Reverse Universe

ǝnƃolıdǝ

"Laeci!" Course hands shake her.

"Mm?"Laeci mumbles.

"Class is over, and it's time for you to get yourself to lunch;I have to finish my application for America's Next Top Model."

Looking up, Laeci sees Mr. Ellens's face peering down at her. "Sorry."

Laeci gathers her things and heads out the door, still trying to make sense of what has happened.

After school, Laeci takes a piece of paper from her binder and writes down everything she remembers. It all seemed so real, not fuzzy, like a dream.

She's startled when her mom suddenly comes into her room, saying,"Hey, I know it's Friday, but you need to stop isolating yourself in your room. We have guests."

Who could it be? Usually it was a friend or coworker of her dad. Laeci purses her lips and says,"Fine."

Coming to the living room, Laeci sees three people she hadn't expected to see.

"Here's Samuel Smith and his two children, Madelyn-" Madelyn gives a little wave,"And Luke."

Laeci is gaping. It can't be.

"Honey, it's rude to stare." Her dad snaps, bringing Laeci back to reality.

"Uh...um-hi."Laeci manages to get out.

"They've moved in across the street," her mother informs her.

Is it just Laeci, or did the Papa Sam person just wink at her?

From the kitchen, a timer dings. "Oh, I made meatloaf! Come have some!" Her mother says, rushing into the kitchen.

"Let me help you," her dad calls, following his wife.

Laeci's caught in an awkward moment. "Uh...so-"

Madelyn abruptly pops up and gives Laeci a hug. "Oh, thank you thank you thank you!"

"Huh?" Laeci asks.

"When you broke that crown, the pathways opened up again," Papa Sam says.

"Oh."

"You've brought us back home!" Madelyn whispers in Laeci's ear. Even Luke gives a smile.

"So, where's William?" Laeci asks.

The happy mood instantly evaporates. "He...he couldn't come back."

"Why?" Laeci asks.

"He was already under the Queen's control...so when she died, he also...died," Madelyn manages to squeak out.

Suddenly, her parents burst out of the kitchen, holding plates of meatloaf and soda cans. Laeci's mother takes in the deflated atmosphere and says, worried, "What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing, nothing!" Papa Sam says hurriedly.

Laeci's mother instantly morphs back. "Alright, then, let's celebrate! Meatloaf for everyone!"

Papa Sam, Madelyn, and Luke try their best to be happy, but it's hard when you learned that a close friend had died. Fortunately, Laeci's mom and dad seem to be buying it.

They celebrate for a few more hours, until it was about ten o' clock. Laeci and her parents go to the door to say goodbye.

"Oh! It's so dark! Let's escort you to your car!" Laeci's mother insists.

When Papa Sam, Madelyn, and Laeci's parents have went out to the driveway, Luke lingers.

"He wanted me to give you this," he says, pulling out a box.

Laeci accepts the box gingerly. It's a simple box, really, nothing more than a hollowed out piece of wood. Inside is the crown she had broken, now smashed in two. She looks up into the face of Luke. "Thank you."

Luke shakes his head. "No, thank him."

And then he was gone.