Chapter Four: Stuck in Your Head

Hartley wasn't sure how this had happened.

Havoc was a sociopathic madwoman with the authorities on her tail. Hartley should have been scared. Instead, she felt an overwhelming sense of excitement. Maybe it was because Havoc, of all people, was the one to suggest that they be friends. Hartley couldn't hide her smile as she walked to school for the first time in weeks. Friends, friends, friends. She hummed a tune to herself.

"Well, look who it is." A new voice snickered, making Hartley freeze in place. "Just when I thought we'd finally gotten rid of you. Aww, such a shame." Gem was probably the meanest, most manipulative girl in all of Centropolis. She had been singling out Hartley since they were both in diapers. Gem always crafted some new way to get into Hartley's head and it worked.

"Uh, yeah, I was… I was busy." Hartley supplied, walking past Gem and opening her own locker.

"Oh, please." Gem scoffed, "Spill."

"Why?" Hartley asked, raising her voice for the first time. She didn't owe Gem anything. If there was anything Havoc had taught her these last few weeks was that Hartley shouldn't let other people boss her around. She had actually straight-up told Hartley this when the civilian had been getting ready to leave.

"You're a total doormat." Havoc said, sitting on the edge of Hartley's bed, "Remember that, Hartley."

"That's not very nice."

"Yeah, well I'm not here to sugarcoat things, am I?" Havoc reminded, "People are going to take advantage of you. So, don't let them do it."

"It's not that simple." Hartley exhaled, picking up her backpack and slinging it over her shoulder, "I wish you could come with me."

"I'm not going to fight your battles for you. Now, just listen to me and don't let people boss you around."

"Just call me if something happens, okay? I wrote my number down over there but please don't take advantage of it. I actually want to learn."

"Yeah, I can't relate."

Hartley lingered by the door for a second before giving in and smothering Havoc in a hug. "I'll miss you." She whispered into the villain's ear. Havoc gave her a quick squeeze and whispered back, "Well, you'd be the first."

Hartley pulled back and waved goodbye, crossing her fingers that nothing bad would happen to her friend while she was gone.

"What do you mean why?" Gem asked, shocked and confused. Hartley had never questioned her, "Well, we're friends aren't we? You know you could tell me anything." She smirked, leaning against the locker next to Hartley's.

"We are not friends." Hartley countered, slamming her locked door shut and making Gem jump. She started her march to class, Gem right behind her.

"Well, if you're not going to tell me then I guess I'll have to tell the Principal." Gem threatened in a sickly sweet tone. She leaned in close to the civilian, an evil smile on her face. Even Havoc didn't look this scary when she was smiling. How could she, though? Havoc was the prettiest girl in the world. With her long, brown hair that faded into a vibrant red. The way she tried to pretend that she wasn't worried, the way she–

No, Hartley. No.

A pair of fingers snapped in front of her face, jerking her back to reality. Gem had her backed against the wall- literally. "I don't like being ignored." She said, "Oh lookie there, we're late for class." Gem remarked, "Aww, there goes your perfect attendance record." She leaned in further and mockingly pouted, "Poor baby. Well, have a good day!"

"You're late too." Hartley choked out, "You made us both late, right? What are you going to do?"

"Oh, me?" Gem laughed, "Daddy's going to take care of it if I get caught. That's right, I actually have people who care about me. Who do you have, hm?" She pushed, taking Hartley's silence as a victory. Then the popular girl turned around and strutted off to class, leaving Hartley cold and shaking. She wanted nothing more than to skip school and run home to Havoc. Instead, she managed to collect herself and walk shyly into her classroom. She was instantly handed a detention slip. Hartley felt like crying all over again. Gem didn't get any punishment at all, so why should Hartley? The logical choice here was that both of them got punished or none at all. Plain and simple. But, no. Hartley got an hour of detention while Gem got away scott free. Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous! Not only that, but her phone was full of missed phone calls and voicemails from Havoc. Hartley clicked on the first one.

"Nothing happened." Havoc's voice assured, "... or did it? Hell if I know! Where are you? Some crazy old lady showed up! She's got a crossbow and I'm not exactly sure whether to use my powers or not! She's calling the cops, you get back here NOW!"

In a panic herself, Hartley dialed the number back. It picked up on the first ring. "Finally! Where are you? What's going on?"

"I'll explain later." Hartley assured, "Anyway, it seems like my Grandmother is home. Do you think you could find a way out of my house and come meet me at school? If you are feeling up to it, that is. I don't want you to strain yourself."

"Yeah, no problem. Ugh! You're really related to this lady?"

"Unfortunately so." Hartley grumbled, hearing shifting on Havoc's side. "You know where the school is, right? You know where to find me?"

"Yeah, yeah." The villain assured, "Heading over there now. See you soon." The phone then hung up and Hartley waited outside the school grounds, tapping her foot anxiously. She had to be waiting outside for at least fifteen minutes before a strange, but beautiful girl took a spot next to Hartley's side. "Finally lost 'er." The girl said, "She's one crazy woman."

"...Okay?"

"Oh, right." The girl said, gesturing to herself, "I'm Amy Madden." She introduced, before leaning close to Hartley's ear and whispering, "I'm Havoc." When she pulled back, a pleased smirk was on her face at the sight of Hartley's flabbergasted expression.

"You?"

"Me."

"You?!"

"Me!"

"You?!"

"ME! Goddamit, Hartley!" Amy shouted. She froze up when Hartley ran into her arms, wrapping the villain into a hug. Tears were tears streaming down the civilian's face and onto Amy's shirt. Slowly. Amy's hands lowered and she returned the gesture.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Hartley apologized, nuzzling into her friend's chest, "There was this girl - she got me in trouble. They punished me. I had to stay later. I didn't know my Grandmother was coming home today. You know I would never hurt you, I wouldn't dream of it!" She assured, feeling comfort in her friend's warm arms. "I care about you so much.. Hav, oh wait. You're pretty, I mean Amy! I'm not saying you aren't pretty, 'cause you are. Like, a lot. Pretty isn't your name, though. It's Amy, like you told me it was." She chuckled, closing her eyes a bit as she felt her friend's fingers glide gently through her hair.

"Who hurt you?"

When Hartley didn't answer, Amy slowly released herself from the hug, although her hands remained around Hartley's neck. "Who hurt you?" Amy asked again, "And don't you dare lie to me!"

Hartley sighed in defeat and ducked her head in shame, "Her name is Gem. She's been torturing me since I was little. When we were kids, it was easy to dismiss. Now, though, things have gotten pretty intense. She basically told me that no one loved me and that she wouldn't get in trouble because her "Daddy" had money. I had to take the fall and no one believed me. The principal confiscated my phone so I couldn't see any of your calls until after detention." Hartley explained. She felt a finger gently bring her chin up and she met Amy's furious gaze. "That's bullshit." She growled out, "That's utter, fucking bullshit. You have people who care about you! I mean, it's impossible for you to just have no one care for you." When Hartley didn't respond, Amy leaned forward and glared at the girl, "Say it. Say you know that it's not true."

"I mean, my Grandmother's always out doing who-knows-what and my parents aren't around anymore. So, who do I really have, Amy? Who would want me around?" Hartley pushed, "I mean, you only declared yourself my friend because you think you owed me something."

Amy pulled back an arm and pinched the bridge of her nose, "Hartley, I exposed my identity to you." She stated, looking back up at her new friend, "I know you're smarter than this. Now act like it." She spat, pulling away and instead lacing her fingers through Hartley's own. Amy didn't say another word as they walked together. She let Hartley lead the way, who was smiling ear-to-ear.