Chapter 43: Fragments of Normal

[11th April 2024]

Evan blinked a few times, his vision adjusting to the clean white ceiling above.

He turned his head and noticed James sitting beside him, fully absorbed in his phone.

“Hey dude, where the hell am I?” Evan asked groggily.

James looked up, surprised. “Oh, you’re awake? Damn, didn’t expect you to get up so soon. Well, maybe it’s a good thing—you’ve only missed one period. We can still make it to class.”

Evan squinted at him suspiciously. “Wait, am I dreaming? Since when did

you

become a model student who worries about missing class?”

James let out a small laugh. “No, you idiot. Listen—teacher came by earlier. Said if you woke up, we should head to the classroom. If we get caught skipping, the punishment’s way worse than you'd think.” A shiver crept into his voice.

Evan sighed and sat up. “Alright, fine. Where’s Rey? I didn’t see him around.”

“He said it was urgent and ran off to the toilet. He’s probably still there.”

“Alright, let’s go catch him.”

Evan got up and thanked the nurse before the two of them exited the infirmary and made their way to the nearest restroom. James stayed outside while Evan stepped in to check.

From inside one of the stalls, faint murmurs drifted out—Rey wasn’t on a call, yet he was clearly talking to someone.

Those who knew the second book would recognize who that someone was.

“Hey, Rey, you in there?” Evan called, knocking gently on the stall.

There was a moment of panic behind the door before Rey responded.

“Yeah! I’m here, Evan. You’re awake? Are you feeling alright?”

“Yeah, woke up a few minutes ago. James and I came to get you.”

“Okay, just wait a bit longer. I’ll be right out,” Rey replied quickly.

“No rush, but make it fast—we’ve got to attend classes, you know.”

With that, Evan stepped outside again, leaving Rey alone.

A few minutes later, the door swung open and Rey stepped out, adjusting his collar like nothing had happened.

“You alright, bro? Something got stuck in there or what?” James teased with a grin.

Rey ignored him completely. “Let’s hurry before we’re late.”

The three of them made their way back to their classrooms, blending in with the rest of the student body as the day resumed.

Hours passed. Teachers taught. Students scribbled. Time crawled.

At exactly 2 p.m., the final bell rang and school came to an end.

Chairs scraped back. Bags zipped. Some students bolted out like they’d been freed from prison.

Evan remained at his desk, slowly packing his bag, deep in thought.

“Hey, Evan! You up for the arcade today?” James asked, walking over.

No response.

“Bro?” He waved a hand in front of Evan’s face.

Evan blinked. “Oh, sorry. What were you saying?”

James raised an eyebrow. “Where's your mind at, bro? I’ve been calling you for like, forever.”

“Ah, just lost in thought. No biggie.”

Evan slung his bag over his shoulder and walked towards the door.

“Wait for me!” James called out, running to catch up.

Together, they headed to Section B, where Rey was already waiting for them near the lockers. Once gathered, the trio walked out of the school gates and down the path to the main road.

“Hey, we’re going to the arcade, right?” James asked cheerfully.

But both of his friends seemed distant.

Evan glanced at him and sighed. “Sorry, James. I have to go somewhere with my aunt today. I might not even make it to school tomorrow.”

He kept the real reason—

time travel stuff

—to himself.

“I’ve got errands at the store. Gotta head out early,” Rey added, avoiding eye contact.

James looked between them, visibly disappointed. “Alright, alright. Guess it’s goodbye for now, then.”

They nodded and parted ways.

Evan turned a corner, muttering to himself.

“I’ll check that site tonight. Maybe it can help with... everything.”

The website wasn’t public knowledge. It was hidden—known only to a select few. And he planned to dig deep into it.

‘I have a lot to do,’ he thought.

No more delays.

He picked up his pace.

Meanwhile, Rey walked home alone, his expression dark. His lips moved, but no phone was in his hand—no one was nearby.

“Do we

really

have to do this now?” he whispered.

A pause.

“It’s going to be a tough day, huh... no avoiding it,” he muttered and broke into a jog.

Across town, James walked the streets slowly, head down.

He paused near a crossing when a sleek luxury car pulled up beside him.

The window slid down with a soft

whirr

.

A regal woman leaned out. “Oh, son, what are you doing here? I was waiting at the school gate. And why aren’t you using the car I got you for your birthday?”

“Hi, Mom,” James said with a sigh. “You know I like living a normal life.”

A man in a crisp suit, seated beside her, scoffed. “Come on, kid. Why keep pretending? This ‘normal life’ of yours is a joke. Let go of this fantasy. You still hanging out with those low-grade friends?”

James clenched his fists. “They’re my friends. I’m not abandoning them—so stop it already.”

His father leaned closer. “Jess, you don’t get it. Make friends who match your

status

. Don’t let leeches cling to you.”

“Dadddd!” James yelled, realizing passersby had started staring.

“Son, just get in the car. We’re going home. No more arguing,” his mother said quickly, opening the door to diffuse the situation.

“Fine. I’m coming,” James muttered, slipping inside and sinking into the leather seat.

As the car pulled away, an awkward silence settled in... then the argument resumed—low at first, but rising like a storm.

His mother sat in the middle, torn and tired, unable to take either side.

Soon, several black vehicles joined them from the rear and flanks—security escorts.

The convoy arrived at their destination: a mansion.

No—

a fortress

.

Massive and elegant, the estate looked more like the palace of a king than a home.

Just the lawn alone could host ten large homes.

And in the center of it all, stood the grand, castle-like mansion where James lived.

A place of wealth, power... and loneliness.

Yet despite the grandeur, James walked through life like an average teenager—far removed from the empire he came from.

Why?

Well, that’s a story for another time.