Fortunes

Robbie bites his tongue. I can tell by his extremely red face that he wants to punch Sportacus. Reflecting back on younger days, Sportacus and Robbie never got along. Robbie wanted to rid Lazytown of such a goody-goody. Sportacus didn't seem to care at first, but their tension gradually became thick, like hatred stew.

"Is your act done?" The raspy voice hits our ears. Lorna taps her foot. "I'd like to open my booth now."

Robbie sighs and replies, "I guess so."

I stomp my foot, pissed that our plan was ruined by Sportacus. If he hadn't made a comment at me, we could have put the icing on the cake. We would have put a sheet over him, told everyone he would disappear, and fail miserably. At this point, knowing Bessie, she would have left. This would domino and drag the others far from this baseball field. No fear, I figured this plan would fail miserably. I still have a little bit of time to prevent this old hag from destroying everyone's mind. I have to remind myself I still have Robbie by my side.

"You might want to come first," Lorna says to me. "There is a lot on your plate, my dear."

My stomach lunges into my throat. I cannot go near her.

Defeated, Robbie turns to me and says, "Go on, Pinky. I am a little down right now. I thought I'd be better help for you."

"It's my fault, really." I reply. I wait to say more until Sportacus and Lorna are far enough out of earshot. "The plan wasn't thought through very well. At least we kind of annoyed everyone. Not enough to make these horrible entertainers leave, but what can we do?"

"Lorna seems decent. She isn't easy on the eyes, but probably has a really cool fortune act. I never believed in any of that gunk. Maybe I'll go tonight, see if she knows how I will get rid of Sportacus." Robbie's tone of voice changes. He adds, "Not a bad idea."

I grab his hand and argue, "You can't go in that tent. She's creepy. Besides, you and I have to go back to your place anyways. I can't very well sleep in this outfit, can I?"

Robbie's cheeks turn red. He says, "No, you can't. I can bring them to you tomorrow, though. Unless of course you're too busy with Sportanut. You have clothes at Mayor Meanswell's house, don't you? A whole room to yourself? You dragged me out tonight, we might as well get some entertainment."

I can tell there is no arguing with him. I reply, "Fine, I will go first. If she's super weird, you are not going in there. If you do, I'll have to . . . have to make sure there are no ingredients to bake cakes in town."

"That is a terrible threat, Pinky." He frowns.

I shrug my shoulders and head to the tent. It's black colors and strange incense smell causes goose bumps to rise. Lorna is waiting at a two-person table with an evil grin. She reminds me of the Evil Stepmother from Snow White as Snow is taking that first, juicy bite of a poisoned apple. Without saying a word, I sit across from Lorna.

"You aren't usually here so early in the summer, are you?" She begins. "I can see you have some worries floating in your mind like fireflies at night. Which one to catch, hmm? You, Stephanie, are going to have a hard time finding the correct path. So many outcomes, hmm? And a love interest, eh? You two unravel soon. If you must prevent something, then do it. But I must warn you, young one, of one thing."

"What?" I ask with little patience.

Lorna sits back in her chair and laughs. She leans forward and whispers, "Destiny cannot be stopped. And one other side note for you: each one of them is already losing a battle. I have merely come to rush the process in their favors. But you – you already lost, I see. I see. That is why you are here early. By all means, girl, try and stop it all."

I stand up, furious. Lorna's trickery won't get to me. I leave the black tent and push past Pixel, who is one of the many in line for their fortune.

"Go ahead!" I shout, "Let her tell you all about your failures and how to fix them. It's not true. Do not listen to that woman. Please, she is posion."

I must look silly with a bunny outfit and tears welling up. I see Bessie in line, checking her makeup in a compact mirror. She was the worst outcome in The Forest. All of those botox visits and plastic surgery completely destroyed the motherly side of her. As for Sportacus, he stood idly by biting on an apple. Maybe Lorna was right about him; he was losing a battle within. He liked me, adored me even. When I met him in The Forest, he went completely bonkers to find my ghost.

"Watch out." Robbie nearly falls backwards as I walk straight into him. "How was it?"

With a few tears rolling down my cheeks, I tell him, "Disgusting. She did nothing but pick at my flaws. Promise you won't go in?"

With a deep concentration on my eyes, Robbie said, "I promise. Would you like to take a walk? Get some stress off your shoulders? She must not be the only one bothering you, Pinky."

I consider the consequences of telling him everything.