Faire Exchange: Chapter 30

Martin needs to make things right.

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Martin stood in the hall, near the front entrance, holding two letters. One, the letter Mr. Newell had written, which would implicate Martin in a class-wide atrocity. The other, from the Wyrdnin, which announced that he was now the proud owner of a brand-new curse.

How was he supposed to explain this to Granny?

He hated to admit it, but part of him had enjoyed watching that food fight. After what he'd endured on Monday, it felt good to see Rina take some punishment for once. Part of him even wished he'd thrown something.

But he'd already done enough that day by putting the Bangle on her wrist. By giving everybody an opening to gang up on the new kid—not even really a Wyrdnin anymore, but just a defenseless girl. None of this would have happened if not for him. He'd brought both letters on himself.

His friends lingered down the hall behind him, soon to face the music in their own ways.

Granny had taught him his whole life to be understanding of others, that some people would be difficult no matter what, that one has to forgive before they can be forgiven. Had he tried forgiving Rina? What did that even look like? No, he'd only enabled a revenge mob.

The Wyrdnin could put whatever curse on him they wanted. Nothing could be worse than having to explain this situation to Granny.

The question now was how to actually present this to her after he walked home.

He could head to the kitchen, place it on the table or countertop where she'd be sure to see it. And then he'd have to wait for her to find it and read it.

He could walk up to her, put the letter into her hands. And then he'd be right there for her every reaction. He'd see her change from the sweet, mild Granny he'd known his whole life to the fierce, unstoppable force that put ulcers in the City Council's stomachs.

And then somehow they'd have to run to the Roth House in time to prevent the curse.

He knew he had to apologize to Rina. It wouldn't do any good—last time she blew ash in his face—but he had to do it.

He trudged through the door.

The sunlight blinded him for a moment, and he used the curse letter to shield his eyes.

A familiar Wyrdnin girl with yellow hair was standing in front of him.

"Martin, right?" Papu said. "One of Jeremy's friends?"

"Y-yeah, that's right," Martin said.

"You're the one who put the Bangle on Rina?"

Martin hunched his head down and nodded.

Papu threw her arms around him. Someone—Martin didn't know who—whistled. "Thank you so much," Papu said. "You have no idea what she's like at home." Then she smacked him on the head. "What were you thinking? I told you it's supposed to be the teacher putting the Bangle on."

"Hey, it wasn't my idea! It was Jeremy!"

"Do you have any idea what you've done?"

"Of course I do." Martin held up both letters side-by-side. "Why you gotta hassle me about it? I'm in enough trouble as it is."

"No you are not. Listen, we got a letter from Duke Ardel, too. He's threatening to pull his support for the Roth House. The Duke is one of our main sponsors! Without him, we might all have to go home." Tears began to build up in her eyes. "I can't leave. I've made so many wonderful friends this last week. I love your culture, your buildings, your board games. Why, I'm finally getting used to going meggle here!" She rubbed her eyes and sobbed.

Martin reached his hand out, but stopped short of touching her shoulder. "Hey, don't cry. I'm sure it'll all work out."

"You've never met the Duke. He's a proud man, and he's severe, and he keeps his word. If he doesn't get some kind of satisfaction, he will pull his support."

"Well, what does he want?" It didn't sound like the Duke was going to leave it at just some cursed fifth-graders. Or their apologies.

Papu took a deep breath and sighed. "He's mad because we let the Bangle fall into the hands of a human classmate." She grimaced with gritted teeth. "Because I let it happen. It should have gone straight to her teacher. So I need to make it up to her. I need to get the Bangle off of her."

Martin took a step back. "And that's why you're here." He wouldn't just have to apologize to Rina. He'd have to help Rina.

Papu fluttered her eyes. "Could you be a dear and come to the Roth House with me?"

"I dunno, I gotta get home. My Granny's waiting for me, and she's gotta sign—"

"It won't take long. I told you, I can go meggle now. I'll get you home with plenty of time to spare."

Martin stared at the two letters in his hands. It would take care of the curse. And it would help with Granny if she knew he'd already made things right.

"Well," he said, "I guess I have to go there anyway."

"Wonderful!" She grabbed him by the shoulders. "Now hold still."

The next thing he knew, Martin was off his feet, and the whole world turned inside-out. Or maybe he was the one turning inside-out. At any rate, he felt sick to his stomach.

Then his feet touched ground. Soft, grassy, solid ground. Up was up again, with a blue sky, and down was down, with green grass. Up ahead, up a short hill, was a large, stately house, with a tower in one corner and a porch wrapped around another.

"We're here," Papu said.