Chapter 8

Tour Dates

Getting home from school, I pushed myself into the building and paused in the lobby when I spotted a tall, slender package leaned against my flat's door at the end of the hall. Lifting it, it was a lot lighter than I'd expected considering it's size. Unlocking my door, I walked both myself and the package inside and made my way to the kitchen for a pair of shears. Pulling open a drawer beside the stove, I pulled the shears out and worked to cut the layers tape off and free up an opening. To my surprise when I'd finally gotten it open, it was my broom!

"Ah! My goodness!"

"What is it?" My Necronomicon inquired from my backpack. "Let me out!"

Opening my backpack for the book of the dead, I held my broom out for it to see. Its condition was even better than it had been before it was broken. The oak wood handle was sanded smooth, given a deep chestnut stain and glossed up beautifully with an amber glaze. The birch bristle at its end was replenished and made full, entwined to the broomstick with a shiny gold cord. With a decorative touch, the broom had been sent with a big red bow.

"This is a dream..." I marveled, analyzing the repairs. It was simplistically seamless and utterly spectacular. "I-I'm floored."

"She's outdone herself this time. Definitely an enchantress! They're always eager to please."

"I need to call her."

"Yes! Post-haste!"

I went for my crystal and walked into the living room quickly to make the call. I'd dialed Erin's crystal code a few times, but I hadn't received an answer. I figured she was busy, so I'd try again later. I couldn't get my eyes off the broom. If I'd taken my broom to be repaired this way, it would've costed an arm and a leg. These repairs were massively out of budget and I hoped she hadn't paid on my behalf. The repairs were well beyond my expectations. I almost felt blessed that it had broken in the first place.

I breezed through my homework once again and got washed up for the evening. I wasn't very tired though, so I returned to the living room in my pajamas, with my broom, and decided to watch some television to decompress. Flipping through the channels, I skipped past the sporting channel, past the local news and was unfortunate enough to land on the public broadcasting station which, of course, was showing 'Sigmund The Sorcerer, LIVE!' on some late night talk show.

"Ugh..." I scoffed, lifting the remote. The Necronomicon quickly blocked the censor to stop me from changing the channel.

"Wait! Wait!" It pleaded. "This is an interview I haven't seen! He's in L.A.! I would love to watch this!"

"Absolutely not! Move at once!"

"Please, Kyle! Just a couple minutes of it and then you can flip the station!"

"Ugh!"

Dressed in another one of his flashy, lengthy coats, Sigmund sat in a disciplined posture on a buffed up armchair across from the host, who was sat behind a desk. With his hair perfectly coiffed and face lightly powdered and dusted with a rosy rouge, his appearance was picturesque. As the audience cheered with the return of the commercial break, Sigmund gave a cheesy, sharp-toothed grin to the crowd that annoyed me to no end. His celebrity persona was nothing like him. It was frustrating to watch knowing the truth of his nature. The host, himself, shared an equally overdone, bleached white Hollywood smile.

"Sigmund the Sorcerer everyone!" The host announced, introducing him to the thrilled audience who clearly knew who he was. Sigmund gave a wave and adjusted himself in his seat, the crystals on his coat sparkling, causing streaks of light to dance across the camera as he worked to cross his legs. Doing so revealed snakeskin boots to the camera. He looked expensive. I'm sure everything he had on was.

"Hallo~!"

"First time on our show! Welcome!"

"Ja, first time! Thank you for having me!"

"How are you liking L.A. so far?"

"Los Angeles is actually one of my favorite cities to travel to. I have the best fans in the world and the fans here always show me such kindness. I love it here!" I gasped as the audience cheered.

"He's full of it!" I told the Necronomicon. "He told me he hated L.A. because of the traffic and paparazzi!"

"Shhhhhh!" The book retorted. I folded my arms in annoyance as the interview went on.

"You should move out here then! You'd fit right in!"

"So I've heard! I'll keep that in mind."

"You're going on tour soon, aren't you?" The host asked. Sigmund nodded as the audience clapped in excitement.

"Ja, next season! Winter holiday break! I have a few smaller shows in-between happening soon as well."

"Have you announced what cities you'll be going to yet?"

"My team has a full line up ready and we're planning to announce the locations on my official website and social media pages very, very soon. So, stay tuned!"

"When can we expect tickets to be available?"

"In the next couple of weeks, for sure."

"Looking forward to it! Aren't we, everyone? Who's planning to see Sigmund on tour?!" I rolled my eyes as the audience practically screamed in response. Sigmund faked a humble blush. "I'll be sure to get my daughter some tickets as an early Christmas gift, she's a major fan! Anyway, Sigmund, how are you preparing for the tour? This is your second major tour, right?"

"That's right! This is my second tour, but it's bigger than the last and completely for the fans. My first was more about my television show. This one will have more magic shows and more city stops. I've been in the studio just about every other day for the past couple of months, just training. Non-stop training. I'll be training over the weekends as well so I'll be more than ready for winter."

"But you're just a kid! Do you ever do anything...I dunno, fun? Do they ever stop working you to the bone? My gosh!" Sigmund laughed with the audience towards the host's sarcastic banter.

"There's a reason I wear these gloves, you know."

"Hm? Why?"

"To cover the bone."

Annoyingly enough, my Necronomicon laughed with the television at Sigmund's corny joke. I'd had enough and flipped the station. The laughter from the book's spine instantly halted.

"KYLE!" It gasped. I shook my head.

"No! I've had enough of him!"

"But—!"

"I said ENOUGH!" I didn't mean to shout, it had honestly just come out on its own. The anger that had risen up inside of me as the interview on the screen went on surprised even me. Just looking at him upset me. Hearing his name alone infuriated me. I figured this was probably how my ex-parental figure felt about Sigmund's father. For once, I could understand. A little.

The Necronomicon turned away to retreat to the bookshelf for the evening, but paused in its tracks when my crystal went off with airy tones. It just couldn't help itself. I swear, the book viewed my life as some sort of daytime, soap opera. It was Erin on the line.

"Good evening, Erin!" I grinned. Erin smiled back at me.

"Oooh! Look at that smile!" She giggled, making me blush in embarrassment. "I'm sorry I missed your call. I was in evening studies!"

"Oh, I figured that was the case."

"I got back to my dorm a short while ago and my dorm neighbor told me Sigmund was on tv. She wanted me to come over."

"Oh, yes, I saw that! Came across the program by chance."

"It's still on right now. She was watching it, but I couldn't be bothered so I'm in my room now. Did you watch it?"

"Partially, but not by my own will! My Necronomicon wouldn't let me shut the darn show off!" Erin laughed towards my stressed complaints. "It's off now, thankfully. Sigmund is insufferable on television!"

"In real life too..."

"Oh—pfffff!"

"Sorry! I shouldn't have said that!"

"HAHAHAHAHA!" I had a great laugh at that comment. Erin did her best to keep back her own laughter, but it came out anyways. I was glad she seemed to be alright and better than last I saw her. After a moment, she let out an airy sigh.

"Sorry..." She repeated. "Here I am rambling when I'm not even sure why you tried to reach out to me. How rude of me."

"That's no trouble! I needed the laugh! I just wanted to show you this."

Propping the crystal up on its stand, I picked up the broom she'd sent me from the ground where I'd left it beside the living room sofa. Backing up far enough to be fully in view, I showed it off to her like a game show prize presenter, waving my hands in front of it dramatically. Erin's smile grew and another laugh escaped her from my antics.

"It got to you so quickly!" She remarked. "I'm so glad! How do you like it?"

"I'm in love with it." I answered, passionately. "I've never been more in love with anything in my life, so I'm sure this is love."

"Hahaha! That's a relief. I wasn't sure how you'd like the cosmetic fixes, but there were so many little splinters and nicks in the wood grain. I'm shocked you ever used it that way!"

"I've never known anything different." I shrugged. "This broom is the only broom I've ever had. My parents don't care to get me anything expensive—AH! Speaking of expensive, please tell me you didn't pay out of pocket for any of these repairs. I-If you did, I'll pay you back! I'll find a way! I promise!"

"No, no!" Erin replied quickly, waving her hands in protest in front of her. "I didn't pay for it!"

"I hope you aren't lying..."

"I'm not lying, I swear! I told you to send it to me because Halfmoon students get free repairs. Like I told you before, the majority of the realm's broom supply come directly from witches. They're trained to make these brooms, it's a major craft in our culture as an academy. It's one of the benefits of being a Halfmoon student."

"So...you cheated the system for me?"

"Shhhh~!" Erin winked, a giggle leaving her yet again. "It's only a once a year perk, so let's just hope nothing happens to my broom in the next couple of months. And hey, consider it an early birthday gift from me!"

"B-Birthday?" I hadn't even realized that the month was nearly over. Indeed, October was right around the corner, which meant I'd spent the entire first month of the new term away from Milkweed Academy. I'd managed to miss a full month's worth of schooling. That hurt. I was already behind.

"Are you alright?" Erin asked me, suddenly. "You're frowning."

"O-Oh!"

"What's up?"

"Huh?"

"What's on your mind?"

"Oh, erm—..." I set my broom aside and took the crystal back into my hands, sitting on the living room sofa with a sigh. "I guess I didn't realize the date. It's been a month already."

"Since leaving?"

"Yeah...I'm sure I've missed out on so much. In the curriculum, I mean. I just feel...behind."

"Well, considering your broom got to you so quickly, I'm sure the forms you've sent out should be at Milkweed any day now!"

"Do you think so?"

"Oh, absolutely! When's the last time you checked your tracking? You got a tracking number, didn't you?"

"I did! Last I checked, it was already out of the country."

"Alrighty then! So it's halfway there! And you're smart, Kyle. Even if it's been a month, I'm sure you'll be able to catch up."

"She's right, you know." My Necronomicon agreed behind me. "You're a very sharp kid!" Erin grinned as she listened in.

"Is that your book talking?" She asked. "Can I see it?" Before I could even introduce the book of the dead, it had already hopped into view.

"Erin the Enchantress!" The book greeted. "At last, we meet! How lovely you are!"

"Oh my goodness!" Erin giggled, covering her mouth shyly. "For a book of the dead, you're so lively!"

"I do my very best! I'm Kyle's trusted advisor, after all!"

"Hahaha! Kyle! Your book is wonderful!"

"Wonderfully intrusive..." I mumbled. The Necronomicon scoffed towards my comment whilst Erin's laughter continued. I sighed. "Thank you though. Both of you, thank you."

"You know what?" Erin finally spoke up after a moment. "I say you should enjoy your time in Galaxy Hills. Regardless of what it's like, enjoy it and know that it's just a temporary situation."

"But how are you so sure?" I asked. "What if I'm not readmitted? What'll I do?"

"I can't see you anywhere but Milkweed." Erin shrugged. "I just don't see this situation being the end-all for you. I doubt you'll be snubbed."

"...I'm just not sure."

"So then, lets be positive about it and enjoy the ride as it comes. Yeah? We can't change anything right now, so there's no use in stressing over what we can't change."

She was right about that. I tended to obsess over just about every fault in my life and I had real troubles with trusting people and taking in their words. It only made my anxiety worse over the years and I knew I had to change that about myself. I nodded.

"Okay, I'll enjoy my time whilst I'm here."

"Good! Do something every day! Something you wouldn't be able to do if you were still in the realm. Ask your classmates what they do for fun around town, maybe that'll give you some ideas."

"Alright, I will!"

"If I hear anything about your forms, I'll call you, okay?"

"Thank you, Erin!"

"Good night!" She smiled warmly. "Enjoy your broom~!"

As I ended the call, I felt warm all over. I was pretty positive Erin had sprinkled some magic in her parting words to help me feel a little less anxious. At least, I thought she might've. Either way, I was glad to have spoken to her again and even happier to have my broom back!

The following morning, I actually looked forward to heading out to school. Flying into the air, the repairs to my broom were in full effect. I couldn't believe how weightless I felt and how smoothly I was able to glide through the early morning sky. The additional birch added to the skirt of the broom truly made all the difference. At the new speed I was able to fly at, I was even able to make a quick pit-stop at the Frosty Mart for a snack before finally arriving at school. Strawberry Fun Fingers had quickly become a favorite of mine.

"Whoa! Kyle's flying again!" I heard announced behind me as I landed at the front of the school. Looking over my shoulder, I spotted Fanboy, who waved at me as he and his sidekick approached. Quickly, I let my broom vanish and turned away from them both to enter the school. They caught up to me anyhow.

"Did you catch your friend Sigmund on tv last night?" Fanboy started with me. I rolled my eyes, gripping the straps of my backpack with both hands.

"He's not my friend and of course I did not!" I retorted. Fanboy continued anyways.

"You missed out!" He grinned. "He was talking about his winter tour!"

"I don't care."

"I checked his website last night, ya know, 'cuz he's gonna put the cities up that'll be part of the tour! There was a timer and it's counting down to next week, Friday!"

"And I'm supposed to care, because?"

"Because Chum Chum and I have been sending those letters out! He might come to Galaxy Hills! Then you can see your friend again!"

"He's NOT my friend! And didn't I already tell you two ninnies that Sigmund doesn't read his fan mail?"

"We keep our fingers and toes crossed when we send out the letters though!" Chum Chum chimed in. "It's super good luck!"

"Actually, ultra good luck!" Fanboy corrected, as if any of this was factual. "In the last letter we sent, we mentioned you!"

"He won't see it." I repeated as I turned into Mr. Mufflin's classroom. "And even if he did, he wouldn't care. We're not friends."

"How could you not be the best of friends with someone you lived with?" Fanboy asked me. "I mean, c'mon! That's a little hard to believe!"

"Yeah!" Chum Chum nodded. "Especially because Sigmund is so nice to all his fans! He's so friendly to everyone!"

"Do you know him personally?" I asked the pair. Both shook their heads, no.

"Have you met him before?" Again, no.

"Have you even been in the same room as him?" No.

As far as I was concerned, this conversation was over. I knew what they'd continue to say about Sigmund, nothing but praises, but the Sigmund they knew wasn't real. He was a television persona. They didn't know and wouldn't understand, what I'd been through with him. Even if they actually listened, I'm positive they wouldn't care. They were too far into their fanatic delusions to see the truth. Pulling my homework from my backpack, I handed it forward as Mr. Mufflin took to the front of the classroom to collect the papers. He made a quick announcement as well.

"Next week, we're having the book fair in the gym on Friday morning. So don't come into the classroom. Go straight to the gym and don't forget to ask your parents for money, because I'm not buying anyone anything!"

The lesson went on, as usual, with the teacher handing out yet another random packet to complete without much guidance and retreating to his desk to do whatever he pleased. The class followed suit and also did as they pleased for themselves. In the corner of the room, the girls styled each other's hair and gossiped. In another corner, a couple of the boys spoke loudly about some action movie that was set to come out soon. Behind me, the idiots went on about Sigmund. I knew I was supposed to be making an effort to enjoy my time, but there was truly nothing to enjoy.

Another week had gone by and surprisingly, my tracking hadn't changed. I wasn't sure how that was even possible, but as we moved into October, my depression seemed to deepen when I didn't know it could drop any lower. I think what made it worse was knowing my birthday was fast approaching and I'd inevitably be stuck in Galaxy Hills and alone for it. I landed in the front yard of the school, I blinked at the display at the entrance. There were balloons tied to the railings of the front steps and a massive banner was placed over the front doors.

"Ah, the book fair..." I realized. "Is it truly Friday, already?"

"The days are flying by, aren't they?" My Necronomicon spoke as I walked into the school. I frowned.

"Seems so and nothing's changed."

"Don't be down! Enjoy the fair today! Treat yourself, your birthday is next week anyhow!"

I did love a good book. And I supposed buying one wouldn't hurt if I liked it. I never treated myself to anything of value. Strawberry Fun Fingers from the Frosty Mart every now and again didn't count. I nodded at the thought and finally turned into the school's gymnasium, which was already buzzing with students gracing the aisles of the makeshift, pop-up book shop.

There were more balloons and rows of books at different levels to look through. I was thankful to find an aisle with some seemingly hefty novels. Lifting one that had caught my eye, I turned it to the back to read the summary. Before I could start reading, someone had jumped on me, causing us both to topple over onto the gymnasium floor. I'm sure you could guess who it was. Thankfully, my backpack broke my fall or it would've been a painful one.

"KYLE! YOU FINALLY MADE IT!" Fanboy grinned over me when I'd finally opened my eyes. I was on my back and for some reason, he thought it was a good idea to sit atop my legs. Shoving him off of me, I looked around for the novel I'd dropped in the scuffle.

"WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM?!" I shouted in annoyance. "Leave me alone!"

"You have to see this though!" Chum Chum chimed in, as usual. "Look! Look!"

"Leave me alo—!"

Fanboy had shoved a paper against my face, rather forcefully. I swatted him away and pulled the paper off of me, the edges of the page crumpling as I took it into my hands. Before I could shout at them once again, my eye had caught the colors on the paper and I'd paused. Shooting across the top span of the flyer was Sigmund's glamorous signature. Reading the rest of the title, I rolled my eyes. "Sigmund: The Crystal Tour".

"Didn't I tell you both that I didn't care about Sigmund?!" I growled. Fanboy eagerly hopped in place.

"B-but look! Look!" He begged, sounding the same as his sidekick had before. "The tour dates, Kyle! Look at the tour dates!"

Reluctantly looking back down at the flyer, I scanned over the listings once more. There were shows in December for New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Beijing, Moscow, Berlin and the cities just went on and on! Then, there were pre-show dates for October through November that were scheduled for Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, Helsinki, Los Angeles, Galaxy Hills, Mexico Ci—wait!

"He's coming here?!" I gasped out loud by mistake, rewinding back to the Galaxy Hills listing. Though it was to my horror, my realization was their excitement.

"Our letters worked!" Chum Chum cheered as the pair bounced around. Fanboy nodded.

"And so did our online campaign!" He added. "Oz helped us get the word out online! He's the owner of the comic shop on Main Street! Sigmund's gonna have a meet and greet at Oz's comic book shop!"

"And then, he's having a one night only show at the Galaxy Hills baseball field!" Chum Chum shrieked. "I can't believe it!"

"Sheepshank..." I muttered. I wanted nothing to do with anything related to Sigmund. I couldn't believe he'd be here, of all places.

"You're gonna come with us, right?" Fanboy asked. "He'll be here next weekend! The tickets for the pre-show go on sale tonight, but the meet and greet at Oz's is totally free!"

"As long as you purchase his new, Crystal Tour merchandise!" Chum Chum corrected. I laughed.

"HA! As if I'd be caught alive anywhere near Sigmund! NO!"

"But Kyle, don't you wanna see your friend?"

"Fanboy, read my lips, he is NOT my friend!"

"But Kyle—!"

"I SAID NO! My birthday is next week and I don't want to spend it around someone I hate!"

I turned away from the costumed pair, but I hadn't given them the flyer back. I folded it up and pushed it into my pocket. It didn't take long for the word about Sigmund to spread around the school. Soon enough, it had become the only thing anyone was talking about. Even teachers and faculty seemed thrilled about the pending visit. The book fair wasn't a priority anymore and I was more than happy to have arrived back at my flat when the school day was over. I'd been restless about this news and I just had to share it with someone. There was only one person I thought to call.

"Can you believe this, Erin?" I spoke through the crystal ball in my living room. I'd been holding up the flyer to her to see for herself. "Surly, you didn't tell him where I reside, did you?"

"Kyle, I haven't spoken to or seen Sigmund since the break up." Erin assured me. "That was almost a full month ago. I'd never tell him where you lived. It's none of his business."

"I didn't mean to accuse you, I'm just baffled."

"Really unlucky coincidence, I suppose. What does it matter though? You don't have to go."

"I know I don't have to..." I muttered. "...but everyone is talking about it now. In fact, it's all everyone is speaking about at all! This town is really small and nothing happens here. Even on my way home today, I passed his flyers taped up to street lights."

"So...you're gonna go?"

"I was considering it, b-but not to see him! Just to see the event, you know?" Erin smiled, knowingly. I groaned. "I mean it, Erin! Do you honestly believe I'd buy any of his merchandise just to see him? Please, be rational!"

"See? I didn't say that!" She finally chuckled. "You're outing yourself!"

"Am not!"

"My brother actually called me about the tour too." Erin told me, her voice softening. I sat up, easing up my attitude to listen to her. "Eric studies from home, so he's in New York right now. He said there's already advertisements all over the city."

"Really?"

"Yeah, even on the sides of buses. I actually hadn't told him I wasn't speaking with Sigmund anymore, even though it's been a while, but I had to tell him because he was asking me to ask him for tickets. My little sister is a big fan of his, unfortunately."

"I see..."

"We have the next couple of months to get through till the winter break and I'm bummed about it now. I always go back home for the holidays and now, I'll have to see his face all over my city too."

"...Am I crazy for going to his pop-up then?"

"Personally, I wouldn't go." Erin shrugged. "But I have to look at it from your perspective, right? I did tell you to enjoy your time in your town. So...if this is what's happening in your town, then fine. Go."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. If you feel uneasy about it though, then go home."

I nodded towards Erin's advice and felt a little better about it all. Before I could continue our conversation, I was interrupted by the distant ringing of the phone in the kitchen. I stood up from the sofa quickly and set the crystal back on it's stand.

"O-oh! I'll have to call you back soon! I think my family is ringing me!"

"Go! Go! I'll talk to you later! Bye!"

"Bye!"

I rushed to the kitchen after ending my call with Erin and quickly pulled the phone from it's base on the wall before the tones could end. Out of breath, I collected myself before I exhaled into the phone.

"Hello?"

"Kyle?! Is it really you?!"

"FANBOY?!"

"KYLE! Hey Kyle!"

"How did you get my bloody number?!"

"Are you on Sigmund's website right now?" Fanboy asked me, totally bypassing my question. "The tickets are about to go up in one minute! We need more hands to buy tickets!"

"I'm not buying tickets to his stupid magic show!"

"They're expected to sell out! If I get us the tickets, just pay me back whenever!"

"Are you even listening to me? I'm not going!"

"THEY'RE UP! THEY'RE UP!"

"I'm just gonna stop talking..."

On the other end of the line, I heard rapid-fire typing and frantic clicking. The duo gasped and then there was a moment of silence, which caught me totally off guard. I'd never heard them this quiet before.

"...um...hello?" I spoke into the phone. "What's going on?"

"B-buffering!" Fanboy stammered. "The queue is buffer—! OH NO!"

"What?"

"NO WAY!"

"WHAT?!"

"I can't believe this! The show sold out already!"

"It hasn't even been five minutes!" Chum Chum whined in the background of the call. "I can't believe this!"

"Quick!" Fanboy called out. "Call Oz and find out if he managed to snag any extras!"

I couldn't help but laugh when they weren't successful. They'd been torturing me all this time, speaking about Sigmund when I'd asked them to stop. Hearing them fail to get tickets to see their idol felt like payback. To be honest, if they'd managed to get tickets, I would've probably considered going. That idea was out the window now.

"Oh well, too bad." I giggled. "I suppose that's that then."

"We're still going to Oz's for the meet and greet, I guess..." Fanboy sighed. "Who knows, maybe we'll get lucky and they'll be extra tickets somewhere!"

"Yeah, yeah, okay. Are we done here?"

"Maybe you can ask Sigmund for us? I mean, you're friends and maybe he'll—!"

"BYE!"