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on her face. “You’re never going to believe this, but Chad wants to talk to you.” She focused the camera on Chad as he jogged from the sidelines in his red jersey.
    Angela’s voice, like a voiceover in some movie, said, “Okay, Chad, now’s the time to come clean.”
    Chad’s perfect face fell into a serious frown. “Hey, Jenny.” His voice was so somber I almost didn’t recognize it. He flicked back his perfect swirl of hair and took a deep breath. “About gym class the other day. I didn’t mean to make light of your broken leg.” His lips twisted into a mischievous smile. “Not that you’re going to care when you wake up in the future and they have all kinds of cool stuff like laser swords, spaceships, robots—”
    â€œThat’s enough. Jenny’s not going to be asleep that long. You watch, I bet she comes back in time for prom.” Angela’s voice seemed so defensive, I could tell how hurt she was that I wasn’t there. My chest tightened. Poor Angela.
    â€œWhatever.” Chad shrugged and jogged back to the volleyball net. “My serve!”
    Angela turned the camera back on her face. “See, he’s not a complete jerkwad. Just a small one.”
    I watched the video for the next few hours until she forgot she’d left it on in the car, and I fell asleep watching the oaks on the side of the windshield fly by in a blur.
    Trees. I miss them, too .

CHAPTER NINE
    Bodyguard
    â€œ W ake up, sleepyhead. You’re going with me to school.”
    I opened my eyes and Pell jumped up and down beside my bed, pigtails flying like pinwheels. How did I even get to the bed? Valex or Len must have come in, shut off the DVD, and carried me. Usually I hated it when someone entered my room, but the thought of them looking after me actually gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling. Then I thought of my parents and the sadness rushed back in in full force.
    â€œWhat’s wrong? You don’t wanna go?”
    Let’s see—new school, new people and, judging from Pell’s video game, highly advanced classes way over my head .
    â€œActullay, no.” Valex and Len had said nothing about going back to school. Why didn’t they tell me? Seemed like they weren’t prepared for a lot of things after I woke up—including how to deal with an emotionally challenged teenager from another century. I had to remind myself they were doing the best they could. They did take me in, after all.
    â€œThat’s what Mommy said you’d say.” Pell giggled. “That’s why she sent me.” She grabbed my hand, and her little fingers crushed mine together with surprising strength. “Come on. I’ll take good care of you.”
    â€œGreat.” I shook my head, sitting upright with my legs dangling. I’m gonna look real cool with a seven-year-old bodyguard . “What’s for breakfast? Soy slush?”
    â€œActually,
    â€œNo, sillybot.” Pell pulled me off the bed and led me into the kitchen. Today she wore a pink tunic with striped gold and purple leggings, reminding me of an Oompa Loompa. Would I have to wear something equally as hideous? “It’s soycakes with sappy sauce.”
    â€œSounds delicious.”
    Len stood behind the counter flipping what looked kind of like pancakes, except they were green, making my stomach quiver. I was afraid she’d mention last night’s breakdown, but she smiled instead. “Good morning, Jennifer. Are you hungry?”
    â€œNot really.”
    My negative attitude didn’t seem to affect the bright smile on her face. “You should try eating some breakfast. You have a big day ahead of you.”
    I took a seat next to Pell. “Yeah, what’s this about school?”
    â€œRidgewood Prep starts today, and I thought it’d be good for you to throw yourself right in, make yourself busy. Besides, the longer you go without school,