It was a warm, breezy, beautiful morning on Johns Island, Seabrook Island's next-door neighbor, and the high school was awakening. The month was April, and 3rd quarter report cards were coming out today. Seagulls flew across the sky, over the school, in flocks, and they communicated with one another. In just thirty minutes, the new school day would begin. In the high school's carpool line, cars were dropping their teens off, and parents driving the cars wished their kids luck on presentations, tests, and quizzes.
At the school's front, behind a flight of stairs, was a patio, and in this patio, Makenna Delling, who was now fourteen years old, was hiding behind a tree with her best friend, Jessica Hughes, and together, they were spying on Peter Nelson, the hottest guy in the entire school. He was a buff, muscular seventeen-year-old, and he had long, brown hair, brown eyebrows, and deep brown eyes. He was dressed in a gray t-shirt that was tucked into blue jeans, a long, pink, open-buttoned shirt over the t-shirt, brown shoes, and a dark gray hat. He definitely was a gorgeous guy. Jessica, Makenna's best friend from school and ballet lessons, was a tall, pretty girl, who had long, blonde hair, and pretty blue eyes. She was dressed in a red, sleeveless top, blue leggings that had star designs on them, and brown danskos. On her left wrist, she wore a silver bracelet. Over her neck, she wore a red, one-strapped backpack. She stared at Peter Nelson, who was standing alone and scrolling on his iPhone and glanced at Makenna. Makenna had grown into a very pretty girl, and she definitely had a fairy-like appearance to her. She wore a blue and white, striped top, denim pants, over-the-knee blue socks, and small heels. She also still wore the mysterious necklace with the blue horse-head pendant. Her hair was held up in a high ponytail, and in her ears, she wore dark blue dolphin studs.
She too, was staring at Peter Nelson, and she waved her hand close to her cheek, saying, "Oh my gosh, just stare at Peter, Jessica."
"I am, Makenna," she said. She reached for his heart, chuckled, and added with, "No matter what action he takes, he's always gorgeous."
"He's never going to lose his cool." Makenna said.
She sighed flirtingly, and Jessica nodded, saying as she watched Peter flip his hair, "I'm surprised that he's not a lifeguard. Imagine, Makenna, you're drowning in the pool, and all of a sudden, those biceps are around you." Makenna got an image in her head of her drowning, and she could almost feel Peter's arms around her.
Sighing dreamily, she said, "I'm going to get my backpack." Her blue backpack was propped up against a bench, and she headed toward it but became too focused on Peter. Therefore, she tripped and yelped as she went toppling to the ground and landed on her front.
Peter Nelson saw this, and he said,
"Oh no!" Quickly, he stuck his phone into his own backpack's pocket, which was on another bench, and hurried toward Makenna. Jessica rushed to her friend and grabbed her arm, helping her sit.
She asked, "Are you okay, Makenna?" but before Makenna could open her mouth and speak, Peter stopped at her and kneeled, saying,
"Hey, I saw you fall. Are you all right?" At the sight of Peter, Jessica jumped in excitement and took a step back.
Makenna squealed, and in a squeaky voice, she said, "Hi." She was totally blushing.
Peter smiled at her, and he rested his hand on his knee, saying, "My name's Peter. What about you? What's your name?"
"Makenna," she squeaked quickly, "Makenna Delling."
"Makenna," he said. He rocked his head up and down, "That's a pretty name. Here, let me help you up." He stood up and offered his hand to Makenna which she took it and tried to stay calm. Peter pulled her up, and once on her feet, Makenna thanked him.
Jessica approached her and nudged her shoulder, whispering, "Oh my gosh."
Peter asked, "Are you sure you're all right, Makenna?" and she gestured yes with her head. Still blushing, she picked at her necklace pendant and made her way over to her backpack. Grabbing its strap, she slung the pack over her shoulder and saw that Peter, along with Jessica, had followed her here. Now, all three teens were standing in a circle.
Makenna soon reached into her backpack's pocket and pulled out her own iPhone.
She turned it on and checked the time, saying, "Let's see, school is starting in fifteen minutes."
"Fifteen minutes?" Jessica asked. She crossed her arms, "Well, what do you suppose we do?"
"Hmm." Peter said. He closed his eyes and reached for his chin. Makenna and Jessica glanced at him.
Peter tapped his chin, and after a bit, he said, "Well, if you want, we could always vandalize Dr. Medford's car. Aye?" Dr. Medford was the name of the school's principal. Makenna stared at Peter.
Then she pointed at him and said, "I sure hope you're joking, Peter. That's not cool, dude. He would expel us. Not to mention, we'd go to jail, and hoo-hoo," She shivered, "I do not want to go to jail."
Peter chuckled and said, "Oh relax, Makenna; you really think I would do that? This is Peter Nelson you're talking to. At least Dr. Medford isn't as insane as my father."
"It's all right, Peter." Jessica said. She placed her hand on Peter's shoulder and gave it a reassuring pat, "Don't worry about it. All kids' parents are insane. Right, Makenna?"
She glanced at Makenna who tapped her chin and said, "Define 'insane'. You think your father is crazy?" She shook her head, "My little brother is a lot worse."
"Oh really?" Peter asked. He lifted his eyebrows, "How so?"
Jessica turned to him and said, "Why don't you ask the fairies that live next door?"
"Ugh." Makenna said. She reached for her forehead, "It's gonna be a long day," and headed toward her school's front steps. Did Jessica seriously have to mention f-a-i-r-i-e-s? Makenna had gone a full hour not thinking about fairy nonsense and the fact that since age thirteen, weird things had been happening to her, and Jessica just had to ruin her happy hour.
Jessica and Peter noticed that she was walking away, and Jessica lifted her hand, saying,
"Hey! Wait for us, Makenna!" She and Peter joined Makenna, and together, they stepped up the school's stairs and were soon trekking down a concrete path that had grass on either side of them.
As they walked, Makenna, who was still not trying to squeal, peered at Peter and said,
"Hey, Peter, this afternoon after school, Jessica and I have a dance lesson, so if by any chance you want to come and watch, we'd be honored."
"A dance lesson?" Peter asked. He glimpsed at her and then at Jessica, adding with, "Wait a minute, you both dance?"
Jessica nodded and said, "Yeah, Pete. We dance ballet, and I have to admit, Makenna is one of the best ballerinas ever."
"Oh shush, Jessica." Makenna conceitedly said, though she had to agree with her. She blushed.
Jessica added with, "Did you know that she's also a professional surfer?"
"Whoa!" Peter said. He peered at talented Makenna Delling and asked, "Really, Makenna?"
"Yeah." Makenna said. She peered back to him, "I try not to brag."
"And also," Jessica said chuckling, "she's never had one cavity."
"Well," said Makenna as she continued to walk, "I've had plague build-up and tarter but never a...," She stopped suddenly, "Ugh," and placed her hands to the sides of her cheeks.
"What is it?" asked Peter. He and Jessica also stopped.
Makenna was focusing her attention on a final flight of stairs, and with clenched teeth, she said, "It's him."
"Who?" Peter asked.
He also looked forward and heard Jessica also saying, "Ugh." She and Makenna were looking at a gang of freshmen, and in the gang, staring at them with arms crossed and a wicked smile, was a tall, auburn-haired boy. He had green eyes, and he did not look friendly. He looked like the bullying type. He was dressed in a gray tank top, and over the tank top, he wore a brown, leather jacket. He was also dressed in blue jeans, a black belt, and brown shoes. Embedded in his hair was a pair of sunglasses. He winked at Makenna, and with his gang following close behind him, he came toward her.
Nervous, Makenna stepped back, and Peter asked her, "Who is that?"
"Jimmy Carter," she said, "He's nothing but a royal pain in the patootie, and he's in bad need of a makeover." Jimmy continued to approach her, and Makenna gulped. On the first day of Ninth Grade, Caleb couldn't keep his trap shut, and he told Jimmy that Makenna was a fairy. Ever since then, Jimmy has been teasing her about the topic, and aside from "freak", he called her "Fairy Girl."
From where she stood, Jessica scoffed, and she approached Makenna's side.
Jimmy soon stopped in front of them, and at the sight of Peter standing at Makenna's other side, he said, "Whoa," and lowered his sunglasses over his eyes, "Hey, gang, check it out. Peter Nelson has decided to join forces with Fairy Girl. Peter, I didn't even realize how pathetic you are." That statement confused and flustered Peter, but he kept his cool and didn't speak.
Jessica glared at Jimmy and said, "Shut up, Jimmy."
"Whoo hoo hoo." Jimmy said, "Gang, we have an angry chick over here." His gang chuckled, and slowly, Jimmy approached Jessica and pushed Makenna aside, saying, "Good morning, Jessica."
Jessica crossed her arms, and she continued to glare, asking, "Why don't you go pick on someone your own size, Jimmy?"
"Oh," Jimmy said, "Like you?" He cracked his shoulders, and with his index finger, he took Jessica's chin and forced her to look him in the eyes, saying, "You know, I don't have a girlfriend, and a girl like you would definitely lift my spirits." Peter clenched his teeth, and Jessica shivered.
Then she glared and smacked Jimmy's hand away with her own, saying, "Don't you touch me!"
"Hands off, Jimmy!" Makenna said. She stepped in front of her friend to defend her, adding with, "No one touches my best friend!"
"Aww." Jimmy said. He placed his hands on his hips, "Isn't that just so cute? Her mommy's here to protect her."
Before he could reach out to touch Makenna, Peter came in, and he shoved Jimmy's chest, knocking him backward, and said,
"Scram. We don't need any troublemakers like you here."
"He's right." Makenna angrily said, "You better leave us alone, Jimmy, or else you're going to face the consequences!"
Jimmy laughed, and he placed his hand to his lips, saying, "Or you'll do what, Fairy Girl? Will you swat me with your wings or perhaps sprinkle some Pixie Dust on me? Is your companion Tinkerbell?" That did it!
Fire burned in Makenna's eyes, and she clenched her fists extremely hard, shouting,
"SHUT UP!"
Her fists suddenly glowed up blue, and noticing them, Jimmy asked, "Huh?" Makenna, who was growling, lifted her fists and opened them. Suddenly, a whole flock of doves flew out of her hands, and they crashed into Jimmy's face which he yelled and tried to pull them off.
Peter and Jessica started to laugh, and Fitz, one of Jimmy's gang members, yelled, "Jimmy, are you all right?!"
The doves were repeatedly pecking at Jimmy, and he said, "Of course I'm not okay!" He ripped them off, and the doves took off in flight, disappearing in the sky. Jimmy didn't waste any time. He turned on his heel, and with dove feathers in his hair, he and his gang took off and left Makenna, Peter, and Jessica behind. Makenna was the only one not laughing. Instead, she was examining her hands, which were no longer glowing, and she tried to figure out how on earth she did that.
When Jessica finally managed to catch her breath, she glanced at her friend and said,
"Thank you, Makenna! If it wasn't for you, I probably would've been pulled into Jimmy's gang!"
"How did you do that?" Peter asked once he managed to control his own breathing.
Makenna didn't know, but she went ahead and said, "Magic trick. It's a trick I've been working on for a long time."
"Wow," said Peter. He peered into Makenna's eyes and took her shoulders, adding with, "Not only you are a professional dancer and surfer, but you're also a professional magician! I envy you, Makenna! You're amazing!" Makenna blushed and reached for her cheek, but suddenly, her necklace pendant turned red as if it was angry, and a sudden blast wave shoved Peter off of her, and he flew back, yelling!
Makenna and Jessica gasped, and horrified, they each placed their hands to their mouths and shouted, "PETER!" at the tops of their lungs. Peter landed in the school courtyard's grass, and he yelled again as his back hit the ground and caused him to bounce.
Then he landed on his spine and groaned, saying, "Uhh." His eyes were closed. Students entering and coming out of the school who saw the action, stopped, and heads turned in the direction of Makenna and Jessica. A few others turned toward Peter.
Makenna's necklace pendant stopped glowing, and terrified, she stepped back and said, "Oh no!" at the sight of Peter injured in the courtyard. What did she just do? She just physically hurt the hottest guy in the entire school! There was something very unusual about her necklace pendant.
Peter soon sat up in the courtyard, and he opened his eyes, grabbing ahold of his elbow.
He started to massage it, and amazed, he said, "Whoa!" Makenna covered her necklace pendant with her shaking hands, and she frightfully shook her head. Did she break Peter's arm? She didn't want to hurt anybody else.
Even Jessica, her best friend, was mad, and she glared, asking, "Makenna, what have you done?!"
She saw that she was terrified and started to approach her, but Makenna took one hand off her necklace pendant, and she held it out, saying, "No, Jessica, stop! I don't want to hurt you too! Just, excuse me." She whirled around and sprinted toward the school's front office.
Behind, Peter called to her,
"Makenna!" but Makenna didn't stop. She completely ignored him. She rushed into her school's building, and the second she entered it, she almost crashed into another teenager, but she managed to avoid him at the last second, thank goodness. Apologizing about being in a rush, Makenna hurried past him and soon came upon the Ninth Grade hallway in which there were lockers on either side of her. Her locker was at the end of the hallway. Makenna rushed to it, and her shaking hands turned the lock extremely fast. Oh, how much she wanted to turn invisible and not be noticed by anyone. Once unlocking the locker, she threw it open, and immediately, books flew out and landed at her feet. Makenna's locker was a mess! It was filled with notebooks, pens, and papers. It was terrible! Makenna bent down and started to pick up her books.
As she was doing so, teenagers walked past her, and Makenna could hear them saying, "Freak." She wasn't offended. She knew she was a freak. She didn't even realize how much magic was concealed deep in her soul and her necklace pendant. She was scared.
Soon, Jessica and Peter, who had followed Makenna to the Ninth Grade hallway, stopped behind her and said,
"Makenna!" at the same time. Makenna gasped, and Peter kneeled, starting to help her pick up her books.
Makenna shooed them away and said, "Guys, stand back! Especially you, Jessica! I don't want to hurt you too!"
Peter chuckled and stood up, hugging her books close to his chest. "Don't worry, Makenna, I'm all right," he said, "I think you just left a bruise on my elbow. Here, Jessica." He handed the books to Jessica and took Makenna's hand, picking her up from the floor. They stared into each other's eyes, and Makenna sighed dreamily, Jessica as well. Peter was so hot. After a bit, his eyes left Makenna, because staring was rude, and they rolled over to her left ear instead. "Huh?" he asked suddenly. He blinked, "Makenna, what's up with your ear?"
"Huh?" Makenna asked, "My ear? Is it too small for you to handle?" She knew she had small ears.
Jessica also glanced at her ear, and she gasped, saying, "No, Makenna! Your ear! It's pointy like an elf's ear!"
"Pointy?!" Makenna shockingly asked, "What are you talking about, Jessica?! That's crazy!" She lifted her hand and reached for the tip of her left ear. She felt the tip and gasped. Makenna didn't feel roundness! Instead, she felt a point! Oh no. Makenna lowered her hand, and fear overtook her body. She turned blue and jerked her head in Jessica's direction, demanding, "Jessica, let me see your mirror!" Jessica nodded. She reached into her one-strapped backpack and pulled out a small handheld mirror, offering it to her friend. Makenna thanked her and snatched the mirror. Then she peered into it, and she squeaked, "Eee!" Peter and Jessica were right! Her left ear was pointy like an elf's ear! Squeaking again, Makenna peered at her other ear, but it was the strangest thing! Her other ear, unlike her left ear, wasn't pointy! It was still round! Makenna basically just had one round ear and one pointy ear, but she was still freaking out. She shouted, "What's happening to me?!" and she buried her face in her hands, starting to sob, "I look like Ozzy Osbourne! I'm a freak!"
"Easy!" Peter yelled, "Calm down, Makenna! I'm sure this is perfectly normal."
"Normal?!" Makenna shouted. She pointed at her ear, "Does this look normal?!" The bell rang for homeroom. Ignoring it, Makenna babbled on, "You don't understand, Peter! Ever since I turned thirteen, weird things have been happening to me! This does not look like typical puberty to me!"
"Easy, Makenna." Jessica said. She handed over her books and took her shoulder, starting to lead her toward their homeroom classroom, adding with, "You'll feel better when we go to gym after Algebra. We also have a dance lesson this afternoon, and I know how much you love to dance." Makenna nodded. Jessica was right. She had to stop being a wimp. As she was being dragged away, she waved goodbye to chunky Peter and said, "See you later, Peter. Can you do me a favor and close my locker? Please?" Peter nodded and waited until she and Jessica disappeared around the corner. Then he turned to Makenna's locker and closed it. Afterward, he turned on his heel and headed toward his own class.
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