The next morning Laura lingered in bed, not really wanting to go to school, which was unusual for her. After her mother had to call her three times to get up, Mom sweetened the deal by telling Laura that she could take the car. Knowing she would be driving herself and not depending on Cupidity for a ride was enough to get Laura crawling out of bed.
Still Laura moved so slowly that she was nearly late to school. Pulling the white grandma-style sedan into the parking lot, she grabbed her books and dashed toward the main doors. She thought she had avoided most of the gossip and hoopla, but then Taryn ambushed her right inside.
“Did you hear? Did anyone tell you?!” she shrieked as she grabbed Laura’s arm. “Emma and Jake are … together!”
“I know,” muttered Laura.
“Like together together. They’re holding hands!” exclaimed Taryn.
“I heard they exchanged notes!” whispered Ashley, who grabbed Laura’s other arm. “In the middle of the hallway!”
“I know, I know,” repeated Laura as she tried to muscle her way through her friends. The whole corridor was abuzz.
Taryn shook her head and grumbled, “Jake’s gotta be punkin’ her out. It’s a goof.”
“No goof,” answered Laura. “Think back, Taryn. I told you about this on the phone yesterday. It was after the fight.”
“Crazy!” blurted Taryn. “You did! You’re like … psychic!”
Ashley frowned in worry. “You know, my dad says they’re putting too much fluoride in the water. Maybe it’s causing us all to go crazy.”
Laura sighed. “Tell your dad to give me a web address—I’m looking for an explanation.” She charged ahead and ran into a muscular body looming in her path. He was dressed in really baggy pants and had multiple bandannas tied to his bag and his clothes. “Oh, sorry, Chester!” said Laura with a gulp.
Chester was one of the toughest guys in the school, but he jumped back in embarrassment and looked past her. “Excuse me. Uh, Taryn, can I talk to you?”
“Sure, Chester,” she answered, walking up to the looming presence, a curious look on her face. “You have chemistry before I do, so the test is whatever—”
“It’s not about chemistry,” he replied, gazing down at her with extreme earnestness. “It’s about the Homecoming Dance.”
Whoa! thought Laura. Where did that come from? Before she could hear more, Ashley grabbed her arm and dragged her away.
“Did you hear that?” she whispered. “Chester is asking Taryn to Homecoming. I know it’s the fluoride!”
“No,” answered Laura in a daze. “It’s just the end of high school as we know it.”
The warning bell went off, and the crowd in the hallway began to dissipate. On instinct, Laura wanted to hang back to see what was happening with Taryn. But she knew that it was a Homecoming invite, and she didn’t want to get in the way—even if it was from as unlikely a source as Chester. Still, she thought curiously, she could chalk up one more unlikely match in this romantic dimensional distortion they were all suffering at Fimbrey High.
Before third period Laura met up with Cupidity outside biology class. The new girl looked a bit subdued and was dressed more demurely than usual; her belly button hardly showed at all, as befitted a teenager who had an actual parent at home. “Hey, I met your dad last night,” said Laura. “You didn’t tell me he was visiting you.”
“Yeah,” grumbled Cupidity. “I didn’t know he was going to pop up. Quite a kidder, my dad—always likes a surprise. Look, we’ve got to get you fixed up. Have you seen Cody today?”
“I don’t exactly travel in Cody’s circle,” admitted Laura with a puzzled expression. “But I usually see him by now, and I haven’t.”
“I think he cut school today,” muttered Cupidity. “He probably heard about Jake and Emma, and he didn’t want the competition for attention. I didn’t know Emma and Jake would turn out to be such a high profile pairing.”
Laura nodded sagely, while she tried to figure Cupidity out. “Yes, they sorta took the spotlight off Peter and Megan, who are even weirder if you think about it. Before you got involved in these people’s lives, you didn’t know them very well.”
“Hey, I didn’t make any of these people what they are,” said Cupidity, sounding defensive. “Jake drooled on me before I pushed a single button—he can act like such a sleaze. Emma Langdon is tough enough to actually stand up to that big head of his. Maybe it will work out.”
“Yeah, okay,” admitted Laura, bowing her head. “They did look pretty happy together when I saw them yesterday.”
Cupidity winked at her, suddenly full of the old spirit. “Don’t worry so much. You just be ready for our double date tomorrow night.”
Laura tried not to shiver, although another double date sounded more like a threat than a good time. Somehow she summoned the courage to smile and say with a sigh, “I’ll be there.”
By lunchtime Laura was moping through the hallways, trying to ignore the gossip and the buzz. Were two people falling for each other really worth all this excitement? The fact that it was Jake Mattson had a lot to do with it. She couldn’t wrap her brain around any more surprises or unusual romances, so Laura tried not to talk to anyone. As she climbed down the central staircase, headed to her locker, she didn’t realize someone was walking beside her until he spoke.
“I’ve got to talk to you,” he said.
Laura lurched to a stop and stared at Peter Yarmench. He immediately bolted two steps ahead of her, as if he feared she would escape to the bottom floor. She could still turn around and run back upstairs, but she was too surprised to move.
“Where’s your girlfriend?” asked Laura snidely. She instantly regretted her snippety tone, but it was already out.
“I ditched her,” whispered Peter with a smile. “It wasn’t easy, but I had a decoy lure her to the computer lab.”
“Is that really a healthy relationship,” asked Laura, “when you have to sneak around just to talk to an old friend?”
“No, it’s not okay,” he admitted, casting his troubled eyes downward and showing her a shock of unruly red hair. “I don’t really understand this thing with Megan. It’s … a little scary.”
“Yeah, you look scared all right,” said Laura, laying on the sarcasm. “She’s Miss Popularity—isn’t that what you wanted?”
He shook his head and lifted his startled green eyes to peer into hers, and he seemed to beg for understanding. “You know, it’s really weird. I like … love Megan and all, and I mean, it’s great having a girlfriend. But I really miss you. I mean, I miss us hanging around. You know?”
“I don’t think Megan misses me,” replied Laura. “And you can’t be giving me the ‘I just want to be friends’ speech, because that’s all we ever were—friends.”
“I know.” His shoulders slumped.
“Besides, you’ve got a girlfriend,” she insisted, “and she obviously doesn’t want to share you—even with your old friends.”
Peter held out his hand and touched her forearm, and a chill flew up Laura’s shoulder. It reminded her of the night she was knocked out, the night Peter had woken up in Megan’s arms. “I don’t want to lose you,” he said in a husky voice. “For some weird reason, falling in love with Megan has opened my eyes … and made me realize … well, how much I need you around.”
Laura couldn’t speak, there was such a knot in her throat. She didn’t realize how badly she had wanted to hear this, but Peter’s timing couldn’t be worse. “Okay,” she blurted, “so break up with Megan!”
“I can’t do that.” He grimaced and balled his hands into fists, as if he was being torn apart by internal conflicts. She felt sympathy for him, but she also hated him at the same time.
“Call me when you can,” Laura muttered. “And lose the dramatics—they don’t work.”
She hurried down the stairs, trying to lose herself in the lunch crowd. He wants two girlfriends, she thought angrily. Peter is just like Jake and Cody and all the rest of them—just in love with himself!
After school Mercury sat in Cupidity’s yellow convertible, waiting for the cherub-in-disguise to exit the school. He finally spotted her, surrounded by other teenagers, all of them yakking. Who could possibly be listening when they all talked at once? Nevertheless, Mercury was impressed by how many friends Cupidity seemed to have, and there was one handsome lad, dressed in black leather and silver chains, who would have commanded attention among the gods themselves. He even gave Cupidity a kiss on the cheek.
Before Cupidity reached her car, she bid her friends adieu, although several of them stared curiously at her “father.” Mercury tipped his hat politely.
Cupidity gave him a smug smile as she climbed into the driver’s seat. “See, I told you they all liked me, and I’ve got everything under control. Seriously, Mercury, you don’t have to hang around here.” She started the car engine with a loud vroom, and the fumes made Mercury wrinkle his nose.
“They’ve accepted you, but that doesn’t mean you’ve done the job,” said the elderly god with a sniff. “So far, you’ve paired up other mortals, but not Laura Sweeney.”
“They were just warm-ups,” insisted Cupidity as she backed the sports car out of its parking space. “I told you I was out of practice. Besides, we’re talking about two lousy couples. That’s nothing for me—in the old days, I’d do two pairs before breakfast.”
“I’ve met Laura Sweeney,” said the elder, “and it doesn’t seem that it would be difficult to make a match for her.”
The young lady laughed. “Ah, you don’t know Laura that well. Outside she seems normal, but inside she’s a fruit loop.”
She motioned to a gang of students who clogged the sidewalk. “Most of them are ruled by their hormones, but Laura still depends on her brain. Makes it very difficult to get just the right match for her. Sure, I could pair her up with anyone—even you—but would she be happy?”
Mercury shrugged. “Who can guarantee a mortal happiness?”
“Hey, I’ve only had a few days to get to know her,” said the cherub as her car careened around the corner, tires squealing. “You all agreed that I should have some time to get to know her, so let me do my job! Tell Jupiter and those worried old ladies that all will be well. I’ve planned a double date for tomorrow night, and I’m sure the arrows will be flying.”
“Do you have someone picked out for her?” asked Mercury.
“Yes, Cody Kenyon. Maybe you saw him—black leather jacket, spiked hair, Elvis sneer.”
“Oh, yes,” answered elder with a knowing smile. “I approve.”
“Well, good. So leave me the Hades alone!” Cupidity pulled to a stop and looked at the messenger god. “Can I take you to the airport?”
“Why can’t I stick around?” asked Mercury, sounding hurt.
“Parents just get in the way.” Cupidity stared pointedly at him. “Airport?”
“You just want to be able to smoke cigars again,” muttered the god.
“Well, duh!” Cupidity scowled. “Listen, I’ll be back at Mount Olympus when the job is done. You won’t be missing anything.”
“Remember, your disguise doesn’t last forever,” warned the god.
“I’ve got two more weeks!” scoffed the beautiful cherub. “I’ll be out of here long before that, believe me.”
Mercury sat stiffly in his seat. “Well, I was able to go to the office and fill out some paperwork for you. Perhaps you need me.”
“That’s good they got to see a parent,” allowed Cupidity. “But I don’t really need a parent—I’m three thousand years old! Come on, Merc, I took a couple extra shots as a warm-up, but now I’m ready to get down to business. You can see that everything is fine here.”
“Okay, take me to the airport,” grumbled Mercury. “We won’t watch you or nag you—we’ll just trust you.”
“Good idea!” chirped Cupidity as the yellow convertible jumped the curb and headed off down the boulevard.
Right behind them came a white sedan driven by a preoccupied Laura Sweeney. “Wasn’t that Cupidity’s car?” asked Taryn from the passenger seat. “She has the coolest car.”
“Huh? Oh, yeah, I guess so,” muttered Laura. In truth, she was still so miserable over Peter that she could barely concentrate on driving.
“She had an old guy with her,” Taryn pointed out.
“That’s her father.” Laura brought the car to a stop at the corner and tried to snap out of her daze. “Listen, I’m going to the library. Where am I taking you?”
“To cloud nine,” answered Taryn dreamily as she hugged her books to her chest. “Can you believe it? I’ve got a date for Homecoming!”
“Congratulations,” answered Laura, trying to muster a smile. “Chester the Homeboy—who would have thought he was crushing on you?”
“Well, I catch him looking at me a lot in class,” answered Taryn, “but I thought he was trying to copy off my paper.” She laughed so joyfully that Laura couldn’t stay jealous of her old friend’s new relationship.
“Are you two going out this weekend?” asked Laura.
Taryn nodded gravely. “Yes, we’re going to a rap concert. What do you wear to a rap concert?”
“I’m sure you can wear almost anything. Chester will look out for you.”
They drove a bit farther in silence, Taryn gazing wistfully out the window and Laura trying to concentrate on the road. As they turned down the street to Taryn’s house, Taryn said, “I know we made fun of Peter and Megan, then Jake and Emma, but I don’t think Chester would have asked me out if they hadn’t broken the ice.”
“Probably not,” admitted Laura. “Anarchy in the high school social order is a good thing.” She pulled to a stop in front of Taryn’s house. “Here you are—cloud nine.”
Laura’s friend squeezed her arm and looked sympathetically at her. “Don’t worry, Laura, we’ll get you a date too. Now all the boys in school are up for grabs—not just the ones you’re supposed to date.”
Laura mustered a smile, but that thought wasn’t very comforting. Now she could be turned down by any guy in school. Taryn jumped out of the car and ran toward her house, no doubt anxious to spread the news about her date. Trying to be happy for her friend, Laura sniffed back her conflicting emotions and waved good-bye as she pulled away from the curb.
Since she had the car, she decided to drive downtown to the big library, where they had all kinds of old and rare books that weren’t allowed to be taken out of the building. Laura wasn’t sure exactly what she was looking for, just some general research into the supernatural aspects of love. Cupidity might be a regular girl with a regular father, but some kind of love bug had infected the kids at Fimbrey. Maybe there was another explanation.
At the library Laura’s footsteps echoed down the marble staircase and into the cavernous main chamber. A cold draft swirled around her, and she smelled the musty odor of old paper, fabric, glue, and dust—books. A door creaked somewhere in the old building, and she felt a chill. It almost felt as if these ancient tomes didn’t want to give up their secrets. Maybe this was a stupid waste of time, but Laura felt as if she had to do something. It was research or go crazy.
She dove into the card catalog and computer listings and grabbed all the books she could find off the regular shelves. An hour of looking through them didn’t really give her anything that she thought was pertinent to the love epidemic.
So Laura culled through the listings of rare and fragile books, which were kept in a special room and not allowed to leave the library. Clutching her requests, she found a librarian, an older woman in a business suit with flaming red hair, and gave her the slips of paper.
“Love spells, love potions, love candles, fortune-telling,” said the old librarian, reading the subjects she had requested. When she was finished, the old woman clicked her tongue and gave Laura a sympathetic smile. “You know, dearie, those love spells don’t work. Why don’t you try the personal ads, like I do.”
“Personal ads?” said Laura with a nervous laugh. “I’m a little young for those.” She didn’t add that the librarian looked a little old for personal ads. “I’m really doing this for a school project. If you’ve got any books about Cupid or Venus, that would be good too. I’ve read all the mythology books on the shelf.”
“Hmmmm,” said the librarian, sounding impressed. She gave Laura a wink. “I’ll bring you all the good stuff, but they don’t have many pictures.”
Laura laughed nervously. “That’s fine. I don’t need pictures … I have a good imagination.”
“Give me a few minutes.” The old woman tottered away, but she didn’t return for almost half an hour. Laura had almost given up on her when she finally wheeled in a cart full of books, most of them old and tattered.
“You want the good stuff, right?” she said with a chuckle. “I hope you’re not going anywhere for a while.”
Laura sighed. “No, I’m not. No place else to go.”
Laura Sweeney read and skimmed until the words on the yellowed pages blurred and the windows darkened except for pools of light from the streetlamps. A fierce wind kicked up, and branches scraped against the windows. The history of love, famous lovers, love spats, love spells and potions, and gobs of myths about love spilled from the books. Ghostly love, true love, tragic love, unspoken love, and lots of variations were discussed at length, sometimes with statistics. Laura learned more than she wanted to know about some topics, but she didn’t find anything that would explain what was happening to the kids at Fimbrey High.
In all the morass of words and images, there were plenty of stories about Cupid and his mother, Venus. Laura’s eyes were drooping as she leafed through one musty volume of Roman mythology, which she had read before. Normally she could lose herself for hours in a book like this, but her energy and hope were waning.
Suddenly Laura’s bleary eyes landed on a picture of an old Roman fresco that had been uncovered in the ruins of Pompeii, Italy. The ancient image stopped her cold, and she blinked in amazement at the painting of Cupid and his mother. The youthful cherub wore long blond hair, making his face look an awful lot like Cupidity’s. But that wasn’t what startled Laura—it was the bow and arrow in his hands. The weapon looked remarkably similar to Cupidity’s bow, down to its harp shape and ornate workmanship.
“What the—?” she muttered, rubbing her eyes. “That can’t be.”
“Did you say something, dearie?” asked the old librarian.
Gripping the book, Laura jumped excitedly to her feet. “Can you make me a photocopy of this page?”
“As long as the pages aren’t too brittle,” answered the librarian. The old woman grunted when Laura handed her the heavy tome, and she peered at the page with curiosity. “That’s what you were looking for … a picture of Cupid and Venus?”
“It’s perfect for what I need,” answered Laura with a forced smile. And that’s to discover the truth about Cupidity, she decided, which I will do tomorrow night when I get a closer look at her bow. I have to find out whether I’m crazy or the rest of the world is.