Cubbi's owing Flynn and Corvi started at dinner, with forking over his dessert. And begging for another one from the cook. He could have used the extra sugar to keep awake, but he did both with the same trudging determination he'd adopted for the past week. Just get through life. It'll get easier soon. Soon. Just get through this night, this hour, this minute, this second...
"Cubbi!"
"Don't yell!" He howled back, plugging his ears. Tavi stood in his doorway while he sat on his bed studying.
"I had to. You didn't hear me!"
"Fine. Whaddayawant? I gotta study."
"How long have you been using my magic cream?"
"I dunno. Why?"
"Cubbi, it's dangerous to use that stuff too much!"
"But I need it. And quiet down or somebody'll hear."
"Good." she muttered, grabbing for the pot stashed in his drawer.
"Hey!"
She'd darted out the door. Fear spurred Cubbi to action. It didn't dawn on him that it would look weird chasing Tavi for some magic face cream. He could only think of what would happen if he didn't have it!
Tavi was fast. She liked to race the boys and frequently she won. But Cubbi was driven and desperate. And sneaky. He cornered her in the hall behind the kitchen. A dead end.
"Tavi, give it back. C'mon. I thought you were my friend."
"I am, which is why I gotta take it. It could hurt you. You don't wanna look like an old bear when you're Corvi's age, do ya?"
"No..."
"Then let me go. I'll hide it so you won't be tempted."
"Tavi, please. Just let me use it one more time. I'll figure something out tomorrow but I NEED it tonight!" He made a grab for it but she clutched it tightly to her body.
And then she started whispering.
"Tavi?..."
"I'm sorry, Cubbi, but I hafto." She thrust the little pot into the air. "Dumisumappumear!"
The spell was spoken so fast, Cubbi barely understood her words. The pot vanished, and a loud boom sounded throughout the castle.
"Um... It wasn't supposed to do that." Tavi shook her head, her ears ringing from the blast of sound.
They didn't hear the footsteps but saw clearly the upset and concerned faces of adults.
"Tavi Gummi! What did I tell you about practicing magic unsupervised!" Her Aunt Toffi, Councilor Wooddale, planted stern hands on her hips.
"Uh... Not to?" she tried weakly.
"Cubbi, what's going on?" Gumlittle had also come at the commotion.
"Er... Well..." Cubbi would have glared at Tavi, cuz it was all her fault, but it wasn't, and they were both in trouble now. Biiiigg trouble. Especially Cubbi. He was in too much trouble to even consider, and it hadn't even started to boil over yet. But it would. His stomach twisted into knots and suddenly, dinner didn't feel so good. Not good at all.