"Sam, you do know there's a leaf in your hair, right?" Evan asked. Small branch was more like it, but he decided to be nice for a change.
She yanked it out, letting the breeze blow it somewhere in Beatrice's direction, to the beauty contestant's horror. She seemed to just notice Beatrice. "Oh, hi, Bee-Bee! You look nice today."
"Nice?" Beatrice whipped out a compact mirror. "There goes that word again... What is wrong...?"
"Like my horseshoe crab replica?" She waved it in the city girl's face, all smiles.
"Euh!" Beatrice jumped back. "Creepy!"
"I don't think so." Samantha held it up, beaming at it. "Love horseshoe crabs. They're living fossils, you know! Haven't changed in over 450 million years."
"You're such a dork, Sam." Evan shook his head. "How much did that cost?"
Oliver peered at it, scrunching his face. "Looks like a roach with lobster claws. Yuck!"
"That's what you look like!"
Evan couldn't help laughing at this, even as Oliver shot him a glare.
Shortly after, it was time for the beauty contest. Evan was more interested in snagging lunch than he was in seeing girls dressed up, but he knew missing Beatrice wouldn't be an option.
With Oliver around, it never would be.
And with Joby's little prank, Evan wasn't sure if he wanted to be around or not. He was beginning to feel bad about it, but Samantha was the one who always wanted to be a champion of everything anyway. It was already apparent that she expected never to fail any quizzes during her time at college. A little humbling joke shouldn't obliterate her sense of self-worth.
As Evan, Samantha, Joby, Oliver, and Beatrice all found seats, a suited man went up on stage, adjusting his tie as he went to the microphone. "Can everyone hear me? We're about to start."
The audience fell silent. Most were seated on old chairs, but a few in the back instead opted to use towels and blankets. It was a good-sized crowd.
"This year," the commentator said, "we have a diverse group of beautiful young ladies from all backgrounds. Today, they are here in all their glory and glam! So be sure to be a great audience!"
Evan fought back a yawn. Why did everyone love to yap? He thought it was just schools and colleges, but apparently not.
"The first place prize for this year is this dazzling gemstone!" The commentator held up a small rock.
Evan wasn't expecting much ― it was a chunk of earth, for crying out loud ― but the flicker of color somehow managed to grab his eyes. The gem was sparkling an array of colors, from reds to blues to golds. The specks and sparkles changed color as the sunlight struck it from different angles.
"Oh my gods...!" Beatrice clasped her hands, practically wringing them. "Need it, need it."
"Hey..." Joby leaned forward, squinting. "I've seen of those before."
"Where?" Evan asked. "On eBay in exchange for your first born?"
As Samantha laughed, Joby chuckled some. "Nope. In a house..."
"This wish stone," the commentator was saying, "is said to make your deepest desire a reality! It's incredibly rare and sought after ― and of course stunning."
Beatrice was now squiggling in place. "So...gorgeous!"
Samantha tilted her head thoughtfully. "Think it really grants wishes?"
"Who cares? Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous, hee hee!"
Oliver sighed. "Just don't ask me for one for your birthday... I'm a starving college student."
And so, names began being called. A panel of three judges would decide on a score for each contestant and write it down. The scores would be kept a secret, so the three top place winners would be a surprise at the end.
To Evan, the contestants could've passed for models. All were coated in makeup, dressed in beautiful gowns, and were slim. They all had long, straight hair...and after awhile, he started to realize they all looked the same.
Not exactly the same...but eerily similar.
Dainty little things who looked perfect, but unnatural at the same time. The smooth complexions, highly arched eyebrows. Most had a certain fake way about their expressions. Their lips looked deliberately puckered and some seemed incapable of showing any emotion.
They were starting to creep him out.
"And now, let's hear it for Beatrice the Beautiful!"
The audience clapped and cheered as Beatrice stepped on stage. Her hot pink dress didn't look so annoying anymore. At least she looked like an actual person. She also had no problem waving and smiling at the spectators.
Looking good, Evan thought to himself.
The judges whispered amongst each other, taking glances at her and nodding. Finally one wrote something down.
Beatrice left the stage.
As soon as she rejoined them, Oliver said, "You've got this for sure! Those judges looked impressed!"
"Yep!" Joby grinned. "Prettiest girl so far!" Sneaking a peek at Evan, he started laughing.
Evan elbowed him. "Shut u..." He saw Beatrice stare at him. "Uh, yeah. Y-you could win."
"These other girls look like plastic dolls," Samantha said. "It'd be nice if you won."
"Thanks, everyone." Beatrice smiled at them.
Just then, the commentator called out, "Samantha 'Sameow' Palin!"
The color left Samantha's already pale face. "Huh?"
"What?" As the boys burst out laughing, Beatrice asked, "Sam, you entered too?"
"N-no! Never!" She whipped her face in Joby's direction. "You did it!"
Joby blinked. "Did what?"
"You entered me in this...this ridiculous contest! I know you did, so don't you dare lie!"
"Ooh!" Oliver fell over in his seat.
"Oh, c'mon, babe."
"Don't you 'babe' me, Joseph McDee! I'm not your girl! And I'm not stupid either."
Evan half-expected her to hurl her horseshoe crab at him. But apparently he wasn't worth damaging her precious plastic figure over, because she instead got up and rushed off.
"Hey, Sam!" Evan called after her.
But she turned around the corner of a distant stand and was gone.
"Samantha 'Sameow' Palin?" the commentator announced again.
As Oliver continued laughing, Beatrice spun on Joby. "Why did you do that?"
"Why not? It's funny!" Joby chuckled.
"It is not! You can see she's upset!" Making a face, Beatrice turned around and smacked her boyfriend on the back of the head. "And you stop laughing like some ape!"
"But Bee-Bee..."
Evan was just beginning to wonder if they'd gone too far when he heard the next name.
"Evanna Palin!"
Oliver's face lit up. "No waaaay..." He howled with laughter. "Awesome, man, awesome!"
"Joby!" Evan jumped to his feet. "What the hell, man!"
"Aw, I couldn't resist!" Joby started laughing some more.
"Freaking moron!" Evan stormed off.
He couldn't believe Joby actually entered him in a women's beauty contest. Did the guy have no limits? He did whatever insane thought that crossed his mind.
Evan eventually found his sister standing on the outskirts of all the action. Standing there with her horseshoe crab dangling limply at her side, she seemed to be watching a man off in the distance.
Confused by this, Evan stepped over to her slowly so as to not disturb her.
He didn't notice anything special about the guy. Just a normal guy buying cotton candy for his bubbly young daughter. Taking it, the little girl began hopping up and down.
Then Samantha glanced back at Evan. "What are you doing here?"
"I can't believe that guy! He entered me in that contest too!"
"Pbbt. Ha ha. Serves you right." She turned away with a humph.
"Oh, c'mon... I had nothing to do with that. That was all Joby."
"You were laughing just as hard as the rest."
"It wasn't because of what he did. It was the whole...Sameow thing."
"See? You snickered just then too!"
"No, I didn't! My nose is
just stuffy!"
"Maybe because you're such a snotty person."
Evan sighed. "I'm sorry, alright? Can we drop this?"
"He needs to grow up. He acts like a twelve year old."
"Who? Oh, right... Joby."
"He doesn't even act like he's about to be twenty-one. Some people are already parents by that age. Or set up in a career."
"Well, most people aren't," Evan said. "Like me and you, and Oliver too."
"But at least we know when to take things seriously. Joby's stuck in the present and can't plan a day ahead."
"Well..." Evan shrugged. "He'll figure it out someday."
"He needs to stop before he wastes his entire life."
"It was just one joke, Sam. It's not like the guy's a drug addict who just slit a throat for money. His life isn't doomed yet."
"Peh... Not yet."
In the awkward pause that followed, Evan was grateful when he spotted Professor Roger Lemmings waiting in line for an ice cream cone. As Evan caught his eye, the professor smiled and motioned him over. Nothing like an ice cream cone to break the ice.
"Professor Lemmings." Evan pointed the man out to his sister. They both headed over to him.
"Hello, you two." Roger Lemmings smiled. "Beautiful weather! It couldn't be more perfect for Beauty Day." Yet he was still wearing his trademark trench coat. "Care to join me for ice cream? I really probably shouldn't ― just got back from the dentist last week. But it's hard to say no to!"
Evan laughed. "Yeah, ice cream is nice on a day like this."
Samantha forced a smile before glancing off into the distance, still holding that ridiculous horseshoe crab.
"Tell you what: I'll cover it for the three of us." Professor Lemmings dug around in his pockets. "Got the money...somewhere...in here..."
"Thanks." Evan smiled.
"Yeah, thank you," Samantha added.
"So, next semester I'll have ten seats for Mythology 101. Need to see some interest before it's approved. Either of you interested? You could take the class together. You could even sit anywhere you want. I'm easy."
"Well," Evan started, but Samantha was already all over it.
"Mythology 101? Count me in! What are we going to talk about?"
"Oh, a different chapter each month. One is legends pertaining to the gods, another one on cryptids..."
"Cryptids!" Clutching her horseshoe crab, Samantha's eyes about sparkled. "A class on them? Oh, sign me up! I love cryptids!"
Unable to resist it, Evan nudged her and whispered, "I heard Joby was one."
She elbowed him in the gut before shoving him to the side, beaming at Professor Lemmings. "I can help you get more interest in that class, sir!"
Evan coughed and gagged, trying to get his air back.
"Oh, splendid! I would appreciate it, Samantha!" Smiling, Professor Lemmings turned to Evan. "And you? Will you sign up?"
"What times?"
"Oh 8:30; Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays."
Evan cringed. "I'll have to check my schedule..." Why did 8:30 classes have to exist? What normal person could function at those hours, anyway?
After nabbing ice cream cones, the three of them went for a walk in an empty field of trimmed grass. Overheard the sky was a bright blue and the sunshine was warm and welcoming.
"I've been doing a lot of research on moonstones." Professor Lemmings paused, taking a bite from his sherbet ice cream cone. "Since things are getting out anyway, I managed to talk to a few Tranlude researchers about the subject."
"And you don't think they could've lied?" Evan had to ask.
"Oh no. What they said matched up with what I already knew. Moonstones respond to some type of strange, invisible energy that all life forms seem to possess."
"Except Evan," Samantha said.
Evan pushed her with his arm. Some of her fudge ice cream slopped to the ground. Sweet revenge!
As Samantha shot Evan a look, Professor Lemmings said over his shoulder, "I believe there are more stones out there than the Tranludes have found yet. His energy most likely matches one of them."
"But what affects which moonstones we're compatible with?" Samantha asked. "I mean, I have wind, and Oliver has fire, and Joby... He has lightning. Is it all just random?"
"It doesn't seem to be. From what I'm hearing, it almost sounds as if what energy we have is affected by our personalities. Or perhaps vice versa!"
"So, it's personality-based?"
"I'll give you an example." The professor stopped walking to face the twins. "Wind types, in general, are fickle, freedom-loving, soothing, and temperamental. They have a hard time committing to things, and don't want to ever feel tied down. They can be as gentle as a breeze one minute, and as wild and out-of-control as a hurricane the next."
Samantha lowered her eyebrows. "Sounds bipolar."
Evan nudged her again and whispered, "Sounds like you with PMS."
She slapped his shoulder.
"But this is in general," the professor said. "Most wind types have a lot of these traits, but that doesn't mean you have all. Same with the others. Fire types are usually impetuous, dramatic, quick-tempered, and passionate about their beliefs. While lightning people are flashy, unique, explosive, and like standing out. Rain people are more flexible and calm."
"Why can't I be rain?" Evan asked.
"Because you're as flexible as a steel beam," Samantha said.
Evan shot her glare, but when she shot him one back, he knew to back off. She wasn't in a playful mood today.
"I'm sure there's a stone out there for you, Evan," Professor Lemmings said. "It's probably just a rare one. If anything, you should be happy. That means you're unusual and different."
Evan sighed. "That's the last thing I want to hear..."
"Why's that?"
"Because I hate attention."
"But Professor," Samantha said. "The stones seem connected to things you see in nature. Wind, rain, fire, lightning... Doesn't that mean the undiscovered stones are probably for similar things?"
"Well, it's hard to say. Most likely, yes." He shrugged. "But we won't know for sure until they turn up. Why do you ask?"
"I was wondering if we could guess at Evan's. If it's something natural..."
"The mud stone," Evan said.
"No, but maybe dirt..."
"Dirt? Sam, what are you trying to say about me, huh?"
"I'm just saying," catching herself, she lowered her voice, "when I think of dirt, I think of something stable and reliable. Down to earth. Which you are."
"Oh. Well, that's okay then. I thought you were saying ―"
Professor Lemmings lowered his cone. "Do you two usually bicker so much?" He looked more amused than anything else. "Usually you're both so respectful."
"She's mad at me," Evan explained.
Instead of commenting, Samantha went back to her ice cream cone.
"Don't spend the day fighting. It's Beauty Day. Go off and find something fun to do." The professor tossed the rest of his cone into a passing trash can. "Oh, one more thing. I heard a wish stone was being given out at the beauty contest today?"
"Yeah, is that a moonstone too?" Evan asked.
"One of the rarest. Imagine, something that can make any wish come true... It's truly priceless. And anyone can use it too, regardless of energy type."
"So, it works?" Samantha asked.
"The Tranludes seem convinced enough to pay large amounts of money. They say, peering closely into the reflection, you'll see your deepest desire. And the stone can grant this desire. But each stone can only grant one wish." Professor Lemmings glanced up towards the wild blue sky. "In fact, I get the feeling that's where shooting stars and making wishes comes from. If you see a wish stone falling from the sky and make a wish...well, I wonder if it'd come true."
Evan and Samantha both also stared up.
Moonstones got more unbelievable by the day. But somehow, Evan found himself believing it. Too many others did for it to not be true.
<
br /> Chapter 18
Sunday rolled by, bringing a silent apartment along with it.
Samantha sat on the couch in the living room, her heavy chemistry book sitting smugly on the arm, like some overweight king surveying his kingdom. After Noodles kept attempting to sleep on the open pages, Samantha had had no choice but to find another place to study.
And so far, so good. Not another roommate in sight. Somewhere off in Evan's room she could hear the comforting click, click of his keyboard while he either did his homework or wrote a story.
Evan liked to write in his free time. Typically it was about Peter Redwood, his fictional pulmonologist, but lately he'd been trying short stories as well. His works were mostly mysteries, although he'd wrote a good bit of medieval fantasy ones as well. Samantha was always his editor, as he didn't trust anyone else to read his works. She was beginning to doubt he'd ever get anything published due to his high expectations, but she liked his stories anyway. They were often clever. She especially liked one main character's faithful steed, but Evan never seemed to take her seriously when she expressed this. The horse had been amusingly more intelligent than any of the human characters, but if only they could understand his warnings... Evan didn't mush over animals as openly as Samantha did, but she could tell he did have a certain fondness for them. It came across in his writing.
While Evan was obviously typing away at something, Samantha heard nothing but silence from Joby and Oliver's rooms. She had no idea what they were up to, but she didn't particularly care, as long as it was quiet.
She stared down at the words and formulas before her. Chemistry was already her hardest class this semester. To miss two days of it because of the Tranludes made it hard enough, but to take notes with a broken finger...? She was quickly getting lost in class. After failing a pop quiz the other day, she knew it was time to hunker down and make some sense of things.
Otherwise, she was going to fail the test.
And since the final exam was cumulative and only in a few weeks, she'd probably fail that too.
Which could mean she'd fail the entire course.
But no. She'd find a way to make some sense of this. She had to. It was only a matter of putting in the effort.
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