Star Crossed

by Bonnie Hearn Hill

  “Let your friend answer that one.” Over her shoulder, Kat spelled out, “S-E-X.”

  “Chili?” I still couldn’t figure out what was going on.

  She seemed to melt. “You skank,” she shouted to Kat. “You’re the biggest bitch in school. You flash your ass and your tats all over town. You have no right to even attempt to ...”

  Kat smirked. “Tell me one time I ever sent my naked boobs to anyone.”

  “They weren’t naked.” Chili looked frantic now. “Big freaking deal.”

  “Sexting,” she said. “Come on, Dina. We have a lot of work to do.”

  Paige and I turned to Chili. She blinked and tossed her hair. “It’s not like I was naked or anything,” she said, and burst into tears.

  “How naked?” I whispered.

  “I cropped the shot.” She made a chopping movement across her front and then reached for the clump of tissues Paige handed her.

  “Why didn’t you tell us,” Paige asked, in a pleading voice.

  “Because I knew you’d tell me not to. I knew you’d tell me it was too dangerous.” She wiped her eyes and turned her smeared face toward me. “Freaking Mercury in Retrograde. Oh, Logan, what am I going to do?”

  NOTES TO SELF

  I didn’t have any easy answers for her, and neither did the stars. Kat and Dina played their game all day long. Soon everyone in school had a fine view of most of Chili’s magnificent chest. The photo even showed up in Bodmer’s class by way of Dina. Bodmer took her phone on the spot and sent both it and Dina to the Student Responsibility Center. At least that phone would stay there until one of Dina’s parents picked it up.

  Tonight, Chili tried to explain it to Paige and me that Alex was the only guy for her. Since he was older and more sophisticated, she wanted him to have something special. He had asked for a really personal commitment and had even sent some photos of himself to her. Thankfully, she had deleted them before Kat got hold of her phone.

  So now we have a couple of problems. The first is Chili’s attractive upper and very bare chest being shared around school. The second is will this little social error keep her from being able to attend the magazine launch party? I don’t know. All I know is that Mercury is in Retrograde and communication and technical errors are going to be common. In a way, Chili’s situation is both. And Mercury is Gemini’s ruling planet. It’s going to be double trouble for her this time.

  CRUSHES: HOW TO INTRIGUE A SCORPIO

  By Logan McRae

  That Scorpio guy is probably one of the most passionate ones you will ever meet. Passionate about what he wears to school. Passionate about what he eats for lunch. Passionate about whom he dates, and, most of all, passionate about his past. He may not be happy about his role and responsibilities in his family, but he’ll be passionate about them as well.

  To get him looking at you, don’t ask many questions. Unlike the chatty Air signs, he’ll hold back at first, and only tell you when he’s ready. Or maybe never.

  Here are three ways to intrigue him: • Demonstrate trust. That Scorpion isn’t going to come one step closer unless you show that you’re someone safe. Translated, someone who can keep his secrets. Refuse to discuss any school gossip that involves a friend. Make, “That’s a confidence I can’t break,” your new favorite mantra. Don’t spill personal info, and that Scorpio will soon be looking your way.

  • Share intensity. When the weather cooperates, tell him how much you enjoy a rainstorm. Suggest that the two of you watch it together. Scorpio doesn’t mind if you make the first move.

  • Stay separate and independent. Make it clear that, as much as you are into him, you have your own life and your own interests. Scorpio doesn’t want to be joined at the hip from day one.

  What to say when he asks you out: “Let’s go someplace quiet where we can just talk.”

  19

  PISCES IS THE LAST SIGN OF THE ZODIAC, AND SOME-

  TIMES CAN TAKE UP THE REAR IN LIFE, AS WELL. A

  FISH MAY BE WILLING TO STAY IN AN UNREWARDING

  RELATIONSHIP, BUSINESS OR PERSONAL, JUST BECAUSE

  IT IS EASIER THAN TAKING A STAND. LIKE WATER

  RELATIONS CANCER AND SCORPIO, PISCES CAN

  ELEVATE SELF-SACRIFICE TO AN ART FORM. SOME-

  TIMES, PISCES, YOU NEED TO TAKE A DEEP BREATH

  AND PUT YOURSELF FIRST.

  —Fearless Astrology

  It could have been worse. Even though Chili got dragged across the River Styx into Dr. West’s office, and even though her mom got called, she was still going to be able to attend the launch party. Her rescuer happened to be Bodmer, who said to all who would listen, what an outstanding and serious student Chili was.

  Once class was out, we were all going to sleep over at Chili’s house, and then head for San Fran early the next morning. They had volunteered to do extra credit work so that they could take the day off.

  “Ready?” I asked, as we walked to the parking lot that afternoon.

  “I don’t know.” Chili ran her fingers through her hair. “How can I face Alex after what happened?”

  “Alex has no idea what or even if anything happened,” I said. “Why tell him?”

  “Because ... because. Oh, I don’t know. I just like to tell the truth.”

  “Gemini flaw.” I put up my hand. “He doesn’t need to know, okay?”

  “Logan knows what she’s talking about.” We both stopped to stare at Paige. It wasn’t so much the way she looked that had changed, although it had. Right now, it was about her voice. She no longer seemed to speak in her usual shy, stumbling, start-stop way.

  “Right in what way?” Chili asked.

  “In that he doesn’t need to know. He being Alex.”

  “Listen to us for once,” I said. “Why let him start wondering if you could be trouble?”

  “You girls are so smart.” She stopped and hugged us both. “I just don’t know how to handle myself with an older guy. I am just so into him.”

  “That’s for sure,” Paige said.

  “I never would have done what I did otherwise. I never have before. It’s like something Kat would do. I feel like such an idiot.”

  For a brief moment, I wondered if I would have had a happier ending to my true love story if I had sent Jeremy a sexy photo or two. “It’s all right, Chili,” I said. “At least you get to attend the party.”

  “They couldn’t keep me away.”

  “This is our moment.” Paige put her arms around both of us. “We’ll get past the sexting thing, and tomorrow, girls, we are going to own that party.”

  “Yeah we are. We have the best costumes on the ...” Chili stopped. “My window,” she cried out. “What the hell happened to my window?”

  Then I saw it. The passenger side window of her car was smashed. We all ran toward it.

  “Who would do this?” Chili demanded. “I’ve got to call my dad.”

  Then I looked into the backseat. At the shreds of her costume, her broken mask.

  “Let’s go report this,” I said. But it was too late. Chili had also seen the mess. And she was sobbing.

  “It has to be Kat, that jealous little bitch. Or Dina. Or both of them.”

  “Let’s go to the vice principal, Chili, right now.”

  “What good will that do? My costume is in shreds. Where am I going to find something else to wear?”

  “She’s right, Logan.” Paige also seemed to be near tears. “We can report what happened when we get back. Right now, we have to figure out a costume for Chili. And we have to do it before we leave tomorrow morning.”

  “Is there any way you can fix it?” I looked at the ripped-up fabric, the shattered mask, and knew the answer.

  Paige shook her head slowly, and her blue eyes shimmered with tears. “All of that work,” she said. “All of that time.”

  “Could you do something edgy? Maybe pretend it’s supposed to be ripped and wear it over tights.”

  “Logan, it’s Catwoman. Her vibe isn’
t goth. It’s straight-on sex appeal.”

  “We’ll figure out something,” I said. “Come on, you guys. Let’s go shopping and make a new Catwoman for Chili.”

  “It’s my fault.” Paige hadn’t moved. “I never should have brought it to school. I should have known better than to leave in the car.”

  “It’s not your fault.” Chili squeezed her arm. “Come on, Paige. Logan’s plan might not be perfect, but it’s the only plan we have. We’re going to have to put together a new costume with whatever we can find.”

  She straightened and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “It won’t work. You’re going to have to wear my costume.”

  “Aphrodite?” Chili asked. “I can’t do that.”

  “You have the body for it. I can make the alterations tonight. It’s my fault this happened in the first place.”

  “But what about you? If I’m Aphrodite, who are you going to be?”

  “I’ll figure it out while I’m doing the alterations on the costume.” Paige reached for the car door as if to say that had settled it.

  I couldn’t let her continue to be a Pisces doormat.

  “Wait a minute,” I said. “You’ve done this since we were in elementary school.”

  “Done what?”

  “Our homework, for starters. You’ve always taken a backseat to us, literally.” I tapped the door of the car. “Pisces can be loyal and creative. They can also be willing to take up the rear, and sometimes they even wear self-sacrifice like a freaking badge. You can’t do it this time, Paige. Graciela Perez can change your life. You have got to wear that costume.” “But what about Chili?”

  “I’ll be fine.” The Gemini had bounced back again. She flashed me a look that said she was in agreement. Then she climbed inside the car. “Come on, girls. We’ve got some shopping to do.”

  NOTES TO SELF

  This has been one of the craziest nights of my life. We hit the local craft store and grabbed anything that had the remotest Catwoman vibe. No more tears. We were out of victim mode and on a mission now.

  Paige still had leftover fabric from the original costume, including a long, narrow piece of black satin she had draped around Calypso, her wrought-iron mannequin that had seen us through some pretty scary times in the past. Finally, Chili stood before us as what Paige called a “minimalist Catwoman,” from satin ears and metallic tail to long black nails and huge false eyelashes. We are going to have to do the rest with makeup and Chili’s Gemini attitude. In six hours, we have to leave for San Francisco.

  As I said, it’s been one of the craziest nights. And tomorrow is going to be even crazier.

  CRUSHES: HOW TO TAME A SADGE

  By Logan McRae

  Almost everyone loves Sagittarius. He’s frequently laughing and almost always has a smile on his face. No wonder so many girls are attracted to him. This sign is what’s known as expansive in astro speak. All that means is that he’s full of ideas, dreams, and optimism. Maybe even a little full of himself, but not in a bad way.

  As you may have noticed, he’s not attracted to anyone who tries to kill his dreams, criticize his game plan, or whine about their own problems. Although you probably won’t be the first girl he’s ever dated, there are ways to make yourself stand out to this Fire sign.

  Here are three: • Be positive. The Archer loves someone to cheer him on. Tell him that you have goals and dreams of your own. Make it clear that you respect and are excited about his goals. He’ll feel the same way about yours.

  • Forget the past. He may have dated every girl in every school and neighboring community within fifty miles of where you live. That doesn’t mean that you won’t matter. You just won’t matter at first.

  • Refuse to fall. Because you won’t matter right away, you can’t cave in, let alone hook up, the first time he gives you that forever look. Make it fun. Make it friendship, with a possible promise of more. If you fall fast, you’re almost sure to lose this guy. Too many girls have already fallen fast for him.

  What to say when he asks you out: “This is going to be such fun.”

  20

  WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF IN UNFAMILIAR TERRI-

  TORY, DRAW UPON THE STRENGTH OF YOUR SUN SIGN.

  IF YOU ARE FIRE (ARIES, LEO, SAGITTARIUS), BE FEAR-

  LESS. IF YOU ARE EARTH (TAURUS, VIRGO, CAPRI-

  CORN), BE STEADY AND STRONG. IF YOU ARE AIR

  (GEMINI, LIBRA, AQUARIUS), ASK QUESTIONS, COM-

  MUNICATE. IF YOU ARE WATER (CANCER, SCORPIO,

  PISCES), RELY ON YOUR INTUITION.

  —Fearless Astrology

  Ask question. I needed to remember that today. It was still dark when we arrived in the city. Chili’s dad had given us a loaner to drive. And to Andy Chiliderian, a BMW was just that. He was furious about the damage to Chili’s Spyder and maybe even more so about what had happened to her costume. Andy adored his only daughter, and I knew whoever broke into the car would be in big trouble.

  “It had to be Kat and Dina,” Chili said. “No one else hates us like that.”

  “You never know,” I told her. “Since I found that astrology book last spring, I’ve learned a lot about being hated.”

  “Make that being envied,” Chili said, and glanced in the rearview mirror. “Paigie, I am so glad you are going to be wearing the Aphrodite costume.”

  Like most Geminis, she was a nickname person. But she hadn’t called Paige that since middle school.

  “You’re okay with your own costume, aren’t you?” I asked her.

  “Thanks to you two, I can pull it off. Who knows? Maybe Alex is into minimalist.”

  Alex is into you. That’s what she wanted me to say and what I wished I could say, but I couldn’t. He was a wandering too-old Sadge, and I had witnessed his wandering in a certain hotel not so long ago.

  Silence filled the car louder than music, even Arianna Woods’s music, which is what happened to be playing. So Paige must feel the same way I did about Alex. The only difference was that I had a reason neither of them knew about.

  “I really care about him,” Chili said.

  “I know,” I said. “Sometimes really caring can suck.”

  “It doesn’t suck for me.” She continued looking straight ahead. “Have you ever considered that the reason you distrust Alex so much is because of Jeremy’s disappearing act?”

  “Chili,” Paige said. “Please, let’s not go there.”

  “Chili is right.” Just like that, I knew I had been avoiding what had been clear to everyone else. “Jeremy has dumped me, and I just can’t accept it. Once I finally called, all I got was his answering machine, with a girl’s voice on it.”

  “He found someone in Ireland?”

  “She didn’t sound Irish. But she was on his phone.”

  “Call him again,” Chili said.

  “You need to find out.” Paige squeezed my shoulder from the backseat. “It could have been his sister.”

  “He doesn’t have a sister,” I said.

  “Well then, maybe you should call him.”

  I knew Paige was right. Knew Chili was right. But I was still as much in love with Jeremy as I had been in Monterey. My friends were basically telling me to choose between my fantasy of love and reality. I couldn’t keep pretending.

  “Okay, here goes.” I took out my phone and pressed the keypad.

  The phone’s ringing sounded like chimes. Once. Twice. Then, “Hi. This is Tori.”

  It was the same voice I had heard before, and it made me feel sick, cold, and clammy all over.

  “Could I speak to Jeremy?”

  “Who’s calling?”

  “Um, may I just speak to Jeremy.”

  “I asked you who’s calling. I’m his girlfriend. Who are you?”

  “Logan,” I said. “His other girlfriend.”

  For a moment, I felt the world freeze between us.

  “Logan?” She paused. “He was supposed to tell you.” Her voice was soft now, almost a whisper, but I could sti
ll hear the pity in it. “Didn’t he tell you that we’re together now? I’m so sorry. I ...”

  My phone went dead.

  So did I.

  “Is it bad?” Chili finally asked.

  “Bad,” I said. But I didn’t cry. “Let’s talk about it later, okay? We have enough to deal with right now.”

  “Logan, you have to tell us.”

  “I can’t,” I said, cold all over now, frozen to the bone. “Let’s just say that the mystery is solved, and I no longer have a boyfriend.”

  So now I knew for sure what I had suspected all along. Jeremy had found someone else and hadn’t cared enough to let me know. I couldn’t deal with it yet, though. Chili dropped me off at the hotel. From there, they would go to the Chiliderians’ place in the Embarcadero. I wouldn’t see them again until they walked in, fully costumed, tonight. And in Chili’s case, minimally costumed. But Paige could perform miracles, and Chili could pull off just about anything.

  “I know you’ll both look hot,” I said. “You already do.”

  “So do you.” Paige hugged me. “Don’t feel bad. You’ve got a killer costume and friends who love you.”

  “I really do like my Sherlock,” I told her.

  “You work that Sherlock. It rocks.” She gave me a conspiring Pisces grin. “And you were right about what you said. You know, how I always take up the rear. I’m warning you right now that if Graciela likes my costume, I’m riding home in the front seat on Sunday.”

  “You’re going to ride up there anyway,” I said, “regardless of what happens.”

  My friends. I watched them pull away into that fine, chaotic energy of San Francisco. I could get through this breakup with Jeremy. Somehow, I would do it. And tonight, I’d work my Sherlock, and no one, not even my best friends, would know what was going on inside me.