Free The Pantheon by Amy Leigh Strickland Page B

had been an accident when he’d turned his bath into vodka back in late April. Now he did it all the time. At first he’d been drunk twenty-four/seven, but the novelty had worn off quickly. He still drank a lot, not because he liked being drunk, but because he liked the taste. He preferred to get other people drunk instead. It was free entertainment. Needless to say, it was a dangerous ability for a sixteen-year-old boy.
    Teddy sat and sipped his drink for a minute before he got up to wander around. He stopped by a booth selling novelty hats and masks. He decided not to wear his scary clown costume to the carnival because he didn’t want to spend the night trying to scrub white cream paint out of his ears with a Q-tip. He bought an alien antenna headband and a pair of lime green alien eye sunglasses. Teddy continued on through the fair, wishing someone interesting would show up so the party could really get started.
    Teddy’s entertainment came from an unexpected place. It was like the answer to a prayer. Teddy found a dunking booth where you could dunk members of the Olympia Heights football team. The Thunder captain, Zach Jacobs, was in the seat now and, judging by the fact that he was dry, he’d just gotten there.
    Zach’s girlfriend, June Herald, was far too icy for Teddy’s tastes. June was collecting tickets in a wool pants suit and a blond wig. She had a little American flag pinned to the lapel of her coat and Zach’s Bill Clinton mask tucked under her arm. Someone in a Luchador mask was hitting on her, leaning awkwardly close to her, his arm on the post behind her head. Teddy knew this could only lead to trouble so he found a bench to watch from. At last there was something to pass the time until nine o’clock when he could excuse himself and sneak off to a decent party.
    After about ten minutes Zach had been dunked four times. It looked really easy. June was still trying to ignore the Mexican Wrestler- Wannabe. Frank Guerrero took over Zach’s shift and Zach, in a dripping wet swimsuit, came to hug June. She squealed and tried to push him away. “No, you’re soaked!”
    Teddy wished he could hear what the Luchador said. It was muffled by his mask and wasn’t a shrieking harpy trill like Zach’s girlfriend. Zach turned suddenly and stepped in front of June. All of the lingering football players hurried to back their captain.
    Zach reached out with quick hands, palming the guy in the forehead, and pulled off the spandex mask. It was Mark Alvarez, the Miami West Captain. This show just got better. Teddy got off the bench and tried to casually move closer so he could hear. The football team closed in on the trespasser, each ready to jump if Zach or Mark threw a punch.
    “ Why don’t you go home?” Zach said.
    “ I have every right to be here.” Mark snatched his mask from Zach. “I’m supporting the local schools.” He flashed a devious grin.
    “ You overstayed your welcome when you moved on my girlfriend.” Zach’s hair seemed to be standing on end, like someone had just rubbed him down with a bundle of latex balloons.
    Mark looked over at June, then at Zach again. His eyes scanned the wall of jocks behind their king and he seemed to realize just how much trouble he was in. Still, he couldn’t keep his mouth shut and walk away. He was far too impulsive, “What, this tramp?”
    Zach’s whole body started to move. He was about to pounce on Mark and stomp him flat, but a booming voice broke through the crowd and stopped him in his tracks.
    “ Is there a problem, boys?” Teddy was disappointed to see Dr. Livingstone push his way through the crowd. His kids were back hanging on to the hand of a freshman cheerleader. It seemed the only thing that guy ever did was ruin good fights.
    “ Whatever, screw this.” Now that he’d picked a fight, Mark Alvarez wanted out. He was far outnumbered here and very lucky that Jason had stepped in to save him. Mark put his mask back on and left. Slowly the