Trapped in 1867

Chapter 2: Time to Travel

Desperate to get a great mark on her social studies presentation on the 150 year anniversary of Ottawa, Gauri tries to convince Ben to go back to 1867 in her dad’s time machine. The only problem is, Ben doesn’t like her.

To do list:

1. Download new Interval App

on phone 2. Update IOS 3. Pack zit cream and bathing suit

6:23 PM

Ben is convinced the Lotus-Five looks like a giant bowling ball. He makes funny grunting sounds and pretends to be doing research on his phone. I can’t help but notice his perfect features and wonder how many girls in our class like him— even though he’s a jerk.

I try to ignore his cute noises for the moment and tinker with the freon levels behind the combustion chambers.

6:45 PM

Bag packed. Mom comes down with a tray of mini pizzas on English muffins (my favourite). I cover the Lotus-Five with the bed sheets and pretend to be looking up research ideas in my journal. Close one. Mom introduces herself to Ben like he’s an adult and then pinches my cheeks. What’s worse is she then points out the scab on my chin where my pimple used to be (how embarrassing). Ben pretends not to hear us talking about it and gobbles down a couple of mini pizzas like he is a caveman.

I give my mom an extra hug knowing I won’t see her for a while. “I love you,” I say to her. “I love you too. Now don’t go touching your father’s toys,” she says and then tiptoes up the stairs in her velvet pink slippers.

7:04 PM

I can’t believe how long it has taken to charge up the Lotus-Five. The app that connects the controls to the engine failed to reach compatibility three times, (which is just a fancy way of saying the Time Machine took longer to be ready than expected). But it’s good to go now. “Okay Ben, we need to get in, the intervals are set for 1867.” I throw in the last of my supplies and extra clothes, (as well as my stuffed monkey, but don’t tell anyone). “We need to go before my mom comes back down and my dad notices his program has been messed with.”

Ben lifts his head up from his phone and chuckles. He sorta sounds like a baby horse. “Do you know I’ve practically done this entire project by myself ? I’m going to email Mrs. Dudley and tell her you have done nothing, and I’m going to get all the marks.”

I ignore his hateful tone and start the combustion gears and freon accelerator.

Part of me is impressed the selfish brat is able to focus for so long on our project, but the poor twithead has no clue how amazing our presentation will be after we witness the confederation in person. In 1867. Why isn’t he excited? I will also note Ben might be a better partner than I thought. I never knew any boy to be able to actually do school work without an adult hovering over them. I just need to get past his ice cold, negative attitude.

“Get in!” I say, grabbing his arm. “If we time it right, we can be back here in my basement at the exact second we left, as if we weren’t even gone.”

Ben looks at me like I’m an alien—to him, I probably am, but there is no time to argue with the guy.

“Gauri!” My mother calls from upstairs. I know she’s wondering what the humming sound is echoing up through the ceiling.

“What?” I shout. I know it’s rude to respond like that, but I want her to think I’m too busy to talk.

“Your friend needs to leave in twenty minutes. This is your hairwash night.”

Argh.

Does she not understand there is a boy in the basement who already thinks I’m the biggest geek in the world?

I feel my face go red and then pull Ben into the small space where we are supposed to wait. For some reason he doesn’t say anything and plops himself down on the little fold-out seat attached to the side of the pod.

“Are you ready?” I say to him, feeling my heart racing through my chest.

He shrugs and then looks back down at his phone. “Whatever.”

I know he doesn’t believe this will work, but boy will he be in for a surprise.

“Did you pack your toothbrush and change of clothes?” I ask him.

He blows air from between his lips and rolls his eyes. “Will you hurry up, so I can go home?”

A dark cloud hovers over my thoughts. I really hate him. “Fine,” I say finally, closing the pod-door and flipping on the controls.

I check through the window to see if my mother has sneaked down to check on us. No. Coast is clear. Ben continues to play with his phone—not a glimmer of interest is on his face. I count down from five. Four…three…two…one. I pull the interval gear hard downwards and hold my breath.

In a second there is a bright white flash of light filling the pod, followed by a thunderous explosion.

To be continued Wednesday. Next Time: Error