Chapter 4: Reed
Wow, I didn't think I'd get to ask any questions so soon thought Reed. He was surprised by how skittish the girl was. But why did she stare at him, though?
"What floor do you live on?" asked Reed.
"Um", the woman looked at a sheet of paper that she probably had received by the receptionist. "Sixty, floor sixty", she replied nervously.
"I'm going to assume you are new here, am I correct?" asked Reed.
"Yeah, I guess you could say that", replied Starr. "Are you the Reed Richards?" asked the woman to start up a conversation.
"Uh, yes, yes I am. How'd you know and who are you?" replied Reed.
"Well, I read some of your papers in college and I watch TV. If you didn't know, you're all over the news. As for me, my name is Starr Davis, PhD", replied Starr proudly.
PhD! This skittish little person is a doctor! Now we're getting' somewhere!
"In what?" asked Reed excitedly.
"Genetic mutation", answered Starr as the elevator beeped and the doors opened to floor sixty. Jack pot! Maybe she could help me!
"We should talk sometime. Maybe you could help me with the tests I have to take," suggested Reed.
"How about tomorrow?" replied Starr as she walked out of the elevator.
"Sure, eight thirty, here," said Reed as the doors shut.
A minute later, Johnny asked, "So does this count as a date or somethin'?"
"NO! I mean no Johnny, me and Starr are just going to talk about our similar fields of work and maybe we will work together to figure out the optimum tests to take with our limited time frame," answered Reed.
"So it is a nerd date," concluded Johnny.
"No Johnny, its just Reed going to talk to a new-found friend about science. He did it all the time when I dated him," interrupted Sue.
Why did she suddenly just interrupt with that statement? Does she still like me that way? Does she know the way I feel about her? Ugh. Why am I the one having to deal with this?
Chapter 5: Starr
Starr woke up the next morning. She looked at the clock. It was eight fifteen. Eight fifteen! I'm supposed to meet Reed at eight thirty! Gotta get dressed and I have to comb my teeth and brush my hair! Wait. I mean comb my hair and brush my teeth.
She made a protein shake with the only kitchen appliance besides the refrigerator and the microwave: the blender. Last night before she went to bed, she flew down to the corner market and bought the essential parts of her high calorie diet: milk, fruit, protein mix, and some granola bars. Then she got ready for the day.
Leaving her apartment five minutes late and with the protein shake in one hand and her backpack in the other, Starr looked to see if Reed was at the elevator. He wasn't.
What if he got angry and went back to the lab? What if he was killed and I failed my job as a protector? What if-
Reed came out from behind a bush with a few leaves in his hand.
"Oh! Hello Starr! I was just getting some plant material from this bush to test later. Would you like to come with me to the lab? I can show you around since- I hope- you will come around more often," said Reed.
"Um, okay. I guess. But do you allow drinks in your lab? My old chemistry teacher never let anyone have food in the lab area," replied Starr as she held up her shake. What she didn't tell Reed was that her former chemistry teacher, Josh Mathers (aka Arctic), was her co-worker. Reed is kinda cute when you look at him long enough. Even the gray part of his hair is cute. She shook her head a little. I cant like my protected until they become full-fledged superheroes, and he has only had his power for a week! Ugh. I think I'm loosing my touch. Sigh. What do I have to loose? I'll probably die within the next year protecting this group. Might as well make this life worth it, since it's the only one I've got.
Starr followed Reed into the elevator and hoped she'd get something good out of this experience.