I'd rather have been reading that day.

But, of course, my parents made me go out and leave my safe cocoon of a house.

Of course.

The Henderson’s were holding a gala at their new mansion, and my jealous parents just _had_ to attend.

I had hoped to do it again, putting my whole concentration on the concept of time.

I peeked at the clock through my closed eyes, but it still read 10:00 pm.

Then 10:01.

I sighed as my mother yelled from the staircase to put on my best dress as she came waltzing down.

My father wore his tuxedo with tails, and my mother had her dark blue gown on, her red hair pulled into a bun with one of those fishnet-looking hats that covered your face.

She looked very elegant, but not like herself.

I rushed upstairs and slipped into my bright red gown and hat identical to my mother’s, but bigger somehow, and pinned my hair back.

When we arrived, my parents immediately walked to their rich “friends,” while I stayed by the bar.

Had the bartender never heard of Orange juice?

Then it happened.

The people froze. The water the bartender had begun pouring me froze.

And I panicked.

Not because time had stopped, but because I wasn’t the only one moving.

The man wore a tuxedo, his gray eyes staring at me.

His hair was almost white.

I tried to stand still… but it was too late. He already knew I had moved.

I panicked as he neared me.

I ran to the nearest door, shaking the knob wildly.

Locked.

I took the pin out of my hair, and it fell around my shoulders and back in waves.

There was no point, no one could do that.

I turned, and he was gone.

Panic washed over me, making me shake.

I slowly walked forward, my black heels the only sound in the silence.

“Need some help?”

I jumped.

How did he get behind me?

“Who- who are you? What do you want with me?”

The man shook his head.

“Believe me, nothing. I only want to know how you’re not frozen.”

I raised an eyebrow and stood straight.

“Well… why aren’t you?”

He laughed.

“Quit the act, I know they sent you.”

“Who?”

He grabbed a bottle.

“Last chance sweetheart.”

I stumbled to the floor, and my heart dropped to my stomach when I reached the wall.

“Please, I promise you. I’ve no idea who you are, why you’re here, or why anyone is frozen.”

He lowered the bottle.

“Do you really not know?”

I shook my head eagerly.

“Well then,” he said, offering me his hand, “you’re a marvelous creature aren’t you.”

“Excuse me?”

He laughed, making me realize I was still holding his hand.

I quickly withdrew it.

“Miss, do you have any idea who I am?”

I put my hands on my hips.

“Clearly not.”

He bowed.

“Well then, I’m Correolanus, lord of time. Pleased to meet you Time Thief.”

My jaw dropped.

“I’m so sorry I-I didn’t-“ I couldn’t finish before he took my hand.

“You’re just as special as me, Luna.”

How did he know my name? Oh, right, the whole ‘lord of the universe thing.’

“What?” I asked, a puzzled look on my face.

“I’ve been searching for you for years. Luna… you’re destined to bring time back together.”