33
THE WATER BEARER, WHICH IS THE SIGN OF AQUARIUS, SHOWS A MAN POURING WATER FROM A JUG, WHICH IS A SYMBOL OF THE DIVINE SPIRIT WATERING THE EARTH. ALTHOUGH LATER DEPICTED AS A WOMAN, THE FIGURE IS MALE, AND, ALONG WITH THE OTHER FIRE AND AIR SIGNS, AQUARIUS IS MASCULINE. THOSE BORN UNDER MASCULINE SIGNS ARE MORE PRONE TO BLUNTNESS. THEY ALSO LEAN TOWARD BEING DETACHED AND UN INVOLVED BUT ARE, AT HEART, TRUE HUMANITARIANS. WHEN MOST AQUARIANS ARE CAUGHT IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS, THEY WILL USUALLY PUT SELF ASIDE AND DO WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS RIGHT.
—Fearless Astrology
That’s where I was right now, trying to do the right thing. Although I got to Snider’s room early that morning, a bunch of kids were already huddled around her desk. When I told her I needed to talk to her and would be back that afternoon, I got only a stony look in response. I still had to try. It was the twenty-fifth, and she was my only hope to stop whatever might happen to Frankenstein.
It’s amazing how when one influential kid decides you’re not cool, everyone else in school gets the message. Talk about viral. This must be what Charles Bellamy had to live with every day. He and Sol sat by me in journalism as the other kids moved as far away as possible. Through the window, I could see Paige waiting outside, but I needed to talk to Charles first.
“Got a minute?” I asked. He gave me an uncertain nod, and I said, “Thank you for not turning against me.”
His face flushed deeper. “I have to go to auto shop now.”
“I know who you were with that night the Gears destroyed my column.”
He stopped as if I’d punched him.
“She said she liked me. I wouldn’t have believed it, only she knew about my dad, and we talked about him a lot.” I could see him try to swallow. “She said I was interesting. I’m sorry about your column, Logan.”
“While you two were in the back room, her brother and J.T. came in and destroyed my layout,” I said. “I’m going to Ms. Snider after school. Charles, please help me.”
“I can’t.” He chewed on his lower lip. “You don’t understand.” His face grew even redder. “I can’t,” he repeated, then bolted from the room before I could try to convince him.
I met up with Paige, and we began walking to our next class.
“What’s up with Charles?” she asked.
“He’s really upset,” I told her. “Geneva used him to give her brother and J.T. a chance to mess up my column that Friday we went to San Francisco. He refuses to tell anyone, though.”
“He looked in bad shape.”
“I guess he’s embarrassed that he believed Geneva liked him. He’s still willing to lie for her. I’ve got to change his mind about that.”
“He had tears in his eyes when he ran past me,” Paige said. “I’d be surprised if he makes it through the rest of the day.”
“He’s got to. I need him to come with me when I talk to Snider.”
Paige was right. No one saw Charles after journalism, and Chili said he checked into auto shop later but left before class was over.
Paige and Chili must have agreed to take turns waiting for me after my classes. One of them was always at my side, as if to dare the rest of the kids to confront me. I loved them more than ever.
“Want us to meet you in Snider’s room?” Chili asked.
“Better not,” I said. “It would look as if I can’t speak for myself.”
“All right, then, if you’re sure. We’ll wait for you in the parking lot.”
After my last class, I returned to Snider’s room. She was cool and more reserved than usual. Her white shirt looked as if she’d just ironed it.
“Have a seat, Logan,” she said without moving from her desk.
I pulled up a chair and forced myself to sit. “Ms. Snider, I know who the Gears are.”
She nodded, no surprise showing in her expression. “Do you?”
“Yes,” I said. “Jared Hamilton and J.T. Malone. Geneva’s in charge.” I just couldn’t do it to Nathan. Let the Gears take care of that.
“Geneva’s already come to see me.” She studied my face as if watching for my reaction. “I understand you two had a conversation about Geneva substituting her column for yours, and about Nathan Sullivan as well.”
“We had a conversation, all right,” I said. “I asked Geneva how she could allow her brother and J.T. to post such awful stuff after you were so kind to her. Do you know what she said? ‘All’s fair.’ That’s really what she believes about what she’s done.”
She straightened up in her prim little shirt. “What you’re saying is very difficult to believe, especially since Geneva told me that you threatened to do something like this.”
“There’s one person who can back me up,” I said. “Charles Bellamy. He was with her in the copy room the night my column was trashed.”
She grimaced. “Charles and Geneva?”
“I know that sounds unlikely,” I said, “but it was the only way the Gears could ruin my column.”
“Logan.” She stood. “This has to stop. If you’re going to make such outrageous accusations, you need proof. Charles confides in me, and he’s never mentioned anything like that. If he really experienced what you’re suggesting, I want to hear it from him. Both of you be here before class tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow’s too late.” I got up and tried to ignore her distrustful expression. “Something’s going to happen to Mr. Franklin tonight. We have to stop it now.”
“That’s ridiculous,” she said. “Nothing is going to happen to Mr. Franklin.”
“But the ephemeris . . . How can you be so sure I’m wrong? The poster was real enough, and whoever put that up is going to cause more trouble tonight.”
“Is she?” Ms. Snider asked. “Geneva and I discussed that too. I can assure you Mr. Franklin is safe. Now, I want you to go home. If you insist on continuing this talk tomorrow, you and Charles can meet with me then.”
She? Was Snider suggesting that I was responsible for the poster? The Capricorn had made up her mind. Geneva had lied just as she’d said she would, and now Snider actually believed my accusations were based on jealousy.
“Fine,” I said, and left the room without another word.
Chili and Paige were waiting as they’d promised. I climbed in beside Chili.
“Well?” she asked.
“Snider didn’t believe me,” I said, and burst into tears.
“It’s okay.” Chili hugged me, and Paige rubbed my shoulders. “Geneva’s bragging that you’re spreading lies about her because you’re jealous that she’s writing a column and you aren’t.”
“What am I going to do? If Snider won’t listen to me, I have to find someone who will.”
“My mom?” Chili asked.
“But what would she do? She’d just call my dad, and they’d make me stay home tonight.”
“You aren’t going to try to stop them by yourself again, are you?”
“I’ve got to.” I wiped my eyes. “There’s no other way.”
Chili reached over and blotted my lashes with a tissue. “Then I’m going with you.”
“You can’t.”
“Me too,” Paige said. “And, yes, we can. We’re going to do this together, Logan, or not at all.”
NOTES TO SELF
I did the right thing just the way most Aquarians would in times of trouble, and instead my situation is worse than before. Snider thinks I’m a liar. Frankenstein probably agrees. I have as big a chance of getting the fellowship as Charles has of taking Geneva to the prom. But I have two friends who aren’t going to let me do what I have to do alone. Whoever is behind FRANKENSTEIN MUST DIE is going to have to deal with the three of us tonight.