distorted dreams

chapter three;

Once the bell had finally rang, students began pouring out of the auditorium. The teachers tried to wrangle them all up, but everyone was too disoriented to really do so. Jay shuffled towards the back exit, their two friends trailing close behind.

"So, what did you say about parallel dimensions, Hope?" Maxwell asked as soon as the trio was away from everyone else.

"Ah, yes well-" Hope shifted the book under her arm. "This book talks a lot about demons-"

Jay cut her off immediately. "I don't have demons in my head, that's too edgy-" They huffed.

Hope shook her head, then continued. "Jay's creatures seem to be functioning similarly to the demons described, and if so they are likely from another dimension. Meaning they've come through some kind of portal thing-"

Maxwell and Jay stared at Hope, nodding slowly as they followed her hypothesis.

"That is, of course, if the creatures are demons. Which they may not be..." Hope trailed off, starting to walk forward. "Regardless, we need to do more research. Ask your parents if you can crash at my place, we need to find more out about this."

Maxwell nodded quickly, shuffling off to call his mom. Jay stood in place, deciding not to call their mom out of spite. Hope paused her pacing, glancing back at Jay with a raised eyebrow.

"Aren't you going to at least try and call your mother?" She asked, seeming mildly annoyed with Jay's antics.

Jay shook their head, frowning softly. "She was getting on my nerves earlier, and I'd prefer to be in a good mood if we do this."

Hope rolled her eyes, her lashes fluttering. "Come on Jay- we have more urgent things to deal with besides your teen angst." She grumbled.

Jay stood their ground, staring at Hope with a determined look in their eye.

"Fine Jay. But if you get yourself grounded, I'm not bailing you out."

--

Maxwell sat with his heels pressed against the ground, staring at the darkening sky with a slightly worried expression. Jay sat beside him, picking at her chipped black nails with a rather bored expression. And at the end stood Hope, shifting side to side rhythmically as she texted her mother.

"She's bringing the demons with her-" Hope muttered, sitting herself beside Jay. "So, I hope you guys enjoy screaming."

Maxwell groaned loudly, sliding into a laying position. "Your brothers are going to blow my brains out..." He mumbled, covering his eyes with his sweater sleeves.

Jay laughed softly, then frowned. "I hope they don't pull my hair again-" They said to them self, looking at the ground.

Hope stood up suddenly. "Get your army gear on kiddos-" She said jokingly, though it could be taken as a serious claim.

Maxwell rose to his feet, and Jay followed slowly behind. Hope's mother's car pulled up to the curb, the window rolling down to reveal her mother with a forced smile. The boy's loud banter could be heard in the far backseat.

"Hey kids-" She said, her voice dripping with fake enthusiasm. "Sorry I had to bring Hope's brothers along, you know how they get when their alone-" She laughed nervously, her eyes darting to the side.

Hope frowned softly, her eyes glinting with sympathy. "Hey, it's chill mom. Right guys?" She turned to look at her friends, raising her eyebrows in an expecting manner.

Jay nodded quickly, punching Maxwell's side so he'd do the same. "Oh yeah, it's all good with us!" They exclaimed, smiling brightly.**

Hope nodded, satisfied, and got into the passenger seat. Maxwell and Jay followed, sliding into the cramped backseats. Maxwell silently made himself the sacrifice, choosing to sit beside Hope's rowdy brothers.