When a fangirl finds herself stuck in the events of her favorite musical, she does the very cliched fanfic thing and helps save everyone. With her passion, sass, and foreknowledge, Paige faces the danger of the SQUIP and being forced to sing.
I awoke with a loud intake of air, as if I held my breath for too long. The world was spinning and I turned over the side of the bed and puked. Groaning I rubbed my face and grabbed my glasses from the dresser next to the bed. Looking around, I sat up slowly and squinted. A bang startled me and I quickly turned toward the door, which was now open. My eyes widened as I saw my mom in the doorway.
"Are you okay?! Do you need any medicine? Let me clean that up while you go shower." I struggled for words and re-examined the room. Yeah, definitely not my room. I furrowed my brows.
"Who's room am I in?" I asked, at a loss. My mom chuckled, tying her hair up into a ponytail.
"Your's silly. Must've been one hell of a nightmare to make you sick and forget about us moving." Moving? I don't remember any mentions of moving. Hell, we could barely afford rent as is.
A deep voice called down the hall and I froze. "Everything alright in there?" A man who I've never seen before walked into the room and gagged at the sight of the floor. "Awe, honey. On the new carpet?" I narrowed my eyes. Looking down at my mom's hand that had grabbed my own to help me out of bed, I saw a ring on her finger. "Honey?" My head snapped back to the man and I saw that he too had a ring on his finger.
Panicking, I squeaked out a yes and bolted to where I assumed the bathroom was. At first I opened a closet door but quickly closed and turned towards the next door. I began to hyperventilate as I locked myself in the unrecognizable bathroom. What kind of weird ass dimension did I fall into? I held out my hands and counted my fingers. I remember on an episode of Doctor Who saying that in dreams everything was distorted. When I double checked and made sure I had the proper amount of fingers, I turned towards the sink and pick up the toothpaste reading the back.
Okay, this was definitely real, but how? My mom wasn't married last time I checked. In fact, the last I ever remember my mom mentioning being with someone was with my dad before I was born. I squinted trying to remember what he looked like from pictures and realized that it was the brunette that I had just seen. But how? He died in a car accident when I was 2, so how was he here. Where was here anyhow? WHY was here? Nothing's making sense.
I turned on the sink and splashed my face to calm myself. Pull yourself together Paige, you'll figure it out. My breaths slowed down and I closed my eyes. Okay, so maybe the other dimension comment earlier isn't so far fetched. I've seen plenty of sci-fi movies to understand the basics of my situation. But how was I going to get to my real home? I began to hyperventilate again but snapped myself out of it. Focus on that later, I told myself, first figure where here is.
I looked down at the sink and that same toothbrush from my real home sitting in a cup. I grabbed it brushing the puke taste from my mouth and straightened. Time to attempt to act. I opened the door and saw my 'dad' standing in the hall dressed for what looked like work. "Hey, Honey. Felling better?" He ask concerned.
I smiled and nodded. "Yeah, must've been that bad dream I had. Good thing I can't remember it." He smiled back, the concern melting away to relief. To be honest, it broke my heart a little bit. I was raised by just my mom, which I am completely happy with, but there was always a part of me that longed for a father.
"That's good! Well, I have to head out for work but don't forget you were supposed to start school today. Though if you're feeling too sick, you can stay for one more day." He patted my shoulder and I shook my head, fighting a flinch. Maybe, I could find out more of where I am at school.
"No, it's fine. I'm feeling better and you know me and procrastination." He chuckled and hugged me, walking down the hall and out of site. I rubbed my face again, I'm going to need some aspirin and strong tea to make it through today. I walked into my room to see my mom attempting to clean up my mess. I flinched at the sight and cleared my throat.
"Um, is it okay if I get ready for school first? Don't wanna be late." I awkwardly laughed. She nodded and stood from her crouched position on the floor. On the way out of the room, my room apparently, she kissed my head and closed the door. I bit the inside of my cheek and opened what could only be the closet. A look told me that all the clothes were still the same and I grabbed a comfy outfit.
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I tied my hair into a messy bun, not comfortable enough to shower here yet, and grabbed what looked like my phone off of the side table. Curious, I opened my backpack and saw new school supplies along with a packet of papers with things like my schedule and the map. I raised my eyebrow at the sight of some snacks sitting on top of the notebooks and opened the other zipper. More school supplies and my wallet. I grabbed my wallet and spotted the same cringy photo on my driver's license and an extra $20. I shrugged, deciding not to look a gift horse in the mouth and put the wallet back, slinging my backpack onto my shoulders.
According to the papers in my bag, I had to be at school in about 15 minutes. I rushed down the hallway and into the fancy looking kitchen. On the counter, I spotted my mom drinking coffee and scrolling on her phone. She didn't look up when I entered, just spoke. "Keys are on the counter, next to the tea I made you. Text me when you get to school, okay?" In reply, I bent down to kiss her cheek, grabbing the to-go cup and keys.
Rushing out of the front door, I walked towards my baby. Thank you, whatever force that sent me here! I don't know what I would do without her. As quick as I could, I settled in and used google maps to take me to Middle Borough High School, which apparently was in NEW JERSEY! AKA: the complete opposite side of the world I remember being on. But as I drove on, I couldn't help but think that the name sounded familiar.
