The Princes of Tangleforest

by Vann, Dorlana

  She knew if her dad caught her out so late she would have to face some sort of punishment, but she also knew idiot Tanner would try and see Poppi. Boys! She ran to him.

  “Tanner? Can you hear me?”

  He started to move a bit, so at least he wasn’t dead. But she wanted to kill him.

  “I can’t open my eyes,” he said after a minute, “and I think my ankle is broken.”

  “I’ll go get your mom.”

  “NO! Just help me up. Okay?”

  “I don’t know if—”

  “Please.”

  “Fine,” she said and grabbed hold of his upraised hand. After a bit of a struggle, she had him standing, his arm draped around her. They hobbled across the street.

  He reached in his pocket and brought out the key, giving it to Julia to unlock the door. They made it upstairs to his room as quietly as possible.

  “Can I go get your mom now?” she asked after she had helped him lie on his bed.

  “No, not yet.”

  “What’s wrong with your eyes?”

  “Poppi’s grandma threw something in them. They’re burning like crazy.”

  “I’ll be right back.” Julia walked to the restroom she had noticed on the way to Tanner’s room. She wet a washcloth, cursing Tanner under her breath the entire time.

  When she walked back into his room, she snapped on the lights. She was surprised she hadn’t tripped over the large cardboard boxes that were strewn here and there. A computer sat on a desk next to the window. The curtains were open. Julia shook her head as she realized the clear shot to what must have been Poppi’s window.

  At least Tanner still had his eyes closed because she didn’t want him to see how disgusted she felt about the entire situation. She wanted to throw the washcloth at him and go home. Instead, she sat on the edge of his bed and wiped his eyes. “So exactly what happened?”

  “That wicked witch was waiting on me and sprayed some kind of poison in my face. I guess I fell out of the window.”

  “You could have died, you dumb ass. Why did you go over there? I told you not to. I told you, you would get caught. What’s wrong with you?”

  “Ouch!” Tanner put his hand up to stop Julia’s excessive wiping. “What are you doing here, anyway?”

  “I figured you would do something stupid… I was right.”

  Tanner exhaled.

  “Is that any better?” she asked, removing the cloth as she stood up.

  He fluttered his eyes open a little. “Yeah, a little bit. I don’t think I’m blind anymore.”

  “Let me see your ankle.” She lifted up his pants leg and pulled down his sock. It appeared to be a little swollen. “I’d better get this shoe off.”

  He nodded, and she pulled off his tennis shoe.

  “Peeeyoo.” She gagged.

  “I’ve kind of had those on all day.”

  “A little warning would’ve been nice.” She wasn’t about to touch the sock, so she wadded up the blanket under his ankle. “I think you need to go to the doctor.”

  “I’ll show my mom in the morning.”

  “What are you going to tell her?”

  “Skateboarding.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Many of trips to the emergency room. She’s used to it.”

  Julia nodded. “You hurt any place else?”

  “No, I think I’m all right. I’ll probably be sore for a couple of days.”

  “Falling out of a window can do that to you. Are you going to stay away from her now?”

  Tanner sat up on his elbows and squinted. “I can’t! Especially not now. She needs me.”

  Julia wondered why the hell she was putting herself through the torment.“Really? How can you say that? You just met her. You don’t know what she needs.”

  “You don’t understand,” he said, letting his head fall back on his pillow.

  “Oh, no? I think I do!”

  “She’s in danger,” Tanner said. “I need to get her away from the old witch.”

  “Call the cops. Let them take care of it before you get yourself killed.”

  “They’re not going to believe me. Her Grandma could even turn it around and say I broke into their house. That’s all I need. There has to be another way. How old is Poppi? She’s eighteen, right?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess that’s about right. So?”

  “So if I can get her away from that grandmother, she’ll legally be on her own.”

  “I guess you have it all figured out,” Julia huffed. “So you don’t need me. I should get home before I’m missed.”

  “I do need you,” Tanner said as he struggled to sit all the way up.

  She stared at him. Why did he have to be so stupid adorable? “For what? To carry you again the next time you get pushed out a window?”

  “To help me learn that mind control stuff.”

  Chapter 13

  Tanner waited for Julia to respond, but he didn’t expect it to be favorable because of the way she stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at him. He twisted until his left foot hit the floor, resting his hurt right ankle on his knee. He examined it, through still burning-eyes, thinking it didn’t look as bad as it felt.

  She finally asked, “What for? Are you going to try and make Poppi want to leave with you?”

  “I don’t want to hypnotize Poppi. I want to try and convince her grandmother to let her go.”

  “Really? You know, seeing as she’s already tried to kill you, a better idea might be to stay away from her.”

  “I can’t. She’s holding Poppi prisoner.”

  Julia looked up at the ceiling and shook her head.

  “All I want to do is help her,” Tanner said.

  Julia crossed her arms and tapped her foot.

  “What?” he asked.

  “Nothing.”

  “You really don’t think I should do anything?”

  “I think you should call the police,” Julia said firmly.

  “So you won’t help me?”

  Even though Tanner’s vision was still a bit fuzzy, when Julia ruffled her hands through her hair, he realized it didn’t have any unnatural color added; it appeared to be a light reddish brown, down, and barely long enough to tuck behind her ears. He also noticed that she didn’t have a speck of makeup on, and she wore a long t-shirt over a pair of gray jogging pants and well-worn flip-flops. He thought she looked cute and fresh so undone. “By the way,” he said. “Thanks.”

  “For what?”

  “You know. Helping me home.”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “No problem.” She huffed. “You know, I can’t do anything anyway. You saw me with Ashley. I don’t remember what to do. I’ve been out of the loop way too long.”

  “You mentioned a book.”

  “Right, Frogs into Princes.”

  “Maybe we can get a copy, and I’ll read it and figure things out.”

  “It’s not that easy. It took a long, long time, even with the five of us. It was like six months before we started trying the techniques on people other than ourselves. And even after that, we had to find other sources to help with all the little kinks.”

  “What kind of other sources?”

  “Magic.”

  “Magic?” Tanner asked. “Real magic or the magician kind.”

  “The kind that involves hypnotics and cold readings. All that stuff just kind of goes together.”

  “At least you already know the basics. Don’t you think if I read the book and you did a refresher we would be able to figure it out pretty quickly?” He squeezed his eyes together when they began to sting again. “There has to be a way to learn what the Princes can do and fast. Tanner tapped himself in the forehead. “Huh… That’s it. So simple. I need to become a Prince in order to rescue the princess.”

  “What?” Julia said. “You’ve really gone… no. No! Not a good idea at all.”

  “Why not? I can watch and learn. They can show me what to do.”

  “They’ll know you’re u
sing them. They’re very smart.”

  “So am I.”

  “I’ve seen nothing that proves that so far.”

  “Julia,” he said softly, trying to look at her with as much vulnerability as possible. “I would really like it if you would help me, but I don’t want to lose you as a friend over this. So I guess, you know, I’ll understand if you want to walk. I want us to stay friends. That’s all.” He waited patiently for a response. Finally, Julia’s shoulders relaxed and her eyes, which had been focused on the floor, looked at him.

  “You’ll have to beg a bunch of nerds to give you another chance. It’ll take some time for you to gain their confidence.”

  “Sooo…you’ll help me?”

  She walked over and sat at his desk. “Against my better judgment.” She pointed at him as she talked. “I’m telling you right now that this is a mistake—on so many levels. It’s power. That’s what they are going to offer you, and it’s seductive. Not only that, they play these stupid, dangerous games.”

  “Really… I’m sure I’ll be fine. So where do we start? What should be my game plan for getting into Geeksterville?”

  “I don’t know. It’s not going to be easy after you already told them to get lost.” Running her hands through her hair she said, “We need them to think something drastic happened to make you change your mind.”

  Tanner cleared his throat. “And they probably won’t believe me as long as we’re friends, huh.”

  “Well then,” she said. “I guess what we can do is have a fight in front of them to show them we’re not friends anymore.”

  “That shouldn’t be too hard,” he said and smiled at her.

  Thankfully, she smiled back. “Right.”

  Tanner felt his spirits lift as it all seemed to be coming together. “Then, I’ll ask them if I can to join their little club.”

  “Actually, you’re going to have to be patient and let them seek you out. If you seem too anxious, they’ll know something is up. And… you know what? I know what else you can do. They love it when others look up to them, want to be like them, look exactly like them…”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I think you’re going to have to make a quick and secret stop by my house tomorrow after school. I’m going to give you a new crown, Prince Tanner.”

  “You’re going to cut my hair… aren’t you?”

  “Sacrifices do have to be made and not just your hair. You’ll have to lose the skater-vibe completely.”

  He raised his eyebrows to her. “Do I have to wear suit coats and pullover sweaters?”

  “This was your idea. You don’t have to do this.”

  “I think I do.”

  Chapter 14

  Tuesday Afternoon: Even though Julia knew the fight she and Tanner had earlier that day at school had been planned and fake, it had felt all too real. She had cringed as Tanner walked away from the lunch table after he’d shouted, “You’re just weird, Julia. Stay the hell away from me.” And even though the tears that had streamed down her face weren’t for Zachary’s benefit, he did see them and smile. At least it had been the reaction they needed. Victory was truly bittersweet.

  But now it was time to make Tanner sorry for choosing the pretty girl over the smart one with the scissors.

  “Why are you grinning like that?” Tanner asked after Julia opened her front door.

  “Oh, no reason. Come on in. Bwa ha ha.”

  “You’re making me nervous.”

  “You’ll be fine.” She tried to walk on ahead to lead the way, but he stood there stuck to the floor. “I promise. I’m good at this.”

  “So you say. Wait a minute… is your dad better today?”

  “Yeah. He’s good.”

  “Glad to hear it. I wanted to make sure you weren’t going to kick me out with only half a haircut.”

  “Funny guy. Just get in here.” She walked on through the living room, and this time Tanner followed. “He does seem to be doing better,” she said. “He’s actually on a date.”

  “Really? You’re okay with that?”

  “I guess. I’m kind of the one who encouraged it. I wanted him to get out and meet more people and to re-immerse himself into the land of the living. Yep, my idea.”

  Tanner shook his head. “Daaang, I haven’t even thought of that. I don’t know what I would do if my mom started dating.”

  “Where’s your dad?” She asked casually as they walked into the kitchen. She stopped and turned to him. “I mean, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  “My parents are pretending to be busy, but they’re separated.”

  “I see,” she said. “I’m sorry.” She patted the chair next to the table. “Go on. Have a seat.”

  “It looks like a torture chamber.” Tanner sat, eyeing the scissors, comb, clippers, hand mirror, and smock that Julia had placed on the table before he arrived.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Now where did I put my knives?” Julia wrapped the smock around his neck. After she wet Tanner’s hair using a spray bottle, she began to cut.

  Although she actually hated to cut his waves, the experience proved almost therapeutic, and she found herself engrossed. Tanner didn’t seem to notice. She tried to tune him out as he talked about Poppi and how he planned to introduce the idea of helping her to his mom.

  Finished, she handed him the mirror. She had shaved the sides, but left it a little longer on top.

  “Not bad,” he said.

  “I went easy on you. I could have easily made you look like a real dork. And speaking of dorky, let’s go take a peek in my dad’s closet for you an outfit.”

  Wednesday Morning: Tanner wore the borrowed black slacks and white shirt from Mr. Webster’s closet to school. He was used to wearing baggy jeans, so the pants weren’t that big of a deal. The shirt, on the other hand, felt stiff, and it itched around his neck.

  He already missed his skateboard but supposed it didn’t really matter at the moment because his ankle still hurt. Just walking, he had to nurse it the entire way to school. At least it wasn’t broken, and he didn’t have to tell his mom about it.

  By the time he made it to his seat in his first period class, he had a full limp. While he was examining his ankle, two pair of feet appeared. He followed them up. Zachary and one of the twins, Sean, stared down at him.

  “Looking sharp,” Zachary said.

  “Yeah, like a razor,” Sean said.

  “Guys,” Tanner sat up and mentally patted himself on the back. And Julia said they were smart. They had bought what he had sold them without even asking the price.

  “So I see you had a little falling out with Jules yesterday,” Zachary said.

  Tanner kept a straight face as he said, “She can be bitchy.”

  “Bee-otch!” Sean said and laughed at himself.

  Zachary joined him with a high pitched giggle. “Ain’t that the truth.”

  Tanner cringed, and thought how hanging out with them was going to be torture.

  Zachary gave a long exaggerated sigh. “In all seriousness, I usually don’t extend this courtesy, nevertheless, seeing as you are new and perhaps didn’t understand the rules of the school, and somehow got tangled up with Jules, I’m willing to give you a second chance. If you ask pretty please.”

  “I don’t know. I don’t know if I really fit.”

  “Like a glove.” Zachary adjusted his black rimmed glasses.

  “It’s really cool,” Sean said. “What we do.”

  “Would I be part of all that or only get to sit at the table with the big boys?”

  “Oh no,” Zachary said. “We’ll show you the ropes. Show you how it’s done. I’ll be graduating this year and have actually been seeking a few recruits. We want our friends in the lower classes to have just as much respect next year as we get this year. We’re not doing this for the glamour but for the kids who get picked on everywhere.”

  “So it’s for a good cause,” Tanner said.

  “Of cours
e,” Zachary said. “We’re not bullies.”

  The bell rang for class. However, Zachary and Sean didn’t leave. Tanner waited for his teacher to say something to them; instead she sat at her desk reading paperwork. All the other students faced forward at their desks apparently waiting for class to begin.

  Zachary continued talking, “We’re trying to make the world a better place. It’s getting rough for us out there. Look at you, conforming to fit into their world when you belong in ours.”

  Tanner wanted to protest, but he only smiled. He did, however, want to end the conversation before Zachary got all choked up about his selflessness and started crying. “Fine. I’ll join… or whatever I’m supposed to do.”

  “That’s boss,” Zachary said with a satisfied grin. “We’ll see you at the royal table.” He stuck his finger out like a gun and pointed it at Tanner. “Okay Mrs. Victoria, you can resume.”

  As soon as the boys walked out, Mrs. “Victoria” Martin stood up and started talking. Tanner shook his head.

  Wednesday Lunch: Tanner about dropped his tray when he saw Julia sitting next to Zachary at The Prince’s lunch table. Not only was she not supposed to be there, but she looked so “normal.” She hadn’t fixed her hair up in any weird style and it appeared to be its natural color, and she even wore a conservative blue shirt. The word “pretty” actually popped in his head. Something he would never repeat to Julia.

  His legs kept walking toward the table, despite his confusion, and he sat down in the spot provided for him across from Zachary and Julia and next to Darla.

  “Don’t be upset,” Zachary said. “I know you two had that little fight, but since we’re really all on the same side, I’m hoping we can all get along. Besides, how could I say no to Jules after all that begging?”

  Julia rolled her eyes.

  “She just rolled her eyes,” Darla said, her pigtails tied high with red ribbon. “See Zachary, for the smartest boy in school you can be really, really dumb sometimes. I can’t believe you’re letting her sit here. She’s up to something.”