“Good guess, then,” Nick said. “Because they did have knives. But they were more like machetes. And they came at Gibby and me and demanded our belongings, but I pushed Gibby behind me like a man does—”
“Gibby is stronger than the both of us.”
“Oh, right. Good point. And I’m totally equal opportunity, because I’m a feminist. Also, I lied because I was behind Gibby. Anyway, so there we were, standing side by side and they demanded we hand everything over, and I said no way, and Gibby said I know karate probably, and when we were about to save the day because I am not a damsel in distress no matter what Rebecca Firestone says, Shadow Star came and beat them up, and his voice was so deep and strong.”
“And you got his autograph?” Seth asked, sounding strange. “That must have been … cool.”
“Oh, it was. Hold on. I’m going to go upstairs so I can read it to you. And then I’ll send you the picture that Gibby took of us where Shadow Star said I’m cute, or something similar.”
“Okay, but I can’t talk long. I’ve got homework, and I’m going to try and go to bed early tonight.”
Nick took the stairs two at a time. “You should have done what I did and gotten detention. It’s the perfect place to do homework.”
Seth sighed. “I’ll keep that in mind for next time.”
Nick ran back into his room and found the paper that had once been held by Shadow Star. “Okay, are you ready for this?”
“I wait with bated breath.”
“It says, Nicholas Bell: Always remember to keep … to the … shadows…” Nick squinted down at the paper.
“Wow,” Seth said. “His catchphrase and everything. That sure is … something.”
“Yeah,” Nick said slowly. “Except…”
“Except what?”
“I didn’t tell him my full name.”
Silence.
Then, “Well, you must have. He wrote it.”
“No. I didn’t. Don’t you think I’d remember every single word I had with Shadow Star? Because I do. I remember everything. From telling him about the pillow to denying kissing the side of his head when I totally did, it’s all in my brain like the world’s most awkward fantasy come to life. Seth, I only told him my name was Nick.”
“Maybe he saw it on something inside your bag?”
“No,” Nick said, sitting on his bed in shock. “He was never in my bag. Seth. Oh my god. Do you know what this means?”
“I don’t … think so? Should I?”
“Seth. I’ve figured it out. I know.”
“Oh boy. I can’t wait to hear this.”
Nick barely heard him, lost in what could only be the truth. “It makes so much sense. I’ve always thought we had some kind of connection. But now I know why. I don’t know how I didn’t see it before. Seth. It’s like—it’s like he’s read my fic. I think he has a Tumblr account and has read my fic! What if he was a commenter and I didn’t know it?”
“Yep,” Seth said, sounding amused. “There it is. It’s moments like this I realize you still haven’t lost the capacity to surprise me.”
“I get it now,” Nick said, standing and pacing back and forth in his room. “I mean, of course that’s exactly what happened. He’s probably standing in his Shadow Lair right now—”
“His Shadow what?”
“His Shadow Lair,” Nick explained patiently, because he knew that if this was causing his own head to explode, it must be doing the same to Seth. “Every superhero has a base of operations, and Shadow Star has the Shadow Lair. It’s where he broods in the shadows and stores all his gear while practicing fighting. You know this. You beta read my fic. I described it in great detail, so much so that you told me I didn’t need sixteen thousand words to make it clear to the reader he lives in a wet cave. Keep up!”
“How could I forget,” Seth said dryly. “You might be overthinking this one, Nicky. Just a smidge.”
“No,” Nick said. “I’m thinking clearer than I ever have before. Nate Belen was rescued in my fic, and so Shadow Star thought he had to rescue me. But then Rebecca Firestone said I was a damsel in distress, and so maybe that’s what he thinks because they have a platonic understanding that is in no way romantic or sexual since that’s gross. Seth, what if Shadow Star thinks I’m only going to be in danger and that he has to come rescue me all the time?”