A/N: Edited some things in the earlier chapters, hopefully there's a sense of movement to it now, if not, please feel free to tell me.

Previously:

It's a strange state of mind he puts me in. I don't really want to see him because all I ever do around him is stutter and flail and act like an idiot. But at the same time I do like to see him because I've never really seen myself behave like an idiot around anyone before, no one has ever had that effect on me. So I want to see him because he makes me giddy, but I don't want to see him because I'm giddy around him.

It's a beautiful quandary.

And the quandary was staring me in the face.

"Move over." The quandary said and sat down right next to me and I felt body heat oozing from him and washing over me like a warm hug.

I died.

.

.

.

And just like that I was in a Magenta and Warren sandwich, almost lying down flat on Magenta in an attempt to avoid touching him. If I was losing my ability to speak just by sitting next to him, it was safe to say that the shit would really hit the fan if I came into actual physical contact with him.

"Whaaat? You said move over!" I said when he raised an eyebrow at my avoidance tactics.

"So Angelica, how do you know Madge?" Layla asked with a faintly amused look on her face. She reminds me of mum when she does that.

"We were both counsellors at this weird Art Summer Camp thing."Which earned Magenta a whole lot of incredulous laughs (because seriously, Magenta babysitting a bunch of drooling kids for art camp?) and she in turn gave me a pointed look.

Because Magenta and I actually became friends when Mr Boy told her to consult with me for her junior year Sidekick Project. She was doing a project on the differences between sidekicks that worked for villains and the ones that worked for heroes and I had already done a similar project the previous year and Mr Boy didn't want have to grade the same project twice. Unfortunately saying that would blow my cover as an unsuspecting normal friend of Magenta's who did not stalk Peace. Or attend Sky High but really it was mainly the stalking thing I didn't want them to realise.

"Only because the cabin leader for the Strings House was gorgeous." Magenta grumbled, trying to defend herself while Zach pouted.

"So what excuse do you have?" Will asked, getting in on the conversation.

"Huh?"

"Well you're a teacher aren't you? You deal with children every day. That's even worse than being a camp counsellor." This was a really good guess for a seemingly oblivious boy.

"Is it that obvious?" Because seriously, do I walk around with a sign over my head that reads 'High School Teacher'?

"You do wear blazers a lot." Magenta piped in, glad of the change of subject. Besides that, she'll never waste a chance to insult my precious blazers.

"Wench, my blazers are amazing, you're just jealous."I said indignantly, which got such laughter from the entire table that I felt bad on behalf of my blazers.

"So you are a teacher then?" Layla asked, once she was done wiping tears from her eyes. Yes they laughed that much.

I feel like I should hug my blazers, they really don't deserve such abuse.

"I teach, and I use the term 'teach' pretty loosely, High School kids."

"What subject?"

"Well the school's hierarchy of authority is undergoing some...changes, so I fill in for whatever classes are free besides being the homeroom teacher for the freshmen and tutoring some of the senior students. And it's an alternative school to begin with, so there's no such thing as a fixed curriculum there."

A simpler way to explain it would be, 'I teach at Sky High because Mr Boy is rebelling against the Sidekick-Hero dichotomy and Coach Boomer knocked up Professor Elast and they're on maternity/paternity leave.', but of course I was still trying to hide the fact that I had superpowers (dun dun dun duuuuun) from these kids.

"I didn't know there was an alternative school in Maxville." Will said before wilting when he received a glare from Layla and Ethan. They were probably worried something about Sky High was going to slip out. "But what do I know!" He trailed off with a forced laugh and an awkward atmosphere descended upon the table again.

"So what is it about me that screams 'teacher'?" I said, trying to diffuse the tension. "It can't be just the blazers. Is it the spectacles?"

"I think you just have this aura of 'teacher'." Will said, waving his hands around in my general direction as if to say 'all this'. "All neat and tidy."

"You have chalk dust on your sleeves and the red ink stains on your hand. Only teachers use red ink pens." Warren Peace said. I'm pretty sure part of me jumped at the thought of him observing my fingers. I know I've observed his fingers many times. Although I suppose, ogled his fingers is more accurate, had day dreams about them on my skin would be even more accurate. My mind is a gutter.

"And what are you supposed to be, a detective?" I said in a squeaky voice, never meeting his eyes but watching his hands instead. He has such nice wrists, and that corded band he always wears adds to them.

"Warren's a crime reporter actually. I'm surprised you don't know, his features on the 'Nine to Five killer' made it to the front page of the crime section of the Maxville Chronicle."

"I don't read newspapers, they depress me." Which is completely true, I only know of current events if I wake up early in the morning and there's nothing on the telly to watch. Well that and opinionated status updates on FaceBook about serial killers, politics etc.

And that is exactly the answer that I give Layla when she asks me how I stay in touch with what's going on in the world, which she shakes her head at.

"So this new murderer, are there any leads on him?" Layla asked Warren.

"So far the police haven't been able to figure out if it is a 'he' to begin with. Usually the way they're killed makes it relatively obvious but in this case it's not so clear. They're thinking of bringing in a special unit for this one."

"Why is he called the 'Nine to Five killer' anyway?" Zach said, finally contributing something to the conversation beyond 'Sweeet'.

"The victims are all white collar workers, and there seems to be no indication that they had an actual life beyond their workplaces, apart from which all the victims were killed between the times of five thirty and six as they were making their way into their homes. The last victim was found dead with his keys in hand."

So. Freaking. Hot.

Not the fact that a man was killed clutching his keys of course, but that entire sentence said in monotone was just fantastic.

"What's the name of the keys guy?" Ethan asked.

"Dexter Ballard."

"Hold up, his name was Dexter and he got whacked by a serial killer?!" Zach said cutting into Layla's inquiries. "Man, that's ironic."

And just like that for the first time in my life I had a sensation of déjà vu. The name Dexter Ballard rings bells. Unfortunately I don't know what bells it's ringing. Then again I may just watch way too much TV.

"Why are you singing the theme song to Dexter's Laboratory?" Magenta asked me out of the blue. Unbeknownst to myself I had been humming it under my breath since the name Dexter was first mentioned.

"I miss late 90's Cartoon Network, they had the best shows ever. Even Johnny Bravo is better than the swill they show now."

"Except for Phineas and Ferb." Magenta interrupted and Layla and Zach nodded their heads in agreement while Will and Ethan looked at us like we were crazy. I have no idea what Warren thought because I was doing my utter best to keep from looking anywhere in his direction.

"Of course. But do you know, sometimes, Phineas and Ferb seems more sixties, what with the Beatles leaping out of nowhere to sing theme songs."

"Eighties too because of the recurring Lindana arc." Layla said, clearly a fellow Phineas and Ferb enthusiast.

Will of course shook his head at the four of us, "Unbelievable, we start talking about serial killers and it ends up at Cartoon Network."

"Dexter's Laboratory is iconic." The great Warren Peace spoke.

The man is hot and just admitted that Dexter's Laboratory is iconic without being prompted, I can honestly say I have never been more turned on than in that moment. It was so cool, that in that moment I didn't even care that it meant actual physical contact, I just turned to face him and held my hand out for a high-five with an idiotic grin, and I got one.

My hand still tingles.

But after a while Will decided he had enough of Cartoon Network and stood up.

"I'd better head off, got an open house tomorrow. That two-story colonial Georgian house isn't going to sell itself."

And just like that the night ended and everyone began getting up and ready to leave. I realised I had not really had my paprika potatoes and sensing my disappointment Magenta said, "Next time we'll get them."

Which meant there would be a next time. Surprisingly it didn't scare me that much. Her friends are still ridiculously colourful but they were alright. Warren Peace, on the other hand, is an unknown variable.

An unknown variable that liked Dexter's Laboratory. I cannot begin to put into words how hot that is.

"Oi, you coming?" He said and I snapped out of my thoughts only to notice that he was waiting for me. We were the only ones left and I realised we'd be walking home together. We do live next door after all.

A brisk pace was soon attained as I found out that Warren Peace didn't walk too fast but in steady, long strides. If it wasn't for the fact that I only ever speed walk everywhere, I would have been unable to keep up with him considering my relatively short stature. We were only two blocks away from the building when he spoke up.

"I see you avoided answering any of Layla's questions."

"What do you mean?"

After all, it wasn't that obvious that I hadn't actually divulged anything actual about my life. I had gone into great detail while still avoiding naming names, that's all. My lying skills are excellent and I have complete faith in them.

"Well you didn't say that you met Magenta in Sky High, which you did. You lied by omission."

"Not strictly speaking, because she asked me how I knew Magenta not how I met her." Still reeling from the thought that he might know that I semi-stalked him I asked, "How did you figure it out anyway? Because I'm pretty sure you don't actually remember me.", inwardly praying that it was true.

"I was unpacking and found the yearbook. Flipped through it and saw your photo in it. You have the same glasses." He clarified when I made a funny face.

Because there was no recognising me from that photo, although I suppose that's true for most people's high school yearbook photos. But really, between the shaggy bangs that almost covered my eyes and the deathly pallor I sported on that day, my photo made me look like a zombie that had freshly risen from the grave.

"Alright but don't tell the others. I want to see how long it'll take for them to figure it out."

"You'll be waiting a very long time then."

"Meh, if it takes more than a month then Madge and I'll probably prank them or something." I said with a shrug, happy that my worst fears had been overcome. He never noticed me stalking me, huzzah! "You know, you can join in if you want."

"I'll hold you to that." He said a little wrinkle appearing on his smooth skin that I just wanted to reach out and smooth out. "So you've been in Sky High from freshman year, right?" I nodded in agreement ,"I never saw you in Power Placement."

"I missed the first day of school because I was sick. After that it just turned into a game, trying to see if people would notice me if my powers were never exhibited. I was never picked for Save the Citizen because the teachers knew my powers were unstable and so I never really registered in anyone's mind I guess." I shrugged, uncaring.

When I was a student at Sky High I didn't really care much for it, it was just a school, not a social hangout and certainly not fun and games like it was for the other kids. I always did get along better with the teachers than the students and now I'm one of them. It's almost funny how much more I love Sky High as a teacher then I did as a student.

"I see." He said cryptically before reaching to open the door. Somehow, without my realising it we had walked home and I had not behaved like a headless chicken. I astonish myself sometimes. "See you around Jelly." He said as he closed the door.

The great Warren Peace had bestowed a nickname upon me. I shall treasure this moment FOREVER.