Whats that in the sky?
Its a bird… Its a plane… Its… aflyingman?
Always, I said as I fell into step beside her on the bustling sidewalk.
Credit: Switch Press
I was determined to do my part for its opening weekend success.
Support the things you love with your dollars .
and make your friends support them too.
Sarah Jane Sanders
Especially when journalism is involved.
This was my motto.
Or one of them, anyway.
James had volunteered to get to the theater early to procure tickets.
Id needed to stop by theScoopoffices en route.
You got the tickets, right?
I asked James by way of greeting as we met in front of the old-school marquee.
Devin said, Is that what he was supposed to do?
I think he forgot.
My eyes narrowed at James, but he reached into his pocket and fanned out white ticket stubs.
Very funny, Dev, he said.
Youre risking my life and limb.
Although I think we may be the only people at this showing.
She tossed her head to get a lock of hot-pink-streaked hair out of her face.
But lately she hadnt been shy at all.
Lets hear it, then, I said, crossing my arms.
Thats because people are barbarians, Maddy declared.
Anavi and Melody were talking to each other about something else.
But I looked over to find Dante glancing back and forth as he followed our conversation.
I felt a momentary pang for him, watching us quip at each other.
Even after dating Maddy for months, he sometimes looked like he was standing outside a secret clubhouse.
I knew that feeling.
In fact, I knew it much better than the feeling of being inside the clubhouse.
Soon wed be out of school for the summer, free to spend every day working at theScoop.
Peoplearebarbarians, I said.
At least ones who dont appreciate Nellie.
Everybody pay James back.
I passed James some money and so did the others.
In exchange, he handed over our tickets.
He didnt need the money, but it was the principle of the thing.
We proceeded into the theater, and Anavi noticed me eyeing the concession stand.
Would you like to split an assortment of refreshments?
Trust Anavi to use a word like refreshments instead of snacksshe was a former spelling bee champ.
If youre talking about the giant tub of popcorn Im about to buy, then yes, I said.
The others got candy and drinks too, and then we made our way down the grand aisles.
Sure, it wasnt a stadium-seating theater, but it was the nicest one Id ever been in.
There was a vaulted ceiling with mosaic detail, and velvet lined the walls and the seats.
Maddy selected a row halfway down.
When Dante started to go in first, she stopped him.
Girls in this row, and you boys can sit behind us, she said.
He raised his eyebrows.
Was it me or had her tone been strained?
Dante stepped back around Maddy with a shrug and dropped a kiss on her cheek.
James watched all this, then moved aside to let Dante in the boys row.
Months ago, James had revealed to me that he had developed the worlds largest crush on Maddy.
Shed long carried a torch for him, but she had just met Dante.
So Id talked James into not doing anything about his feelings for Maddy.
I had no idea whether he continued to pine, and his expression told me nothing.
Given that all my Metropolis friends were around me, there was only one person this could be.
SmallvilleGuy:Did you make it?
It hasnt started yet.
Wish you were here.
SmallvilleGuy:Me too.
I wanted to let you know I wont be able to meet later in the gameBess needs some TLC.
Oh no, I muttered.
Maddy asked, and I glanced over at her.
Oh, just Bess the cows pregnancy, I explained.
Shes having a tough one.
Maddy bit her lip, obviously to keep in laughter.
Im ignoring you, I said.
SkepticGirl1:Crossing my fingers.
SmallvilleGuy:Miss you until then.
Im keeping my silence on this one, Anavi said.
Melody leaned over from Anavis other side.
You still havent met this guy in person?
Shhh, I said, grateful for the dimming of the theater lights.
I retrieved the popcorn from Maddy.
Saved by the cinema, Devin said behind me.
No, we hadnt met yet.
And I still didnt know his actual name.
But I felt like we knew everything else about each othereverything else that mattered.
Wed gotten closer and closer over the past months.
Which meant the physical distance between us was sometimes downright painful.
The movie proved to be perfectly cast and was heart- thumpingly exciting.
I knew Nellie made it safely out of every situation to write her exposes.
When she posed as a factory girl, my heart swelled with sadness at the exploitation she observed.
I felt almost dazed when we emerged into the night two and a half hours later.
c’mon give that movie every Oscar, I said.
If any of you didnt like it, dont tell me.
Anyone want to ride-share?
The others demurred, but Devin nodded.
I should have said yes, but I wanted to walk to the subway alone.
I needed time to process my thoughts.
Ill see you guys at school tomorrow.
We waved and I gave Maddy and Anavi a hug, then exchanged a nod with Melody.
Given how heavy it was, itd be awhile.
I didnt mind standing here, waiting, though.
After that movie, I had things on my mind.
It had left me with a distinct craving.
Nellie Bly didnt wait for them to come to her.
The last six months had been good, and wed done some important work.
But none of it front-page-of-the-Daily-Planetlevel important.
Something Id learned from the whole big story clearing the ex-Mayor was that the little stories mattered too.
I wasnt above them.
And I had needed to learn to be more patient.
bringing down the bad guys?
Restoring a good guys honor?
That was heady stuff.
And, okay, I enjoyed having my name on the front page of theDaily Planet.
Little stories didnt end up there as often.
Wed been watching for jerky mad scientist jot down Dabney Donovan to resurface.
Thered been no leads.
He avoided tech networks like the plague, preferring paper records.
So far, nothing.
We needed to find Donovan and figure out how to take him down.
Suddenly, I wished I was going to the office instead of home.
Nellie had inspired me.
We shouldnt be waiting around for Donovan to reemerge.
I preferred to chase my stories, not the other way around.
Then there was the whole mess related to the person who went by the mysterious online handle TheInventor.
He ran a message board called Strange Skies, catering to fans of weird, unexplained phenomena.
It was where I had first encountered my online friend-who-was-more-than-a-friend, SmallvilleGuy.
The game was also where SmallvilleGuy and I frequently hung out together these days.
Id asked for Devins help to track TheInventors movements online, but hed never been able to manage it.
The last time he tried was a couple of months ago now.
And Devin didnt know that I also suspected one of the people on said task force was my dad.
But I needed to make absolutely certain TheInventor was playing double agent before I pressed the issue with SmallvilleGuy.
Because SmallvilleGuy trusted him.
And SmallvilleGuy didnt trust easily.
I hated keeping secrets from SmallvilleGuy.
This, despite the fact he continued to keep his real identity a secret from me.
But I hadnt told SmallvilleGuy what I thought might be happening.
Or why I preferred meeting in the game to chatting on software designed by TheInventor.
Not until I had proof that TheInventor might be willing to put us in danger.
Or until I had proof that he had already put us in danger.
The street finally calmed enough for me to chance crossing, and so I did.
He was short and too skinny for his frame, shoulders and elbows jutting out beneath a faded T-shirt.
He had floppy brown hair on the right side of his head and a smooth shave on the other.
He lifted his hand in a sarcastic beauty-queen-style wave.
No sign of him anywhere on the block.
Great,I thought,now Im seeing things.
I took out my phone and sent Devin a text.
The least I could do tonight was pursue a lead on something.
Can you give tagging my Strange Skies pal TheInventor another shot?
Maybe hes been lured into a false sense of security.
Typing the words, I thought maybe they also applied to me over the last few months.
And I vowed: no more.
I turned around and discovered Maddy standing behind me.
Her T-shirt today was for Passive Attack.
I blew on my fingernails in a universal sign for success.
I aced that bio test.
Should make your dad happyand Principal Butler.
Maddy said it dryly.
She was fully aware of how little I cared about the loathsome principals regard for me.
James walked up and joined us.
Hey, he said, Im on my way to theScoop.
Anyone want to come along?
I did want to, but I couldnt.
I had an impromptu date with SmallvilleGuyhed said he had significant news and refused to divulge more.
Besides, Devin had also sent me a text after lunch saying that hed made progress on his task.
Maddy nodded to James.
Sure, Im headed there too.
I have an album to review.
Great, James said.
Dont worry about me, I said.
James asked, hesitating.
Not that we would, Maddy said.
Unless you were doing something crazy dangerous.
So I guess that means we would.
Have I done anything crazy dangerous lately?
I answered the question before they could.
It was the truth.
Winter had passed in what most people would describe as calm but I would call boring.
I could feel my cheeks getting a little hot.
There was one person in my life who was the opposite of boring.
Im meeting up with Devin here about something, and then I have somewhere to be .
Im not coming by the office today.
So go ahead without me.
She has an onlinedatewith her mystery boy, Maddy said.
Thats what she means.
I could tell by her air of glazed euphoria, James said.
He and Maddy grinned at each other.
I need to hit my locker before we go, Maddy said.
I heard my name and turned to see Devin at the end of the hall near the main exit.
Ill see you guys later.
Leaving the others behind, I walked toward Devin.
Of my fellowScoopstaffers, Devin was more like me than James and Maddy were.
Except unlike me, he had crazy good tech skills.
I hoped hed have some info on TheInventor.
I got him this time, Devin said.
He pushed initiate the door and held it for me.
He had on a slouchy gray T, jeans, and cool sneakers.
Fifth times the charm.
You really think so?
I asked Devin as we left school.
As usual, I wore jeans and my boots.
I kept my voice down, because we were still surrounded by our classmates.
Not that anyone was listening.
It was the post- last-bell exodus and no one was much in the mood to linger.
School buses pulled away from the curb.
I know so, Devin said.
And this worms so sleek, he wont even notice its there.
It should capture his activity so we know who hes in contact with and what hes sharing.
Excellent, I said.
You going to tell me what were looking for?
Youll know it when you see it, I told him.
Were looking for anything suspicious.
nonspecific, he said.
That was as specific as I was willing to get for the time being.
Devin was a good enough friend to agree to help me outwithout knowing the full story.
We stopped on the sidewalk down the block from school, the post-bell exit traffic starting to thin out.
The thing was, he looked an awful lot like the boy outside the theater last night.
Floppy hair, check.
But he turned away before I could get a good look at his face.
Weird.But it didnt seem possible the same guy from last night had turned up at school.
I shifted to face Devin.
You coming to the office?
Not tonight, I said, biting my lip against a smile.
Oh, I get it.
You have a date, he said, teasing.
But I was also grinning.
Go on, he said, serious again.
Ill ping you if I see anything .
I should have taken off, but I hesitated.
speaking of unusual, any sign of Donovan lately?
I mentally crossed my fingers.
Nada on that front, he said.
Id have led with it if there was.
He cant ghost forever, I said, hoping it was true.
I think we need to come up with a plan to track him down.
Okay, but why the sudden rush?
I just feel like weve been a little lazy about it.
If you say so, Devin said with a small frown.
He opened his mouth, but then just shook his head and lifted his hand in goodbye.
I wove through bodies on the sidewalk like a native Metropolitan.
Someone knocked into me hard, sending my breath out of my lungs and forcing me to the sidewalk.
Instead, I redirected, and my butt collided hard with the concrete.
I looked up to see whod knocked me over.
It was the boy whod been watching me.
And he was definitely the same one from yesterday.
He paused on the sidewalk ahead, his head crooked back toward me.
He was so thin that his cheeks had hollows.
I blinked at him in stunned confusion.
Then the backpack he wore caught my eye.
Itunlike the rest of himwas in perfect condition.
There was a symbol on the back, a round logo that struck me as familiar.
I squinted to get a better look, and noticed another odd thing as he started to move away.
His feetthey appeared to be coated in some kind of silver armor.
Also in pristine condition.
Then he really took off.
I scrambled to my non-armored feet as the boy put on a burst of speed.
It was some burst.
Whatever the armor was, it did the opposite of weigh him down.
He ran so fast he almost blurred as he dodged between people on the sidewalk.
The passersby reacted with startled steps back and exclama- tions.
So I wasnt hallucinating this.
I went after him as fast I could, which wasnt anywhere near fast enough.
The speed he used didnt seem .
possible.No oneran that fast.
I lost sight of him as he hung a right at the corner.
When I reached the end of the block, I turned and saw him at the next intersection.
Then he was gone again, taking a hard left.
Was helettingme follow him?
Not such a quick thinker, if you are, I said, jogging ahead.
When I reached the end of that block, though, I really had lost him.
The next street was quieter, and I scanned it hard in case I was missing something.
There were awnings over shops, some buildings that seemed unoccupied, and trees dotting the sidewalk.
A repurposed payphone booth covered in mural art sat near the corner.
There were only a few people out on the sidewalks.
None of them was the floppy-haired silver-foot with the backpack.
Is everything all right?
a womans voice asked.
There was a musical lilt to her voice, an accent I couldnt place.
He wasnt just leading me.
Hesalead.Everythings perfect, I said.
Glad to hear it, she said, then crossed the street, though the light hadnt changed yet.
I considered continuing up the street to see if I could find any trace of the rude speedy dude.
I even gave it a few more steps.
But he was nowhere to be seen.
I was alone, and I was in a hurry to get home.
Continuing this way would move me in the opposite direction.
Lets talk at school.
The boy had showed up and drawn my attention on purpose.
I was sure of that.
I had his scent now, and I wanted a closer look at that backpack decal.
I also owed him for knocking me down.
Thats my girl, he said, catching my arms to steady me.
Always in a rush.
He wore his dress uniform and Lucy was behind him, also in fancier clothes than normal.
Where he was shiny medals and ribbons, she was sedate baby-goth in a black dress.
Mom came down the stairs and was wearing a dress too.
Though hers wasnt fancy.
In a slate gray sheath with a jacket over top, she was the height of professionalism.
Her blond hair was smoothed back into a low ponytail.
Where are you guys going?
It would be just my luck to have blanked on a family obligation.
Theyre going to an airfield just outside the city for a reception.
Im going to teach my first class.
Do I look okay?
This was Moms first night teaching at a local college.
Shed always longed for the front of a classroom.
Dad smiled at her.
You look great,ProfessorLane, and youre going to do great.
Yeah, knock them dead, Mom, I said.
Or whatever the teaching version of Break a leg is.
I think its just Break a leg, sweetheart, Mom said, but she sounded less nervous.
She shouldered her purse, and then glanced down at my clothes.
Okay, so my jeans were a little the worse for my tumble on the street.
I, um, tripped leaving school.
It wasnt a complete falsehood.
Dad shook his head.
Try not to break anything while were out.
But lock up behind us anyway, Dad added.
As if I wouldnt have.
Things were strained between me and Dad these days.
Well, more strained than usual.
The weird undercurrent traced all the way back to my last big story.
Whether it was my fault or his didnt really matter.
We were both aware of it, but neither of us had mentioned it or tried to address it.
We just sniped at each other more than usual.
Christmas had been particularly awful.
I worried more that things between us wouldnt ever feel normal again.
The three of them left together, and, as directed, I locked the door behind them.
My phone was buzzing again.
And my stomach growled.
But that could wait.
I checked my phone.
It was SmallvilleGuy messaging me in our app.
SmallvilleGuy:ETA soon, or did something come up?
Or did you forget about me?
;)
SkepticGirl1:Be right there.
Race you to the game.
SkepticGirl1:(Never.)
I bounded up the stairs and went straight to my desk.
A little paranoia never hurt anyone.
I settled on my bed and pressed the button to power the holoset on, finally taking a breath.
A spray of lights focrused into the familiar, if ever-changing, landscape ofWorlds War Three.
Currently there was a storm-gray sky with scudding orange clouds above Devins newly reconstructed castle.
A pretty, red-scaled dragon flew overhead.
A familiar form split off from the dragon and flew down to land by my side.
This was one person Id never mistake for another, here in the game or anywhere.
Lanky, with black hair and light green-tinged skin, he was my favorite resident glasses-wearing alien: SmallvilleGuy.
I see how it is, I said with a fake pout.
I take a few extra seconds and Im replaced by a dragon.
Never, he said, grinning.
She doesnt have much personality, being computer-generated.
I kicked the ground with a bare foot.
You like me for my personality.
He had a good laugh.
Thats why I like you too, I said.
Our eyes connected, and our gazes held.
I cant believe I say this stuff out loud now.
Wed still never stood across from each other like this in real life.
And our relationshipwasreal.At least, I was almost certain it was.
But thisplacewas a simulation.
Thats what the sim part of the name was short for.
When SmallvilleGuy reached out and offered me his hand, I slipped mine into it.
The sensation of my hand enveloped in his felt real enough thatas usualmy brain was utterly convinced.
SmallvilleGuy smiled and swung my hand.
Nellie Bly is refusing to leave her side.
In a few more months, shed have a little brother or sister.
Sooo, whats the big surprise?
Can you turn into a dragon now?
Maybe this surprise would be kiss-worthy too.
No, he said, suddenly shy and studying my fingers in his.
Its not about the game.
Its a real-life thing.
My heart picked up speed.
I hadnt expected something real-life big.
I couldnt decode his expression.
My birthdays coming up in a couple of months.
He took a step, and I let him lead me across the grass toward the Lois Annex.
Youll have to tell me when it is so I can, um, get you something.
Though as I said it, I knew that was impossible.
I didnt know his address.
I couldnt send him anything.
Never mind, I blurted.
No, he said, quick.
Im not letting you off the hook.
I definitely want that present.
I felt like I was floating before our feet even left the ground.
He flew us up to a ledge with a bench and a window that overlooked the hillside.
The dragon was still visible off in the distance, sailing through the gray sky.
Um, okay, I said.
Telling you this is more embarrassing than I imagined.
He stared out the window, avoiding looking at me.
I feel a little goofy.
You imagined telling me this?
I gently hit his arm.
And youre feeling goofy?
I love it already.
Youre murdering me with this suspense.
He turned to face me again, and my breath caught in my throat for a moment.
I hoped he didnt notice.
I didnt want to spoil whatever his surprise was.
But he was looking at me with such intensity.
It legitimately short-circuited my brain and my nervous system along with it.
I asked, breathless.
Since you moved there, especially.
And you know I mentioned you to my mom a while back.
Still being murdered, I said.
He smiled, a shyness to it.
They gave me a choice of whatI wanted for my birthday.
A new laptop
Oh, thats great, I said, happy for him.
Even though it had also produced the nice side effect of allowing us to meet in the game.
As I was saying .
He smiled again, still nervous.
It made me like him even more.
They gave me a choice.
A new laptopora trip to Metropolis.
I chose the trip.
I knew my eyes were wide.
My mouth had dropped open.
It does, he said.
It means Im coming to Metropolis and we finally get to see each other.
Together, in real life.
I echoed his words, too overwhelmed to find my own.
Finally, I managed to ask, oh-so-articulately, Really?
He reached over and gathered my other hand in his again.
I clung to his hands, as if to convince myself this was truly happening.
And theres more to the surprise.
Im going to tell you my name.
I blurted, before I could think better of it.
Dont tell me now.
He arched his brows, puzzled.
Who could blame him?
Id asked him nightly for more than two years.
Its just, Id rather wait.
I felt my lips curve into a smile.
I want you to tell me when we meet.
Yes, Id asked him over and over again for his name.
Id reassured him he could trust me.
But now that it was a certainty, I wanted it to be when we werereallyacross from each other.
I needed to save some part of our meeting each other for trulymeeting.
Whatever you want, he said, at last.
Sure, the task force had been keeping a low profile.
We hadnt had any close calls in the past few months.
But I didnt want to risk it.
In person was the safest way.
I will probably hate myself later, because you know Im a total snoop.
His thumb rubbed across my hand, back and forth.
You know what Im not sure about?
That I can wait two more months.
My heart might as well have leapt out of my chest and landed at his feet.
I leaned in to give him a quick kiss.
I rested my avatars forehead against his.
It does seem like an awfully long time.
We smiled at each other, our in-game faces close, our real-world bodies states apart.
Oh, wow, I almost forgot, I said, pulling back.
I ran into this guy whos super-fast.
That straightened him up.
What do you mean, super-fast?
Like he ran faster than any normal person should be able to.
And actually, he ran into me.
He knocked me down on the street.
I leaned back against the stone wall.
And it was on purpose.
I saw him last night outside the movie theater too.
After he barreled into me he took off, but then he kept slow- ing down.
It seemed like it was so I could follow him.
He had some weird armor on his feet and a backpack with a logo on it.
I couldnt make it out, though.
SmallvilleGuy blinked at me.
He knocked you down?
Are you all right?
Stop worrying, worrier.
He reached up and touched my cheek.
You still showed up to meet me after that?
You didnt run straight to theScoop?
And it was worth it.
I wondered about something, though.
How fast can a regular person go, anyway?
He didnt even hesitate.
About twenty-eight miles per hourbut thats not regular-person speed.
Thats a professional running record.
Most people run eight miles per hour or so.
Gold star for sports trivia, I said.
Anyway, you know I plan to go all out to find him.
He looked back to me.
But be careful, okay?
Ill do my best.
As usual, that was the only promise I could make and have any chance of keeping it.
