THE FALLOUT

The meeting had concluded abruptly, to be continued the next day with tensions escalating and emotions running high. Bay held JM's hands, offering apologies, "I'm so sorry, Joyce. I know you couldn't have done it," he murmured as JM sniffed, her antennae drooping, her heart heavy. 

"Tomorrow, we will address the suspicions, and please, do not react against them so we can clear your name, alright?" Bay reassured her. JM nodded, watching as Bay walked away, tapping his cane.

Behind her, Sponge muttered something before approaching JM. "Hey, are you alright?" Sponge murmured, placing a comforting hand on JM's shoulder. JM turned towards Sponge, wiping her face with her arm.

"Y-yeah. I didn't think that would–would happen," she whimpered, still fearful as Sponge sighed, gently rubbing her shoulders. JM was visibly shaken, practically trembling with fear.

"Hey, it's going to be okay. Tomorrow, we can prove your innocence. That woman is just pointing fingers without any evidence," Sponge reassured her.

She gently guided JM towards her house. "But—I just… thought we're friends," JM whispered, hurt evident on her face as her hands wrung nervously together, her breathing heavy. Sponge, confused, asked, "What kind of friends would do that?" Was this what JM meant about having friends? Who would unjustly blame her without proof?

"I talk to Clara every time I come to town, she–she was always kind to me. I don't understand," JM muttered, puzzled.

Sponge remained silent.

"She would never say that… She's always been so kind, she would always give me bread fresh from the oven… Maybe she's just scared," JM mumbled.

Both fell into silence, the sounds of birds squawking loudly, murmurs from people around, and others cleaning up the mess in the water.

"I'm not a joke, am I?" JM stopped, turning to Sponge, who was taken aback, unable to form a response. Had they laughed at JM's expense? Sponge couldn't argue against the fact that JM had mentioned being an alien. It might have been an attempt to lighten the mood, but now it seemed they were mocking her.

"JM," Sponge began.

"Yeah?" JM tilted her head.

"Maybe—Maybe it's time to be a bit more serious. They might not take you seriously tomorrow. You should tell them that the alien thing was a joke," Sponge suggested, scratching the back of her head.

JM looked confused, lips pursed as she blinked at Sponge. "W-What joke? That's not a joke," she replied, her antennae twitching rapidly. Sponge sighed, running her hand down her face and clasping her hands together.

"JM, can't you see they're laughing at you? Calling you delusional and crazy because you mentioned being an alien. This isn't the time for jokes," Sponge explained as JM's expression grew pained. 

"What I said was the truth… Do you really think I'm crazy and delusional?" JM's voice wavered, her tone small and fragile amidst the background noise. Her face was almost tear-streaked, her frown etched deeply.

Sponge placed her hands on her shoulders. "Hey–Hey, come on, let's not dwell on that. I'm just saying, they might mock you tomorrow. What if you get arrested?"

JM bit her lip in realization, before stepping back. "You didn't believe me," she stated, the truth dawning on her, as if she had always considered Sponge her sole supporter. Sponge's lips moved soundlessly, stammering.

"JM—Aliens… Aliens can't exist… I mean—" Sponge shrugged, only to be met with a hurt look from JM. "Why? I always thought you believed in me. Why are you saying this now? Everyone is looking at me like I'm some kind of joke," she whimpered.

"Do–Do you think I'm a joke too?" JM whispered, her voice weak and defeated as Sponge flinched, as though struck.

She reached out to touch JM's arm, but JM slapped it away, giving Sponge a seething glare. It was the first time Sponge had seen anger on JM's face, and it stung that it was directed at her.

"JM, you can't go to the meeting tomorrow. They might be planning to send you to jail," Sponge said, feeling helpless as JM walked past her, hugging herself and looking dejected.

"JM!" Sponge ran after her, pleading, "Please, you have to believe me. If you end up in jail, there's no way out."

JM stopped, turning to Sponge, her eyes teary and vacant. "Maybe that's better than facing you… I trusted you," she said, then walked away, leaving Sponge standing alone. "At least in jail, no one will laugh at me," she whispered, her voice fading as she departed.

Watching JM go, head bowed and arms wrapped around herself, Sponge groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. It took her a moment before she followed after JM.

The house was dark, not a single lantern left lit. When Sponge softly knocked on JM's room door, there was no response. Turning to Vvh, who sat on the couch nursing a mug, Sponge explained, "The town thinks JM stole the crystal flower. She has another meeting tomorrow…"

"But you two had a disagreement," Vvh finished for her. Sponge groaned, exhausted and weary. "I just suggested she be serious and tell everyone her mention of aliens was a joke. No one was taking her seriously, Vvh. They belittled her so easily, showing no respect," Sponge lamented, her fists clenched.

Vvh stirred her coffee thoughtfully, "In the process, you trampled on her beliefs?"

"I—I do believe her, I suppose, but if others don't, it might be best to say it was a joke to protect her from being used against her tomorrow," Sponge admitted, her face flushing with shame.

Sponge stood up abruptly. "I need to talk to her about this," but Vvh grabbed her arm and pulled her back down. "Sit down. Don't overwhelm her. She isn't like you," Vvh advised, despite Sponge's initial resistance, she relented, nodding in defeat.

"Right…you're right," Sponge grumbled, rubbing her forehead.

"It just— I don't think JM realizes how they're looking at her, with those judgmental eyes," Sponge said, clasping her hands together, nails digging into her skin.

"Does it bother you that she's odd? Is she strange in your eyes?" Vvh inquired as Sponge turned to her, "What? Of course not!"

Vvh hummed, stirring her coffee once more.

"Go to the underground bidding, Sponge. It starts around 2 o'clock in the morning," Vvh instructed. Rolling her eyes, Sponge grumbled, "Why at two in the morning? Who even bids at that hour?" She scratched her head, causing her hair to point in various directions.

"What if I don't want to go? JM has a meeting tomorrow, and I want to accompany her," Sponge mumbled, dropping her head into her hands with a dramatic groan.

"I'm asking you to give JM space. It's highly unlikely they will conclude she is the thief," Vvh sighed, seemingly tempted to hit Sponge on the head, prompting a surprised 'oh' from Sponge, who chuckled nervously.

"Oh, so that's what you meant…" Sponge rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment as Vvh shook her head.