I nodded eagerly. “The story would have to win, because it’s the winner!”

Peter began to look interested. “I’ve got LAFFF to the point where I can stay in the future for seven minutes now. Will that be long enough for you?”

“I’ll just have to work quickly,” I said.

Peter smiled. It wasn’t his scary Lu Manchu smile, but a nice smile. He was getting as excited as I was. “Okay, Angela. Let’s go for it.”

He led me to the stool. “What’s your destination?” he asked. “I mean, when’s your destination?”

Suddenly I was nervous. I told myself that Peter had made many time trips, and he looked perfectly healthy.

Why not? What have I got to lose—except time?

I took in a deep breath. “I want to go forward three weeks in time.” By then I’d have a copy of the new school magazine in my room.

“Ready, Angela?” asked Peter.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I whispered. Bleep, cheep, and gurgle. Suddenly Peter disappeared.

What went wrong? Did Peter get sent by mistake, instead of me?

Then I realized what had happened. Three weeks later in time, Peter might be somewhere else. No wonder I couldn’t see him.