Chapter 10. Hero Worship
Ryan took out the piece of paper and read aloud.
‘Ryan and Andy are super popular. Oh no. What’s the use of that? Perhaps we can change the words,’ he said tentatively. ‘Oh blast,’ he added. ‘I’ve left the pen at home.’
Marnie and Sue, two girls from Ryan’s class walked past as he spoke, and suddenly began to scream
‘Ryan, Andy! Oh please can we walk with you?’
The boys eyed them uncertainly
‘Why?’ asked Andy.
‘We think you are fantastic,’ breathed Marnie. Andy blushed
‘Another time,’ he said, and the boys ran off to the park.
‘Honestly,’ complained Andy. ‘First the princess then dumb old Marnie Williams That pen is a complete waste of time.’
A busload of old age pensioners passed with the driver tooting madly. The windows were jammed with old ladies all waving and calling to the boys.
‘Heck! This must be us being super popular,’ said Ryan. ‘This is extremely weird.’
From then on the boys had a very interesting day. People they knew, and even people they didn’t know, pressed gifts on them. Both boys ate more ice creams than they would normally have had in a week, and consented to have their photos taken with small children at two dollars a time.
‘Though what they’ll think when the magic wears off I really don’t know. They’ll wonder who their kid is photographed with,’ remarked Ryan.
‘Don’t sweat it, just go for it,’ Andy assured him. Andy was beginning to enjoy himself immensely. A group of boys from their school had gathered and were doing their best to be friendly.
‘Hey Ryan, do you want to come to tea at my place? We can play cricket in the back yard. You can bat first,’ Aaron said.
‘No, come with me,’ interrupted Jason. We can go swimming in the creek behind our house.’
‘I asked first.’
‘Did not.’
‘Did so.’
‘I can’t come today, but I’ll come to both your places another time,’ Ryan promised and the boys had to be satisfied with that.
Michael’s father gave Andy a ride in his coveted BMW, while Ryan had a turn with Aaron’s skateboard, and promised both boys a water-skiing trip the following weekend. The park gardens were stripped bare of flowers as girls came running up to blushingly bestow them on the boys.
After a while Andy beckoned one of the most persistent followers, a young mother pushing her baby in a pram, and instructed her to carry the gifts for them. Rapt with delight she agreed and piled the bunches of flowers, chocolates and other offerings in beside the startled baby. Finally the novelty wore off for the boys.
‘I’m getting a bit sick of this,’ whispered Andy. ‘It must be really rough being a film star. You’d never get a minute’s privacy.’
Ryan agreed.
‘I wish they’d all go off and leave us alone for a bit. Go away,’ he called sternly. ‘Go on, leave us alone.’
Three more young girls joined the crowd as one grandmother screamed and fainted.
‘He spoke to me, did you hear him? He spoke directly to me. He is so fantastic,’ she murmured, swooning again.
‘Hey Ryan, want a ride on my bike?’ a boy from the crowd called out.
‘No, ride mine,’ called another.
A scuffle followed which showed signs of developing into a full-blooded fight as the members of the crowd began to take sides.
‘Let’s get out of here while they are occupied,’ muttered Andy, and the boys slid away through the trees and began running back to Ryan’s house. A group of determined young girls gave chase.
‘Oh no,’ wailed Ryan in despair. He and Andy ran as fast as they could. Ryan could feel his heart pounding as the sweat trickled down his back. His face felt so red it must burst any moment.
‘Nearly there,’ gasped Andy, as one of the girls put on a spurt of speed and grabbed his shirt. With a ripping sound the shirt tore in half as Andy collapsed panting inside Ryan’s kitchen. ‘Don’t let them get in,’ he wailed, as Ryan slammed the door shut.
Mrs Shaw looked up in surprise.
‘Playing chasing are you? You know, Ryan, I’ve told you before not to slam doors. You might catch a person’s fingers if you’re not careful.’ She looked at the boys and frowned. ‘Andy whatever happened to your shirt? And what’s that noise?’
A chant of ‘And-y, Ry-an,’ came from outside. Mrs Hughes moved to the door.
‘Don’t open it,’ shrieked Ryan, and leaped in front of his mother to stand with his back against the door.
‘What’s going on? Is someone bullying you? I’ll soon put a stop to it.’
‘No, no. It’s okay Mum. It’s a game,’ said Ryan desperately. ‘We’re being escaped criminals and our friends have to catch us. We’re safe as long as we don’t go outside.’
Mrs Shaw shook her head in exasperation.
‘I will never understand you Ryan,’ she said, and turned back to the oven to take out a tray of coconut muffins as the timer pinged.
Ryan took the opportunity to run into the living room while her back was turned. His father was still in front of the TV watching cricket.
Ryan retrieved the crumpled paper from his pocket and pounced on the pen that was lying on the coffee table where he had left it.
‘Er, Dad, I need you to write something else for me,’ he said politely.
‘Oh well done, excellent play. They’re batting brilliantly,’ beamed Mr Hughes. ‘What do you want me to write?’
‘Just put ‘not’ in here,’ said Ryan, and thrust the pen and paper at his father. Mr Hughes obediently did as he was told and the chanting outside the house stopped. Looking from the window Ryan could see people looking at each other in bewilderment before moving away from the house.
‘It’s worked,’ hissed Andy, coming into the living room.
‘ I know,’ Ryan nodded.
‘Yes! Great play! Another six! Who would have thought it!’ shouted Mr Hughes in joy, as Andy followed Ryan down to the bedroom.
‘What shall we do now?’ asked Ryan. ‘Tracey’s not home until after tea.’
‘What about a game of cards?’ suggested Andy, and Ryan agreed with alacrity.
‘It wasn’t all bad,’ he said, as they considered their day. ‘I always wanted to be popular and have lots of friends but I can see now that it wouldn’t be an easy life.’ ‘Never mind. We got to eat heaps of stuff and I had that ride in the BMW. What happened to all those presents the people gave us?’
‘Dunno. Guess that lady with the pram took them. My pockets are full of money though, from those photographs.’
‘Me too. But let’s plan really well and make sure nothing goes wrong next time,’
‘I still think having superpowers is a good idea but we have to be careful as the pen is getting low in ink.’
Andy frowned.
‘We still don’t know how long the effect will last so I suppose we’d better wait until next weekend. I have heaps of homework to do this week anyway.’
‘Me too,’ agreed Ryan. ‘Right. We’ll make it next Saturday and I’ll be nice to Tracey again all week so we can ask her. It would be even better if you asked her. She’s not so likely to say no.’
A Present From Aunt Agatha Page 10
