The day dragged on.
Every class felt longer than the last. Teachers spoke, but it all sounded like background noise. No one could focus. Their minds were already wandering—strolling sunlit streets in ancient Alexandria, sifting through scrolls, ready to meet a legend.
When the final bell rang, it marked more than the end of the day; it signaled the beginning of something much bigger.
They all headed home. The group chat was quiet, but the energy was buzzing. Everyone had the same thought.
At 5 p.m., their phones lit up.
Group call.
Hawking spoke first, his voice steady. "I've looked into it. The best time is between 395 and 410 A.D. That's when Hypatia was really making waves—leading the school, changing minds."
He paused. "She died around 415. Should we go near that time? Maybe... change something?"
Silence.
Then Eliza spoke up. "No. We're not messing with time. We go, we observe, we learn. That's all."
Everyone agreed. No one argued.
"I understand," Vinci said. "Still, I don't want to witness her death. What if we go earlier? When she's just starting out?"
Einstein laughed. "What, like teenage Hypatia? Should we crash her geometry club?" Vinci rolled his eyes. "Fine. Let's catch her in her prime. Is everyone good with that?"
"Works for me," Einstein said.
Maria leaned in. "So... when do we go?"
There was a pause.
Then Hawking looked up. "Tomorrow morning."
They all shouted at once. "Tomorrow?!"
Hawking nodded. "We'll be there for two weeks. But for us? It's just a blink. Our parents drop us at Vinci's early. They wait in the car. We jump. When we return, no time will have passed. They'll never know."
Silence.
Then Eliza said, "That might actually work."
Maria smiled. "Crazy... but kind of genius."
"Alright," Vinci said. "We're doing this."
That night, chaos reigned. Clothes were everywhere. Phones were charging. Bottles were filling. They packed what they needed;snacks, water, clean shirts, AirPods, power banks, toiletries. Time travel essentials. Before bed, one last group chat.
"Tomorrow," Vinci wrote.
"Let's not change history. Just feel it," Eliza replied.
"Good night, time travelers," Einstein added.
Hawkings sent a clock and a brain emoji.
They signed off. Hearts raced. Minds spun. Sleep didn't come easily.
Morning.
The first problem? Backpacks.
How do you explain fully packed bags on a normal school day?
Hawking said it was for a science demo. Maria claimed it was for a group project. Somehow, they made it to the car without raising suspicion.
Eliza and Einstein didn't take any chances. They snuck their bags out before sunrise ;Eliza claimed she was jogging. Einstein moved silently. No one noticed.
Until they arrived at Vinci's house.
Maria's mom squinted. "Is that your school bag?"
Too late. They were already inside.
Einstein, Eliza, and Hawkings got there first. Outside, confused parents waited in their cars, whispering, "Why so early?" and "Is school even open?"
Inside, everything was ready. The platform glowed. The machine hummed.
Hawking checked the settings. "Locked in. Just need Maria."
Just then, the door flew open.
Maria ran in, her backpack bouncing, a juice bottle in hand.
"Don't start without me!" she yelled.
She rushed up and nearly slipped. Hawkings caught her.
"Got you," he said.
"Thanks," she panted.
Vinci hit the button.
The room flickered. Lights blinked. The air shimmered like heat over pavement.
Then nothing.
No room. No lab. No sound.
They were gone.
And just like that...
They were there.
People shouted in different languages—some they recognized. The air smelled like fresh bread, smoke, dust, and something sweet.
They turned.
Old buildings. Market stalls. Horses. Clay pots. Robes. Sandals. Real people. Real history.
Alexandria.
They made it.
And Hypatia's story was just beginning.