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 peek at the clock through my closed eyes, but it still reads 10:00 pm.

Then 10:01.

I sigh as my mother yells from the staircase to put on my best dress as she comes waltzing down.

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

She looks very elegant, but not like herself.

I rush upstairs and slip into my bright red gown and hat identical to my mother’s, but bigger somehow, and pin my hair back.

When we arrive, my parents immediately walk to their rich “friends,” while I stay 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 panic.

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 try to stand still… but it’s too late. He already knew I had moved.

I panic as he nears me.

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

Locked.

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

There’s no point, no one could do that.

I turn, and he’s gone.

Panic washes over me, making me shake.

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

“Need some help?”

I jump.

How did he get behind me?

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

The man shakes his head.

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

I raise an eyebrow and stand straight.

“Well… why aren’t you?”

He laughed.

“Quit the act, I know they sent you.”

“Who?”

He grabs a bottle.

“Last chance sweetheart.”

I stumble to the floor, and my heart drops to my stomach when I reach the wall.

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

He lowers the bottle.

“Do you really not know?”

I shake my head eagerly.

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

“Excuse me?”

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

I quickly withdraw it.

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

I put my hands on my hips.

“Clearly not.”

He bows.

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

My jaw drops.

“What- who-“ I can’t finish before he takes my hand.

“You’re just as special as me, Luna.”

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

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

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