Cape High Christmas: A Side Story (Cape High Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

HTV, which I'm feeling a bit sore about," Mega says, chiding him for a second before launching into his plans again, "I rented us an old theater! The entire building! We're going to pick out your favorite movies and bring in some of the black suits to man the place," he says, draping an arm over Ward's shoulders and tugging him along. "What's your favorite Christmas movie?"
    Ward just allows himself to be dragged, his mind shoving his plans aside and focusing on movies, instead. Mega is usually really annoying, he admits, but for once he feels happy that the guy is a force of nature (and massive ego.) Plus, Hanukah isn't even Christmas related, really, they just happen around the same time. "I dunno, Home Alone, maybe?" he offers. "How are we going to get them all there?"
    "Oh, I've already got the bus from the Hall lined up," Mega says. "Come on, I want to show you this theater--it's straight out of the fifties!"
    "Wait, I gotta tell Nico," Ward says, pulling away and heading for the gym. He doesn't think Nico's left for the day, yet, and he's right. Nico is sitting in the science room with several metal pieces floating over his head. "Nico?" he says.
    "Mega?" Nico asks.
    "Yeah," Ward says. "He wants to show me the theater he rented for tomorrow. Can I go?"
    "Is this what YOU wanted to do for your day?" Nico asks.
    "Yeah, I guess," Ward says, looking down. "I mean, it's an entire theater for us--that's pretty hard to beat, right?"
    "How are you going to pay him back?" Nico asks.
    "I dunno, he hasn't told me yet," Ward says with a shrug. "Probably by wearing that matching costume he's always talking about."
    "What about that menorah you bought? The one I had to keep the delivery guy from frying over?" Nico asks.
    "It was a stupid idea--I don't want to offend people, right? And somewhere out there, there are probably some Jewish capes watching this on HTV, right? Thanks to Morgan's agreement with Mastermental, all of this is being filmed." He shrugs. "If I get it wrong, it'd be really offensive, and I wouldn't mean it to be. The story is cool, though. But hey, I should get going, I've got a theater to look at."
    Nico nods. "You're clear to leave," he says.
    "Thanks." Ward heads out, joining a suspiciously innocent looking Mega in the gym. "You're not in uniform," he points out.
    "Of course I'm not. We're taking my car," Mega says. "And you can call me..." he hesitates, "well, Dad won't work, I guess... You can call me Rob," he says. "It's a lot less obvious than calling me Mega when in public."
    "Okay." Ward follows him, shoving his hands in his pockets until he needs them. The other kids watch them leave--he can feel their eyes. He ignores it, along with the ache in his stomach. This is for the best, right? Nobody can complain about a night at the movies!
    "You don't mind if I invite the Hall, do you?" Mega asks as they get in the car. "Since we have the space--and I think a few of the others are feeling a bit left out. I'M not, of course--since I knew you'd ask me to be your helper, but you know how it goes."
    "Not really?" Ward says after a moment of thought. And technically, he hadn't asked, he thinks dryly.
    "You're our future," Mega says with a smile. "Actually YOU are MY future, Ward. I want to make sure you've got the perfect Advent Calendar gift, since I get the chance--I guess it's a little silly, huh?"
    "No," Ward says, slowly, "it's not. Thank you."
    The next morning the school climbs onto the bus, watching Ward with curious and sympathetic expressions. The entire SCHOOL knows he was shanghaied, he thinks as he goes to the front. "Well, um, Mega here is my helper," he announces. Mega shoots a shining grin at the group. "So we're taking you out to the movies--in a Mega sort of way," he adds with a hint of dry amusement. "For security, we've got the rest of the Hall coming, so don't dock my grade, okay?" he adds to Nico.
    "I've heard," Nico says.
    Ward sits down, listening as the rest of the group starts talking. He