It was hard for anyone, let alone Héctor, to pay attention during classes that day. The teachers had not known what to do about the spirit assembly, so everyone went back to their regular schedule. Lunch was overwhelming, and for the first time, everyone wanted to sit at the Table of Misfits. But Héctor spent the time with his friends, nodding at people when they came over or shaking a few hands with kids who thanked him. Even Mr. Holiday sat Héctor down during gym class to ask him how he pulled it off.

It was a little fun making up that story.

His day had been jam-packed, so he’d had no chance to look for the Room until after gym. But he had no problem finding it, and even better? His friends were inside. Sal and Juliana immediately began to jump up and down and shriek at him.

“Oh, Héctor, you were amazing!” exclaimed Juliana.

“That was a performance,” added Sal, hugging him. “I was so lost in it that I almost forgot I don’t go to your school. Are you in trouble?”

“Did anyone get suspended?” said Juliana.

Héctor laughed. “I don’t think I’ll know until next week.”

“Are you, like . . . like a local hero now?” said Sal.

“Is your leg okay?” Juliana blurted out.

Héctor laughed. “One thing at a time!” he said. “And it’s just a sprain. I’ll be fine.”

“We’ve been dying to know,” said Juliana. “We had no idea what happened after we left! Do you know how hard it was to go through a whole school day after that?”

“Well, I can’t thank you two enough,” he said. “I could not have done this without you.”

“Whatever,” said Juliana. “You helped us, too.”

“Don’t forget that,” said Sal. “We were just returning the favor.”

Héctor looked around the Room. It appeared as a combination of all three of their rooms. There was the fridge. The couch. The TV. The beanbag chairs. The expansive library in the back, with shelves that seemed to stretch into the darkness forever.

Héctor’s stomach dropped.

“So,” he said, uncertain he wanted the answer, “now what? What happens to this place?”

“What do you mean?” Juliana asked.

“Well, I still think my theory is right,” he explained. “I don’t understand where this room came from or anything. But if it gives us what we need, what happens when we don’t need it anymore?”

“Who says we won’t need it again?” Sal said.

“Well, you have your library now,” he said. “And Juliana, you got to come out to your mom and got your DJ gig back.”

“And the dance is tonight,” said Juliana. “I’m so nervous. But excited!”

“You’re gonna be amazing,” said Sal. “I know it.”