In Your Time
Chapter 31

I closed my eyes as I relaxed in the therapy bath with Elizabeth. It was more like a giant jacuzzi in a steam room with essential oils and epson salt in the water. But it was still relaxing nonetheless.

"I have a question for you, Phoenix," Elizabeth said as her eyes stayed closed.

"Is Braden really staying away from Tara at school?" She asked.

"We both want nothing to do with her. She's manipulative and two-faced. Luckily, Braden can see that clearly now," I answered. I thought a moment before I picked up my head and looked at Elizabeth's relaxed figure.

"I have a question too. Why did you really tell Braden to claim me as his fiancé?" I asked. She smiled slightly before sitting up to look at me.

"Besides protecting you from those horrible kids, I said because I actually liked you. I knew I liked you shortly after meeting you, and I knew if Braden actually took the time to get to know you, he would like you too. I knew my interest in you would make him curious. He'd want to know more, and at the same time, he'd be getting to know you. Now that he's gotten to know you, he's more protective of you than I am. Because you're actually together now, right?" She asked smugly. I turned heat red as I stammered for the right words to say. Elizabeth chuckled and sunk a little deeper into the water.

"I knew it. I have for a while actually. Ever since your accident at the beach, he's been different. Not that I didn't see it even before then, but I can tell he really cares about you, and that makes me happy because you're a good girl, Phoenix. I really hope you legally become my daughter-in-law one day," she smiled sweetly. I felt guilty for giving her false hope. I saw now, why Braden pretended not to care on the beginning, but it was too late now. When I eventually returned to my own time, I wouldn't even know what Braden would be able to tell his mom to sooth her broken heart. I was yet again reminded of why it wasn't a good idea to get too involved. Too bad it was way past the point of being too late to fix it. I sighed heavily before I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the edge of the large tub again. "I'm sorry, Mom," I breathed quietly. I briefly debated whether or not to tell Elizabeth that I might suddenly disappear, but she would be too suspicious of that. Elizabeth wasn't stupid; she would know something was going on. I tried not to think about it too much as I let the hot waterspout my bruises and ribs.

"Mrs. Park, we're ready for your two person appointment," an resort worker came to inform us.

"What's the appointment?" I asked curiously.

"Swedish massage," Elizabeth answered. From my knowledge of massages, I didn't think it was a good idea for me to get one as well.

"But... my ribs. George told me to avoid hitting and pressures on them for now," I reminded her. She sighed, looking mad at herself as she wrapped her robe around her body.

"That's right. I completely forgot," she reprimanded herself.

"It's okay. This seems to really be helping so I'll stay in the bath for a while then probably go look around," I said quickly. With any luck, I'd be able to call Braden back. She agreed and waved at me before heading to her massage. I released a breath before going back to relaxing in the hot water. I wondered what Braden was doing at the moment. Was he waiting on me to call back?

"Not bad at all," a voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I peeked up to see someone hovering over me in swim trunks.

"I'm not asleep, you know?" I alerted the stranger. He backed up and chuckled awkwardly as his hand rubbed the back of his neck.

"Well, that makes this awkward," he smiled sheepishly.

"I'm Torin," he introduced himself.

"Phoenix," I said as he got in the tub I was in.

"Cool name. What brings you here?" He asked.

"My mom wanted to have a girls' weekend. You?" I answered.

"One last hurrah before I transfer. I live here now, but my dad is moving us to San Diego," he explained. I pulled my head up to look at him.

"Interesting. That's where we're from. What school are you transferring to?" I asked.

"Saint James," he answered. I chuckled as I shook my head. That place was becoming a magnet.

"That's where I go," I noted.

"What a coincidence! What's it like?" He asked.

"Are you going to be there on a scholarship?" I asked. He shook his head.

"Then you'll be fine. That school relies heavily on a money making hierarchy," I explained.

"Why year are you?" He asked.

"Third year," I answered.

"Oh, a junior. I'll be a senior," he said. From there, Torin and I had a relaxed and simple conversation as we

bet

soaked in the therapy bath. My attention was finally diverted when I and

heard my phone ding. I got

walked over to my robe and checked my notifications. I had three missed calls from Braden and a text from Elizabeth telling me that her massage was finished.

"Ouch, what happened there?" Torin asked as he saw my torso.

"I got beaten against some rocks in the ocean," I answered easily without looking up from my phone. I texted Elizabeth and Braden back before putting my robe on.

"I've got to go, but I have a feeling I'll run into you again soon," I said as I gave him a smile.

"See you at school," he joked. I

nodded before going to meet back up with Elizabeth. We got our nails and toes done, facials, went to the steam room, and just enjoyed being pampered for the rest of the day. Our weekend turned out to be super fun and relaxing. I used the time to get my mind off of everything that was troubling me. We went on a hike, soaked in weightless pods, relaxed by the pool, and just had a relaxing weekend. I didn't realize it at the beginning of the night, but I really needed it.