by Dee J. Stone
Chapter Twenty-Four
After climbing into my room, I shove my uniform and mask under my bed. What’s the point of any of this? Sure, I didn’t start this whole thing to get a girl, but she’s kinda been the inspiration behind everything. If not for her, I wouldn’t have continued saving lives after that little girl died. How am I supposed to go on now?
I’m a loser. I’m a nobody. Someone like me shouldn’t be a superhero. What was I thinking? I am a joke.
I jump into bed and slam my face into the pillow. One time, two, three. I’m trying to erase everything that happened to me since I turned fifteen. I want to go back to when my life was normal, when I still had Maddie for a best friend, when I had this amazing image of Nicole. When she didn’t look at me like I was the most pathetic human on this planet.
What did I gain from all this? I lost Maddie, I lost Nicole. I lost my parents’ trust. And I even lost the Blue Masked Hero. Because even if I want to continue, Mom and Dad don’t let me “play superhero” anymore.
I slam my head into my pillow again and again. “Leave my head,” I mutter. “Please just let me lose my memory.”
There’s a knock on my door. “Nick?”
Mom.
“Are you okay?” she asks.
Yeah, I’m perfect.
“Nick?” She slowly opens the door. When she finds me sprawled on the bed, she rushes over and places her hand on my back. “What’s wrong?”
Footsteps come rushing in and when I raise my head, I see the rest of the family at the door, including Matt who oddly seems concerned. Kaylee’s eyes are wide. I groan into the pillow. Why can’t everyone leave me alone?
“What happened?” Dad asks.
I groan again.
“Matt, take your sister to her room and play with her,” Mom says. “Your father and I need to talk with Nick alone.”
Matt pulls Kaylee, but she refuses to move. “What’s wrong with Nick?”
“Nothing, he’s fine,” Mom says. “He just had a bad day.”
My sister doesn’t take her eyes off me. “He’s sad.”
I hold out my hand to her and she walks over to me and slides her hand inside. “I’m fine, Kaylee. I’m just not feeling so well.”
“You can come to my tea party. Mom says tea parties always make her feel better.”
I smile. “Maybe later.”
“Come on, Kaylee.” Matt leads her out of the room, shutting the door behind him. I wonder why he’s not giving me a hard time over this. I must look really messed up.
Dad pulls a chair to the bed and Mom sits next to me. Her hand hasn’t left my back. “You were with Nicole.”
I nod. Well, I think I nod. It’s hard to move my head because it’s still smacked into the pillow. I only lift it a little to breathe every so often. I feel like my life’s coming to an end. Guess this is what a broken heart feels like?
“How did it go?” Mom hesitantly asks.
“Bad,” I mutter.
They’re quiet, probably looking at one another. Maybe they’re not sure how to handle this. Matt’s never gotten his heart broken. He’s usually the one who does the breaking.
Mom rubs my back. “Do you want to talk about it?”
I sit up. “What’s there to talk about? She found out the truth of who I am and wants nothing to do with me. She was disgusted by me.”
Dad says, “She was just shocked.”
I shake my head. “It was like she was embarrassed. I know I’m not popular or whatever, but I didn’t think she’d react that way.”
Mom bends close to kiss my cheek, but I pull away. “I’m fine.” I don’t want to make a big deal about it. Even though it is a big deal.
“If she doesn’t see what an amazing guy you are, then it’s her loss,” Mom says.
Dad nods. “You’ll find another girl who will love you for you.”
I groan. “I’ve been in love with her since I was, like, ten.”
Mom’s hand continues to rub my back. “But the girl turned out to be nothing like the girl you’ve been in love with. That girl doesn’t exist.” She plays with my hair. “Your prefect girl is out there, you just need to find her.”
“Or maybe you already have,” Dad says. Mom slaps his arm, shaking her head at him and making some sort of eye signal.
“Who are you talking about?” I ask.
They look from one to the other.
“You mean Maddie?”
They’re quiet, with knowing looks on their faces.
“I don’t like Maddie like that. We’re not even friends anymore.”
“What?” Dad asks.
“Doesn’t matter.”
Dad rests his hand on my shoulder. “Talk to us, Nick. Tell us what’s going on. You’re hurting and all we want to do is take that hurt away. How can we help you?”
I shrug, because they can’t. Nothing and no one can take this hurt away. But I do want to talk to them. “Maddie gave me an ultimatum. She said if I were to hang out with Nicole, then I couldn’t be her friend anymore.”
They gape at me. I know what they’re thinking. It’s very unlike Maddie to do something like that.
“Why would she say that?” Dad asks.
“I think it’s obvious.”
We both look at Mom.
“Because Maddie likes you.”
I can’t stop the snort from leaving my mouth. “Maddie doesn’t like me. She said that because she thought Nicole was a bad person.” I swallow. “I guess she was right.”
This time, Mom manages to kiss my cheek before I can stop her. “Everything will be okay. You’ll see. Maybe give Maddie a call. I’m sure she misses you.”
“I’ve tried talking to her all week, but she’s been ignoring me.”
“Try again.”
“I don’t think so.”
I guess my parents feel like there’s nothing more they can do, because they get to their feet. Mom kisses my cheek again, promising things will look better in the morning. Dad rubs my shoulder, giving me some encouraging words, too.
I lie back down and fold my hands beneath my head. I need to think about something, something other than Nicole. My thoughts travel to Maddie and what my parents said. Maddie’s interested in me? Yeah, right.
But are Mom and Dad right? Why would she care who I go out with unless she…?
“No,” I say to no one. “I won’t believe it.”
“Nick?” My door opens, revealing Kaylee. Her eyes are filled with curiosity. “Are you okay?”
I sit up and motion for her to join me on my bed. She smiles and jumps in. I wrap my arm around her, pulling her close to me.
“Are you?” she asks.
“I’m much better now that you’re here. You always put a smile on my face.”
She smiles wider. I tickle her, making her giggle. “Stop! Stop!” She rolls on my bed, trying to stop my hands, but she’s no match for me. “Nick!”
I laugh, lowering my hands. She sits up. “Matt didn’t wanna tell me what’s wrong with you. Are you gonna tell me?”
“You’ll understand when you’re older.”
She frowns. “Everyone always says that.”
“Well, it’s true. I hope a boy doesn’t break your heart like Nicole broke mine.”
She makes a face. “Boys? Ew.”
I laugh. “How about a piggyback ride?”
“Really?”
“Definitely.”
“Yay!”
***
After tossing and turning for hours, I go to the kitchen for a snack. On my way, I pass the living room and hear voices. My parents. What are they doing up at two in the morning?
Despite my better judgement, I lean on the closed door to try to overhear.
“Think we should tell him?” That’s Mom.
“He deserves to know the truth.”
Are they talking about me?
Their voices lower, and as I press my ear to hear better I accidentally bang my head on the door.
Pani
cking, I make a run for it, but I trip over the carpet, crashing to the floor. My right arm and leg sting, only for a few seconds because they start to heal. The living room door opens and Dad sticks his head out. Mom’s head comes next.
“Uh…” I say. “Was just getting a snack.” I get to my feet.
Dad and Mom exchange a glance. Do they know I was eavesdropping on them?
Dad says, “Nick, please come inside.” He gestures to the living room. So they were talking about me.
I follow them inside and Dad shuts the door. The three of us lower ourselves onto the couch.
Dad and Mom exchange a glance again. They look nervous and a little guilty.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
Mom pats my hand. “Whatever we’re going to tell you might upset you, but you need to wait until we’re finished.”
They’ve never been this serious with me before. It’s kind of freaking me out. “Okay.”
Dad starts, “We planned on telling you this when you turned eighteen. But given the events that have taken place since your birthday, we feel like this is the right time.”
I look from one to the other, not getting what the heck they’re talking about. “Okay…?”
Mom hesitates. “We adopted you when you were a little boy.”
My mouth drops. “What? I’m adopted?”
They nod.
So many questions swarm my brain. “What are you talking about?”
Mom rubs my hand. “You’ve always asked us why there are no baby pictures of you and we always made excuses. This is the reason.”
I turn to Dad, not sure what to say.
“I was heading for work one day,” he tells me. “Back then, I took the train, and I found you wandering around in the station. You were four years old. I called the authorities, and they couldn’t locate your family. They were going to put you in foster care, but your mother and I decided to adopt you as our own.”
I lean back in my chair, not sure what to make of any of this. Adopted? Is that why I don’t look like them? Why I’ve never felt like I fit in?
“Who are my biological parents?” I ask.
“We don’t know.”
“Do they have powers like me?”
“I’d assume so,” Dad says.
I don’t know what to say or think. I still can’t believe it. But I guess it makes sense—I’m the only one in my family with powers.
“We’re really sorry, honey,” Mom says. “This wasn’t the way we planned to tell you.”
I nod.
“This doesn’t change anything. You’re our son.”
I nod again. I know this doesn’t have to change anything, but there’s a whole part of me that I don’t know about. That I may never know about.
I get up. “I need some air.” I open the window and fly out. I don’t know where I’m going. I just need to clear my head. To make sense of everything. Not that it’s really possible. My whole life, I thought of myself in a certain way. I thought of my family in a certain way. Everything feels off now. Different. But I don’t want it to be. It shouldn’t have to be. It’s like my parents said, I’m still their son.
When my head is somewhat cleared, I return to the kitchen, where my parents are exactly how I left them.
Mom takes my hand. “Nick, do you want to find your parents? The police couldn’t find them years ago, but we could try hiring a private investigator. It’s up to you.”
I look from one to the other, my stomach getting all twisted. “I don’t know. I mean, you guys are my parents. I don’t want anyone else.”
“We’ll still be your parents,” Dad says. “Nothing will change that.”
“And maybe they can help you with your powers,” Mom says.
It doesn’t take me two seconds to say, “No. I don’t want to look for them. Assuming they’re alive, they must have heard of my powers. Practically the whole world knows about me. My biological parents didn’t try to contact me. Maybe they don’t want anything to do with me. And honestly? I don’t want to deal with this right now.”
They nod. “That’s okay. The decision is up to you. When you’re ready.”
I stand, kiss Mom on the cheek, and hug Dad. “Mom, Dad, thanks for everything. It doesn’t matter who I am or where I come from. I love you.”
They smile. Mom’s got tears in her eyes. “We love you, too.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
When I come downstairs for breakfast the next morning, Dad, Mom, Matt, and Kaylee are crowded around the TV. The news is on, but I can’t hear it clearly because I’m too far. I see what’s on the screen, though. It’s a picture of me in my uniform. But not my mask. My face is there, plastered all over for everyone to see.
My stomach plummets.
My steps are shaky as I make my way to the TV. My family is too engrossed to pay attention to me.
“If you’re just joining us, the Blue Masked Hero has finally been identified as fifteen-year-old Nicholas McGuire, who lives in Brooklyn, New York.”
I know where that picture was taken—from the park. I was standing in the light while Nicole was in the dark. I couldn’t see her well and she must have taken pictures of me when my mask was off.
A dagger stabs my heart. How could she do this to me? Nicole, the girl who’s always meant the world to me. I can’t believe this.
“Nick,” Dad says. I look up and find all their gazes glued on me.
Kaylee’s eyes are filled with betrayal. “Is it true?” she asks. “You’re the Blue Masked Hero?”
I nod, unable to talk.
“And you didn’t tell me? I hate you!” She runs out of the room, tears running down her cheeks. “I hate you!”
Mom runs after her. “Kaylee!”
I feel rotten for lying to her all this time. It’s one thing to lie to my parents, but totally different to lie to my little sister, especially because she looks up to me. I leap up the stairs.
She’s in her bed with her head buried in her pillow. Mom rubs her back, the same way she rubbed mine last night.
“Mom,” I say. “Can I talk to Kaylee?”
“Yes, but remember that Kaylee has to get ready for school.”
School. I completely forgot about that.
Voices outside. I head to the window and peer out. Reporters, cameras, and many other people surround our house.
“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” I mutter. Why don’t these people leave us alone?
Mom kisses Kaylee’s cheek and joins me at the window. As she takes in the people, she sighs. Her lips are pressed in a tight line.
“That’s it,” she says and heads for the door. “Watch your sister.”
Kaylee’s still in bed, hugging her teddy bear. I peer at the window and see Mom shooing the people away, telling them to leave us alone and give us some privacy. They bombard her with questions, and Dad comes to her rescue.
I sit down next to Kaylee and run my fingers through my hair. What have I done? Because of me, my family will be in the spotlight.
I tug on Kaylee’s hair. “Hey, kid.”
She shrugs, hugging her bear closer to her chest.
“I know you’re mad at me,” I continue. “I was keeping this huge secret from you and that wasn’t cool. But you’ve got to understand that I was only doing what I thought was best for all of us.”
No response. Her chest rises and falls quickly, and I know she’s still crying.
I tickle her. “Come on, Kaylee. Please turn around and look at me.”
She shrugs.
“Are you gonna be mad at me forever?”
She nods.
“Come.” I take her in my arms and carry her over to the window, ignoring her hitting my chest. I point outside, to where the reporters are still outside. “I was trying to avoid this. All the people and the cameras.” I swallow. “Our privacy’s gone now.”
She looks outside and her eyes bulge. “W—what do they want?”
“I guess we’re gonna be like celebrities now
.”
She turns to me. “All because you’re a superhero?”
“Yeah.”
“Why can’t they leave you alone? Like they did before.”
I lower her to the bed and sit next to her. “Because I’m kinda famous. Everyone wants to know everything about me. And about our entire family.” I nod toward the window. “Mom and Dad are trying to get rid of them.”
“I’m sorry,” she says.
I wrap my arm around her. “You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. Are we cool? Do you forgive me?”
She looks at me with a straight face. I go cross-eyed, making her giggle. I then tickle her and she rolls on the bed, kicking her feet in the air. “Okay! I forgive you.”
I ruffle her hair. “That really makes me happy. Thanks.”
“Am I the bestest sister in the world?”
I laugh. “You definitely are the bestest sister in the world.”
She smiles. “Give me a ride.”
“Okay, get on my back.”
“No, use your powers!”
“Uh…” I rub the back of my neck. “I probably shouldn’t.” Plus I can imagine the looks on my parents’ faces if they were to catch us.
“Please! Please! Please!”
She knows I can’t say no when she begs like that. “All right.” I get to my feet and raise my hand. She watches in wonder as her body rises in the air. She waves her hands around. “Higher, higher!”
“I’m not gonna go that high, Kaylee.”
She waves her hands some more. “Higher! Higher!”
I do as she asks, lifting her so high she touches the ceiling. “Yay! So much fun!”
I laugh, then bring her back down. “That’s enough for now. You need to get ready for school.”
School. How the heck am I going to get through that?
We go down to the kitchen and find Matt stuffing his face with waffles. “Are Mom and Dad still out there?” I ask.
“Yeah,” he says, with a mouth full of food. I tell Kaylee to sit down and toast up some waffles for her. Once she’s eating, I look out the window. My parents are still talking with the reporters. One seems to be getting on Mom’s nerves because Dad’s holding her back.
