The Summer I Became a Nerd - By Leah Rae Miller Page 0,72

velvet drawstring bag. It’s tied with a shiny, silver rope. Rainbow reflecting crystals dangle from the rope’s ends.

“It’s so pretty,” I say. Understatement of the millennium. I tug it open, and it’s full of silver spray-painted ping-pong balls (for all the spells I might have to hurl tonight) and a set of seven multisided dice (for all the other spells that are based on chance). Each die is embedded with a different color glitter. I immediately name them Roy G. Biv like the old anagram they taught us in grade school to help us remember all the colors of the rainbow.

“That’s a new set of dice. I ordered them last week when you first came to me with this plan. I would give you my set, but everyone knows dice are fickle things. Just because they’re lucky for me doesn’t mean they’ll work for you. Treat those right, and they’ll be loyal to you forever.” She grins from ear to ear as I roll the dice around in my hand, letting them catch the light and sparkle.

#26

There’s an encouraging text from Terra on my phone when I park behind the last car in front of Tommy’s, a.k.a. game master Sorenson’s, house.

Terra: Good luck! I know you’re gonna kick that evil fairy’s AZZ!

I explained everything to Terra at the aquarium, and she’s totally excited about the whole thing. Her text makes me feel just a tiny bit bolder. Which means my boldness level is…a tiny bit.

For a full week, almost everything I’ve done has been in preparation for this moment; all those sessions with Martha, all those late nights spent reading about LARP of Ages or as those in the know call it, LoA. Now I just have to put it all to use. So, why can’t I bring myself to get out of this stupid car?

Headlights shine in my rearview mirror as someone parks behind me. I scoot down in my seat and watch as a group of dark fairies pile out of Kelsey’s familiar black Beetle. Or maybe they have a specific word used to describe a group, like a gaggle of geese. I’m more inclined to call them a murder, like crows. Yes, a murder of dark fairies is appropriate because goodness knows their wardrobe of black on black makes them resemble the winged creatures. Their cackling at some joke Kelsey just made sends a shiver down my spine, reminding me of that old scary movie where all the birds go crazy and attack the humans. Then again, I could be being a little overdramatic.

Thankfully, they don’t notice me when they pass my car. They go inside, their tattered black wings bumping against the door frame. Just seeing her renews my courage, not that it was ever really there to begin with. I get out of my car before I can talk myself out of it. A curse escapes my lips when I notice she parked way too close to my bumper.

My high heels click on the wooden front porch as I approach the door, echoing in my mind like a countdown to detonation. Again, I open the door before I can really think about what is about to happen.

I accidentally slam the door behind me, and every head turns in my direction. My thoughts waffle for a moment as the part of my brain that’s all about running and hiding screams at me to get out of here. But New Me snaps at Old Me like a master Jedi would a young Padowan who just used the force to bring the TV remote to him. I tilt my head up, channeling my inner elven princess, and head for the back door. The gazes of every creature in the game follow me.

I step into the crunchy grass, dry and dying from the heat. The ground is so lacking in moisture my heels don’t sink the least bit into the dirt. I glance around as I walk to the far end of the yard. Tommy is decked out in full wizard garb, of course. When he sees me, he nods with respect. Martha has been talking with him on and off during our sessions. He’s the game master so, of course, he knows what I’ve been up to. I return the nod.

I find Dan with the rest of his clan. Once again, I trade nods. Even if our characters don’t know each other, technically, he’ll still have my back if things get out of hand. A few days ago,