Crushcrushcrush
Kid Flash begins tapping his fingers against the table in the empty room we found. I don't know why no one's using it. It's really nicely painted, with a landscape on the walls and stars on the ceiling. It's decorated like a bedroom, with a dresser and a bed and stuff, and it's big too. It would ease up on the crowding in some of the other rooms. But it's completely vacant.
Which makes it good for pacing. Very, very good. I've crossed the room a full seventeen times by now.
"Okay, so lets just assume for a second that what we think we know is true. So, theoretically, we know," he says. Eighteen times.
"Right," I reply.
"And he knows." Nineteen.
"Right."
"And he knows that we know. And we know that he knows." Twenty.
"Right."
"And we know that he knows that we know. But he doesn't know we know that he knows that we know." Twenty-one.
"Right?"
"So… We know that he doesn't know that we know that he knows that we know, but he doesn't know that we know that he doesn't know that we know that he knows that we know."
Twenty… Oh, forget it. I collapse onto the couch next to him and throw up my hands. "Left."
He laughs for a second, and then starts tapping his foot in harmony with his fingers. "Well, the point is, we know more than he does."
"Yeah, but don't you think he'll figure out that we saw him once he comes too? He's probably already figured it out! He's had, like, over twelve hours! I mean, who's he gonna think knocked him out? You?"
Kid Flash grins at me. "Oh, I'm so glad to know you have faith in my combat skills." He's laughing at his own joke. It's so cute. I'm smiling. I knocked Speedy unconscious after he eavesdropped on me, not to mention I think Rose might be evil, and yet I'm smiling.
It's official. I am a lovesick freak. And it's… Oh, God, it's a good thing, isn't it?
"I have plenty of faith in your combat skills," I tell him, laughing a little. "It's just that you would have needed to actually touch him to knock him out, while I can do it without having to look at him. If it had been you, he probably would have seen it."
"Yeah, that's true. Still, that doesn't mean he knows it was you," he says tenderly. "There are plenty of people here who could kill someone without having to look at them." He winces, and adds, "Jinx, I'm so sorry. That was a stupid choice of words."
"It's okay," I whisper. He reaches out and takes my hand in his.
"You didn't kill him. You didn't even know. " He says.
My eyes are starting to fill up with tears. I wipe them away with the back of my other hand. "Kid Flash… If Rose really is working for Brother Blood… What are we gonna do?"
He takes a slow breath as he thinks. "I don't know. We could ask Speedy for help. Since he knows, and we know that he knows and…"
"Okay, okay! I get it, you don't have to say it again!" I exclaim. It makes him laugh. He's so gorgeous when he laughs. And it's so cute that everything makes him laugh, and his laugh is so amazing. When he laughs, he sort of leans forward, and he smiles from ear to ear, and when he smiles his eyes sparkle and…
Oh, come on, why can't I focus?
"We could ask him, but… He was eavesdropping on us. And why would he do that? We… We're on his team." I can hear my voice start to get louder and firmer. "Who spies on their own team? Why would he do that? Unless…" My voice drops back down to a whisper. "Unless he doesn't trust us."
"Yeah… There is that possibility." Kid Flash considers this for a moment and adds, "Don't worry about him. Speedy's kind of a jerk but he's harmless."
"What about Robin?" I snap. "He's not harmless! He could kick me off the team."
"He could, but he wouldn't. He's smart enough to know that if he did, the public would be all over him about why. And he wouldn't have a reason because you didn't do anything. He's also smart enough to know that if he did that, he'd lose two valuable team members."
"Two?" I ask.
"I'd never stay on this team without you, Jinx," he replies, smiling at me. He… It's that look. He… That look is always there. He… No matter what other emotions he's feeling, he… He always looks at me like that.
Wow.
"Jinx, I think you're overworking yourself. Do you wanna do something fun tonight?" Kid Flash asks.
"Sure," I say. "Just as long as fun doesn't mean going to Mexico."
Kid Flash laughs so hard that he actually puts his head down on the table for a second. "I was thinking Sydney, Australia, actually. It's beautiful this time of year."
He… He's completely serious. I start to laugh with him. "How about a movie?" I ask through my laughter. "Something with lots of explosions."
"Really? 'Cause I've always wanted to try that whole "chick flick date" thing," he says. He's still laughing and he's still completely serious.
"Yeah, but I've heard that movies with explosions make better date movies because you can just sit and make out the whole time and you won't miss anything important." I suggest, completely seriously. I stop laughing. He's surprised, but he's half-grinning.
"Oh. My. God. Did I just say that? Okay, never mind. I vote for the chick flick."
"I don't know," Kid Flash jokes. "Now I kind of want to see something with explosions." I glare at him, and he grins sheepishly. "Got it. Chick flick."
I lean my head against his shoulder, and ask, "Are we supposed to go to San Diego today?"
"The JLA wants us down there this afternoon,"
"Oh…" I say. "I guess… I guess we should try to figure out if the… The ion amplifier caused the earthquake. Do you think there's someone we could ask? Someone who was there?"
Kid Flash thinks a moment, then responds, "What about Lorena? The girl we helped bring to the hospital the first day we were here?"
"Oh, yeah," I say. "I forgot about her. That's worth looking into"
"I guess we're going to have to sneak away from working today…" Kid Flash comments, smirking.
"Unfortunately," I begin, "I agree with that." I don't want Robin to know what we're doing. I don't want Robin to know that I think Brother Blood caused the earthquake.
I don't want Robin to have another reason to hate me.
I sigh. "I guess we should get going," Kid Flash nods and we stand up, closing the door behind us as we leave the room.
The main room is full of people. Beast Boy and Cyborg are arguing over the microwave. Melvin, Timmy, Teether, Bart, Cassie, Cissie, Tim, and Rose are begging Jericho to play his guitar for them. Raven's trying to meditate. Bumblebee is doing paperwork. Pantha, Thunder, and Lightning are struggling to open what must be the strongest pickle jar in the world. Argent is talking with Starfire, who looks worried. Mas and Menos are watching something that looks like a Spanish soap opera. I don't see Robin or Speedy anywhere. Good.
Bumblebee sees us, and yells across the room, "Hey, Kid Flash! Robin needs me to do some forms before we leave, but I don't the answers to about half of the questions. You've been a Titan longer then I have, can you help?"
"Yeah, sure!" Kid Flash replies. He smiles at me and adds, "I got this one. It takes most people hours, but it'll only take me a couple minutes." He kisses me lightly on the cheek, then runs off and starts speeding through the stack of papers.
I think I'm sort of swooning. No, I definently am. I can barely walk in a straight line. I manage to sit down on the coach without falling down, but it's not easy. Argent spots me and walks to the couch, Starfire floating behind her.
"Hello, Jinx," Argent says, grinning mischievously.
I glare at her. "What are you smiling about?" I groan.
"Oh, nothing, just how cute you and Kid Flash are together," she responds. Starfire nod in agreement.
"You two are impossible," I snap. Argent just rolls her eyes. I sigh and try desperately to change the subject. "Is something wrong, Star? You look upset."
Starfire nods sadly. "I am worried about Robin. He is…" She pauses, searching for the right word. "Uncomfortable, because Batman is so nearby."
"Oh, yeah. I'm sorry to hear that," I reply quietly. I don't really know what to say other than that.
"It is alright," Starfire says. "He is trying." I don't want to admit it, but I guess she's right about that.
Speedy enters the room. I hope he doesn't know that I knocked him out. I really hope he doesn't know I knocked him out. As he walks past the couch, I can see him glare at me.
Oh, he so knows.
Kid Flash looks up from the paper he's filling out. His eyes follow Speedy across the room. Then, he glances at me, concerned. I'm trying to smile, but I don't think I'm doing a very good job.
Robin enters the room. Starfire stands up quickly and flies over to him. He smiles at her and she smiles back. She says something to him and he whispers back a response. I'm trying so hard not to hate him right now.
Robin turns to address the whole room. "Alright, Titans. The Justice League has asked us to continue with the search and rescue missions today. The police have estimated that there are still several thousand people who haven't been found since the earthquake, so we have a lot of work ahead of us. Aqualad, Beast Boy, since you two can breathe underwater, Aquaman has requested your help with the underwater missions. Kid Flash, Mas, Menos, as usual your speed is needed for transporting the victims," he grimaces and adds, "Kid Flash, please take your nephew and his friends with you so they don't try to get Martian Manhunter's autograph… Again. As for everyone else, if you can fly, go with Bumblebee. Superman requested that all fliers check in with him for further orders. If you can't fly, you're with… Jinx and I. We'll be working to recover anything lost that's still on land," he finishes. "Titans, go."
Did… Did he just acknowledge me as a leader of Titans North? Why am I surprised? I am a leader of Titans North. He should acknowledge that. This shouldn't be completely shocking. But it is.
I stand up and walk to Kid Flash, who's finishing the last few papers. "I guess I'll see you later, then?" I ask him. "I'll try sneak off to the hospital whenever I can, okay?"
"Sounds cool," he says. I bring my arms around him and he softly brings his lips to mine, a gentle good-bye kiss.
Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Robin and Starfire kissing too. And it's weird. It's so weird.
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After a few hours, Robin gives everyone a break, and I manage to slip off to the hospital. As soon as I open the doors, I can see a blur of red and yellow rushing from one end of the hospital to the other and back again. About three seconds later, Kid Flash is hugging me.
"Hey, you made it!" he says excitedly.
"Hi," I reply, hugging him back. "How's everything going over here?"
"Pretty good," he answers, catching his breath. "I've been running all over the place, I'm getting kinda winded. Want to grab a bite to eat after our detective work is done?"
"Yeah. Sounds good. Let's get this over with, huh?"
He laughs and nods, and then wraps his arm around my waist as he runs off to find Lorena Marquez's hospital room. I can feel my face heat up. Usually, he just grabs my hand, but now he has an arm around my waist. Here comes the lovesick again.
We stop when Kid Flash finds the right hospital room. "Ready?" he asks.
"I guess," I reply. Carefully, I open the door to the room.
Lorena is wearing the same outfit she was a few days ago, and her hair is wet, like she just washed it. She must have finished The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, because now she's reading the fifth Harry Potter. Dark book for a fourth grader. As the door creaks open, she peers out over the top of the book, and her mouth drops open. "Oh, my gosh!" she shouts, "You're Jinx and Kid Flash!"
"You already met us," I say slowly. She rolls her eyes.
"Yeah, but I didn't get to talk to you! Besides, you came back to see me! That means we're friends!" she exclaims.
"Okay, sure," I mumble. Kid Flash chuckles.
"Of course we're friends!" he tells her, pulling two chairs up next to her bed and sitting down. "But, we actually have a few questions for you. Is that okay?"
"Yeah," she says, closing her book and putting it on the small table by her bed. "What do you need to ask?"
"It's about the earthquake," I explain, sitting down in the other chair. Lorena nods quickly, and I continue, "Where were you when it hit?"
"At the zoo," she answers. "My class and I were on a field trip. Our teacher, Miss Christopher, wanted us to see the birds 'cause we're studying birds. We were just about to look at the penguins when the earthquake happened."
"Did you notice anything weird that day?" Kid Flash asks. "Anything that might have caused the earthquake?"
She purses her lip as she thinks. "I don't think so," she replies. "Wait, actually, I live right by the beach, and I don't think I saw any fish that morning. I usually see a lot. Oh, and I heard something really weird after the earthquake."
"What?" I ask.
"Well," she begins, "I keep hearing the nurses talk about the other earthquake victims. They're talking, like, twenty showers a day, and if they don't, they, like, can't breathe."
"Have you been taking twenty showers?" I ask.
"No, but, uh… I have been taking six."
"Any trouble breathing if you don't?" Kid Flash questions. Lorena just nods. Kid Flash considers this, then quietly asks, "Jinx, what does the ion amplifier do, exactly?
"I'm not sure," I whisper, "Brother Blood didn't tell the students much. But I know it could alter DNA, at least to some extent. Brother Blood used it to try to trick Cyborg into quitting the Titans by convincing him he would make him human again."
"Do you think it could effect how people breathe?"
"Yeah, I think it could," I say. "And it could probably scare a bunch of fish away from the shore, too." He nods.
"Hey," Lorena says suddenly, grinning, "is it true what I read in Super Teen? Are you guys in love?"
"Umm… Yes." I reply, blushing. Kid Flash just starts cracking up.
"That is so cool!" Lorena squeals. "You two are really cute together."
"Thanks," Kid Flash chuckles, bringing his arm around my shoulder.
"Uh, back to business," I say, still blushing. "Do you have a pen and paper?"
"Here," Lorena reaches into the drawer on the bedside table and pulls out a piece of lined paper and a bright turquoise mechanical pencil. I quickly scribble out a sketch of the amplifier.
"Did you see anything that looked like this?" I ask, showing her the drawing.
"You can draw it, and yet you don't even know what it does?" Kid Flash teases.
"I was in charge of designing it," I snap. "I'm awful at anything involving science and… Techno-babble. But I can draw, so Brother Blood asked me to design it, okay?
He smiles. "For the record, I love your drawings. Especially the unicorns." I roll my eyes and swat his shoulder lightly with the pencil, which makes him laugh.
"You know," Lorena says, looking at my sketch, "I think I did see something. After the earthquake, I think I saw something that looked a little like that part right there, underwater," she points to a piece of the amplifier.
"You did?" I ask, shocked.
"I think so. I don't remember what happened right after the earthquake too well."
My communicator goes off. I grab it out of my pocket. "Hello?"
"Jinx," says Kole from the other end, "Robin decided our break is over. He's freaking out, because you and a couple other people aren't here yet, so you better get back fast."
"Okay," I tell her. "I'll come back, thanks for telling me. Over and out."
I shut off my communicator. "I guess that's my cue to leave. Rain check on lunch?" "Sounds good," Kid Flash says. "I'll run you over there so Robin doesn't flip out." He turns to Lorena and adds, "Thanks, Lorena. You've been a big help."
"Visit, okay?" she begs. "It's wicked boring here."
Kid Flash chuckles good-naturedly and we stand to leave. "We'll visit. Promise."
As we reach the day, Lorena adds nervously, "Oh, um, if you hear anything about my class or my family, will you tell me? If anyone's looking for Lorena Esperanza Marquez, or something, um, just… Please tell them where to find me, okay? 'Cause I haven't heard anything from anybody and…"
"Of course we will," I say. "We're your friends, remember?"
She smiles, tears in her eyes. "Thank you so much. You're the coolest superheroes ever!"
"You're welcome, Lorena," Kid Flash says. "See you!"
"Bye!" she chirps, crying just a little as we leave the room.
Kid Flash grins at me. "You're really getting the hang of being a hero, Jinx."
"Shut up," I snap, rolling my eyes. He laughs and I can't help but smile.
"So, do you think it was the amplifier?" I ask.
"I hate to say it, but it kind of sounds like it. Of course," he continues with a grin, "I would help if we actually what it did."
"I know," I sigh. "I really wish someone had demanded that Blood tell us what it did, but none of the HIVE students were that brave. Supervillains are all cowards…"
I take a deep breath and let it out slowly before adding, "I guess we could ask Cyborg or Bumblebee, they might understand it better then I do. But I don't want to get them involved."
"Well, if it is the amplifier," he asks, reaching out to hold my hands, "what should we do about it?"
"Do you think Rose is really working for Brother Blood?" I add.
"I don't know. In a way it all kind of adds up." He's right. It does. The white hair, the fact that the earthquake happened just after Titans North had settled in, the guy Bart saw in New York, Lorena's story. In a way, it all kind of adds up.
"I wish it didn't," I whisper.
"Me too." he says. He lets go of one of my hands with one of his, and brings it to my cheek, his fingers entwined lightly in a strand of my hair.
My communicator goes off.
"That's probably Kole again." I say, shutting it off without answering. "We should get going." He nods, loops his arm around my waist and speeds off in a blur of colors. When we slow down, we're back at the site of the earthquake. Kole waves at me cheerfully, and Robin looks annoyed, feverishly tapping button on his communicator to contact whoever isn't back yet. Speedy is shooting me death glares from where he's standing. Joy.
"Well, see you," I say. Kid Flash leans over and kisses me on the lips before dashing away.
Kole rushes over to me. "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, he kissed you on the lips right here in public. That is so romantic."
"Oh, come on," I grumble. "First Argent and Star, now you? Will you guys please stop squealing at me whenever my boyfriend kisses me?"
Kole shrieks happily. Wow, she's way less calm then usual. "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh you just called him your boyfriend!" she exclaims. I groan loudly, and slap my forehead with the palm of my hand.
Wait a second. I did just call him my boyfriend.
Oh my God.
I am so head over heels in love with him that it's almost funny. Almost.
"Oh, you two are so cute together!" Kole exclaims.
"Kole, that is the third freaking time I've heard that today," I snap.
"Which means it's true," she insists. I roll my eyes.
"Oh, come on, Jinx! You know it's true! You two are so perfect for each other!" she says, shrieking again. I raise an eyebrow at her.
"How many cans of Red Bull did you have this morning?"
"Uh, Starfire and I finished a whole pack…"
"Starfire. Figures."
"So, where were you two, anyway?" Kole asks.
"Doesn't matter." I reply. She giggles.
"You were on a date, right?" she says. It's more of a statement then a question.
"No! I was not on a date!" I shout. She looks at me, worried. "Sorry, I shouldn't have yelled." I tell her. Besides, I can't yell anymore. It's making me feel sick. I'm way too freaked out about how Rose might be… And how Brother Blood might be… And how stupid I was for not making the connection and… "I was doing something kind of important. It's a long story, okay, and I don't want to talk about it, okay?"
She nods her head understandingly. "Okay, but… Jinx, listen. Some of the other girls and I were talking, and we're worried about you. So, if you need to, we just want you to know you can talk to us."
"Oh, look. Kole has returned from the Land of Overly-Caffeinated." I say, sarcastically. "That's a relief. This split personality Red Bull thing was starting to scare me."
"Jinx!" Kole exclaims, maybe a bit offended but she's giggling. "I do not have a split personality! Except when I intake a lot of sugar…"
"I think half a pack of Red Bull qualifies."
"Yeah, it probably does…" Kole admits. "Still, Jinx, I mean it. We want you to be able to talk to us. We're your friends!"
Friends.
I've never had friends. Not before Kid Flash. And that day at the Brotherhood's base, when he first said I was his friend… It was amazing. I had a friend. A real friend.
And now I have… Friends? As in more then one, I guess? It's weird. They keep telling me we're friends. And it's kind of scary. Because just a few weeks ago they all hated me.
"Right. Friends," I say quietly.
"We are!" Kole exclaims. "Jinx, just because you used to be a villain doesn't mean we're not friends! Everybody likes you!"
I wish I could tell her all the things that are wrong about that statement. Instead I just swallow the lump in the back of my throat and say, "Thanks, Kole."
"You're welcome," she says quietly.
"Titans," Robin shouts. "Now that we're all back, we have work to do. We're going to split into two groups. Cyborg, Thunder, Lightning, Wildebeast, Kole, Gnarrk, and Pantha, you're with me. Everyone else, Jinx is your leader for the rest of the day. We're going to…"
I'm only half listening as Robin explains what were supposed to be doing. I'm trying to figure out who I'm supposed to be leading. Let's see… They're are going with him… Wow, there aren't a lot of guys who can fly on this team, almost all of the guys are here… The other two girls who aren't fliers are with Robin… I think that leaves… Jericho, Hotspot, Herald, Red Star, Bushido, Killowat, and…
Oh, no.
Speedy.
Robin's droning on and on. I have no idea what he's saying. It's probably important. I should probably listen. But I'm a bit too busy trying to ignore the daggers Speedy is shooting me with his eyes. If looks could kill…
"Alright, my group, let's go. I'll see the rest of you later," Robin says as he and the others start to leave.
I turn towards Hotspot and whisper, "Please tell me you were paying attention to that."
"Aren't you supposed to be our fearless leader?" Hotspot asks bitterly.
"I'm working on it," I reply in an angry whisper. "I'm not used to this, okay?" I address the rest of the group as I add, "Can anyone tell me what Robin said?"
"I can," Speedy offers. "Come over here and I'll explain." There's something in his voice that's… Sly. I feel like something's not right. But he's offering to tell me what I need to know. I… I guess I have to take that.
I walk over to him. "Okay, just explain this to me quickly and we can get going."
"Sure thing, but I want to talk about something first," Speedy answers. There's the sly thing again. Now I'm sure this isn't right.
"Yeah, whatever, talk," I say slowly. Speedy kind of chuckles. I think he can tell I don't trust him very much right now. I think he likes that.
"I heard you and Kid Flash talking last night," he begins. I shoot him a glare and try to be threatening.
"Yeah. Kid Flash is my boyfriend. We do tend to talk to each other," I reply, trying to make it as sarcastic and mean as I possibly can. I think I do a pretty good job, despite the fact that there is no air in my lungs right now.
"Of course you do, that doesn't matter. What matters is what you two were talking about."
"Are you going to tell me why that is, or do we have to play Twenty Questions?"
"Funny," Speedy says dryly. "So you think Brother Blood is behind the earthquake, right?"
"It's a theory," I tell him.
"And you think Rose is working for him?" Speedy asks.
"That's a theory too."
"Sort of like you did?"
I can feel my eyes widen. "Is this some kind of attack?" I snap furiously
"Only if you want it to be," he replies coolly.
"What does that mean?" I ask sharply.
"It means that no one trusts you, Jinx. Robin least of all."
"How is that even relevant?" I demand, trying not to scream. I'm not going to give him the satisfaction of knowing he's getting to me.
He grins. I can't see his eyes through his mask and it makes him look kind of evil. "You used to work for Blood, and you're the one who brought Rose to the team. If the facts make it look like Blood's behind it… Well, it's only a short leap to you."
"What?"
"Like I said," Speedy continues, "Robin doesn't trust you. If I wanted to, I could make him think you're behind the whole thing."
No.
No way.
I don't believe this.
"You're can't possibly be serious," I say. He just smiles again.
"You wouldn't dare," I threaten. Would he?
"I wouldn't?" His voice is full of venom.
"What do you want?" I ask.
His smile twists into a smirk. "What do you mean?"
"You're blackmailing me! Blackmail means you want something!"
Speedy chuckles.
"Is it money?" I ask furiously. "Stolen goods? Do you want me to rob something for you? Is that it? Are you trying to use me to do something illegal?"
"No," Speedy replies. "None of those."
"Well then what is it?" I demand.
"I want you to quit the Teen Titans."
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"He's blackmailing me." I whisper.
"Blackmail?" Kid Flash exclaims. "Why is he doing that?"
"I have no idea," I say, shaking my head and collapsing onto the bed in the empty room.
Kid Flash sits down next to me and wraps an arm around my shoulder. "What does he want?" he asks.
I close my eyes so I don't have to look at him while I answer. "He wants me to quit the team."
"What?" Kid Flash just about screams.
"Quiet," I tell him, keeping my eyes shut. "Someone will hear."
"Sorry," he says softly. "I just can't believe this."
"Neither can I."
"I'm going to give him a piece of my mind…" Kid Flash says. I think he's standing up but I'm still too scared to look.
"No, don't."
"Why not? I'm not gonna just stand by and watch this!" He's staring to raise his voice again.
"Kid Flash, I'm not letting you do this," I say quietly, "I don't want him to try to make Robin think you're involved in this too. I don't want him to get you kicked off the team."
"I'd rather get kicked off the team then have him do this to you!" He really is yelling now. He almost sounds angry.
"That's crazy!" I exclaim. I can't look at him. I'm just staring at the darkness inside my eyelids. "You can't get thrown out the Titans for my sake! I can't… I can't possibly matter that much!"
"Jinx, you matter to me more then anything! I'm willing to risk this for you!"
"Kid Flash…"
"I don't care if I get thrown off the team and I don't care if none of the other Titans ever speak to me again!"
"Kid Flash, please…"
"I'm not going to let anyone get away with trying to hurt you, even if it means I have to…"
I open my eyes and look right into his.
"Wally!"
He looks at me for what seems like an eternity. Finally, he sits down next to me and holds my hands before he says, as quietly as possible, "That's the first time you've ever called me that."
"Yeah," I whisper, "I guess it is."
Slowly, his face breaks into a smile.
"Okay," he says. "I won't do anything stupid."
"We'll work this out together." I say quietly.
There's a long pause, a long moment where it's just the two of us staring into each other's eyes and nothing else matters.
"I love you," he says.
"I love you too," I reply, before I lean forward and kiss him.
I got a lot to say to you
Yeah, I got a lot to say
I noticed your eyes are always glued to me
Keeping them here
And it makes no sense at all
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Notes
Well, I guess that was not too long a wait, was it? This chapter incorporates a lot of things but I sort of like that about it. There's a lot in it, but they were all things the story really needed to get anywhere, so I am glad I was able to accomplish so much in one chapter. I almost did not use that last scene in this chapter, but I decided the ending was a bit too much of a cliffhanger and a bit too heavy and hard to swallow without it. Sometimes cliffhangers, and heavy and hard to swallow cane be good, but in this case, the last scene was really important. I love that scene. It is this tiny little moment between Jinx and Kid Flash, and yet it is sort of a monumentally huge moment in their relationship. Which, in my opinion, makes it really, really cool. Now, about Speedy… Speedy had reasons. To be honest I'm not entirely sure what they are yet, but they are definitely there, lurking right under my nose. He wants Jinx off the team, and he put her in a position where that is very likely. Now, about Kole. I mostly just needed a conversation to show the passing of time and, well… Kole on Red Bull. Yeah. It is totally irrelevant to the chapter but I love it so much. Lastly, the empty room. I think it's sort of obvious what room it is. But, just in case, for the time being, all I can say is that room has a lot of significance to the story.
The chapter title and the lyrics at the end are from Crushcrushcrush by Paramore. Special thanks to my brother for editing!
Review Responses:
Archerelf: Well, nobody ever said tabloid reporters were creative?
lemony anemone: Thank you so much! The teen article was just about the weirdest thing I have ever written.
Freakycuteducky: Thank you so much! I love plot twists, by the way.
Hipprincess: Thank you so much! I love Argent the fashionista, too. Argent is so much fun to write!
Melodine: The part about Robin and Batman was hard. The cartoon never gave any definitive answers about Robin's back-story so I had to sort of make things up based on the comics. I'm glad it turned out interesting! I loved writing her reaction to Flinx, that was fun.
Samantha Berii: Samantha, I did not make up the word Flinx! Lots of people use it! Argent should totally go ahead with that Flinx merchandise line, it's brilliant! Imagine the cash! The fame! How much she would humiliate Jinx! I love it.