SuperNova: Heroes of Arcania (24 page)

My annoyance at him softened. I got what he was trying to do, that he wanted things to go back the way they were. I couldn’t be old Nova ever again, but new Nova might still enjoy a date with her longtime crush. Maybe it was even a good idea. A date with a cute boy could be good for me.
If Cole doesn’t want to ask me out, then why not go out with the guy who does?
It probably wasn’t healthy for Fortune to take up so much of my thoughts, anyway, right? I took in a breath and nodded before I could change my mind.

“You’re right. I should go out with Andy. Why wouldn’t I?”

Relief flooded Henry’s face; perhaps he’d been prepared for me to start screeching. He pulled his cell phone from his back pocket and took a few steps back. “In that case, I’ll meet you outside.”

Before I could ask, I turned to see Andy right in front of me. I gave him a small smile and his whole attitude changed. I could see him melt from determination to satisfaction. He’d won this battle before it even started. I had to admit his confidence made him even more attractive.
 

“Given any more thought to my offer?” He stuck his hands in his pockets, a lazy grin spreading across his face.
 

I didn’t want to make it that easy for him. I tried for coy, shrugging before giving him a smile.
 

“Oh, I don’t know.”

He leaned in a little, his face turning genuine. “Go out with me. Please?”

I caught a whiff of his cologne, a slightly overbearing smell that reminded me of walking into that one store in the mall. It was a bit much, but it certainly didn’t take away from those bright baby blues waiting for my answer. Combined with the long lashes and chiseled jaw, I could hardly tear myself away.

Henry’s advice sounded in my head and I found myself nodding at Andy. “Yeah, okay, I’d like that. You free Friday?”

“I’ve got an away game, so I won’t get back until late.” Andy was still the school’s star varsity soccer player. “How’s Saturday night, pick you up at 8?”

I nodded again, sure that I looked like a bobblehead. “Sure.”

“Cool.” He beamed at me and the blush on my cheeks easily appeared; Henry once told me it was cute and I hoped Andy thought the same. In my head, I started jumping up and down in excitement. I’d wanted him to smile at me like since the ninth grade.

Finally, something is going right.
 

On Saturday, my mom started the day way too bright and early. She flung my bedroom door open, jerking me awake. “Wake up, honey!”
 

“What time is it?” I mumbled, trying to steady my pounding heart at her entrance.
 

“Almost eight, time to get up and ready to go!”

“You are
such
a morning person. And that is not a compliment.” I glared at her through sleepy eyes. “Is the house on fire?”

“Of course not.”

I buried my head under my pillow. “Then why are you trying to drag me out of bed this early?”

“Your big date is tonight! We’re going to get you a cute new outfit.”

“I don’t need a new outfit.” The pillow muffled sound, but I could hear her opening my window blinds.

“Sure you do. And if you don’t want to go, let me put it this way: I do my very best to play an ostrich with her head in the sand when it comes to your…activities.”

I stiffened underneath my comforter as she paused. It was the first time she’d ever acknowledged it.
 

Mom cleared her throat and continued. “But tonight’s a fun experience for every normal teenage girl and you’re going to let your mother be excited about it.”

I laughed into the mattress and the covers were yanked off me. “Okay, okay!” I finally sat up to look at the big grin on her face. Even though I knew it was probably a little forced, I had to admit, we both deserved a good day.
 

Three hours, we decided to get lunch before heading back home. I was exceptionally pleased with my new outfit, plus a killer pair of combat boots that I planned to wear during my nights out. We mostly discussed school and some of her lesson plans, but when our meals arrived, she leaned in to give me a little smile.

“So you
are
excited, right? About the big date with Andy?”

“Sure I am,” I said, stuffing a fry in my mouth. “It’s a little strange, to finally have a date again. It’s not real yet, ya know?”

She gave a little laugh. “You don’t seem as excited as I thought you’d be.”

“I’m probably more nervous than excited. Plus I can’t help but think he only asked me because of what I did.”

Mom’s eyes darkened and while my immediate reaction was to hurriedly change the topic, I decided to face it head on.

“I still don’t regret it and I’d do it again, for anyone. And even if he asked me out because he genuinely wanted to, I know I’d still feel the same amount of excitement. My priorities have changed a little in the last few months, is all.”

“You should have normal high school experiences, Nova. What you’re doing, that’s not what normal kids do,” she said but I cut her off.

“I’ve never been normal.”
 

She gave me a sad half-smile. “I used to worry about you all the time when you were little. You were so fearless and never thought about being careful. Even though you never broke a bone, didn’t even scrape a knee, I worried for your safety. I worried what people would think if they found out. It still applies, especially here, knowing about this strange new world you’re a part of and that Fortune is still a threat.”

I blinked in surprise, forgetting about the fries. “Is that what this is about? The shopping, the lunch, it was a way to talk about how you don’t like what I’m doing?”

Her head shook quickly from side to side. “Your dad’s right. We can’t stop you from going after Fortune, which means we should support you the best we can. But that doesn’t mean I won’t worry to death about you.”

“I know. I hear that’s natural for moms and their kids.” I smiled at her to try and ease the tension. After a second, she returned the small smile.

 
“I want to make sure you’re happy,” she said. “No matter what’s happened, we have to move forward with our lives and you deserve every bit of happiness possible.”

“I’m happier now than I’ve been in months, if it counts for anything,” I said after swallowing a bite of sandwich. “My stress method isn’t exactly what you’d call conventional, but it helps me. I think it’s helping the city a little bit, too. It’s not the most normal hobby, but it’s kinda growing on me.”

“Are you saying you want to continue this lifestyle?” Her eyes widened in shock at my shrug.

“I hadn’t thought that far ahead. It’s important to me and I want to make a difference, so maybe.”

“What about college? Getting out of Arcania for a while and becoming a lawyer? Those things have all changed, too?”

“I’m still going to college!”
Assuming anyone accepts me, that is.
I shook that thought out of my head for the time being. “I can’t think past Fortune, Mom.”

“And what happens if you don’t catch him? If he goes to another city or this continues through the next year or whatever, what happens then? Do you still stay here, do you follow him to another state instead of go to school? What’s your big plan?”
 

Mom’s voice grew more heated with each question she threw at me. A knot formed in my stomach. I knew my face showed helplessness, as well as a strong desire to get out of this restaurant. How this had gone from a pleasant mother-daughter shopping day to an attack on my future after Fortune, I had no idea.
 

“Mom, please.” Her face softened and I jumped on the offensive. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, to me or Fortune or anyone else. I can’t answer any of those questions.”

A deep sigh came over her and I could tell the worst of the argument had passed. Sure, she wanted me to go to college, but she also didn’t want me dying, so I could see her side of things. College was a decent way of bringing it up, but I knew it was mostly her worrying about me, a natural thing for any mother. I couldn’t really be mad at her for that.

“I never considered you wouldn’t get out of here after graduation,” she said. “You should get away from here; there’s too much pain.”

“I guess I thought it would all be over by that point.”

“No matter what happens, it’s going to get worse before it gets better,” she replied in a grim tone. She motioned to the waiter for our check and didn’t say much on our way home.

The rest of my afternoon went to homework and a run on the treadmill. As I got ready for the date, I turned on some music and started a bubble bath. Right after I slipped into the tub, my phone vibrated from the tile floor. Careful to keep my hands dry, I scooped up it up and checked to find a new text message from Cole.

Hey. How’s ur day?

A stupid grin spread across my face. His text might be meaningless, but he was sweet to ask. He’d been occupying my thoughts more and more lately. I didn’t want to add boy drama to my increasingly complicated life, but I couldn’t help it. It wasn’t my fault he was cute and sweet, not to mention brave and powerful. How could anyone blame me?

Good! Mom and I went shopping. U?

He responded within thirty seconds.
Pen dyed my hair pink.

I burst into laughter at the image of Cole’s white blond locks as neon.
How? What’d u do?

Food coloring-she likes pranks. Says it’s cuz I’m boring.

I disagree :) How long will it last?
I couldn’t imagine playing pranks on Starling. She’d always been too little. Guess it was different when you were close in age. Either way, Penelope struck me as a bit of a spiteful little sister. My phone buzzed again.

Til I shower. Glad u wont see me looking like a cartoon.

I snorted.
Too bad.

We going out 2nite?
 

My heart skipped a beat before I realized he referred to bullying the bad guys. I grimaced, not wanting to lie to Cole about my date with Andy. I didn’t know what I felt for Cole, but it wasn’t platonic.
Sorry
I have plans. 2mrrw?

Ok. U going to party?

My fingers flew over the screen.
What party?

Brittany’s. Amber told me.

Maybe. U?
 

A flat out lie, since I had no idea what party he meant. He’d probably go since I bailed on going downtown, right? A full minute passed and I glanced at my phone, surprised. He’d been responding within mere seconds and now nothing? I swallowed my disappointment; I’d agreed to a date with Andy. It wasn’t fair to be flirting with some other guy an hour before he picked me up.
 

I stayed in the tub, staring at my ceiling. The water had cooled several degrees when I finally got a text back. My stomach in knots, I took a deep breath before reading it.

Hope to see u there!

I let out a growl of frustration. All that wait for
that
? What did I say to make him go from hot to cold? I stared at the text message as though willing it to change, but that insultingly general reply remained.
 

I got out and dressed, did my hair and makeup, and still had thirty minutes to spare. Too nervous to watch TV or read, I read and reread my texts with Cole, overthinking every possible scenario to make him turn off that way. Closer to eight o’clock, I went upstairs and hovered near the front door, hoping I could avoid my parents when Andy arrived.
 

When Andy’s headlights shone in the window, I moved as though I were being chased by that Runner. Heading to the door, I slung my purse over my shoulder and shouted, “Andy’s here, gotta go! See you guys later!”

I heard faint protest from my parents in the kitchen and hurried out to the car before they came down. Andy grinned as I hopped in.

“I would’ve met you at the door,” he exclaimed.
 

“I didn’t want to subject you to the Counselor’s questioning. He tends to confuse then attack in his interrogations.” I shut my door and buckled the seatbelt.
 

Andy laughed. My phone vibrated and for a split second, I hoped it was Cole. My smile faded when I saw it was from my mom.