A Second Back in Time

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

“The court finds the defendant innocent.” The judge stated. Then the courtroom was filled with different retorts. 'Another case succeeded with flying colors.' Alexander, the lawyer of the defendant thought. Alexander Morales, at the age of just 28 is already a famous and successful lawyer. Yet there is only one deep reason why he is pursuing his career. It is Jalexi Rivera, his first and only love. 10 years ago, Alexander was a senior in high school. That was the time she met Jalexi Rivera. Jalexi back then, was a transferee in their school. At just one look she caught Alexander's eye. Yet Alexander never had the courage to tell her his feelings. Unfortunately, after 7 months, she died. Jalexi died. Cause of death: asphyxiation. Teachers told them she was murdered. But even after a year of Alexander's investigation, he still cant find evidence of murder. He knows there is something wrong. There is something he doesn't know. Scratch that, he doesn't know a lot of things. Jalexi's death is still a mystery to him.

“Okay guys! Let's celebrate! Another case won by Atty. Morales!”  Phoenix, a friend of Alexander exclaimed while raising his right hand that was holding a shot glass. “Xander, high school reunion is already tomorrow. Are you coming?” Another friend, by the name of Chandler Bracken, asked him. Honestly, he doesn't want to come. He doesn't want to see the faces of his former classmates. It would bring the nostalgia to him. It would bring back the memory of Jalexi. The memory he tried to forget for 10 long years. But unfortunately, he can't excise that memory.

Alexander was engrossed in thought. “Hey! Alexander!” Phoenix stated, snapping his fingers in Alexander's face. This always happens when he thinks of Jalexi. “Come on, Phoenix. We both know he's thinking of Jalexi. Let him be.” Chandler told Phoenix. Chandler, Phoenix and Alexander have been best friends since 7th grade. They know each other very well. “You do know this is partially your fault, right?” Phoenix stated, disgruntled. Since all three of them were one of the top student back then, Chandler would always remind them to focus on  their studies. He would always tell them with authority, 'Let's focus on our studies. No girlfriends. We're studying for our future. Remember, all the disadvantages of this world stems from a one's lack of ability.' Chandler was right, though. Now, Alexander is a successful lawyer, the only mishap is, Jalexi is gone. As what Kamishiro Rize said, 'You need to let go of one thing, in order to keep the other.' He held on to his dream so he had to let go of Jalexi. If he only knew the price for his dream, he would never had chosen it. “How is it my fault?  Did I kill Jalexi? I barely even knew her, dummy. I am an FBI Agent. How could have I killed her?” Chandler said to Phoenix, denigrated. Then, the two continued to bicker. But Alexander was immersed in his own thought, as if he had a world of his own. 'How could I have saved Jalexi? If I told her my feelings, would she still be alive? Would she be right beside me now?' He thought. He always thought of that. He always thought of ways he could have saved Jalexi. Phoenix's and Chandler's argument was interrupted when Alexander stood up and ran home, leaving his car and other belongings. Tears were streaming down his face while he was running home. When he finally reached his house, he kicked the door open, and ran up to his room. There, he finally let it all out. He cried and wailed in grief. He threw every single photo of Jalexi in his sight until there were none was left. For 10 long years, this would happen almost every night. For 10 years, his mind was full of 'what ifs'. He lived a life full of regret, always thinking of ways he could've saved Jalexi. But all he could do was think of the plans he wished he did, the things he could have done to save her. After letting out his emotions, he lied in his bed. 'If only I could turn back time. I need you back Jalexi.' He wished, letting out a deep breath as he fell asleep.

“Alex! Wake up! You're running late!” A familiar voice woke up Alexander. He forgot whose voice it was but it was familiar. Very familiar. He opened his eyes and saw the face of the person he missed most. His mother. “Mom?” He said with teary eyes and hugged his mother. “Am I dreaming? I miss you so much.” His mother was confused but she was still enraged. “I never left. What are you talking about? And you're not dreaming. You're late.” His mother stated sarcastically. Obviously, she was mad. Alexander slapped himself to check if he was dreaming. He wasn't. This is real. He checked his surroundings. He was in his room in his parents' house, his mother is alive, and he looks just as he was when he was 18. He looked at the calendar. 2019. Year 2019. September 13, 2019. He's back in the past. He's back in high school. He's back in the time where Jalexi is alive. He quickly took a bath, ate a sandwich and ran to school. It might sound surreal, but he really is back in the past. Scientifically and logically, time travel is impossible. But how did this happen? He doesn't know either. God fulfilled his wish. For the longest time, he wished to see Jalexi again. He wanted to hug her and be close to her. He wished to travel back in time and change things. And now, it's gonna happen. He can finally change the past, and hopefully the future. He saw Jalexi at the school gate. Overcame with longing, he hugged her. He didn't realize that during that time Jalexi didn't know him. Unsurprisingly, he earned a slap from Jalexi. “You pervert! Couldn't stop yourself anymore huh?!” Jalexi shouted at him,  infuriated. But he hugged her again and a tear ran down his cheek. 'It's real. I'm back. I can finally hug you now.” He thought. Jalexi pushed him away. “What's your problem?!” She screeched and hit Alexander's arm. “If there is someone who has the right to be mad, that would be me and not you.” He stated. Jalexi gave a shocked and offended reaction to what he said. She was more infuriated. “First you harass me and now this! Who do you-” Alexander cut her words when he hugged her for the third time. “You don't know what happened to me when you were gone. You shall pay for it.” He stated with teary eyes. Tears were about to fall but he held them back. Jalexi kicked him away. “I don't even know you! And what happened to you isn't my fault!” She said and walked away. Even though Jalexi gave him a bad reaction, he was happy. This was their first interaction. He was happy that he finally had the courage to face her. He even hugged her. The school bell rang, indicating that classes are going to start, so he ran to his classroom. Three classes have passed and Alexander couldn't understand a word. His mind was bothered by different thoughts. Like 'I should've watched a time travel movie so that I'd know what to do.' or 'What would Jalexi think of me now? I'm such an idiot.'