Sunset 01
"Dad?"
"Hmm?"
"What's your favorite animal?" I asked, spooning more cereal and pretending to not pay much attention to his answer.
He swallowed his own spoonful and tapped the bowl with his spoon a moment before shrugging. "I guess anything with fur."
Great, a bad day. At least he was still going to work. "Yeah, but there has to be something you really like. Maybe a bear? Or a tiger?"
"Sure. Tigers are nice."
Tigers were nice. I liked tigers. I could probably make a tiger…But he wasn't agreeing he liked tigers best, he was agreeing with tigers because it was easier than coming up with an answer. "Never mind. Do you know when you'll be home today?"
"Probably late. There's a meeting tonight I have to go to."
"Okay."
"You and Kayden can have dinner without me."
"Kayden's busy with her new client today, Dad."
"Oh. Right. I forgot."
I needed to figure out a way to talk to him about my powers. If I could heal cancer, could I heal depression? It hadn't really worked on me, but then I hadn't been trying…Not that I knew what I was doing when I healed people anyway. Maybe I should just come right out and say it? But then he would want me to join the Wards and he'd get upset when I was uncomfortable with that. And it would force Kayden to tell him about Purity to make him feel like I was safe again. I couldn't force her to tell him before she was ready.
I could wait another few days. This was going to be an important conversation and I needed to make sure I was ready.
"Have a nice day, sweetheart. Don't forget to study." He kissed the top of my head and the front door was closed before I had even processed that he had gotten up.
"Damn," I muttered. My spoon stabbed into the last dregs of my breakfast with a vengeance. "This shouldn't be so hard."
The doorbell rang before as I dropped my bowl into the sink. Who the heck was coming by so early? It was barely 8:30…
The bell rang again and I frowned as I went to grab the handle. "Who is it?" We needed a peephole.
"Taylor? What are you doing home?"
I stared at the door, a small smile rising as I recognized Tammi's voice. Pulling it open, my grin widened. She was standing on my porch in a yellow tank top and jeans, her leather jacket unzipped and a frown on her face as she stared at me. "Hi. I've officially started home-school stuff now, so I'm going to be home a lot more often. We got a new computer too, so I don't even have to go down to the library to get a lot of the work done if I don't want to."
"Oh. Uh, good…for you?"
"It is," I nodded. Moving back, I waved her in. "Come inside. It's still cold out and that jacket doesn't look warm enough."
"It's fine as long as the wind isn't too bad," she murmured stepping inside and shrugging off her coat. "I didn't expect you to be home."
"Well I am. How come you aren't heading to school?"
She grimaced, holding one arm behind her head and looking anywhere but at me. Wow, she was almost more nervous than I was. I hadn't had a friend over in…I shook my head to push out the memories of Emma. I missed her, but I didn't want those good memories to be polluted with what Sophia had twisted her into.
"I got into another fight with my cousin and her husband. I uh, well I'm not really looking forward to an upcoming thing and I made the mistake of mentioning that. So we shouted and I left. I forgot my bag, and I'm not willing to go back right now. So…your stepmom said I could come over and talk to her if something like this happened."
I had to resist the urge to punch the air. We were getting through to her Tammi. Excellent! It would be awkward if my first friend since Emma was still part of the Empire. That would send all sorts of wrong signals to, well pretty much every aspect of my life. The whole spectrum. Yup, Tammi needed to get out or I was liable to head for a nervous breakdown at some point.
"Is Kayden here?"
"No, she had a last minute client call to schedule a meeting for this morning. She was originally going to be home though. Usually the first ones only take two hours or so. She'll probably be back in a bit if you want to…you know, stick around." I clasped my hands behind my back to hide my restless fingers and I tried to ignore the warmth that was spreading on my cheeks.
"You don't have to start your work?" Tammi asked, examining the photos on the wall.
"No. It's really easy. I can get it knocked out in like two hours. I was actually planning to - uh, sculpt," I finished lamely. I was planning to work on crafting new minions once I had finished my work, but I couldn't say that. Sculpting was close enough - right?
"You do pottery?" Tammi turned to me, her mouth hanging slightly open. "Damn, I thought I was the only kid at Winslow who liked that."
Oh crap. Oh crap, crap, crap. "Uhh, yeah. I'm not very good though."
"Yeah, I hear ya. Can't make a bowl to save my life. I'm better at plates actually."
"I…just started. Figured it would keep me busy. I just like - drawing the stuff out. Working it around and making new shapes and figures, you know?" Yeah, that was more comfortable ground. My minions could be like pottery. They totally felt like shaping clay when I was working on them.
"Well that's why you're not getting quick results. You need to start small and work your way up to actual figurines. Did you manage to get your parents to spring for a kiln or do you just use a local shop once you're done?"
"Oh I'm not taking them anywhere to finish them off. A lot of my ideas are just experimental and don't go anywhere. I only have a few that are actually worth showing off."
"Hm, still that's neat." Tammi glanced around the hallway one more time before sighing. "Fuck it, I'm already here. You got any good movies we can watch until Kayden gets back? Or a game? There's a new import from Aleph out now, Morbid Combat or something. Looks like fun."
"We…can't really afford that…" I bit my lip and turned to stare at the TV. Kayden hadn't been getting enough commissions lately for any real spending money. What we had so far had gone into fixing up the house and buying my hero equipment. I was considering asking for donations or a small salary for my healing when it wasn't pro bono - it would help with the bills. "Oh! I have a few movies! Um, it's mostly a few Angelina Jolie movies, and I think I have the Lord of the Rings too. And um…Volcano? I know a lot of people don't like it because it reminds them of Behemoth, but I always thought that Anne Heche was awesome…" Stupid fucking blush. Ridiculously versatile powers and I couldn't even keep my own blush under control.
"You are such a nerd," Tammi chuckled. "Which Jolie movie? Wanted is new right? They have powers that let them curve bullets in that one yeah?"
"Yeah." Aleph had strange ideas about powers. Nobody had the exact same type of power. That was just weird. The movie was good though. And Angelina was hot.
"Okay, let's throw it on. You can show me some of your sculptures later if Kayden still isn't back yet."
I could only nod.
How was I supposed to come up with clay figurines in two hours?!
\/\/\/\/
The movie was just as good as the first time I had watched it. Even if the powers were weird. I couldn't help compare how some of the people in our world would've been able to get things accomplished instead. One good Thinker and the bad guy's plan would've fallen apart in a moment.
I had barely paid attention to the movie itself for the most part. Instead I had been watching Tammi out of the corner of my eye. She'd splayed herself out against the corner of the couch, letting her feet rest on the table. She had started out tense, the muscles in her shoulders tightened enough that I could see the definition under the straps of her tank top, but she'd slowly loosened up over the hour and a half that we sat there. By the end, she was fully slumped into the couch and I was breathing easier.
The first time I had someone over in forever and a day. It was going well.
"Can you imagine controlling that many rats?" she asked as the film ended. "I gotta think that would melt someone's brain."
"I don't know," I said, swallowing hard. "There's that one guy who controls pigeons in Wisconsin. And there's other Masters that can work with that sort of input too." Me, for example…
"Yeah, I guess." She shrugged and cracked her neck turning to face me and folding her legs under the couch. "So how'd you get involved in this stuff?"
"Huh?" Her eyes were very blue. Sparkling like the sea on a sunny day.
"I mean, the figurines and such. I got into it because my parents had a workshop on the compound, back before they split off from the family, I used to hang out there. What about you?"
"Oh. Pottery." Right, I had said I did pottery. "After my mom died, I used to hang out with a - friend. We went our separate ways and I needed something to keep me busy." Just fudge the timeline a bit and that actually wasn't even a lie.
"I get it. Building things can be a hell of a lot nicer than tearing them down." Her roots had started growing in too. I stared - Tammi was a redhead. I would not have called that. I would have said brunette but in the right light, there was fire in her hair.
"So how are you planning to keep busy if your home-school stuff is going to be so simple?"
"Running." Patrolling. Same difference. Boy that was a tight shirt.
"You don't seem the type to work out." Was it hot in here? I thought I had turned on the AC…
"I wasn't, but I've been getting more into fitness. Lately."
"Cool. Always a good idea to increase your…stamina." A really tight shirt.
"Yeah…"
"…Soo, you see what the new Hero did the other day? Hardlight apparently healed a ton of kids. With puppies."
That was me! I knew puppies had been the right idea. I could only nodd, my face just as warm as the room now.
"That was pretty badass. And adorable with how the kids were holding them. Not many people go for being nice over just punching things when you start wearing a costume."
"Mhmm."
"She's even getting Purity to clean up her act. I hadn't really thought that would be possible…"
"She's pretty cool."
"Yeah," Tammi agreed, dropping her gaze to the couch and fingering a loose stitch in the upholstery. "Yeah, she is. Cooler than me, that's for sure."
"You're pretty cool," I murmured. "Not a lot of people could pull off a leather jacket with a tank top in winter."
"It's a warm jacket."
"You look really nice in it."
"Oh. Thanks?" She lifted her eyes back up to meet mine. Such pretty eyes.
"What was that, Taylor?"
"Huh?"
"You said something about my eyes?"
"…Pretty eyes…"
"What?"
I leaned forward, one hand planted on the couch near her leg and the other reaching across to anchor myself on the armrest. So pretty…
Tammi froze beneath me as our lips touched. The only sound was the roaring of my heart in my ears. The only smell was the soft cherry scent of her lipstick. I sank into that scent and that sound and that touch. It was perfect. It was -
"What the fuck, Taylor!?" Tammi shouted, pulling back and throwing her hands up between us. The world crashed back to reality around me as I fell back against my own armrest. My eyes widened and I gasped. I had just kissed her. Without saying anything beforehand. I had let my control go, my mind wander. She was breaking away from the Empire! She wouldn't be okay with - oh god…oh no, no, no.
I slammed my palms over my eyes and cringed into a ball in the corner of the couch. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I'm sorry…"
"What the hell?! Seriously what the - are you into girls?"
"Yes." My voice was so soft I didn't even know if she could hear me.
"Christ, Taylor, you can't just do that! I - I live with Neo-Nazis! I grew up with Neo-Nazis! We've barely talked!"
"I know." My face was red and I could feel the tears starting to form. I was such an idiot. Such a compulsive fucking idiot.
"I'm in the Empire Eighty Eight!"
It felt like she'd slapped me. I deserved that. I deserved that and more. "You were nice to me."
"Taylor, you're cool. You're way too nice. You've been better to me in the past two weeks than - fuck - pretty much anyone else I know. But - "
"I'm sorry," I whimpered.
"…I can't deal with this right now. I'm just going to go. Look, I'll call you later or something."
I nodded, not lifting my hands from my eyes. The couch shifted under me and I heard the squeak of the floorboards as she went to grab her jacket.
"Taylor…Look just…I'll call you later."
I nodded again. The door closed a moment later.
There was a brief shout of surprise from the porch which finally convinced me to pull my hands down. I twisted to stare out the window only to see Tammi nearly sprinting away from the home. I had fucked that up. I had fucked that up sooo bad. How was I so horrible at personing?!
I was going to cry again. It was going to happen. There was no possible way to avoid it. And it was totally my fault. I had no one to blame but myself. I just needed to find the ice cream and go up to my room, make a few minions and share my ice cream around with them all. That was perfect. That would -
The doorbell rang again. My head snapped to the entranceway. Tammi was still fleeing from me. Kayden had her own key. Who the fuck was bothering me now! I needed ice cream not a goddamn package delivery!
Scowling I unfolded myself from my shame ball and started stalking to the door. I grabbed it and flung it open just as the man outside's hand reached for the ringer again.
He blinked at me and I stared out at him. This was not a delivery man. My scowl turned into something nasty as I glared at Mr. Anders. "Kayden's not here," I spat.
"Oh that's perfectly fine Miss Hebert. I was actually hoping to speak with you. May I come in?"
My eyes narrowed to slits. What the hell did Kayden's ex want to do with me?
"I'm not comfortable with having you in my house. You have shit timing. Come back when Kayden or my dad are home."
"That's a very smart stance to take, especially in this city, young lady." He nodded, turning my dismissal of him into patronizing condescension. Asshole.
"Alas, I don't have much free time these days. Running my medical company is a very demanding job. I was only able to get away for a short time this morning."
"So schedule a meeting. That's what you execs like to do, isn't it?"
He actually chuckled at that. Oh god I wanted to hit him. I wanted to hit him so bad. "We do, but I don't know if Kayden would be able to free her schedule for me. I do apologize for interrupting. Did you have a friend over? I noticed someone leaving in a bit of hurry."
Fuck you. Fuck you. Fuck you! "She had to go home."
"I see. Well, all the same, I just wished to extend an offer of employment in your direction, Miss Hebert."
I blinked, actually rearing back at that. "I'm sorry, what?"
"Employment. There's an internship position that has opened up in Medhall. I realize that things ended messily between Kayden and myself, but I do still wish the best for her. Ensuring that her step-daughter has good building blocks for educational and work experience is the least I can do. A Medhall internship opens doors you know. And it's quite lucrative too - compared to a teenager's normal income at least."
"We make more than enough in this household," I said, my lip curling again. We weren't poor. Just because we didn't live in a penthouse apartment downtown didn't mean that he could look down on my family.
"Oh, of course. I was thinking it could be used for spending money. Something that could assist you with upgrading your gear." Red flags started to go off in my head as he said that. Before I could do more than open my mouth, Mr. Anders continued, "Computers are quite expensive these days. I understand that you are doing home tutoring now; I'd imagine that your computer will need updating soon, they always seem to need updating."
"I'll handle it thanks."
He nodded, a small smirk spreading on his lips. Conceited fucker. "How are things going for you, Taylor?"
"What?"
"You could make friends with this job. It would be a good place to meet others your age. Home-schooling doesn't offer a huge social circle after all. I am…aware of your former issues. This could help you get back out there. Get you back on the horse, so to speak."
"I'm good with my friend thanks."
"The friend who just ran away?"
My fist clenched and my eyes started to water again which I hurriedly blinked away.
Mr. Anders smiled, he was a good actor. With the slump in his shoulders and the set of his jaws, it almost had me fooled that he was sympathizing with me, that he was sorry, that he was apologizing.
Except I knew that look. Sophia had taught it to Emma very well. "I need to study. Have a very nice day, Mr. Anders."
I started to push the door shut though his foot got into the gap. Note to self: slam door in Mr. Asshole's face next time.
"Just think about it, Taylor. Here's my card. Call if you need anything. Any help, any assistance, any advice."
"Yeah, I'll do that." I snapped the business card from between his fingers and Mr. Anders smiled, inclining his head towards me as he removed his foot. "I'll put it right next to Blackwell's card. Goodbye." I slammed the door in his face, leaning my head against the wood a moment later.
"Have a pleasant afternoon, Taylor. It was wonderful to speak with you. Do tell Kayden I say hello."
The rickety stair creaked as he left. We had fixed that. We'd need to fix it again. Someone was going to get themselves killed one day because of that thing, hopefully Anders.
The door was cool. The coolness was soothing. I wasn't trapped. I wasn't trapped. I had control. I had control. A minion settled over my shoulders. I slammed a hand against the door.
I had control.
Another minion clutched at my leg. I hit the door again.
A third minion plopped itself onto my head. I beat the door. I shouted. I cried. I slumped down and huddled against the wall, my head in between my knees, my arms crossed over them. My minions clustered around me.
I was still like that when Kayden finally got home.