Well, without delay, this chapter picks up 3 hours after the end of the previous chapter and the Parr family is sitting down for dinner together. Enjoy!

(Helen's POV)

"Hey, watch it!" I started as I reached in and slid a napkin into Jack Jack's lap just in time to catch the spaghetti sauce that dripped off his fork.

"Nice catch." Bob commented, giving me a slight grin as he took a drink from his glass. I gave him a slight smirk back and was about to make a remark until I glanced at Dash for a split second before settling on him.

He looked really deep in thought as he stared at his plate and just kept pushing around his food with his fork before taking slow, small bites. Okay, he's eating and he usually doesn't talk a lot during dinner… but I know my son enough to know this isn't his usual.

Usually no matter what, Dash shovels food into his mouth and looks like he hasn't been fed in days despite getting enough to feed three starving people at almost every meal, or at least that's what it feels like sometimes, since his metabolism literally runs him dry if he doesn't eat enough.

But, he was just barely finishing his first helping and he hasn't done this since he was a little boy and put up resistance to eating his vegetables like a lot of kids. Then ever since he was 14, his metabolism picked up and he no longer cared or discriminated when it came to eating. I swear if you put anything in front of Dash that constitutes as food, he will eat it so fast that it's almost as if he swallows his food whole like a snake.

But this that I'm seeing right now… concerns me.

I looked across from me at Bob, who was also looking at Dash and I could tell he was thinking the same thing that I was about this not being normal.

He looked at me and we exchanged a glance between us, almost like we knew exactly what we were thinking and that we were thinking the exact same thing.

I looked back at Dash and tried to approach it as cautiously as possible since we haven't exactly had the best relationship lately for particular reasons.

I tried to keep my tone as calm as possible as I said, just trying to show I was concerned, "Everything okay?"

It took a second I think for him to register that I was talking to him since he whipped his head over to look at me and said, "Huh?" I tilted my head and asked, "Is everything okay? Is something wrong with your spaghetti?"

After that he shook his head and spoke really fast and nervously as he said, "Oh, no. It's just… I'm just not hungry."

I was about to ask if he was okay when he immediately shoved the rest of the spaghetti on his plate into his mouth and said through chewing, "Done."

He took off into the kitchen and cleaned his plate as fast as possible before putting it into the drying rack next to the sink and then ran into his room and shut the door before anyone could say anything.

I looked back at Bob, who looked about as confused as me, as I craned my neck a little to look at Dash's closed door.

Later that night

(Dash's POV)

All I kept looking at was my hand as I sat on the edge of a building looking at the streets, trying to clear my head.

Well, again, trying.

I still don't know how to even feel right now. I mean… what was that?!

Even though whatever that was when Melanie touched my hand faded off a LONG time ago at this point, it's like my head still can't shake it. Like it keeps throwing all the stuff I remembered from what happened yesterday back in my face.

Cuz, how can I not think about it?! That was crazy!

I've seen a lot of weird stuff, but I've NEVER had anything like that happen to me ever!

Sure usually anything that involves Melanie is usually about as weird as she is, but she took that to a whole new level yesterday.

And especially since it got even more awkward today, I found her in the library and tried to sneak her the stuff she dropped yesterday back and tried to ask her about what happened. But before I even said anything, she just automatically ripped the papers out of my hand and just walked away saying 'thanks' really fast… Honestly her thanking me made it even weirder.

Then the rest of the day was her just straight up avoiding me since I hardly saw her and when I did see her she would immediately turn and b-line away from me.

Well, you know, at least her version of avoiding since she just pretty much avoids everyone on a daily basis.

And again… I still can't figure it out?!

I mean, even though I've never seen or felt anything like that… seriously, she has to be a super, right? There's NO way that she doesn't have powers or something, right?!

I just… ugh, I don't know? I just can't believe a girl in my school, and my same grade, was a super this whole time and I never knew.

When I was a kid, I still remembered when mom and dad told us that most other kids didn't have powers like we did. Even everyone who's older than me as a super are really hard to find.

When you run into another superhero now, it's crazy. I felt myself cringe as I thought of her, but even just meeting Nova and seeing that there are other people around my age who have powers blew my mind.

But, Melanie also has powers? And I was in school with her for years and had literally no idea at all?

Yeah, no one would really guess that I have powers either I guess since I don't just take off at top speed in the middle of the hall or anything. That and I wear a super suit to protect my identity like most supers do when we're using our powers out in public, so no one knows who I am.

Well, maybe Melanie knew who I was after I saved her from getting crushed by a truck?

Ugh, man this just keeps getting worse…

But what can I do? Do I just walk up to her and just say, "Hey, so remember that freaky light show that happened the other day in the library when you gave me a total panic attack for some reason?"

Yeah, no matter what way that comes out, it's gonna sound weird.

And that's only half of it.

If today told me anything, Melanie is going to avoid me at all costs since she literally just showed me her powers right in the middle of the library.

Again, do I think she's weird? Uh yeah, especially right now I am really freaked out by her and think she's really weird, but not for her powers.

But… all I want to do right now is talk to her. I have no idea exactly what I want to really talk to her about or even just say to her period, but… I just got to know.

I REALLY want to know what's her deal. And I'm gonna find out.

3 days later

Okay, she should be coming around the corner, right about… now. Melanie started rounding the corner into old downton of our suburb, reading a book while she was walking.

Alright, I know this looks bad, but… I can explain.

For the past couple days, I've been trying to see if I could get her to run into me in the library or something again. Yeah, that didn't happen. Melanie has still been doing everything she possibly can to avoid me everyday at school.

Shocker.

But, I only have one class with her and even in that class we sit at opposite ends of the room. Also, its Trigonometry and our teacher, Mrs. Danders, is like a drill sergeant and doesn't let any of us talk or hang around in her class room once the end bell rings for the class period.

Also, Melanie sits closest to the door and she bolts it out of there so fast I can't do anything. Not like I can just use my powers in the middle of passing period without anybody noticing?

It was Friday and I just realized that I wouldn't have any chance of trying to talk to her until next week since I have no idea where to find her outside of school.

I have no idea where she lives and it's not like I can even ask anyone else either since Melanie doesn't have any friends.

And since football season is over and I have nothing else to do right after school… yeah, I've been following her.

I know that sounds bad!

But this is the only way I could think of to try and get her to talk to me about whatever the heck happened a few days ago?! It's crazy though because she actually doesn't live that far away from me, only about 7 blocks.

But, she doesn't drive like I do since she always walks home everyday. That and she always walks through old downtown that's filled with a bunch of restaurants and local business places.

So, I started to think.

There's no way I could do this once she gets to the neighborhood since everyone and their mom would be able to see us. But… old downtown? There's a lot of old back alleys where the businesses keep their trash cans in and are also a pretty good hiding spot if you'd need one.

She kept getting closer and I started to bite my lip.

Ugh… please let me not screw this up.

I had my super suit on underneath my letter jacket and jeans so I could have my hands covered. Look after the last I touched her hand and felt like I was drowning and freaking out from nothing, I didn't want to chance it.

Don't know if my gloves will do anything, but then again I didn't remember any weird stuff happening when I grabbed her when I saved her that one time. Hey, worth a shot though, right?

She started to walk past the entrance to the alley and I just went for it as I grabbed her off the sidewalk in one swift motion and got her between me and the alley wall so fast I was hardly even thinking.

And it wasn't until now that really realized… I had no idea what I was doing or even wanted to do.

My hands were resting on the wall on either side of her head and she was just staring at me in shock as she pressed herself into the wall away from me, and all I did was just… stare.

And it was right now I realized I had no idea what I was doing as I slipped, "You have powers."

But, before I could beat myself up for whatever the heck that was, I grunted and fell to my knees immediately as I felt her give me a sharp hit below the belt with what I knew was one of her knees. And trust me, it was a REALLY good hit.

I was holding myself on the ground and trying not to tear up.

"Why?" I strained out on reflex, trying to figure out what my life has gotten to at this point.

Seriously, I met one girl with powers who tried to get me to rob a place for her and now another girl with powers I've gone to school with for years just hit me where it hurts.

Are all girls psycho or something?!

I mean, I know I just pulled Melanie into an alley to get her talk to me… but I don't know!

"What is wrong with you?" I strained out, my voice sounding hoarse as all get out since I was still in pain.

"M-me?! You just pulled me into an alley!" She yelled back at me, clearly freaked out and also looking pretty mad. Kinda took me by surprise too since I've never seen her angry like this before.

Yeah, had that one coming.

I started to try and stand right as she looked like she was about to book it out of there.

I bit my lip to fight the pain as I zoomed in front of her to cut her off as I gulped before saying, "Look, I just wanna talk, okay?"

She stumbled back and even tripped and fell on the ground but still kept stumbling back away from me as she said, still really freaked out, "GET away from me, Dash! I-I mean it or… or I'll tell everyone you're Blue Streak!"

I froze for a second and felt my knees lock up after I heard her say that. Yeah, I know I used my powers in front of her just now but, man I am so confused right now.

I looked over my shoulder to make sure no one was watching and I didn't want to just let her know she had me as I said, getting really annoyed and frustrated, "Shh! Well, don't scream it! And… how did you even know anyway?"

It was quiet until she finally looked up at me, and unlike usual, she actually didn't look freaked out or nervous like she usually does all the time as she said, "I always knew. Even before you saved me from that truck."

At first I wasn't surprised until I realized what she said as I gave her a look and asked, "What do you mean, you always knew?"

How could she have always known? I never used my powers in front of her at school or… ever?! At least not outside of my suit until now. So could she have always known I was a super?!

She looked away from me, biting her bottom lip and crossing her arms really tight.

She gave me a weird side eye glance, going back to her normally uncomfortable expression, but I wasn't letting this go that easy.

I clenched my fists before crossing my arms at her, raising an eyebrow, and giving her a look as I said, showing I wasn't backing down, "Melanie, just so you know, I'm not just gonna let this go. You are going to tell me about whatever that was that happened in the library AND you are going to tell me how you knew about me? I don't care if I have to stand my ground here until I'm dead. I. Want. Answers…"

Okay, maybe that was a little too much, but… look I'm literally losing it here! I just want her to stop avoiding me and be straight up with me about what's going on.

"Your aura." I heard her say, pulling me out of my head.

Huh?

"My, er... what?" I said, still feeling totally annoyed and confused.

What the heck is she talking about?!

Melanie was looking all over the place at pretty much everything but at me until I saw her get up off the ground as quickly as she could without falling over again, even though she almost did.

She stopped and took a deep breath before she looked right at me and pointed as she said, "428 Hickory Street at 7 tonight."

"What?" I snapped back automatically, knowing I sounded as confused as I am right now with whatever the heck this is that's going on?!

She rolled her eyes and sighed as she said, sounding flustered and frustrated, "Look, I-I don't have time for this right now. I just told you my address. All I need is a couple hours. Just show up to my house and go through the gate and meet me in my backyard at 7 and then I… I'll tell you. I'll tell you anything you want to know just let me get out of here."

We just stared at each other and I tilted my head and got the look I was giving her back as I finally said, "Promise?"

At this point she literally looked like she was about to lose it as she grunted up at the sky before looking at me and saying, "YES! I promise! N-now, let me go!" I hesitated for a second before I stepped aside and she just started running, grabbing her book she dropped and almost tripped and fell again, but recovered in time to run.

I just stood there, trying to figure out what just happened as I looked outside the alley in time to see her sprint around the corner.

Well, looks like Dash's attempt both did and did not go to plan like he thought! Lol. But, now with this invitation from Melanie… what will happen next? What will be revealed? All will be revealed and more! Hope you all are staying safe and healthy out there and I also hope this chapter helped brighten your day a little bit. Thanks for taking the time to read and comments/reviews are always very much appreciated.

Stay safe and classy!

Dexter1995