Page 45 of The Glittering Edge

“Believe me or don’t, but I want to try,” Alonso continues. “If the Council finds out about this, I don’t know what they’ll do to me. I’ve got a lot to lose, too.”

Alonso could lose magic he doesn’t even want, but what does Corey have to lose? The trust of his family. His dad’s respect. His own pride. And if he does nothing?

Then Penny’s mom dies, and Corey can never fall in love.

Alonso is watching Corey, and for once he doesn’t look smug.

“How would we do it?” Corey asks.

Before Alonso can answer, Ron’s voice booms from the hallway. “Penny Anne! We’re up!”

“One second!” Penny yells back, and then she turns back to Corey and Alonso. “So?”

“Let’s talk tomorrow,” Alonso says.

Corey runs a hand over his curls. He should take some time to think about it. He can’t see the situation clearly, not through the heavy sadness and years of rage. But the hope he’s tried not to feel is back in full force, and there’s no getting rid of it now. So Corey nods.

“Penny!” Ron yells. “Ticktock!”

Penny’s breathing is shaky, but she straightens her beard and leaves them behind. Corey follows a moment later, not looking at Alonso as he passes him.

Ron throws an arm around Penny and sweeps her out into the front of the café. Corey steps through the door after them, but he stands at the back of the room. Nobody notices him yet; they’re too busy applauding as Ron and Penny make their way onstage.

Ron’s voice booms over the mic.

“Good evening, and welcome to the Idol Wood Revue—Idlewood’s first and only drag show!” He pauses for the cheers. “As you all know, this show is normally hosted by Bitch Cassidy and the Pole Dance Kid, aka yours truly. But Bitch Cassidy has been detained. This town ain’t even big enough for one of her.” The crowd boos, and Ron gives a sad laugh. “I know, I know. But until we break Miss Cassidy out of jail, her progeny will be takin’ her place. Please give a warm welcome to the lovely Calamity Wayne!”

Applause again. Penny looks like she’d rather be anywhere else, but when Ron steps back from the mic, she gives a shy wave to the crowd. The room goes quiet, but Penny doesn’t say anything yet. Her eyes move over everyone until they land on Corey. He smilesand gives her an encouraging nod, even though his heart is pounding. Penny has always been shy. He can’t even remember her giving presentations in class, or maybe they were so awkward that he tuned her out. As the silence stretches, Corey already feels vicarious embarrassment.

Come on, Penny, he thinks.You’ve got this.

Finally, Penny looks away from Corey and smiles. “Um. Hi, everyone.” Her voice is shaky, but a few people cheer for her, and she keeps going. “My mom would never want a moment of silence in her honor, so let’s be as loud as we possibly can tonight, okay?”

The crowd cheers, way louder than before. Corey holds his hands over his head as he claps and whoops. Penny steps aside, adjusting her beard again, and Ron retakes center stage, a proud grin on his face.

“Now, let’s give it up for our first performer! Straight out of the best movie musical of the seventies, please welcome Princess Androgynous!”

Corey holds the door open as Aidan Lostis struts through with a flourish, holding his Pink Ladies jacket. “You’re the One That I Want” starts playing over the Bluetooth speaker that’s acting as their sound system. Penny rushes past Aidan, making a beeline for backstage. Corey holds back a smile as he follows her.

The performers pantomime clapping and cheering for Penny. One of them pulls her into a hug. Alonso is leaning against the back wall, his eyes already glued to her.

Corey doesn’t have a plan. No ulterior motive. He just has a question.

“Hey,” he says, parking himself next to Alonso.

Alonso’s head snaps in Corey’s direction. “What?”

One of the performers holds their phone out for a selfie. Penny makes a peace sign.

“I’m wondering,” Corey says, “if it was someone else’s mom, would you let them die?”

Alonso goes still as a statue.

Ron appears in front of them. “Boys, you’ll be cleaning up after the next act. Think you can handle it without fighting to the death?”

“Maybe,” Alonso grumbles, but his face is bright red.

Corey nods. “We’ll get it done.” But dark thoughts slither into his mind.

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