Thunderstruck

by Brenda Drake

  “I don’t know. Maybe?” Stevie slipped on her jeans. “I thought there was an attraction happening between us. We hung out. Took Saga to Golden Gardens.” She shrugged. “It was nice.” And she was down playing it. Their picnic at the park was more than nice. She could see herself falling for Blake, but he had seemed really into Grace that morning in their English class. It could be that Stevie just misread his friendship. There was a spark on her side, but maybe there wasn’t one on his.

  “If he is, give it time.” Amira inserted her camera into its bag. “No one stays interested in Grace that long. She can get tiring. Don’t get me wrong, she’s been my friend since toilet training, but she can wear me out, too.”

  Stevie laughed. “You know how to make a girl feel good. Grace has a good heart. Look at all the charity things she does. Her mom really keeps her busy with all that.”

  “Yeah, I was impressed how much they raised for your last surgery.” Amira covered her mouth. “Oh shit. Anonymous means anonymous. She never wanted you to know about that. Said she didn’t ever want you to feel like you owed her anything. Please don’t tell her I told you.”

  “They raised the money?” Stevie felt overwhelmed. It was because of that anonymous donor that her parents could keep their house. Because of that anonymous donor, she had started Comic Cam to raise money for others. Stevie’s stomach grew heavy with guilt. She had always disliked Grace, she found her vapid and troublesome. But clearly, there was much more to her than Stevie had even bothered to get to know. “I won’t tell her. Promise. And you’re right. I shouldn’t worry about Blake and her. I don’t own him.”

  “Well, I think he likes you,” Amira said. “I catch him staring at you all the time. You just need to be more open.”

  Stevie shrugged, forcing a smile. “I thought I was.”

  Amira took one of Stevie’s gray Vans out of her duffle bag. “Were you at the beach today? Your shoes are full of sand. How did you even wear these?”

  “I didn’t,” she said, brushing her hair. “I wore my ballet flats. Guess I forgot to clean those out before shoving them in my bag.” Amira hadn’t noticed her question went unanswered. Spotting Blake with Kyle at the beach surprised Stevie. Kyle was wearing a black hoodie. Just like the one the guy from the night of the wolf attack had worn. But many people she knew owned black hoodies, even her. It was too bad she hadn’t noticed anything else about him, other than that he carried a Thor hammer. Maybe he was a cosplayer. Maybe he had been looking for Comic Cam and tracked her there. The thought made her nervous. She needed her identity to be secret. Besides, the comic fandom wasn’t always the most welcoming place for a young girl. She definitely didn’t need any crazy fans tracking her down.

  “So what do you know about Kyle Lieberman?” Stevie asked, pulling her hair into a ponytail.

  “Other than Trevon trying to set you up at Double Dips the other night? Nothing.” She zipped up her bag. “Don’t tell me you’re reconsidering dating him. Because by what you told me, he’s real ass.”

  “Heck no,” she said quickly. “Just thought I saw him with a Thor thing and wondered if he was into cosplay.”

  Amira lifted her bag. “I hadn’t noticed, but he’d make a great Loki for our group. He’s tall enough for the costume.”

  Stevie shoved her stuff in her duffle bag and swung it over her shoulder. “I’ll feel him out.”

  “I bet you will.” Amira laughed and tugged the stubborn door open.

  Stevie rolled her eyes. “Funny. Anyway, my mom found a box of my aunt’s things when she was cleaning out the attic. There’s some really cool outfits and trinkets we could maybe use for our outfits.”

  “Cool,” Amira said. “We have time before dinner. Let’s go check them out.” They crossed the backyard, walked along the side of the house, and went diagonally across the street to Stevie’s house.

  Her room held evidence of the morning what-to-wear frenzy. Everything she’d tried on and rejected was tossed on her bed or her desk chair. The cherry scent from her plug-in air freshener filled the room.

  “Someone was indecisive today,” Amira said, clearing a spot in the pile of clothes on the bed so she could sit. “You only do this when you have a crush. So, which is it, Blake or Kyle?”

  “Really?” Stevie dropped her bag on the floor. “Just because I asked about Kyle doesn’t mean I like him. It’s about something else. I think he was the guy that chased off the wolf the night of the attack.”

  “Why don’t you just ask him?” she said, picking up a shirt and examining it. “This is cute. I’ve never seen you wear it before.”

  “It’s too tight. You can have it.”

  Stevie slid the heavy box filled with costumes across the floor to the middle of the room and opened it.

  Amira got on her knees beside Stevie and rifled through costumes. “This is some good stuff. The materials feel expensive.” She picked up the box that held the necklace with the horn, which Stevie had been storing with her aunt’s things for safekeeping. “I wonder where she got all this stuff. Your aunt must have been a serious cosplayer.”

  “I think she was. Or just a big fan of Norse mythology.”

  Amira examined the jewelry box. “It has skjǫldr engraved under the ravens.”

  “I wonder what that means.”

  “Shield,” Amira said. “Like a wall of protection.”

  “How do you even know that?”

  “Hello? Have we met?” She frowned at Stevie. “I’m about all things Viking. I memorized the Old Norse dictionary online.”

  Stevie laughed. “You have too much time on your hands.”

  Amira turned the box in her hand. “You loved her, and she gave this to you. Why aren’t you wearing the necklace?”

  “She left me a note telling me to protect it at all costs.” The memory of her aunt caused tears to rise in her eyes. “What if I lose it?”

  Amira opened the box and took the necklace out. “The chain is sturdy. It won’t break. Why would she tell you to protect it? What was in the note?”

  The uncomfortable pain tugged at her heart again. Stevie took a few focused breaths. She had to get the doctor to look at her meds. Maybe she needed a bigger dosage. The sharpness of it subsided, leaving a hint of pain in her chest.

  “I don’t know. Wait. Let me get it.” Leaning back, Stevie opened the bottom drawer in her desk, retrieved the note, and passed it to Amira.

  After Amira read it, she looked up. “She says never to open the box or evil will find you. This sounds menacing. Maybe it releases a curse.” Amira put the necklace back and slammed the lid shut.

  “There’s no such thing as a curse, Amira. My aunt was just superstitious, that’s all.” Stevie reached for the box and Amira pulled it away.

  “Hell no, you’re not wearing it. You have a death wish?” A shudder shook Amira’s body. “You will freak me out if you wear this. You don’t mess with that shit.”

  Something slammed into the window and they both jumped.

  Amira grabbed Stevie’s arm. “What the—”

  Another bang came from the window, causing Amira to drop the box onto the costumes.

  Stevie rushed over to the window. Two ravens sat on the branch of the tree just outside. They stared at her, their ink black feathers ruffling in the wind.

  “Nevermore,” Amira said in a deep guttural tone behind her.

  Stevie started. “Really? That’s not funny. You scared me to death.”

  Amira rocked right then left. The ravens’ eyes followed her before settling back on Stevie. “Why are they looking at us like that?”

  The sun was setting and it was getting dark outside, adding to the eeriness of the ravens’ presence. The tiny hairs on Stevie’s arms bristled.

  “I don’t know,” Stevie said. “And why did they hit the window?” Stevie unlocked the window and pushed it up. “Shoo,” she said, waving her hand at them. They just sat there for several seconds, their black, pebble eyes staring at her.

  A
bang from the muffler on the neighbor’s old Mustang shot through the silence. One of the birds squawked before they both took flight, soaring into the sky and disappearing over the neighbor’s house. She’d never been grateful for that busted old car before today. Stevie couldn’t pull her eyes from the window. Never had a bird stared at her like that before. It was odd. No, that was an understatement. It was chilling.

  “That was freaky,” Amira said. “It was because we opened that box. Maybe you should hide it somewhere. You don’t want your mom or dad opening it. No telling what other scary things will happen. Maybe it’s in the air. Halloween is in a few days.”

  “Yeah, it’s definitely been strange lately.” Stevie shut her curtains and dropped into her desk chair. “There’s no way it was that box, though. It was just a coincidence.”

  Amira sat crisscross applesauce on the bed. “Whatever. There just happens to be two ravens on the box and two outside your window just now. A coincidence. Right.”

  “Yes,” Stevie said, not wanting to admit that Amira might be right.

  Amira picked up one of the ceramic jack-o’-lanterns Stevie’s mom put all over the house in October. “Speaking of Halloween, what snacks do you want me to bring for our horror movie night in?”

  “Definitely Cheetos.”

  “Which kind? Crunchy or puffs?” Amira took out her phone to take notes.

  “Yes.”

  She laughed typing on her phone. “So both. And brownies. My mom will make them. Popcorn. Definitely ice cream. Oh, how about root beer floats?”

  Without hesitation, Stevie nodded. “And Swedish Fish?”

  “I don’t get why you like those so much, but okay.”

  Stevie appreciated how Amira moved through a crisis so quickly. There were many times during treatments when Stevie felt the world would end. That she would die. Then Amira would show up, make light of the situation, and change the subject.

  “Let’s see how last week’s vlog is doing.” Amira tossed her phone on the bed, removed her laptop from her bag, and fired it up. Comic Cam’s recent episode loaded to her screen. “Nice. You beat last week’s numbers. We should have some sort of celebration or giveaway when you go over a million followers.”

  Stevie glanced over Amira’s shoulder at the screen. “That’s a great idea. Something big.”

  There was a tap on the door before it opened. Grace walked in as if she owned the place, carrying a glass of water in one hand and a shopping bag in the other, her purse draped over her shoulder. “Hey, your mom let me in. That woman is so fierce. She must work out for hours each day. Here.” She reached the glass out to Stevie. “Your mom says to take your pill. Oh God, Comic Cam again? Not you guys, too. Ever since Taylor Swift mentioned she loved Cam’s channel, everyone’s been so obsessed with her.”

  Amira smirked. “Just trying to figure out what all the hype is about.”

  “Right? I don’t get it. Anyone could dress up and talk about comics.” There was almost a whine in Grace’s voice. She couldn’t handle anyone being more popular than she was.

  And not everyone could do what Amira and Stevie did. It was almost a full-time job on top of their schoolwork.

  Stevie took the glass and checked her phone to see why her alarm hadn’t gone off. It was on silent. She’d forgotten to turn on the sound when she left school. There was a message from Blake. He’d used Dr. Hompluem’s cell. The boy needed to get his own. Who could survive without one? She darted a look over her shoulder at Grace and turned her phone facedown on the desk.

  “Goodness,” Grace said, gliding over to the bed. “Your room’s a disaster. Did a hurricane blow through here?”

  Normally, Stevie would get upset about Grace’s candor. But knowing her family had raised all that money for her hospital bills made her overlook it.

  The doorbell chimed downstairs.

  “Your house sure is busy.” Grace placed the bag on the floor, chomping on her gum and frowning as she searched for a clear spot on the bed to sit.

  “What are you doing here?” Amira asked what Stevie was thinking.

  Grace glanced around for a place to lay her purse, gave up, and set it on her lap. “The comic con is almost three weeks away. Your mom finished our costumes. She’s almost done with Thor and Loki, but we need the actual guys’ measurements so she can complete them.”

  Amira crinkled her brows. “You talked to my mom?”

  “Yes. All the time.” She popped her gum.

  “That’s just great,” Amira droned. “Why don’t you move in? She obviously has more time for you than me.”

  “Well, I didn’t see her today. She wasn’t home.” She crossed her legs. “Can you give her this bag?” She held up the one she’d brought in with her. “It has costume jewelry and fabric she might be able to use for costumes.”

  “Can’t we just get through homecoming first?” Amira took the bag from Grace and inspected the contents inside. “You both don’t have dates. And I don’t want to go with Trevon alone. The boy talks about sports way too much.”

  “I thought you kissed more than talked,” Stevie said with a laugh.

  “That’s why we kiss so much. To keep him from boring my brains out.” She placed the bag on the floor.

  Grace lifted the bag and put it on the dresser. “I should have waited to break up with Alex until after homecoming. But no worries I’m working on a replacement.”

  A knock came from the door and Stevie’s mom poked her head in. “You have another guest.” She widened the door, revealing Blake behind her. “Normally, I don’t like boys in the room, but since Amira and Grace are here, I’ll allow it. Dinner’s in thirty, so…you know.” She smiled before walking off.

  Blake stood in the doorframe. “You’re all here.” His eyes shifted from Grace to Amira, then settled on Stevie. He seemed surprised they were together, or he was feeling awkward with both Stevie and Grace there.

  Stevie definitely got the awkward feeling. Mixed with a little jealousy. “What’s up?” she finally said, hoping to speed things up and get him out of her room.

  “You mentioned the other day you needed a body for your cosplay team for that show.” He glanced away, not able to look her in the eyes. “My time is free and I’d be happy to do it.”

  A squeal slipped from Grace, and she clapped her hands. “Wonderful. We’re going to have so much fun. Now, we just need one more guy.”

  “Maybe Kyle will do it?” Stevie was working hard at not staring at Blake. She kept her eyes on Grace and Amira. “You’re friends with him, right, Grace?”

  “I guess. He would make a great Loki.” She stood and crossed the carpet to the door. She turned, gently patted Blake’s chest, and turned on that bright smile that hooked every breathing male in a mile radius of it. “You’ll help us convince him, won’t you?”

  “I suppose.” Blake’s and Stevie’s eyes met, and her stomach did that thing where it felt like a million little bat wings were fluttering inside.

  “Walk me out, will you?” Grace said to him, and then called over her shoulder, “Laters, bitches, see you at school.”

  “Good evening,” he said before following her.

  Amira huffed. “How does she manage to be so demeaning.”

  Stevie wished Blake hadn’t followed Grace. Now that Grace had made her claim on him, Stevie would never have her chance. Disappointment fell like a dead weight over her. There was something other than the gorgeous exterior that attracted her to Blake. He was quiet, but it was a cool kind of quiet. He was reserved, but it was a strong-willed kind of reserve. And he was kind, but it was the genuine type of kind.

  And Grace would never appreciate those things about him.

  Grace.

  Stevie owed her a lot. Her family would be buried in bills if it weren’t for her and her mother’s fundraising efforts. The fact that Grace never wanted Stevie to know her part in it changed Stevie’s impression of the girl. Behind the perfect face and the brash comments was a heart. One stronger than S
tevie’s.

  When the downstairs door slammed, Stevie strolled to the window. On the sidewalk leading to the street, Grace chattered nonstop as Blake walked alongside her with his hands in his pockets. Her weak-beating heart practically stopped when he glanced back at the house and up to her bedroom window, their eyes meeting again. Her breath hitched, and she took a quick step back.

  He glanced back. Excitement bubbled inside her. She recalled something her mom had told her once. The first time her mom knew her dad was into her was when he was walking away with his friends at a carnival, and he’d glanced back at her. You don’t look back unless you regret leaving, which was more or less what her mom had said, and what gave Stevie hope.

  sjau

  Grace’s constant jabbering was grinding on Blake’s nerves. Add the fact that when her lips were moving her feet weren’t, and all he wanted to do was escort her to her car and leave. But he had to put up a show. If she was the girl at the warehouse, she had the horn, and he had to get it from her. Asgard depended on it. Come to think of it, so did Midgard.

  There were others in the house when his ring went off. The box holding Heimdall’s Horn had been opened, and the signal led him to Stevie’s home. Comic Cam could be any one of the three girls. But as he thought back on the night at the warehouse, Grace was the only one of the three that could fit that Wonder Woman costume.

  He hated that it was up to him to find the horn when all he wanted to do was spend time with Stevie. He’d enjoyed their picnic together before the leech showed up. She was genuine. Everything about her appealed to him. From her smile to the way her brows furrowed when he annoyed her, there was a spark to her. A light not many had. She was like the human embodiment of the Midgard sun that he loved so much, a breath of fresh air from the pressure and chill of his role in Asgard.

  He glanced back to her window. She stood in the window watching them, and he smiled. Her eyes met his and she started, disappearing back into her room. Did she feel the same as he did?

  I hope so.

  Two ravens perched on the next-door neighbor’s roof distracted him.

  Huginn and Muninn. I am watched. The ravens had belonged to Odin, now Thor. They were his eyes on Midgard, spying for the god. His father had sent him on a quest the elder god didn’t believe his son could fulfill.