Blue Moon Rising

Chapter 27: To Catch A Changeling (III)

Mornings were the worst.

How did humans do it? Sleep was likely a big component, Atlas reasoned, something he had lacked as of late.

Atlas stifled a yawn as he neared the classroom. Ever since he took on the roles of Trollhunter and Jim Lake he had been busy, busy, busy. At least now he could somewhat be himself in Trollmarket, though he didn't dare fall asleep there anymore. Troll bodyguards or not, letting his defenses down could mean waking up in the void or wherever changelings ended up after death. Back in the Darklands? Somewhere in the Pale Lady's realm?

Or did they merely fade into nothingness?

Atlas brushed back his bangs. Thinking about his very possible impending death was not good for his health. He imagined Blinky chastising him for not taking better care of himself. Stricklander would be more focused on completing the task at hand before taking a rest. And Nomura...

Damn. He did it again. Focus on the matter at hand, Atlas inwardly told himself. He really needed to stop zoning out. His fingers caught the door handle, pulling it open as quietly as he could.

Just in time too, he thought. The entire classroom turned their attention toward him. There was a heavy sense of anticipation clinging to the air.

Ms. Janeth stiffed at his presence. Atlas froze mid-step. Thankfully, she continued to write across the board, seemingly ignoring his entrance.

Maybe she wasn't as mad as Claire made her out to be? He hoped. Atlas shuffled to the back of the class, trying to make as little noise as possible. He really wished he could disappear right about now.

"As it is true for any such equation. For instance, let's take 3x," Ms. Janeth said, stopping for a moment to zero in on Atlas. "So, you won't come to rehearsal, Mr. Lake, but you will arrive to class."

Atlas blinked rapidly.

She swerved back to the board.

"Excuse me?" Atlas said.

Her gaze returned, this time alight with more than just annoyance.

"Don't sit there, Mr. Lake." She gestured to one of the chairs nearby. "I saved you the best seat, front row."

Oh, it was going to one of those days, wasn't it? Looked like Claire was right. Atlas bit down on his bottom lip to keep from saying something he'd regret.

He was Jim now, not Atlas. Drawing any further attention to himself would draw even more scrutiny. He chanted the name over and over again in his head. Jim Lake, Jim Lake, Jim Lake. Just Jim Lake.

"Loser," Steve jeered as he walked over.

Eli in the neighboring seat gave him a pitying glance.

"Joy," Atlas said, then silently cursed. He needed to reign in the sarcasm and use the techniques Blinky taught him last night. He slumped into the new chair, slipping off

Rummaging through his backpack, he pulled out the notebook and pen he borrowed from Toby. Tobes, Atlas thought with a heavy sigh. The other boy had to make up a test today and could not share in this torture. It was such a foreign feeling. Without Toby at his side to correct his less than human behavior he had to rely on what he knew.

It didn't help that the classroom appeared to be shrinking the longer he sat in the chair.

"Pst, Jim," Eli whispered. "Are you okay?"

Atlas ignored the human.

"As I was saying, every algebraic equation requires balance," Ms. Janeth remarked before flashing another angry look in his direction. "For instance, every piece of this equation plays an important role."