Not Your Average Fairy Tale (Not Your Average Fairy Tale #1) (2 page)

Pink
wands.

She plucked them both out of the air and floated across the room, handing one to each of us.

"Are you kidding me?" I eyed the wand with distaste.

"Is there a problem, Mr. Summerland?"

"It's pink!"

"Well you
are
a fairy godmother," Misty said. She covered her mouth, trying to stifle a laugh.

I glared at her. "Not. My. Choice."

Shenelle stiffened. "Misty, will you excuse us? Run and get yourself a drink or something. I'll be out shortly."

"Yes, Lady Shenelle." She stood, flipped her dark hair over her shoulder, and floated out of the room.

The door closed, and Shenelle stood in front of me with her arms folded. "Do you want to spend the first day of your apprenticeship on probation?"

I sighed. "No."

"Then you might consider changing your attitude. It not only makes you look bad, but it makes me look bad as well. Especially in front of other students."

"Sorry," I mumbled. I wasn't really mad at
her
. I just couldn't figure out why the council decided to torture me with fairy wings after being such a great student all these years. It didn't make sense. And obviously I wasn't handling it well.

"I accept your apology this time, but don't pull that attitude on me again," she said. "We're stuck with each other whether you like it or not."

I managed a smile, but it wasn't even near genuine.

"So, you're upset about having a pink wand, correct?"

"Wouldn't you be upset if yours was blue?"

"Not likely. Blue is a beautiful color."

"You know what I mean."

"Well, change it then."

I looked up to see a smile on her face. "How?"

"You have magic, Ash. You already know how to use it. The wand just makes it more potent. Channels it, if you will. So, if you want a different color, just think it. Feel the magic flow through your fingertips, and make it happen."

"That's it?"

"Of course! How did you think we used magic?"

"I don't know. I didn't take
Fairies 101
this year." I stood, holding my wand gingerly in my right hand.

She laughed, though it sounded forced. "Get a good grip on it," she said, motioning towards my wand.

I grasped it tight, feeling magic flow toward my fingers. I thought of what I wanted to do with my wand, smiling at what her reaction might be. I felt a pulse of magic slide through my fingertips and into the wand, and I looked down.

"Interesting choice," she said.

I admired my handiwork. My wand was now dark blue, with tiny black lyrics of my favorite song wrapped around it. It was awesome. For a wand.

"Much better than pink," I said.

"Right." Shenelle floated toward her desk. "Now, have you practiced flying?"

"I'm not using the wings."

She narrowed her eyes. Her mouth opened as if to say something, but she closed it.

I squared my jaw. "It's really not worth arguing about. I've already made up my mind."

"Now, Ash–"

"I don't do wings."

"Very well," she said with a sigh. "Now, most of this is in your folder, but I suggest you get the observation assignment done immediately so you can start working on granting wishes. Remember, just observe. No talking to her or letting her see you the first time you go out."

"You got it, boss." I saluted her, and her mouth drew into a thin line.

"You may think this is a joke, but I assure you it's not." She picked up a pink feathery pen and wrote something inside the folder in front of her.

I stood there, not knowing what to say, or if I should sit down again. "So, when can I leave?"

She glanced up, her glasses sliding to the edge of her nose. "Whenever you can. I assume you remember how to teleport?"

"Did you seriously just ask me that?"

"Great. Remember, 'observe, don't disturb.' That's the motto for this first assignment. Call it a practice one, if you will."

I chuckled.

She kept talking. "You have an hour at the most. When you're finished, hand in your notes, and you’ll get your first real assignment. You'll meet her, introduce yourself, and we'll go from there. Also, remember to take meaningful notes. There’s notepaper in your folder."

I started toward the door. "Sounds great. Am I done here?"

"Yes. By all means, go. Oh, and don't forget the banquet tonight. You'll be announced with Misty."

"Can't wait."

She ignored me and went back to her notes.

I took it as my cue to leave.

Kendall

The drill team marched onto the basketball court as if ready for battle. They froze, each taking a different position. Lines tight, faces smiling, perfect posture.

The music started.

Legs kicked, bodies twirled, moving along to the beat.

The crowd clapped, cheering loudly for their friends, girlfriends, sisters, and daughters. I watched the fluid movements of the dance with a mixture of sadness and jealousy. That should have been me out there.

The girls danced with grace, hitting each step as one. My sister Ellie's radiant face smiled through the routine. She was perfect, as always.

I turned my head, emotion bubbling to the surface.

"Kendall, you okay?" My best friend Tessa knew me too well.

I smiled, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Yeah."

"You want to get out of here?" she asked.

"I just need to go for a walk." I stood. "I'll be back in a minute."

"You sure you don't want me to come?"

I shook my head. "I just need some air."

She nodded and gave me a worried smile.

I walked down the bleacher steps, trying to avoid watching the end of the half-time show. The music stopped, and I knew it was over when people started whistling and shouting familiar names. I looked up in time to see the girls form a line and march off the court.

As soon as I reached the floor, I headed out the gym doors. A few students in the hallway said hi to me, or flashed me small smiles, but most avoided making eye contact. Not that I blamed them. I had been through more the past few months than most people had in their entire lives. My friends and classmates didn't know what to say or how to act around me anymore.

I pulled my light hair in front of my face, trying to cover the ugly scar slashing from my right cheek all the way down the side of my neck. I still wasn't used to the staring.

I could smell the nachos at the concession stand. I didn't have any money with me, though, so I passed it by and headed toward the drinking fountain near the locker rooms.

A few guys I used to hang out with stood near it, but they backed away as I approached. I leaned down to take a sip of water, and the whispers started.

I didn't hear everything they said, but I did hear my name.

Tears blurred my vision and I took my time at the water fountain, trying to blink them away before I stood back up. I’d promised myself I'd never cry in front of anyone.

"Hey," a voice said.

Startled, I looked up, water dripping off my chin. I hurriedly wiped it away, my cheeks reddening at the sight of the guy who spoke to me.

"Um … hi," I said.

He was tall, extremely good looking, and looking right at me. Odd. I didn't recognize him from school, but I hadn't paid enough attention the past few months to notice any new students.

"You're Kendall, right?"

I nodded, wondering how he knew my name. It was hard not to stare at him. His dark hair complimented his tanned skin. And his eyes. They were … peculiar. I couldn't quite describe the color.

"Do I know you?" I asked.

"No." He looked around as if searching for anyone standing too close.

I glanced around as well, not surprised to find the guys who had avoided me earlier were heading back to the basketball game.

"Did you need something?" I asked.

"Actually, I do."

"Okay?"

"This is going to sound weird, but … how do I say this?" He paused and looked around again, shifting his weight. He ran a hand through his hair, and I could see beads of sweat on his forehead. "Look," he said. "I'm here to grant you three wishes."

I stared at him. My mouth actually dropped open. "Nice try, but I'm not interested."

He started at that, but recovered quickly. "No, I'm not trying to pick you up. I'm really here to grant you three wishes."

"I … better go." I turned around and walked as fast as my legs could move.

"Hey! Wait!" I heard him following me. "I'm totally serious."

"I don't think so," I said, still walking.

"Kendall, listen to me for one second."

I slowed, but only because my leg started hurting.

"I know it sounds crazy, but I need to grant you three wishes. I'm a–"

I spun around. "Look," I said. "I have no idea who you are, or why you're interested in me, but I don't have time for this. Take your fairy tales and go make some little kids happy. Maybe you could show them a lamp or something."

His eyes narrowed. "I'm not a gen–"

"Leave me alone," I snapped.

I left him standing in the hall, not sure why I felt bad for yelling at him. I snuck a peek over my shoulder a few seconds later. No one was there. Confused, but relieved, I made my way back to the bleachers to watch the rest of the game.

"What took you so long?" Tessa asked as I sat down.

"Sorry, I needed a drink."

"Cameron just brought us back into the game. He made, like, eight points in the last five minutes."

I thought of my long time crush. Cameron Ellington. Captain of the basketball team, and the most eligible senior in the school. He used to talk to me all the time, even though I was a year younger than he was. We had almost been an official couple. Now he acted like I didn't exist. I knew it was my fault, but it still hurt.

The accident had changed me. I was a nobody now. I'd never be the same again.

***

The drive home was quiet. Tessa didn’t say much and neither did I.

She pulled into my driveway and stopped the car.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

She'd been quiet all night. Too quiet.

She shook her head, her mouth pressed in a thin line. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath.

"Tess, what is it? Are your parents fighting again?"

She shook her head. "It's about you." She turned to look at me.

"What about me?"

"I don't know. It's just …" She hesitated.

"Tessa, just tell me already," I said. She knew how much I hated it when she didn't tell me what was wrong.

"You need to stop this."

"What?"

"This whole … new you."

I stiffened. "What do you mean?"

"You need to get your life back, Kendall. You're so different now. Before the accident you were, well, you know. Everyone loved you. You had everything you could ask for. And now? You barely talk to anyone. You don't even talk to me! Even Cam–"

I cut her off, my temper rising. "If you had any idea what I've been feeling the past few months, you wouldn't want to talk to anyone either."

"I'm here, you know. I can listen. You're my best friend. Let me help you."

"You can't help me. No one can."

She groaned. "I can't keep doing this."

"Doing what?" I turned and glared out the window. I was ready for the conversation to be over. In fact, I was tired of hearing about how much I'd changed. I knew it already.

"Pretending you're the same person you were before. You're moody, depressed, the complete opposite of what you used to be. I miss the old Kendall."

"The old Kendall is dead. Just like my dad."

"At least
you're
still alive!"

The emotion in her voice caused a lump in my throat.

I couldn't take it anymore. "I gotta go." I said.

She sighed. "Come on Kendall. I'm just trying to help. I'm sorry for bringing it up."

I ignored her and got out of the car, slammed the door, and stomped inside.

My little sister, Ellie, was in the kitchen eating an apple. "Hey," she said. "Have fun at the game?"

I forced a smile, keeping my already screwed-up emotions in check. "Why are you home? Aren't you going with your friends tonight?" I asked. I threw my jacket on the couch and avoided looking in the mirror hanging over the marble fireplace.

"No. I'm tired. I thought you'd want some company anyway."

"Thanks, El."

"Have you been crying?"

"No," I lied. "I just had a bad night."

By the look on her face, I knew she didn't believe me. She bit her lip. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" I knew what she was apologizing for before she even said it.

"For tonight. You didn't have to watch."

"You did great, El," I said. She really was one of the best on the drill team.

"Thanks," she said, more to herself than me.

I had no problem with
her
dancing.
I
just couldn't dance again. Ever.

"So, do you want to hear about my night?" I asked, wanting to change the subject.

Ellie told me about her day first, and I filled her in on Tessa. When I told her about the hot guy who asked me for three wishes, she shook her head.

"You did have a crappy night. Weird, too." She touched my arm. "Tessa really does care about you."

"I know. Things are just different now," I said.

"So, what was with the genie guy?"

I laughed. "Not sure, but he really was hot. You should have seen his eyes. They were kind of silvery."

"He sounds like a freak."

"Yeah, but it doesn't mean he wasn't nice to look at."

"I guess," she said.

The front door opened and my mom came shuffling through in her blue hospital scrubs. She looked exhausted. Her auburn hair, which she usually wore in a bun, was falling out in several places. A dark patch stained the front of her shirt, and she carried a mug, probably filled with Pepsi.

"Hey," Ellie and I said in unison.

"Why are you guys home?" She set her keys and mug on the table and sank into a chair. "No parties tonight?"

"No," Ellie said, glancing at me.

"Nope," I agreed.

Ever since the accident, Mom had been different. Withdrawn. All she did was work. It was like she didn't really care if we were there anymore.

"It looks better today," she said, motioning towards my scar.

I shook my head. "No it doesn't." I did not want to talk about my screwed-up face.

"No, it does. It's not as noticeable–"

I cut her off. "I think I'm going to go to bed. I'm pretty tired." I stood, ignoring their worried looks as I gave each of them a hug, and went upstairs.

I don't know why my scar bothered me. If it had been just a bit smaller and not as red, I probably wouldn't freak out about it so much.

As I lay in bed that night, I wondered what I would actually do with three wishes – if such a thing existed. Change the past, maybe? Make my life the way it used to be?

Unlikely.