about what I’m going to wear to the concert, but I don’t answer. When I’m in The Phoenix, I feel like I’ve been sucked into one of Baron Gravity’s black holes, a very geeky black hole I don’t want to escape from.
Logan comes back and hops up onto the counter. “Anyway, I have something I think you’ll like. Think of it as repayment for what you did for my show.”
I smile up at him. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, but how can I refuse a gift?”
He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out two cards with purple lanyards attached. He holds one out to me. I take it and recognize the logo of Shreveport’s NerdCon. In bold, purple font below the speech bubble that holds the letters S.N.C., it reads: V.I.P. DAY PASS.
“Oh my God, how did you get these?” I say, still staring at the pass.
“The S.N.C. sometimes gives out these passes to the businesses in the area that sell comics and stuff, but there is only one comic shop in Shreveport so they sent us a few, too, since we’re close. It’s only for Saturday,” he says quickly, “but it’ll still be pretty awesome because all the best stuff happens on Saturday. There’s The Super Ones panel. I heard they have some big announcement. And the cosplay contest. All the heavy hitters, like Stan Lee, do their signings that night, too.”
If I go and someone finds out, my cover would be blown. Going to S.N.C. would be like shouting from the rooftops I’m a proper geek. That I’m so much of a nerd I want to go and hang out with a coliseum full of them.
But the more I think about it, the more I realize nobody would know. I mean, the only people at my school I can think of that might show up are the role-playing guys from the band room, and there’s no way they’d pay any attention to me with a bunch of Princess Leias in gold bikinis walking around. Maybe it’d be safer than I think?
I must have been quiet for a while because Logan asks, “Are you okay? You don’t have to go. I just thought you’d like it.”
“No, I do want to go, I just…” In another life, I would explain everything to him. I would lay all my messed up fears on the line so he could see I’m not worth all these sweet things he’s doing for me. But this is not an alternate reality. “I’m just so excited!”
“Really? I didn’t think you’d be so easy to convince with your phobia and all. But the thing is, there probably won’t be anyone you know there so—”
“Phobia? I don’t have a phobia.”
“Okay, maybe phobia is the wrong word. It’s more like a secret, right?”
“No.” I laugh nervously. How do I explain this to him without coming off as a jerk? I could say, “I just don’t want to be seen by my friends doing anything incredibly geeky, that’s all. I have a reputation to uphold,” but for some reason, I don’t think that would go over well.
Instead, I go with, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, that’s right, everyone disguises themselves before they enter a store. Everyone lies to their boyfriend about who drove them home when he was too much of an ass to do it himself.” He hops off the counter and stands straight as a board, arms crossed.
My mouth opens and closes a few times as I try to come up with some type of response. I’ve got nothing. It’s all true.
“You know what, forget it. I’m sure Dan will be happy to go with me.” He tries to take the pass from me, but I tighten my grip.
“Hell, yeah, I’ll be happy to go!” Dan yells from the back room, which makes me jerk harder on the pass.
We’re in a tug-o-war now. Back and forth we go until I finally stand up and give it all my might.
“No!” I yank one more time, and he releases his hold. I clutch the pass to my chest. “I’m going. I want to go. I want to go because it’ll be fun and there’ll be lots of people in costumes and… I’m going, okay?”
Logan just stares at me with this blank look on his face for the longest time. I can’t tell what he’s thinking. I can guess, though. He’s probably thinking he underestimated my nutso factor. He’s probably wondering what he’s gotten himself