Invisible Girl

Chapter Ten

No problem. Right, no problem whatsoever. Sure. It was just the fact that Lash kissed her. Again. He claimed her first kiss before she dropped, so she didn't really count that. This one, definitely counted. No big deal. Right. Just ignore the whole heart pounding sensation.

Sammy folded the striped sleeves back so that they could possibly make the shirt pass for a three-fourth length sleeve, but it still very loose, not to mention long, on her beneath her grey short sleeved jacket. Lash kept sticking his head out into the hall, peeking downstairs to see if his grandparents had arrived yet. Crinkling her nose, Sammy pulled the collar of the borrowed shirt up over her nose, only to drop it quickly.

"Ugh!" she yelped, covering her nose with her hands.

"What?" asked Lash, eyes trained downstairs.

"It smells like boy!" she blurted. Before Lash could retort, there was a knock on the front door, followed by his mother's voice. He whipped around, iron tight grip on the door frame.

"Mom, Dad! It's so great to see you!" The Hero blanched and pulled Sammy to the doorway, so she could see his grandparents come through the doorway.

"And there they are. The Ultimate Villains," dramatized Lash. "Okay, maybe more like Hero and Villainess." Blonde brow raised, the shorter of the two leaned around so to get a better look.

It was an elderly couple chatting with Mrs. Livingston. The woman was shorter with pretty silver hair that was twisted into a bun, while the man had a full head of dark gray hair in a pushed back sort of manner. They were all chatting happily with each other. No red flags were going off.

"What do you mean? They seem nice," commented Sammy. Lash grabbed her by the shoulders, lowering himself down to her height so to be at decent eye level.

"Do not fall into their trap!" he whispered urgently. "That's how they always win! Be on guard at all times-this can work as pre-professional Hero simulation-"

"Jason? Come down and say hello to your grandparents!" chirped Mrs. Livingston. "Oh, and bring Samantha!" Lash groaned, banging the back of his head against the frame.

"Jason?" she called again. "Sam?"

Sammy gave an encouraging pat. "Come on, might as well," she smiled. The tall boy gave another sigh before making his way down the stairs, the shorter girl's hand clenched in his own, hauling her down the steps as well.

"Jason!" cooed his grandmother, opening her arms wide to embrace her grandson. "So nice to see you, hon'!" Lash gave a half smile as he bent down to give a hug.

"Hey grandma," he greeted. She leaned back so to give him a loving pat on the cheek, then her smile turned critical as she tapped his back.

"Now stand up straight, dear. You'll ruin your back stooping over like that," she instructed crisply before pushing past him to make her way to Sammy. Lash rolled his eyes, wishing he could show her just how tall he could really stand. That would shut her up.

Wide blue eyes regarded the older woman with caution, unsure of how to proceed. Sidekick Rule #12: Always allow the Hero to take the lead on a mission.

What if her Hero wasn't taking any lead?

"And now, just who are you?" she asked, adjusting her glasses to make sure that she was seeing correctly. Sammy fought the urge to vanish and instead, held out her hand in a shaky offering. What was the lead? What was the lead!

"Hi, I'm Samantha Winchester," she managed without a stutter. Grandma lifted her chin, taking in her appearance. Of course, she probably looked a wreck, still wet and dressed in the mismatch Livingston clothes.

"I see," she finally said, accepting her handshake firmly.

"Ah, Winchester," spoke up the grandpa. He looked over at his grandson with a knowing smile. "This wouldn't happen to be your girlfriend, now would it Jason?" Lash closed the distance between the super teens, sliding his arm over her shoulder, hugging her to his side, rather tightly in Sam's opinion.

"Yep," he gritted. "This is my...girlfriend." Sidekick.

Sammy gave a smile and a wave, doing her best to be charming. "It's very nice to meet you."

"Very nice to meet you as well," returned his grandpa, shaking her hand as well. Though his grandma still had her detailed oriented eye trained on the girl.

"Mhm, yes, well, can't say we were expecting you," she clipped. Sammy could feel the heat flood her cheeks at the comment. Me either, she thought to herself, that makes two of us.

"Well, uh, guess we better go help set the table, huh Sammy?" he asked, disrupting the focus on the blonde. Sammy nodded, happy for the excuse.

"Right, wouldn't want your mom to do all the work-"

"Don't say "Huh" or "Uh", Jason. It's unbecoming and it makes you sound unintelligent," chided grandma, blatantly interrupting Sam.

"Yes, grandma. I'll try," he answered through clenched teeth.

Taking the chance, he directed Sammy into the kitchen where they loaded up on plates, silverware, cups and other table setting necessities. Lash took the heavier plates while his support handled the more delicate items, following him into the charming little dining room.

"See what I mean?" he asked under his breath, setting a plate. Sammy stood right next to him, setting the other accessories for the seat.

"Well, they're a little intense. Your grandma at least," she answered. Quickly, she added on, "Not to be rude or anything. Your grandpa seems very nice." Lash gave a snort.

"Trust me, none taken." They moved onto the next spot, filling it with the proper supplies. They remained closed to each other, arms brushing. Neither one wanted to be left alone on this particular mission. Better to stay together and to tag team a problem, rather than being separated to deal with an unknown danger.

In a few short minutes, Mrs. Livingston had the hot food ready to go and placed on the appropriate spots on the tablecloth. Tensely, Sam and Lash found their seats. Mrs. Livingston sat at the head of the table, Lash at its opposite as his father was gone on business, Sammy on his left, Jake beside her, and then the grandparents sat opposite of them.

Luckily, there was a fair bit of time where the family conversed, leaving Sammy out of the loop. The talked to Jake, asking about his subjects and how was school going, being an eighth grader he was to be a freshmen at the (Sky) High school the following year. This is where Sammy saw the soft side of the grandma, when she was mollycoddling Jake, clearly stating that he was her personal favorite. The blonde continued to nibble on her salad in content silence, happy to be out of range.

"And Jason, how're your classes going?" asked his grandpa, turning the focus to the high school student.

"It's good so far," Lash answered. "Can't wait to graduate, y'know." He and his grandfather shared a short laugh before grandma joined the conversation.

"So you will be graduating?" she asked, lifting her chin. His shoulders slumped.

"Yes, grandma. I'm graduating," he answered.

"Hm, surprising." She took a delicate sip of water. "With all that trouble you had a few years back, I'm honestly still surprised that you're still in school."

Sammy fought the urge to cringe. Homecoming with the Royal Pain take over. Lash, Speed, and Penny had all been on her side of the fight. That year Sam had been sick with the flu during the dance and was at home when the whole battle went down. Still, she hated to think about it. The betrayal of taking sides with the villain. Though, in her opinion, they were improving since they were still attending Sky High and making an effort-

"You do know that he's a delinquent, don't you?" asked grandma. Sammy turned her gaze to the older woman's piercing stare. She was addressing her. Her. The girlfriend. The Hero Support.

She could feel everyone's eyes on her as she weighed her words carefully in her head. Quickly, she flipped through numerous things in her head before blurting out an answer. Afraid that if she took too long, the woman would find some reason to mock her, saying that she was slow.

"I don't think so, ma'am," she answered, politely. A silver brow raised.

"Is that right?"

Sammy nodded. "Yes ma'am."

"Tell me, Samantha, is that your real hair color?" she asked coolly. "Or is it one of those strange dyes your generation is obsessed with?" Sam could feel her cheeks warm.

"This is my natural hair color."

"Mhm. And just what grade are you in?"

"I'm senior. I'm in the same class as," she almost tripped over his name, "Jason."

"Really? How exactly did you two meet?" she asked, folding her napkin from her lap and placing it on the table.

Sammy's memory jumped back to freshman year. It was after Power Placement and she had been walking with an armful of books, a newly branded Sidekick. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, something grabbed her ankle, yanking her legs out from under her. Books slid across the floor while a throbbing from her elbow indicated a new bruise forming.

"Out of the way, Sidekick!" jeered Lash. "Gotta make way for the real Heroes!" He high fived Speed as they took off, plowing through other Sidekicks, determined to earn themselves the new bully titles.

"Freshman orientation," explained Sammy, tweaking the memory. "That's when I met him."

Grandma pursed her lips, not liking the fact that the girl was answering all of her questions. Her husband gently placed his hand over hers.

"Now, Laura, let the poor girl catch her breath," he advised with a hearty laugh. "This is a meal, not an interrogation, darling." Sammy let a soft breath loose from relief.

"Of course, dear. I'm simply curious," defended grandma. On that note, dinner came to a close, thankfully. The dishes were cleared and cleaned quickly, and instead of being excused to the safety, yet messy, of Lash's room, Mrs. Livingston was sure to usher everyone to the living room for after dinner chatting. Though Jake was excused as he was going to his friend's to work on some type of science project.

Lash and Sammy dragged their feet, filing into the living room last. Which turned out to be a mistake. The living room consisted of a two cushion couch, where the grandparents sat, and a delicate armchair where Mrs. Livingston took her seat, then there was a recliner and a footstool left. Blue eyes flickered to the taller teen, unsure. Out of habit, she started towards the footstool, not going to kick Lash out of a chair in his own home. Next thing she knew, an arm was around her waist, she was off her feet and seated on Lash's lap as he sat in the recliner.

"I, um, it's okay, I mean, I could," she stammered, unable to think of a quick enough excuse. His arms snaked around her securely and she felt as if her face was on fire. She whipped her head to look at him, startled. Her face only burned further. The recliner leaned back, angling her side right against his body. She was so close to him. So much physical contact, the topic she was the least familiar with.

His grandmother scoffed. "A little inappropriate, don't you think Jason?" Sam tried to twist in his hold to stammer an apology, beet red. Instead, Lash took the opportunity and pulled her closer, holding her tight like a doll, as if she weighed nothing.

"Aww grandma," he faked whined. He snuggled his nose into her neck, making her yelp. "Just look at her. She's adorable!"

"Why I never!" gasped grandma, appalled. Sammy was wiggling to get free now, embarrassed and slightly scared of his grandma's next reaction. Lash wouldn't let her leave, she could feel him fighting back laughter, his chest vibrating. He was actually thoroughly enjoying making Sammy and his grandmother feel awkward. His grandpa was laughing while his mom was covering her mouth, amused. He kept his grip locked and since she couldn't vanish, she was as good as trapped.

Taking advantage of the light commotion he caused, he stood up with Sammy in his grasp and took off up the stairs, laughing in victory. After dinner round: Lash: 1 and Grandma: 0.

He closed the door behind him and flopped onto his bed, Sammy bouncing lightly beside him. Adjusting herself so that she was pushed up on her elbows, looking down at him, still slightly tangled.

"What on earth were you thinking?" she gasped. "I thought she was going to kill us! Me anyway, you're family, you'd have a better shot at being left mostly alive." He laughed again, leaning back into his pillow.

"Her face was priceless! Man, I love revenge!" he sighed, content now. "That was perfect and the fact that you're still blushing is good too." She fumbled for words, still blushing and simply settled for whacking him lightly with her hand.

"Y-you're unbelievable!" she managed. He raised a brow, cocky.

"I'm fucking fantastic, baby," he winked.

This time, Sammy scoffed, mocking. "You like to think so."

"Oh trust me, I know so."

"Mhm, sure."

"I am."

"Sure you are."

"Really!"

"Yes, I totally believe you."

"I think you're mocking me."

"What? I would never do something so demeaning!"

"I think you would."

"Yeah. I probably would."

"That was supposed to be your cue to deny and pretend to be a good kid."

"Was it?"

"Yes."

"Oh right, my bad. Do I get a re-do?"

"Nope. Now you're fired."

"Rats. That's too bad."

"Yep. Have to find some other poor sap now."

"Well, they're hard to come by."

"What are?"

"Awesomely cool people like me."

"I didn't say that."

"Really? That's what I heard you say."

Finally catching his breath from laughing, the stitch in his side ebbing, he looked up at Sammy. Her white blonde hair was finally dry in little waves and ringlets, hanging down the front of her shoulders as she looked down at him, height on her side. She was smiling too, something he either never noticed or paid attention too. It was a nice smile, very cute on her, he decided.

"What?" she laughed, half smile still lingering. He raised a brow.

"What?" he returned. She quirked a brow, mirroring him, adding a little tilt of the head.

"You're staring." He smirked and gave a shrug.

"So?"

"So, why?" she asked, honestly curious. It was strange to have someone focused on her. Usually if people were looking in her direction, it was because she was with Will Stronghold as a piece in the Sidekick posse', or nowadays it was because she was Lash's Sidekick. People didn't typically pay her much attention when she was just by herself.

"Why not?" he asked. She could feel his hand sliding up her arm, sliding over her shoulder and softly slipping behind her neck, beneath her hair. The delicate hairs on her arms and the back of her neck were standing with electricity, nerves a light. He pulled her in closer, their breaths mixing. Her eyes fluttered closed as he vanquished the space between them, allowing him to kiss her again. He wouldn't kiss her unless he meant it, right? Did that mean the game was done? It had to be, there was no one else to perform for, the audience was gone.

She pulled back to catch a breath. "Lash, what does this mean—?" He cut her off, pulling her to him again. His mouth was warm and soft against her own. Instead of trying to define the actions, she simply pushed back, deciding to enjoy the moment. Is this is what it felt like to be wanted?

She was his partner, his Sidekick, his Hero Support, Lash mentally swore. Plus there were the other loose girls at school who were pining for his attention. Not to mention he already agreed to go to prom with some girl, what's-her-name. Hell, one night wouldn't hurt. They were pretending anyway. Right?

REVIEW! Oh no, one night of pretending is leading to mixed emotions! Conflicts to come, trust me I have more things hidden up my sleeves! So glad I was able to get this chapter out to you guys! Love to hear your thoughts as always!