AN: Thanks to Hottitom, my lone reviewer, lol. Thanks for the support. Only ... three more chaps to go i suspect, so just hang in with me!
CHAPTER EIGHT
Day 5
Katrina stretched with a yawn before looking over at Josie who was rummaging through her book collection. "What are you doing?"
"Looking for … something," Josie grunted. She straightened up. "You wouldn't happen to have 'Jane Eyre', would, you?"
"Eh … no, why?"
"I just woke up with this urge to read it," Josie said, shaking her head.
Katrina took her clock in her hand and looked at it. "Six 'o' clock?" She exclaimed. "It's the weekend!"
"I know," Josie said, shaking her head. "I just couldn't sleep."
"But it's six in the morning. On the weekend!" Katrina exclaimed, staring at Josie with horror. She straightened up, certainty on her face. "Get back in that bed … and close your eyes, okay?"
"But -."
"Bed!" Katrina exclaimed. Josie rolled her eyes and then climbed over to the bed. The two settled in, and for a few moments there was silence. Then Katrina started rolling about in the bed.
"What are you doing?" Josie asked, opening an eye and peering at Katrina.
"I don't feel too well," She said, sounding a little surprised. "I felt just fine a few minutes ago, but now … ouch!"
"What's wrong?"
"I'm not sure," Katrina said; her voice full of pain and frustration. Suddenly purple electricity shot around her, unnoticed by either she or Josie. A few moments later a black kitten sat on the bed in the place of the raven-haired girl. Josie jumped up, eyes wide in shock.
"Oh no." The kitten just gave a little 'mew' in return.
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"Douglas? Finley? Open those doors!" Josie pounded on one door, and then went across the hall to pound on the other, Katrina in her arm. After a moment the door where Finley was staying was thrown open. A boy with bright green hair appeared, frowning.
"Look, it's early in the morning. What do you want?" He demanded; arms over his chest, irritation in his eyes. "And what's with the cat?"
"Is Finley in there? Wait … who are you?"
"Phil – Finley's room mate. And he's sleeping … like I should be. And you." He frowned.
"Well could you wake him up? This is kind of important."
"You've got to be kidd -."
"Jos – err, Jade?" A voice called from across the hall. Josie spun around to see Douglas standing there, rubbing sleep out of his eyes. "What's going on?"
"We have a bit of a problem," Josie said, stuffing Katrina into Douglas' hands. He looked down at the cat with slight disgust, and then back at Josie.
"I hate cats," He stated.
"So do I. Which is why you can hold onto her instead of me," Josie replied.
"Why's everyone in the hall?" Finley asked, looking around.
"Red here was looking for you," Phil said, gesturing to Josie. He turned around and yawned. "Later dude."
"Okay, what's with the early morning wake-up call?" Finley asked.
"Cat," Douglas said with a shrug, handing it over. Katrina, who had been fussy in Douglas' arms settled happily into Finley's.
"I'm confused," Finley said, looking up at Josie and Douglas as his hands ran softly through the cat's fur.
"One word: Katrina," Josie said.
"What about her," Douglas asked from behind her.
Josie simply gestured to the cat, waiting for the information to register. When it did, both boys looked horrified, Finley quickly dropping the cat, which caused her to hiss and claw at him in return.
"Are you trying to say the," Finley lowered his voice, "Cat is Katrina?"
"Yeah," Josie said as if it were obvious.
"Well we need to fix this," Finley said, picking Katrina up again and stroking her apologetically.
"Wait a minute," Douglas whispered. "This seems way too familiar. Anyone else notice a pattern here?"
"No," Josie said.
"Yes!" Finley exclaimed. "It's so early in the morning … I'd almost forgotten."
"I'm lost."
"Katrina was turned into a cat once before," Douglas replied.
"Which implies that something really weird is going on. First you turn into an elf -." Douglas gave a slightly annoyed growl. "Then Nathaniel was pyrokinetic again, and now this. Something's up."
"Whatever it is, we need to fix it soon," Josie said pointedly. "I hate cats. No offense, Katrina." The cat let out a low growl and then buried her face in Finley's arms.
"Z's office?" Douglas suggested.
"Got a better idea?"
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Jovee rested her head on the desk, closing her eyes. When she opened them again, Nathaniel was staring at her. She swatted him away and then turned around, looking at the trio. "Don't mean to be a pest, but while this weirdo right here is an insomniac -," She gestured to Nathaniel. "I like to sleep in. So could you please explain to me why we're all here?"
Without saying anything, Finley took Katrina from the little bed he'd set up for her in one of Z's drawers, and placed her on the table in front of Jovee. The girl blinked once, twice, and then looked at Finley.
"Katrina's a cat again, isn't she?" She asked.
"Yes she is," Finley replied, taking the cat back and scratching behind her ears.
"Great," Jovee said, dragging the word out. "And I don't suppose this could have waited until … oh, I don't know … later?"
"She's your best friend!" Josie exclaimed.
"I'm not saying she's not, but it's not like anything bad will happen to her. Besides … she likes being a cat," Jovee said.
"She told you this?" Nathaniel asked.
"Yeah. Well, no," Jovee said. "I read about it in her diary."
To this Katrina hissed and went to scratch Jovee. The girl jumped back. "I said I was sorry last time."
"I don't see how they could be friends," Josie said, shaking her head.
"It's an opposite's kind of thing," Douglas replied.
"What?" Jovee asked. "It's not as if I never caught you reading my diary." Katrina settled down quickly.
"Enough nonsense," Finley said. "We need to fix this."
"Any suggestions?" Nathaniel asked.
"Eh … no, that's the best I've got, really."
Nathaniel shook his head. "Maybe there's a reason she's that size," He said.
Josie looked at him with surprise. "What did you say?"
"Well last time Katrina was turned into a cat it was for a reason. She ended up listening in on a conversation between Eiley and Collin Bush," Nathaniel pointed out.
"That's exactly what the janitor told me when I shrunk to five inches," Josie exclaimed.
"Janitor?" Nathaniel repeated. "Scary tall guy, funky glasses, spiky hair … all knowing?"
"Wait … he's still here?" Josie asked. "I knew he could travel through time, but this is just weird."
"He stays in the basement. Usually doesn't come out unless there's something Eiley wants him to do. He came here just after Eiley became principal, actually," Nathaniel said, looking thoughtful.
"That's the janitor," Josie said with a nod. "I say we try and see what he knows about all this."
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"This is why I never want to ask the janitor a question," Finley grumbled, wrinkling his nose at the repulsive smell of the basement. Josie rolled her eyes, following quickly behind Jovee.
"You know, usually the janitor just sort of … appears, when we need his help," Josie said.
Jovee shook her head. "He must have gotten lazy or something in this time period. We always have to try and find him."
"That's probably because he knows that you know that he's useful," Finley pointed out. "I mean, your Dad told you everything after the wormhole opened up again. It's only logical that he – time traveler and all – would know that."
"I don't know," Douglas said slowly. "I just think he's lazy."
"I'm with you on that," Nathaniel chuckled.
Jovee rolled her eyes and stopped outside the janitor's bedroom. She quickly rapped on the door, Katrina weaving in and out of her legs. There was some shuffling around behind the door as the others caught on with them.
"What?" The janitor asked, poking his head through the door. He glanced around, eyes falling on Josie, and then moving over to Katrina.
"Yes, we're in a debate," Nathaniel said, pushing Jovee out of the way. "We can't figure out if you don't come to us with answers because you already know that we know you have them, or because you're just lazy."
The janitor blinked before Jovee shoved Nathaniel out of the way. "Ignore him … he tends to be an idiot."
"It's early," The janitor said.
"Well I know it's early," Jovee snapped. "But we've got a situation and you've got the answers."
"No I don't," The janitor replied.
"Yes you do," Josie said, stepping to the front.
The janitor ignored her, and looked back at the cat. "Pet's aren't allowed in the school."
"No, but students are, and she's a student," Jovee told her.
"You need to figure everything out yourself. Keep going, though. You're on the right track," He said, before quickly closing the door behind him. Jovee blinked.
"I changed my mind … he's completely useless," She said.
"Definitely slacking," Douglas agreed. "And he wants a better future … ha! Not gonna happen if we have to do everything ourselves."
Finley picked up Katrina and started down the hall. "I'm going to attempt to find some way to change her back," He called over his shoulder. "The rest of you should just go back to bed before Eiley finds out."
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By afternoon Katrina was still a cat, and Finley, despite his best efforts, was beginning to give up. The group had met up on and off to check in on the situation, only to be disappointed with the outcome. There was no Z to go to today, seeing as he was visiting with his wife's parents. Now it was just the group without anyone to help them solve the situation.
Finley rested his tired head on his pillow, watching Katrina bat a bouncy ball back and forth. He sighed, turning over on his back to stare at the ceiling. It only took him a few minutes, and then he was asleep. For a while there were only his soft snores and Katrina's playing that filled the room. Then the door was pushed quietly open, and Josie entered. She glanced around the room, and then bent down petting the cat.
A little wary of her, Katrina cautiously leaned into the petting, becoming comfortable. Josie picked her up and quickly slid out of the room. She moved quickly down the hall, and then disappeared into a different hall. She moved quickly around, ignored by any bystanders. She opened a door and moved into it, placing Katrina on an empty desk. The she sat down across from her, meeting the cat's suspicious eyes.
"You're right," Josie finally said, Katrina moving a little bit away. "I'm not Josie. At least … not the Josie you know. But you have to promise not to tell anyone. Not yet, at least. It's just a little complicated. You can call me Josie 2, if you want. That's what everyone else called me."
Katrina swished her tail, settling down as if ready to hear the whole story. Josie 2 just laughed.
"I can't tell you. I will soon, but right now let's worry about getting you back to your old self. Does that sound okay?"
Katrina simply tilted her black head to the side patiently.
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"I'm going to have a major panic attack if we don't find some way to get everything fixed," Douglas said, rubbing his eyes tiredly. Jovee just grinned from the bed.
"I'm sure you have an answer to everything in that crazy mind of yours," She said.
"Ha ha," Douglas said, rolling his eyes. "I'm half tempted to ask my Mom. She knows Josie's here, so maybe she can tell me what happened."
"Back up … she knows Josie's here?" Jovee asked. "Since when?"
"Since last night, at least. Josie, Nathaniel and Finley were hiding in the closet, and as my Mom walked by she acknowledged Josie," Douglas said.
"But don't you think if she knew what happens she would have told you?" Jovee countered.
"Maybe she's thinking like the janitor – 'don't say a word', 'let them figure it out themselves'."
Jovee laughed. "What's with adults now days, anyways? They expect us to know everything."
"Maybe it's their revenge for them not knowing everything that was going on when they were younger," Douglas suggested.
"This stinks," Jovee said.
"It's a complete disaster," Douglas replied. The two shared a laugh.
"Alright, so what do we know?" Jovee asked.
"Katrina shut down Microne, but in doing so she shut down all connections to the wormhole, implying that Josie will be stuck here. We know that things that have happened to each of us before is happening again. Sometimes using the same situation works to get out, other times there's a completely different reason," Douglas filled in.
"So anything can happen." Jovee shuddered. "One can only imagine."
"I wonder if all this is somehow connected to Josie," Douglas said slowly.
"I don't think so," Jovee said with a wave of her arm. Then she frowned. "Still, maybe we should ask Professor Z?"
"Maybe," Douglas said. "Speaking of Josie, where is she?"
"I think she said something about having something to do," Jovee said.
"That could mean a number of things!" Douglas exclaimed, jumping up.
"Chillax, hyper boy. She promised she wouldn't try to find out any future information," Jovee said.
Douglas scoffed. "And you believed her?" He asked.
"Douglas, sit down," Jovee said, taking his hand and pulling him onto the bed. "Josie's not going to get into any sort of trouble. Just take some nice deep breaths, okay?"
"You sure?" Douglas asked.
Jovee snorted. "I'm positive," She said.
"Okay," Douglas said, taking in a slightly less panicked breath. Then he looked down, realizing he was still holding Jovee's hand. She noticed the same, and the two quickly let go. For a moment there was an awkward silence.
Then Jovee found her voice. "Douglas, I think -."
Douglas quickly pushed her out of the way as a bit of plaster came smashing from the ceiling and onto the bed where Jovee had been sitting moments before. The two stared at the bit with horror.
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She was surprised Jovee had let her off so easily, but Josie had a feeling she wanted to talk to Douglas, so she hadn't exactly been listening to what Josie had said when she'd wandered off. Now she found herself slightly lost.
She'd never expected to run into Vaughn's wife again, but there she was, walking down the halls with a few cheerleaders behind her. She stopped when she saw Josie.
"Jade," She said with a slight smile. She gestured to the group of girls to wait for her. "Vinny mentioned you were at the house yesterday."
"Yeah, just visiting with Jovee," Josie said quickly. "Hey, you wouldn't happen to know where Vinny is, would you? I had to ask him a question – for Jovee."
"He's probably practicing on the football field. Where is Jovee, anyways? She's supposed to be coming to practice," Dee said with a frown. "She's missed so many practices lately …"
"She was in Katrina Groh's room earlier, but I don't think she's still there," Josie said apologetically. She started walking outside with Dee and the cheerleaders.
"It's a shame you're only visiting," Dee continued. "You'd like Blake Holsey so much. And you look like you could be a great cheerleader."
"Me? I don't think so," Josie said with a nervous laugh. "Cheerleading's not exactly my thing."
"It's a shame, it's so much fun," Dee said.
"All you do is stand around waving your pom poms around," Josie scoffed.
Dee simply frowned. "You know, you sound so much like Josie."
"Who?" Josie asked, looking up with surprise.
"Just an old friend of my husband's," Dee said with dismissal. "You know, I think her maiden name was Trent."
"Maiden name?" Josie asked with surprise.
"Mm hmm. You wouldn't happen to be related to her, would you?" Dee inquired.
"We're, eh, cousins," Josie said.
"That's a shame … you're such a nice girl. Oh, there's Vinny. Well I'll see you later, have to start practice. Could you tell Jovee to come home at seven instead of nine? Her father's having some business people over for dinner tonight."
Josie was half tempted to ask more, but decided it'd be better to simply talk to Vinny. "Sure," She said. After Dee had moved away, she frowned. Maybe her future self wasn't too wrong in thinking this Dee was a twit. Nice, but still a little too obsessed with cheerleading for Josie's taste. She turned and walked over to the bleachers to watch the Football players practice. It wouldn't be long before she actually got to talk with Vinny.
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Jovee pushed open the door to Finley's room quickly followed by Douglas. "We've got a problem," She said.
"On top a bundle of other problems," Finley replied, not bothering to stop tossing things all over the room.
"What's wrong?" Jovee asked.
"Katrina's missing," Finley replied.
"What?" Douglas demanded.
"If Eiley sees her, she's gone!" Jovee exclaimed.
"I know!" Finley snapped. "I fell asleep while Katrina was playing, and I woke up five minutes ago to an empty room."
"You don't think Phil came in and took her, do you?" Douglas asked.
"Nah, he's out shopping today," Finley replied.
"Hey guys."
Everyone spun around to see a human Katrina step through the door.
"You're not a cat," Finley said.
"Yeah," Katrina said with a grin.
"… How?" Jovee asked.
"Let's just say a friend helped me realize that I was blaming myself for everything that happened yesterday," Katrina replied.
"A friend?" Jovee repeated, looking slightly hurt. "Who?"
"No one," Katrina replied with a shrug. "What's going on?"
"We've got a new problem on our hands," Douglas said.
"Huh?" Katrina asked.
"The school's falling apart," Jovee said.
"Okay, I know the place is pretty crummy and everything -."
"No," Jovee interrupted. Katrina blinked, looking at her best friend. "You remember when I was really stressed about exams and what my Dad would think if I ended up failing?"
"Who could forget," Katrina said. "You had us up till three in the morning studying. You hardly got a wink of sleep that whole week."
"Well do you remember what happened before the exams?" Jovee inquired.
"The school started falling apart," Finley said. "Gargh, on top of everything else!"
"I have a theory," Jovee said quickly. "I think that with everything that's been going on – with all the stress each of us is going through, it's no wonder the school's falling apart. So let's try and get everything out in the open."
Before anyone could say anything, though, the floor gave a hard jerk, and then the walls began to rumble.
"I'm stressed about being stuck in a room that's falling apart right now!" Katrina snapped, holding tight to the wall. After a few more seconds the floor stopped shifting.
"Okay, let's move fast," Jovee said. "There's already a bit of plaster missing out of your ceiling, Katrina."
"Great, now I'm stressed about my ceiling," Katrina said.
"Be serious," Douglas said.
"Alright, alright," Katrina said. "I'm really not stressed about anything."
"Finley?"
"Aside from 'are my parents alright on their trip'? I'm concerned about how all this is going to end."
"Me too," Jovee said. "I'm afraid nothing's ever going to be the same after this week."
"I'm worried about my Dad," Douglas said softly. "And my Mom."
"I'm worried about my friends and the school," Said Finely.
"I think my family's falling apart," Jovee said.
"I'm afraid Josie will find everything out," Douglas mumbled.
They fell silent. The door opened and Nathaniel walked in. He frowned. "Did I miss something?"
"Is the school still falling apart?" Jovee asked.
"The school was falling apart? Huh, I just thought it was some random earthquake thing. If it makes you feel better, I didn't notice anything after that last tremble."
"Let's just hope it's stopped," Douglas said. The others nodded in agreement.
"Oh hey, thought you guys would like to know that Josie and Vinny got in a fight about five minutes ago. Eiley had to split them up, and then dragged them both to his office."
"What?" Jovee demanded.
"Yeah. You should have seen them – I think Vinny's nose started bleeding, but he hardly got anything on Josie," Nathaniel said. "It was awesome."
"Oh no," Jovee said, quickly darting out of the room. Douglas shot Nathaniel a dirty look, and then followed Jovee. Finley was quickly behind Douglas, and finally Katrina. She looked Nathaniel over.
"You didn't even bother to try and stop it?" She asked.
"If you'd been there, you wouldn't have wanted to stop it either," Nathaniel replied.
Katrina grinned. "Wish I could have seen it." The two quickly left the room.
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"It was just a little fight," Josie replied.
"Yeah, aside from the severely bloody nose that Vinny got," Katrina said. "Good punch."
"I still don't understand why you got in a fight with my brother," Jovee said.
"I was just trying to help," Josie replied.
"Help with what?"
"I thought I'd try and get Vinny to get along with Vaughn," Josie admitted. "I was just trying to help."
"How'd the fight start?" Jovee asked.
"We started talking about his home life, he got annoyed, and I defended myself," Josie replied.
"Well don't do it again," Jovee said. "Everything with Vinny and Dad will work itself out in time. It's just a stage."
"Still," Josie said, meeting Jovee's eye. "It was worth a try."