In 2021, my friend became a billionaire from selling the Bitcoin he had bought years ago. Determined to be rich too, I time travelled to the past to convince my teenage self to buy the coin.

My Bitcoin story

Sophie Ay

I stared at the seventeen year old me dressed in a short navy blue pinafore and sky blue shirt. One can easily tell from the ruffled pattern on the lower part of the pinafore that the uniform had not been ironed in weeks. The seventeen year old me had no beret on her uncombed short hair, which looked so unkempt, I could see tiny  pieces of broom in it. She had no socks on and her sandals were the wrong type, a punishable offence, though not why she was currently in the staff room being berated. She listened with a crestfallen look as the teachers took turns to admonish her. I could remember this incident clearly; her reactions, her gesture and everything the teachers said. It was the day my Maths teacher had caught me with a bag of Korean films in class. That was around 2013 when we had just found out about kdrama and the lovely oppas we couldn't help but love. Seeing the younger version of me made me smile for two reasons; I was happy and...Christ, the time machine really worked. 

"Ma, you asked to see me." I was brought back to reality by my voice...her voice though. I didn't even realize she was already in front of my desk. Seeing the tote bag filled with cassettes and player was on the desk, I quickly deduced that I was the Maths teacher in my time travel.

"Have a seat, Sophinat." I told her, staring at her with a smile. Her face looked uncertain as her big eyeballs dart around, looking for something. "I'm not going to punish you. I just want to have a talk with you, Sophinat." I quickly calmed her and she bit her lips, as if pondering if she could believe me. 

"Yes, they are mine. I have bought 100 films and I intend to buy more." She replied, when I asked if she truly owned the cassettes. I could sense the arrogance in her voice as she said it. I couldn't help but smile...this was truly me.

"We both know you are a smart girl, Sophinat. Isn't this hobby of yours a waste of money? If you are going to be wealthy in the future, you will need money." I said, baiting her since I already knew she had a savings account and loved bragging about it.

"I only spend after saving." She rolled her eyes as she replied. Yeah, I used to be a brat..I thought.

"How about investments? Saving your money in banks don't really bring much. You did say you wanted to own a business. What better way than to do that."

"Have you heard of cryptocurrency, Sophinat? I know you love reading about new things."

Her eyes brighten up at this, the idea of learning something new was more appealing to her than anything and this, I knew. As I waited for her curiosity to burn up, I thought of ways I could tell her about Bitcoin without revealing I'm from the future, considering it's not yet available for mining. The fact she hadn't recognized me yet was still a mystery. The semblance was clear, though, the 27 years old me had a more fashionable taste and attractive appearance than my younger self. 

"What's it about? Is it a bond?" She piqued. It was an obvious show off, to show she was quite knowledgeable too.

"It's like investment. You will buy a particular crypto coin then sell it after a while."

"I don't like trading." The silly girl dismissed, then frowned. 

"Actually it's best if you don't sell it now. You can leave it till say 2021 when the value can rise to around $62,000. You will become a millionaire then."

"419," she mocked. Then tittered even harder. "Don't trust those people, ma. They will just dupe you, Miss Sophie."

God, this girl is stubborn. I lashed. In my head, of course.

"I promise you, Sophinat. It will be a decision you wouldn't regret. Take it as a challenge...I know you love challenges." I assured her. Bringing up the fact she loves challenges was supposed to be my last resort, but I was out of options already. Knowing myself, I knew there was nothing else that I could say to convince her, after that titter.

"How can I trust you? You want me to put my savings into something that doesn't even exist yet. What if it's all a hoax?" 

I sighed, loudly. Almost wishing I could bang her head into the table. I knew I was frustrating and stubborn, but I never knew it was this bad. What could I possibly say to convince this silly girl to buy or mine Bitcoin in three months time? Lost with no option and almost deflated, my eyes caught those of Lee Min Ho on the poster of City Hunter, one of the movies in her bag. 

"Will you believe me if Lee Min Ho and Park Miyoung starr in a movie?" Her eyes perked up at this, so wide open, they could literally pop out from their sockets. 

"Look for Personal taste. Kdramas will become your favorite soon. After Brokas break up just like Christian went back to Ara." 

"Wait, what? How do you know these things?" 

"Like fortune telling? I wish." She teased, laughing as I continued to stare at her. I wasn't worried anymore because when my predictions start to come true, the seventeen year old me was smart enough to remember this scene and definitely buy Bitcoin.

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