The bell echoed through the corridors, sharp and shrill. Students surged like a tide, sweeping in every direction. I moved against it, brushing shoulders, my thoughts louder than the noise around me.
The bell hadn't even stopped ringing before Toby snapped his fingers in front of my face.
"Jim! Earth to Jim, c'mon man. You're zoning out again."
I blinked back to reality, still half-lost in the maze of thoughts I'd been wandering since Strickler's class. Adjusting the weight of my backpack, I looked over at Toby who had the nervous energy of someone who'd just remembered something important.
"Where to next?" I asked, my voice even, though the question was more for him than me. In truth, I had no idea. So much had changed already, "It was like updating a familiar machine, the core parts worked the same, but the wiring had changed. Not a problem, just a new set of connections to figure out."
Toby winced. "You forgot our schedule?"
I gave a lopsided grin. "It's been a while."
Toby glanced around before leaning in. "You're not gonna like it."
"Try me."
He sighed. "Gym."
Not to bad, I can get a warm up before I start my actual training to prepare.
We started walking, the echoes of student chatter bouncing off the tiled walls. As we rounded the corner toward the locker rooms, I lowered my voice.
"Hey, about the amulet. What are you planning to do with it?"
Toby glanced down at my pocket next to my zipper. Even hidden, it might as well have been glowing.
"I dunno," he muttered. "Feels wrong holding onto it. It's like carrying around Excalibur when all you've got is a learner's permit."
I chuckled. "You'd be surprised."
Toby hesitated. "Can you keep it a little longer? At least until after my orthodontist appointment. I'm not sure I'm ready."
For a moment, I considered pushing back. After all, I needed him to start accepting the role. But I also needed him to arrive there on his own he was after all, Jims, or my friend?. So I offered a small nod.
"Alright. Just don't expect me to fight goblins in gym shorts."
Toby let out a relieved laugh. "Deal."
By the time we entered the gym, students were already clustering near the climbing rope. Coach Lawrence stood near the bleachers with a clipboard and a whistle, his face set in its usual scowl.
Toby groaned the second he saw the setup. "Not the rope... anything but the rope."
I gave him a pat on the shoulder. "C'mon. You survived worse. Remember that time you tried out for wrestling?"
"That was sixth grade and I dislocated my shoulder!"
I smirked. "Exactly. Growth."
We joined the line of students gathering under the rope, and as Toby muttered curses under his breath regretting not just skipping school entirely, my eyes drifted ahead of the line and I froze.
Claire.
She was third in line, chatting with Darci, a book cradled next to her feet she probably forgot to put down. She was glowing, magnetic in a way that pulled all attention her way without even trying. Her laugh hit my ears like a long forgotten melody. The seriousness of what we all went through hadn't given us the time for moments like these. She didn't know me yet. Not this version of me. But I remembered everything despite not actually being Jim.
Toby noticed my sudden silence and followed my gaze.
"Ohhh," he grinned. "Someone's got a cruuuush."
I didn't break eye contact. "Shut up, Toby. Get ready to climb."
"You're blushing."
"You're climbing."
Coach Lawrence called the first names. Claire went up easily no hesitation. Just pure focus and determination. She almost reached the bell, able to tap it once, and slid down like it was nothing. My admiration only deepened. She was just like the one I remember.
Darci followed. Not quite as smooth, but almost made it. Then came Toby.
He walked to the rope like a man approaching the gallows. I patted him on the back. "Deep breath. Just pretend it's a ladder made of sadness."
"You're not helping."
He jumped, grabbed the rope, and immediately began shaking like a windblown leaf. Inch by painful inch, he lifted himself, only to slip and crash down two feet later.
Coach Lawrence scribbled something on his clipboard. "Participation grade secured."
Toby rolled away from the mat, groaning. "This is why I didn't go out for track."
I stepped up next. Students were whispering now. Most likely due to toby's lack luster performance, but all eyes were on me now and it only fuel my confidence.
I jumped, hooking my legs expertly around the rope. My upper body strained more than expected Jim's form, while athletic, lacked the edge I was used to in my original life and Jims. But strength wasn't everything. Not here.
It was about pure will.
Halfway up, I heard murmurs. Someone said "Steve's the only one who's ever made it all the way."
I smirked. Good.
I climbed further, my arms burning, fingers digging in. My breath was calm, my eyes fixed on the bell above.
Inches away.
Then—RING RING.
The bell.
I grabbed the rope inside it and with the pull of my fingers it rang and I descended smoothly, letting myself drop with a final roll onto the mat.
Coach Lawrence grunted his approval. "Not bad, Lake."
Toby dragged himself over, eyes wide. "Dude. How? Seriously. How did you do that?"
I shrugged, catching my breath. "Must be the amulet."
He looked down at my gym pocket. "Wait. You brought it with you?"
"Just in case a thief ambushes us in dodgeball."
He laughed, weakly. "Unreal."
I stood, brushing sweat from my forehead. That's when I noticed them.
Claire and Darci.
They were whispering, eyes flicking toward me. I caught Claire's gaze for a brief second. She turned back quickly but not before I saw it a small glint of curiosity.
It was time for me to act.
Toby was still recovering beside me when I leaned down. "I'll be right back."
"You're gonna go talk to her, aren't you?"
"Naturally."
"Don't be weird."
"I'm always weird. It's my best trait."
I approached casually, not too fast. Just enough to be noticed. Claire turned as I arrived, brows raised slightly.
"Nice climb," she said. Her tone was neutral, polite. Testing.
I smiled, just a fraction too wide. "Thanks. You made it look easy."
Darci looked between us, amused. Claire tilted her head. "You're Jim, right?"
"Guilty."
"I don't remember you being... like that."
"Like what?"
"Like a ninja gymnast."
I gave a half-shrug. "I had a very... motivational summer."
Claire laughed, and that was the opening. I leaned in just a little.
"You know, there's actually a lot of psychology behind climbing. The rope represents fear—the higher you go, the closer you are to confronting it."
She gave me a look. "Is that a real theory or are you making it up to sound smart?"
"Yes."
She laughed again, this time louder. Darci excused herself with a grin, sensing the moment.
Claire crossed her arms. "So what's your major?"
"Machinist. Minor in building relationships ."
She rolled her eyes but didn't walk away. Instead, she leaned against the wall. "You should come to drama club sometime. We need people who can think on their feet."
My smile faltered for half a second. In another timeline, I remembered her saying that same thing, just before...
No. This was different now.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," I said genuinely. "Really."
The bell rang again, this time for dismissal. She pushed off the wall and walked backward a few steps, eyes still on mine.
"See you around.. ninja."
"Count on it."
As she left, Toby limped over. "That. Was. Awesome."
"You think she into me?"
"Jim, she invited you to drama club. That's basically marriage."
I laughed, watching her disappear through the gym doors.
Progress. Not just in climbing. But rebuilding my former relationships.
No amulet required.
But it wouldn't hurt.
I looked down at my pocket, where the artifact dim but still pulsed gently .
One mystery at a time.
"C'mon, Tobs," I said, throwing an arm around him. "Let's go make it through the rest of the day without dying."
"That's a pretty low bar, dude."
"And yet we keep tripping over it."
Together, we walked out of the gym, the sun casting long shadows ahead of us. My steps were light, my mind sharp. This life, I'll make my own, With this new life I needed everyone to stay alive. With jim's calmess in the face of adversity and my prowess and intellect I'll make it happen, one way or another.