Red Masked Heroine Page 7

  Except it turns into a big deal. People and their families come out of nowhere, and the next second, a line has formed. Stupid social media. I bet everyone let everyone else know that the Blue Masked Hero is here.

  This day is never going to end. I wish the assistant manager would tell these people to go, but of course he won’t do that. Free advertising. But at my expense?

  Dad motioned to me a few minutes ago that he was going to wait outside. The place has gotten very stuffy and hot. I don’t blame him for wanting to escape. Kinda want to escape myself.

  When I get a free second, I send Maddie a quick text: Dying here.

  She responds with: Saw it on TV. Good luck! :P

  It’s so Maddie to poke fun at me

  Wait, did she say TV? Is that why everyone and their uncle is here? Aw, man. How am I going to get out of this? Sure I can just fly away, but I shouldn’t do that, especially after what Nicole’s been saying about me.

  Fine, I admit it. I want people to like me and believe in me. Is that so bad? I thought I didn’t care, but seeing all of this makes me realize I do care. A lot. The people I save are people.

  A little girl in a wheelchair is among the crowd. A boy stands next to her, probably her brother. Pushing through the crowd, I head over to them and bend down next to the girl. She looks a little older than Kaylee. “Hey,” I say.

  She smiles widely. “Hi!” She glances at her brother, then back to me. “Brian and I love you!”

  Brian smiles shyly.

  “Can we have your autograph?” she asks.

  “Sure. What’s your name?”

  “Christina. I wanna be like you when I grow up.”

  This warmth comes over me. I mean, I know I inspire kids, but this is different. Maybe because it’s extra special to inspire kids like Christina. I’m so humbled and amazed that I can’t think straight.

  Once I’m done signing their autographs and taking pics with them, Christina hugs me. “You’re an awesome kid,” I tell her. “Both of you are.”

  Her entire face shines. “Thank you!”

  This is how it goes for the next few hours. Reporters are all over the place and I bet I’m on breaking news all over the country. Guess it comes with the job.

  I text my dad, asking him if he’s okay. He tells me to keep doing what I’m doing. He doesn’t mind waiting.

  When it’s after nine, the manager waves his hands, urging everyone to leave. “It’s time we give our hero some rewards!”

  The people cheer.

  “Gather all your friends and family,” he tells me. “You can all watch a movie for free.” He holds up his index finger. “But I ask that you give these to only ten people.” He hands me ten VIP tickets. “Come anytime, any day and this theater is yours.”

  This is making me very uncomfortable, but it’d be rude for me to refuse.

  I’ve got Mom, Dad, Kaylee, Matt, and Maddie…and that’s pretty much it. I return five to the manager. “Give these to others who need it.”

  The manager nods. “You got it, sir!” He waves his hands around. “Okay, everybody. We still have a theater to run. Movies are half off today…” He spits more offers to get everyone to stay.

  Some leave grudgingly, looking back at me like they’re scared I’ll disappear for good.

  I text Dad, letting him know it’s safe to come in.

  “Are you sure you still want to watch a movie?” he asks. “Or do you want to go home?”

  I’m beat, but I’m not going to skip out on our father/son date night.

  We’re back to staring at the posters.

  “What movie did we decide on?” Dad asks.

  I don’t even know. So much has happened. “The football one?”

  “Right.”

  The manager himself rushes to the concession stand to make sure we get everything we need. Dad leans close to whisper, “Who knew being the father of a superhero had so many perks?” he jokes.

  “Haha.”

  “It’s all on the house,” the manager says when I’m about to pay for the chips, candy, and popcorn.

  “No, I can’t just take all of this for free,” I say. “You’ve already given me five VIP tickets.”

  The man frowns. “But you’re the Blue Masked Hero.”

  “Who wants to just be a normal guy.”

  His eyes widen.

  “For a bit,” I quickly add. “Please.”

  Sighing the heaviest sigh in the world, he accepts, but says, “We can empty the theater just for the two of you.”

  “No, please.”

  “Whatever you say, whatever you need, Blue Masked Hero.” He rushes to open the theater doors for us. This is even making me much, much more uncomfy.

  The theater is so packed there’s hardly any room left to sit. Dad and I take seats in the back.

  Some kids see us and shoot to their feet. “The Blue Masked Hero is in our theater. Sitting right next to us!”

  “Hey, Blue,” someone calls from the front. “These are better seats. Please take them.”

  Better seats would be awesome, but I don’t want to take them. “That’s okay. Everyone enjoy the movie.”

  But we can’t, because every second Dad and I are interrupted by someone asking for an autograph or to do an interview for their school paper, or by questions. Some are so random, like if I wear underwear under the uniform. Uh, yeah, I do. Not that it’s anyone’s business.

  The manager tries to calm the crowd, but it’s not working. Dad and I decide to go home. Mom doesn’t like us out so late. Especially since the whole Kaylee thing.

  On our way out of the theater, someone holds his hand in front of my face. I look up and see this tall guy. He’s got short red hair and sunglasses sitting on the top of his head. Who wears sunglasses in November in New York?

  He’s the type of guy who makes you stop what you’re doing and listen to him, no matter what.

  “The Blue Masked Hero. Finally, in the flesh.”

  “Do I know you?”

  He flashes a bright smile. His teeth are so white he could be in a toothpaste commercial. “Not yet.” He shoves a card in my hand.

  I read it. “Anthony Holmes, TV producer.”

  The guy nods like he’s proud of himself.

  I hold my hands up. “What does a TV producer want with me?”

  His smile gets even wider. Any more and his mouth will tear right open. Dad looks confused and a little freaked out. Yeah, this guy is kind of creepy. In an all-smiles-let’s-be-happy-life-is-awesome kind of way.

  “Wait a minute,” I say. “You want me to be on TV?”

  He slaps me on the shoulder in this way that was supposed to be friendly but ends up being awkward and weird. “Sure do.”

  I gape at Dad. He shakes his head, snapping out of it, and steps forward. “I’m Nick—I mean Blue’s—father.”

  The guy sends him another one of his bright smiles. “Ah, his manager, then?”

  Dad turns to me, completely unsure what to say.

  I rub the back of my head. “Uh…I don’t really have a manager.” Didn’t think I would need one.

  “Well, then you’d better get one. You think I’m the only one who wants you?”

  “Wants me?”

  He nods.

  “For?”

  He throws his hands up. “Everything. Kid, you’re not just a superhero. You’re an icon.”

  An icon? No thank you. I just want to be normal. Maddie’s right. Someone like me can never be normal.

  “Take my card.” He holds it out to me.

  “You already gave me one.”

  He puts it in my hand. “Then take another. You can never have too many cards.” He winks. “Let me know if you want to learn more about my offer. Think about it. Your own TV show.” He puts his hand on my shoulder. “And remember, I got to you first.”

  He lowers his sunglasses onto his eyes and walks out of the theater.

  I stare after him. “What the heck just happened?”

 
; Dad’s also staring at the guy, who gets into this fancy car. “I think you were just offered to be on TV.”

  What the hell? It’s bad enough I need to be a superhero, keep up with school, be a boyfriend, and catch those guys who kidnapped Kaylee and me. I don’t have time to be on TV. Are these people crazy?

  “The Blue Masked Hero!” Something’s in my face, then a mouth presses to mine. What the…?

  The person—a girl who seems to be a year or two younger than me—pulls off and beams at me. “Be my boyfriend!”

  That’s it. I’ve had enough. Grabbing Dad, I go invisible and shoot in the air. No more Mr. Nice Guy. I need space.

  Autographs and pictures are one thing. So is the TV show. But one thing I won’t allow is random girls kissing me. Maybe that’d be most guys’ dreams, but not mine. I’d never hurt Maddie. And even if I wasn’t with her, I wouldn’t let these girls throw themselves at me. It’s not right.

  I zoom us home and drop down on the ground. Dad looks around, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Did you just…?”

  “Make us invisible and fly home? Yeah.”

  “Amazing.”

  Quiet. He looks at me and I look at him. Is he thinking about the girl who kissed me? Because that was really weird and awkward.

  “Sorry for today,” I tell Dad.

  “That’s all right. I got to spend time with you. That’s all that matters. Though, I can’t say I’ve ever had such a crazy day as I did today.”

  I laugh. “Just a typical day in the life of the Blue Masked Hero.”

  Dad puts his hand on my arm. “I didn’t realize how hard it is for you.”

  “It’s not usually so hard. I mean, that’s never happened before. Hordes of people asking for my autographs and pics. I didn’t realize how much they like me.”

  “You’re a symbol of hope to them,” he tells me. “Especially to that little girl in the wheelchair.”

  “Christina. Yeah.”

  The front door of our house opens and Matt sticks his head out. “Good you’re back. Mom was worried something happened to you. Last we heard you disappeared in the theater.”

  Is the news seriously watching my every move?

  “I need a break.” I enter the house. Kaylee’s bouncing on her feet. “Can you sign some autographs for me? I bet kids at school are gonna want them and if I give them some, I’m gonna be popular.”

  I plop down on the couch, totally spent. Kaylee jumps on my stomach. “Nick? Did you hear me?”

  “Kaylee, leave Nick alone.” Mom says from the doorway. “Nick, are you okay?”

  My eyes can barely stay open. “Fine.”

  The couch sinks as she sits down. “I told you to stop with this whole superhero thing. You didn’t listen to me.”

  I shut my eyes. “Mom, can we please not talk about this now?”

  She pushes some hair off my forehead. “Okay, honey. Kaylee, Nick won’t be signing autographs for you. He’s your brother, not a quick way for you to gain popularity. You understand?”

  “Yes, Mommy. I’m sorry, Nick.”

  I barely hear her. Sleep washes over me like a tidal wave.

  Chapter Ten

  Saturday morning, I wake up on the couch. A blanket is pulled up to my chin. Did I fall asleep here last night? I was so tired I crashed as soon as my head hit the pillow.

  Everything comes back to me, how all those people bombarded me. I don’t know if I can handle that stuff again. Being a superhero can get really nuts sometimes.

  And that girl who kissed me? I hope Maddie didn’t see that on TV.

  Pushing my blanket aside, I sit up and turn on the news. Sure enough there I am, at the theater surrounded by all those people. The reporter is talking about how great it was for my fans to meet me and take pictures.

  Fans.

  I shake my head. Don’t think I’m ever going to get used to that. Can’t I just be a superhero without the attention? I mean, it’s great that I’m inspiring people, but it just feels weird.

  My phone beeps. I’ve got many texts and missed calls. Some from Maddie, a few from Mom from last night. She wanted to know if Dad and I were okay. I’m actually surprised I didn’t get mauled by the crowd. They were good people, though. I wonder why the haters didn’t show up. I guess I should count my blessings.

  Maddie’s texts are similar to my mom’s, asking how I’m doing. But the last one, where she asks me if I’m awake, tells me to get my butt to her house as fast as I can. Her mom and stepdad aren’t home and she needs to tell me something important.

  I want to watch the news some more, but I’d better head over to Maddie’s. I hear Mom in the kitchen working on lunch. It’s nearly twelve in the afternoon. I don’t remember when was the last time I slept in so late.

  After getting dressed and dumping some dry cereal into my mouth, I tell Mom I’m going next door. She stops me before I get out.

  “You’re going to Maddie?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What are you going to do there?”

  I just stand there, not getting where she’s going with this. “Mom, Maddie’s my best friend.”

  “Who also happens to be your girlfriend. You know your father and I don’t want you two to be alone together. Also, after last night, I want you to stay home and take it easy.”

  “I’m fine. Look, I really need to go.”

  I leave the house. I hate disobeying my mother like that, but she’s got no clue what Maddie and I are dealing with. The fact that Maddie asked me to come quickly must mean she found something about that secret organization. Who knows? Maybe she finally found some dirt on her mom.

  Instead of using the front door, I float up to her window and knock on the glass. Not even a second passes before she sticks her head out. “Finally. I’ve been texting you all morning.”

  “I slept in.”

  She pulls me into her room and shuts the window. But before she turns around, she scans outside, like she’s looking for someone.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask.

  “Just making sure you weren’t being followed.”

  I sit down on her bed. “What did you want to tell me?”

  She joins me. “There are a few things I want to show you. Let’s start with the easy one.”

  “Aren’t we supposed to go snooping for info on the organization?”

  She nods. “Don’t worry. We have the entire house to ourselves for hours. Mom and Step Loser won’t be back until tomorrow morning.”

  I wish I could spend the night here, just so she wouldn’t be so lonely. But of course I can’t.

  “What?” she asks.

  I snap into it. “Huh?”

  “You’re looking at me funny.”

  I lean back against the wall. “Was just thinking how much it sucks that you have to be here alone. All night.”

  She studies me. “What are you saying?”

  I shrug. “Just that it sucks. For me, the house is never quiet. Kaylee’s always being Kaylee and Matt snores like an elephant.”

  She laughs. “I like the loneliness. It gives me a chance to think.”

  “Yeah, I guess. I’d offer to stay with you, but I think my parents would murder me. They just can’t deal with the fact that I’ve got a girlfriend. Maybe because Matt has never really been serious with a girl and they don’t know how to handle me. I mean, us. I mean everything. It’s like they think we’re going to…uh…never mind.”

  For the first time, I actually feel uncomfortable around Maddie. She seems to feel it, too, because she gets up and walks to her closet. Opening it, she pretends to look for something. She shuts it.

  “So…” I say.

  “So…”

  “You told me to get my butt here. Something about it being urgent?”

  She grabs her laptop off her desk and sits down. She places it on our knees. “I don’t like giving you bad news or hurting you, but I think you need to see this.”

  She opens a web browser and types in an address. A pinkish p
age loads. It’s called “Nicole Tells All.”

  My gut sinks. I think I know what this is.

  “She didn’t just talk to the media,” Maddie tells me. “She started a blog.”

  I scan the posts. Blue Masked Hero: He’s not what he seems.

  We need to put an end to the Blue Masked Hero

  Nick McGuire, the worst superhero we can have.

  The posts go on and on. All are about what a complete failure I am. She seems to get many hits, since the comments section is exploding. Some agree with her, some don’t.

  Maddie shuts the laptop and presses it to her chest. “Sorry. I just wanted to be the one to tell you about it before someone else does.”

  This shouldn’t bother me. So what if Nicole created a blog to crap on me? And yeah she’s got many followers, but so what? So many people supported me yesterday. None that I know of were haters. Those are the ones I should be paying attention to, not her.

  “Can I see more?” I ask before I can stop myself.

  She clutches the laptop tighter. “I think it’s better if you didn’t. One guy…never mind. I don’t even know why I brought it up.”

  “Because you know it’s the right thing to do. Tell me, please.”

  She sighs. “One of the guys at the theater only went there because Nicole asked him to. She put up a pic of you and she totally manipulated it to look like you were hurting him. It’s um, it caused a little bit of a commotion.”

  I swallow. “Let me see.”

  Sighing once again, she does as I ask. Clicking through the posts, I find it. I don’t remember the guy—there were so many people. He doesn’t go to our school. He’s short with a buzz cut and glasses. I’m standing next to him in the theater with my arm over his shoulder. Someone tampered with it, making it look like electricity shoots of my hand, aiming at his heart. The caption under the pic says, “If Nathan didn’t move away at the second, he wouldn’t be alive right now.”

  Maddie’s right, the pic is getting a lot of attention. Many commenters are saying that they don’t trust me.

  I slam the laptop shut. “Don’t they know I don’t have electricity? Man, people would believe anything.” I cross my arms over my chest, staring at the floor.