Distorted Reflections

To the root of the problem

A/N: Today's chapter marks the halfway point of Distorted Reflections! So today's chapter is advancing a lot of plot points and bringing others to a close. Enjoy, my readers!

Chapter 5: To the root of the problem

January 10, 2028

Woods Residence, Juniper's bedroom

9:15 a.m.

For the second time that day, the door to Juniper's bedroom flew open, admitting a small flood of people: Myriam Scuttlebutt, Hugh O'Connor, Robin Newman, and Apollo Justice.

"What's going on here?! What happened to Juniper?!" Robin immediately asked aggressively.

"I think it's too soon to fly off handle," Apollo said, much more cool-headed in comparison. "Though I admit I'm wondering the same thing."

"It's a bit of a long story. I think I'm going to help Mrs. Woods explain it to save time. Is that okay with you?" Athena asked Juniper's grandma.

"As long as we can get to helping Juniper that much sooner," Virginia Woods said, shooting a brief glance at her still granddaughter.

"Well, we can already see that Juniper's pulling a Sleeping Beauty, sss sss sss," Myriam said. "Can't we just get Apollo to lean down and-"

"Hey, don't make jokes in such poor taste!" Apollo snapped. "I doubt it's that simple."

"Unfortunately, Apollo's probably right about there not being simple solution to the problem," Athena said grudgingly. "Mrs. Woods explained what happened to me and I barely understood it."

"Then how about we let Mrs. Woods explain for the rest of us that don't know," Hugh said, deadpan.

Virginia Woods shook her head, a smile on her face. Juniper certainly surrounded herself with a boisterous bunch of people. Her granddaughter had come such a long way since she started attending Themis Legal Academy.

January 13, 2028

Alternate Woods residence

9:00 a.m.

Being that today was Sunday, Juniper didn't have anything to do besides study her Themis coursework. Normally, she would hang out with her friends, but in this alternate world she didn't know what that would entail with these alternate versions of her friends. What's more, after yesterday's meeting Juniper wasn't sure if she could face any of them.

Except Juniper wasn't sure if it was right to do her... alternate self's homework. Very little of Juniper's meddling in this world had worked out the way she wanted it to. The homework looked the same... but what if doing it would ruin the alternate Juniper's life further in some unknowable way?

That was how badly Juniper was mentally wound up right now. Really, at this point Juniper wondered if it was best for her to just cut her losses and go back home. Everyone was surely missing her back in her home world, too.

Before her train of thought continued on in this direction Juniper heard a knock on her door. Then her grandma shouted, "Juniper! There's someone here to see you!"

Curious as who could possibly be visiting her, Juniper exited her room and made her way to the front door.

At the door was the last person Juniper expected to be making a house call: Constance Courte, who was carrying a picnic basket with her. The teacher and Juniper's grandma were engaged in casual small talk as Juniper approached them.

"You're here, Juniper," Professor Courte said when she spotted the judge student, smiling gently.

"Hello, Professor Courte. What made you decide to visit me?" Juniper asked.