It was a school. I probably shouldn't have been that surprised, but it was so nostalgic. The halls, the lockers, the stupid school spirit posters...yeah, it sure was high school. Everyone else, at least, seemed to be in class already so I didn't have to deal with a crowd.

There was no point going to math now. Class was half over, judging by the time, and I probably wouldn't get anything out of it but confusion besides. I had a chance of knowing what was going on with chemistry. At least, I would if I could recall what we were supposed to be doing. Damn it all.

Of course my dreams would give me a second chance at something I'd failed, then stop me in my tracks. Wait, shit, I hadn't even packed my bag this morning. I'd just grabbed it and gone out the door without checking. Well whatever, I'd just have to deal with it if it caused problems. Wouldn't be the last time I screwed myself. I found my way to the library and sat near the back. The dark corners were always the best to relax in, and this was no exception. I shut my eyes and just...tried not to think for a while.

It didn't work of course. Dream or not, my thoughts still raced and whirled as fast as ever. I mean, it was Brockton Bay, I was going to school with fucking Glory Girl and she'd nearly landed on me! Oh. By extension, that meant I was in school with Amy too. I wasn't going to be weird about it. Well...why not though? Like, if this was a dream I could be as weird as I wanted right? Hell I wasn't even really me anyway, so there seemed to be no downside.

Although, this was pretty realistic. If I did start being weird, and people reacted to it...yeah no, that was something I wanted to avoid. Even thinking about it made my skin crawl. Besides, I knew roughly how things went in BB, if this went that far at least. I wanted to enjoy it while it was still...normal.

The bell rang and I rose with a sigh. I didn't really want to go to class, but it felt like I should. And...well, I kinda wanted to see this play out. I wasn't sure what day it was, let alone how much time was left before things got...ugly.

I walked into a familiar lab I'd never been in and quickly strode to the back. Lucky for me, it seemed the bag was already packed. Or, judging by the dirty tupperware, had never been unpacked the night before. I grabbed my chemistry book and sat quietly as the room filled with students.

Fortunately, the seat beside me stayed empty. Interested as I was in seeing what would happen, I didn't exactly feel up to socializing today. At least the universe was cooperating and--

“Amy, you're late again.”

“Sorry Mr. VanWort,” a short, freckled girl huffed. “Won't happen again.” I could tell by her tone that it would, in fact, happen again.

“Mm.” The teacher knew too it seemed. “Take a seat, please.” She just nodded and began walking towards her desk.

Towards my desk.

Time seemed to slow. Oh that was Amy. Oh that was Amy Dallon! I wasn't exactly one to fall into celebrity worship but, well...my feelings about her were a matter of public record. They sure as hell weren't normal, whatever the fuck that meant.

Okay, fine, whatever. I could deal with it, I'd just have to try and focus on class. That would be hard, but better than trying to talk to her. Knowing me I'd bring up something stupid that would weird her out. Silence was golden. My plan was working flawlessly, until the teacher told us we were doing a lab with our partners at our table.

Fortunately, he also told us to turn to a page in our textbooks which I eagerly did. Anything besides fumbling through that conversational hell. I was reading the most fascinating paragraph on redox titration when there was a tap on my shoulder.

“Hey,” Amy said flatly. “Guess we're working together.”

“Uhh,” I began. “Yeah, I guess.” Genius. I stared silently for a moment before I stuck out a hand awkwardly. “Um, Lia. Or Amelia. Or Amy.” I winced as she studied my hand.

“Amy,” she replied, meeting my eyes without shaking my hand. “Can I call you Lia then?”

“Sure, that's fine.” I pulled it back and offered a weak smile.

“Cool.” She glanced at my textbook. “You figured out what we're doing?”

“Oh, yeah.” Thank god she wanted to focus on class too. “It's pretty easy: a redox titration to calculate the concentration of sodium oxalate in solution.” Amy blinked at me.

“Uh, simple, sure.” Wasn't it?

“Well it sort of is.” I shrugged and laid my book flat, pointing to the formula. “We literally just add potassium permanganate until it changes colour. Then it's just math.”

“Ugh,” Amy groaned. “I just finished math and now you're telling me I have to do more?” I grimaced.

“Well, uh, I skipped it so I can do that.” I offered a weak grin. “Trust me?” She shrugged.

“Whatever.”

Well that went...better than I really could have hoped. I managed not to say something insane sounding, which was always a plus. I even managed to be fairly normal, if a little unmasked. That was something I needed to work on generally though, so it wasn't like I was any worse than usual. She didn't even seem to mind me stumbling over my words like a twit.

We rose and got the chemicals we needed to do the reaction, then returned to the desk. As I promised, once we actually got started the experiment was straightforward. Thank god I still remembered a little bit between NileRed videos and high school chemistry. I slowly added one to the other, dripping it slowly from a graded pipette. When it turned pink, I wrote down how much we added.

After that it was just ten minutes of me struggling with the stupid formulas. As if I remembered how much a fucking mole of something was. Lucky for me, textbooks in my 2011 was the same as Brockton Bay's and I was able to dig the definition out of my book without too much hassle. I finally got it, double checked it, and passed it to Amy with a smile.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Done,” I said with a hint of pride. She glanced over my messy calculations.

“Okay cool.” There was a beat of silence. “Shouldn't you like, hand it in?”

“Oh.” Shit. “Right, I'll just...do that.” Yeah, smooth, dumbass.

I rose and headed to the front of the class. We were far from the first ones done, so I waited behind two other people as everyone got their numbers checked. Finally it was my turn and I turned it over to him. The teacher, Mr. VanWort was what Amy called him, took his time with it. I could appreciate that at least. Finally he turned to me, an odd look on his face.

“Amelia, right?” I nodded. Thank god we shared a name. “Amelia?” Not Amy and I, but me and this dream-self. Then again it only made sense. “Amelia!”

“What, sorry?” I blinked. Oh, I got distracted.

“I asked if Amy helped you with these.”

“Oh, yeah.” She'd passed me chemicals and filled the pipettes. “Why?”

“I want to make sure everyone is doing their share,” he answered simply. “If only one person is doing the work, only one person is learning.” I nodded.

“That makes sense.” That was good advice, considering my career plans. Hopefully I'd remember it when I woke up. “Anyway, is it right? I haven't done these in a while.” Mr. VanWort cocked an eyebrow at me.

“We just did another lab last week.” His lips pursed slightly. “Are you feeling alright Amelia? Your attendance isn't the best, but please stay home if you're ill.” I shook my head.

“I'm fine just...” I shrugged and sighed. “Weird morning, I guess.” He nodded.

“Now that I can understand.” A wry smile touched his lips. “Your calculations are good, and you have lovely cursive. Better than the chicken scratch I'm usually treated to.” Shit, I'd been going with my usual handwriting instead of her's.

“Thanks,” I replied, swallowing. Usually I'd like the compliment, but for some reason I felt...worried. “I'll just...go.” I returned to my seat, trying to draw less attention.

“Hey, you okay?” Amy asked when I sat down. “You look like you swallowed a spider.” What a weird analogy.

“It's cool,” I replied as easily as I could mange. “Thought my stuff was wrong, but it was fine.”

“Oh, nice.” She seemed to relax a little. “Uh, thanks. Had a late night and early morning and, yeah.” I nodded.

“I feel that.” I still couldn't remember the night before this dream. “At least it's lunch next. I...forgot mine, so I'll just nap in the library I guess.” It would pass the time at least.

“Want me to treat you?” I blinked. What?

“It's fine,” I replied quickly. “Honestly the nap will probably do me good anyway. It's been a...a weird day.” Amy shrugged.

“Alright.”

The conversation died and, not long after, class ended. We exchanged quick goodbyes and left, heading in opposite directions. That was...good. My feelings around Amy aside, I just wasn't cut out for this stuff. Besides, the longer I talked the better a chance of me saying something that would fuck all this up.

My stupid hyperfixation on Worm had led me places I wouldn't go with a gun. Now I was finally in a place it could be useful, but if I said the wrong thing to somebody I'd seem insane. And I wasn't exactly someone known for saying the most rational shit at the best of times. As long as I could avoid talking about Syria...

I trudged into the library and to the same little corner I'd been in before. Unfortunately someone, or someone's had gotten there before me and I retreated from the sound of smacking lips with a sigh. I couldn't begrudge them since I'd done the same before, but did they have to do it right now? Wandering around the library, I found every quiet nook and cranny had an occupant already. Just my luck.

I left the library, muttering quiet curses under my breath. It was fine, I had to remind myself again. I'd done this before and survived without too many issues, I could do it again. Now, where could I get some peace and quiet before the lunch bell rang and I had to go to...English. Well, that wouldn't be bad at least.

A brainwave occurred. Huh, I'd never considered doing that in high school, but this Amelia already had a few times. With a grin, I headed up a nearby staircase and out into a mostly empty hallway. As if guided on invisible strings, I found my way first to a door marked 'no admittance' that admitted me easily enough. Then up a flight of stairs and out another door, slightly bent so it didn't sit in its frame quite right.

The roof was...not as charming as I'd hoped. But it was quiet, and devoid of other people. I sat with my back against the brick structure that housed the entrance and shut my eyes. The temperature was perfect for what I was wearing, and the sun beat down gently through the overcast skies above. It smelled like petrichor, rain was probably on its way, but for now it was holding off.

Despite the awkwardness and, frankly, anxiety that had filled most of my day so far...I felt okay. That freshly familiar pressured settled on my shoulders and chest. It was nice, reminded me of the various heavy pieces of jewelry that helped settle me down on bad days. I still wasn't sure what was causing it, but it wasn't really a problem for me.

How long was all this going to last? Already it felt longer than a dream had any right to. Maybe I was actually on a trip or something. Shit, if that was the case then hopefully I wasn't causing too much trouble for my sitter. For now I'd keep going like I was, not causing problems and just keeping my head down. Just like high school...

“Hey!” The exclamation made me jump. I looked around, but found no one. “Up here.” I glanced up and found a waterfall of blonde hair cascading towards me. And a smiling face in the middle of it all. Victoria Dallon.

“Uh, hi?” I cleared my throat and tried again. “Hi. Victoria, right?” She'd introduced herself earlier so that was safe.

“That's me!” She giggled and I felt a little pulse of...something. I wanted to giggle too, but kept it down. It'd be weird. “Whatcha doing on the roof?”

“Getting some air,” I said truthfully. “What about you?” She shrugged and floated down, sitting against the wall beside me.

“Pretty much the same,” Victoria answered. “I wanted to work on a tan before summer actually gets here, you know?”

“Yeah, totally.” I definitely didn't burn after an a few minutes or anything.

“I didn't catch your name earlier.” Sorry, I was too shocked at apparently being in Brockton Bay.

“Amelia,” I said, offering my hand. “Lia for short.” Victoria gasped and grasped my hand in both of hers.

“Or Amy!” She said, far to excited. “Oh my god, have you met my sister yet?” I nodded slowly.

“Yeah,” I replied. “We just did a chem lab together. So...Lia.” She nodded quickly.

“Makes sense,” Victoria said. “It'd get pretty confusing if you were both calling each other 'Amy'.” No weirder than where I got the idea to call myself that...

“Yeah,” I said instead. The conversation seemed to die and I shut my eyes again.

“So are you two friends?” Oh, it was still going.

“Uh, I don't think so.” Probably not. I didn't have any memories of something like that at least. “Why?”

“Oh nothing.” Vicky waved away my concern. “I just want to get to know my sister's friends.”

“That makes sense.” I probably wouldn't become Amy's friend in the span of a dream, but that would be...interesting if nothing else. The bell rang just as I closed my eyes, and I sighed.

“Well, better get to class.” Victoria rose and offered me a hand. I took it and she helped me up.

“Thanks.” I said, brushing off my pants. “Uh, nice meeting you.” She gave me a warm smile.

“You too.” She waved and hopped over the fence that blocked off the edge of the roof. “Have fun Amy! Or, Lia!” And like that she was gone.

Well, that had actually gone pretty decently, all things considered. I managed to once again say nothing stupid, I was on a roll. My stomach growled angrily, reminding me of what I'd skipped to try and get a nap in. It wouldn't be the first time I'd go to class hungry though, so I simply sucked it up and headed back inside.

Hopefully the rest of the day wouldn't be quite this hectic.