We opened the book, and the moment we began to read, it seemed like some kind of joke or fantasy novel rather than a manual for something that could ever be real.
"This has to be a joke," Pneudonna sneered. "What crackhead would actually write this? Clearly propaganda, or a journalist who had wishful thinking."
"Maybe this book was intentionally a joke?" Charlotte suggested.
"There might be something to this," I said defensively. "At least it has to be based on some truth. I mean, there are too many details for this to be completely false. Maybe Mrs. Sobre would know something about this?"
Pneudonna sized me up, and did her best to contain her laughter, as though that would have helped her mannerisms.
"Feel free to ask her, nerd. We'll update you if we find something interesting. Of course we'll keep reading, for pure amusement."
I gave her a look before going off on my own. That traitor could have fun doing all the work while I took the shortcut.
The thing about nerds is that they actually have brain cells that serve useful later. I used to make fun of nerds, but I think perhaps I was too quick to judge them.
I waved to Mrs. Sobre, hoping and praying that she would help me and take me seriously.
She was still bitter at me for driving her daughter to suicide, and I couldn't say I completely blamed her.
If I were her, anyone who even pushed my daughter in that direction would be dead to me.
I regret who I was as a person and what I did. I regret everything.
Why am I still friends with these people who don't actually care about me or want to see me grow as a person?
Why can't I just leave?
"Make it quick," she snapped at me. "I have work to do." There was a new girl next to her, who had zero awareness of this school's past or history, who the good students and the bad students were, or what legends this school knows about that nobody else does.
It sickens me that most students take it for granted.
Because of how bubbly and sweet Mrs. Sobre usually was, acting blunt and to the point was very out of character for her, which this girl seemed to pick up on, judging from her surprised expression.
How on earth can I get her to help me? I only have one shot at this, and apologizing now would be very awkward and probably make things worse. She just sees me as this shallow bully, and she wouldn't be wrong. In order to get a head start, I still have to make her see me beyond the face that I show the world, or rather, the face I used to show the world.
"My friends need help," I blurted out.
I have to show her with my words that I am not only thinking about myself.
"It's going to sound a little wild without context, but we found some sort of Dimension manual in the library. I don't know how real it is or not, but we want to be involved in it as much as possible."
She seemed surprised by how genuine I was; I think I actually managed to capture her interest for once.
I got the sense that she knew much more than she let on, which only grew my curiosity.
"Let me help out Cindley, and then I will see what I can do. Give me five minutes. If you'll just wait, I can tell you everything about that book you need to know."
"What about my friends?" I asked hesitantly. "Aren't you going to take a look with us?"
For the first time in years, I saw her smile at me, but it was a very calculating and mischievous look that she gave me.
"Where's the fun in that?"
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