I chuckled.
She kept talking. "You have an hour at the most. When you're finished, hand in your notes, and you’ll get your first real assignment. You'll meet her, introduce yourself, and we'll go from there. Also, remember to take meaningful notes. There’s notepaper in your folder."
I started toward the door. "Sounds great. Am I done here?"
"Yes. By all means, go. Oh, and don't forget the banquet tonight. You'll be announced with Misty."
"Can't wait."
She ignored me and went back to her notes.
I took it as my cue to leave.
Chapter 2
Kendall
The drill team marched onto the basketball court as if ready for battle. They froze, each taking a different position. Lines tight, faces smiling, perfect posture.
The music started.
Legs kicked, bodies twirled, moving along to the beat.
The crowd clapped, cheering loudly for their friends, girlfriends, sisters, and daughters. I watched the fluid movements of the dance with a mixture of sadness and jealousy. That should have been me out there.
The girls danced with grace, hitting each step as one. My sister Ellie's radiant face smiled through the routine. She was perfect, as always.
I turned my head, emotion bubbling to the surface.
"Kendall, you okay?" My best friend Tessa knew me too well.
I smiled, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Yeah."
"You want to get out of here?" she asked.
"I just need to go for a walk." I stood. "I'll be back in a minute."
"You sure you don't want me to come?"
I shook my head. "I just need some air."
She nodded and gave me a worried smile.
I walked down the bleacher steps, trying to avoid watching the end of the half-time show. The music stopped, and I knew it was over when people started whistling and shouting familiar names. I looked up in time to see the girls form a line and march off the court.
As soon as I reached the floor, I headed out the gym doors. A few students in the hallway said hi to me, or flashed me small smiles, but most avoided making eye contact. Not that I blamed them. I had been through more the past few months than most people had in their entire lives. My friends and classmates didn't know what to say or how to act around me anymore.
I pulled my light hair in front of my face, trying to cover the ugly scar slashing from my right cheek all the way down the side of my neck. I still wasn't used to the staring.
I could smell the nachos at the concession stand. I didn't have any money with me, though, so I passed it by and headed toward the drinking fountain near the locker rooms.
A few guys I used to hang out with stood near it, but they backed away as I approached. I leaned down to take a sip of water, and the whispers started.
I didn't hear everything they said, but I did hear my name.
Tears blurred my vision and I took my time at the water fountain, trying to blink them away before I stood back up. I’d promised myself I'd never cry in front of anyone.
"Hey," a voice said.
Startled, I looked up, water dripping off my chin. I hurriedly wiped it away, my cheeks reddening at the sight of the guy who spoke to me.
"Um … hi," I said.
He was tall, extremely good looking, and looking right at me. Odd. I didn't recognize him from school, but I hadn't paid enough attention the past few months to notice any new students.
"You're Kendall, right?"
I nodded, wondering how he knew my name. It was hard not to stare at him. His dark hair complimented his tanned skin. And his eyes. They were … peculiar. I couldn't quite describe the color.
"Do I know you?" I asked.
"No." He looked around as if searching for anyone standing too close.
I glanced around as well, not surprised to find the guys who had avoided me earlier were heading back to the basketball game.
"Did you need something?" I asked.
"Actually, I do."
"Okay?"
"This is going to sound weird, but … how do I say this?" He paused and looked around again, shifting his weight. He ran a hand through his hair, and I could see beads of sweat on his forehead. "Look," he said. "I'm here to grant you three wishes."
I stared at him. My mouth actually dropped open. "Nice try, but I'm not interested."
He started at that, but recovered quickly. "No, I'm not trying to pick you up. I'm really here to grant you three wishes."
"I … better go." I turned around and walked as fast as my legs could move.
"Hey! Wait!" I heard him following me. "I'm totally serious."
"I don't think so," I said, still walking.
"Kendall, listen to me for one second."
I slowed, but only because my leg started hurting.
"I know it sounds crazy, but I need to grant you three wishes. I'm a–"
I spun around. "Look," I said. "I have no idea who you are, or why you're interested in me, but I don't have time for this. Take your fairy tales and go make some little kids happy. Maybe you could show them a lamp or something."
His eyes narrowed. "I'm not a gen–"
"Leave me alone," I snapped.
I left him standing in the hall, not sure why I felt bad for yelling at him. I snuck a peek over my shoulder a few seconds later. No one was there. Confused, but relieved, I made my way back to the bleachers to watch the rest of the game.
"What took you so long?" Tessa asked as I sat down.
"Sorry, I needed a drink."
"Cameron just brought us back into the game. He made, like, eight points in the last five minutes."
I thought of my long time crush. Cameron Ellington. Captain of the basketball team, and the most eligible senior in the school. He used to talk to me all the time, even though I was a year younger than he was. We had almost been an official couple. Now he acted like I didn't exist. I knew it was my fault, but it still hurt.
The accident had changed me. I was a nobody now. I'd never be the same again.
***
The drive home was quiet. Tessa didn’t say much and neither did I.
She pulled into my driveway and stopped the car.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
She'd been quiet all night. Too quiet.
She shook her head, her mouth pressed in a thin line. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath.
"Tess, what is it? Are your parents fighting again?"
She shook her head. "It's about you." She turned to look at me.
"What about me?"
"I don't know. It's just …" She hesitated.
"Tessa, just tell me already," I said. She knew how much I hated it when she didn't tell me what was wrong.
"You need to stop this."
"What?"
"This whole … new you."
I stiffened. "What do you mean?"
"You need to get your life back, Kendall. You're so different now. Before the accident you were, well, you know. Everyone loved you. You had everything you could ask for. And now? You barely talk to anyone. You don't even talk to me! Even Cam–"
I cut her off, my temper rising. "If you had any idea what I've been feeling the past few months, you wouldn't want to talk to anyone either."
"I'm here, you know. I can listen. You're my best friend. Let me help you."
"You can't help me. No one can."
She groaned. "I can't keep doing this."
"Doing what?" I turned and glared out the window. I was ready for the conversation to be over. In fact, I was tired of hearing about how much I'd changed. I knew it already.
"Pretending you're the same person you were before. You're moody, depressed, the complete opposite of what you used to be. I miss the old Kendall."
"The old Kendall is dead. Just like my dad."
"At least you're still alive!"
The emotion in her voice caused a lump in my throat.
I couldn't take it anymore. "I gotta go." I s
aid.
She sighed. "Come on Kendall. I'm just trying to help. I'm sorry for bringing it up."
I ignored her and got out of the car, slammed the door, and stomped inside.
My little sister, Ellie, was in the kitchen eating an apple. "Hey," she said. "Have fun at the game?"
I forced a smile, keeping my already screwed-up emotions in check. "Why are you home? Aren't you going with your friends tonight?" I asked. I threw my jacket on the couch and avoided looking in the mirror hanging over the marble fireplace.
"No. I'm tired. I thought you'd want some company anyway."
"Thanks, El."
"Have you been crying?"
"No," I lied. "I just had a bad night."
By the look on her face, I knew she didn't believe me. She bit her lip. "I'm sorry."
"For what?" I knew what she was apologizing for before she even said it.
"For tonight. You didn't have to watch."
"You did great, El," I said. She really was one of the best on the drill team.
"Thanks," she said, more to herself than me.
I had no problem with her dancing. I just couldn't dance again. Ever.
"So, do you want to hear about my night?" I asked, wanting to change the subject.
Ellie told me about her day first, and I filled her in on Tessa. When I told her about the hot guy who asked me for three wishes, she shook her head.
"You did have a crappy night. Weird, too." She touched my arm. "Tessa really does care about you."
"I know. Things are just different now," I said.
"So, what was with the genie guy?"
I laughed. "Not sure, but he really was hot. You should have seen his eyes. They were kind of silvery."
"He sounds like a freak."
"Yeah, but it doesn't mean he wasn't nice to look at."
"I guess," she said.
The front door opened and my mom came shuffling through in her blue hospital scrubs. She looked exhausted. Her auburn hair, which she usually wore in a bun, was falling out in several places. A dark patch stained the front of her shirt, and she carried a mug, probably filled with Pepsi.
"Hey," Ellie and I said in unison.
"Why are you guys home?" She set her keys and mug on the table and sank into a chair. "No parties tonight?"
"No," Ellie said, glancing at me.
"Nope," I agreed.
Ever since the accident, Mom had been different. Withdrawn. All she did was work. It was like she didn't really care if we were there anymore.
"It looks better today," she said, motioning towards my scar.
I shook my head. "No it doesn't." I did not want to talk about my screwed-up face.
"No, it does. It's not as noticeable–"
I cut her off. "I think I'm going to go to bed. I'm pretty tired." I stood, ignoring their worried looks as I gave each of them a hug, and went upstairs.
I don't know why my scar bothered me. If it had been just a bit smaller and not as red, I probably wouldn't freak out about it so much.
As I lay in bed that night, I wondered what I would actually do with three wishes – if such a thing existed. Change the past, maybe? Make my life the way it used to be?
Unlikely.
Chapter 3
Ash
The lights were dim in the massive auditorium. I sat near the back, arms folded, legs propped up on the seat in front of me.
Everyone in the audience laughed at Master Time’s lame joke, but all I could do was glare at Lady Shenelle and the rest of the council sitting on the stage. They thought they were so funny, turning me into a fairy.
"So, you gonna tell me who you're apprenticing?"
I glanced at Sam in the seat next to me. His strawberry blond hair spiked all over his head and he seemed comfortable in his nice dark suit. I looked down at the black dress shirt I wore. My red tie hung loosely over the armrest of my chair. Not a fan of formal wear. And if I wore a white shirt, people would be able to see my wings. "I like keeping you in suspense," I said.
He punched me in the arm. "You're such a liar. Just tell me. Quit being a pain in the–"
"Shhhh!"
Sam tensed and looked around.
Misty sat a few chairs away, her attention focused on us. Her green eyes blazed, and the look on her face would have scared the meat off a pizza.
Sam and I both turned back toward the stage.
"We will now read the new apprentices for this year. Lady Shenelle, will you do the honors?" Master Time sat down.
Lady Shenelle glided slowly across the stage to the podium. Her hair was pink, curled all the way down her back. For once she wasn't wearing a tutu, but a sleek purple dress that went to her ankles.
My heart began to pound. No way I was going to be sitting here when she announced my name. I stood, ignoring Sam's muttering, and made my way through the aisle and out the door.
Once in the hallway, I made sure I was alone. I leaned against the wall, listening to Shenelle's voice float through the building.
She read my name along with the rest of my graduating class. I heard the cheers when Shenelle singled me out. My friends catcalled and a few girls chanted my name. Nothing unusual.
Yet.
I braced myself as she announced who I was apprenticing, and wasn't disappointed by the crowd’s reaction.
Instead of applause, everyone went silent. Like, deathly silent. It took a moment for the realization to kick in, and then I heard the first laugh. A few more quiet snickers. Some whistling, and a swear word or two, probably from Sam, reached my ears.
I was glad I wasn't in there. Everyone would have been looking at me by now, thinking it was some kind of joke. And I wouldn't have been able to tell them it wasn't.
Not wanting to stick around for the honorary banquet, I headed out the door and ran to my dorm. I'd face Shenelle's wrath later. And probably Misty's, but I didn't care. I wanted nothing more than to be alone.
***
I read her name for the third time.
Kendall Corrigan. What kind of name was that anyway? Every Kendall I had met was a guy. It was a guy name. A girl with a guy name. Why couldn't I have gotten a Brittany or Katie or something?
I sat on my bed, flipping through the bright purple folder full of notes and all the details of my apprenticeship.
The pink paper felt heavy in my hands, and when I got too close, a floral smell assaulted my nose. There were pages and pages about Kendall. Her favorite color, what music she liked, what her favorite food was. I had a lot of reading to do if I wanted to "get to know her" and help her make her wishes.
"Here you are," a voice said, pulling me out of my current nightmare.
"Hey, Sam." I shoved the pink papers under my pillow before he could see or smell them.
"So …?" He stood in the doorway, hands in his pockets. His red shirt made his hair stand out even more than normal, and I had to smile. Everyone always told him it was the wrong color for him, but he never listened. Sam was Sam.
"What?" I asked.
He shifted his weight and motioned toward my back. "How are the wings?"
I cursed under my breath and sent a pillow flying toward his head. He dodged it easily. "Leave me alone."
"I know who you're apprenticing, Ash. It's not a secret. They announced it last night after you ran out the door. You should have seen Shenelle's face when they called your name and you didn't stand up." He chuckled. "She was pissed."
"Good." I stood, feeling a pull in the middle of my back. I flinched from the painful twinge. I had figured out a way to take care of them. Rope was a wonderful invention. I'd put up with the pain of them being tied down until my apprenticeship was over.
"I can't believe you didn't tell me!"
"There was nothing to tell."
His eyes narrowed, but he kept his cool. "So, have you tried flying?"
"Seriously? Don't you have anything better to do?"
"Nope." He sat down on his bed and took off his shoes. "You were 'asleep'
last night, so I thought I'd torment you today."
"Lucky me."
He stood, throwing his shoes in the closet. "How was your first assignment? I assume you've done it already?"
I nodded and thought of my first conversation with Kendall. She thought I was crazy. "It was … great," I said.
He raised an eyebrow.
"What? She seemed … nice."
I couldn't look at him. I knew I wasn't supposed to talk to my assignment at our first meeting. Everyone did. The rules of every assignment, no matter who you were apprenticing, were the same. Observe, and leave. I just, well, didn't exactly follow them.
"Ash …" he said.
I avoided his eyes and pulled my papers out, pretending they were interesting. "I only talked to her for a second."
To my surprise, he laughed. "Seriously? You're going to get in so much trouble."
I shrugged. "I was curious."
"That doesn't matter! If Shenelle finds out …" He trailed off.
"She's not going to."
He chuckled. "If you say so, captain," he said, saluting me. "So … was she hot? I assume it's a she."
"Dude! Is that all you think about?" She was cute, but I wasn't about to admit it. She was just a stupid girl who would make three stupid wishes. Just like every other girl in history.
He grinned. "So it is a she or you wouldn't have freaked out like that."
I stuffed my papers back into the folder and closed it. I sighed. "I don’t get why they gave me this apprenticeship. I shouldn't have to do this. They know I'm top of the class. I'm supposed to be a sandman."
"Maybe you have fairy blood and they want you to get in touch with your roots." He smiled. "Or your feminine side."
"There's nothing feminine about me, idiot."
He shrugged. "Roots, then. You could be part fairy, you know."
I sighed. We'd had this conversation so many times I'd lost count. "Unlikely. A fairy left me here. It doesn't mean she was my mother."
"Maybe you're an elf, like me. Studly, good looking, gets all the girls." He frowned. "Wait. Since you get all the girls, you must not be the same thing as me."
"True," I said.
"You're seriously the most conceited person in the world. Besides me, of course. It's why we get along so well. We're like twins from different mothers."
Not Your Average Fairy Tale (Not Your Average Fairy Tale #1) Page 2
