Free Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older Page B

glaring at Sierra’s reflection in the mirror, “I know you excited ’bout seeing Robbie tonight, but I really don’t think you should be talking to him about everything that’s going on.”
    “What? Why not?”
    “Think about it, Sierra.” She began wrestling another strand of wily hair into submission. “He’s clearly all up in whatever that whole strange world is. Shadowshapers and all that.”
    “True.”
    “And he disappeared right when that creepy dude showed up at Sully’s.”
    “Ow! Be easy! Anyway, he was trying to draw it off, I think.”
    “I’m just sayin’: You can’t assume Robbie’s on our side.”
    “What side are we on?”
    “Our side. We on our side. Just be careful, Sierra. That’s all I’m saying. Do what you gotta do, but don’t run your mouth about everything. Just keep that stuff to yourself.”
    Sierra tried to turn her head, but Bennie tugged her back. “What are we supposed to talk about then? You know I hate small talk.”
    “Suck it up. What do you think the rest of us normal people do on dates?”
    “It’s not a date!”
    “Whatever.” Bennie grabbed another two strands of hair and went to work. Sierra couldn’t help but feel that her friend was enjoying herself quite a bit.
    “What if he doesn’t like my ponch?”
    “Your what now?”
    “My little belly ponch.” Sierra patted her tummy.
    “Oh lord, Sierra, really? Everybody has a little gut, and plenty a’ dudes go crazy for ’em. Stop fretting.”
    They sat in silence for a while, Bennie twisting and pulling away as Sierra tumbled the past two days around and around in her head like a load of laundry.
    “Ow!”
    “Relax, I’m done. How you feel?”
    “Like my face is being slowly yanked around to the back of my head.”
    “Awesome. Well, you look hot, so go get ’em.”

     
    Sierra got off the Q train at the dimly lit Church Avenue station in the heart of Flatbush. The platform was deserted, and a gentle rain drifted onto the tracks.
    Robbie smiled as Sierra came out through the turnstile. His long locks were tightened and wrapped into a bun behind his head, and he wore a dignified blazer over a T-shirt and whitewashed jeans. He also had on old sneakers, but Sierra decided to let that one go.
    “Not bad,” she said.
    He looked relieved. “Not bad yourself.”
    “Why, thank you.”
    He stopped just in front of her, just a little too close, and then leaned in and kissed her cheek.
    “Hey, when did you get so slick?” she said, pulling away. “You’re supposed to be the quiet, dorky type.”
    Robbie laughed shyly. “I am the quiet, dorky type,” he said. “I’m really, really nervous.” Sierra felt her stomach relax a little. “In fact, that move’s all I got, really, and believe me, I rehearsed that like six thousand times.” He exhaled sharply, and she realized his fists were clenched at his sides.
    “Okay,” she said, laughing. “You can relax, buddy, you’re doing fine.”
    “Okay,” he whispered. “You ready to go?”
    “Where we going?”
    “It’s called Club Kalfour. I painted a mural for them. I want you to see it.”
    “You’ve been planning this for a while,” Sierra said, her eyes narrowing. “Either that or you take all the girls there.”
    Robbie let out a nervous burp and then looked more relaxed. Sierra did her best not to burst out laughing again. “No,” he said, “I’ve been planning this a while.”
    They walked side by side out into the night.

 
    Club Kalfour turned out to be a discreet little operation on the corner of two quiet streets in East Flatbush. An ancient marquee announced C UB K LFO R , and threatened to collapse at any moment.
    “Nice,” Sierra said.
    “Listen.” Robbie stopped at the wood-paneled door. “I told you I’d tell you what I could about shadowshapers and what we do.”
    Sierra nodded.
    “And Imma do that. Imma show you, actually. All I ask is that you not freak out.” The boy’s face was serious.
    “Look, I’m not