AN: Thanks to my two reviewers, OthDegrassifan1817, and optimistic girl94!
OthDegrassifan1817: Ha Ha! Degrassi fan? Nah, I'm not poking fun. Honestly, I wouldn't mind Degrassi at all if it wasn't to depressing and … dramatic. Just overdoes the 'real life scenarios'. They're creative and everything, but still a bit depressing, lol. It's just funny cuz even though I don't really like the show, my best friend loves it, so it just sorta reminded me of that. Anyhoo, I'm glad you like the story. I'm definitely going to try and finish this fic so nobody should have to wait too long for updates :) (Again, don't take it personally. I just thought it was sorta funny is all) Thanks for the review, hope to hear from you again.
Optimistic girl94: Yeah, I've just started getting into the show, too. What depresses me is how it definitely looks like they're not going in the Lucas/Josie direction, lol. I love Lucas! He's just too cute! How could Josie not like that? LOL. As for Marshall and Corrine … well that should be an obvious, lol. They're just too cute together. Thanks for the review, hope to hear from you again.
Hottietom: Thanks! Glad you like the story so far :) What do you mean, do I like Lucas or Vaughn better? Come on, just look at Lucas! He's so cute! And so loveable/adorable. I think the whole Josie/Vaughn meant for each other plot is so annoying. Although I can actually see them together and everything, they sort of fit. I just feel sorry for Lucas, lol. Glad someone seems to agree with me. Thanks for the review!
Unleashmysoul: Wow, that is a very descriptive guess. Just curious – who is Joice? Was she on the show, or did you make her up? confuzzled! Glad you like the story so far! Thanks for the review!
CHAPTER TWO
Jovee pushed Douglas angrily against the wall. "Do you not think?" She demanded.
He pushed her away from him with extreme strength. "You didn't say keep quiet!" He huffed.
"I said no meddling. That should OBVIOUSLY mean KEEP QUIET!" Jovee snapped.
"Hey, keep it down," Finley said, gesturing to the door. Jovee let go of Douglas and turned around, walking a few paces to the opposite side of the hall. She then turned back.
"Do you want to mess everything up, Douglas?"
"Of course not! It would only mean trouble for all of us," He snapped. "I know what I'm doing."
"I don't think you do," Jovee replied. "If you knew what you were doing then -."
"Did you plan all of this out BEFORE we went through the wormhole?" Douglas asked, crossing his arms over his chest. "Because I think you knew what you were doing long before the idea was even suggested."
"That's ridiculous. No one knows how to control the wormhole," Jovee snapped.
"Lucky guess, then?" Douglas inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"I am not having this conversation with you, Douglas."
"You started it."
"Could you two go without fighting for ten minutes? TEN minutes?" Finley demanded. "Now before we head back into that room – PEACEFULLY – assure me that you got the books."
"They're in my room. Found them right where Katrina said we would," Jovee said calmly.
"Good. Because that is going to be important if you want to set this all up right," Douglas said. "Make sure to put one next to Josie's bed, and one next to Lucas'."
"I know what I'm -."
"So do I," Finley interrupted. "Most importantly, so does Douglas. Are we ready to shake this school up?"
"This school was shook up LONG before we arrived," Jovee murmured under her breath as they started back for the science lab.
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Lucas collapsed on his bed, extremely exhausted.
"Hey, where have you been?" Marshall asked, looking up from the book he was reading.
Lucas turned and looked darkly at him. "Two word: New Kids," He said. Marshall snorted and Lucas simply groaned. "You know, in some ways they actually seem to know all about the school. Then in other ways they just … they're suspicious."
"You think everyone and everything's suspicious," Marshall reminded him.
"I'm serious. Get this – when I showed them the school pool, that Douglas kid asked if I ever saw anything funny in there."
That got Marshall's attention. He looked sharply at his friend. "He did? What did you tell him?"
"I didn't know WHAT to say," Lucas replied. "It was really weird."
"Everything's weird at Black Hole High," Marshall replied. "Well was there anything else?"
"There was little stuff," Lucas said. "You know, little bits here and there. The girl, Jovee, she kept talking about Z's office. Had some weird questions about the tiling, of all things. Douglas asked a bit about Magnet 360."
"Really? How do they know about the band?" Marshall asked.
"I'm not sure. I guess they could have heard someone mention it, but …"
"But what?"
"They seemed like they REALLY knew it. Jovee even admitted that she loved the band's music, and you're still working on your first song," Lucas pointed out.
"We just finished it yesterday," Marshall admitted slowly, a weird look coming over his face. "What else was there?"
Lucas frowned. "They were talking a bit about Josie and Corrine."
"Corrine?" Marshall asked, sitting up. "Like what?"
"Well first they were talking about robots, so I mentioned about how Josie had a robot that went haywire, and you and me got to use ours to destroy it. Then Douglas says something about how it sounded like Josie, and how he'd want some music to go along with the carnage if he were to go on a rampage like that."
"Okay, that's REALLY weird," Marshall said.
"Yeah, then Jovee started talking with Finley about the class elections at their school, and Douglas asked if Corrine had ever run for class president," Lucas said.
"What else?"
"Just some stuff here and there. I just don't get how they could know all that."
"What if they did come through the wormhole, like you suggested earlier?" Marshall said.
"It still doesn't explain how they would know all that stuff. I'm thinking maybe they've been … monitoring us for some time."
"Lucas," Marshall said, irritation in his voice. "If you're going to again suggest the aliens theory, then I'm going to have to leave the room."
"Think about it, though," Lucas said. "Maybe they ARE aliens."
"That's it, you're going a bit too far," Marshall said.
"Maybe," Lucas said, falling back on his bed. "It's just too curious. Who are they, and how do they know so much about us?"
"What is their secret," Marshall said jokingly.
"Yea," Lucas said softly. The two fell silent for a few moments before there was a knock at the door. Lucas sat up, glancing at Marshall in confusion when Douglas slowly opened the door, stepping in.
"Hey Lucas," He said.
"Hey," Lucas said uneasily, sharing a look with Marshall. "Douglas. What's up?"
"Nothing," The boy said with an easy shrug. "Oh, I got you a book. I thought you might be interested in it."
"Really?" Lucas said. He took the book out of his hands and looked it over.
"So Douglas, where exactly was your old school?" Marshall asked.
"Michigan," Douglas replied, looking at him.
"Did you like it there?"
"It was alright. Blake Holsey's better, though. A lot more interesting, if you ask me. Just the atmosphere alone …" He trailed off, glancing back at Lucas.
"This is cool. Where did you find it?" Lucas asked, looking up.
"Around. I thought you might like it," Douglas said.
"What is it?" Marshall asked, looking over.
"A book I've been wanting to read. 'Shadow Planes'. Thanks Douglas, I can't wait to get started."
Douglas shrugged good naturedly. "No problem. I just wanted to say thanks for showing us around, earlier. And apologize for getting in the way."
"You weren't in the way," Lucas said quickly.
"No, I know we were. You wanted to hang with your friends in science club today without us around. It's no problem. Anyways, I hope you find it worth reading. I know I did," Douglas said. He started for the door, but Marshall stopped him.
"Hey, did you want to hang around, for a little bit?" He asked.
"Ah, no. I sort of told Finn I'd work with him on his homework," Douglas said quickly.
"Are you sure?" Lucas asked, looking up from the book. "It seems to me like Finley knows everything there is to know."
"Yeah, what's with that kid?" Marshall asked.
"Oh, he gets it from his parents. They're major genius'," Douglas said.
"You guys seem kind of close. Like best friends," Marshall acknowledged.
Douglas shrugged. "Not really. Finley and I are just involved in a lot of the same stuff. Plus we've known each other since we were really little."
"Oh," Lucas said.
"You guys are best friends, though, right?" Douglas asked, looking interested.
"Yeah. We've known each other for a while," Marshall replied.
"How long have you known Corrine, Josie, and Vaughn?" Douglas asked.
Lucas frowned at the question. "We've known Corrine and Vaughn since we started attending. We met Josie when she transferred here," He said.
Again with the weird questions. Just when you thought the guy was normal, Marshall thought.
Douglas looked across the room thoughtfully. "I've known Jovee since she was little, too. We never could get along, though."
"Why is that? Every ten seconds you two were arguing about something," Lucas said with interest.
"It runs in the family, I guess," Douglas replied. He sighed. "I better be going, then."
"You sure you don't want to hang out?"
"I … No, I probably shouldn't. I'll see you guys tomorrow," Douglas said, quickly taking his leave.
Marshall looked at Lucas. "I TOLD you there was something funny about him," Lucas said.
"Seems okay to me," Marshall murmured.
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"Hey, Lucas," Vaughn said, approaching him from behind later the next day.
"Hey," Lucas replied grumpily.
"What's wrong?" Vaughn asked.
"I was just up late last night. Working on our project. Remember it?" Lucas asked.
"Yea, I know. Sorry about that. How much have you gotten done?" Vaughn asked.
"It's finished," Lucas reluctantly admitted.
"Really? What was the malfunction we focused mainly on?" Vaughn asked.
"Memory loss," Lucas replied.
"Well what about that stuff I asked you to get for me?"
Lucas stopped and began digging through his folders. "It's all right here. Everything you needed. Josie even contributed a little to it," Lucas said.
"She did?" Vaughn asked; looking over the stuff Lucas had given him. "You didn't tell her it was for me, did you?"
"No. I still don't understand why, though," Lucas said.
"I told you – I need to know everything I can about the wormhole. Hey, do you think we could go over this stuff later? You know?"
"I have everything else to do right now, Vaughn," Lucas said with a sigh. "I could try to squeeze it in, though."
"Thanks," Vaughn said, patting him on the back. "Thanks a lot. Oh, hey, have you seen Josie around?"
Lucas winced. "Not exactly," He said. "She wasn't in drama."
"I don't think she's going to be in Z's, either. You think she's okay?" Vaughn asked.
"Corrine mentioned she was skipping," Lucas replied, moving his glasses around thoughtfully.
"Z's not going to like that," Vaughn said with a laugh.
"Probably not," Lucas agreed. The two turned into their science class. Corrine and Marshall were sitting next to each other, whispering while looking through a notebook.
"Hey guys," Vaughn said, taking a seat in front of them. Lucas followed his movements, sitting down next to him.
"Hey, Josie still skipping?" He asked.
"Yea, I think so," Corrine replied. "She's really into this new book that she got. I guess Jovee gave it to her yesterday."
"Then I told her about how Douglas gave you a book yesterday, too," Marshall said.
"I doubt there's any connection," Lucas replied.
"Have you started reading it yet?" Marshall asked.
"Wait, what book?" Vaughn asked.
"No, I didn't have the time to start reading it yet. And the book's called 'Shadow Planes'," Lucas filled in.
"That's the same title of the book Jovee gave Josie," Corrine said.
"Really?" Lucas asked with interest. "I didn't know Josie was interested in that kind of book."
"That's the thing, usually she isn't. Now she's absorbed in the book. Josie said that when Jovee stopped by to give it to her, Jovee told her that the book was a gift," Corrine said.
"From Jovee?" Vaughn asked in confusion.
"No," Corrine said. "From herself."
Vaughn and Lucas blinked. "What?" Lucas finally asked.
"Exactly," Corrine said.
"I've gotta admit, Lucas, that wormhole theory you had is beginning to sound more and more logical," Marshall said.
"I'm thinking we need to talk to Z," Corrine replied.
"Come on guys, think this over," Vaughn said. "It just doesn't make any sense. So the girl said the book was a gift from Josie. Maybe she was just messing around."
"Lucas, explain to him what you told me yesterday," Marshall said.
"They know stuff about us. SCIENCE CLUB stuff."
"Really?" Vaughn asked. "Well maybe they-." He faltered. "Alright, you have a really good point."
"So what do we do? Should we confront them?" Marshall asked.
"Let's just give it a little longer," Corrine said logically. "Just so that we're sure, agreed?"
"Agreed," The others chorused.
"Good. Now does anyone think we should be worried about Josie?"
"What can a book do?" Vaughn countered. "It's probably just really interesting. Besides, Josie skips all the time for no real reason."
"True," Lucas agreed. The conversation stopped there as Finley, Jovee, and Douglas walked in.
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At the very end of class Vaughn turned to Lucas. "Hey, do you think I could look through our paper?" He asked. "Just so I have a vague idea as to what we wrote about."
"Sure. Just don't lose it," Lucas replied, taking out the little packet and handing it to Vaughn. At the same time as Vaughn took the papers Marshall and Corrine bent down to get their stuff, bumping heads. Pink electricity shot glimmered around the three unbeknownst to them, and then vanished.
Corrine blinked a few times, rubbing her head while Vaughn tucked the papers into his notebook. Marshall frowned, looking around.
I should have looked where I was going, Thought Marshall.
"Maybe you should have," Corrine snapped. It's okay. Calm down, it was just an accident.
"If it was just an accident why do you seem so upset?" Marshall demanded. Both were looking at each other with confusion.
"Okay, what going on with you two?" Lucas asked.
Corrine looked uncertain. Marshall, can you hear me?
Yeah. Can you hear me?
Corrine nodded her head unsurely.
"Guys?" Lucas demanded.
"Why are you staring at each other all funny?" Vaughn inquired.
Should we tell them? Marshall asked.
No, not yet, Corrine decided. Let's try to make sure we both haven't gone insane, first.
Right, Marshall thought, rolling his eyes. He turned to Lucas. "Sorry, just fazed out," He told him.
"Yeah, must have been that bump," Corrine said quickly. One really large bump. Marshall looked at her.
"You sure?" Lucas asked.
"Yeah, we're fine," Corrine assured him.
"Good. So we're all meeting during lunch, then? Z's room?"
"Yep," Marshall said.
"See you then!" Lucas called, moving quickly out of the room. Vaughn stayed behind for a moment, studying the two before him. Then his face fell into confusion.
"What just happened?" He asked them.
"Nothing," Marshall said. "You okay? You look really pale."
"I'm fine," Vaughn said quickly, though his confused look didn't go away. He cautiously turned around and moved out of the room, leaving Corrine and Marshall. They both looked at each other.
Can you hear me now? Marshall asked.
Yes.
Oh man. We're in trouble. Corrine nodded her head in agreement before the two continued out of the room, Z watching the group of them with uncertainty.
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"Josie's halfway through the book," Finley reported softly. He stood in the middle of Jovee's bedroom, watching her back as he gave the report she'd asked for. "Corrine just pulled her away from her room to meet everyone downstairs for lunch. An important meeting, I guess."
"And Lucas?" Jovee inquired, glancing at him.
"He just started reading," Finley said. He turned around, as if to leave the room, but stopped, looking back. "Jovee … you didn't -. Yesterday when Douglas said that you knew … did you?"
"No," Jovee said, turning reluctantly from the window to see him. "You and I both know we can't control the wormhole. Maybe I knew something was going to happen. Maybe I had a vague idea we would come here, now, of all places. But I didn't know, in all aspects of the word. It was more like … hoped."
Finley stepped closer uncertainly. "You wanted it to open, then?"
Jovee turned quickly away. "Everyone wants something interesting to happen."
"But Jovee, after we do everything, how do we get home?" Finley demanded, raising his voice for the first time. It was a rarity with the quiet genius.
"I don't know," She snapped. "I just figured the wormhole will take us back."
"And what if it doesn't. Have you ever thought we'd be stuck here? We could end up just like you-know-who. We could have no way back."
Jovee winced. "Worst comes to worst we'll ask the others for help."
Finley's jaw clenched uncertainly. "This was all a mistake," He murmured, causing Jovee to bite her lower lip.
"We're doing Douglas a favor by being here."
"No, we're not. Jovee, this is wrong. We shouldn't have even begun to meddle," Finley said. "In anything."
"Anything, Finley? Weren't you the one who said whatever happened, everything that went on, it was our duty to work with it?" Jovee demanded.
"Well I was wrong. You're not doing Douglas any good by bringing him here, not now, not ever. I know you knew what you were doing when you went through that wormhole. I don't know how you knew, but you're the one who brought us here. If you think you were doing Douglas a favor - lord knows why you would want to - then you need to think again, because there is more to all of this than we know. More than anyone knows! We can't just interfere with the timeline. It's been fun Jovee. It's been a blast. But you need to figure out a way to get us out of this place before your plans backfire." Finley's face was full of frustration. It was full of frustration and despair.
"I'll get us back," Jovee said. "But not until we're finished here. I at least owe Douglas that much."
"Fine," Finley relented. "Fine. Just do it quickly."
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Josie blinked a few times, looking around the room. "You can't be serious."
Great, she thinks we're joking, Marshall thought angrily.
I have enough problems with my own thoughts at the moment, Thought Corrine, glancing at Marshall as her mind ran through any sorts of answers to what the new kids were up to – if anything. She and Marshall had finally accepted that they were actually reading each other's mind. The only problem with it at the moment was trying to keep it under control. Marshall heard every thought Corrine had, and vice-versa. Right at this moment they had just filled Josie in on what they knew about Finley, Jovee, and Douglas. And apparently she thought the idea to be ridiculous.
"Look, Josie, why couldn't they have come through the wormhole?" Lucas countered.
Josie looked around for a minute, studying each face in the room, before falling into a chair. "Oh man," She muttered. "So what do we do?"
"Well we've decided not to confront them," Corrine said.
You decided. We just sort of went along, Marshall thought.
I'm not listening to you. At this Marshall grinned.
Josie caught the look. "What's going on with you?" She asked, looking at Marshall uncertainly. Both Vaughn and Lucas looked in the same direction.
"He and Corrine have both been sort of … off," Lucas said slowly.
Listen to them talk about us like we're not here, Corrine said.
I don't know. I find this situation rather amusing.
You won't once I start picking up on your private thoughts.
"Guys?" Josie asked, waving her arm in front of their faces.
Why does she have to do that?
Corrine resisted a shrug when she overheard Marshall's thought. "Let's stay focused here. We're concerned about the wormhole."
I love how she keeps everything under control. Then Marshall blushed, looking at Corrine, who also seemed a little embarrassed after hearing the thought. After all, you just can't control your random thoughts.
"Whatever you say," Josie said, sitting back.
"So what do we do about it?" Vaughn finally asked.
"We try to get as close to them as we can," Lucas said softly. "They already know a lot about us. And Douglas is eager to hang out. We let them in, get to know them. There isn't any point in beating around the bush."
"Good idea," Josie said, nodding her head.
"Where do we start?" Marshall inquired.
"Now?" Lucas suggested.
