Trollhunters: The Aftermath

Oh my Merlin

A/n: Continuing where we left off after the first chapter

Jim slouched on the seat. Coach Lawrence had just finished assessing him and had moved on to Toby, who was having no problem climbing at all. Jim watched Toby climbing the rope with a dejected look on his face. His best friend didn't want him to join him in his new adventure, but Jim didn't want to do anything wrong this time, so he decided it was best if he just stayed out of the way until Toby decides to tell him, if that time ever came. Still, it was painful to know that his lifelong best friend was keeping secrets from him. He placed a hand to his forehead, with his elbow on his knees, sighing softly. 

"Hey Jim. Are you alright?" Jim was pulled out of his thoughts and turned to come face-to-face with Claire. She noticed him looking upset about something and decided to approach her play partner. Unbeknownst to Jim, Claire felt that there was something strange whenever she was around Jim. She would often dream that she and Jim were meant to be together or that she had already lived this day, or the next few years. She couldn't understand them and reminded herself that they were only dreams, but she knew they meant something. 

"Oh hey Claire. Yeah, I'm fine." Jim replied her.

"Are you sure? You don't look fine." she declared. Jim sighed before continuing.

"I'm going to be honest with you. I'm just going through quite a difficult time now," Jim paused to look at Claire, who wore a face of concern before she nodded, indicating for him to continue, "and most of the time I would just sit and think of things and how they would get better."

"Jim." Claire spoke up after some time, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder, causing him to look up at her. "I know we may not know each other well but if you ever need to talk about anything, and I mean anything at all, you can talk to me. I'm willing to listen," Jim gave her a small, genuine smile. 

"Thank you Claire. I appreciate it."

Claire gave him a big smile as her hand dropped from his shoulder. She opened her mouth to say something else, but she was cut off by a man's voice.

"JAMES LAKE JUNIOR!"

Jim froze. The voice came from outside of the gym doors. Some people stared at it , others, including Toby and Claire were looking at Jim, who prayed that whoever called him wasn't the person he thought it would be.

The doors swung open. Jim cursed. It was him. Jim recognized that voice from anywhere.

Merlin. And oh boy, he looked furious.

The whole gym class looked between Merlin and Jim. Claire spoke up.

"Um, Jim? Who is that?"

Jim sighed. "He's actually-"

"JAMES LAKE JUNIOR, you have a lot of explaining to do. Meddling with time? By Deya's Grace, could you have done anything ... more ... idiotic?" Merlin shouted. He was marching towards Jim while shouting and when he reached the boy, he jabbed his staff on the boy's chest. 

"What? Meddling with time?" Eli squeaked excitedly. 

"What's the old dude talking about, Lame Lake?" Steve enquired. Jim audibly groaned before pushing Merlin out of the hall. The scene couldn't get anymore worse than this. Mary had already started to snap pictures of the incident, Toby had just got down the rope and had that 'whhhaaaaaaatttttt' look on his face. The rest of the students and Coach were just watching the scene play out, questioning who the old man was or what he was talking about. 

Jim walked out of the gym and pulled Merlin into a deserted corridor.

"Merlin, what the hell are you doing here? This is not the place you are supposed to be in!" Jim hissed.