Chapter Fifty Seven
...
"You're procrastinating," Nina pointed out when Warren offered to bring in the laundry.
"Yeah, I know," he replied, sighing and running a hand through his hair.
"Bring in the laundry and then we'll talk, okay? I'll fold it all later; if we do it while we're talking, something might catch on fire and they're my favourite towels."
Grateful for the few extra moments to compose himself, Warren just nodded and headed to the backyard to collect the laundry.
Nina sighed as she watched him go, wondering if she should even be doing this. Kids did things that their parents didn't understand all the time - Super Jesus knew that her parents hadn't understood her decision to marry Barron - but that didn't mean they had to explain those things. Despite this thought, Nina couldn't bring herself to change her mind. She'd given Warren almost a full week to organise and plan for this, and she wanted to know what he would say. Mostly, Nina wanted to know if it would change her mind or confirm her thoughts that her son was exactly like his father, despite her best efforts.
Warren put the laundry basket on the washing machine, and took a moment to inhale deeply, trying to control his nerves. He shook his hands out, rolled his shoulders, and let off some excess emotion by lighting his arms up. Feeling a little more composed - but not by much - Warren headed back to the lounge room where his mother was waiting. He pulled out a small set of cards from his pocket (written and numbered carefully by Ethan, for which Warren was grateful), and sat on the chair across from Nina.
"Cue cards?" Nina asked, looking as amused as she sounded.
Warren shrugged slightly. "Like you said, we're not good at talking; these will keep me on track. If I don't set them alight," he added with a smile that was far too brief.
Nina couldn't argue that, so simply nodded and waited.
Inhaling deeply one more time, Warren began. "There are lots of reasons I'm doing this, and I don't plan on killing and kidnapping anyone who opposes me," he said, already easing one of Nina's fears - one of the things that had caused Barron's fourth life in prison. "Sky High results in approximately 83% good and 17% evil graduates, so I'm not doing this as an act of rebellion or without thinking it through. By carefully planning and not doing things without thinking about the consequences first, there's more likelihood of succeeding in our plans."
Huh, that was Ethan, Nina thought to herself, almost as surprised at that as she was by hearing the words 'our plans' - which was more than enough to confirm her suspicions about the rest of Warren's friends. She'd met all of Warren's friends through his study groups and the weekend ASL classes by now. While she hadn't interrogated them like she had with Adam, Nina felt that she knew them well enough by now to know how they would speak. Those words hadn't been her son's, but Ethan? He definitely would have said that.
In that moment, Nina knew that while Warren might have accidentally quoted his father's words, he definitely wasn't Barron. Barron never listened to anyone, always believing himself to know more than those around him, whether it was his sidekick or his wife.
"It's not something I'm doing for fun, it's not a phase; it's something I'm doing to help fix a broken system. You know better than anyone that the system is broken," Warren added, glancing up from his cue cards to judge Nina's expression at his words.
Zach's words this time, Nina thought. She wasn't sure what he saw in her expression, but Warren looked back down to his cards a second later to continue.
"There are troves of online forums and groups with superheroes that are looking for work, and most of it is either work that's been deemed beneath the Commander and Jetstream, or it's something impossible that they know will probably kill them. Jetstream and the Commander monopolise the market, and that's not just in Maxville. They've taken over in places like Japan, France, and Greece, and the main superheroes in these countries have suffered as a result."
That was more a combination; Adam definitely with the online stuff, perhaps Wendy or Donny with the countries?
"The Commander and Jetstream only ever see the world in black and white, good and bad, superhero and supervillain, but that's not how the world - or people - work. There's a grey area between, other real-world reasons that might make good people snap, or bad people try to redeem themselves. But with the bias towards the Commander and Jetstream, most citizens - and therefore, citizen governments that dictate super laws - only believe good or bad to be the only options in a super's life, when there's so much more any of us could be or do."
Craig this time. Warren had obviously reached out and asked his friends for help. Barron had never once asked Nina for help, even when he was being arrested and dragged away by the Commander and Jetstream.
"People, both citizen and super, have suffered due to the Commander not thinking of the consequences of his actions; he's destroyed buildings, main roads, cars and trucks, which have then impacted on the people that worked in those buildings, drove on the roads, or owned the cars and trucks."
Ah, that was Donny.
"All right, Warren. That's enough," Nina said when he looked up again.
Warren looked relieved, but held up the stack of cue cards. "Are you sure? I practised, so I know I've got another five minutes of this," he offered.
Nina bit back her laugh, but couldn't hold back a smile. "I'm sure, kid. I'm still not happy about this, but..." she sighed heavily but continued, forcing the words out. "I understand why. Thank you for that," she added. "Now, I want you to promise me two things."
"What are they?" Warren asked sceptically; he definitely couldn't promise not to kill anyone.
"One, that you won't monologue; that's how your father got caught," she added with a stern look when Warren smiled at her request.
"All right, no monologuing," he agreed. "And the second thing?"
"Promise me that you won't go to prison, all right? I wouldn't be able to handle both my son and my husband being incarcerated," Nina said with a sigh.
"Don't worry, Mum; I wouldn't be in there for long."
Something about the certainty in Warren's voice had a shiver running up Nina's spine. Warren kissed her cheek and hugged her firmly, warming her again in an instant.
"We'll be okay, Mum. I'm not doing it out of jealousy or needing to prove a point like Dad did, and I'm not alone. I'm not him," Warren said adamantly.
Nina hugged her son tightly in return. "I know you're not," she said, knowing it to be the truth.
...
"How did it go with your mother, dear?" Frieda asked as she drove Layla and Warren to the first day of the beekeeping workshop.
"Better than I expected. She doesn't hate me, she's not happy - I hadn't truly expected her to be - but Mum said that she understands why I'm doing this, so it's better than nothing."
"That's lovely to hear, dear. Do you think it would help if I talked to her? Sometimes it can help to hear things from other people."
Warren gave a differential shrug. "I don't know if Mum would agree to that; most things she's heard from other people over the years has been verbal abuse because of her relationship with my father. It might reinforce her feelings about how bad this is."
Frieda considered this, her teeth clenched at the thought of Nina being verbally abused for more than fifteen years over something that was beyond her control and not her fault in the first place. "Well, I'd rather that didn't happen. Just let me know if that changes, all right, dear?"
"I will. Thank you, Frieda."
Frieda glanced in the rear view mirror briefly to smile at Warren. Beside him, Layla took his hand and squeezed gently. The car fell to silence as Frieda concentrated on the roads and tried to find their destination.
"Ah, here it is. Now, are you both sure you'll be all right? I can do the grocery shopping afterwards, if you'd prefer me to wait around," Frieda offered.
"We'll be all right, Frieda. Thank you for driving us," Layla said with a smile.
"Thanks, Frieda," Warren said, getting out of the car.
Layla leaned over the front seat to press a kiss to Frieda's cheek. "I'll call you when we've finished. Enjoy grocery shopping."
"Thank you, dear. Did you add everything you wanted to the grocery list?"
"Yes, I remembered."
"Okay; have fun, dear. Bye, cutie!" Frieda called out to Warren as Layla opened her door to get out of the car.
Warren sighed and waved goodbye to Frieda, then took Layla's hand to guide her inside before anyone heard him being called cutie.
...
Pushing her trolley around the store, Frieda looked to her grocery list, amused to see Honey's handwriting and the things she had added to the list. Rolled oats were cheap enough and peanut butter was on special, so she bought two of each. After setting them in her trolley, she looked at the next item on the list, frowning slightly when she realised the item was on a top shelf that she wouldn't have been able to reach even if she was twenty years younger.
"Excuse me, dear? Would you mind helping an old woman and fetching that box up there, please?" she asked a passing employee.
"Oh. Sure," the employee replied, realising just how short Frieda was. "This one?" they asked, offering the box to her.
"That's it, thank you so much for your help."
"No problem," they replied, continuing on their way when they realised they weren't needed for any more high-shelf items.
Setting the box in her trolley, an abrupt movement caught Frieda's attention. She glanced over, double-taking when she realised she recognised the person who'd turned around abruptly on entering the aisle. "Greta?"
Her former friend's shoulders stiffened at being addressed, and Greta turned to face Frieda, a fake smile on her face. "Frieda, it's been too long! How are you?" she asked, her voice as thick and sweet as syrup.
"Oh, do cut the crap, Greta," Frieda said, rolling her eyes.
Greta's jaw clenched. "I see you've overcome your dislike of swear words," she spat.
"Not really, but I feel you'll respond to it more; like recognises like, and all that," Frieda replied.
Greta's face turned a blotchy red colour. "Oh, shut up."
"Now, now, we can both be civil, can't we?"
"I tried to be civil," Greta snapped.
"No, what you tried to do was act as though nothing had happened between us, as though you'd done nothing wrong; that's a completely different thing, Greta."
Greta fell silent at the reminder, though she didn't look guilty in the slightest. "Well, it was anything but lovely to see you again, Frieda. Let's not do this again," she muttered.
"Layla's happy, if you care to know," Frieda called after her.
"I really don't," Greta snapped over her shoulder, her face paling as phantom thorns dug at her skin. She hurried out of the aisle and didn't look back.
Frieda sighed and shook her head; Greta was a sad woman, and she was going to end up alone and lonely. Continuing with her shopping, Frieda didn't bump into Greta again. She couldn't bring herself to care or more than vaguely wonder whether Greta was simply avoiding her or had left the store entirely. Frieda had more important things - and people - to think about than her former friend.
Now, where was that vegan ice cream hidden?
...
"I had no idea that so much was involved in beekeeping," Layla said, feeling as though her head was spinning from all of the new information she'd learnt that day.
"I don't know if it's better or worse that I know bees can detect CO2 and know when we're breathing near them," Warren said, a little disconcerted at the fact.
"How about honeybee alarm pheromones smelling like bananas?" she asked, grinning slightly.
"Also weird. They make honey, where does the banana thing even come from?"
Layla laughed and kissed his cheek. "I'm just glad the workshop comes with a starter kit. I wouldn't have any idea where to buy half of this stuff," she said, looking to the large bags by their feet.
"I'm pretty sure they'd be on the 'no-buy' list, even though it's nylon and cotton."
"Hmm, maybe. They seem like normal materials compared to aramid, novoloid, and vinyon."
"Doesn't mean they can't be used for nefarious purposes," Warren pointed out.
Layla frowned. "I don't know how nylon and cotton could be nefarious, and I don't think I want to know."
Warren laughed and kissed her cheek.
Waving for the bus to stop, Layla grabbed the bags and offered one to Warren. He rolled his eyes and took both from her, nodding for her to board the bus.
"Just you two today?" the driver asked.
"Yes," Warren said, a little warily.
"Your bees making any honey yet?" he asked pleasantly, not aware of Warren's tone.
Layla smiled and sat at the front of the empty bus to talk with the driver, Warren setting their bags down and sitting nearby.
The trip to the Hive was over in twenty minutes, Layla promising the driver the first jar of honey when it was ready.
"You two take care," the driver called before he closed the doors behind them.
Layla waved before heading down to the Hive, Warren following beside her. "Are you sure you don't want me to carry a bag?" she asked, looking at him.
"I'm balanced," he replied with a brief shrug. "What's that?" Warren asked, seeing a piece of paper on a tree up ahead.
Layla hurried to the tree, reaching out with her power to ensure that the tree hadn't been hurt or damaged in some way. She sighed in relief when she saw that the piece of paper had been carefully tied to the tree rather than stapled or nailed there. Untying the string, Layla took the paper and started to read.
"Can we read it in the Hive?" Warren asked, glancing around to ensure that no one was watching or waiting for them.
Realising the implication of standing in one spot after receiving a message - they might as well stand on top of a giant red target - Layla nodded and they continued into the small forest, trees blocking their path behind them.
Setting the beekeeping bags in the entry, Warren shut the door and headed into the lounge area where his and Layla's chair was set up. It provided a view out of the front window, but still protected them from sight. Going down into the lower hive would prevent them from seeing who was coming, and he didn't want to lose that advantage.
"It's from AAA Contractors," Layla said, sitting beside Warren and offering him the letter. "They want to use my trees for building materials."
"That's it? Why didn't they just call?"
"They destroyed all of the paperwork after the Hive was created, so they don't have my phone number anymore. I mean, Patrick knows where I work, so he could have called the Mayor's office, but I'm pretty sure doing this would mean bypassing the timber manufacturers. They're citizen-owned, so they can charge whatever they want to super-owned companies, which isn't fair; just because we're supers, it doesn't mean we get paid more than citizens."
"It's a good idea."
"You think so?" Layla asked, surprised at his easy agreement.
Warren nodded. "You remember what I told you about Adam's father, how Curtis lost his job because the Commander accidentally destroyed one of his buildings?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, the Commander wouldn't be able to destroy this place, would he? It'd be your power against his, right?" Warren asked, looking to the room around them; he'd bet that the Commander wouldn't be able to dent Layla's work.
"Right... So if I create the materials for AAA Contractors, I don't see how that does anything for Curtis?" Layla said, confused.
"Get AAA Contractors to hire him as an architect, they build a house with your trees, and in the Commander's next fight with a villain, Curtis' building stays intact while others are destroyed."
Comprehension dawned on Layla's face, her eyes bright as she thought of the implications. "That would work. You're amazing, Warren," she said, kissing him fiercely.
Warren tugged Layla onto his lap, deepening their kiss as his hands slipped under her jean-clad thighs, and Layla pressed her body against his.
"I love you," Layla breathed as she pulled away.
Warren smiled up at her, warm and broad. "Love you," he replied before pulling Layla back into another deep kiss.
They stopped a moment later, Layla curling up against Warren's chest and sighing. "We have to study; Honey will be here and you'll have to go to work before we know it."
"Mmm, it can wait," Warren murmured, stroking her back with warm fingertips.
"Not if I want to beat Adam and Craig for top spot; Adam's last essay was one point more than mine."
"Did Ethan write it?" Warren asked curiously.
"No, he stopped when Adam finished his coding; this one was Adam's own work," Layla said, trying not to sound annoyed. She kissed Warren once more, then left to get her homework.
Warren supposed he had to keep on top of his studies as well; Wendy was determined to get top spot, and Warren wasn't going to give it up easily.
Almost an hour later, a gasp of laughter had Warren looking up from his homework and over to Layla. "What's so funny?"
"Lustful's autobiography. I'm reading it for English for Heroes. She talks about how she escaped from the Commander and Jetstream," Layla said, laughing again.
"Uh-huh, and how was that?"
"By making out with both of them until they undid the handcuffs themselves," she said, her laughter dissolving into giggles.
"Seriously?" Warren asked, tugging the book from her grasp to read it for himself. "Huh. Well, it is an autobiography so take it with a grain of salt. That being said, I'm pretty sure Jetstream's autobiography didn't even mention Lustful," he added with a grin.
When Layla finally stopped giggling she took the book back from Warren. "Imagine what Will's going to say about it," she said, her eyes bright with mirth.
Warren grinned at the thought. "How do you know he's even reading it?"
"The hardcover version has a dust jacket that covers a picture of Lustful from the neck down."
"Huh?"
"Her breasts are on the hardcover version; there's one of those promotional stickers on the front that states there's more pictures inside. Sex sells, and super-sex sells faster," Layla said, rolling her eyes. "There were only a few copies of the paperback in the library, so most of the class have bought their own copies; several people bought a hardcover one, including Will. As did Larry, so his mother might have a heart attack if she knew what the dust jacket was hiding," she said with a slight smirk.
"That doesn't mean he's reading the words, hippie," Warren pointed out.
Layla conceded with a nod. "I suppose not, but Mr. Bowie is expecting a book report from each of us, and he'll know if we haven't read the book."
"Will that matter for Will Stronghold, third generation super?"
"Maybe not to him, but it will to Josie Stronghold," she replied, grinning.
...
"Will, have you done your homework?"
"I'm doing it now," Will called out, hurrying to put the dust jacket back on his book.
Josie opened her son's door and frowned in at him. "What homework are you doing that involves you sitting on your bed?"
"We've got to read a book for English; it's more comfortable to read here than at my desk," Will said, hoping and praying that his mother wouldn't come into his room.
"Okay. Do you need a highlighter or notepad to take notes?"
"Uh, no. I'm reading it for fun first, then taking notes. Y'know, to get my head around it," he said quickly. "Gotta keep reading, I'm up to a good part," Will said, looking back to the book and pretending to be deeply involved with whatever was written on the page.
"All right. I'll call you for dinner," Josie said over her shoulder as she left Will's room.
"Can you close the door?" Will called.
Sighing when there was no response, Will set the book aside, re-zipped and adjusted his jeans, and hurried to close his door firmly. He honestly wished he could get a lock for his door, then wished that there was a lock that could withstand his father's strength.
...
A knock at the door had the frame rattling, and Jared hurried to open the door before it was knocked out of the frame completely. "Good morning, Will. You're here early; did you catch the bus?" Jared asked, checking his watch and then the clock on the wall to make sure he had the right time.
"I flew. I was hoping to talk to you before class started."
"All right, what's on your mind?"
"It's the book for English for Heroes. Lustful, uh... she mentions my parents."
"A lot of villains and heroes mention your parents in their memoirs," Jared said.
"Yeah, but Lustful talks about using her power on them in detail," Will said, feeling nauseous.
"Ah, I see. You're embarrassed."
"Of course I am, it's my parents! Everyone's going to be reading about it."
"I should hope so; the book is required reading, so reading the book is required to pass this class," Jared pointed out.
"How would you feel if it was your mum?"
"My last boyfriend wrote his dissertation on my mother and criticised several of her decisions without taking external factors into account," he replied with a brief shrug. "That being said, he didn't write about her sexual conquests. Although, my mother would be the first to talk about that. She had a very healthy sexual appetite in college."
"What?!" Will asked, looking horrified.
"It was the sixties; everyone did everything and everyone," Jared said, unperturbed by Will's scandalised expression. "I'm presuming you actually came to ask a question, not just tell me you've been reading the book?" he added, realising that they were getting off track.
"Yeah, I want you to assign a different book. I don't want to read about my parents having sex, or... being manipulated into having sex."
Jared shook his head. "Okay, I retract my previous statement: you obviously haven't read the book. Skipped ahead to the good parts, I'm assuming?" he asked with a slight grin.
"W-what? I... Of course I've read it!" Will said earnestly.
"If you'd read the first chapter, then you'd know that Lustful's power only works on people who are attracted to her in the first place. She had parents, friends, teachers, and all manner of acquaintances and enemies, but if they weren't attracted to her, then her power did nothing to them."
"I thought... I thought it was a permanent thing, something she couldn't control?"
"It was both permanent and uncontrollable for Lustful, but that doesn't mean her power worked on everyone in the world. If it did, then she could have controlled the world as a teenager, rather than becoming Hero Support for Caesar the Corruptible."
"How did she become Hero Support anyway?"
"It's in the book, Will," Jared said. He sighed and rolled his eyes when Will just looked vaguely confused. "Coach Sylvester wasn't attracted to her, so he didn't believe she had any powers; the freshmen with her didn't exactly prove otherwise since he thought they were nothing but hormonal teenagers anyway."
Will nodded in understanding, though his brow was furrowed as he thought through their conversation. Comprehension dawned on his face and he looked at Jared. "Both of my parents were attracted to Lustful?!"
"I can't answer that, Will."
"Oh, right. Thanks, Mr. Bowie."
"No problem," he replied with a brief nod. The first bell rang loudly and Jared guided Will over to the door. "Maybe try reading the book from the start, okay?"
Will's cheeks turned pink and he nodded quickly. "Okay. Bye," he said, flying down the corridor to his locker.
"No flying in the hallways!" Jared called after him.
...
"I think Mr. Boy was inspired by Mr. Bowie," Zach said with a grin.
"In what way?" Wendy asked curiously.
"He asked us to choose a biography or autobiography of a sidekick who wasn't him," he replied.
"There aren't many Hero Support who have their own autobiographies or biographies, so the choice wasn't as difficult as the Heroes' decision," Ethan added.
"So who'd you choose?" Craig asked, taking a bite of his toasted sandwich.
"Jetstream wrote a biography about her sidekick after the Spinner Sisters killed her, so we're reading that one. I don't remember her name," Zach said with a shrug.
"It's interesting so far, though you can definitely tell that Jetstream wrote it," Ethan said, frowning as he poked at his lunch with his fork.
"So, my Dad got a call last night. Someone wants him to design a house out on Sycamore," Adam said, sitting down with a tray of food and immediately swapping his pudding with Donny's offered one.
"Dude, that's great news! Isn't it?" Craig asked, realising that Adam didn't look happy.
"Yeah, it's good, but I doubt it was as spontaneous as it seemed. Did you two have something to do with it?" he asked Warren and Layla.
"AAA Contractors wanted to use my trees for building materials; I wanted them to use an architect I trust. It's a win-win situation," Layla said with a shrug.
"You haven't met my Dad, how do you trust him?" Adam asked, his eyes narrowing.
"Yes, they have; at the barbecue," Ethan prompted.
"Layla talked with Curtis and Richard about model trains after I went to work," Warren added, handing Zach his now-toasted sandwich.
"Curtis was very nice and picked some onion out of my hair," Layla said with a smile.
"He didn't pick any onion out of my hair," Craig groused.
"That's because you decided to nap in the dog area and the dogs basically licked you clean," Zach said.
"Which still doesn't mean it was hygienic," Ethan added.
Craig pulled several faces at him.
"Aren't AAA Contractors the ones that put the cameras around Maxville?" Wendy asked.
Layla nodded, her mouth full of salad.
"So how long do they usually take to build houses? And why are they building the house in the first place? Aren't they a commercial company?"
Warren shrugged. "It's not our house, so I've got no idea why."
"The contract stated they'd need trees for the next month, so I'm assuming it'll take that long at least. There's the timber frame and then exterior cladding, but I don't have to do anything for the interior. Do you think the owner would want furniture?" Layla mused.
"You're going to be exhausted with these trees already, hippie. At least wait until they've moved in before offering furniture as well," Warren said.
"But they need furniture while they're moving in, not afterwards," Ethan pointed out.
"Put a flyer in their mailbox," Zach said with a shrug, taking a large bite of his sandwich.
"Does anyone even read flyers anymore?" Adam asked.
"Just 'cause you're basically a human computer, it doesn't mean everyone is," Donny said, rolling his eyes.
"A human computer? Dude, that's so not what I am."
"Any volunteers for the flyer?" Warren asked.
"I'll do it," Wendy said. "Can I take some photos of the furniture in the Hive, Layla?"
"Of course. That's a good idea," she replied with a smile.
The general cafeteria buzz of noise became louder than usual. Donny looked around, catching a thought here and there, then concentrating to find out what had happened.
"What's going on?" Zach asked curiously, finishing off his sandwich and drinking his water in a long gulp.
"Apparently Will's having a birthday party," Donny said.
"Looks like he's invited most of the school," Ethan said, assessing the people in the cafeteria and realising that their table was the only one that hadn't received invitations.
"By 'most', you mean 'everyone except us,' right?" Wendy asked, coming to the same realisation.
"The Strongholds might be rich, but their house isn't big enough to fit everyone," Craig said. "Hey, Ritchie; where's Stronghold's party gonna be?" he asked.
Ritchie looked uncomfortable at being singled out. "I don't know."
"Dude, you're literally holding an invitation. What, don't you trust me anymore?" Craig asked, sounding wounded.
Ritchie sighed. "It's at Maxville Arcade; he's got the whole place booked," he said, failing to hide his excitement.
"Arcade games, laser tag, and glow-in-the-dark bowling?" Zach asked.
Ritchie blinked in surprise. "Uh, yeah; how'd you know?"
"Because that's been my dream birthday party for the last six years," Zach snapped.
Ritchie flinched at the bright flash of light that Zach emitted and quickly turned back to his lunch.
"We've been talking about having that party for years, and then he does it and doesn't even invite me?!" Zach muttered, unaware that his body was glowing brightly. "Fuck this," he snapped, getting up and leaving the cafeteria without another word.
"I'll go talk to him," Ethan said, blinking rapidly so his eyes would adjust to the sudden lack of brilliant light.
"Finish your lunch; I'll do it," Warren said, heading after Zach. Finding him outside, Warren sat next to Zach on the retaining wall. "You're really upset about this, huh?"
"No shit."
"Why?"
Zach's glow lessened and he shrugged. "Will's been my friend since elementary school. Not as long as Layla, but it's close, and... this is the exact sort of party I would've killed for when I was younger. We talked about this; how cool it'd be, how we could pretend we were supers, that sorta stuff. It's the first time I won't be going to Will's birthday party since we met. I mean, I don't even like him that much anymore, and I still haven't forgiven him, but... Fuck, it's so stupid that I'm upset about this," he groaned.
"You're allowed to be upset, Zach. You've been friends for ages, so yeah, it sucks when that ends. And the fact that he's using your birthday party idea only means one thing," Warren said.
"What's that?" Zach asked curiously.
"That's he's so unoriginal that he can't even think of his own birthday party ideas. Like, c'mon, you've had this idea since you were ten years old and he has it now? He could've had a laser tag party any time in the last six years, and he does it now that you're not friends? It's a shitty thing for him to do, and you don't need friends like that."
Zach sighed and rubbed at his eyes. "Yeah, you're right. Fuck, I feel so stupid."
"You feel stupid for having emotions?" Warren asked, his response startling a laugh out of Zach.
"Yeah, all right. Thanks, Warren."
"No problem. Want me to set him on fire?" Warren asked with a grin as they headed back inside.
"Always, man."
...
End of the fifty-seventh chapter.
