Something's Wrong With the Different Realms

Twenty-Nine: Final Edits

I kept thinking about what Isla had said to me about how she wanted to help them and I wondered if I should help them as well. I didn't want to be a bad person and if I were in Allaira and Horizon's situation, I'd be glad if someone offered to help me even if it was just with something small or if they only gave me moral support. At the same time, I was still a coward and I was afraid that I would be endangering myself by helping them. But then again, I was already endangering myself by keeping their secret a secret.

I rolled to the side and closed my eyes, trying to ward off my thoughts. I counted backwards from 1,000 but made it to 179 before I grabbed my phone. It was only 12:39 AM. I threw the blankets off and sat up. I unlocked my phone. If I wasn't going to sleep, then I decided that I would distract myself with Instagram.

When I clicked open Instagram and scrolled around, I noticed a green circle beside Caleb's profile. I decided to text him because why not? If the green circle was there then he was probably awake as well.

Jasper: u awake?

Caleb: ya i'm awake y

Jasper: random question: if someone maybe needs ur help but u dk if u wanna help them wut do u do?

Caleb: ???

Jasper: sum people in my class told me a really big secret and im wondering if i should help them or not

Caleb: do u wanna help them or do u just feel obligated to

Jasper: idk at first i didnt because i ws uncomfortable but now... im having second thoughts especially after isla told me that she was helping them but i didnt need to

i just dont wanna feel like a bad person u know?

Caleb: honestly it's ur choice

if i were u i'd think about it for a moment and really think about it

ask urself: what do u want

Jasper: hmm... i think i wanna help them but in small ways only

Caleb: then it's settled

i'm going to sleep now

'nite

Jasper: bye

I checked the text message again to make sure that I went to the right classroom. I tucked my phone into my pocket just as Isla appeared through the door followed by Allaira and Horizon.

"Sorry we're a bit late," Isla explained, pulling up a chair to sit next to me. "Alexa and Harry couldn't find the classroom so I had to meet them in the cafeteria and guide them here."

"It's okay," I said, "no worries."

"Anyway, what did you want to talk to us about?" Alexa took a seat opposite Isla.

"We just wanted to formally acknowledge that we're okay with you guys being you-know-what and that we won't endanger you guys in any way," Isla beamed. "We just never formally acknowledged it because of, you know, the tension between us and the fact that we had to finish our novel so we didn't have the time to. And I felt the need to. That's all."

"And if you still need it, we want to help you guys in whatever way we can," I added.

Isla shot me a look that said what made you change your mind.

I continued. "If I were in your situation, I'd probably appreciate some help, or at least a shoulder to lean on and someone to vent to. I might only help a little bit though," I stated, answering Isla's question.

"Thanks," Allaira sighed with relief, "even if you're only doing a bit to help us, we appreciate it. That means a lot to us."

"And yes... I think we need help, a bit," Horizon added. "We explain later but now... we don't want to think."

"That's fair," Isla bobbed her head.

"Yeah, why don't we listen to some music instead," I took a cautionary glance at the desolate classroom before pulling out my phone. "The classroom's empty so no one will yell at us if we enjoy some music!"

"Okay!" Horizon grinned from ear to ear.

Isla stood up and went to close the door while I opened my Spotify and found my playlist of rock music. I clicked on a few, testing them out. Allaira and Horizon peered over my shoulder nodding their heads after they found a song that they liked.

"I love Nirvana!" Allaira sighed happily, "if there's one thing I'm glad about, it's their music. And other music as well. There's nothing to compare it with back home."

"Yeah... sound different," Horizon agreed with Allaira, bobbing his head along to the music.

For the rest of the lunch period, we just sat in silence and relaxed, enjoying the beat of the music. I mostly played 70s, 80s, and 90s rock but occasionally I snuck in a few 2010s throwbacks as well. And at that moment, while listening to good tunes. I felt like the four of us had fused together in an unexpected way, forming an inseparable bond.