Chapter 16
As the evening tiptoed toward night and the fireworks hurtled into the sky, painting the black night in bold brushstrokes of red, green, and blue, Romeo Button stood alone.
The atmosphere around the yacht seemed to explode with excited anticipation for the imminent announcement of this year’s star prodigy, but Romeo’s spirits were not as high as the guests’ around him.
He was a ghost. A phantom thing wandering the realm of the living, clinging to the hope of resurrection, deluding himself into believing he still belonged here.
As he stood by himself on the flybridge of the yacht, leaning againt a fake steering wheel, the bitter air nipping at his skin while he took in the action below from his bird’s-eye view, Romeo felt very much like Kate Winslet in Titanic.
He observed how everyone else just seemed to fit so effortlessly into this world.
There was no need for pretense, no need for shame, they could just exist and belong in a way he would never be able to.
While being miserable, it mostly made for a very dull night.
At this point Romeo was happy to announce the winner of the stupid button-shaped trophy himself if it meant he could go home and take off this costume.
“I thought your days as Captain Underpants were over?” he heard a voice from the ether say. He startled, almost pulling a Bilal and stumbling forward into the murky depths of the ocean. Thankfully, he managed to catch himself before he did—which was a relief, seeing as he couldn’t swim.
He looked up and found the amused expression and glittering gaze of Evie Gray. He quickly stood up straight, trying to look as though he hadn’t almost died by drowning just a moment ago.
“I think you’ve got the wrong guy. I’ve never been a captain of any kind,” Romeo replied.
“Not even a beloved half-dressed children’s superhero?” Evie asked.
“I don’t believe so,” Romeo said.
“So you’ve never left your room wearing underpants over your clothes?” she said with a raised brow.
“Nope, never,” he lied, his nose involuntarily wrinkling.
“Well, if you’re sure …,” Evie replied in a teasing voice as she stepped into the soft glow of the lights emanating from the main deck, illuminating all of her now. Romeo tried not to react too obviously to her appearance.
Evie was now dressed in a green-and-silver tulle gown, with pieces of silvery ribbon wrapped around the braids in her hair.
The combined effect made her look a little bit like an older, hotter Tinker Bell.
She also appeared a lot taller than he’d remembered her being this afternoon.
His gaze dropped down to her toes, which were encased in a pair of silver ribboned heels. That explained it.
“You look, uhm, really good. I like your dress,” Romeo said.
Evie looked down with a strange sort of surprise on her face as though she had forgotten she was wearing clothes.
“Thanks, Romeo. You don’t look so bad yourself,” Evie replied with a smile.
Romeo hoped that the cloak of night would at least not make it obvious that he was in fact blushing.
“Thanks, but I haven’t changed from when you saw me earlier,” he said. As he played little to no role in the press conference, there was no need for an outfit change.
“Well, you still look great. Though I maintain that your outfit would be much better with underpants over it,” she continued, a rogue look in her warm brown eyes.
“I might have to sue you for defamation at this point,” Romeo replied.
Evie raised an eyebrow at him and snorted. “Spoken just like a rich kid,” she said in a tone that sounded unexpectedly bitter.
Romeo’s skin was red-hot now. “I wouldn’t actually … I was just—”
“Joking? Yeah, so was I,” Evie said, joining him on the platform he was standing on. “I know you wouldn’t actually sue me. I know you’re not like other rich kids,” she said playfully, though there was still some bite to it.
“You say rich kids like it’s a slur,” Romeo replied, leaning back against the decorative wheel, watching Evie as she moved to stand beside him with her arms crossed.
“Maybe it is,” she replied, and then, after a few quiet moments, she smiled and whispered, “I’m kidding again, if you couldn’t tell.”
Romeo laughed uncomfortably. “I couldn’t. You have a strange sense of humor, Evie Gray.”
“Thank you,” Evie said, as delighted as if it were a full-fledged compliment.
He was just glad she didn’t seem offended by that too. Thankfully, before he could put his foot farther into his mouth, he was saved by the sudden appearance of his sister, Perdita, below, emerging from one of the back steps that led to the lower decks of the yacht. And … she wasn’t alone.
She was with a boy—which was interesting.
The pair was trying to be inconspicuous, but it was clear that something had happened between them. Perdita looked upset. Romeo’s gaze shot to the boy, who looked equally upset. But it didn’t seem like they were upset at each other. Perdita hugged the boy tightly and then walked off again.
Interesting indeed …
“Perdita’s gotten really tall too,” Evie suddenly said, following his gaze down.
“Do you have some sort of secret height obsession?” Romeo asked.
“Perhaps,” Evie replied with a wider smile. “Maybe I have a vendetta against tall people. Maybe I’m hunting down anyone over five eight so I can grind their bones and feed them to the chickens at the Manor.”
“If that is also a joke, it’s an oddly specific one,” Romeo laughed.
“Who said I was joking?” Evie replied. “Did you consider that this is why I’m here at this ball?”
“Ahh, so you’re not here because you enjoy boring, overly lengthy, self-congratulatory events? You’re here to suss out your victims, going around with a measuring tape, making sure no one above average height is left standing,” Romeo said.
Evie nodded. “That’s exactly it. Could you remind me what height you are again?”
“I’m a respectable five nine and three quarters—on a good day,” Romeo said.
“Ah, well … It was nice knowing you, Rome. Unfortunately, you will soon become chicken feed.”
“Well, Fola will be very happy to hear that she’s safe from you and your chickens,” Romeo said. The mention of his sister made Evie stand up straighter.
“Yes, the great Fola Button will be safe from my chickens,” Evie confirmed with a laugh. “Speaking of Fola … have you seen her tonight?”
“Only glimpses of her. She’s usually busy being headhunted by impressive science people at these events,” he said as he scanned the expanse of the main deck for any sign of his other sister.
Just then, the sound of feedback from a microphone sounded across the yacht, and all eyes turned to a lofty stage that had been assembled at the bow and the ice sculpture of what appeared to be Zeus at the center of it.
The crowd fell silent as Mr. Button slowly strode onto the stage, a golden envelope in one hand, a black cane in the other as he moved to stand in front of ice-Zeus.
That’s new, he thought, staring at his father’s cane.
He couldn’t recall his father using one before; yet it was entirely possible that this cane wasn’t new at all. Despite technically living in the same house, Romeo rarely ever saw his father. Mr. Button was always busy dealing with his business affairs, leaving Romeo and Fola to their own lives.
A restlessness surged through the crowd of prodigies and patrons as Mr. Button took the microphone. The time had finally arrived: the crowning of Prodigy of the Year.
“Esteemed guests, friends, and colleagues. I am so very pleased to welcome you all to this momentous tenth-annual Button Prodigy Ball.” He paused dramatically for applause, which predictably came in loud waves.
“I know you have all been waiting anxiously to hear who this year’s Prodigy of the Year will be.
This is an award close to my heart and, I hope, honors the young person who has proven themselves this year to be truly outstanding in their field.
” Mr. Button began to slowly tear open the golden envelope, leaning his weight against the cane, then stopped for a beat, looking out to the crowd.
“But before I announce the winner, I want to thank you all for being here tonight and honoring my vision for a brighter future for the youth of the world. I know many of you admire my work greatly, and I know many of you have similar aspirations. So, a word of advice from me to you.” Mr. Button looked keenly into the crowd.
“You must accept failure.” Romeo’s shoulders tensed.
That word, failure. It was the one word that would trigger any of his siblings.
His eyes subconsciously began to scan the deck for his brothers and sisters.
He spotted Bilal first, standing solemn-faced to one side, now dressed in a midnight-blue tuxedo.
Perdita was off in another corner with that boy, both staring blankly ahead.
Romeo couldn’t see Fola from his vantage point, but he did spot Octavius, sporting the most unsettling expression he’d ever seen on his brother’s face.
He’d seen him angry, scared, full of joy, humorous, dazed, tired, unimpressed, and more.
But he had never seen him look so … resigned.
Just then Fola emerged from the crowd looking very annoyed, holding up a glass of what appeared to be water and forcing Octavius to drink.
“I have failed many times in this line of work,” their father continued.
“In fact, my work might, at times, have caused some harm …” His voice seemed wistful, somehow.
“But the important thing is that the good outweighs the harm. I never claim to be perfect, nor do I claim my methods to be such either, but what I can tell you is my results are the outcome of my persevering. And so, I want to leave you with that message. Persevere through failure, and maybe, just maybe, one day you can be brilliant too.”