The Tales and Tellings of Hallows' Grove (MLM)

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO.

                Mr. Cross slammed his book shut. "You must be joking."

"Does he even know what that word means?" Edward muttered.

"I heard that, you brat!"

"Damn," he sighed. "Forgot you could see me."

Mr. Cross huffed and stepped out from behind his desk with his large book under his arm. "I know better than to be involved with the spirits," he said. "And you should've known better, too, Henry."

"Mr. Cross," Henry said patiently, "it's a little late for this lecture, don't you think? I'm already well in the thick of things now."

"Oh? Why?" he demanded. "You pwomised your fwiend?" he said with mocking, puckered lips, then rolled his eyes as he turned his back to them. "Change your mind."

"It's a little bit more complicated than that, actually," said Henry. "It's not just a word to a friend anymore."

"Bah."

"I love him."

Mr. Cross stopped. Then his shoulders shook and as he turned to face them, Henry saw that he was laughing, his beady eyes narrowed.

"Love him?" he laughed quietly. "You love him? He's a ghost!"

Edward flinched and Henry clenched his jaw. "He doesn't feel that way to me."

Mr. Cross seemed to realize then that Henry was being quite serious, and his laughter faded to a piteous smile. "Hmm. And when All Hallows Eve comes? When he must choose to stay or go, will your feelings matter then?"

Henry swallowed and sought Edward's hand. Edward, it seemed, had already been reaching for him.

"You're a bitter old man," Edward said darkly.

"And you're a foolish child," he said. "I'd expect this fancifulness from you, Mr. Wells, but you, Henry? How is it you're almost as old as I am and yet so unwise?"

Henry put his hands in his pockets, keeping his and Edward's fingers interlocked. "You make it sound like you were a young man once," he scoffed, "though I'm convinced you were just born five-hundred and twenty-seven years old."

"Yes, make jokes," said Mr. Cross, setting his book down. "Because it's all very funny, isn't it? It's hilarious that an Everwood has done the one thing Everwoods are meant to never do! Well, forget it! You've intervened, I refuse that you drag me in with you."

"We're not asking you to get involved!" Edward argued.

"We just need a peek into the ancient archives," said Henry. "We'll look for it ourselves, we won't even tell you what it's for! Only that it's some sort of cloaking spell."

"Go away!" Mr. Cross snapped, swatting at them. "The answer's no, now go away! Leave!"

Henry knelt in front of him so that they were almost at eye level, and took gentle hold of his wrists. "Please, Mr. Cross, I'm begging you. Let it be the last gift to your dearest friend's grandson."

Mr. Cross's expression did something it rarely ever did. It softened. He yanked his hands back from Henry and hissed, "You annoying little pest! I thought you were smart, but you're a very, very stupid young man!"

Henry stood with a smile. "So you'll help us?"

"Of course I'll help you!" he snapped, and held up a warning finger. "I'll let you into the ancient archives, but that's all! Do you understand me?"