by Dee J. Stone
“Maybe we can go to the park and throw a ball around. Maybe play some football or baseball.”
Here we go again. “As much fun as that sounds, I’d rather watch a movie.” I sink down. “Besides, isn’t playing sports something you and Matt do?”
His eyebrows crease. “You’re right. I’m sorry. We’ll do what you want to do.”
“Thanks.”
Quiet.
Dad clears his throat. “You were at Maddie’s all afternoon, weren’t you?”
“Yeah,” I cough. “We were doing a project. For school, I mean.”
He stares at the TV, thinking. “And you were alone.”
“Dad…” I groan.
“I’m sorry, but we need to talk about this. You and Maddie were alone in her house for many hours doing god knows what…”
“We were doing homework, Dad. Homework.”
He doesn’t say anything.
“And her parents came home, so we weren’t alone for that long.”
Dad nods slowly. “Just remember what we talked about. We expect both you and Maddie to graduate and go to college. With no distractions or obstacles.”
I get where this is going. “Dad, that’s not going to happen. We don’t…we haven’t…” Man this is awkward.
Dad pats me on the back. “Let’s keep it that way.”
I sink down in my seat some more as Dad goes on and on about how important it is to be careful. I nod here and there, pretending I’m listening, when really I’m thinking about Maddie’s mom and how she looked at me funny.
Chapter Seven
Maddie’s head is hidden behind her book as the classroom starts to fill up with students. I’m looking around because I sense people’s eyes on me. Sure enough, some are staring. A few have wide and appreciative expressions on their faces. Some scowl while others are whispering about me. I know my whole family has been on the news a lot. I hate it, wish I could do something about it.
“Hey,” I say to Maddie. “We don’t have a test or anything today, do we?”
With her face still buried, she shakes her head. “Algebra tomorrow.”
I slide down in my seat. Shoot. I’m so not ready or in the mood for a test. “Too bad they don’t cut superheroes some slack.”
Maddie snorts.
I puff out my cheeks and check the news on my phone. One thing catches my attention. It’s a video of Nicole talking to a reporter.
“Tell us, Nicole,” the reporter says. “What’s the Blue Masked Hero really like?”
She smiles to the camera, then her eyes get serious. “He’s not as great as everyone thinks.”
The reporter’s face fills with intrigue. “No?”
Nicole shakes her head. Now she’s got this sad expression on her face.
“What’s that?” Maddie asks.
I pause the video, rewind it, and watch it over with Maddie. Nicole goes on to talk about all the terrible things I’ve done. I hurt people. Cheated. Lied. Where the heck is she getting all this from? I never hurt anyone or cheated. Sure I’ve lied, but that was only because I had to.
“But he’s saved many lives,” the reporter says. “He’s done so much good.”
Nicole rolls her eyes. “That’s because everyone hopes and wishes he’s this great hero. He hurt my brothers and I’ll never forgive him for that.”
“Hurt your brothers?”
She nods. “He took them out flying once and dropped them. Tommy broke his leg while Charlie is scared to leave the house.”
“That’s a lie!” I shout a bit too loudly. Some kids scowl at me while others look at me like I’ve lost my mind. Nicole is at the other end of the room, giggling with her friends.
“I’m going to murder her,” Maddie says between clenched teeth.
I close the video and shove my phone into my pocket. “Forget about it and you’re not murdering anyone.”
I don’t care what Nicole said. I mean, of course I’m bothered, but she lied. Why should I care that she painted me to be a bad person? I know who I am. Isn’t that all that matters?
Maddie goes back to reading. I skim over my history notes in case Mrs. Landon decides to hit us with a pop quiz.
“Hey, loser.”
I look up and find a guy named Brandon standing there. He’s a wannabe football jock who wanted to make varsity this year. Freshmen hardly make varsity. He’s been worshiping Matt ever since the school year began.
“Yeah?” I ask.
He chuckles. “So you respond to the name loser?”
I roll my eyes and resume reading over my notes. Seriously? Another jock starting up with me?
Brandon slams his fist on my desk. “I just want you to know that you’re still a nobody.”
“Okay.”
“Just because you have powers and are famous, doesn’t mean you can have all the girls.”
That’s what this is about? He’s scared all the girls will chase after me? Yeah, right. When I peer to my right and left, I see some girls giggling at me. Some wave.
Holy crap. They are chasing me. Well, I don’t need them. I’ve got a special girl named Maddie. Besides, why would I be interested in anyone who only gives me attention now that I’m famous?
I wonder if this bothers Maddie. She’s got to know I don’t care about getting attention from girls. She’s the only one I care about.
Brandon’s gaze flits to Nicole, then back to me. Is he worried I’m into her? Does he not know she was the one who ruined my life and my family’s life? Not to mention all the crap she’s saying about me on TV.
“I’m talking to you,” Brandon demands, slamming his fist on my desk again.
My eyes meet his. “I don’t know if you noticed, but I already have a girlfriend.” A girl I love, I may add.
Brandon waves his hand. “She’s not here to stay.”
Maddie drops her book. “Excuse me?”
“Mads—”
She’s on her feet, her hands at her sides. “Who gives you the right to decide whether Nick and I will last?”
The guy just snickers. “What hero lets his girl fight his battles?”
Again, I roll my eyes. “I don’t care if she fights my battles for me and it doesn’t make me weak. She and I are a team. An equal team.”
Nicole snorts from the other end of the room. Maddie’s fists clench before she marches over to her.
“What’s so funny? Do you have any idea how much damage you’ve caused?”
Nicole stands with a superior expression on her face. Maddie looks like she wants to slap that smirk away. I’m at her side faster than the speed of light.
I grab her arm before she does something stupid, like losing control of her power. “Mads, it’s cool.”
She pulls her arm away. “No. They need to realize that their actions have consequences.” She glares at Nicole. “You have no idea what you’ve done.”
Nicole gives her this innocent look. Makes me want to punch it off her face, not that I would ever hit a girl. “What are you talking about, weirdo?”
Rage seems to boil up inside Maddie. Glancing at her fists, I see they’re starting to get red. Aw, crap. This isn’t good.
I grab her arm and pull her out of the classroom.
She tries to wiggle free. “Let me go, Nick.”
I pull her into the nearest bathroom. The boys’ room. Not a good idea. But I can’t think of a better place for privacy. Her hands are really red now. Kind of like fire’s about to burst out of them. “Look at your hands.”
She stops moving and checks them out. Her eyes widen. She quickly drops her hands to her sides, breathing heavily. “Oh, no.”
“You didn’t feel them warming up?”
She shakes her head. “I was too busy being mad at Nicole.”
“Maddie.” I place my hand on her cheek. “I know you don’t like Nicole, especially after what she did to me and my family, but you can’t lose control like that. Just let it go.”
Her eyes widen again as she stares at h
er hands. “That hasn’t happened to me in years.”
“Maybe it’s harder for you to be in control now.”
“Why?”
“Maybe because you’re angry. Maybe because of everything we’ve been through. Maybe because…”
“Because what?”
I shift from one foot to the other. “Maybe because things are different now. With us, I mean. Like, we’re together now. We care about each other more.”
“I’ve always cared about you.”
“I know. Same with me. But now that it’s official maybe we feel it more.”
She shrugs. “I guess. But we still need to get back at Nicole.” She laughs sarcastically. “I can’t believe that guy thinks all the girls are after you.”
I don’t say anything.
She raises an eyebrow. “Are they after you?”
“No,” I quickly say.
She gently slaps me in the chest. “They are, aren’t they?”
I take her hands in mine. “Does it matter? You know you’re the only girl I’m interested in. Don’t let anything or anyone get to you.”
She doesn’t say anything as she slides her hands out. I know what she’s thinking. She’s worried I’ll leave her for someone else. But that’s not going to happen. I love her. A lot.
“We’d better get to class,” she says. “I’ll leave the bathroom first. Wait a few minutes, then follow. We don’t need anyone thinking stuff, right?”
I take her hand again. “You sure you’re okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean.”
She gives me a look like she’s got no clue.
“With the girls and everything.”
She smiles. “Of course I’m fine.” She exits the bathroom. She hides her emotions well, but I know her and I know that was a lie.
She’s not fine. Not at all.
***
Maddie and I are walking home. We could fly, but there’s something about walking in the chilly weather that calms us down.
We got to class late again, and Mrs. Landon didn’t give us detention. I wonder how long that will last. It’s not like it’s right for her to give us special treatment. Though I appreciate it a lot. Getting detention would really make Mom be even more of a police over me.
We’re talking about this guy Ed who tripped in the cafeteria today. If not for Maddie’s quick thinking by telling me to catch his tray before it splattered all over the floor, the poor guy would have been the laughingstock of the school. It’s times like these—when I can look out for my fellow students who are nice and kind and deserving—that makes me love my powers.
Beeping noises. Maddie pulls her sleeve up to reveal her watch. The watch that lets us know someone needs help.
She squints at the words. “A train is going to crash into the station. The brakes are caught and it can’t stop.”
“Oh, man. I’m on it.” I’m about to shoot in the air, but stop. “Come with me.”
She shakes her head.
“Why?”
“You saw what happened in school today. What if I lose control and kill the passengers inside?”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“You don’t know that. I’ll stay behind until I get this…this thing under control.”
“But—”
She pushes me. “We don’t have time to argue. Just go.”
I shoot in the air and fly to the location. I can see the train coming. If I don’t do something, it’s going to crash in less than a minute.
I’ve never done something this difficult before—stopping a moving train. But now’s not the time to be all insecure. I push away all the doubt and lift my hands, focusing on sending all my energy to stop the train.
It’s not working. Sweat drips all over my body and into my eyes. I swear I can hear the people on the train shouting. I’m not going to let them die. Not going to let parents get separated from their kids, husbands from their wives. No, everyone is going to survive.
Gritting my teeth and shutting my eyes, I give it all I’ve got. The train is nearing the station, nearing me. Not only do I hear the cries of the passengers, I can hear the screams from the people inside the station.
My arms feel weak. So does the rest of my body. “No,” I order myself. “Don’t lose hope. You can do this.”
I let out a growl, pushing my hands forward. The sound of metal screeching nearly bursts my ears. My eyes open and I see the train skidding to a halt. It’s only a few feet away from the station.
Then it stops.
My body slumps to the ground, my breathing labored. I did it.
Cops, firefighters, and ambulances all rush to the scene. Some people point to me in awe and appreciation. I’m too weak to move or say anything. Can’t even nod. I’m seconds away from collapsing.
While all the action goes on around me, I focus on getting my breathing under control. Inhale, exhale. Slowly, eventually, I get my strength back. Many cops shake my hand and tell me what a good job I did. One guy thanks me for saving his wife’s life.
A reporter shoves a mic in my face. “The Blue Masked Hero has done it again. Blue, walk us through the moments of this heroic act.”
I back away. “I’m just glad everyone’s okay.”
The reporter turns to the camera. “He’s so modest.”
I’ve got to go home before Mom gets on my case on the whole homework thing. I leap in the air, waving to the kids who are staring at me like I’m the most important person in the world. I zoom toward my house.
My phone rings. “Hey, Maddie.”
“I saw the news. Good job.”
“Thanks. You should have been there.”
She’s quiet for a second before, “I would have messed it all up. How can fire help anyway? All it does is cause destruction.”
“It was your fire that freed me and saved Kaylee,” I point out.
“Yeah and it killed all those people.”
True, but she had to do it.
“I have go,” she says. “Mom’s going out and I want to follow her.”
I’m about to tell her to be careful because she doesn’t have invisibility, but I stop myself. Maddie can take care of herself.
“I’d better go home, too, before Mom sends the military after me.”
She laughs a little. “Call you later.”
Mom’s not home. Neither is anyone else. Matt and Dad are probably at football practice. Mom must be out with Kaylee. I have the whole house to myself for who knows how long.
Yeah, the whole house to myself to do homework. I know, I know. Homework is important, blah blah.
After grabbing a few cookies from the kitchen, I climb up to my room and dump my school stuff on my desk. Algebra test tomorrow. Yippee.
Chapter Eight
It’s quiet during dinner. Mom busies herself with her food. Matt seems to be in his own world. Maybe he’s thinking about his new “good guy” attitude. I haven’t seen him hanging out with his buddies at school. He usually keeps to himself and focuses on his schoolwork. None of the other jocks give him crap. They’re afraid of him. It’s kind of nice to have an older bro like that. He’s actually someone I can look up to now.
Dad’s hardly touching his dinner. I wonder if any of this has to do with Kaylee. Did the cops find something? Did they discover she was kidnapped by those guys?
My little sis is playing with her peas. She’s got a huge frown on her face. Peas are one of her greatest enemies. It always takes Mom forever to get her to finish them. Now Mom’s not even trying.
I sit forward, causing my chair to scrape across the floor. Mom looks at me, then away.
“What’s going on?” I ask. “Why’s everyone so quiet?”
Mom’s eyes flash to Kaylee before meeting my dad’s. So this does have to do with Kaylee. I wish I could ask them, but not in front of my little sister.
“Mom took me home early today,” Kaylee says. That’s weird. Why’s she not happy about th
at? “We were practicing for the play.”
“Play?”
“Yeah, the Wizard of Oz.”
“That’s cool. Who do you play?”
She pushes some more peas around. “A monkey.”
“So you get to fly, huh?”
She nods vehemently. “Just like you!”
I ruffle her hair, then turn to my mom. “Why did you take her out early?”
She looks at Dad for a second. “We thought…never mind.”
Kaylee’s head springs up. “I’m six, but not stupid. Why are you treating me different?”
Matt and I exchange glances.
“What?” Kaylee demands.
Mom grabs her hands before she makes a mess of her food. “Nothing’s changed, sweetie. We just love you and want to give you the world.”
Kaylee grimaces. “I don’t want the world. I wanna know the secret.”
“There’s no secret, kid,” I tell her.
“Then why did Mommy take me out of school?”
“Uh…” I rub the back of my neck. “Only special kids’ mommies take them out of school. Mom took me and Matt out of school, too, didn’t you Mom?” Lying to my little sister. Super.
“Yes. I did. Those days were so special and meant so much to me.” It seems Mom’s just as uncomfy with the lie.
“But we just went to the mall and didn’t get anything,” Kaylee says.
That’s why no one was here when I came home. Mom took Kaylee out of school early and spent the day with her, but why? She doesn’t believe in pulling us out of school. School is the most important thing to her.
“Doesn’t matter,” Matt adds into the conversation. “Just spending the day with Mom was enough.”
Mom and Dad give him thankful smiles.
Kaylee looks from me, to Matt, then to our parents. She shrugs. “Okay. Can we do it again tomorrow? I don’t think there’s play practice.”
Mom shakes her head. “Remember, these days need to be special, so they can’t happen often.”
Kaylee’s eyes brighten. “Okay!”
We’re back silent again. Kaylee’s distracted with her excitement over being special, my parents are still acting like zombies. Matt’s the only one scarfing down his potatoes.
It’s kind of torturous to be sitting here. What the heck happened today?
