I woke up a lot warmer than usual but not uncomfortably so. It took me a few seconds to shake the haze of sleep and realize I was holding on to another person. I was more confused than worried. It's not like anyone bar a very small subset of people were strong enough to try anything with me and most of them didn't live anywhere near Brockton Bay.

I sat up slowly to look around the room I was in then down at the person I was previously curled into. I recognized Lisa immediately and remembered what had happened the previous night. I'd gotten into an argument with my dad about his drinking and neglect and he got mad enough to hit me. I left, outing myself in the process, and showed up at Lisa's apartment one step from a breakdown and she tried to console me till I cried myself to sleep. That certainly wasn't how I expected that confrontation to go. I thought he'd be mad when I eventually brought it up, or at least in denial, but I hadn't considered it would go that badly.

I fell back onto the bed with a sigh.

"How'd you sleep?" Lisa asked. She sounded like she'd been awake for a while.

"Good, actually. Who knew crying could be so therapeutic?"

"Psychologists probably." She propped her head up on her hand but I didn't bother looking over at her. "You feeling any better?"

"You know I'm not."

"It was worth asking." She sighed. "Do you know what you're gonna do now?"

"No idea."

"You can stay here as long as you need to."

"I really appreciate that, Lisa."

"What are friends for?" She smirked. I knew she could tell I'd felt something at the word. For all intents and purposes I guess I did consider her a friend. And I didn't really have a choice but to trust her with my secrets considering she could see right through me like glass. Speaking of—

"What are your powers anyway?" I asked.

"I'm basically Sherlock Holmes on uppers. Super powered deduction. It's basically impossible to turn off."

"Moriarty." I said.

She covered her face with one hand and snorted in laughter.

"I made that same joke before." She laughed.

"I'm glad you know who he is. He's not very well known to people who haven't read the books."

"If I'm anything it's well read."

"I would've said 'unbearably smug'."

"That's not true. You can stand to be around me."

"Fine, 'almost unbearably smug' then. I'm surprised your power isn't 'enhanced smug'."

"Keep it up and I'll show you what 'enhanced smug' really looks like."

"No," I droned playfully, "Not the smug. I can't take it."

"Whatever you big nerd." Lisa rolled her eyes and got out of bed. "So what do you want to do today?"

"Nothing." I stretched. "I want to lie here."

"Ah-ah, none of that." She said. I could hear shuffling near the closet. "You know what always cheers me up?"

"Shopping." I sighed woefully.

"Shopping!" She sang cheerfully.

I looked over at her clock to check the time. It was a little past eight in the morning.

"Hey, you wanna come with me on my morning run?"

"What do you think I was changing for?" I looked over and saw her dressed in yoga pants and a sports bra, her hair done up in a bun. "I'm sure you can fit some of my baggier stuff so get dressed."

—

"I never want to run with you again." Lisa panted as we walked into the donut shop.

"You just need better endurance." I said.

"How do you run like that?"

"I have good endurance." I smirked.

"I'll hit you." She growled.

"You can't."

"Well, good morning Taylor. Who's your friend?" Abby asked.

"Morning Abby. This is my friend Lisa."

"Hello." Lisa waved.

"Morning. So, you gonna make being late on Monday's a habit?" Abby asked.

"I hope not. I ended up staying at Lisa's place last night."

"Oh?" She cocked her head to the side. "What happened?"

Abby really was too good at reading people. Maybe it was my word choice or the fact she had been through the evasive teen thing a few times, but she picked up that something had happened a little too quick.

"Its…" I drummed my fingers on the counter once, "Nothing you should worry yourself over."

"If it was important enough you left to someone else's house I'll worry about it." She said, getting into her "mother bear" mode. It probably said something about me that I didn't realize she cared that much until that moment.

"Got into an argument with my dad." I sighed.

"Bad enough you left home, huh?" She asked, calming down a bit.

"Yeah." I drummed my fingers on the counter again.

"Well," She sighed, "I'm glad you have friends to help you through that. It's on the house today."

"What?" I asked, "Are you sure?"

"Yup. Get what you want. Sweets always help."

"Apple fritter. Chocolate milk as always." I said with a smile.

"And you?" Abby looked at Lisa.

"Oh, uh. Muffin, please."

"Got it. You two have a good run. See you next time Taylor." Abby said as she bagged everything up.

"Thanks again, Abby. See you Wednesday." I said as we started leaving.

"She's a lot nicer than she looks." Lisa said as we started walking back towards her place.

"She is. I like her because she's not all peppy. Very to the point."

"Yeah, that makes sense for you."

"I hope you know we're running back." I told her as opened my milk.

"You're a monster." She groaned.

"You just need to do more Cardio." I laughed and we started back to her place.

—

Once we got back and finished showering Lisa called the Number Man and I set up accounts for the Espada as a whole and each of us individually. The main Espada account was mostly general or discretionary funds for the group as a whole. Business expenses basically. I was probably going to be the one putting the most into that account, but it was fine. As long as we had enough to operate it would be fine. Not like I tended to spend a lot on myself.

Once I had everything set up I shot Theo and Madison a message about their new accounts and how we'd meet up later to talk about it. Then we went out shopping.

Luckily there hadn't been any bombings so far by the time we got to the shop a bit before noon. The tension was visible along the boardwalk in how the few people who were out were constantly looking over their shoulders. The Boardwalk was usually crowded but it was empty by comparison today. The few shops that were open didn't have very many, if any, people in them.

This was more the atmosphere I was expecting at the mall the previous day, but I guess 50% off sales just did that to people.

"You know you should really show your legs off more." Lisa told me.

"You think so?" I asked.

"You're tall and have long legs. Definitely a way to attract attention." She nodded, flipping through a rack of clothes.

"I don't really want attention."

"Still trying to hide?" She asks.

"Not really. I don't feel the need to hide myself away in inconspicuous clothing anymore, but I also don't necessarily want people staring at me or trying to talk to me." I explain.

"You're just anti social."

"To an extent, I guess. I want to make friends again but there's still that lingering fear of being burned again."

Lisa looked at me for a few seconds and decided not to push that subject with a light shake of her head.

"Well will you at least try something less drab than the over sized bleached hoodies?"

"I can try more flashy, I guess, but not super flashy. I still want to wear jeans. And no heels."

"Yeah, yeah, I'll have you set up with a nice new wardrobe soon."

"Are we really buying everything from here?" I asked, looking over some of the price tags. Eighty dollar shirts were a bit much for me.

"Why not? These clothes are nice." Lisa pouted.

"They're expensive. While I might be able to afford it, it feels like a rip off."

"Well we'll just buy a few outfits and we can shop somewhere you like more later. Now go try these on." Lisa pushed a bunch of clothes into my hand and waved me off towards the dressing rooms.

We spent about an hour in that boutique and I was once again put through the gauntlet that was shopping with Lisa. New outfits every few minutes to the point where I felt like I was drowning in cloth. When we were finally done and moving up to pay I heard an unfortunately familiar voice call out to me.

"Oh, Taylor." Emma said as we were walking towards the counter. She had a few of her groupies with her. "Fancy seeing you here. Since, you know, this isn't the type of place you can afford." She smiled.

"Sup." Was the only acknowledgment I gave her. Honestly, that was probably too much.

"Oh, don't be that way, Taylor. Don't you want to introduce me to your new friend?" Emma asked.

"Not particularly."

"Aw, I think it would be nice, Taylor." Lisa started with a sly fox like grin that said she was up to no good. She turned towards Emma and her groupies with a smile. "I'm Lisa."

"Well at least one of you has manners. I'm Emma. I hope Taylor hasn't been bringing down your mood too much. I know how much of a downer she can be."

"Oh, no, Taylor is actually quite nice to be around. How do you know her?"

Lisa was definitely playing coy. I knew she knew enough by now to start picking at Emma, but she hadn't started yet. I didn't really want to be around her any longer than I needed to be, so I was just ready to go.

"She didn't tell you? We used to be friends, much as it pains me to admit. I just couldn't stand to be around someone I out grew. She's just not up to my standard." Emma shook her head and shrugged in that cocky, punchable 'Oh well' way.

"Taylor hasn't mentioned you at all. I guess she just didn't feel you were important enough."

I had to bite my tongue to keep from smirking at the shock that flashed across Emma's face.

"I—."

"You know you seem to think very highly of yourself. And despite the fact Taylor's never mentioned you to me and you claim you out grew her, it seems to me like you spend a lot of time thinking about her. Is someone crushing?"

"I-I'm not… How could you even—."

"Relax, I'm joking, Red. You know, you look kind of familiar."

Emma relaxed a bit and straightened her hair with her hands. "That's right!" She said proudly, "I model."

"Ah! That makes sense. I must have seen you a fashion magazine! So, what's that like?"

"Modeling is fun. I'm sure I could get you in if you wanted to try. You just have to—."

"No, no, I meant 'what's it like using modeling to cover for your insecurities'?" Lisa smiled widely, showing teeth. "You really strike me as the type of person who likes to hold things over others to feel better about themselves. So what is it for you?"

"I'm not insecure about anything." It was a statement, but it sounded like a question. I don't think I'd ever heard her so defensive.

"Is that so? Nothing at all? You'll have to excuse me if I doubt that. I'd say daddy issues, but that's not right. It's something deeper. Something more psychological…" Lisa acted like she was taking a second to think, which let Emma speak.

"How dare you?! You don't know a thing about me!" Emma stomped.

"Ah, I got it!" Lisa snapped, " You like to pretend to be strong!"

"W-what are you—."

"You act like you're strong." Lisa said again, moving closer to Emma and lowering her voice to a hiss. "You pretend like you're the one standing at the top because deep down inside you know you're nothing more than a terrified little girl who can't handle what the world is like. You tear down others because it makes you feel better about yourself long enough to pretend that deep down inside you're not just a few simple words from a breakdown. You're fragile like glass and all it would take is one tiny drop to shatter you to pieces."

Lisa took a step back from Emma who was now wide eyed and taking quick shallow breaths. The other girls with her were somewhere between confused and terrified.

"Well," Lisa started again, "It was certainly a pleasure to meet you, Emma. Take care of your face. Wouldn't want to lose your modeling job or your self worth from an accident. Let's go pay for our things, Taylor." Lisa turned and started walking towards me. Emma seemed to snap out of her shock after a few seconds and in an effort to regain some control shot forward, aiming to grab Lisa's ponytail. I snatched her arm by the wrist before she got close, squeezing tight enough to draw a pained hiss from her.

"What do you think you're doing?" I asked calmly.

"Let me go!" Emma snapped, yanking her arm back but finding no give.

I shook my head. "You really are pathetic, Emma. I should probably feel bad for you but, like I said yesterday, I can't be bothered to think about you. Go about your shopping or whatever, but if you try to fuck with my friends again," I squeezed her arm tighter making her grit her teeth and pull back in pain, "I will hurt you."

I let her go and she fell to her knees holding her wrist. Lisa and I paid for our things without anymore trouble.

—

"I think I'm gonna drop out." I said idly as we stepped back into Lisa's apartment. We'd stopped to grab some take out on the way back and some smoothies.

"Of school?" She asked, dropping our bags on the floor next to the couch.

"Yup." I nodded, putting the food on the table. "I'm kinda tired of it all, you know. Like, I'm taking the early exit exam after I turn sixteen in June and I don't necessarily have to finish the year to be eligible. It's an "and/or" kinda deal. I only have to fulfill one of the criteria to take it."

"If that's what you have to deal with on a daily basis, I honestly don't blame you." Lisa sighed. "That redhead is a real bitch. I can't believe she tried to grab my hair."

"Yup. Didn't used to be that way, but I'm past the point of caring. I just want her and Sophia out of my hair. Besides, being able to devote more time to the Espada will be better for us in the long run."

"Well, I won't tell you not to. Long as you feel it's the right choice, I won't fault you. Especially since you have to deal with her every day."

"Oh, it's worse than that. Most of the faculty is trash too. They just actually don't care. They act like they do, but only to the point where they can cover their asses. Winslow is such a shit hole that kids brandishing knives isn't seen as a threat."

"That does sound pretty bad." Lisa nodded as we sat down at the table. "You gonna just stop going or are you going to turn in the paperwork for it?"

"Paperwork. Last thing I need is truancy fines. Do you think you could forge my dad's signature?"

"If I see it, probably."

"Great, that makes this easier. I'll just drop by the school during lunch when this is all over and get Blackwell to sign off. Doubt she'll give much resistance since she barely cares in the first place."

"I'll drive you. Make things easier."

"I appreciate that." I said. "And earlier."

"Earlier?" She looked up from her food.

"Standing up for me in the store. It's been a while since I had a friend that would do that."

"That's nothing Taylor. Honestly, I just can't stand people like that. All the double speak and acting like their being nice and talking shit behind your back. I could never stand the Mean Girls types." She waved her hand.

"I couldn't either, honestly. Still, I appreciate it. It's been a while since I've had anyone willing to go to bat for me like that."

"Don't worry about it. You stepped up for me right after."

"If nothing else, I'm a loyal friend." I said.

"Still, it's a good thing you stopped that bitch from grabbing my hair. I would've sent her straight to the psych ward if she grabbed me. I've never caused someone a mental breakdown before, but I would not have hesitated to give her one."

I shrugged. "If you run into her again and she tries some shit, I won't stop you."

"She'd deserve it if she doesn't try anything."

"True enough. So, do you know what the deal is with the truce?" I asked, wondering how things were coming along so far. I didn't have any way for the other leaders to contact me so I was in the dark on the planning.

"We're still trying to figure out where Bakuda might be hiding. From what Coil and I have managed to figure out, she's switching warehouses every other day or so. I wouldn't be surprised if she reuses a warehouse every few days just to throw people off her trail. Once we Thinkers and the info gatherers have it narrowed down to a few spots that we can hit all at once we'll deal with teams."

"Alright. I'll buy a new burner so they have a way to contact me. I'd like to keep as many of us from the Empire as possible. Purity definitely can't be on the same team as an Empire Cape and especially not if she's alone. I'll probably send Nihilus with her. She'd be able to help better than if something happened while she were with Samael."

"You think Kaiser would try something during the truce?"

"Like Purity said, if he thinks he can get away with it, sure. I certainly don't trust him not to try anything."

Lisa nodded. "I can see that. If Purity were alone with someone like Hookwolf then we'd have a serious problem on our hands."

"Exactly. So I'd like to avoid that. If anyone is going to be with a the Empire alone, I'd prefer it be me. They can't actually hurt me and it would give me better justification for fucking shit up after the truce is done."

"Speaking of, who are we going after first?" She asked. "I want to start working on the logistics for that. Once the ABB is gone the Empire and Coil will be the only other major gangs in town. Faultline is a mercenary, Uber and Leet aren't really worth bothering with, and the Merchants are… Well, they're the Merchants." She sighed.

"I actually wanted to hit the Merchants first. Mush is in jail, unlikely to get out unless Skidmark and Squealer break him out, which they aren't dumb enough to do until after the truce ends. Once we have our turf carved out I saw we smash the fuckers. Skidmark straight to the PRT, Squealer straight to Las Noches, maybe clean up any druggies in the area like we plan on doing Squealer." I paused at that. "Would that technically count as Mastering someone?" I asked carefully.

Lisa hummed and bobbed her head to the sides, trying to work out an answer.

"I guess if they were really trying to nail you to the wall, they could make a case for it, but it would be flimsy at best and unless they were really out to get you the jury wouldn't even have people on it who would consider curing drug addiction in a negative light at all, power based or not."

"Ah, fuck it then. If they can't get that charge to stick than I'll just sweep wherever we are. That should hopefully be easier than actually having to fight any of those clowns."

"Well if you've got it all planned out then I'll link up with Theo about the Empire. All that's left to do until then is wait for the raids to start."

I nodded. It was looking to be a mostly relaxing week in that case. It's not like things could get that much worse in the time it took to find and capture Bakuda.

Right?