Rise of the Evening Star Page 0,3

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.

What movie are you seeing? Dad asked.

We're going to figure it out when we get there, Kendra said. Don't worry ---- nothing racy. Kendra wished she could tell her father about her predicament, but he knew nothing about the magical properties of the preserve Grandpa and

Grandma Sorenson managed. He thought it was just a normal estate.

You're sure that you're ready for finals?

I've been keeping up with my assignments all year. It will just take a quick review. I'll ace them. Kendra wished she could talk to her Grandpa Sorenson about the situation.

She had tried to call. Unfortunately, the only number her11 12 parents had for him led repeatedly to a recorded messageinforming her that the call could not be completed as dialed.

The only other way she knew to contact him was through the mail. So, just in case the phone was out for a while, she had written Grandpa a letter describing the situation, which she planned to mail the next day. It felt good to lay out her predicament to somebody besides Seth, even if it was just on paper. Hopefully she would get through by phone even before the letter arrived.

Dad pulled into the movie theater parking lot. Alyssa and Trina were standing out front. Beside them stood a hideous goblin wearing a T-shirt and khakis.

How do I know when to pick you up? Dad asked.

I told Mom I would call on Alyssa's cell phone.

Okay. Have fun.

Not very likely, Kendra thought as she stepped out of the

SUV.

Hey, Kendra, Case rasped. She could smell his cologne ten feet away.

We were getting worried you weren't coming, Alyssa said.

I'm right on time, Kendra insisted. You guys were early.

Let's pick a movie, Trina said.

What about Brittany? Kendra asked.

Her parents wouldn't let her come, Trina said.

They're making her study.

Case clapped his hands together. So what are we seeing?13 They negotiated for a couple of minutes. Case wanted tosee Medal of Shame, about a serial killer addicted to terrorizing veterans who had won the Congressional Medal of

Honor. He finally relented on watching his action movie when Trina promised to buy him popcorn. The winning movie was Switching Places, the story of a nerdy girl who gets to date the guy of her dreams after her mind gets swapped into the body of the most popular girl in school.

Kendra had wanted to catch that movie, but now she worried it would be ruined. Nothing like cuddling up to a bald goblin during a cheesy chick flick.

As she had suspected, Kendra had a tough time focusing on the movie. Trina sat on one side of Case, with Alyssa on the other. Both were vying for his attention. They all shared a jumbo bucket of popcorn. Kendra declined whenever they offered her some. She wanted no part of anything those warty hands had pawed.

By the time the credits were rolling, Case had an arm around Alyssa. The two of them kept whispering and giggling.

Trina sat with her arms crossed, wearing a disgruntled expression. Monster or not, when had any good come from multiple girls going out together with a guy they were all interested in?

Case and Alyssa held hands as they exited the theater.

Trina's mom was waiting in the parking lot. Trina said a terse good-bye and stalked away.

Can I use your cell phone? Kendra asked. I need to call my dad.

Sure, Alyssa said, handing it over.14 You want a ride? Kendra asked as she dialed.I'm not that far, Alyssa said. Case said he would walk me.

The goblin gave Kendra a strange, sly smile. For the first time, she wondered if Case was aware that she knew his true identity. He seemed to be gloating that there was nothing she could do about it.

Kendra tried to keep her expression neutral. Mom answered the phone, and Kendra reported that she needed to be picked up. She handed the phone back to Alyssa. Isn't that a pretty long walk? You can both have a ride.

Alyssa gave Kendra a look that questioned why she was deliberately trying to ruin something spectacular. Case put an arm around her shoulders, leering.

Alyssa, Kendra said firmly, taking her hand, I need