The hallways of Silverbrook High were buzzing with the usual chaos — students rushing to class, lockers slamming shut, and the never-ending sound of sneakers squeaking against the polished floors. But none of that seemed to reach Kaiya's ears. She was lost in her thoughts, the weight of a secret she hadn't even realized she was carrying pressing heavily on her chest.
Kaiya Davis wasn't your average high school student. She'd always been quiet, focused on her studies, and kept to herself. But recently, something had shifted. She had begun seeing glimpses of the future — flashes of places she had never been and faces she had never met. Her best friend, Liam, had joked that it was the stress of the upcoming college applications, but Kaiya knew it was more than that. Something was happening to her, and she couldn't shake the feeling that it had something to do with her family.
Her father, a brilliant businessman and CEO of the tech giant Davis Innovations, had always kept their family life a secret. No one at school knew much about him, other than that his company was responsible for some of the most groundbreaking technologies in the world. But when Kaiya had stumbled upon a hidden folder on his encrypted laptop, she uncovered something that shook her to her core. Her family's empire was built on more than just business. It was built on time travel — a technology so advanced that it could change the course of history.
Her mind raced as she stared out the window, watching the rain start to fall. If her family was involved in time travel, then that meant… she was, too. And now, her actions were having ripple effects across time. Every decision, every choice she made was altering the future.
Kaiya had been too afraid to tell anyone, even Liam. But she knew she couldn't carry the burden alone anymore. She needed answers. She needed to find out what her father's company was really doing, and why she was being pulled into this strange, unpredictable journey.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden voice beside her.
"Lost in thought again, huh?"
She turned to see Liam standing there, his signature smirk on his face. His dark hair was a little disheveled, and his eyes held a mix of mischief and concern. Liam was the one person who had always been there for her. But lately, he'd been distant — distracted by something that Kaiya couldn't quite place.
"Yeah," she said, forcing a smile. "Just thinking about everything… I don't know, Liam. It feels like there's this weight on me. Like I'm responsible for something bigger than myself."
Liam raised an eyebrow. "Bigger than us?" he teased, trying to lighten the mood. But Kaiya could see the concern behind his playful facade. He had always been perceptive, always knowing when something was wrong.
"I think I am," she replied quietly, her gaze drifting back to the rain. "I think I'm part of something bigger than I could ever imagine."
Liam frowned but didn't press further. Instead, he changed the subject. "Hey, have you heard about the time travel project they're doing at my dad's company? Apparently, it's been in the works for years. Something about changing events to make the future more… controlled."
Kaiya's heart skipped a beat. "Time travel?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
Liam nodded, oblivious to her shock. "Yeah, it's crazy, right? I guess they're trying to create a better future, but I don't know… sounds risky to me."
Kaiya's mind was spinning. This couldn't be a coincidence. Liam's father's company? Was he involved in the same research her family was? What if they were all connected? What if Liam's father had the answers she needed?
Before she could respond, the bell rang, signaling the start of class. Kaiya quickly gathered her things, but as she turned to leave, Liam caught her arm.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice softer now.
Kaiya hesitated. She wanted to tell him everything, but how could she? She didn't even fully understand what was happening to her.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she said, forcing another smile. "I just… need to figure some things out."
Liam didn't look convinced, but he let her go, following her to class.
As Kaiya sat down at her desk, her mind raced. She had to know more. The time travel. The secrets. Her family's role in it all. And most of all, she needed to know how her future was tied to everything. Because if she didn't, the future — and the legacy of the Davis empire — might slip through her fingers.
And that was a mistake she couldn't afford to make.