A Collateral

Clay, Soot, and Sap

Time passes by so differently once the screen is off. It feels fast and slow at the same time. But all are on different moments, different movements of that matter. Different memories, unique to each one who holds it.

Hearing the cheers outside ment he was here. Was he here? It seemed to be. Plagued with thoughts from the inside world trying to come out, he got up his seat and move out of the bus.

Something caught my attention though from the corner of my eye as we slow down. A friend? Perhaps.

"Ah, if it isn't the Clay man himself!"
Wilbur said, crossing his arms and leaning on the post. He had his cloak on top of the white shirt and black pants. He was ready to shoot for the last scene of our filming project.

"I know, I know." I said in a tiresome manor, getting out of the bus.

"You know you're late right?" Wilbur scolded.

"Don't need to remind me. Now where's Sapnap?"

"On call." Wilbur gave the phone to me.

"Hello? Dream you better try to finish this project or else-"

As I expected my last day to be going. More chattering. I knew that the last time we made something together, we will have problems by the end of it. Sapnap doesn't go to our school anymore, his parents got seperated and he had to live with his dad in the UK. He goes here every summer during our vacation. We try to update each others' lives and what happens here and there. Met new friends...

And it wasn't easy.

"You at least remembered the lines?"
Sapnap said.

"Yeah, I'll be fine." Like always.

"Good. Can I talk to Wil, Clay?"

I handed Wilbur his phone. Immediately he turned around facing the other side.

"Wil, where's George?" Sapnap asked.

"Sleeping, that's for sure." Willbur said sarcastically. He looked to me like he had something on his mind. Then turned back to his phone.

"What! He's not there?" Sapnap panicked. He immediately sat up, hitting his head on the wood on the underside of the bunk bed.

"He is, don't worry."

"Ow.." Sapnap said rubbing his head.

"Sap, you good over there buddy? Anyway, are you sure they both can do this?" Wilbur asked, trying not to laugh.

"Trust me, they have to, there's no time. How else are we going to help Goggles confess? He's moving here next year remember? Dream doesn't really seem to know this either way but George needs this." Sapnap said, reminding Wilbur.

"Fine." Wilbur said defeatedly. "Good thing you called me first about this. You owe me though. Big time."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say. Willy Wonka." Sapnap teased.

"You haven't confess to 'you - know - who' anyway, so I need to see that through by the end of the summer." Wilbur said demandingly, smirking to himself.

"Ugh, don't need to remind me." Sapnap said pinching the bridge of his nose.

Dream who was waiting for their response said, "Are we gonna get going or are you two going to keep on rambling? Where are we going to shoot anyways? There's a lot of yearbooks being signed and passed around today, and I have to leave early."

"Oh shoot! I forgot they have this thing they have to do later. We have to hurry. Catch you later. Say hi for Gogy for me." Sapnap wasted no time saying.

"Will do, Sticky Slumber" Willbur said winking while laughing.

"See you later in the Summerland!" I said happily shouting as their phone call ended.

We went inside the school and straight to the lockers.

"Now, who is playing the other role?" I asked Wilbur.

"Oh, umm, you'll just have to see later? He's also kinda busy. Y'know?" Wilbur explained not looking at Dream. He knew very well that George was sleeping in the library again.

"Busy huh? I wonder who he is?" I said sarcastically.

"You're too smart for your own good. You know that right?" Wilbur said defeated.

"Next time don't make it too obvious." I gave a smirk. "So, where is he?"

"Library." Wilbur pointed.

"Of course." I face palmed. I knew he had a thing for me, well, my online alias, but he's too shy to say. I tried to keep my thoughts to myself as well but I can't avoid a few mishaps. I liked him for quite some time now, but who am I to judge him if I can't even confess myself.

"Shall we go Sir Chimney Soot?" I said bowing down.

"Oooh, what a Gentle Knight!" Wilbur said, giving in to the roles were portraying.

In the film which he both scripted, acted and filmed on, we were supposed to be in this weird fantasy type of medieval age setting and my character wasn't supposed to exist. I was, well, made of clay, but moved, talked and looked like a human only gray.

Then in the plot, someone had to give me something back in order for me to have real human flesh and other stuff like that. I still don't know much about the plot but it intrigues me how creative Willbur Soot's scriptwriting is. I was only given the gist of it and a few lines but I wondered how it all ends.

There was an annual community film festival that showcases these works to the neighborhood in the summer. I was planning to take all of my friends to see each one. Including the one we've made. That is if we ever submit anything on time.

We went inside the library with no time to spare, looking for George as deadline was rushing in on us. Luckily, Wilbur found him first before me. I wanted to prank him first while he slept. Though to be honest I couldn't have the willpower to overcome getting up close with his face.

"George! Wake up!" I said in a whispery voice, shaking him.

"Mmph, kiss me first Dream." George said groaning in a muffled voice.

I was near his ears when he said that. It caught me off guard that I had to step back and cover my blushed face away from Wilbur. Thankfully he wasn't audible enough for him.

Wilbur then said, "Dream is here, George."

Instantly he shot his eyes up, awake and embarrased, frantically looking for his scattered papers and script pages. He looked at me and stoped. I saw this and looked away. He shot a look at Wilbur who was trying his best to hold his laughter.

"Why didn't you tell me you were going to bring him here now?" George quietly scolded.

"I didn't want to bother you in your sleep, your majesty." Said the man with a detective coat for a costume, giggling to himself.

"Ugh, whatever." George scoffed.

"Isn't it kinda like your job to be a bothersome, detective?" Dream said jokingly.

Wilbur rolled his eyes, George laughed uncontrollably which earned a shush from the librarian.

"Come on you two, Clay hasn't got all day." Wilbur reminded, dragging both individuals out of the library.