Chapter 28: Appointment & Date


Over the week leading up to the weekend, Clyde had being secretly practicing his powers once more ever since he had that nightmare on the night after his birthday. The young man fears that this could be a warning to him about losing his control for his supernatural talent to let loose and attack those he hated or cared for; he masks his concern well and it gives him so relief that his power has not backlash at him lately ever since his last fight with Bobby but something in Clyde just doesn't feel right.

What if he exactly does expose his power to defend himself from bullies and all? Would he be shunned away like a monster or freak? Would he be secretly taken away by military or law to be put down or experimented on like in some movies he saw during the school years? Whatever the reasons being, Clyde can't shake the feeling that if he is turning into something he doesn't want to be and being a worse person than Bobby or his own father would be one of his scariest nightmares come true.

He cannot let these doubts or fears get to him anymore, he has to be stronger than any of this...For his mother, for his friends and even for Stephanie.

Saturday the 17th came and tonight was going to be a big one for Clyde and Stephanie as well but first for Clyde, it was also the day to also visit Rebecca Hayes again and take the appointment with his psychologist, giving Clyde high hope that maybe Rebecca might hold some answers for his questions whist leaving out his powers as a secret to her like he does with everyone.

As usual, Donald kindly drove the Hendersons back to Miss Hayes's house in Clayton and waited in the living room while Clyde was in Miss Hayes's office, lying on the Chaise Lounge and explaining about the nightmare he had after his birthday to Miss Hayes.

"OK then, so if I may ask; were there other nightmares you had similar to the one you recently had?" Rebecca asked.

"No" Clyde shook his head.

"So why does this nightmare raise fear in you, do you know why?" Rebecca questioned the troubled teenager.

"It's everything; for all this time, I was always the nobody in Diegoville schools growing up, getting teased, abused and even humiliated often by the other kids; not to mention, living with my father who constantly verbal and physically scarred most of my life. At time I want to punish the people who harmed me, I feel like they never even cared whatever happens to me no matter what goes on with my life, even with the truth of my father and uncle's crimes on my family, to most of the people I know, I feel like they still don't even give a shit about me and always think of me as a nobody..." Clyde confessed his vents and worries.

Rebecca wrote this down before she got up and uses her laptop to look at Youtube before she asked: "Mister Henderson? Have you ever heard of a movie called Chronicle?"

"Not really" Clyde shrugged.

"When I first heard of you and what you went through, you remind me of a certain character by the name of Andrew Detmer" Rebecca replied.

"Andrew Detmer?" Clyde said in confusion.

"He has similar backgrounds to you; he had an abusive father, bullies that hurt him but his mother had cancer rather than crippled; his cousin was somewhat a nice fellow but a terrible cousin that should have done better for him and a friend who cared about him until it was too late for Andrew to see but the differences was that one of the parts is that those three guys had super powers" Rebecca explained.

"That's very eerie to be honest" Clyde gasped at this, thinking that somehow is similar to Clyde's life

"Watch this clip and you'll see" Rebecca said as she shows Clyde her laptop as a Youtube video containing a film clip from Chronicle as Andrew Detmer explains the idea of the Apex Predator:

"I've been doing a lot of reading, you know? Like, online about, like, just evolution and natural selection and how like there's this thing, right? It's called the apex predator, right? And basically what this is, is the strongest animal in the ecosystem, right? And as human beings, we're considered the apex predator but only because smaller animals can't feed on us because of weapons and stuff, right? A lion does not feel guilty when it kills a gazelle, right? You do not feel guilty when you squash a fly... and I think that means something. I just think that really means something..."

Clyde watches as Andrew crushes the car with his powers as it scares him to think that a fictional character like Andrew Detmer is closely similar to Clyde himself, only he doesn't have a selfish dick of a cousin nor his own mother was suffering from cancer like Karen Detmer was.

"Clyde, do you understand why I just shown you that clip?" Rebecca asked.

"Because the way I was and the way I am now is closely similar to him?" Clyde asked.

"Yes but even though Andrew ended up doing the wrong choices because of the people who harmed him in his life, doesn't mean you should do the same, Clyde; you are a good person and you shouldn't let those fears get the better of you otherwise you'll just end up being miserable and worrying for the rest of your life, living in doubt and hostile with the people around you. I know it's hard to let go of what happened involving your family and the school but I know you can be better than this, you can do great things for yourself to make yourself happy" Rebecca encouraged Clyde.

"You really think so?" Clyde asked in hope.

"Trust me, once you graduated from school or even go to prom the next Saturday; I promise you that you will feel that the past does not matter anymore and the future of your life welcomes you with open arms; don't be lingering in the world of doubt and misery forever, give yourself and everyone else a chance to be part of your life" Rebecca responded.

"But how can I get people to completely understand me?" Clyde questioned Rebecca.

"There are a lot of ways that I can name but what I encourage you is try to do it how you feel well enough to do so; opening up to a lot of people isn't always easy but it's a chance to try and finally let them really understand you" Rebecca answered.

Clyde soon thinks about an idea to do so as Rebecca looks at her watch and said: "And that's about time we finish for the day"

"Thank you Miss Hayes" Clyde thanked and shook Rebecca's hand.

"Call me Rebecca, Clyde" Rebecca chuckled.

"Right" Clyde nodded.

"Now I learned from your mother that you and that lovely lady you're going to prom with, Stephanie Montez, are going out on a date tonight" Rebecca said with a smile.

"Yep, that's correct" Clyde chuckled nervously.

"Well I hope you both have a great time together tonight" Rebecca chuckled.

"Thank you, I hope it goes well too" Clyde nervously replied.


Later on, Bobby and Aaron were finally being released from prison after serving their time for Jade managed to pay the bail out for Aaron as Mrs Douglas did the same for her son. When Aaron's parents found out about his drug possession and his expulsion and imprisonment, they disowned Aaron and threw everything he owns out of their house and left Aaron to fed on his own. Bobby however requested Jade to take his best friend to live in her apartment via the one phone call he was permitted to have as Jade watches as Mrs Douglas in shame drags an quiet yet hostile Bobby into her car and drove home with her.

"Poor Bobby" Jade sighed.

"Thank god we both didn't end up like prison bitches like Clyde Henderson...I thought Bobby finds a way to get back at that fucker" Aaron hissed under his breath.

"Come on then, let's get going" Jade replied as she drives Aaron back to her apartment for Aaron to stay.


Evening came at the Henderson residences, Donald and Sarah were checking Clyde out as he tried on wearing good formal clothes for the date.

"How do I look?" Clyde asked

"Oh Clyde! You look so handsome" Sarah giggled.

"Really?" Clyde chuckled.

"Of course buddy" Mr Jones agreed.

"Stephanie is going to love it when she sees you" Sarah gleefully replied.

"Mom, I told you before, we're just going out as best friends" Clyde said.

"Oh you don't had to lie to us, I seen the way you look at her and all those drawings of her you drew as a boy" Sarah giggled.

"Oh really?" Mr Jones chuckled.

"Mom, I was just a child" Clyde nervously pointed out while he smiled at the woman.

"It doesn't mean your feelings have change for her, honey" Sarah replied.

"OK so I kind of have a crush on Stephanie for a long time but I honestly think she wouldn't feel the same; besides we're only best friends and well...after her last relationship with Bobby" Clyde shrugged.

"You may believe what you say but who knows? Maybe Stephanie is a bit like you and may have a crush on you" Sarah warmly replied.

"It's like what you explained me on what Mr Tyler told you when Stephanie asked you out that day; you may never know unless you give her a chance" Mr Jones added.

"Well if that was true, what should I do?" Clyde asked.

"Just be yourself and tell her how you feel about her?" Sarah replied as she kisses Clyde on the cheek.

"I kind of feel silly though, I mean I don't know if it's true but isn't it suppose to be the date guy that has to drive to the woman's house, not get a lift from someone to pick up a date?" Clyde asked.

"Well yeah but that's not your fault you don't even have a license yet and I'm sure Stephanie will understand the conditions for the date" Mr Jones assured Clyde.

"Alright, I'm sorry; I'm just nervous about this" Clyde took deep breathes.

"You'll going to be great, just be yourself and have a good time with Stephanie" Sarah comforted her son.

Soon it was quarter to eight as Mr Jones drove Clyde to the Montez residences before he grabs out the roses he brought yesterday and a box of chocolate for Stephanie. Clyde goes to the front door and knocks on it before it opens for Clyde to see Stephanie stepping out in her lovely red pokerdot white date frock.

"Hi Clyde" Stephanie happily greeted.

"Hi Stephanie" Clyde nervously greeted before he gently hands the gifts to Stephanie and adds: "Theses are for you"

"Awwww! That is so sweet of you" Stephanie sweetly said as she goes inside to put them safely in the house.

Soon Stephanie goes outside with her purse and said: "So, are you ready to go?"

"Yeah" Clyde nodded before he complemented: "You look lovely tonight, Stephanie"

"Thank you, you look charming yourself Clyde" Stephanie warmly commented.

"Thanks" Clyde nervously thanked.

Stephanie soon took Clyde's hand as the young man then leads the young lady to the car before Mr Jones took them to the restaurant where they had Clyde's birthday dinner. Mr Jones looks out at the teenagers and called out: "Whenever you're ready to go, give me a call"

"No worries" Clyde replied.

"Thanks for the lift, Mr Jones" Stephanie thanked.

"Anytime" Mr Jones replied and drives away.

"So anyway, Stephanie, If that part of the date wasn't what you expected then I apologized" Clyde nervously started.

"There's nothing that needs apologizing Clyde" Stephanie assured Clyde.

"O-OK" Clyde nervously gulped.

"Are you nervous?" Stephanie asked.

"Actually, I'm an nervous wreak" Clyde admits as he nodded.

"Clyde, there's no need to be nervous; Trust me, you'll be fine" Stephanie reassured Clyde and hugs him.

Clyde blushes at the gesture before he hugs back softly until Stephanie gently holds Clyde's hand again and the two teenagers head inside the restaurant. As they got into their seats and ordered their dinners, it started off in a quiet way before they eventually began to talk about simple things at school, their positive moments in their life and among other things. Clyde begins to feel relax and happy around Stephanie that he can see she is having a great time with Clyde on this dinner date.

Stephanie felt the same way as she was glad Clyde was no longer nervous but in fact, enjoying himself on this date with Stephanie together; the young lady couldn't help but feel certain things around Clyde lately, he was so happy around her and so caring for all he does for her even she begins to find Clyde handsome lately thus beginning the crush she develops on Clyde Henderson.

After the dinner date a few hours later, Clyde and Stephanie treat themselves to desserts as Clyde ordered them both ice cream from a fast food restaurant across the road and enjoyed their ice cream together while waiting for Mr Jones to come back and pick them up. When they saw the car and head back inside the vecnine, Mr Jones drove Stephanie back to her house as Clyde walks her to the front door.

"Well, that was so much fun; I...um...I hope you had a great time like I did" Clyde said.

"I had an amazing time, Clyde; thank you so much" Stephanie happily thanked.

"No worries" Clyde chuckled and hugs Stephanie close.

Suddenly Clyde felt the young lady's lips on his cheek as she kisses Clyde on the cheek and sweetly said: "You're a very sweet person, Clyde; I really like you"

"You're very wonderful too Stephanie and I really like you too" Clyde honestly replied with a warm smile.

"I look forward to prom with you, Clyde" Stephanie giggled.

"Me too" Clyde replied before he adds: "Well, good night Stephanie and thank you for tonight"

"Thank you too Clyde and I'll see you at school, handsome" Stephanie giggled and closes the door.

Clyde was surprised that Stephanie called Clyde handsome! Is this what he think this means? Does Stephanie have a crush on Clyde too? It must be true; The kiss on the cheek and the playful words of good night.

"She likes me, She really likes me!" Clyde gleefully cheered and happily makes his way to Mr Jone's car who saw the whole thing and smiles happily at the scenario.

However, as Mr Jones drove off with Clyde from the Montezs residence, unbeknownst to them all, Bobby, who left his house despite his mother's strict curfew rule since Bobby got expelled and recently out of jail, was actually spying on the whole date with Clyde and Stephanie as this sends him to the breaking point of vengeance with Clyde.

"She likes him...My Stephanie...smitten by that god damn prison bitch! I should have made him bleed like a stuffed pig along with that backstabbing asshole, Luke, when I had the chance!" Bobby growled.

Suddenly an idea came to Bobby's mind as he had finally found the perfect act of revenge on his enemy.

"Bleed like a stuffed pig...Yes...perfect..." Bobby whispered to himself.

Soon Bobby got out his mobile phone and calls Aaron as he talked to his best friend:

"Aaron, meet me at the bowling alley; trust me you're going to enjoy what I have in store"

Bobby soon leaves the area and manages to return to Jade in his car who notices his cold smile and said: "You seem joyful, darling"

"Baby, I am finally going make that son of a bitch pay for all that he cost me" Bobby coldly chuckled.

"What is it sweetie? What's the plan?" Jade giggled.

"All in good time" Bobby chuckled and drives away.

"So where are we going now?" Jade questioned.

"First things first...I'm getting my things out" Bobby began...


What happens next?

Stay tuned to find out!