Chapter 6: Save the Citizen
Everyone chanted down the clock. Layla had filled me in on what happened after I stormed out yesterday. Poor Ethan. He'll have to have his head flushed down the toilet 'till graduation. Poor guy.
"Ramirez! Hamilton! Your cictizen has been mulched, because you failed to defeat you villains. Next round. Speed, Lash. You want o be heroes or villains?" Coach Boomer asked, though by the look on his face, he already knew.
"Villains." The was speedy said it implied that coach should already know. Lash agreed with the nod of his head.
"Ooh, there's a suprise." Coach Boomer mumbled. "Who do you want to beat next?" Oh no. They're going to pick Will! At least they could give him a good partner.
"All right. We'll take little Stronghold and, uh, let's see..." Speed looked around the crowd, his eyes settling on me, a smile tugging at his lips.
"And we pick Peace!" Lash cut in. Had he seen Speed looking at me? Was he saving me? Nah, he just wanted the two enemies to fight side, by side. Right? It was then I actually noticed Warren.
He was sitting with the Sophomore's. Well I say he was with them, they had all moved out of his way. He was wearing the typical gym attire, which consisted of a tank top, track suit bottoms and trainers. I could see his muscles easily. I wonder why he hid them under the leather jacket? Don't get me wrong, I love the jacket, but he had muscles to dies for. They constrained and moved as he pushed himself up, and I couldn't help but want to run my fingers down them. I really wanted him at that moment.
"Hothead, Stronghold. You're the heroes." Will waved to someone flirtatiosly. Unfortunatly, I couldn't see who, but I had a pretty good guess.
"Hey! Get your head in the game!" Warren seethed. Will's hand went instantly to his side, and he faced forwards again.
"You have three minutes to immobolize your opponent and save the citizen." A dummy came down while Boomer spoke. It was screaming save me in a rather robotic voice.
"Ready!" Layla, Magenta and I stood. "Set!" We started cheering Will and Warren on. They both looked up at us briefly. "Battle!" We sat down as the klaxon went. I put my head into Connor's shoulder. I didn't want to see the guy I despise, hurt the guy I like.
Wait, did I like Warren? Well, it would certainly explain why I like to be around him, and always want to see him. Oh my God. I like Warren Peace!
By the time I looked back up, Speed was circling around Warren. He couldn't breath!
"Will! Get Warren!" Will then noticed the suffocating boy, and quickly disposed of Speed. When the buzzer went, everyone cheered. Layla and I ran down to them, Layla checking Will, and I ran straight to where Warren was breathing heavily on the floor, a dummy next to him.
"Are you ok? Are your lungs ok? Breath Warren, breath!" I screamed question after question at him, while resting his head on my legs, which were barely covered by the skin tight shorts. He nodded and smiled slightly at me.
Will walked over, smiling in victory, as Layla walked back up to her seat. He held his hand out to Warren, who dismissed it and got up himself, wobbling slightly. He was still a little light-headed, anyone could see that. I walked back to my seat, following Warren's every move.
People filed down to congratulate Will.
Layla texted me a few hours later, asking me to come to the Paper Latern, quickly. Of course I immediatly set out on my bike.
I walked in and noticed Warren sitting at the table, Layla sitting opposite him. I slowed my walk, so I could eavesdrop slightly.
"Hmm, and falling for him, was that before, or after the lima beans?" She was telling the story of how she met Will, while Warren had hit the nail right on the head with his question.
"What? I am not in love with Will Strong..." Warren's eyebrows curved up, letting her know he didn't believe her. "Is it that obvious?" I chose that moment to cut in. Layla looked up and I opened my arms. She sighed into my shoulder as I pulled her close.
"Will's an idiot. Don't spend your time moping. He'll come around." Warren smiled at me and I beamed back, glad he kept her company.
"Yeah." Warren nodded his head, in agreement to both.
"Great." Layla looked embarressed.
"It is to everyone but Will." I soothed.
"So, why don't you tell him?" Warren thought the question that filled my head.
"Well, I was gonna ask him to homecoming, but there's two problems. He likes someone else, and she's perfect." Warren made a noise to indicate he was thinking.
"You know what I think? To let true love remain unspoken, is the quickest route to a heavy heart." Warren glanced at me, his eyes filled with an unknown emotion.
"Wow. That is really deep." That's it! I need to get him soon!
"You didn't get that out of a book did you?" I questioned, my eyes turning to slits, in wonder. He shook his head, laughing slightly. Warren took the fortune cookie from Layla plate, splitting it in two.
"And, your lucky numbers are, four, sixteen, five and fourty-nine." Layla and I chuckled, as I crossed my legs over, my foot skimming Warren's leg on purpose. We both blushed lightly. When did I become so confident in the boy area?
The woman who yelled at Warren before, while we were sitting together cut through our locked eyes once more. Not before Layla caught the look I gave him. He replied, yet again in a language I had yet to learn.
"I gotta go." He got up and walked away to the kitchen. "See you round hippie, cutie." Did he just call me cutie? His pace quickened, as a slightly startled look settled on his face. Layla and I looked to eachother and smiled happily. Does this mean he likes me as much as I like him? I hope so!
"Layla! Alex! You two are not gonna believe what happened last night." Will joined us at the bus stop. After what happened last night, I decided Layla had needed some girl time, so we had a sleepover. Layla held out a fortune cookie, hoping that Will would get the hint. However, he had a really thick skull, and just took the cookie, shoving it in his mouth. He pulled out the fortune eagerly. "Your loyalties are clear when it comes to friends." He read out, smiling slightly. Layla's eyes urged him on. "Oh God. Oh. Oh, I totally spaced. Uh... I'm sorry. I know you must want to kill me."
"Actually, just the opposite. I have something to tell you." Layla seemed eager.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. But you first."
"Ok, ok. It's about homecoming."
"Really? Me too!" I stepped back slightly, sipping on an energy drink.
"I'm going with Gwen Grayson. Can you believe it?" My drink went flying everywhere! Holy shi- ships. "Me, a freshman. Going with the most amazing girl at Sky High."
"That's awesome!" I stepped in.
"You're going with Gwen 'pretty in pink' Grayson? Dude..." Will ignored me. Typical. Hang out with the cool kids, and suddenly you're 'all that'. The bus pulled up, Layla was trying to hold back tears, I could see that. I put my hand on her shoulder, rubbing it slightly.
The journey was long, and I swear I heard someone playing sad music. I sat behind the two, next to Zach, listening.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot. What's your homecoming news?" I took that unfortunate moment to look at Zach and take a big gulp of my drink again, finishing it off.
"I'm going to."
"Really? Who with?"
"Who with?"
"Yeah, who asked you?"
"Oh, who asked me? Warren Peace." Poor Zach was covered in the sugary goodnes while I kept apologising. When did Warren ask her?
The gang, minus Connor and Will, were sitting with Warren. The hell?
"Does anyone else need a date for homecoming?" Warren seethed. What? Ethan's hand shot up, while I sat down.
"I'll go with you Ethan. My original date bailed on me." What I failed to say was I was waiting for Warren to ask me, but with Layla going with him, I was certainly not going with anyone else.
Ethan beamed, while Warren looked down.
As Will walked passed, Layla started to try her hand at flirting. Except she was horrible. Will seemed to buy it though, as he looked crestfallen, walking next to Gwen.
"Please? I promise I'll make this as painless as possible." Can someone clue me in to what was happening here?
"So you're not doin' this just 'cause you like me or anything. You're doin' it to get to Stronghold." Ahh, he was going to be her fake date. Right, caught up now.
"Yeah."
"Then I'm in." His smile was heartbreakingly gorgeous. I hope he'd ask me to dance. "But I'm not renting a tux." Warren got up and left, his bag hitting Zach's, still energy-drink covered, shoulder.
"Hey, if Warren's not here, is this still the tough guy table?" Ethan asked. I stabbed my food, rolling my eyes at his stupidity.
"Yeah, homecoming's stupid." Zach commented, getting closer to Magenta. He so likes her! I wonder if I can play Cupid...
"So? I think I'll go." Magenta replied, shrugging.
"Yeah, me too." Whipped and they're not even dating. Will turned up down the steps leading to the school.
"What's up guys?" Zach held his hand out and they clapped together.
"What up, dude?" Gwen took that moment to pull Will away, talking about blindfolds. Too much information. Layla saw the two coming towards her. She made her way over to Warren, and I couldn't help but glare and sigh as she took his hand.
"You like him." Magenta pointed out, everyone's attention on me.
"I know."
"It's sickening." Zach put in.
"I know."
"Warren? Of all people, Warren?" Ethan asked incredilously.
"I found bad boys attractive." I shrugged, getting up and walking to the bus.
