Tuesday October 22
For the briefest of moments, Xerena’s stammer returned. “Wh-who? What? I d-don’t know what y-y-you—”
Kadra cut off Xerena’s rambling. “I knew it from the moment we locked eyes and you said to me, ‘You’re better than this.’”
“Sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Save it. Your olive green eyes gave you away.”
“My eyes?”
“I never forget people’s eyes, especially not beautiful ones like yours.”
Xerena choked on her own breath. “You think my eyes are beautiful?”
For the first time ever, Kadra smiled at Xerena. “I think a lot about you is beautiful. Especially what you whispered to me. I can’t really put into words … but I felt it in my heart. Instead of trying to get revenge on me, you treated me with kindness. I was pretty shocked by that actually. It took me a minute to process. So thank you.”
“Does this mean you’re not going to expose me then?”
A mischievous grin crept across Kadra’s mouth.
“Uh oh, you are going to expose me?”
“Expose you? I want to join you!”
“Come again?”
“Tell me, what’s it like when you rescue someone who’s being hassled and give them a kiss on the hand? To see that look of appreciation on their face – to feel like a hero. Is it amazing?”
Xerena nodded, too stunned to speak.
“I figured as much. And what’s it like when you’re nice to someone who is … you know … kind of acting … I don’t know, kind of angry and shouty.”
“You mean like a bully?”
Kadra shuddered and murmured, “Yes.”
“It’s totally the best feeling ever, because you get to show forgiveness and true kindness … to remind that person they’re just like the rest of us. And that they’re … I dunno … I guess lovable too.”
Kadra took a deep breath. “That’s exactly what it was like for me. There’s so much pressure in my family to be pretty and fit. You have nooooo idea. Especially on me because I’m not as talented as my sisters, which is not my fault. It’s because of a dumb problem with my ear.”
“Your ear?”
“Long story. Anyway, with my mother, it’s like I have to be pretty to win her respect and affection. She says my looks are the only thing I have going for me because of my swimming issues. And she keeps pushing me into modeling even though I don’t care about that stuff.”
Xerena scoffed. “Coulda fooled me! You’re like a fashion icon.”
The corner of Kadra’s mouth lifted. “Well, I do love fashion. I’ve always wanted to be a clothing designer. I’ve got notebooks and notebooks of designs. But Mother thinks it’s a waste of time. She even tried to burn my notebooks once.”
“That’s awful! I’m so sorry, Kadra. I didn’t realize …”
“Meh. I’m used to it … But when you said the words, ‘You’re better than this,’ something clicked.”
“Actually, I meant to say, ‘You deserve better than this,’ but I got nervous and messed up.”
“Well, what you said was exactly what I needed to hear. And I realized I’m better than having to be this perfect doll my mother’s tried to turn me into. Always snapping at me to stand up straighter, to smile, saying I’m not good for anything but marriage and how do I expect to land a husband if I don’t smile and sit quietly looking pretty. It all makes me so sick I want to scream! I tried to talk myself into being excited about pageants and modeling, but it just isn’t me. I’ve been so miserable and angry about everything for so long that …”
“That you took it out on others?
Kadra looked at the ground. “Yes.”
~ space inserted here to give young readers a break ~
“So did it make you feel better when you were being cruel to people?”
“Not at all, but it was like a compulsion. I couldn’t seem to stop myself. And no matter how out of hand things got, people just kept letting me get away with it – until you. What you said made me feel like I deserved better than all of it. And you said it to me when I was at my worst, being mean and raging! It’s the first time I remember feeling deserving, and that I was actually – like you said – lovable. All the pent-up fury and pain I’d felt for so long just kind of evaporated. And that made me want to do better, or be nicer, or whatever.”
“Wow, just a kiss on the hand did all that?”
“No. It was mostly the wilting flower and melting chocolate.”
“Really?”
“Kidding.”
“I can’t believe it.”
“What.”
“Kadra! You have a sense of humor!”
They looked at each other for a second, then both fell into easy laughter.
“You ready to get out of here?” Xerena asked.
“Yes, please, it smells like old cheese in here or something.”
As they strolled toward the nearest conveyant, Xerena asked, “So for real, was it what I said to you that made you want to change?”
“Partially. That and the hug you gave me. It felt so genuine. Like you really cared about me as a human being.”
“Well, I do!”
“And I felt it. You weren’t hugging me because you had to or to get something from me. You hugged me because you wanted to make me feel good, like you wanted to help me somehow.”
“Finn says bullies act out as a cry for help, or for attention.”
“He’s right, at least in my case.”
“He’s right in most cases! He’s like the wisest person I know. I wish my parents were half as mature as he is, then we wouldn’t get kicked out of carnivals.”
“How’s that again?”
“Nothin’.”
Kadra stopped and reached into her school satchel to pull out a drawstring pouch. “I nearly forgot. This is for you.”
Xerena reached her hand out tentatively to accept the bag.
“Wait ‘til you get to your Frond to open it, so nobody sees.”
Xerena pulled her hand back. “Is there a snake in there? Or maybe a huge spider?”
Kadra let out a delighted laugh. “Nothing like that. It’s a red scarf and red sash. I thought the splash of color would be a vibrant addition to the bandit’s ensemble. I also got you a red ribbon and some red pom-pom trim for your hat. I thought that might be festive for special occasions. Oh, and you may want to consider getting a cape that has red lining. So long as it’s subtle and doesn’t clash with the other reds, of course. But pay no attention to me. I’m blathering.”
Tongue-tied with emotion, Xerena garbled, “Kadra, I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything … except for that you’ll wear the stuff.”
“I will! I definitely will!”
“Good! I wonder if I can put on my resume: stylist to the Besos Bandit?”
Feeling more at peace than she had since first arriving at the academy, Xerena looked up into Kadra’s smiling face and quietly said. “Hey, how about a trip to Connie’s? It’s on me.”
“Thanks, but I can’t. I’m working on landing a modeling gig and I have to be careful what I …” Kadra left off speaking as her eyes darted in thought. “Ya know what, on second thought, I’d love to!”
“Make it a double?”
“Why not?!”
Dear Diary,
You will NEVER believe what happened today!
* * *
~ space inserted here to give young readers a break ~
Besos Bandit fever took the school by storm, with artist renderings of the bandit lining student walls (no one seemed to realize there were actually two bandits) and even a theme song entitled Besos that rose to the top spot on the music charts.
It wasn’t long before the culture on campus had changed. People held doors open for others. They complimented one another freely. They were even kinder to the staff.
The school itself benefitted too, with students electing to pick up not only their trash, but anything they might find on the ground. They treated school supplies and campus furnishings with more care and respect; and the House and Grounds Beautification committee that tended to have only a couple of members—students required to do a service project—was now bursting with volunteers.
Xerena had been so busy with her bandit activities, she didn’t have time to miss Finn, whom she ran into less and less. No one in her Frond suspected she was the bandit—not Frankie, whom she’d begun to hang out with in their Frond most nights, and not even Tanna with whom she shared a room.
People see what they expect to see, I guess.
By the end of the school term, Xerena had not only found her stride, but valued her role as a figure who inspired others to good deeds. What surprised her the most was the fast friendship she’d formed with Kadra.
Their parting at the end of the following school year was filled with emotion as Xerena waited in line with Kadra for the interdimensional portal that served Kadra’s home.
“Wow these lines are crazy!” Xerena remarked.
“They always are the last day of school.”
Xerena sighed. “And then there was one.”
“One?”
“Bandit, singular. With you going, it’ll just be me. I’d gotten used to us being a tag team.”
Kadra looked around wistfully. “I can’t believe I’m really leaving.”
“I can’t believe I’m actually friends with an Aquin!”
Kadra chuckled and wiped her teary eyes.
“Seriously, if you would have told me a year ago that I, an Ignin, would be friends with an Aquin, I would’ve said no way. I thought when you put fire and water together, all you could get is a bunch of scalding steam.”
“Well, I guess we both turned out to be better than that, better than the age-old feud.”
A lump filled Xerena’s throat. “You have no idea how much I’m gonna miss you.”
“Probably a fraction of how much I’m going to miss you, and this place.”
“But look what you’ll be doing! It isn’t every day a girl gets offered a contract as the youngest style designer ever with Vogue Paris.”
“I’m so thrilled to be on the other side of the camera finally!”
“And you’re gonna get to work on all those magazine covers and fashion shows and who knows what.”
“And I’ll be getting an apartment in Paris. You mustn’t forget the apartment in Paris.”
“But of course not, Mademoiselle. How could I?” Xerena said in an over-the-top French accent.
~ space inserted here to give young readers a break ~
“Be good to Finn, by the way.”
“Whoa! Where did that come from?”
“One day, I’m guessing within the next few years, you’ll be together. And he’ll ask you to marry him at some point along the way.”
“What in blazes makes you say that?”
“Because I see the way he treats you. He cherishes you. And I’ve seen the way you look at him.”
Xerena’s mouth dropped open, and her face flushed. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only to me. Just like how I was the only one who figured out you were the Besos Bandit.”
“Actually Finn figured it out too. But that was mostly because he recognized my sword.”
“Perhaps.”
“Anyway, I have a lot of growing up to do before I can even think of having a boyfriend.”
“Don’t’ we all. I mean, have a lot of growing up to do. As for boyfriends, I intend to get one the moment I arrive in Paris.”
“A Frenchman, eh?”
“Heavens, no! Italian. He simply must be Italian … and ride a Vespa … and be fabulously wealthy of course … and be named Giovanni.”
“Glad to see you’re being flexible.”
The friends laughed again.
“So what do you think will become of the Besos Bandit once you’re gone?”
“I think you’ll be just as busy as ever. There’s sure to be a new crop of angsty kids acting out at school next year. Or some kids who go through a rough time over the school break and come back angry or don’t know how to manage what they’re feeling.”
Xerena sighed. “So many bullies …”
“So little time?”
“I was gonna say so many opportunities for redemption.”
“Ah, I like that! I’d stock up on red roses and Hershey’s kisses if I were you. Promise you’ll keep in touch?”
“Oui!”
Kadra took a deep breath. “Looks like it’s my turn.”
For nostalgia’s sake, Xerena kissed her friend’s hand.
They then locked eyes one last time, and smiling, both made an X over their heart with their finger as they whispered their code word—swish.
(The end of chapter 10)
🔥
