Rise of the Evening Star

Case lifted a forkful of lasagna to his toothless mouth, affording Kendra a glimpse of his narrow black tongue.

Watching him chew made her stomach churn.

So what do you do for fun around here ? Case asked around a mouthful of carrots.

We start by sitting with people we know, Trina said.

Kendra covered a smile. She had never been so grateful to see Trina giving somebody a hard time.

Is this the cool kids’ table? Case replied with mock surprise.

I’d planned to start at the bottom and work my way up. The comeback left Trina speechless. Case winked at

Alyssa, to show he meant no harm. For a scab-faced goblin, he was pretty smooth.

You’ve been in some of my classes, Case said to

Kendra, wolfing down more lasagna. English and Math. It was hard to look into those squinty eyes and keep her face pleasant.

That’s right, Kendra managed.

I don’t have to take the finals, he said. I finished up7 at my old school. I’m just here to hang out and meetpeople.

That’s how I feel, Brittany said. But Kendra and

Alyssa get like straight A’s.

You know, Case said, I hate going to the movies alone, but I have no friends yet. You guys want to catch a show tonight?

Sure, Brittany said.

Kendra was stunned by the outlandish bravado of asking out four girls all at once on the first day at a new school.

This was the smoothest goblin of all time! What was he after?

I’ll come, Alyssa said.

Okay, Trina agreed. If you’re on your best behavior, I

might even let you sign my yearbook.

I don’t give autographs, Case replied offhandedly.

Kendra, you coming?

Kendra hesitated. How could she sit through an entire movie beside a foul monster? But how could she abandon her friends when she was the only person who knew what they were getting into? Maybe, she conceded.

The crusty goblin took a final bite of lasagna. How about we meet outside the theater at seven? The one on

Kendall by the mini mall. Just trust to luck that something good will be playing. The other girls agreed as he stood up and walked away.

Kendra watched her friends talk animatedly about Case.

He had won Alyssa at first sight. Brittany was an easy sell.

And Trina was the sort of girl who liked to be catty but then8 got attracted if the guy stood up to her. Kendra supposed shewould have been impressed herself if she didn’t know he was a revolting monster.

There was no way she could tell her friends the truth about Case. Any accusations would sound crazy. But he was almost certainly up to something shady.

There was only one person in her whole town whom

Kendra could tell about her situation. And he wasn’t exactly her most reliable acquaintance.

Seth lined up against Randy Sawyer. Randy was quick, but short. Seth had started the school year a bit shorter than most of the boys in his grade, but was finishing the year taller than average. The best strategy against Randy would be to go long and make the most of his height advantage.

Spencer McCain hiked the football to himself and dropped back. Four boys went out, while four others covered.

One defender stayed at the line counting alligators. Seth jerked like he was going to cut across the field, then raced straight for the end zone. Spencer lofted a high spiral. The pass was a little short, but coming back for it, Seth out jumped

Randy and hauled it in. Randy immediately tagged

Seth with both hands, downing him just shy of Chad

Dupree’s sweatshirt, which marked the front of the end zone.

Third and goal, Spencer declared, jogging down the field.

Seth! a voice exclaimed. Seth turned. It was Kendra.

His sister didn’t usually talk to him at school. Roosevelt9 Middle School was sixth through eighth grades, so Seth wasat the bottom of the pecking order after having ruled his elementary school the previous year.

Just a second, Seth called to Kendra. The guys were lining up. Seth got into position. Spencer hiked the football to himself, then threw a short interception to Derek Totter.

Seth didn’t even bother chasing Derek. He was the fastest kid in their grade. Derek dashed all the way to the opposite end zone.

Seth trotted over to Kendra. Bringing good luck as usual? he said.

That was a weak pass.

Spencer only gets to quarterback because he throws the best spirals. What’s up?

I need you to come see something, Kendra said.

Seth folded his arms. This was all very uncommon. She wasn’t just talking to him at school, she wanted him to go someplace with her?

We’re kicking off! Randy yelled.

I’m in the middle of a game, Seth told her.

This is Fablehaven-type stuff.

Seth turned to his friends. Sorry! I have to quit for a while. He and Kendra headed off together. What is it?

You know how I can still see magical creatures?

Yeah.

There was a new student in some of my classes today, she explained. He’s pretending to be human, but he’s actually an ugly monster.

No way.11 My friends think he’s cute. I can’t see what he lookslike. I want you to describe him to me.

Where is he? Seth asked.

Over there, talking to Lydia Southwell, Kendra said, pointing subtly.

The blond kid?

I don’t know. Red and black shirt?

He is cute! Seth gushed.

What does he look like?

He has the dreamiest eyes.

Knock it off, Kendra demanded.

He must be thinking the most beautiful thoughts.

Seth, I’m serious! The bell rang, announcing the end of lunch.

He’s really a monster? Seth asked.

He looks a little like the creature who came in through the window on Midsummer Eve, Kendra said.

The one I salted?

Yes. What is he pretending to look like?

Is this a joke? Seth asked suspiciously. He’s just some new kid you have a crush on, isn’t he? If you’re scared, I can go ask for his phone number.

I’m not messing around. Kendra swatted him on the arm.

He looks athletic. He’s got a dent in his chin. Blond hair. It’s kind of messy, but cool. Like it’s on purpose. He could probably get a part on a soap opera. Good enough?

Not bald and covered in scabs and pus? Kendra verified.

Nope. Is he really all disgusting?

He makes me want to puke. Thanks, see you later.

Kendra hurried away.

Mr. Soap Opera was also moving away, still chatting with Lydia Southwell. For a monster, he had good taste. She was one of the cutest girls in the school.

Seth figured he had better get to class. Mr. Meyers had threatened to give him detention if he was late again.

* * * *

Kendra sat in silence as Dad chauffeured her to the movie theater. She had tried to persuade Alyssa not to go.

Alyssa had started to act suspicious that Kendra secretly wanted Case all to herself, and since Kendra could not tell her friend the truth, she had to drop it. In the end, Kendra had decided to join them, concluding that she could not leave her friends alone with a scheming goblin.