I DO NOT OWN STARGIRL. SHOUTOUT TO ANIMALCRUNCH12 FOR ALL OF THEIR TIRELESS WORK ON THIS STORY.

When Zach Bogumill came to school the next day, he was still stunned by what happened the night before. As soon as his head had hit the pillow, he'd dreamt of only Stargirl. He replayed the heroic encounter over and over again.

Only twenty-four hours ago, Zach had written off superheroes as fiction in comic books and movies. They weren't actually flesh and bone and blood, but paper and ink and superb CGI. Stargirl, however, proved just how he was wrong on all counts, and for once, Zach actually didn't mind being wrong. He was so absorbed in his thoughts concerning his star-spangled savior, he almost bumped into the lunch table.

"Careful, you almost knocked into me," Yolanda chided, and Zach flushed with embarrassment.

"Shit. I'm sorry, Yolanda. I'm…" Zach paused as he sat down. Americana spandex and golden hair vividly bursting in his brain like fireworks on the Fourth of July. "I'm just really distracted."

"Why?" Rick inquired. "Are your aunt and uncle being shitheads again?"

"They always are, but that's not it." Zach leaned into the table, whispering carefully, "Have you ever heard of someone called Stargirl?" At the sound of her name, everyone at the table bristled, immediate silence.

Eventually, Beth Chapel spoke up, "Of course. She's Blue Valley's resident superhero and one of the coolest superheroes ever!"

"Yeah, she's really awesome," Courtney said. There was a peculiar sparkle to her eyes, a faint rush of blood beneath her cheeks.

"How do you know about her?" Yolanda asked cautiously.

"She'd saved me last night. I was walking home after detention when some jock dicks cornered me. They were about to hand me my ass.

"All of a sudden, she came out of the sky on her magical staff like she's playing a game of Quidditch," Zach continued. "Decked out like Captain America's tether, and then she kicks all of their ass without even breaking a sweat!"

"Sounds like you got lucky," Rick brushed off.

Zach took a bite out of his sandwich. "You can say that again." He swallowed. "I have never seen a girl fight like her before in my life."

"Then you've clearly never seen my boxing skills," Yolanda quipped, earning chuckles around the table.

"Was she pretty?" Courtney asked with just a hint of mischief.

Zach buried his head in his hands. "She was so freaking beautiful. You have no idea."

"I'm happy that Stargirl was there for you," Beth replied.

When Zach managed to pry his hands from his face, he caught the quick look Courtney made at Beth.

"Don't worry, Court," Zach said. "She'll never replace your spot as my best friend and guardian of my sanity."

He reached across the table for her hand, and she squeezed it.

"She better not. I don't remember Stargirl teaching you how to bind," Courtney pointed out, and he rolled his eyes.

"As if anyone could replace Courtney," said Beth.


After lunch, Zach bided his time in study hall. Naturally, he was in no great hurry to go home, but he also had no desire to spend any more time at school than he had to. Because he had a light homework load, Zach spent the study period drawing pictures in his notebook. Some were of the fantastic superhero donning infamous stars and stripes. The others were of the beautiful and kind Courtney Whitmore.

His mind tearing into from the pull between two different girls. Was it possible for him to like both? Can you like two people at the same time? Is it wrong?

On the one hand, Stargirl was brave and strong. On the other, Courtney was kind-hearted and gentle.

Zach tried to put aside whatever lustful feelings he had for the super-heroine out of his mind. Even an angel like Courtney would never want to be his girlfriend, forget about a legitimate hero. What he felt for Stargirl was simply admiration for saving his ass. Nothing more.

As the study hall clock ticked on, Zach just wished he didn't have to divide his feelings between Courtney and Stargirl.


Meanwhile, in a separate study hall, Courtney Whitmore was having her own romantic queries. She cannot deny it any longer and needed advice from her friend, Yolanda Montez.

"Court, you have the hots for Zach?" Yolanda parroted after Courtney confessed and swore her into secrecy.

"Keep your voice down," Courtney whispered. "And yes, all right! I really freaking like him."

"Then why not tell him? The worst thing he can do is say he's not interested. That's nothing."

Courtney frowned. "It's complicated. Zach isn't in a good place mentally at the moment, and I don't want to put more pressure on him... Besides, he needs an ally more than a girlfriend."

"I get that. But that doesn't mean you can't be both."

Courtney sighed, packing her things as the last bell rang. She wanted to ask Zach out very much, but she didn't want to ruin the friendship they already share. Doing the right thing is a bitch sometimes, but it was her duty.

Not only as Courtney Whitmore but as also Stargirl.

WILL ZACH AND COURTNEY CONFESS THEIR FEELINGS? REVIEWS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED.