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4:30am, Friday, June 13, 2014
"Still don't understand why we have to be here" Ronnie complains.
"Yeah it's not like we actually learned anything here" Xander groans.
Shuri rolls her eyes as she pulls the two of them into the Rs section of the graduation line. Why they had a graduation ceremony at the end of middle school was a mystery to her (and to the most of America) "Now, don't do anything that would make your mom mad. More than usual." She gives Henry a peck on the lips and walks back to the auditorium.
"Ok so we not gonna talk about the fact that our principal next year is the grandson of one of dad's best friends" Xander whispers to his siblings.
"Yeah. Might make parent teacher conferences kinda awkward" Ronnie agrees with a nod. She looks down and sees one of Henry's hands slightly shaking, something that he's never had trouble with before. "You're nervous." She observes.
"Yeah no shit I'm nervous. I just-" he sees two of his classmates slightly paying attention to their conversation so he lowers his voice, "I just found the last connection I had to my parents. I've never been able to do the same things as you guys. Now I have to wait and maybe travel to the other side of the world, without any adults, to learn about myself. I don't even know exactly what I am-we are. I'm just tired of nothing ever being easy." He finishes his rant and runs his hand through his hair.
"Hey it's fine" Xander puts his hand on his brother's shoulder. Henry always got embarrassed when he had a panic attack in public, though he knew that his siblings would shut anyone down who dared to mention it.
"Xander, bring him to the bathroom to get some water. I'll hold our spot in line" Ronnie tells Xander.
"Thanks" Henry mumbles as Xander leads him to the boys' bathroom.
Xander hands his brother a plastic cup of water. He knew it was terrible for the environment, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
"What's on your mind? It's clouded" Xander observes.
"It's just kind of-. Well, I knew it wasn't easy for you two, but you guys were born with powers. Like strength and speed. Now I have to learn magic. It feels like you guys are more connected than I am. I'm always expected to be the mature one, but sometimes it gets tiring. For you and Ronnie, basically every situation can call for one of your talents. I have nothing to do unless someone gets hurt and I never want anyone to get hurt!" Henry sobs as Xander pulls him into a hug.
"Hey, nobody expects that of you. Yes you're different, but remember what you taught me. There's nothing interesting being like everyone else. We're all one brain and you need all parts of the brain to make it work. And we're all close. We're all connected through our fricken minds. Remember we'll find mom. And no matter what, we'll always be here for you. Got it?" Xander tells his brother.
Henry gives him an almost imperceivable nod. "Thanks" For all of the jokes Xander makes, he gives a hell of a pep talk. He definitely takes after Steve in that. "It does worry me" Xander gives him a confused look. "Familial hazard, we can't trust that they're not making something up. Ronnie is like a living lie detector but she's nowhere close to Mom's level."
"I understand bro, but let's get back in line, then we can figure this out with the Mystery Gang."
Henry laughs, "I swear if you and Ned start calling it that"
"Too late"
The boys rushed up to their sister who was right near the end of the line.
"Oh thank god, I thought you guys ditched" Ronnie whispers once they get in line.
"It's fine." Henry tells her and a smile suddenly reappears on her face knowing that her brother is ok. "Just in time"
Henry steps up to the stage stairs in preparation for his name to be called. "Henry Rogers"
Henry simply walks up the stairs while the principal gives him the stink eye. Hey, it's not their fault that a Nazi organization attacked in the middle of the year. Next Ronnie was called with a smile. The amount of cheer and softball awards she had helped win the school was unprecedented. She bows and goes right back next to Henry. Xander was called next with a matching face to what the principal gave Henry.
Again, not their fault multiple countries needed assistance from middle schoolers.
The ceremony ended quickly with a short speech from the principal. Everyone quickly put the folding chairs away as parents took pictures.
Shuri runs up to give Henry a hug while the other three more appropriately greet their friends.
"C'mon, let's get out of social hour" Ronnie pleads
"No no no. We have to get some pictures or your mom really will kill us" Peter laughs.
"So I guess Mommy and Daddy couldn't make it. Wait or didn't they die like the others" the annoying voice of Flash rings from behind them.
"Eugene your parents are right there. Don't put on your bitchy face when they could turn around." MJ tells him, loud enough for anyone around to overhear. Yes, being MJ's friend was an acquired taste but she doesn't put up with any bullshit when it comes to Flash. "Why are you here anyway?"
"My father is on the school board" he says smugly. "Why are you three and...her here?" He sneers at Shuri.
"Cause people actually want us here, unlike you" Shuri says. She smiles a little bit brighter as two people, who she knows to be Flash's parents walk over to the group.
"Eugene honey why are you talking with these people?" The woman asks as he shakes his head at his father's clear look of annoyance so they all end up walking away.
Peter directs the triplets so that he can quickly get some photos. Ronnie makes a funny face and the boys make a diva pose as Peter huffs into the phone. "Now one that a mature person would want" They all quickly straighten out but move as soon as the camera shutters.
"Thanks Petey" Ronnie goes into give him a hug that is almost instantly reciprocated.
"See you later Ron" Peter walks back to let everyone else say bye but he intentionally waits back. Ronnie notices this and excuses herself from her brothers that really want to leave.
Ronnie puts a hand on one of his arms. "You ok?"
"Yeah" he clears his throat. "I just know how close you guys are to your mom. I don't want you guys to get hurt" he admits, not surprisingly.
"Thanks. I'll umm... see you soon" Ronnie gives him a kiss on the cheek and walks away, blushing slightly.
"What was that about?" Shuri says in a teasing voice.
"Is it strange that our friend doesn't want us to die?" Ronnie quips back.
Henry and Xander shake their heads at their sister. "No, he was especially worried about you"
Ronnie makes a sour face at them, if they didn't shut up, she would make them. "C'mon, we have demons to catch"
