A Spirit Between Us (bxb)

Chapter 29 - Plan.

The principal's office was quiet, save for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. Katherine, the school's principal and Archie's mother, sat on the edge of her polished desk, arms crossed, her sharp gaze flicking between the two teens in front of her. Archie slumped in one of the chairs, his posture screaming exhaustion, while Lyla leaned casually against the wall, radiating her usual unbothered confidence.

Archie broke the silence, his voice heavy. "The ritual is the closest we've got to a solution," he said, his expression softening, betraying a rare hint of vulnerability. "It's really the only thing we've got."

"It's not the only thing," Lyla countered, a sly smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

Archie frowned, his confusion evident. "What are you talking about?"

"You've got me," she said, her grin widening smugly.

Archie blinked, unimpressed. "Right... now's not the time for jokes."

"I'm not joking, dumbass," Lyla shot back, rolling her eyes with such force it was a wonder they didn't stay that way. "It's the whole reason I suggested telling people in the first place."

His frown deepened. "What are you even saying?"

Lyla groaned dramatically, throwing her hands in the air. "Oh my god. You and Finn are just as dense as each other! I thought you were supposed to be the smart one."

"Why would you think that? I'm never in class," Archie replied flatly, though a flicker of amusement danced across his face.

"Fair," she muttered before pushing forward. "What I'm saying is, the Mimic doesn't know that I know about it. We can use that against it somehow."

Archie stared at her, processing her words. "Huh. That's... actually a good point. Why didn't I think of that?"

"Probably because your brain cells are too busy playing tag with Finn's," she teased.

"Ha ha," Archie deadpanned, but the corner of his mouth twitched despite himself.

Lyla grinned, clearly pleased with herself. "Anyway, we just need to figure out how to use it against him."

"His emotions," Archie blurted out suddenly, leaning forward as a spark of excitement lit up his tired face. "Earlier, when I said something... meaningful..." His voice faltered, his cheeks tinged with embarrassment, but he pressed on. "I got a glimpse of Finn. The Mimic lost control of him for a second."

Lyla snapped her fingers. "That tracks with what Mrs. Rosery said. We need to cut its ties to whatever it's feeding on. And that's Finn's emotions."

"Exactly," Archie agreed, nodding firmly.

Katherine, who had been silently observing, finally spoke, her voice calm and measured. "If emotions are the key, maybe it'd be worthwhile to involve his parents too. They might be able to help."

Archie grimaced, his discomfort immediately visible. "His parents? Have you met them? They're about as warm and fuzzy as a cactus."

"Even cactuses have water if you dig deep enough," Katherine countered dryly, fixing him with her signature mom look.

Lyla snorted. "Okay, metaphor queen."

Ignoring the comment, Katherine leaned back slightly, her arms still crossed. "If anyone can reach Finn emotionally, it's the people who love him. His family should be included in this."

Archie stared at the floor, the idea clearly weighing on him. "I don't think they like me," he mumbled.

Katherine's expression softened. "Archie, hun, they're probably desperate right now. Their son is most likely treating them horribly, and they have no idea why. They need to know what's going on."

Archie didn't respond, his shoulders sinking further under the weight of the situation.

"I think we should tell Jake, too," Lyla said suddenly, breaking the heavy silence.

Archie's head snapped toward her, his eyes narrowing. "You're kidding, right?"

"Nope." She crossed her arms, meeting his glare without hesitation. "He's really worried about Finn. And even though you and Finn have been... what, besties for like a month? Jake's been his friend for years. He actually knows him. They care about each other."

Archie's jaw tightened. He didn't doubt that Jake cared about Finn, but the thought of involving him sent an uncomfortable pang through his chest. Sure, Jake had known Finn longer, but had Jake stayed up half the night replaying Finn's smile in his mind? Had Jake memorized the way Finn's laugh sounded, or the exact shade of his eyes? No. Archie and Finn were more than friends—but explaining that to Lyla was out of the question. Outing Finn, especially in the middle of all this, was not an option.

Still, as much as he hated to admit it, Lyla had a point. Jake might actually help. And this wasn't about him. It was about Finn.

He exhaled slowly, his resolve hardening. "Alright, fine," he muttered reluctantly. "But you're the one explaining it to him. Leave me out of that."

"Oh, don't worry," Lyla said, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I'll make sure he knows exactly how much of a drama queen you've been about this whole thing."

Archie shot her a glare. "You do, and I'm putting salt in your coffee for the rest of the year."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me."

Katherine sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Children, please. This is serious."

"Tell that to her," Archie grumbled, but the corner of his mouth twitched ever so slightly.

Katherine straightened, her gaze sweeping over both teens. "If we're going to get through this, we need to be a team. That means being honest and open, even when it's uncomfortable. Finn needs all of us right now—his parents, his friends, and anyone else who cares about him."

Archie nodded, albeit reluctantly. He still wasn't thrilled about the idea of involving Jake or Finn's family, but Katherine's words carried weight. She wasn't just speaking as a principal. She was speaking as his mom, and that meant something.

"Fine," he said quietly. "We'll do it your way."

Lyla clapped her hands together. "Great. Now that we're all on the same page, let's figure out the plan."

Katherine raised an eyebrow. "The plan?"

"Yeah," Lyla said, her tone matter-of-fact. "How we're going to use the Mimic's weakness against it. If Finn's emotions are the key, we need to figure out how to trigger them and weaken the Mimic's hold on him."

Katherine nodded thoughtfully. "That's a good starting point. But be careful. If the Mimic senses what you're doing, it could lash out."

"Don't worry," Lyla said with a grin. "I've got this."

Archie groaned. "That's what I'm afraid of."

Katherine sighed again, but this time there was a hint of amusement in her expression. "Alright, let's wrap this up. You two have a lot of work to do."

As Lyla and Archie stood to leave, Katherine's voice stopped them at the door. "Archie," she said gently.

He turned to face her, his expression guarded.

"You're doing a good job," she said, her eyes warm with understanding. "You care about Finn. That's what matters most."

Archie swallowed hard, nodding before quickly ducking out of the office, Lyla trailing behind him. The weight on his shoulders didn't feel quite so crushing anymore.