Yes, I promised I'd start writing more but then college happened and the workload actually picked up. I've been spending more time away from my laptop, and therefore, less time writing. This particular chapter took a couple days to write, and as a result, it's SUPER long. I hope this makes up for it.
My new high school isn't all that bad. The classes are nice enough, and the homework isn't horribly overwhelming. I made a new friend too, an artistic junior named Pavatti with a teal and lavender fo-hawk, light blue eyes, and strong attraction towards men of European origin. To put it simply, he was an anglophile. Yes, Pavatti is a dude.
We met
"Okay…. Now hold that pose," Pav said, scribbling at his sketchbook. I stiffened, though a bit wobbly, I managed to stay fairly still. We were hanging out in the school library during lunch period, away from the noise and the crowds. My new gay bestie was using me for some drawing practice.
"So, I need some advice, about boys," I said, my limbs starting to ache. Pavatti giggled.
"Oooo, do you like someone?" He asked, still scribbling away, "Tell meeeee!" I groaned, but I was smiling too. I would have shaken my head, but I feared the artist's wrath.
"No, I don't like him… Much. He's a jerk, big time," I said, "He's nice to me when it's just the two of us, but then he's suddenly an ass when someone else is nearby. Before that, he was just cruel, believed I ruined his life or something. I didn't by the way; I'm protecting him from potential disaster!"
"Heroine then? Underappreciated princess in shining armor?" Pavatti asked, "Why would he blame you for ruining his life?" I groaned, starting to sag. "Pose!" I jerked back into position.
"It wasn't me, but it was related to me. What happened to him changed everything; he's living in the same house as me, he's off his job. I didn't do it to him, but I'm the only one who can help him and he treated me like the villain because of it. He's nicer now that I've shown him things aren't all that bad, but…" I trailed off, feeling down. Pendragon was frustrating at best, but he was actually upsetting me. I managed to not think about it most of the time, but when I did think about him it was unpleasant to say the least.
"Boys are stupid and he's only himself around you. Wait you live with him?" Pav wiggled his eyebrows, "Kick his, does he have a nice ass? Kick his hot ass out." I dropped my arms and sat down, guessing that Pav's lack of anger over my change in position as evidence that he finished the base sketch.
"I can't do that, neither of us were thrilled about the living situation, but his job…. He's government and they demanded it. I couldn't exactly say no to the government!" I had known Pav was joking about kicking him out, but the thought had crossed my mind before, just walking away. Pavatti looked up at me, startled.
"The government? What did you do to get yourself mixed up with the government?"
"I'm totally a super hero." I said, overly sarcastic, "I made a mistake, and indirectly, Pendragon suffered for it." Pav's jaw dropped.
"His name is Pendragon? As in the Arthurian Legend? Mists of Avalon?" His voice was rising in pitch, almost to an unbecoming squeal. I winced, tugging at my ear.
"Yes, his name is Pendragon. And I hate him so much. He's rude, but he's so pretty that I don't even care! Ugh!" I rolled forward on the carpet, planting my forehead firmly into the dusty fibers.
"How pretty are we talking?" Pavatti sounded closer than he had before.
"Ashy blond hair, down to the shoulder. Not very well kept, so he always has bedhead. He's kind of pale, with deep blue eyes you could get lost in. He's skinny, not very muscular but damn, it works for him!" I bit my lip, failing to repress the mental images that came to mind, and I knew I was probably beet-red. Pavatti practically swooned.
"Mmmm, eyes you could get lost in? You've been looking!" He sang at me, making me blush darker.
"I-I-I couldn't help myself!" I sputtered, and Pavatti laughed loudly, earning a hissed "shush" from a nearby student.
"Look Pav, he's sexy. I'm not going to deny it, but I'm getting so many mixed signals, if I'm even getting signals, that my head is spinning!" I rubbed my forehead.
"Well," Pavatti put his hand on my shoulder and looked at me seriously, "From what I hear, if you don't take him, I will." I snorted, and Pav shot me a meaningful look, which only made me laugh harder. But the bell rang outside, and we were forced to pack up and head our separate ways.
I was a little out of focus during the second half of the school day; my mind kept wandering to Pendragon, that beautiful idiot. Talking to Pavatti made me feel better about my predicament, but now I had merman on the brain. I couldn't just NOT thinks about him. He was swimming around my mind like birds around the head of a cartoon character with a concussion.
"Jacqueline," My math teacher interrupted my thoughts, "Can you give us an answer?" Shit.
"42?" I hadn't been paying attention, and my mind went straight to the answer to life, death, the universe, everything.
"…. Correct," the teacher said slowly, and I breathed a sigh of relief, "Can you explain how you came to that answer?" Well shit.
With the day over, I met up with Pav by my locker. His class let out a little bit before mine did, and so he'd taken to waiting up for me. His sketchbook was out of his bag, clutched to his chest like his life depended on it.
"Hey, you never showed me your drawing of me," I blurted in realization. Pav flipped open his sketchbook, skipping quickly past the few (very nicely drawn) homoerotic drawings he'd refused to show me. Settling on one drawing of what looking like some Grecian goddess, my jaw dropped open.
"That's me?" I asked.
"Of course not, you hag," Pav scoffed, "It's some character I made up on the spot, of course it's you, you bloody bimbo." I rolled my eyes and grinned.
"It's amazing, Pav. I can't believe that's me, she's too pretty."
"Modesty doesn't become you, so fucking stop it." Pav grinned back. I gave him a playful shove as he tenderly stuffed his sketchbook into his backpack. We turned to start heading towards the doubled-doors that separated us from the outside world.
Blinking against the sunlight, we stepped out onto the sidewalk and started to walk down the street towards Manhattan. As my eyes adjusted to the light, I spotted a tall man with longish ash blond hair and stopped in my tracks. Grabbing Pavatti's arm, I stiffened.
"Pav, that's him," I said, as Pendragon strode over, his smug expression and straight posture made him look like he was lording over the bent-over backpack-hauling students. I heard Pavatti's jaw hit the concrete.
"Forget waiting until you chicken out, that ass is fucking mine." Pavatti muttered to me, and I smirked.
"Hey Pendragon," I said casually.
"Hello Jack," Pendragon grinned. I turned to Pav who'd managed to close his mouth and was now staring wide-eyed.
"Pendragon, this is Pavatti, my best friend. Pav, this is the asshole," I smiled.
"So you have been talking about me," Pendragon met my eyes, "I'm flattered."
"You should be, " I stuck my tongue out.
"So, 'best friend'," Pendragon turned to Pavatti, "How long have you two known each other?" There was a subtle hostility in his voice that caught me off guard.
"I-I-ah," Pav stammered, I jumped in to save the poor boy's ass.
"We met on the first day of school," I said, "When people find things that they have in common, like interests in music or TV or video games, they become instant best friends." I added in response to Pendragon's confused look. Then it hit me.
"He's gay," I stated bluntly.
"Very gay," Pavatti added, finding his voice.
"The gayest." Pendragon blinked.
"Also, he's claimed your ass. He owns you!" I grinned before Pav began pawing my arm frantically.
"NononononononoIdidnotshutupno!" Pavatti panicked, "I didn't say that I never said that WHY DID YOU TELL HIM THAT?!" His voice had pitched up, sounding girlier than mine. His face was bright red, and he was stuttering like mad. Pendragon chuckled, confused but amused.
"I need to speak with you for a moment," Pendragon leaned towards me, speaking softly. There was urgency in his tone.
"Can you excuse us for a moment?" I asked Pavatti, who nodded in response. Moving to the edge of the building, Pendragon glanced around cautiously.
"How much does he know?"
"I told him we live together, because I got us both in trouble with the government. No specifics." I responded. I understood his paranoia; I could be the same sometimes.
"Does he know where we're living?" Pendragon asked.
"If he knew that he'd also start to understand why. Pavatti's a smart guy; he'd figure it out. No, he doesn't know where we live."
"But what if he wants to visit after school?" I bit my lip and looked at the ground.
"No guests, against the rules." I mumbled, monotone. Pendragon nodded, patted my shoulder, and walked back towards Pav, who was glancing about nervously. I followed and smiled at my friend, who relaxed once he was in familiar company.
"We've got to go," Pendragon said, grabbing my arm and pulling me down the sidewalk, "It was nice to meet you, see you around some time." I waved, calling goodbyes while stumbling sideways down the street. Pav laughed and waved back.
There was a black SUV with tinted windows double-parked around the corner. Following Pendragon's lead, I climbed into the back seat, and dropped my backpack on the floor between my feet. I looked over at Pendragon, who hadn't buckled his seatbelt.
"You need to wear your seatbelt, it's against the law to be without." I scolded, buckling my own; "You're making me nervous just looking at you."
"Darling," Pendragon leaned in close, "I don't care." He whispered, almost seductively. I blushed bright red, putting my hand on his face and pushing him away. Stupid fucking sexy merman. Pendragon laughed as I turned to look out the window.
We passed by the school building, and I watched the kids streaming from the entrance. I wondered how they would react if they knew about me. If they knew I live with Iron Man, and watched movies with Captain America. If they knew I was a mermaid. How differently would they treat me? Would they spit on me as I walked down the hall? Push me to the ground and call me a freak? Would they worship the ground I walk on, idolize me, and call me a super hero? I haven't saved anyone before, and I'm far from super. But I wondered all the same.
"You have that look on your face." Pendragon said, snapping me from my thoughts.
"Huh?" I blinked at him.
"You were thinking," Pendragon frowned, "About what we are. Thinking about how different we are from them. Humans… Never thought I wouldn't be one. Kind of thing one takes for granted." He trailed off.
"And by the way," He looked me dead in the eyes, "Don't make that face. It's fucking depressing." I was taken aback. But considering there was a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent chauffeuring, he must be upholding some sort of reputation. We pulled through the heavy gates into Stark Tower's garage.
Several hours, and homework packets later, I was giving Pendragon a test. He had learned all four of the basic water-manipulation powers, and had been practicing ever since. I wanted to see if he was ready for something harder.
Pendragon's face was blank as he stared at the cup of water in front of him. The test was simple. Levitate all of the water in the cup, freeze it into a 3D shape, melt the ice, then turn it into gel and return it to the cup. All without letting it drop. He raised his hand, flexing the muscles to channel his magic.
The water bulged upwards, pulling free from the glass. It hovered a foot above the rim, an imperfect sphere. Pendragon wiggled his fingers, willing the sphere to change shape. Corners pulled out from the center of the bubble, the side flattening into a cube. Then, it frosted over with ice. I glanced at Pendragon's face for a moment, only to see sweat beading up on his forehead. Returning my attention to the cube, I watched as the outside of the ice began to steam slightly, the ice returning to a liquid state. Finally, the water clouded, and lowered gently back into the cup with a soft squish.
Pendragon sagged with exhaustion, lying down on the floor and breathing loudly. I picked up the cup, tilting it gently. The water inside was completely gelled. I turned to the merman and smiled.
"You pass," I said cheerfully. Pendragon smiled too, but he didn't say anything. I turned the gel in the cup back into water, and sat down on the floor next to Pendragon.
"I suppose you want to wait before I tell you what power you're going to learn next, correct?" I asked. I wasn't surprised when he shook his head.
"You can tell me now, just don't make me try it," He responded. I grinned.
"How about this, if you find me, I'll tell you what it is you're learning next." Pendragon frowned.
"Hide and seek? Aren't we a little too old for this?" I wiggled my eyebrows at him, and squeezed my fist. Pendragon sat up straight and looked around, jaw to the carpet.
"What the hell?" He breathed, "Jack, this isn't funny! Stop it!"
"Hey kiddos!" Tony interrupted, walking into the room, "Hey, where's Jackie?" He jumped when I reappeared, standing in the exact spot I had vanished from.
"Okay," Tony continued, "Dinner time. How about takeout?"
"That sounds great!" I smiled, "I could go for some Indian, how's that?"
"No thank you," Pendragon said, "I want Chinese." I blinked at him.
"Okay, Chinese sounds good too."
"Actually, I want Italian."
"Sure."
"Mexican." I scowled. He was just trying to be difficult.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" I asked bluntly.
"I beg your pardon?" Pendragon smiled innocently.
"All this changing your mind, just because I agree with you."
"I don't know what you're talking about." I groaned out loud. I glanced at Tony, who shrugged and shook his head. Nothing he can do, okay. Time to take matters into my own fins.
"Don't make me sing." I said. Pendragon paled.
"You wouldn't!" He said, backing up.
"I'm gonna sing!" I smiled wickedly.
"I'm sorry! Don't do this!" He raised his voice. Tony rolled his eyes. If I was in a situation that reminded me of a song, I would sometimes sing it, and Pendragon hated it. What can I say? I love pretending to be in musicals.
"You, change your mind, like a girl, changes clothes!" I sang at him.
"No, I'm sorry! No!" Pendragon shouted, trying to drown out my singing with his own voice.
"Yeah you, PMS, like a bitch, I would know!" I sang louder, starting to chase him around.
"Not Katy Perry!" Oh, so it's not just the fact that I'm singing, but it's the song I chose too? Screw the verse, time for the chorus!
"YOU'RE HOT THEN YOU'RE COLD YOU'RE YES THAN YOU'RE NO…" I screamed over his protests.
"IT'S NOT EVEN IN ORDER!" Pendragon screamed back.
"YOU'RE IN THEN YOU'RE OUT YOU'RE UP THEN YOU'RE DOWN…"
"WE CAN HAVE INDIAN ANYTHING YOU WANT!"
"Okay." I stopped. Smiling brightly, I crossed the room. Tony was standing there, hand on his face as though he'd face palmed with superglue on his hand. He actually might have.
"I'll take the chicken tikka masala with naan." I said cheerfully, turning to look at the bewildered Pendragon, "So what will you have?"
Ah, a humorous chapter! I've been looking forward to a more day-in-the-life kind of chapter for a while, just interactions and funny. Pavatti is based on a real person, who is two years younger than me, smart, funny, artistic, and gay. He's been my gay bestie since middle school, and he helped me write this chapter so that I could get his reactions to be true to him. I give a shout out to the real Pavatti, who actually helped me design Pendragon (and named him). Thanks so much for the help! Anyway, I hope you guys liked this chapter, and I'll try to start working on the next one soon!
