Alejandra had been bracing for this ever since she’d heard Mr. Stower’s announcement at the impromptu pep rally. Tuesday nothing happened for her, but on Wednesday, it took a massive amount of mental energy to keep herself calm when the vice president walked into the first CCNC after school session of the week. Her heart sputtered as she forced it to calm, but it stopped working completely once Akshi slithered in. She forced herself to look at Señora Florez because she didn’t dare look at Derek. It somehow felt incriminating. There was an absurdity to this stress as she wore her outfit for spirit week. Wednesday was wearing a decade. She got into her mom’s closet, which was full of hand-me-downs, and went with whatever decade other people thought she was wearing.

Something inside her died. She was seriously wondering if it was worth it. Coming to school in her mom’s old clothes, pretending she had all the school spirit she could muster while hiding a half-orc in her home from Akshi. Could she keep doing this to herself? Playing a game of CCNC when she understood the full consequences.

She tried desperately not to look at Akshi as he slithered forward, then studied a figurine on the desks all pushed together to make a table.

“Hello, Señora Florez. Thank you again for letting us come,” Mr. Stower said.

“Us?” Señora Florez glanced at the door. “Is someone else coming, too?”

Akshi twirled his wrist and Mr. Stower’s pupils turned greener. “Ah, forgive me. Force of habit. Now, Señora, tell me about CCNC club.”

Señora Florez smiled, picking up the bag of dice. “It’s a game. The name says it all. Players make a choice, the roll of the dice deals the chance, and then the game master gives the consequence.”

“Ah. And it’s all in a mythical fantasy world, yes?” Mr. Stower asked.

Alejandra watched as Derek sat next to her, giving her a calming smile she could not reciprocate. Mr. Stower and Señora Florez continued talking as Akshi tried to pick up one of the d4’s. She couldn’t tell if it was because he couldn’t interact with anything on earth, or if it was a d4 being notoriously difficult to pick up.

“We’re alright.” Derek’s whisper was so quiet she almost couldn’t hear it. She didn’t want to react to it either. She watched Mr. Stower and Señora Florez talking as Akshi approached Señora Florez.

“Hey, you guys all leveled up, so go ahead and look over what you need in order to strengthen your characters,” Señora Florez said.

“Sick,” Oskar said, grabbing his player’s handbook. Alejandra nodded because it felt like the right thing to do. They sat around the desks. She was tempted to move seats so her back was to Akshi, but it would be weird. Derek handed her a player’s handbook, and she opened it to whatever page she could and hid her face. A fear trickled in that she hadn’t felt in a while. The need to be calm. To not bring attention to herself. The primal urge to run from a predator, even when the logical part of her said it would be better to stay where she was. Stay quiet. Uninteresting.

Akshi slithered over to Mr. Stower, and Señora Florez’ eyes flickered in that direction. Alejandra gripped Derek’s arm under the table, aware that she hadn’t cut her fingernails in a while. Derek gave a strangled gasp before looking up to see Señora Florez quizzically looking at a place where Akshi once occupied.

“Señora Florez? Is everything alright?” Mr. Stower asked in a robotic voice.

“Fine. Everything is fine.”

Don’t say it. Say nothing. Please.

Derek detached her fingers from his arm, though he gave her hand a comforting pat.

“Did you see something?” Mr. Stower asked.

Derek tensed, and Alejandra’s muscles screamed to relax.

“Well, no. I mean, I’d tell you, but you’d think I—”

Derek stood up, the chair of the desk scrapping against the floor. “Mr. Stower, hey. I’m not sure if we’ve formally met.” He walked over to them, and Alejandra forced herself to stare at the player’s handbook. “I’m Derek Perez. President of the CCNC club.”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

She forced herself to calm down, to listen to Oskar bickering with Benny about which was better to beef up, strength or constitution. She clasped the player’s handbook, staring at her character sheet. Telling herself she could not run.

“Ah, yes. Hello, Derek,” Mr. Stower said. “I’ve seen you here and there.”

“Probably because I’ve been here or there.”

Mr. Stower laughed. “This kid!”

Alejandra did not want to look up. Akshi was coming over to their table. Even though she wasn’t looking right at him, she saw his face. Saw the human features with the snake hood. Felt every hair on the back of her neck stand as he leaned over to get a better look at the figurines.

Derek, Señora Florez, and Mr. Stower kept talking about CCNC, about the benefits of the game, not only in math skills, but in social skills as well.

Mr. Stower was rubbing his chin. “It sounds like everyone brings along their imaginary friends to go on fantastical adventures.”

Derek and Señora Florez waited a beat before glancing at each other.

“Yeah. Yeah, sure, that’s a way to describe it,” Señora Florez said.

Akshi leaned over, and Alejandra forgot to breathe. He looked at Derek’s wizard figurine, Algrum Bronzediggle. Hraktar’s character sheet was becoming clearer in her mind, and she felt lightheaded. She needed to breathe. If she just thought it, Hraktar would appear. It was the last thing they needed, but the fear was strong.

“Now, humor this odd question. Are there any snake people in this fantasy realm?” Mr. Stower asked.

“Yeah. I’m assuming you’re talking about the naga race,” Señora Florez said.

Mr. Stower frowned. “Naga?”

“They’re a mythical race. Half-human, half-snake,” Señora Florez said.

Akshi paused, then looked up at Señora Florez, who did not return the gaze. Alejandra needed to breathe, or she would pass out.

“How interesting. Is there any incredibly popular half-human half-snake creature in this game?” Mr. Stower asked.

Senora Florez started gesturing with her hands. “Well, I mean, obviously the most popular is Akshi.”

Akshi dropped to the ground and zoomed toward Señora Florez. Alejandra covered her mouth. Her breathing had taken a different turn. Hraktar’s character sheet appeared, her dice just out of reach. She tried to shut off her brain.

“Akshi?” Mr. Stower asked as Derek’s muscles tightened.

“Yes. A powerful spell caster. Often the enemy a team of adventurers must defeat. If they can,” Señora Florez said.

Alejandra couldn’t let Hraktar appear, even though she desperately needed a feeling of security. They couldn’t smuggle Hraktar out of here if he appeared. And if he appeared now, Akshi would murder him.

Mr. Stower was smiling. Akshi leaned in until he was half an inch away from Señora Florez’s face. Mr. Stower’s pupils turned a darker shade of green. “That is so fascinating.”

Do nothing. Be nothing. Become invisible.

“I’m happy to help,” Señora Florez said.

Mr. Stower glanced over at the makeshift table. “I think this is one of the more fascinating clubs we’ve visited. We might be back.”

Señora Florez frowned. “We?”

Mr. Stower didn’t answer. Just smiled at them. “When is your next meeting?”

“Well, this might be our last time this week, since it’s homecoming week,” Derek said as Señora Florez opened her mouth to answer. Alejandra, who felt like nerves were emanating off her body, marveled at how calmly Derek said all this. “Another classic thing about CCNC is scheduling. It’s always the biggest obstacle.”

“Ah, yes. That is one thing I’m learning. Homecoming week is full of things to do,” Mr. Stower said. “Well, I shall ask for an update about your next meeting. It’ll be better for all of us for it to be next week, anyway.”

Señora Florez nodded. “Alright. I’ll let you know when our next meeting is. It’ll most likely be next Tuesday.”

“Then I shall see you next Tuesday,” Mr. Stower said.

He turned to leave. Akshi kept staring at Señora Florez before slithering after Mr. Stower.

Once the door closed, Alejandra finally breathed. It sounded more like a gasp, and a ringing filled her ears. Oskar and Benny glanced over, frowning. Derek turned and saw her, concerned. “Alejandra?”

She couldn’t speak. The other CCNC members were confused, but the silent confusion where they knew something was wrong but didn’t know how to help.

“Alejandra? Are you alright?” Señora Florez said.

She shook her head. Lying to anyone right now was impossible. She hated keeping secrets. She hated having to pretend everything was alright when she was breaking inside. It reminded her of a time not that long ago, pretending everything was alright at home when it was actually hell.

Derek whispered something to her, and Señora Florez nodded. Alejandra didn’t know what was happening, but Derek helped her to her feet.

“You’re alright. He’s gone. Señora Florez said you can use her office. Do you need a school nurse? You look like you’re having a panic attack.”

Her hands trembled. “I… can’t leave… this room.”

“I know. I know, Alejandra. Let’s just… get you some help. Let’s go to Señora Florez’s office.”

Alejandra didn’t fight him as he helped her into the office. Señora Florez thankfully had tissues, because she already felt tears rolling down her cheeks. How long had her cheeks been wet?

Alejandra gripped the edge of the desk, all the air from her body leaving. She collapsed in the chair, her shoulders slumped. The stress was getting to her. Despite having her friends, she felt so isolated.

“I’ll… be fine. Go back,” Alejandra said to Derek. “I need a moment.”

Derek nodded, looking grim, but obeyed. He knew Señora Florez was hovering, but she, too, was being respectful.