Aries Rising (15 page)
Authors: Bonnie Hearn Hill
As I sat there trying to digest the astrological warning glyphs early that morning, I received a text message from Cory.
Sorry. Have to take a date to the party. Still hope to see u there. CS.
Why was Cory—make that CS—apologizing to me? We had only planned to meet up there. And now, just after I had insisted that he should be in the magazine, he was telling me that he had to take someone to the party. The someone could be only one person. Stacy had found her King of Hearts, and I had helped seal the magazine deal. She had used me, and maybe he had too.
Mercury in Retro had taken its toll. Paige spilled Chai tea on her sketchbook. Chili had left her bag, books, and homework in journalism.
That morning Paige showed us the sketches of her Aphrodite costume. Even through the tea stains, the drawings were amazing. Looking at them, I could imagine that sleek, draped, and fitted gown with intricate braided cords and slits that revealed matching gladiator sandals. I tried to
picture her in it and knew that it would be a Paige we had never seen before.
picture her in it and knew that it would be a Paige we had never seen before.
“It’s beautiful,” I said. “And you will be too.”
“I just hope I can pull it off. It’s the spirit and the soul of everything I want to show Graciela about my design abilities. I’m just wondering if I should ask someone else to wear it.”
“You have to wear it,” Chili said. “How else will Graciela know it’s your design?”
“And there’s no reason to get someone else involved.” I ran my finger along one of the drawings. “You have the perfect shape for it, Paige.”
“Make that lack of shape.” But I could tell she was feeling more confident.
“A model’s shape.” Chili said. “Just suck in your cheeks, turn off your smile, and channel your inner bitch.”
We were still talking about the dress when we got to school.
Dina waited for us in the parking lot. This time, Kat was with her. They wore matching white shirts and big own-the-world grins.
“Hi, Chili. Hi Paige. Hiiii...,” Dina called out as if unable to turn off the one-word-fits-all-Terra High greeting machine.
“Dude,” Chili interrupted, “what the hell is your problem? Or do you always hang out in parking lots? Never know who you might pick up there, do you?”
“You could teach us a lot about picking up guys, Chili.” Aries Kat was in rare form. Pure Cardinal bitch. Her eyes had so much liner on them and so much mascara that it flaked in ugly chunks. I wondered how she could see around them.
“You’d better shut your mouth,” I told her. “This isn’t going to play out the way it did before. You aren’t going to turn the school against me again.”
“I don’t even care about you right now, Logan.”
“Good. Then get the hell out of our way,” I said. “How pathetic, hanging out here waiting for us to show up.”
“Pathetic is right.” Chili gave her a look of pure disgust. “And before you go to class, you really ought to wash your face.”
Paige and I exchanged looks. The bad Gemini twin had been unleashed.
Although clearly pissed, Kat continued to smile. I could only imagine how much she wanted to rub her finger under her eyes.
Instead she pointed her key at the monster of an SUV beside us.
Mega click
. Monster car was unlocked. Kat reached in.
Mega click
. Monster car was unlocked. Kat reached in.
“I have something of yours,” she said and pulled out Chili’s book bag.
“Where’d you steal that?” I asked.
“I didn’t steal it.” She grinned. “I found it in the journalism room. And, yeah, girls, I found more than I bargained for.”
“Give it to me.” Chili yanked it out of her hands.
“Oh, you can have it back now.” Kat crossed her arms over her chest. “I’ve already taken everything I need. From your cell phone, I mean.”
Chili’s eyes grew wide, and she almost choked. “You slutty, little ...”
“You should talk.”
“What is it, Kat?” I demanded. “What are you trying to say?”
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?”
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.”
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.
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