I decided to get dressed and head downstairs. I was hoping that I could find some more clues.

I opened the door and found a familiar hallway. At least I’m still living in the same house. I walked downstairs, not knowing what I was going to see. The house looked different, and I spotted a new couch in the living room. 

“Haley! There you are, I was starting to get worried,” my mom said next as she came up to me.

“Hey, Mom. Um, do you know what the date is?” I asked. 

“Yeah, it's September 28th, 2024?”

2024! My suspicions were right! I was in the body of my future self. I just jumped forward 3 years! How am I supposed to get back? I thought.

I went through the day without any other problems. It was Sunday, so luckily I didn’t have to go to school. I went through my phone, trying to discover more about who I was, and how I acted. I didn’t want to tell anyone the truth, no one would believe me. 

I started to memorize the names of my friends and matched them with their faces. I knew I couldn’t avoid going to school, so I tried to familiarize myself with the people I’m going to interact with.

When I was in bed, I couldn’t fall asleep. I was too nervous and confused. Endless thoughts raced through my mind, keeping me awake. I eventually gave up on trying to sleep, so I read a book until it was time to get ready.

It was Monday, which meant I had to go to school. I had tried to convince my mom to let me stay home, but she refused. 

I had no idea how I usually dressed so I put on something comfortable. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths until I was feeling a lot calmer.

“Hey mom, when does the bus arrive?” I asked.

“7:45, my goodness, you are so forgetful sometimes! Don’t forget about cheerleading after school!” she replied.

I tried to hide the look of horror on my face. Not only did I have to get through school but I also had to survive cheerleading?!

I ate breakfast and waited for the bus. Thankfully, no one on the bus tried to talk to me. Instead, I scrolled through my phone and tried to look busy. I dug into my bag and pulled out my schedule, going over it to know where my classes were.

As I walked through the hallway, my heart was beating fast, and my hands were starting to get clammy. I tried to walk as fast as possible, hoping that no one would talk to me.

I searched for Room 283, where my math class was. I walked down the hallway until I came to the classroom.

I let out a breath, and I walked into the classroom. There were rows of desks, most of them filled with students. The classroom was devoid of life and color.  The teacher with a tight brown bun and black glasses had started to write a problem onto the board. According to my schedule, her name was Mrs. Stok.

“Haley! You were almost late again!” my teacher snapped.

 I swallowed, trying to find my words, “I have a question. Where do I sit again?” 

“Young lady, is this a joke? You should know your assigned seats. Pull your little tricks one more time and I’m giving you a detention.”

I cringed, I really didn’t want to draw attention today. I stood there, not knowing what to do, I couldn’t find my assigned seat. 

“Haley!” Someone whispered behind me. I turned to look, it was a boy sitting in the front row. “Your seat’s the third desk of the second row.”

I thanked him and walked over to my desk. I pulled out my binder and pencil case and got ready for class.

“Haley! What’s the answer to problem 10?” My teacher asked.

“Um, uh, I don’t know,” I replied. I had been spaced out the whole time, looking at the clock and waiting for class to end. I had no idea what they were talking about and I could not even get a sense of the problems.

“That’s it, young lady. I am sick and tired of this! You have not been paying attention the whole class! Meet me tomorrow after school for detention,” my teacher yelled at me.

I blew out a breath, I had now definitely caught everyone’s attention. So much for staying hidden. 

The last bell rang, and people flooded out of the classrooms and to the buses. I headed over to the field where my cheerleading practice was held. The school day had been horrible, I avoided everyone and barely made it through any of my classes.

As I got closer to the field, I saw many girls talking in groups with blue and white outfits on.

I sucked in a breath. I didn’t know if I could do this. What if I get hurt? I’ve never done this before. I closed my eyes and calmed myself down, and walked as confidently as I could over to the field.

Cheerleading practice was more fun than I thought. I didn’t mess up too bad, but the coach yelled at me a few times. If I could get back to my present, I wanted to start cheerleading. 

Once I got home, I took a shower and tried to do some homework. By 9 o’clock, I was just so tired.

The next morning, I woke up and rubbed my eyes. My bed was back in its original spot, and the new decorations were gone.

I leaped to my feet, suddenly feeling very awake. I ran over to my mirror and looked at myself. I pat my face, I looked the same as before! I was so happy, I was finally myself again!

While I was celebrating, I noticed something blue and white out of the corner of my eye.

It can’t be. 

I whipped my head around and went to pick it up.

It was my cheerleading outfit. It looked like this whole thing wasn’t a dream at all. Joy coursed through my veins, and I was so grateful to be myself again.

 I started the day with new hope, as the future isn’t set in stone.