September 5, 2017
Dear Diary,
First day of senior year. Again. It's surreal walking these halls, knowing what I know. Everyone around me is focused on college applications, prom, and graduation. Meanwhile, I'm trying to prevent the collapse of reality as we know it.
I saw Zara today. She's dating Axel now, just like in the original timeline. It stung a bit, but I'm glad they're happy. They deserve some normalcy before... well, before whatever comes next.
Dad's research is progressing. I've managed to influence some of his decisions, but I'm not sure it's enough. I need to find a way to get more directly involved without raising suspicion.
September 20, 2017
I overheard Dad talking about a presentation he's giving next month to some government officials. This is it - the moment his work catches their attention. I need to find a way to sabotage that meeting without destroying Dad's career.
Started dropping hints about the ethical implications of his work. He seems to be listening, but is it enough?
October 5, 2017
Disaster averted. For now. I "accidentally" corrupted some of Dad's presentation files. He had to postpone the meeting. Bought us some time, but I know it's only temporary.
Lena asked me to help her with her physics homework today. It was strange, explaining concepts I learned years ago (or years from now?) in battle. Had to be careful not to reveal too much.
October 31, 2017
Halloween. Watched my classmates dress up in costumes, pretending to be monsters and superheroes. If only they knew about the real horrors that could be waiting in our future.
Dad's rescheduled presentation is tomorrow. I've done all I can to prepare him, to make him see the potential dangers. Now, all I can do is wait and hope.
November 1, 2017
The presentation happened. I was a nervous wreck all day, waiting for Dad to come home. When he finally did, he looked... troubled. Said the officials asked questions he wasn't prepared for, about weaponization and military applications.
I think my warnings got through to him. He's starting to see the darker potential of his work. It's a start, but is it enough?
November 15, 2017
Dad's been quiet lately, spending more time at home. I think the meeting shook him more than he let on. I'm trying to encourage this, to keep him focused on the theoretical rather than the practical applications of his research.
Caught Zara looking at me strangely today. Sometimes I forget how perceptive she is. I need to be more careful.
December 3, 2017
Found some of Dad's new notes. He's exploring safeguards and failsafes for temporal manipulation. This is good - really good. It's the first major deviation from the original timeline I've seen.
But I can't relax yet. One change doesn't guarantee a different outcome.
December 25, 2017
Christmas. Mom insisted on a big family dinner. As I sat there, watching my parents laugh and talk, I was hit by a wave of emotion so strong it nearly overwhelmed me. I'd forgotten what this felt like - to have them both here, happy and whole.
I will do whatever it takes to make sure this future stays intact.
January 10, 2018
Back to school after winter break. College application deadlines are coming up. It feels absurd to be worrying about college when I know what's potentially coming, but I have to maintain my cover.
Overheard some kids talking about a new sci-fi movie about time travel. Nearly laughed out loud at how wrong they got it. If only they knew.
February 14, 2018
Valentine's Day. Zara and Axel are sickeningly sweet together. I'm happy for them, really. But it's hard not to think about the Zara I knew - will know? - and everything we went through together.
Dad mentioned he's been contacted by another research group interested in collaboration. I need to find out more about them.
March 3, 2018
I did some digging on that research group. They seem legit, but I can't shake this feeling of unease. In the original timeline, it was a group like this that first exploited Dad's work for nefarious purposes.
I've started leaving more pointed "research articles" about the dangers of temporal manipulation where Dad can find them. Risky, but necessary.
March 28, 2018
Prom is coming up. Everyone's buzzing about it. I remember how excited I was the first time around. Now, it all seems so... trivial.
Dad's been asking more pointed questions about my interest in his work. I think he's starting to suspect something. I need to be more careful.
April 15, 2018
Axel confronted me today. Said I've been acting strange for years, keeping secrets. He's more observant than I gave him credit for. I managed to deflect, but barely. I hate lying to my friends, even if they're not quite the friends I remember.
Dad turned down the collaboration offer. I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard, but I know this is just one bullet dodged.
May 2, 2018
Caught a glimpse of some of Dad's latest equations. My heart nearly stopped. Despite all my efforts, he's getting close - dangerously close - to the breakthrough that started everything in my original timeline.
I'm running out of time and options. I might have to tell him the truth, consequences be damned.
May 20, 2018
Prom night. I went stag, spent most of the night watching my friends dance and laugh. It was nice, in a bittersweet way. A reminder of what I'm fighting to protect.
Had a moment of panic when I saw Dad's car in the school parking lot. Turned out he was just dropping off Lena's forgotten corsage. For a second, I thought... well, it doesn't matter. Crisis averted, for now.
June 5, 2018
Graduation day. As I stood there in my cap and gown, listening to the principal talk about our bright futures, all I could think about was the future I'm trying to prevent.
Mom cried. Dad looked proud. I wanted to tell them everything right then and there.
June 20, 2018
It's been a week since graduation. My classmates are all talking about college, summer plans, the future. I'm watching Dad like a hawk, waiting for any sign that he's about to make the discovery that could end everything.
I can feel it coming. The moment of truth. Everything I've done, every change I've made to the timeline, it all comes down to what happens next.
I'm terrified. But I'm also ready. Whatever comes, I'll face it. I have to. The fate of not just our world, but all possible worlds, depends on it.
This might be my last entry for a while. If things go the way I hope, maybe I'll be able to live a normal life, to be the teenager I never got to be. And if they don't... well, I'll be too busy trying to save reality to worry about keeping a diary.
Here goes everything.