Free Cape High Christmas: A Side Story (Cape High Series) by R.J. Ross Page A

was ride through Christmas in the Park," he admits shyly. "This is all Mastermental--"
    "It's still your idea," Mastermental says, making them all look up. "This is an opportunity for me to apologize to you, and your brothers and sisters," he says as he slowly lands in front of them. "I should have found you earlier. Nothing I do now will make up for that fact, but I can at least help you make good memories. Thank you, Brandon, for giving me an opportunity."
    Brandon gives him a shy little grin. "Thank you," he says. "I mean, you're welcome? I guess?"
    "These bikes are capable of going as fast as you're capable of making them go," Liz says, butting in cheerfully. "Even you, Carla, although I DID break into the Hall's selection of experimental materials to pull it off. So, consider this MY Christmas gift to all of you!"
    "YEAH!" the group cheers.
    "Thank you, Firefly," Brandon says. "But--but really, neither of you had to go this far. I mean... I just wanted to go for a bike ride with friends," he says with a little shrug. "I don't mean I didn't like it, of course," he adds, quickly. "I just... thank you. It was um... above and beyond."
    "Brandon," Nico says, making all of them look up as their principal and Blackjack appear overhead. "On behalf of the ones that did it, you're welcome," Nico says. "Now, since I know you're all dying to try--everyone can ride their bikes home!" he declares to cheers. "The clearest path will be announced by your com bracelets, and Blackjack and I will be overhead if you need us."
    The group takes off, with Carla streaking into the distance even in front of the fastest of the rest. "You just HAD to make it as fast as she could make it go," Brandon hears Nico drawl before he races away at top speed.
    Brandon lets his little grin stay on his face long after both he and his bike go invisible.
     

Advent Calendar - Day Thirteen
    *One Week Ago*
     
    "I've got nothing," Alyssa says, dropping down on her bed in a dramatic movement. "It's not like I can run around healing them. Can I just PASS on my day?"
    "No, you cannot just PASS on an Advent Calendar day," Aubrey says, sitting at Alyssa's desk and playing on her computer. "Why don't you think of something you can do--it doesn't have to be powered related."
    "It can't be power related for us," Bobby says, sitting on Alyssa's beanbag and playing a game on her wall with his phone. "You might not have noticed, but healers are NOT the showmen in the super world," he tells them.
    "We NOTICED," the rest of the room say in exasperation.
    "Well, except for me," Kirsten says cheerfully. "I can totally pull something off that'll have Justin--"
    "Leave Justin out of this, for the love of GOD," Alyssa says, only to stop, her expression stunned. "That's it!"
    "What's it?" the room asks. Bobby even gets killed--well, his game character does.
    "My day is on Sunday, right?" Alyssa says. "So what's more Christmas than forcing everyone to dress up and go to Church? I need to go see Banshee--wait, um--they said America's Son is a pastor, right? I need to talk to him, or maybe his music director--"
    "Jeanie!" Aubrey says. "Call up Star Spangled, she's the one you want. She'd LOVE to help with that, I'm sure."
    "Why a music director?" Bobby asks blankly.
    "Haven't you HEARD Alyssa in the shower? Everyone else in the building has," Kirsten says, rolling her eyes. "Boys," she complains.
    "I can't do it--you call her and then introduce us, okay?" Alyssa says, shoving her phone at Aubrey. "No, wait, I mean, this is STAR SPANGLED--she's probably way too busy--"
    "Hi, Jeanie! Can we ask you a favor?" Aubrey says.
     
    ***
     
    *Now*
     
    "Okay, okay, I KNOW it's early," Alyssa says, her arms crossed over her chest. She's bundled up in a thick white coat, which hides her dress from the group. The rest of the group are (reluctantly) dressed up in the clothing Adanna's mother got them. Even Freddy is tugging on the bright green tie he's wearing with his charcoal gray suit. Suits