of fireflies. It was my turn to offer my hand now. "May I?"
We swayed to our own beat, her head on my chest, my hand around her waist. Every step was a staccato closer to farewell, and my hold on her tightened ever so slightly.
"Will I ever see you again?" It was a useless question of comfort that I couldn't keep any longer.
"Only if you want to. In this lifetime or the next, I'll always find you." Nonetheless, I cupped her face in my palm, engraving that smile into my mind.
"Do you not hate me for not remembering you?"
Eyes widening, she pushed me at arms length as if I'd said something blasphemous. "Never, you could never make me hate you." She prodded at my sternum. "And, you did remember me deep down, or else we wouldn't be here right now." The moon was rising, no matter how much I willed it to stop, just a moment more. The music stopped. I could do nothing but gaze into her eyes with all the resolve I had in me.
"I'll wait for you to find me again."
Then, she was gone.