Faire Exchange: Chapter 10

Martin takes a stand.

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Martin waited by the classroom door for his friends. So far everyone was wandering in and goofing off before class started, like any other day. Martin could still taste Granny's oatmeal, just like any other day. But there was Rina striding up the hall, her cloak billowing behind her, her skirt dazzling with golden rays. Not like any other day.

But if Martin could act as if it were, he might get through it. He might send a message—if not to her, then to somebody. His stomach knotted as she approached, but he wasn't going to show it. Yesterday he'd screamed and cried in front of the whole class because of her. Today, he'd show her he wasn't just some fat pooka, whatever that was. He may be fat, but he could be tough.

Rina saw him, and smirked. She probably still saw the flower growing on his nose, or the ash blowing into his face.

Martin stared past her, off to the side. Let her give him donkey ears, or double his weight, or drop it in half. He was not going to even whimper in front of her.

She went inside the classroom, and Martin let out a deep, forceful exhale, and began catching his breath as if he'd just run a lap around the school. It's one thing to want to show courage, another to not be afraid.

Right now Martin wished he'd spoken to Granny about what Rina had done. They'd been watching the news together last night, then talked about the Exchange. She'd asked Martin and his sister Mira about it, but while Martin did tell her about Rina, he didn't mention the flower. Granny had been taking care of him and Mira since fourth grade, when Mom had to get another job to make ends meet. And Granny tended to worry. Martin didn't want her to not worry about him, but this was more than a cold or a mere bully. She'd be positively furious if she learned a Wyrdnin had treated her grandson so cruelly. She might raise a stink with the school, or the city council, or just pull him out of school altogether. She'd been an activist when she was younger—there were parts of the town charter that had been rewritten because of her. Martin didn't want to go that far. He still liked this school, and he still liked being able to see his friends.

Friends like Gregg Herron, who was coming up the hall right now. He stopped for a peek into the classroom, and headed up to Martin. "Morning, Mart. You seen Jeremy yet?"

"Not yet. I'll bet he's—oh, there he is."

Jeremy came speed-walking up the hall, glanced into Ms. Ivory's class—probably checking for Zoe Walters—and skittered up to Gregg and Martin. "Hey guys." He looked through the door and saw Rina behind his desk. "Dangit, she's already here."

"Got here just before Gregg," Martin said. "I'm trying not to be so scared of her." That sounded more impressive in his head.

"You know, my mom said something like that," Jeremy said. "Bullies want attention, so it's better not to give it to them. At least I think that's what she said."

Gregg flicked his eyes toward the door. "You really think we can do that with her?"

"I dunno. I couldn't even get away from this magic stuff at home. This other elf girl teleported into my apartment."

"No way, teleported?" Gregg said. "Why?"

Jeremy shrugged. "She was lost. Good news is, she hates Rina, too. Her name's Papu."

"So it's not just us," Martin said. He hated to think he was afraid of Rina just because of who she was. "What was Papu like?"

"She was nice enough. My mom liked her. Kinda talky, though. Remember that Bangle Mr. Newell mentioned? Papu said all the Wyrdnin kids have one in case they misbehave. It's just Rina's that's missing."

"Wonder what happened to it."

"Who knows? But we'll have to wait until the new one gets here. Until then…"

"We try to ignore her?" Gregg said, then turned for another look through the door.

"Maybe so," Martin said. "Worth a shot. I just did, and it felt good."

"Okay, so it's settled?" Jeremy said. "No matter what she does, we don't do anything to react. That'll just give her what she—"

"Uh, guys?" Gregg said. "You need to see this."

It was snowing inside Mrs. Horn's classroom.

"What do we do?"

"Just like we said we would, I guess," Jeremy said.

Gregg backed away. "Your funeral." And he went into Ms. Ivory's room.

"Don't worry, man," Martin said to Jeremy. "I'm with you."

"And I'm with you, man."

And Martin walked inside with Jeremy, just like every other day.