The Childe (14 page)

How does she know I’m buying this book for Aldon? Did I say that out loud? What is with this place?
Cat asked herself.

Come now, you surely can’t leave the store without a book of your own. Here, let me see,” the woman said looking through the bookshelf. “Ah, this one will be perfect for you.”

“Thank you,” Cat replied as the woman placed the book in her outstretched hand. Looking at the cover, she noticed it was bare. Cat began to ask about it, but then realized the woman had disappeared. Looking around, she was nowhere in sight.
Where the heck did that lady go? How did she move so fast?
She wondered.

“Ah Cat, so what did you think of the book?” Aylah asked coming up beside her.

“I love it! My uncle will definitely enjoy it…and I also want this book too.” Aylah took the books from Cat and walked to the register. She followed, still wondering where on earth the old woman had vanished too.

“Cat, which shelf did you get this one from?” She saw Aylah holding the one the lady had given her.

“The little old lady took it off that shelf. The one by itself,” she said pointing to the opposite wall.

“Which little old lady?” She asked looking around.

“The lady who was dressed in all green and walking with a wooden stick. She seemed to have just disappeared,” Cat replied.

“Oh, you met Mildred, how fortunate for you. She doesn’t materialize for just anyone. Only the ones she feels are special and need her guidance. That’ll be twenty dollars,” Aylah told her.

“Only twenty dollars for both?” Cat asked looking puzzled. She looked at the price on the Creature book and it was twenty.
So how could it be just twenty for both?
She wondered.

“Yes, that’s right. When Mildred shows herself she always gives a book to the person she acknowledges. This time, it was you. And we definitely can’t charge for something a person doesn’t pick themselves, now can we?” Dazed, she shook her head no, so confused by this time, she wouldn’t have been surprised to see a unicorn walking around the store. She had so many questions.

“It was so wonderful meeting you Cat,” Gretchen gushed, walking up and hugging her. “I’ve told Amaya she must bring you again soon!”

“Yes Cat, it would be our honor to have you grace us with your presence again,” Aylah chimed in, hugging her as well. Walking toward the door, Cat turned and watched Gretchen, Aylah, and Annie standing side by side waving goodbye.

Back outside, Cat was surprised to see the sun shining brightly, no sign of the dark clouds. Shielding her eyes, she followed after her teacher toward an open field. Numerous colorful tents and stalls filled the area. Delicious smells filled her nose and wonderful music filled her ears as they joined the crowd entering the festival. There was so much to see. Brightly dressed merchants chatted with visitors while wrapping up their purchases and moving on to the next one. The stalls were packed full of wares including books, clothes, herbs and sparkling jewelry. Small tents displayed signs advertising what you could find within:
Tea cup readings, mediums, past life regression.
There seemed to be something there for everyone. Feeling overwhelmed, Cat took a deep breath. “I know it’s a lot to take in Cat. But you have to admit, it’s exciting as well.”

Hours later, barreling down the lane headed toward the archway of tall ominous trees, Cat heard Miss Amaya mumble something again and then silence. Suddenly they were back in the forest and engulfed by darkness.

“How the…” Cat began to ask.

“What? Were you going to say something cat?” Miss Amaya asked, flipping on her car’s headlights.

“Ne-never mind,” she replied. “So, thanks again for taking me today.”

“My pleasure! And if you like, we could go back again soon.”

“I’d love that!” she replied, leaning back in her seat, feeling drowsy.

It seemed like only seconds had passed when Cat felt the car stop, then backfire. She was home. Miss Amaya jumped out of the car and ran around to open her door. “Okay sleepyhead, let’s get you inside,” Miss Amaya led her up the stairs. Cat retrieved her key from her pocket and unlocked the front door. Miss Amaya handed her the books she forgot in the backseat as Cat thanked her again.

“Night Cat. And remember, today was our little secret okay,” Miss Amaya said giving her a big hug.

“My lips are sealed Miss Amaya.”

Cat watched as the purple bug left her sight. Sighing, she pushed open the door.

“Cat is that you?” Rachel called from the kitchen.

“Yeah, it’s me.”

7

Homecoming Dance

The gym was decked out in school spirit. Banner sized paper footballs covered the walls and pompoms were center pieces on all the tables. An inflatable goal post sat at either end of the gym with the words
GO PANTHERS
written on the side. Gold and black streamers spanned the length of the room, creating a wave like pattern overhead. The gym was warm to everyone, especially the girls who had worn thin shawls. It definitely felt wonderful after feeling the cool brisk wind blowing outside.

Matt surveyed the room looking for potential hotties to attract. He noticed that most people had come with a date, so singles were few and far between.
Oh well
.
This night might not be a total loss. Some fine young lady could have a fight with her date and I could be the one to console her
, he thought.

“Matt, why don’t you and Elle dance?” Cat asked.

“No, I don’t want to dance. I just want to sit and watch everyone,” Elle murmured nervously and fidgeting with the hem of her mid-length dusty rose dress. Cat turned to Julie who shook her head, as did Amanda.

“Okay Matt! It’s you and me! Let’s go!” Cat said grabbing his arm and pulling him to the dance floor. Dancing with Cat, Matt kept winking at girls nearby. She hit him several times on the arm, wanting him to pay attention and not step on her toes. A slow song began and he took her into his arms and started to sway back and forth. She smiled, amused.
He’s really turning on the moves. I guess he’s trying to impress anyone who might be looking,
she thought. His dancing almost made her forget that he was wearing a navy blue suit and a red bow tie.
As long as no one looks below his chin he might have a chance,
she laughed to herself.

Feeling someone watching them, Cat looked around, her eyes met Ryan’s. He was looking grim, standing alone, a little ways from his group. Her stomach felt like it leapt into her throat.
He looks gorgeous! Like a young James Bond,
she thought burying her head in Matt’s neck, blocking her view of him.

“Whoa Cat! Not too close! I don’t want these women to think I’m not available.” She started giggling and couldn’t stop. Matt squeezed her arm and whispered, “What’s so funny?”

“Uh…I was just thinking about Amanda and how uncomfortable she looks sitting there. She hates that dress her mom gave her to wear.”

“Yeah she does look a little put out,” he said agreeing with her.

The song ended and Cat excused herself, heading toward the restroom. Her path was suddenly blocked by Isaac, who was smirking at her. “Well Miss Catherine Colvin. What a surprise running into you. Having a bad time I hope,” he sneered.

“Get out of my way, please,” she said firmly, her eyes filled with annoyance.

“Oh so polite, saying please and all. Such wonderful manners. This is a warning! Stay away from my sister! You’re not our kind of people, understand?”

“Is that a threat? You know what Isaac? Screw you!” she growled, a sharp pain radiating through her lower lip.

“What did you say to me?” he asked, his eyes blazing. Around them she noticed people were staring. She saw Ryan, moving toward them, as was Taylor. Not wanting a confrontation, she walked toward her brother, grabbed him by the arm and pulled him into the hallway.

“What was all that about?” Taylor exploded.

“Nothing I couldn’t handle! Isaac’s so full of hot air! I just had to let some out!” She paused for a second, looking him up and down. “Hey! What’s with the tuxedo t-shirt…and chucks, really?” Cat chuckled, changing the subject.

“What? All the guys in the group are wearing them, plus I am saving the real thing for prom…wait a sec, don’t try and change the subject,” he said with a grimace.

“I’m fine Taylor. I’m a big girl now. You don’t have to worry about me all the time, okay? Besides, here comes Trish and she looks worried. Put a smile on your face and go to her,” Taylor huffed in frustration and turned, taking Trish’s arm. Without a backward glance, they returned to the gym. Closing her eyes Cat leaned against the wall, relieved Taylor had listened to her. Hearing footsteps, she opened her eyes and saw a pair of wing-tipped dress shoes standing before her. Desperately hoping it was Matt she raised her head and came face to face with Ryan.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be? I’m not scared of Isaac, not like everyone else. And I wish he’d get that through his thick skull. I’ll be friends with who I like and I don’t need his permission,” she snapped, moving around him. She stormed off toward the restrooms and flung the door open. Leaning her head against the cool tile wall, she wondered where this
new
Cat had come from.
If someone told me a few months ago that I would stand up to the most feared person in school, I would have thought they were crazy. Yet here I am, full of anger, something I’m for sure not used to.
Remembering the pain on her bottom lip, she looked in the mirror and noticed a puncture wound pooling up with blood.
“What the heck? I must’ve really bitten down hard! Did I chip my tooth, no it looks okay. How did I do so much damage?”
she wondered. Wetting a paper towel, she blotted the blood gathering up in the wound.

“Cat what happened? Everyone’s talking about it! Did you stand up to Isaac? What happened?” Her three friends burst through the bathroom door, all talking at once.

“I’m fine. He’s just a jerk! I just had to tell him off. I guess I’m changing. See what public school does to you? Boy, do I feel great! Ready to dance! Come on girls let’s go!” Cat wrenched open the door and headed back toward the gym. The three girls stood stunned, watching as their friend exited the bathroom.

“Where did that come from?” Amanda asked looking at the other two.

Cat made her way to the table. “Cat what happened? Everyone’s saying something about you and Isaac,” Matt whispered loudly.

“Nothing I couldn’t handle,” she replied, relaxing into her chair with a huge smile on her face, like a cat that just swallowed a canary.

“Now that we’re all here,” Cat began as the other three joined them, “I think we should go have our picture taken, you know, as a memento.” She abruptly stood up and made her way to the corner of the gym where the photographer had set up his equipment. Turning, she saw everyone still sitting motionless at the table.
What is wrong with them! Get up you guys and come over here!
She thought. To her surprise, they all stood up together and made their way to her.

“Now, all of you want to be in the shot, right?” the photographer asked.

“Yes we do, all of us.” Cat gave him a huge smile.

He seemed dazed for a second. “You’re a lucky guy to have such a harem,” the photographer whispered to Matt.

“Sure am,” Matt replied smugly putting his arm around Cat and Amanda.

“We heard that!” Amanda said stomping on Matt’s foot. “Male chauvinist pigs! Harem indeed,” she added.

The photographer turned away, embarrassed that he had been overheard. “Okay now, let’s see how I am going to do this? You, the tallest one,” he said, pointing at Matt, “you stand over there. And you three stand here and you,” pulling Cat’s arm, “you stand there. Yes, that looks great. Now I want big, big smiles and usually I have people say cheeseburger, so let’s all say it altogether.”

“What a dork!” Amanda uttered, rolling her eyes.

“I agree,” Elle giggled.

“You! No eye rolling! Okay, let’s look at the camera. Now I’ll count to three. On three, say cheeseburger…one, two, three!”

“Cheeseburger!” Matt yelled.

“Jerk!” yelled the four girls.

Frowning, the photographer reviewed the image on the camera. “I need to retake that. There seems to be a weird shadow covering your face,” he said pointing to Cat. He moved forward to adjust the screen around them, as well as their position, moving them a little to the right. He went back to his camera and looked at the image again. “Okay everyone, I think we have it now. One, two, three!” The five yelled cheeseburger and then went silent, waiting for his verdict. “Perfect! No shadow! You can move now. I just want a few more poses. I’ll change you around a little for some variety.” The next five minutes seemed like forever as he posed them, looked through the lens, re-posed them and finally took the pictures. “Okay, I think we have enough, the proofs will be sent to the school. So you can choose the ones you want. Thanks for your patience,” he said motioning to the next couple in line.