Delilah and I hop out of the car. 35 hops in my head again. The only things they’ve said about this morning is that it “oddly makes sense,” because they “couldn’t imagine ‘him’ bailing us out like that,” and that they don’t know her. She’s as good as Tiffany.

Did 35 think someone else is the Governor?

Doesn’t matter. They refuse to say anything else at this point.

I work my way to the office. A raven is perched on the bench outside. Okay, does that raven live here, or something? I didn’t used to see them here at school, but I see one here every day! I could also swear he’s looking right at me…

I meet Collins and Thompson in the office. They’re in their suits today.

It’s so odd. Dad wanted 35 to stay with him, but the agents were insistent that 35 keeps attending school with me, even despite the fact that they apparently don’t have to. But why? 35 also insisted, but I can see their reasons. Either way, Dad did not like it that three people disagreed with him. Mom had to step in, and they got in an argument. She won, as one would expect in a three-on-one.

Thinking of Mom, she’s been scrambling looking for another church to attend ever since the incident. She can’t attend the San Angelo First Catholic Church anymore, obviously. She’s not happy about it, but at least I don’t have to get up on Sunday anymore.

So now, here I am, with 35 in my head, standing before my schooltime bodyguards. Nothing to really complain about though!

“Good morning, Sport. Ready to start the day?” Greets Collins.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but “Yes!”

Sensing what’s going on, he says “ready to talk to your friends, I take it?” He smiles.

“Yep!”

“Alright, just keep in mind that anyone who wants to talk with you needs to talk with us first.”

Well, still an improvement from “not talking at all” I guess.

“Okay!” I say, a bit excited.

“Anything you wanted to add, Dana?”

She stares blankly for a second, wearing her usual frown, before answering.

“No, I think that’s it.”

And with that, we walk out of the office. It’s not long before the bell rings, and I get ready for class. The bell rings again.

“Good morning, class,” calls out Mr. Mancini. “I’m sure we’re all excited to be here.” He grins.

The class lets out a long groan, some of them saying “nooooo….”

“What? I thought you guys were getting bored of ‘claim, evidence and warrant.’”

Nobody moves or says anything.

“We’re moving on to writing in tone, voice, and diction today.”

Well, I guess that is a slight refresher. I was getting bored. But I at least did like the Calvin and Hobbes comics he kept using as examples.

“We’ll be taking the time to go over some of the works of Langston Hughes…” He points to the name on the board.

Yeah, I think I’ve heard that name before somewhere. But whatever. My attention zones out. I keep thinking about finally being able to talk to Alexia and Nat. What will they say? Will Alexia even be there? I haven’t asked her! And I can’t now, I’m in class!

I wait and wait and wait for Mr. Mancini to finish his lecture. It just drags on and on and on. Eventually, he stops, and then hands out worksheets for us all. Oh no!

“Relax kid,” 35 thinks. “I was paying attention best I can. I can help you if you need me to.”

I feel a wave of relief. I guess even having 35 is better than nothing. But I still just try to wing it. I don’t want to ask 35 for help, but I don’t want to fail either! Dad will kill me…

The bell rings, putting me out of my misery, at least for now. Biology class is next. Please let there be…

ALEXIA!

Excitement washes over me. I feel myself get lifted with relief. I almost smile! I even gasp! I make my way over to her, practically hopping as I go. When she sees me, she smiles as wide as a river. Just then, Thompson stops us.

“Hey, you two can talk, but no touching,” she sternly commands. “Are we clear?”

“Yes, we’re clear, I say quickly and excitedly.

“What did I just say?” she asks doubtfully.

“No touching?” I respond, hoping she’s satisfied.

“Yes, no touching,” she confirms. She turns to Alexia. “You got that too, right?”

Alexia’s nervous, but she manages to say “Yeah, right.”

“Very well,” says Agent Thompson. She turns back to me and says “Just remember, we’re watching you.” She goes back to the seat she always sits in.

Well, this is a tad awkward now. Gotta say something.

“It’s good to see you!” I say, trying to clear the air.

“Good to see you too!” she replies, her face brightening once again. “How have you been? Aside from, you know…”

“I get what you mean,” I assure. “And, I…don’t really know.”

Really. I don’t know how I’m doing. I would think I would know, especially with 35 in me. But I don’t. I guess I’ve gotten used to them, and now I’m back to where I was before.

“One of those days?” she asks. I’ve said that to her enough times to where she gets it.

“Yep, one of those days,” I confirm.

The bell rings before either of us can say anything else, prompting us to go to our seats. Ms. Melvin stays by her desk, waiting for the announcements to come on like they always do during second period.

Sure enough, without fail, they come on. And without fail, they make us stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I stand, but don’t say it. They move on to what we’re having for lunch besides the pizza they serve every day. I ignore it, because the pizza is the only thing I think looks remotely edible. (And Agent Collins feeds me as much as he thinks he can get away with.) They move on to sports, school events, and a speech against bullying. I do not pay attention to any of that. It seems as though they are about to end when…

“Students, as a final note before we get on with the day, FBI Agents Collins and Tom have…”

My blood runs cold as I hear Agent Thompson scoff at her name being gotten wrong.

“…informed us that interacting with Brock Weaver is now permitted. Please keep in mind that talking to the ghost with him is still not allowed. Always be sure to check in with one of the Agents before talking with Brock. Thank you, and have a wonderful day.” Click.

I don’t move as I lose the focus in my eyes for a second. When I get it back, half of the class is now looking at me. God, why?

“How rich of them,” 35 thinks angrily. “They tell the kids not to bully and then single out one kid out of a couple or so hundred IN THE VERY NEXT SENTENCE!!!”

I feel their anger boiling. I turn towards Agent Thompson.

“You didn’t say they were going to announce it!” I shout.

“They weren’t supposed to,” she answers with a cold look. “All we told them is that it’s allowed. We didn’t tell them to put it in the announcements. Someone is getting a good talking-to.”

Yeah, that’s great. What good is that going to do me?

“Hey, is everything okay?” Ms. Melvin asks.

No one says anything. I look around. Most of my classmates quit staring at me. Except Alexia. She continues to look at me, and she looks worried.

Whatever. No point in holding everyone up.

“Yeah, everything’s okay,” I answer with a gruff, cold voice.

“Are you sure?” She asks.

“Yep.”

I don’t think she or anyone else believes me, but she moves on with the class anyway.

Despite this being one of my favorite subjects, I cannot focus. At all. My mind is too busy, dealing with being singled out on one hand, and with Alexia’s presence on the other. I feel the fear of everyone judging me, and wanting to re-connect with her. The class takes forever to go by. When Ms. Melvin passes out the worksheets, I cannot bring myself to do anything on them. I can’t even read the first question. Ugh! I’m gonna have homework tonight!

While everyone else is busy talking to each other for the worksheets, Alexia gets up, talks to Agent Thompson, then walks over to me.

“Are you okay?” she asks.

“Yeah, yeah,” I respond. “Just a little overwhelmed.”

“Do you need some help?” she offers.

“No, I’m good.” No point in bothering her.

“You still haven’t even answered the first question,” she points out.

Oh. Uh….

“Come on, Brock. Last year, you aced every single science test. And that was after you moved here in February. Now a single question has you stumped?”

I think nothing, other than that of course I aced them.

“Want to work together on it?”

Sure. Anything to have us hang out together.

“Yeah, I guess,” I say quietly.

She grabs her chair and sits next to me.

“Okay, so number one is ‘what part of the cell contains the information required for reproduction and function?’ I said ‘DNA,’ what do you think?”

Well, close.

“While that is I guess true, I think the answer they want here is ‘nucleus,’” I explain. “Since we’re talking about cell structures in particular.”

“Okay. I trust you, you’d never let me down.”

She erases her answer in favor of mine.

“Are you sure you don’t want to ask the teacher?” 35 asks to me. “That question is a little open-ended.”

“Hey, this is my class, not yours,” I think back.

“Okay, but you know what they say about assuming things…”

Alexia continues, “For number two, I got ‘Ribosomes,’ is that correct?”

I look down at the question once I’ve written mine for number one. “Yeah, sounds about right, the parts where the proteins are made. Let me go ask Ms. Melvin about number one.”

I get up and walk to her desk, where she’s entering grades.

“Hey, uh, Ms. Melvin?”

She turns to me and says “Yes, Brock?”

“Is number one supposed to be ‘DNA’ or ‘Nucleus?’”

“I realized after the fact that the question was poorly worded, so I’ll take either answer,”

Oh.

“Thank you,” I say, as I turn back.

Ms. Melvin gets up and tells the class that some questions have multiple possible answers. As this happens, I can feel 35 smirk. I don’t know if they use my face to do so or not.Ugh. I hate being defeated.

Alexia and I get through a few more questions before the bell rings. We promise to talk to each other at lunch.

Math class with Mr. Vance goes a bit better. Alexia’s help has gotten me more focused. But despite that, the class drags on slowly. I get occasional stares from kids who heard the announcement.

Eventually, the class ends, and I get to move onto Geography, and I can finally talk to Nat!

He talks to Thompson before talking to me.

“Hey Buddy, how are you?” He happily asks.

“I’m doing fine, you?”

I guess I’m doing better than two periods ago.

“I’m doing fine, especially since I finally get to talk to you!” He sounds excited.

The bell rings, signaling the start of class.

Nat and I sit down in our assigned seats. The teacher does roll call, and starts lecturing, as usual. Unfortunately, unlike in biology. The teacher spends the whole time lecturing, so we never get to talk. But hey, it’s lunchtime now!

I waste no time getting to my locker and then the cafeteria. Agent Collins and I sit down at the table we usually sit at while Agent Thompson gets food for me. It isn’t long before we’re joined by Nat.

“Hey buddy!” He calls as he puts his tray down on the table. “It’s so good to finally talk to you in person!” He sits down and turns to Agent Collins. “I can talk to him in person now, right?”

“Yeah, it’s okay,” he assures. “Sorry about all the other times. We can’t do much more than we’re told.”

“It’s good,” Nat responds. “Just glad I can see him again!”

I smirk. “Yeah, it’s good seeing you too! How are you?”

He smiles. “I’m doing good! You?”

I don’t know how I’m feeling. “I’m good too, I guess.” I don’t know what else to say. Say something! Talk about something! Oh! I know! “How’s the Challenger coming along?”

“It’s on hold for now,” he answers. “The parts are NOT cheap.”

This grabs Agent Collins’s attention. “You have a Challenger?”

“Heck yeah!” Nat shouts.

Agent Thompson shows up with my tray, and pushes over to me. (It’s a pizza, like always.) Collins is still mesmerized.

“What year?” he asks.

“1970.”

“Woah! The original! Quite a classic!”

Agent Thompson’s quite confused. (But also, maybe excited?)

“What are we talking about?” she asks.

“My project car. Or I guess, my Dad’s. I still can’t drive.” Nat chuckles.

“Your Dad is working on a 1970 Challenger?”

“Yes Ma’am!” he replies eagerly.

“That’s one of the originals,” she states almost as eagerly.

Wow. Agent Thompson being a car girl? Didn’t see that coming.

“You know cars?” I ask Thompson to confirm what I’m thinking.

“My father had a ’67 Fastback Stang,” she replies. “I was his only kid, so he let me help him work on it.” She looks off to the side. “Pretty sure he wanted a son, but all he got was me, so he made do.”

I can feel 35 smirk. They’d snicker if they were in control of my body right now.

She looks back at us. “Apologies, that was a little too personal.”

“It’s okay,” I assure. “No one in my family gets along, so it can’t be any worse.”

Okay, maybe that was a hyperbole, but still.

Just then, Alexia joins us.

“Hey guys. Hey Brock!” she squeals. She reaches for a hug.

“Hey! No touching!” snaps Thompson.

“Sorry…” Alexia apologizes. She sits down next to Nat, across from me. “It’s so good to see you!”

“You too!” I respond instantly. “What was it like, not going to school for two weeks?”

Nat turns right towards her. “You didn’t go to school this whole time?”

“Nope! My parents made me stay home until now!” She responds.

“How did you keep up with the classes?” I ask her.

“The school emailed my mom all the assignments.”

Okay, that makes sense.

“How was it?” I continue.

“I hated it. I missed meeting my friends,” she complains. “But my parents kept saying they just want to make sure the shadow thing is safe.”

“Honestly, if anyone’s gonna call me anything besides ‘35,’ ‘The Shadow’ sounds quite metal,” they comment silently.

“35 says that they like being called ‘The Shadow,’” I announce.

“Wait, he’s here right now?” Alexia shockedly asks.

“’They,’ apparently, and yes. Right here in my head.”

Her eyes go wide with fascination.

Nat remarks “I’ve never seen them. They’re always inside Brock.”

“Why is that?” Alexia asks.

“It’s an agreement that’s been made,” explains Agent Collins. “They can’t be outside of Brock’s head whenever he’s at school.”

Both Nat and Alexia look at me. If they could look at 35 directly, they would.

“They’re also not allowed to talk with any students,” says Thompson, giving me a cold look.

“Yeah, but technically, no one ever said I can’t voice their thoughts whenever I feel like it,” I snark.

I mean, really. No one’s breaking any rules here.

Nat gives a good nose exhale and a quirk smirk. Alexia gives that look that says “yeah, I guess.”

“What do ‘they’ think about me?” she asks.

“She’s awesome. Ten out of Ten. I hope you two stay friends,” thinks 35 cheerfully.

“They like you,” I say simply. “They want us to stay friends.”

“Oh,” she replies. She blinks. She clearly was not expecting to hear that. “Thanks, I guess, Shadow?”

35 is amused.

“What about me?” asks Nat.

35 takes a second to think. “I think he’s cool. I bet he might be successful when he grows up.”

“They say they think you’ll grow up to be successful,” I say.

He doesn’t say much to that.

I look down at my food. This whole time, I’ve been eating my pizza, and now all that’s left is the bitter crust that I can barely bite. And I don’t know what to here.

“Turning introverted, are we?” asks 35.

Yeah, yeah I guess.

“How about we go to the library? There’s a couple of books I’d like to see if they have, if you don’t mind.”

Anything to leave this situation. Except the agents will follow me. Wherever I go!

“You can’t like Mustangs, that’s gay!” says Nat to Collins when I zone back in.

He just shrugs, and looks like he’s trying to hold in a giggle. Alexia looks a little bored.

“Hey, I’m going to the library,” I tell everyone.

“Alright, give us a second,” says Agent Collins. He grabs his and Thompson’s trash before heading towards the trash can.

“Is it alright if I join you?” asks Alexia.

“Yeah, sure, but I’m not gonna be there long,” I reply. “I’m just there to look for…”

Wait…

“What books do you want to check for, again?” I think to 35.

“’Non-Violent Communication’ by Rosenberg and ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ by Frank Baum,” they answer.

“The Wizard of Oz? But I’ve already seen the movie! Surely the gist is the same, right?”

 Seriously, this sounds like a waste of time!

“Well, yes, but the book also has a sequel I also want you to read, and the sequel follows the book, not the movie.”

Okay, sure, but I really don’t like reading.

“Do I really have to?”

“Well, if you don’t want to read it, you don’t have to, but it’s awfully boring in here at times, so can I at least read it?”

“You’re the one who invaded my body and life.”

“Yes, but I didn’t have much choice.”

I don’t know what to say.

“I’ll think about it,” I respond.

“Hey Brock, everything okay in there?” Alexia snaps her fingers at me as she says that.

I blink. Agent Collins is back at the table, and everyone is looking at me. I must have really gotten carried away with that conversation with 35.

“Is everything okay?” Nat checks.

“Yeah, yeah, it’s okay,” I assure. “Apparently, 35 wants to read ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and…”

“’Non-Violent Communication.’”

“…’Non-Violent Communication.’”

It immediately becomes just as apparent that no one was expecting either of those titles. The Agents exchange looks. Nat looks lost. Alexia looks surprised.

“Wow, that’s interesting,” remarks Alexia.

“What even is ‘Non-Violent Communication?’” asks Nat. “Isn’t that just being nice?”

“And why do they want both of them at the same time?” questions Thompson. “I haven’t even heard of this communication since studying to work for the FBI.”

“I actually have a copy of it somewhere. You’re welcome to borrow it if you want,” Collins says to Thompson. He turns to me. “Or you, for that matter.”

“Let’s check the library first,” 35 silently suggests.

“35 says we should check the library first,” I transfer.

“Okay, whenever you’re ready,” says Collins.

“I’m gonna go hang out with the team,” says Nat. “It was good seeing you buddy!” He gets up and stretches before grabbing his tray.

Wow. He must have been doing sit ups and leg raisers all summer. Hm. Impressive. If only I had that much dedication. Oh well.

(Now I feel bad that I don’t.)

“You too!” I respond as soon as I get back to it.

“I’m coming with you,” says Alexia. “We have study hour together next anyway.”

I just respond with “Okay,” as we get up to put our trays up, and head to the Library. The four (or five, depending on how you count) of us march straight to the library. The front desk is right next to the entrance. Fortunately, the librarian is right there to help us.

I ask for the two titles that 35 wants. They have a copy of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” but 35 rejects it, because “It’s an ‘abridged’ version,” and they do not have any copies of “Non-Violent Communication.” They don’t even have the sequel, “Marvelous Oz” or whatever it’s called.

“Bummer,” says the Librarian. “I’m sorry we couldn’t help you. Maybe we can try ordering them to come in, but that might take a while.”

“No thank you,” I decline.

“If there’s anything else we can do for you, just let me know, okay?”

“Yeah, sure.” I walk away from the desk and sit at a table where everyone else is. I tell them all “It was a bust.”

“My offer still stands,” says Collins.

She thinks for a second. “Not if 35 wants it so badly.”

“No, it’s okay,” thinks 35. “We’d still be missing ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ We’ll see about getting your Mom to take us to the public library in Montrose.”

I relay that to the Agents.

“We might be required to escort you to that,” says Thompson. “We’ll check in with our bosses about that.”

“What if I get my Mom to get it for you?” suggests Alexia. “I think she works there.”

Really? I didn’t know that.

“Or a bookstore. I’m not sure which,” she clarifies.

Either way, we might be golden!

“She might still charge you though,” she warns.

“Only if my Mom would pay for it,” I respond.

It isn’t much longer before the bell rings, and we head off to our study hour. Turns out, Alexia and I both have too much work to do to really catch up with each other. Go figure. I spend time catching up on some math homework I’ve been falling behind on, and take this chance to listen to more music 35 introduced me to. Boston. Kansas. U2. Survivor. “Since You Been Gone” by Rainbow. “Your Love” by The Outfield. “Heaven” by Bryan Adams. Oh! Here’s “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath. Turns out, it has nothing to do with the superhero named that. Instead, it’s about a guy who-

The bell rings, cutting my listening short. Hey, at least my math is ninety percent done!

I gather my stuff, tell Alexia goodbye, and make my way towards Environmental Science. I can already feel the unease in 35 as I approach the door.

“Calm down, it shouldn’t be any harder than the last couple of weeks,” I think.

“Yeah, but now people have the green light to talk to you,” they respond. “Just, please don’t talk about me with her, okay?”

“Okay,” I say with my hands raised slightly.

I get inside. Tiffany is already there.

“Hi Brock!” She greets.

“Hi Tiffany!” I greet back. “I, uh, think you should talk to Agent Thompson before talking to me.”

“Oh! Right!” she says like she did something embarrassing. “Uh, I’ll talk to her real quick, then! Gimme a second!”

She approaches Thompson to ask if it’s okay to talk with me. I just work my way to my seat. The two of them end up talking the whole time until the bell rings again and class starts.

The lesson talks about renewable resources and “tragedy of the commons.”

“For this lesson, I have assigned everyone a group activity,” explains Mr. Leonard. He turns towards me. “But before we get started, is anyone here willing to work with Brock?”

Tiffany shoots her hand straight up almost immediately.

“Okay, anyone else? I would like there to be two more people.”

Another girl, named Rachel, slowly raises her hand.

“Alright, that’s two down. I need one more.”

Nobody raises their hands.

“What if Agent Thompson joins in?” 35 asks me.

Can she do that?

“Ask her,” they suggest.

I turn towards her, and ask “Would you be able to join us?” where everypne can hear.

“Uhhh…” she says, caught off guard. “If no one else is willing.”

Everyone looks around, but still, no one raises their hands.

“Let me talk to my colleague first.” She gets up and walks out the door.

“Alright,” says Mr. Leonard. “The rest of you, get into groups of four.”

Everyone, gets up and starts walking around. Tiffany walks up to me. Then, so does Rachel. Things start a bit awkward, until Rachel breaks the silence.

“What’s this whole thing like?” she asks.

“Uh, I don’t think we’re supposed to talk with him without talking to one of the Agents first,” says Tiffany.

Rachel responds “They’re also supposed to always be near him-”

Agent Thompson re-enters the room before Rachel can finish her statement.

“He says it’s okay for now,” she says, sitting down with us. “It works out better this way anyway. Easier to keep an eye on these two while you work with him.”

Mr. Leonard passes out worksheets with instructions, as well as…thirty-two goldfish crackers?

We go over the instructions. We’re to put sixteen goldfish crackers in a “lake,” that we fish from. Every “year,” we each need to catch two fish to “feed ourselves and our families.” Additional fish caught can be sold for profit for ourselves. At the end of each year, the fish reproduce, and the population doubles. We are to record the population at the beginning of each year.

Year One: We each take two fish. The year ends with eight in the lake, population doubles.

Year Two: Starts with sixteen fish. We each take two, it ends with eight. Population doubles.

Year Three: Same as Year Two.

Year Four: Same as Year Two.

Year Five: Same as Year Two.

Year Six: I decide to take an additional one for profit. Everyone else takes two. The year ends with seven fish in the lake.

Year Seven: Starts with fourteen fish. I take one, feeding myself with the profit I earned last year. Everyone else takes two. The year ends with seven fish.

Year Eight: My profit ran out; I have to catch two fish again. The year ends with six fish.

Year Nine: Starts with twelve fish. We each take two. The year ends with four fish. I do not like where this is going.

Year Ten: Starts with eight fish. We each catch two. There are no fish left. Next year, we’re gonna starve. Fortunately, the assignment ends there.

Tiffany and Rachel just stare at the results. In just five years, just taking one additional fish for profit killed the entire village. I even took one less the next year to make up for it!

“If it makes you feel any better,” thinks 35. “Real life might not always be so…morbid and hopeless.”

It doesn’t, but okay.

The worksheet asks us what conclusions we can draw from this activity. I don’t know what to say.

“Overfishing is bad,” says Tiffany.

“Only take what you can eat,” says Rachel.

Agent Thompson, not really getting graded for this, contributes nothing. She just stares at the empty “pond.”

“While both of their statements are true,” thinks 35. “They both miss the deeper point and message of this activity.”

“And what is that?” I ask.

“I’ll tell you after you turn in the assignment. Don’t want to promote academic dishonesty.”

I raise my hand.

“Yes Brock?” calls Mr. Leonard.

“Can I use 35’s conclusion on this assignment?” I ask.

He stares blankly for a second. A few of my classmates look at me in disbelief.

He eventually answers “No, but they can put their conclusion alongside yours if they want. Just be sure to separate your answers.”

“I’ll take it,” thinks 35.

“Okay,” I say out loud. First, I write down “Brock:” (it feels weird putting my whole name out like that) then start speaking out loud as I write so that Tiffany and Rachel can hear me. “The long-term damage from taking additional resources for profit can be permanent.”

The girls copy my answer, with Rachel adding on a few more things. Tiffany just copies.

“Is that all you have to say?” asks 35.

“You sure? Once I write, you don’t get to edit.”

Just like that, a part of me doubts if I’m done or not. I add “we should only take what we need,” hoping that works better. “Yep. All done.”

“Alright then.” 35 takes control of my hand, and writes “35: Greed and selfishness can destroy natural resources that would otherwise benefit everyone. Therefore, we should not reward nor incentivize (I didn’t know I could spell that word!) it with profit or power.”

They put the pencil down.

“I got to say,” they go back to thinking. “Of the three of you, you were closest to the point, but all three of you wound up beating around the bush a bit.”

I just look at what 35 wrote, as does Tiffany, Rachel, and Agent Thompson. I don’t get how they got this message from this experiment. I also notice that the handwriting is… neat. Like an adult’s. Is 35 really an adult? I also cannot tell if it’s a guy or a girl’s handwriting, but if I had to bet-

“Alright, let’s turn this in!” says 35.

I get up to turn it in, but Agent Thompson stops me.

“Here, I can take everyone’s assignments,” she offers, a bit firm.

We all give her our worksheets, and she gives them to Mr. Leonard. The two of them talk a bit before she hands them over. Mr. Leonard looks at me several times.

We don’t do much for the rest of class. Mostly, it’s just Rachel and Tiffany talking to each other. At one point, Rachel asks me again what it’s like. I just tell her I hate it. I feel 35 slump. I don’t say anything else about it.

The bell rings and we go to our next class. On the way, 35 tells me “Thank you for having my back like that. Keep that up, and I’ll trust you enough to teach you how to astral project like I can.”

I perk up with excitement. No way! It would be nice, looking scary like that when I don’t want people to bother me!

“You just got to keep up the promise where you don’t talk about me to Tiffany. Deal?”

“Deal!” I squeal.

We eventually get home, and Mom agrees to getting those books for me, even if it’s through Alexia’s mom. She does wonder why those titles, though.

ScorchedWinds

Fun fact: I have read both "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," and "Marvelous Land of Oz" preparation for this book! They're both good, I do recommend. I'm also going to keep reading other books for research, and I'll let you know if I like them!

35 being based as usual.

Hope you enjoyed!