Not What it Seems

Chapter 6: Back and Forth

Nate POV:
Everyone noticed that Ally hadn't left the auditorium with the group. It worried me, I knew her well enough to know that she would've left when the assembly was over. Taking out my phone, I texted her a simple question: 'r u ok?' No response right off the bat. Maybe she left hers on silent or something.

Ally POV:
I shifted uncomfortably. After being presented with an unfavorable scenario like, I dunno: having a demon inside your head because he was trying to save you from another demon who wants to... possibly hurt you, and there's a couple of famous YouTubers, and you, that are somehow involved in this giant mess?
(Yeah, that sounds about right.)
I'm not exactly on board with this, nor did I agree to these terms and conditions.

I understand your confusion, but I've got something for you! Anti reported telepathically and enthusiastically.

"Great, what is it?" I mumbled.

I lost all my balance and fell to the floor before realizing that I was back in control of myself, in an near empty English classroom.
"Ow." I groaned.
Thankfully, Jack noticed my stumble (along with the fact I wasn't Anti) and helped me off the ground.

"Are ya ok, Ally? That looked like it hurt."

"I'm a little dizzy, but other than that, yeah. I'm fine."

"Thank god. Don't scare me like that! It's bad enough with Anti."

"Sorry. I wasn't trying to scare you, Jack."

"S'alright."

My phone buzzed from my pocket, taking it out revealed a text from Nate.

N: r u ok?
A: yeah just got dragged in2 something I dont get at all.
N: wat r u talking ab?
A: again, makes no sense 2 me.
A: but it involves me and the 2 YTers.
N: ookk.
A: i'll get back 2 u when i figure it out.
N: k b careful.
A: dont worry i will.

"What are you doing?" Jack inquired as I slipped my phone back into my pocket.

"My friend Nate was just asking me what was happening. I told him that I still don't really get what's going on and that I'd get back to him if I figured it out."

"To be honest, all I know is Dark and Anti don't get along."

"Yeah, he told me 'bout that. Anti, I mean."

"No shit." Jack chuckled.

"Just in case it wasn't friggin' obvious." I followed up.
All three of us (counting Anti) responded in laughter.

Good one.
He said while chuckling.
Thank you, Ant.
What?
That's his new nickname.
You piece of shit.
Thanks for the compliment, Mr. Demon-Face Megee.
Shut the fuck up.
Nu. Ya can't make meh! Ya can't make meh!
Just shut it!!

My head stung. Now that I think about it, I already have so many questions.

Sorry, I didn't mean to do that...
I'm going to assume he's talking about the ten second long headache.
Yes, I did.

"It's fine," mumbled, not even realizing I said that aloud before Jack responded with:

"What's fine?"

"Don't worry 'bout it." He gave me a questionable glance before he asked:

"Was it Anti who was-"

"Yeah." I hated interrupting people, but I saw where he was going with this.
I think Jack caught sight of my expression, because the next thing he mentioned was thus:

"Are you ok? You've got weird look on your face."

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just still a little confused." I respond truthfully.
"Like, what does Dark want with me anyway?"

"No ideas there, sadly."

Anti?
I'm with him.
Darn it.

"How do Dark and Anti actually exist? Not with clever video editing, I mean."

"Lots of fans wishes became reality is the short version. One day they just... Showed up."

That true, Ant?
To an extent, that's the long short of it.
Alright.

I sighed dejectedly. Sometimes I just want things to make sense, just once. And it never does.
But, that's life.
It sucks. Then you die.
Thanks for that, Ant. That's what you get from a free game.
Ha ha.
There's a reference in there somewhere.
To what?
'The Game'.
...You fucking bitch.
Heh heh. Sorry. We both lost.

"Ally?" Jack was sticking his hand in my face. "I asked you a question."

"Hm? Oh, sorry Jack. What was it?"

"Does having someone of... the opposite sex, I guess, in your head feel weird? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"I guess. It's not something that happens everyday. At least, that's the best way I can describe it."
If it makes you feel any better, I feel the same way.
Thanks, Ant.
No problem.

I let out a sigh, this has been one hectic ass day. I'm sure all of the remaining teachers here have sent search parties out looking for me. I wouldn't be surprised.

Then my phone goes off.
🎵This is an anthem for the homesick, the beaten. The lost, the broke, the defeated. A song for the heartsick, for the standbys, living life in the shadow of a goodbye. 🎵
That's Nate's ringtone. Why is he calling me? I ultimately decide to answer it.

"Ally? What's going on? Even the the bitches are wondering what happened to you." He's distressed. But, how much of this can I tell him?
Tell him you still don't understand completely yet. Anti advised.
It's close enough to the truth.
I don't want to lie to my best friend. But... Anti's right about this.

"Nate, I still don't get all of this. I want to believe it's all a prank, but, I can't."

"You can tell me you know."

"Sorry, Nate, I can't. Right now at least. Ttyl."
Bad place to leave a conversation.

"I don't want to drag Nate into this. But I don't want to lie to him, either." I admit aloud.
"Cause if I do, then I'm at fault for it if he gets hurt."

((A/N: Bonus points if you can guess the song.))