Author's Note

This story was inspired by Steven Strait's performance of the song "Boomerang" in the movie Undiscovered. If you haven't heard the song, I highly recommend it, especially for this story! All I can see and hear is Warren Peace singing, and how well it would translate into a Warren/Layla story.

Disclaimer: Sky High is property of Disney, "Boomerang" is property of Lakeshore Records, I make no money from this story or from views of "Boomerang"

Chapter 1

I frown as I look down at the text I got from Warren: not gonna make it to study session tonight, sorry

"What's up?" Zach asks me, noticing my disappointment.

"Warren bailed. Again."

"Again?" Ethan says this time. "That's like this third one this month!"

I shoot him a quick text back: Why do you keep bailing on us? I don't expect to get a text back, much like all the other nights he decided not to show. But I send it anyway. "I'm trying to get to the bottom of it," I tell Ethan. I just don't tell him that Warren almost burned me the other day when I pressed the issue.

My phone buzzes in my hand again, which catches me off guard. He usually doesn't respond so quickly.

dont worry about it

I roll my eyes and quickly type my response: That only makes me worry more.

keep asking and ill roast you in the hall tomorrow

Try me, Hothead.

dont push your luck, hippie

I smile at his threat, knowing that he wouldn't actually roast me just for pestering him over text. At this point, I know how to push his buttons, and it makes everything so much more fun.

You better be at our next study session.

"Layla, are you ever going to help with this study packet?" Magenta asks me from across the table.

"Yeah, yes, I've got it right… shoot, where is it?" I quickly shuffle through belongings on the table. I look up to see her holding it up in front of my face, making me realize that I'd been so busy texting with Warren that I hadn't even grabbed my packet from the group yet. "Sorry…" I take the packet from her apologetically.

"One more text with him and I take your phone away from you." She points at me to drive her threat home. "Warren just isn't exactly a 'studying' kind of guy."

I shrug, pretending that she's right. In reality, I know she's not. Because Warren and I have had our own study sessions in the past, and he's actually really smart. He just puts on a show for everyone at school, pretending that he doesn't give a crap about any of it, because they all already judge him because of his dad.

My phone buzzes again. I try to sneak a peek without Magenta noticing.

its cute that you think you can tell me what to do

A blush spreads over my cheeks when I read his message. He's burned me for calling him 'cutie' before, and yet here he is calling me cute. Even if he did kind of mean it as a friendly insult.

"That's it, hand it over," Magenta says, leaning over the table and yanking the phone of my hand.

"Hey!" She shoves it in her pocket, so that I can't respond to Warren at all. I glare at her.

"I told you I'd do it."

"Fine, I'll work on the packet now…"

"Hey, can you turn the TV up?" Ethan asks. I turn around to glance at the screen, and see that Ethan has his eyes on the Super News at 8. They're showing a story about some masked vigilante that's out stopping criminals.

"Oh man, that's Red Streak," Zach says, gluing his eyes to the TV. "He's been popping up a lot lately, stopping robbers and things without using any powers."

"Do you think he's a super?" I ask him.

"I mean he has to be," Magenta chimes in. "Who else would wear a stupid outfit and mask and run towards criminals?"

We all forget our study packet for a moment, focusing instead on the broadcast. According to the anchor, Red Streak has been around for a few months now, only making an appearance every now and then, and leaving the scene before any reporters can get to him for an interview. This time, he's chasing down someone who pulled a knife on a girl on the street.

I narrow my eyes at the screen, putting the pieces together in my mind.

"What's up, Lay?" Magenta is staring at me, trying to figure out my expression. I look over at her.

"I think… Could that be Warren?" Everyone now looks at me. "I mean, it would make sense. Red Streak, like his hair? Keeps bailing on study sessions and won't say why? He didn't show tonight, but now this Red Streak guy is chasing someone down."

The group looks to be mulling these details over.

"There's no way," Magenta concludes. "I don't see him taking down criminal as a side job. He loses his temper so easy that we would have seen him throw fire by now if it was him."

One by one, everyone turns their back to the TV and goes back to their packets. I sigh, doing the same, and reading through the first topics.

I make a promise to myself to figure out what Warren is really up to. Red Streak or not, he's hiding something from us.