Crushing On The Geek (Crushing On You) (13 page)

      “Ouch!” she said, “What the…?”

      Hayden was pointing to a ring of mushrooms about ten feet from where they stood. If you weren't looking for a ring of them, you'd never notice it. The mushrooms were spaced sporadically, but formed a ring.

      “That's why no one notices it,” Tamara said, rubbing her cold hands together.

      “Exactly,” Hayden nodded.

      “Hello?” Tamara called out,stepping past Hayden, “Anyone home?”

      A miniscule light sparkled a few feet away from them before bouncing forward.

      “Should we follow?” Hayden asked, but Tamara was already moving.

      Once the light was inside the ring of mushrooms, it transformed into a woman so tiny that Tamara had to squint to be sure of what she was seeing, “Hello?” she said again.

      “The queen said if you survived long enough to find the ring I was to take pity on you, so I will. So shut up and listen. I don't much like wasting my time on humans anyway, especially not rude and ignorant humans,” the faerie said, fluttering her wings and landing with a soft thump atop a mushroom. Tamara wondered if this particular faerie lived in that particular mushroom.

      “We're not ignorant!” Hayden said.

      “Shut up, Hayden. I want to hear what she has to say!”

      “You should listen to your girlfriend before I dye your hair again, human boy!”

      Tamara and Hayden spoke at the same time. Tamara retorting that she wasn't Hayden's girlfriend and Hayden cursing up a storm at the faerie who had spiked his shampoo.

      “It was I,” the faerie laughed, “One of my prouder moments, if I do say so myself.” Pride radiated from her as she spoke with fluttering wings, “And human girl, you are his girlfriend or will be soon enough. So hush your mouths, both of you, or I'm not going to tell my story!”

      “Sorry,” they said.

      “Well, sit down, just mind you don't sit on anyone's house,” the faerie said indicating the grass around the faerie ring.

      Tamara dropped to the ground, pulling her hoodie tightly around her. The ground was cold and it radiated through her body making her shiver. Hayden sat down next to her and pulled her close to him. She leaned her head against his shoulder and looked to the faerie.

      “The town of Central Glade shouldn't be here. This land doesn't belong to you humans, but you've always been a silly lot,” the faerie began, “This land has always belonged to us, the fair folk or faeries as you lot call us today. We tried to convince the settlers not to found their homestead here, but they ignored us. So naturally we retaliated. We curdled their milk, busted their eggs, well, the ones we didn't take to eat ourselves, and lots of other things.

      “Some of them started blaming one another, which was delightful, if I say so myself. It's always fun to turn you lot on your own. Though, I'll admit it's a tad too easy most of the time. Well, it wasn't long until some of your lot started crying for a witch hunt, because who, besides a witch, would do these things? Well, most of them were dumber than a grub worm to say the least, but one of them had a brain. Some guy named Bedwyr, you know after the knight of King Arthur's round table. Well, anyway, this guy Bedwyr caught on after awhile and just in time to stop the witch hunt.

      “He made a deal with us. He said that your lot, you humans, would pay us for the land and out help. In the beginning the statue sat in the middle of Central Glades's town square and not a day would pass by without someone bringing us something. Soon though, as your lot is prone to do, you humans forgot about our agreement. Bedwyr willed the statue to the school and through the years different groups have left us our dues. It worked out well enough until you two baboons came along and stole our apples as part of your date!”

      “We're sorry,” Tamara said, “We thought Greg and the others were just crazy.”

      “You lot,” the faerie sighed, “always finding fault in others. It's amazing your race hasn't died out yet.”

      “Is there something we can do to make things right?” Hayden asked.

      “Now you're catching on, human boy,” the faerie grinned.

      “What do you want?” Tamara asked.

      “Nothing much, but we have put together a list of demands,” the faerie said, pulling a flower petal from her pocket as she spoke, “In exchange for our forgiveness, the wee folk of Central Glade request the following: a rocket ship, one cat whisker, candy apples—a whole package, don't be cheap—some of that sour grape lip gloss, and three candy bars.”

      “That's it?” Hayden asked.

      “Where are we supposed to get a rocket ship?” Tamara asked.

      “Yes, that is it,” she said, “and you figure out where to get a rocket ship. Brave thieves such as yourselves shouldn't have any problem obtaining one.”

      “We're not thieves!” Tamara called out, but the faerie was already gone.

Chapter Twelve

      “What the hell does she mean they want a rocket ship?” Tamara asked, sliding into the passenger seat of Hayden's car.

      “Don't think so literally. Think social network rocket ship.”

      “I don't social network,” Tamara frowned, fastening her seat belt as Hayden started the engine.

      “Let's say you did,” Hayden said, “and you posted that you were in the mood for, something, I don't know, let's say sweet and sour pork.”

      “What does that have to do with rocket ship?” Tamara asked, tapping her foot against the floor board.

      “Don't be so impatient,” Hayden said, “I'm getting there. After you posted that a bunch of people would respond with a bunch of different pictures of sweet and sour pork.”

      “Why would they do that? It's not like I can eat pixels!” Tamara said throwing her hands in the air.

      “Don't get distracted,” he chuckled, “this isn't about sweet and sour pork. It's about rocket ships.”

      “So we can take a photo of one?”

      “Or a toy rocket ship or something. They'd probably love it, if they could eat it.”

      “True,” Tamara nodded, “they're obsessed with food. Do you know anyone with a cat?” Tamara asked.

      “Yeah,” Hayden chuckled, “me.”

      “I was at your house and I didn't see a cat.”

      “He was hiding in the basement with Dad. Gilligan was supposed to be my cat, but the little traitor likes Dad better.”

      “Gilligan?” Tamara giggled.

      “Yes, I named him when I was a kid.”

      “I think,” Tamara said, “we can get most of that stuff at the superstore on North Matthan Expressway.”

      “That's where we're headed. You can write while I drive.”

      “Write?” Tamara asked.

      “Yeah, make a shopping list before we forget something.”

      “Now you sound like my Dad,” Tamara laughed.

      “Well, at least I don't sound like your mom.”

      “What's that supposed to mean?” she asked, arching a brow.

      “Well, if I begin to sound like a woman, please take me to the hospital, make that the mental hospital,” Hayden laughed.

      “I'll make the list,” Tamara said, pulling a pen and paper from her purse, “as long as you promise not to forget the whisker on Monday morning.”

      “I'm sure Gilligan is going to like me so much more after I rip out one of his whiskers,” Hayden laughed.

      “Maybe then he'll be you're cat,” Tamara said, as they pulled into the parking lot of the superstore.

      “Doubt it,” Hayden said, killing the engine, “How's the list coming?”

      “Rocket ship, cat whisker, a package of candy apples, sour grape lip gloss, and three candy bars,” she read back to him, “Did I miss anything?”

      “I don't think so,” Hayden said.

      “No or you don't think so?”

      “No, you didn't miss anything,” Hayden said, “Let's go.”

      “So, you grab the candy bars and I'll grab the candy apples,” Tamara said as the store's automatic doors opened for them, “Then, we'll meet in toys.”

      “Toys?” Hayden asked.

      “Yeah, to find their blasted rocket ship.”

      Tamara picked up a shopping basket and slide her arm into the handle as she pressed through the crowd. Candy apples were located in the produce section of the superstore, which was always packed with shoppers. Tamara navigated around happy couples, screaming children, and old ladies with carts full of produce and household goods. The candy apples were in the far back of the section, next to the bakery.

     
“Mommy
!
”
a small child shrieked,
“I want some more of them! Mommy!”

      “No, Micheal, you're not getting any more of those, honey. They make you too hyper,” a woman said, gently taking the child's hand.

      “No, they don't, Mommy!” he cried, “I want another candy apple! Mommy, please!”

      “No, Micheal, sweetheart, let's go,” the woman sighed.

      Tamara quickly snatched two packs of the candy apples, placed them in her shopping basket, and hurried away from the crying child, rubbing her ears. Once out of the grocery section of the store, the crowd thinned and Tamara was able to move quicker.

      “Hey,” she said, walking up behind Hayden, playfully poking his sides.

      “Hey,” he looked over his shoulder.

      “Thought I was going to beat you there,” she chuckled.

      “Nah, the candy section is closer to toys than produce,” he grinned, “Why did you get two?”

      “That way if you get a craving for them, you don't eat part of our treaty,” Tamara said as they entered the toy department.

      “Nah, I'd rather eat these,” he held up a bag.

      “What are they?” Tamara took the bag from him and shifted the hard candies around until she could make out their shape, “Lemon drop rocket ships?”

      “Ka-ching! You think they'll work?” Hayden asked.

      “If we're talking about social network rocket ships or whatever you called them, I don't see why not,” Tamara grinned, handing him the bag back.

      “So what's left?” Hayden asked.

      “The whisker and the lip gloss.”

      “Well, I doubt we'll find any cats here,” he chuckled.

      “Follow me,” Tamara said, turning on her heels and heading towards the makeup department.

      “You're really going to make me go to the makeup department with you?” Hayden asked.

      “Yep,” Tamara nodded, “What are you afraid of, we'll run into the cross dressing cow that sat on your head?”

      “I don't want to talk about the crossdressing cow!” Hayden said.

      “Then come on,” she laughed and took his hand, “Ooh! They have a new peach mango flavor! Do you see samples anywhere?”

      “Nope,” Hayden said not really looking around.

      “Here they are,” Tamara said, dropping his hand and dashing to the other side of the aisle. She stopped in front of the tiny mirror and tore the corner of the small package. The lip gloss oozed out onto her finger and she carefully rubbed it over her lower lip, then her upper. “What do you think?” she asked, turning to Hayden.

      “I can't really see it,” he said.

      “Well, it's just suppose to shine. It has no color to it,” she said, licking her lips, “but it tastes good.”

      “I'll take your word on it,” he chuckled.

      Tamara turned back to the mirror and squeezed out the remaining lip gloss and put it on, “I think I can prove it.” She closed the space between her and Hayden, rising to her toes and wrapping her arms around his neck.

      “I can smell it,” he laughed, “It smells good.”

      “Shut up,” Tamara giggled, pressing her lips against his.

      “It does taste good,” he chuckled when the kiss broke.

      “Come on, let's get out of here,” Tamara said, taking his hand.

Chapter Thirteen

      Tamara waited impatiently at the top of the fifth floor stairs, bouncing on the balls of her feet and bring her hands together again and again. It was only seven thirty, which meant she was early for meeting up with Hayden, but Tamara was anxious to get it over with. She checked her bag for the brown paper bag, which carried their purchases from Friday afternoon, for the seventh time, in as many minutes.

      “Hey, you're early,” Hayden said from behind her.

      “So are you,” she grinned, “Do you have the whisker?”

      Hayden thought for a moment, “Man, I knew I was forgetting something,” he said, frowning and hanging his head, “I still have time to run home and get it, right? I'll be right back!”

      “You can't be serious!” Tamara stomped her foot, “Hayden Bradley, you better be joking or I'm going to send you to Antarctica.”

      “Was it that obvious?” Hayden laughed, pulling a small empty spice bottle from his coat pocket. “Chill out, it's in here.”

      Tamara snatched the bottle from him and sprinted to room five eighty five.

      “Someone's in a hurry this morning,” Hayden chuckled, following behind her.

      “I just want this to be over with so I can get back to my normal life,” Tamara sighed, pushing open the door.

      “What's that supposed to mean?”

      “What's what supposed to mean?” Tamara asked.

      “Back to your normal life.”

      “Well, I won't be playing volleyball, so as normal as I can,” Tamara shrugged.

      “Back to Amber and your other friends?” he asked.

      “Well, since not many of them will speak to me right now, because of the loss of the Halloween dance, it would be nice,” she sighed, pulling the brown paper sack from her backpack.

      “Fine,” Hayden sighed.

      “What's up with you this morning?” Tamara crossed her arms.

      “Nothing,” Hayden said, “Let's just get this done. I wouldn't want to keep you away from
your normal life.”
He walked ahead of her, stopping in front of Sir Bedivere's table.

      “Hey,” she bumped into his shoulder playfully and pulled away, “What's wrong?”