AN: I'm sorry this is so late. I have a lot of good reasons why it is so, but I know that you don't really care. The point is that I have more, and here it is. Enjoy and expect more soon.
Do You Have a Date for Homecoming?
A bleak October rain streaked down the windows of the mad science lab and clouded the grey world from view. Margaret was sitting with her head in her hands gazing at the fogged glass, completely missing Prof. Medulla's instructions on how to dismantled an atomic bomb. The bell shook her out of her stupor and brought her attention to the blank notebook before her that should've been filled with exam-saving notes. She frowned and gathered her things, the lab quickly emptying into the hall.
The chilled weather had brought with it a change in wardrobe for most students, long sleeves and fuzzy sweaters. It also brought with it plans for Homecoming, which was only a week away. Banners and posters reminding students to attend- and not to bring a super villain as a date- were wallpapering the school.
Margaret found Will and Layla sitting outside on the stone wall that surrounded the floating institution waiting for the bus.
"Hey." She called as she neared. The pair looked up from their handholding and waved, each of them smiling.
"Buses are running late," Will explained. Margaret mouthed an "Oh" and plopped down on the grass next to them.
"How was gym?" Layla asked. Margaret shrugged in response and pulled at a blade of grass. It had gone badly. Coach Boomer had put them through timed obstacle courses. They had to duck, dive, sprint, and leap to get to a dummy citizen held hostage at the middle of the maze, all the while dodging falling cars, bolts of electricity and extreme changes in the weather. The maze was standard for senior heroes and most of the students made it through with little difficulty.
Except for Margaret. She was in perfect condition for a sidekick, which meant she was way below the physical bar for a hero. She had barely made it through the set of greased- tires before she tripped up and Boomer had to eliminate her. One long whistle blast and the girl was sent to the showers- thankfully. Her legs were still sore.
"Hey." Maj called as she hopped onto the ledge next to Layla. Zach came skidding after her.
"Hey kid, Layla." He said as he raised his chin in salute. "How ya doin', Boomer Junior?" Margaret laughed and looked menacingly, though mockingly, over her shoulder. "Heard you got mulched in PE." He said.
"Yup, it was handed to me on a plate." She said with mock cheeriness. She pulled her legs into her chest and wrapped a bangled arm around her knees.
For the past three years of her life she'd been a sidekick and she'd secretly done as all sidekicks before her had, envied and despised the heroes. They got special treatment, different training. Now that she was on the other side of the fence, she found that there was a price for power. Now she found herself secretly doing what all heroes before her had done, wishing that she was a sidekick.
"Ooo," Layla squealed, leaning over to examine Margaret's arm, "I love your bracelet. Where'd you get it?"
"Mom."
"It's the same colour as my Homecoming dress."
Will rolled his eyes. "Here we go."
"You can borrow it if you want." Margaret said as she slid the bangle off her wrist and dangled it enticingly before the redhead.
"Really?"
"Sure. I'm not going to use it."
"What colour's your dress?" Layla asked as she swooped up the bracelet and slipped it onto her own wrist.
"I'm not going."
"You're not going?" Maj echoed. Margaret shook her head.
"But it's your last Homecoming." Layla added. She wasn't much for conforming to school social rules, but she'd heard stories of women who'd skipped their senior dances and had gone insane because of it. Better safe than sorry.
"I don't have anyone to go with." Margaret pulled a blade of grass up and started blowing through it, making a dull whistling sound.
"You can go with us." Layla chirped. Will looked at her, his eyebrows quirked. "I mean with all of us. As a group."
Maj and Margaret both looked at Layla for a moment then started to laugh.
"Waiting for the bus too?" Warren asked as he sauntered over, dropping his bag on the grass next to Margaret. "What's so funny?" He jerked his head towards Margaret who hadn't acknowledged him, she was too busy laughing.
"She doesn't have a date for Homecoming." Maj explained. Margaret sobered up and sighed, leaning her head against the wall and looking up at Warren,
"So?" He droned, dropping down next to her, his boots touching the edge of her Birkenstocks.
"Layla suggested she go with us. As a group." Warren sucked in a long breath through his teeth and winced. "See." Magenta said to Layla as though Warren's response had proven her point.
"I'm just not going."
"But you have to." Layla all but whined. "Warren, you're not going with anyone, why don't you take her?"
The pair's heads snapped towards Layla.
"What?" Margaret boomed.
"Hey, I let you decide once, once, who my date for Homecoming would be. You used up your get out of jail free card."
"And could we please stop talking about me like I wasn't here. I'm not a prize bull."
"You always will be in my eyes." Will jokingly winked. Margaret scowled.
"I'm not going and that's that."
"But-"
"Layla," Will took her face in his wide hands and smoothed down her neck. "She said she's not going, okay?" He ran his fingers through some of her red curls and she melted. He pulled his girlfriend into his shoulder and mouthed, "Works every time." to Margaret who smiled and leaned back against the wall.
"Wonder why the bus is so late." Zach asked nobody in particular.
"Traffic." Warren replied straight faced. Nobody laughed, they all just closed their eyes and warmed themselves in the sun, the cool breezes having stayed their blowing for the time being.
"Guys, guys-" Ethan yelled as he rushed down the stairs two at a time. The group collectively sat up and greeted the bespectacled, newly-elected president of the student body as he skidded to a halt next to Will.
"Hey popsicle, we never see you anymore, what's up-"
"You gotta go to the Principle's office."
Everyone's head snapped towards Warren.
"Hey." He warned.
"No, not him, all of you. Something's wrong."
"What is it?" Will asked, straightening up a bit.
"I can't tell you here. Please, just come with me." Will stood up and grabbed his backpack, jerking his head for the rest of them to follow. Quickly they all jumped to their feet and gathered their stuff following Ethan back into the building.
Warren sluggishly stood up and brushed the seat of his faded jeans before holding a gloved hand out to Margaret, who just stared back in return.
"You coming?"
"I didn't think I was invited."
Warren rolled his eyes and grabbed her wrist, pulling her off of the grass and onto her feet. She was surprised at how light she seemed in his hand and stumbled forward under the force of his arm, stopping inches away from his face.
"You're one of us now." He said rather quietly. They stood there for a moment, neither speaking. Margaret could feel her heart racing in her chest and she swallowed hard. She nodded in response. It was all she could think to do. More and more she found herself alternating from playful banter to not knowing what to say around Warren. She told herself that he was just an intimidating man, that it was a normal reaction that anyone might have. It's just Warren, she thought, just the kid who Boomer attached you to so that you'd be a good influence on him, who keeps making guest appearances in your dreams-
She stepped back and grabbed her bag, thankful for the space between them.
"Well," She said, slinging the bag over her head. "Let's go save something."
Warren smiled and grabbed his things, starting a jog up the front steps. Margaret stood on the lawn for a moment and watched him for a moment before following them into the school.
