by S. A. Hunter
“Mary, what happened to you?” She raised her head in surprise. Cy stood holding the door for her.
“Um, I sprained my ankle. It’s no big deal.”
“No big deal? Anything involving crutches is a big deal. Are you okay? How’d you sprain it?”
She stared at him in surprise at his interest. She briefly thought about telling him the truth. ‘Well, it happened while I was saving your house from a homicidal ghost. Sorry about the microwave,’ but she decided against it. It would be her little secret, along with Kyle’s and Rachel’s and Gran’s. Okay, maybe it wasn’t such a little secret, but none of them would tell what happened. It was too weird, and Cy had already proven that he couldn’t handle weird.
Mary wished that she didn’t have to lie to him, but this would have to be like her secret identity. She’d be regular old Scary Mary at school, and Super Scary Mary, at other times, able to vanquish ghosts with common household appliances, but she was not going to run around in a cape and change clothes in phone booths. Some things were just silly. Rachel would probably do it.
Seeing that Cy was still waiting for an answer, she ruefully grinned and said, “I tripped down the stairs yesterday. I know it’s really stupid. Would you mind not telling anyone? I’d rather they think it was due to a motorcycle accident or something.”
He smiled. “Your secret’s safe with me. Do you need help with your books?”
She blinked for a moment. She couldn’t believe he was being so nice to her. What had changed? “Aren’t you still mad at me or something?”
He looked down for a second. He squared his shoulders and looked back up at her. “I know that I’ve been a jerk, and I hate being a jerk. Let’s just let bygones be bygones and be okay. Okay?”
Mary didn’t know how to answer. She heard what he didn’t say. He didn’t say let’s be friends again. It made her feel empty. She had to swallow painfully before she could answer. “Okay.”
“Okay,” he repeated with a grin. He took her backpack and walked with her to her locker. She was quiet on the trip. She feared that the only reason he was walking with her was because of the crutches. As soon as they were gone, he’d be gone. He was just being nice, but he didn’t have to help her. Did this mean there was hope? Could they become friends again eventually? She stole a look at him. He was looking down the hall. He didn’t seem tense or nervous to be with her. He looked relaxed and maybe even a little happy if the upward turns at the corners of his mouth were any indication.
He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. He caught her looking. He turned and gave her a full grin. She tilted her head down. How did he always catch her looking? She knew that she was probably blushing a little, but she was smiling too.
“Mary, did something happen between you and Kyle since you came by my house that second time?”
She quickly glanced at him. “Why?” Kyle should’ve returned to normal now that Ricky’s influence had been removed.
“He’s been acting weird.”
“How?”
“Like nicer and stuff. It’s really weird.”
She smiled to herself. “I wouldn’t worry about him. I’m sure he’ll grow out of it.” He grinned and escorted her to her first period class.
She sat at her desk in contentment as the room filled with her classmates. Her life was going really well. She’d patched things up with Cy, she’d taken care of a nasty ghost, and she wouldn’t have to participate in gym for the next three weeks. Yes, life was looking good.
The intercom system clicked on. “Mary Hellick, please report to the guidance office.” Her smile turned into a scowl. Scratch that. Life had been looking good.
~~ ~~ ~~
“It hasn’t been two full weeks of school, yet you’ve already run afoul.”
Mary leaned her crutches against the wall and hopped over to the chair. She shot Mr. Landa a frown. If only he knew what could happen in two weeks.
“Eastern Snyder frowns heavily on skipping classes.”
“I’m sorry. I would have gone to class if I hadn’t been in the ER.”
His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at her bandaged ankle. “Yes, and how exactly did you sprain it?”
She smiled. “Well, you see there were these ninjas…”
# The End #
How to Contact the Author:
I have a blog at www.sahunter.net which you’re more than welcome to check out. You can find other works by me listed there. Scary Mary is posted at http://scarymary.sahunter.net
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14