ROCKIE'S DIARY

I read the message on his phone.

"No way"

I quickly dropped his phone back and went to bed, still thinking about it. Maybe it was meant for someone else. I mean, it couldn't be me—my name wasn't even mentioned in the message. I kept thinking about it until I eventually fell asleep.

The alarm rang at 8:00 a.m. I turned to where Kyle had slept, but he was gone. I checked the bathroom—still no sign of him. Deciding to go back to bed, I pulled out my diary and continued writing. A few minutes later, Kyle walked in.

"I thought you left," I said.

"No, I made you breakfast," he replied.

"What's that?" I asked again.

"Bread, bacon, and juice... I think," he said.

My mind was still stuck on what I had read on his phone last night. I kept wondering who the girl in the message was. It couldn't be me—my name wasn't there.

"Anything the matter? You don't like it?" Kyle asked, noticing my distraction.

"No, it's not that," I said, snapping back to reality.

After breakfast, we chatted for a while before he left for work. I walked into the shower and took a bath, then put on a white top and blue jeans. Sitting in front of the mirror, I stared at my reflection, unsure of what to do next.

As I started brushing my hair, the mirror suddenly turned white. Out of nowhere, a figure emerged from it. To my shock, it was the same woman in white that I'd seen before.

"Who are you?" I asked, fear creeping into my voice.

"Who am I? Who are you?" she responded in a beautiful, peaceful tone.

"I'm Rockie... and you?"

"I'm Velvet, your guardian," she said.

"Vel..." I trailed off, trying to remember where I'd heard the name before.

"You can call me just Vel," she added.

"Okay… have you been the one watching me and talking outside my window?" I asked hesitantly.

"Yeah, most of the time, yeah," she replied casually.

"So, are there more of you? Like, in the mirror?" I asked, pointing at it.

"I'm Velvet, the guardian of time—your past life. I'm here to guide you through the war you're going to face soon. You need to be prepared," she explained.

"What war? What are you even talking about?" I asked, feeling overwhelmed.

"You need to be prepared," Velvet insisted.

"Please, get out of my room," I shouted.

"You have little time left..."

"I don't care about whatever you're talking about, guardian of time, or whatever," I interrupted, raising my voice.

"You're just my imagination! You're not real. There's no such thing as a guardian of time. Please leave!"

But she wouldn't leave. She kept coming closer.

"Get away from me, you witch!" I screamed, stretching my hand toward her. Suddenly, she vanished.

Shaken, I rushed out of my room. After a hearty breakfast, I went for a drive, still wondering whether Velvet was real or just a figment of my imagination.

"Yeah," I muttered to myself. "That's it."

I decided to visit the library to check history books about guardians of time. I picked out five books and started searching through them. As I flipped through the pages, a woman in her mid-30s walked up to me.

"Those are trash. Looking for real history books? Follow me," she said, walking away.

Curious, I followed her. After leading me to a particular spot, she suddenly left without a word. I called after her, but she ignored me. I turned around and saw only normal books. Then, something on the wall caught my attention—a handprint.

I placed my hand on it, and it fit perfectly. Suddenly, the wall shifted, revealing a hidden book. I reached for it and read the title: The Book of Time.

Excited, I took it to the counter.

"Here, I'll take this," I said, handing the book over.

"Take what? Sorry, I don't see anything," the attendant replied.

"What do you mean? It's right here!" I held it in front of her, but she still couldn't see it. Confused, I decided to leave.

Back in my room, I sat on the bed and opened the book. A great light shone from it, and the words Welcome, Rockie, appeared.

Amazed, I read a few chapters before going to bed. Maybe Velvet was telling the truth after all.

Happy New Year!!!

There were shouts of joy everywhere. The priest came forward and anointed everyone.

"Let's go home, honey bear. Get in the car," my mom said.

"I'll just walk home, thanks," I replied.

"Okay, but don't stay out too long."

"I won't, Mother."

As they drove off, I saw Kyle. I pretended not to see him.

"Happy New Year," he said.

"Yeah..."

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"Nothing, just... observing nature."

"Okay... heading home?"

"Yeah."

"Want a ride?"

I didn't even know how to bring up what I'd seen on his phone, so I just let it go.

It's Sunday, January 10, 2021.

A new year.

I went to church today. Kyle and I talked since we now attend the same church. I think he switched to this church because of me—just saying.

Tomorrow is Monday. School starts again. Wish me luck.

My mom's coming—I gotta go...