After doing homework and having dinner together, May-fee and Sara each went to their rooms. May-fee took her clothes off, shifted into her true form, and put on her nightgown. Then, she sat on the edge of the bed, holding Anna up in front of her.

“This was an eventful day, don’t you think?” she asked the doll.

“Yes, mama,” the doll replied. Hearing Anna speak startled May-fee and she dropped the doll on the floor. “Ouch!” May-fee poked her gently with one of her talons. “That tickles, mama. Can you pick me up now?“ May-fee did so.

“How are you talking?” May-fee asked. “Are you a poltergeist? Earthbound spirit? Demon?“

“No, mama. I’m still the same doll that comforted you in the darkness. It’s just I can talk now.”

“Why couldn’t you before?“

“I wasn’t old enough, yet. This is my birthday. I’m 100 years old.“

“So you came to life? This is so cool! I have to show Sara!”

***

Sara was in her nightgown, brushing her long hair, when there was a knock on her door. “Sara, are you still up? I want to show you something.” it was May-fee’s voice.

“Just a minute.” May-fee’s at my door? At night? She wants to show me something. Could it be? Is something about to happen? Do I want something to happen?

“Sara?”

“Almost ready.” Should I wear my robe? Should I be naked? What if she is? It’s all so sudden. Screw it! I’m fine like I am. Sara went to her door, opened it, and spread her arms to embrace May-fee. But, it wasn’t May-fee’s face that met her. Instead it was two button eyes and a tuft of yarn hair.

“Listen, listen! She can talk. Say something, Anna.”

“Mama!”

Sara dropped her arms.

“Say something else.”

“Mama!”

“No, say something different. Tell Sara ‘hello’.”

Sara’s eyebrow began to twitch. This is what I got all worked up for?

“Hello!”

“See? See? Isn’t it cool?“

I’m such an idiot. Sara closed the door on the pair. “Go away!”

May-fee, perplexed, looked at Anna. “Was it something we said?”

***

The next morning when Sara and May-fee began their commute to school, they were approached by two girls. They were twins, they were tall, and they had muscles to put most boys to shame. One wore a green tank top and the other wore blue. Their hair was up in ponytails, and they wore athletic pants.

“Ms. May-fee,“ the girl in green started, “I am Emma and this is Irma. We’re on the girl’s wrestling team.”

“We’ve been sent to escort you safely to school,” Irma said.

Sara asked, “What for?”

“Yesterday at lunch, Katherine threatened Ms. May-fee,“ said Irma.

“She doesn’t make idle threats. At least, that is what the president said,“ Emma added. “So here we are. Will you let us protect you?“

“Do what you want,“ May-fee answered and started walking again, The two girls took position to the left and right of May-fee.

“This is ridiculous,” Sara muttered. The four walked quietly, the twins scanning around for any threats. After a couple minutes, they were approaching a large tree by the sidewalk. When they were about 20 feet away, a boy jumped out from behind, holding a mighty soaker filled with a red substance. He immediately started shooting.

“Assassin!” Emma called out as she interposed her body between the red stream and May-fee. The red substance quickly covered Emma’s face and chest. Irma made May-fee get down on the ground. After running out of ammo, the boy turned tail and ran.

“I know you!“ Sara yelled. “Run while you can!” The boy son was out of sight. Irma helped May-fee get up.

Emma had fallen to her knees. “It is an honor to die for you, Ms. May-fee!“ She said before toppling over.

“Emma! No!” Irma cried before kneeling next to her sister and starting to sob. “It’s too soon!”

May-fee stood over them. “I shall scribe your name into the book of Valhalla!” she declared.

Sara stuck her finger in the substance and smelled it. “It’s just pasta sauce, you dorks!”

Emma sat up. “I’ve been revived!”

Irma hugged her sister. “You’re OK!“ Then she felt the sauce start to soak into her shirt. “Oops.”

“You two are in no condition to go to school. You should go home and clean up.” Sara advised.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“But our duty!” Emma objected.

Sara pointed with her thumb at the baseball bat sticking out of her backpack. “I’ll take it from here.”

The sisters looked at each other and helped each other up. “Maybe she’s right. We foiled their plan,” Irma said.

“Ok, thanks, Sara.” Emma agreed and the two of them went on their way.

Sara looked at May-fee. “I’m glad we got an early start today.“

The rest of their commute was uneventful and they crossed the threshold of the classroom just as the first bell rang.

“Congratulations, you two.” Mr. Pliney commented as he applauded softly. “Now, sit down, please.” Nicci gave May-fee a little wave as she sat down. “We have a couple announcements before we get started. First, the End of Summer Invitational Dance is this Friday evening. Boys, you have until Thursday to make and deliver your invitations and cast your vote for Summer Queen in the office. Girls, make sure your locker name plates are in good shape, at least if you want to be invited. Friday morning, your votes will be tallied. The girl with the most will be crowned the Summer Queen at the dance.”

“One guess who that’ll be,“ one student muttered.

“Maybe not. I bet May-fee will give Kathy some competition,“ said another.

“The second announcement...”

“Mama!” A voice interrupted the teacher.

Mr Pliney turned around. “Beg pardon?” He saw Anna sitting on his desk. “What’s this about?” There were a couple snickers in the class. May-fee looked at her bag, perplexed, but Anna wasn’t there. “Isn’t this your doll, Ms Ellis?”

May-fee walked over to the desk to get Anna. “How did you get up here?” she asked.

“I walked, mama.” There were some more chuckles and giggles.

“You shouldn’t go wandering off alone.”

“It was only a few feet, mama.” Mr Pliney cleared his throat.

May-fee carried the doll back to her desk. “Don’t disrupt class, Anna”

“That’s my line,“ Mr Pliney interjected. “Your vintriloquism is impressive, but save it for the talent show. That’s the other announcement. The talent show is a week from Friday. Be sure to sign up at the cafeteria bulletin board if you want to compete. Any questions? No? Then open your textbooks to page 137.”

***

Later, at lunch time, May-fee and Sara went to the cafeteria. A girl wearing an apron and carrying a basket stopped them. “Hello, Ms May-fee. I’m Connie. I represent the home-ec club and we prepared a special lunch for you! Will you do is the honor of accepting?” She held the basket out to May-fee. Sara watched quietly from the side.

“Sit with us, Connie,” May-fee invited.

“Re...really?” Connie blushed.

“Come on, you two.“ May-fee led them to a nearby table. Taking a quick look around the cafeteria, she saw Nicci sitting alone at a corner table. “Sit. I’ll be right back.” She walked over to Nicci, and without saying a word she picked up her tray, turned, and headed back to the first table.

“Hey!” Nicci protested. “What are you doing?” May-fee set the tray opposite her place at the table. She smiled at Nicci, and pulled out the chair.

“Won’t you join us?“

Nicci hesitated, but finally stood up and went over.

The four of them sat down. “Let’s see this special lunch,” May-fee said, opening the basket. There were two 6 inch deli sandwiches and some fresh baked cookies. “Looks delicious!“ May-fee broke the sandwiches in two and handed each girl one. There were conveniently 4 cookies, which she also divided up.“Let’s eat!“ May-fee declared. So they did.

Sara watched this in silence, her heart beating a little faster when she looked at May-fee. The three looked happy eating together without saying much. When May-fee looked back, Sara quickly looked away, blushing.

A few tables away, Katherine and her ‘angels’ were watching. “Look at that slut. Making friends with losers.”

“How could she pick them over you? What a bitch.” Lori added.

If May-fee heard them, she didn’t let it show.

***

Near to the end of the school day, there was an announcement over the p.a. for May-fee to go to the student counsel room. When she got there, she was met by a tall girl with voluminous blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She wore a leather vest over a white tube top and leather pants and boots.

“May-fee, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person. I’m president Brittany of both the student council and your fan club.”

“There really is a fan club? So you’re the one that sent Emma and Irma.”

“Correct! I heard Kathy had threatened you. She doesn’t make idle threats.”

“So you think she sent that boy to sauce me?”

“I know so.”

“Well, thanks, I guess. But what do you want?“

“Straight to business, eh? You’ve made quite a stir in the two days you’ve been here. You’re an influencer, and I like to befriend influencers. I don’t suppose you’d be interested in joining the student council?“

“Not really.“

“It was worth a shot. Anyway, you’ve polarized the student body by declaring war on Kathy.”

“All I did was say she is dumb.“

“Which embarrassed her. She’s a spiteful girl. Has most everyone fooled, but I know her. She will keep trying until she gets even.“

May-fee shrugged. “Whatever. I can handle her.”

“She has allies, even among the teachers. I’m just offering you the protection of the student council.”

“I’m fine.“

Brittany smiled. “I knew you’d say that, but would be remiss not to offer, as leader of your fan club and all. Well, just know you can request aid if you wish.”

“Is that all?“

“Yeah. You can go.“

And May-fee did just that. She saw Sara at her locker.

“I’ve got softball practice. You can come watch if you want.”

“Maybe next time,“ May-fee replied.

Sara looked a little disappointed. “I’ll see you at the dorm later, then.“

They parted, and May-fee slowly made her way outside through the people that wanted to chitchat with her. When she did get outside, she saw Nicci leaning against the building, smoking a cigarette. When Nicci saw her, she put out her cigarette and walked towards May-fee.

“Would you like to walk home with me?” Nicci asked. She seemed a little scared to ask, but did so anyway.

“Ok,”

“Cool.” They started walking. “Um, about yesterday...”

“It’s ok.”

“Thanks. Please do keep it a secret, though.”

“Why? What’s going on that you have to hide?“

“I... don’t want to talk about it.“

“Hm. Ok, then.”

“Thanks. So I heard you say you made your dress yourself?”

“Yep! Do you like it?”

“It’s very creative.”

“Do you like to sew?”

“Actually, yes, I do.” Nicci smiled a little.

“Did you make your dress?“

“Well, no. My mom did. But after she left... well...I altered it to fit me.”

“What do you like to make?“

“I have a lot of alone time at home, so I like knitting. I’ll show you some of my stuff, sometime. If you’re interested, I mean.“

“Sounds fun.“

“So ... I don’t have many friends ...”

“We’re friends now. We ate lunch together.”

“It’s really that easy?” She laughed awkwardly.

“Sure is.”

“You know, I really don’t want to go home just yet. Would you have some tea with me? My treat. There’s a cute café on the way.”

May-fee agreed, and they were soon in front of the Celestial Percolator. The aroma of coffee wafted through an open window. There was a help wanted poster on the door. The two of them entered, sat down, and gave the waitress their orders. They continued to chat about sewing and their orders arrived. Before they took a sip though, Nicci’s phone beeped. When she looked at it, the color drained from her face.

“I..I’m sorry. I have to go. Please stay and enjoy your tea.”

May-fee asked, “What’s wrong?“

“Nothing. Nothing. I just forgot about something important.” Her voice was wobbly and her body trembled. May-fee wasn’t fooled, Something was very wrong.

“Nicci.,,”

“I’m OK. Please, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Nicci put some money on the table then quickly left, her tea untouched. May-fee followed her out. Nicci was sprinting and already half a block away. May-fee ran, too, not letting her out of her sight. Nicci didn’t seem to notice.

“Something is wrong, mama,“ Anna said.

“I know, and I’m going to get to the bottom of it.”

***