Chapter 11: The Dragon, Julian

Gwen had just finished stripping herself of all her clothes and then stepping into the warm shower that had been waiting for her.

It was just before seven in the morning, and school was to start in a little more than an hour so there was no call for rush. There never was in her mornings.

Each drop latched onto her smooth skin and trickled its way down her body, to her legs, and then leaving by her feet. After soaking her entire anatomy, she took hold of a shampoo bottle that sat on a nearby shelf.

Squeezing some of the creamy substance into her hand, Gwen began to massage her head and run her hands through the length of her now extended, vibrant hair.

Her friends would have always guessed that strawberry shampoo would be her favorite choice, but if that were a life-or-death question, they would each be dead.

The one Gwen was using now, which was by far her favorite, was coconut. The refreshing cool sense and tropical smell, that could almost be tasted in the atmosphere it created, was more heavenly than any sweet strawberry could make.

After going through with a complete wash of her body, she shut off the water and stepped back out – taking hold of a towel from a silver rack near the mirror.

As the cloth dragged across her body to soak up all the water that was now clinging on, Gwen noticed that a weird feeling would arise in the lower part of her when it hit certain areas. The feeling was heavy, and controlling, and definitely stronger than most. For some reason, it felt like if she would give in to it, then there was no way of getting out.

"I hate when that happens," she whispered as she began to put on the clothes that she had brought in and set on the sink counter.

After dressing, she continued to feed herself breakfast, brush her hair, lotion her face, and then kill time by watching TV – something that had become more common to her nowadays.

The bus came at eight twenty-five, and she was all set to go when it arrived. Gwen was somewhat excited to get there and see Julian that day. But, just like all the other times she was with him, something never felt right.

Maybe Lucky Girl could help – nobody would ever know.

. . .

A few pebbles were kicked by Ben's shoes as he walked down a hill on a sidewalk. He was headed for school.

For almost a year now, he had stopped taking the bus and decided to walk instead. To his parents, he made up the excuse that it was a better way to exercise and stay healthy. They didn't argue.

But inside, he knew he only did so to avoid Gwen. No, it wasn't that he started to dislike her, but rather that it was awkward that they couldn't even manage simple greetings anymore.

From his house to Bellwood Middle School was about an hours walk. He had to get up a bit earlier, and sacrifice some morning leisure, but he found that walking alone was a solitude that made up for each loss.

After another thirty minutes of strolling through a forested road that intertwined behind the Residential, Ben finally came upon the isolated school trio. The elementary school was already in session, and the high school had yet to even began; but the middle school was crawling with chattering, obnoxious teenagers gossiping about useless and pointless subjects.

Through the mess, he spotted someone who had come all-to acquainted with, without actually speaking directly to him.

Julian Rosen stood circled with a group of tough-looking jock guys. His raven hair was styled with gel to make a perfect fringe over his forehead. He wore black pants and a black collard shirt, matching too well with his dark hair.

Around him, the people he was with were laughing hysterically as if there was a famous comedian feeding them humor. Ben knew a few of the guys, and they were some of the school's worst students. Not one of them was ever sure to pass, and none of them had manners better than a pig. But apparently Julian was different.

From classroom conversations, Ben had learned that Julian held mostly B's and even one A. The rest were at or below a C. He was supposedly friendly to ever girl around, but was always in competition with guys – even his friends.

Ben huffed. It sounded to him like Julian was just the typical middle-school jerk mixed in with a bit of accidental brains. He couldn't even begin to imagine what made Gwen weave her way into his useless life.

Coming from the forest-enclosed road was a yellow school bus, which continued to pull up to the front of the middle school's circular drop off. Stopping with an audible squeak, it opened its swinging doors and started to let the kids riding off.

A few which exited, Ben recognized. Spud Lain, Gregg and Ellen Fields, and Christopher Briant, were friends of his who he had known throughout his childhood. Then came Gwen Tennyson.

Her brightly-colored orange hair shone vibrantly in the licks of warm sunlight falling from the sky. Even her clothes matched in contrast with the features that made her every bit unique. She was the easiest to spot amongst any crowd – never wearing anything sullen or dark.

Just as he expected, Julian came over towards her only seconds after she had stepped off the school bus and onto the gray pavement. Without even saying hello first, the black-clad boy had taken hold of Gwen's hand and was already motioning for her to walk with him back to his friends. He was not even the least bit considerate for her own things, bumping into her and almost causing her binder – which she embraced against her chest – to spring free and onto the ground. Though, Gwen seemed to do her best to ignore his assertiveness.

Ben made a face between anger and disgust.

"Can't handle the fact that someone's gonna be kissin' your cousin, can ya' Ben?" came a familiar voice.

Ben turned to see Spud Lain walking towards him with a cocky smile. His tanned skin and blond hair made him appear like he spent every day at a beach. Unlike most blonds though, his eyes were a typical shade of brown, causing all his features to blend together.

"Oh shut up Spud."

"Come on, Ben. It's written all over your face. You just gotta learn to grow up and stop being a little babysitter. I think that sister of yours is making you too protective."

Ben groaned. That was one thing about Spud that he hated, and admired at times. He was one of few people who actually could tell what people were thinking, and he usually knew why too.

"That's not really why I'm mad though. I mean, just look at Julian!" exclaimed Ben. "What kind of person likes that kind of guy?"

"Your cousin obviously. Man, girls like guys like him for some reason. Don't ask me why."

The way Ben's eyes narrowed and became forlorn made his doubt apparent. "It just doesn't match her style."

Spud shrugged. "Sometimes we really don't know people."

As Ben and Spud came closer to the school building, a tall, dark-haired boy who carried a mean expression came towards them. It was Cash.

"Tennyson! My bro, my man!" he yelled with his head cocked, "tell me you got Mr. Brendon's homework. I know you do, you always do it. Let your buddy here compare some answers."

Ben usually played it off like he would give Cash his homework eventually, but never did. He would egg him on and draw him out – just to get the guy off his back. But that day he wasn't in the mood to be pushed over.

"Cash, you're not my buddy. I'm not your bro," Ben stressed, "so buzz off and go get yourself some real friends. Oh! Maybe you can't! Your little butt-buddy JT moved, so now you're all alone."

His words were said with malice, which was something that had been building up when he saw Julian aggressively take hold of Gwen.

Even the way he spoke made Spud, who was actually just as tall as Cash, look at his friend with amazement. Either he was admiring Ben's bravery, or warning him not to be stupid.

"You stupid shrimp!" cried Cash. "Who are you to talk to me like that? Now where's your homework. If you don't cough it up in the next second then I'm going to beat it outta you!"

Now was the time Gwen usually stepped in to save her cousin. The two used to walk through the school together when they could – at least they did four years ago. But without her around anymore, Ben was on his own.

With his fists now up near his head, Ben stood in a fighting position. Cash laughed.

"You think you can actually beat me!" came his arrogant tone. "I'm gonna teach you a lesson, and you better write this one down somewhere!"

With long arms, skinny hands, and even skinnier fingers, the tall teen came straight at Ben with unforeseeable strength. The muscle Ben had thought he had gotten from growing up didn't seem now.

"You should just get down on your knees so I can make this quicker!"

Cash was on him like a horse in battle, his arms flying upwards just after taking a dive – making a sluggish uppercut. Ben did his best to deflect what he could – holding his arms near his head and positioning them wherever he could see a punch coming in. He did, luckily, have enough strength to make sure the powerful fists never got to his face.

Ben looked over his shield of arms and noticed a crowd had gathered around the two combatants. Looking passed them, he also noticed Gwen watching from the school's broad staircase. He looked dead at her, pleading with his eyes but also staring daggers at her for how she had been acting lately. Even because she was dating Julian.

"Spud!" he called, asking for help amongst the now cheering circle of a crowd they had attracted.

Spud stood and watched, unsure of what to do. He wasn't strong, and was quite skinny. The only feature he could throw in his favor were his good looks – and that wasn't much use in a fight.

But still, Ben was his friend and had been for a very long time. And even though he was sure it wouldn't do much good, Spud made the decision to help.

Pushing passed someone next to him, he leaped onto Cash's back and snagged him arms around the bully's neck – causing Cash to let up on his attacks and stagger backwards.

Ben took a moment to breath as he realized his friend had jumped in to help him after all. He wound his arm up quickly and hit Cash right upside his large, dark head. Ben wasn't ever one for hurting people intentionally, but he wasn't going to be a pacifist when he was under attack.

Spud let go and allowed Cash to slide slower to the pavement. The crowd of teenagers around them grew quiet, as they never expected the outcome that they were witnessing.

"Well that went...really well," Spud said, acting casual as if he had done nothing to assist.

Ben nodded. It was amazing there were no teachers out to catch any of them. They were all inside preparing for another school day. Ben was sure that, as long as nobody told on them, Cash wouldn't be the one to walk to the principal and say he just got beat up. No – definitely not Cash.

With Spud behind him, Ben pushed passed the crowd of shocked onlookers. "Let's just get to class. I'm tired already, and school hasn't even started."

On their way into the building, Ben walked by Gwen and Julian on the school stairs. Julian seemed angry with her at something, and each time he leaned closer with his lips puckered – she would back away and look ashamed.

Julian was speaking – staring with his jet black eyes, and Ben could only make out the last of what he said before they were out of earshot. He heard it quite clear, as the raven-haired teen had hissed it: "...you're such a tease. I'm not gonna be around forever!"

. . .

For the most part, the rest of the school day went pretty normal. All the teachers were just as excited as the population of the students to be at the school. Which, to be generous, was not very excited at all.

There was an unexpected fire drill which sent some crazy rumors spreading throughout the halls, but that's just typical stuff. The only noticeable thing that happened, at least noticeable to Ben, was that he didn't get as much homework as usual. Most of his classes were taking quizzes, and teachers were frowned upon for giving homework when students were testing.

After taking the hour walk home, Ben arrived just after three-thirty. Giving his little sister a warm, tight hug and his mom a welcoming hello, he rushed up stairs to finish the work that had been given to him.

His mother had never returned to work after her leave – there was no need. Just before Sarah had turned two months old, his father had been offered a promotion and a substantial raise. Needless to say, he took it with much mirth. Carl had been working in the Pipeworks for a while, and was nearly ready to leave the job if he didn't get anywhere with it.

Putting pencil to paper, Ben lie on the floor in his room with a book spread open as he read through pages and began to summarize what was there. Summaries, he learned, were really easy. All he did was take a sentence from a paragraph which was important, and flip around a few words. If anything, it got the job done and engraved the information into his head.

It took only twenty minutes before he head just what his teacher had asked for. Flipping the book shut, he got up with a jubilant smile. Everything, lately, had been going well for him. His grades were astronomically improved because of his longing to be a smart, life-saving doctor – and even his attitude was different. The only thing that appeared to be sacrificed, was Gwen. And maybe it was too much...

Ben headed down the stairs and into the living room where his mother was on the couch watching a local news channel, and Sarah was walking over to her toy bins – usurping anything that she could visualize.

He slid onto the floor next to Sarah and just broke out laughing in front of her. She quickly tagged along with a smile.

Ben found no need to have a reason to laugh around the toddler. He was happy just to be the person to make her smile, glad that she asked for him when she was hurt, and plain thankful to hear, every day, the little "I wove you" that came from her tiny voice.

"Done with your homework?" asked Sandra from the couch.

Ben didn't turn to face her. "Yep. Always."

"That's good. You know, Sarah won't ever stop asking for you every day after you leave for school. I swear, she needs some more friends."

The ridiculousness of saying a four-year-old needed more friends made them both laugh.

"Think she's getting too attached?" Ben chided with a smile.

"No, it's good for her to like you. I was really unsure of how you were going to act around her when she was born."

"Really?"

Sandra sighed. "Yes. All that was going on at that time made me worry. But I guess I don't have to anymore. Just look at how you've changed, Ben. And I don't mean give yourself a quick run-down. I mean, really compare yourself now to your ten, or even eleven-year-old self."

Ben didn't say anything. He wasn't exactly sure what to say to something like that. Either way, his mother was right; but it wasn't as if he hadn't noticed it himself.

The TV in the living room hadn't been too loud, but Ben heard the sounds of a breaking news segment. He had been watching the news less often, but had always found time to jump out and help. Even if the girl with the black costume stopped showing up, it made no difference to him. Somewhat.

The old anchorman had been replaced two years ago. Why, Ben wasn't sure and really didn't care. The new guy was a bit more strict on how his facial expressions reacted to what was being said and the side-chatter that the weatherman would always have with the older anchor. It was worse than censorship.

"Police have been given reports of a warehouse break-in near Pond Street. So far, none of the attackers have been identified, but at least three of the employees have been taken hostage. The local Swat team is making its way to the scene and hope to have this outbreak resolved soon. In accordance, police advice all citizens to take detours and stay away from the scene for their own safety."

"That's just terrible," Sandra said after the news cast was finished. She sat shaking her head.

Adrenaline was already pumping throughout Ben's body. It had been almost a week since the last time he was able to go hero for a legitimate reason.

"Mom...I think I forgot some homework. Like...a pretty big chunk of it."

Turning to him, the blond woman added, "Really, Ben? Forgetting your homework? I swear, most kids would purposely forget it. Well...at least you're doing it. Go finish then, and hurry, I'll be starting dinner soon."

Giving his sister a kiss on her rounded cheek, he flew back upstairs and closed his bedroom door lightly.

It's hero time, he shouted in his head.

"I love saying that." Ben clicked the rounded dial's green activation button, twisted to obtain Heat Blase – his now favorite alien – and pushed the cylinder back down.

Improvements. They happen much too quickly. I can honestly say that my previous fictions would probably drive most people away for their relatively undecided plots and bad writing skill. Even this one now is probably below so many fortunate standards.

Not that it is bad, but rather that during my writing of longer stories, I tend to adapt, or change, for the better, the way I write. It makes the fic a bit less comprehensible. But, it is what I will work with.

*Excuse Below*

I haven't updated on my normal schedule for the sake of apathy, as well as keeping straight-A's in my classes. Along with that, I do a few medical studying here and there. The climax will be arriving soon, and even nearer, the Bwenilicious will arise in fire.