The Secret Meeting

SECRET MEETING TWENTY

1 am

>>Lloyd is in the call<<

*a few minutes later*

>>Zane has joined the call<<

LLOYD: Hey, Zane.

ZANE: Hello. What are you doing on this early?

LLOYD: I can't sleep.

ZABE: Why not?

LLOYD: I- I don't even know. I just...

>>Cole has joined the call<<

COLE: What are you guys doing up?

ZANE: I would ask you the same, Cole.

COLE: I just can't sleep. Why are you still up, Lloyd?

LLOYD: Same reason.

COLE: Why can't you sleep?

LLOYD: I've... just got a lot on my mind right now. That's all.

ZANE: Like what?

LLOYD: I think being in this box is really getting to me, for one.

COLE: Yeah.

LLOYD: And it's not even like claustrophobia or anything. Just being alone constantly. And I know we all get on these calls every day, but it's... it's just not the same, you know?

ZANE: I know how you feel.

LLOYD: Yeah, and the other calling sets doesn't help at all.

ZANE: They just add to the stress, I bet.

COLE: Is it just loneliness, or something else?

LLOYD: Well, the whole "Lloyd Council" meeting thing really stressed me out.

ZANE: Oh, that?

COLE: What did they even do?

LLOYD: They basically wasted their time arguing amongst themselves and accused me of not being the original because I wasn't like them. And I tried explaining that I wasn't going to be like them because I was the original, and copies are all different. But yeah. They basically bashed on that and argued about what they wanted to do about it until they finally left.

COLE: Oh, wow.

ZANE: I'm very sorry, Lloyd.

LLOYD: Oh, don't be. It's no big deal, really. It's just annoying, you know?

COLE: Yeah.

LLOYD: Why can't you sleep, Cole?

COLE: Oh, no reasons, really. I just slept in really late this morning, and now I'm not tired.

ZANE: Anything else bothering you while we're here talking?

COLE: Well, the fact that you're going to come in late is annoying me.

LLOYD: I know, I'm annoyed, too.

ZANE: Guys, it's fine. There was nothing you could do.

COLE: Yeah, but it's really stupid, you know?

LLOYD: Yeah, I feel that.

ZANE: I hope that it might come at least a few days after, if it arrives at all.

COLE: Oh, it'll come. It's not lost anymore, but it's far enough away that it'll take a while to get here.

LLOYD: That's not even fair to Zane. I'm losing sleep over stupid little things. I can't imagine how you must feel, Zane.

ZANE: I am a nindroid. I don't really mind anything from in the box, though it is pretty annoying.

COLE: And Lloyd, all those things you shared? They're not stupid things. Those are real issues you're dealing with right now. And maybe they're not that serious, or they'll go away, but they're still bugging you right now, and that makes them a problem.

ZANE: Don't worry, Lloyd. You will be out of the box, soon.

LLOYD: Yeah, I know. Thanks, guys.

COLE: And remember, if you ever want to talk, we'll be here.

ZANE: Even if it is one in the morning.

COLE: Yeah, guys, not to judge or anything, but we should really try to get some sleep.

LLOYD: I know, but it's just been so hard recently.

ZANE: I can understand that.

COLE: Yeah. Well, I'm starting to get a little sleepy, so I'm going to head off to bed now and try to catch some Z's. Talk to you guys later, and sleep well, guys!

LLOYD: Thanks Cole. Sleep good, too.

ZANE: Goodbye, Cole.

>>Cole has left the call<<

ZANE: Are you sure you're alright, Lloyd?

LLOYD: Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry about me, Zane.

ZANE: Okay.

LLOYD: I guess I'll try to sleep, too. Goodnight, Zane.

ZANE: Good morning, Lloyd.

LLOYD: Heh, yeah. See ya when I see ya.

ZANE: Bye.

>>Zane has left the call<<

>>Lloyd has left the call<<

Lloyd closed the device in front of him, putting it aside and closing his eyes. He let out a deep breath, letting any stress leave him. A smile escaped him, his mind thinking of his friends. He would see them all again soon.

Leaving that thought in his mind, Lloyd slowly started drifting off until he was fast asleep....