Chapter Fifty Eight

...

Layla felt like she was vibrating with nervous energy, but she couldn't bring herself to stop. She knew when Warren would be getting on the bus, yet she looked up at every stop just in case he had decided to get on at a different stop this morning.

Finally, Warren stepped onto the bus and headed to their seat at the back. He frowned slightly on seeing Layla's excited expression and bright smile. "Why're you so happy, hippie?"

"It's your birthday," Layla replied simply. "Happy birthday, Warren," she said, kissing his cheek once he was seated.

"Ah, yeah. I forgot."

"You forgot it was your birthday?"

Warren shrugged. "It hasn't been a big deal since I was a kid; it's just another day."

"Oh. Does that mean you don't want your present?" Layla asked, hesitating.

"Hand it over, hippie."

Perking up, Layla opened her bag and pulled out a present wrapped in black paper, tied with a bright red ribbon and bow. Warren sat up properly and set his bag aside before accepting the gift. He pulled off the ribbon and stuck it to Layla's shoulder with a grin. Ripping the paper, Warren scrunched it up and set it aside, then opened the box to look at his present.

"A coffee mug?" he asked, seeing the words 'caffeine consciousness' written on the side of the homemade mug. Inside was a bag of chocolate-coated coffee beans and a voucher for the coffee shop next to the Council building.

"I thought you could keep the mug at Frieda's, so you have your own personal mug there. I made it myself," Layla said with a bright smile.

Realising that Layla had probably kilned the mug herself, Warren reached out for his power subtly, recognising the heat within the clay mug now that he was looking for it. "That's really good work. I love it; thanks, hippie," he said, kissing her.

"You're welcome. You'll get the other present later," Layla said with a smile, taking the ball of wrapping paper and putting it in her bag to recycle later.

"Other present?"

"It's a surprise," she said, kissing him and smiling as she pulled away. "There's a third present in your locker. Well, technically second since that's the order you'd receive it, but it was the third thing I thought of," Layla added.

"All right. I'm going to eat this bag for breakfast," Warren announced, opening the chocolate coffee beans.

"Breakfast? You didn't eat anything yet?" Layla asked, frowning.

"Mum left for work early and I overslept," he said with a shrug.

"I'm growing you some fruit as soon as we've landed. You can't just eat those for breakfast."

Warren shrugged and tipped some beans straight into his mouth. "Ronnie's covering my shift tonight, so I've got the night off. Want to celebrate at the Hive?" he asked once he'd finished chewing and swallowing.

"Oh, I didn't know you had the night off; I made plans to have dinner with Frieda and Honey," Layla said with a frown. "I can cancel?" she offered.

Warren shook his head. "Nah, don't worry. Like I said, it's just another day," he said, burning away the seed of disappointment buried in his chest.

"We'll celebrate at the Hive this weekend, how about that?" Layla asked, kissing him.

"All right, that works. You still want me to pick you up after work tonight?"

"I'd love you to," she replied with a bright smile.

Seatbelts strapped them in and the bus drove off the edge of the highway. The flight up to Sky High continued without incident - or the bus falling out of the sky - and by the time they landed, Warren had eaten half the bag of chocolate-coated coffee beans.

"What do you want to eat?" Layla asked as they got off the bus, her bag slung over Warren's shoulder.

Warren swallowed his first answer (you), then tried to focus on actual food instead. "An apple's fine, hippie."

Layla pressed her hand to the trunk of a nearby tree, changing the tree briefly so some apples grew above their heads, ripening them before bending the branch down.

Warren plucked two apples off the tree and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Thanks, hippie."

Layla picked the rest of the apples, created a basket from a fallen branch, and set the apples on the retaining wall in front of the school. A large leaf twisted into the word 'free' and she coerced it to join the branch basket carefully. With that done, Layla took Warren's hand and headed into the school building with him.

"Thanks for carrying my bag," Layla said when they reached her locker area.

"No problem, hippie," Warren replied, kissing her briefly, his lips sticky with apple juice.

Layla licked her lips as he headed to his locker, then went to her locker, smiling.

"You look happy this morning," Magenta said with a slight grin.

"Thanks, I am. How's your morning been?"

Magenta shrugged. "Will's started flying to school now that he's realised he can sleep in if he flies, so, y'know, the bus ride's kinda boring on my own. Larry's sitting with his girlfriend, and no one else really talks to me. I'm getting so much homework done though. Mr. Boy took a mark off my essay because I had a huge line through it after the bus dropped off the highway."

"Thanks, Layla!" she heard Craig call as he passed her in the hallway, an apple in hand.

"What's that for?" Magenta asked curiously, looking over her shoulder to where Craig and Adam had passed.

"Oh, I put out a basket of fruit at the front of the school. I didn't want them to go to waste," Layla replied, smiling.

"That's... nice," Magenta said, obviously trying not to pull a face. "Do you think there are any left? Cer kept everyone up last night, so we overslept and I didn't get breakfast."

"Is Cerulean all right?" Layla asked.

"Yeah, he's fine. He just got really excited about his school trip today and wouldn't go to sleep," Magenta said with a brief shrug.

"Where are they going?" Layla asked distractedly, flipping through a long box filled with packets of labelled seeds.

Musing that she really needed to organise it better, she had no idea why her apple tree seeds (Malus pumila) were anywhere near the lemon seeds (Citrus limon), Layla finally found the seed she was looking for and opened the packet carefully.

"His class is spending the whole day at the Super Museum out in Westville. For some reason, he's equated the Super Museum with Jetstream and the Commander themselves, and Cer's positive that he's going to meet them there," Magenta said, rolling her eyes.

"Why don't you ask?" Layla suggested, setting a seed on her locker shelf and using a careful burst of power to make it grow.

"Ask what?"

"Ask Jetstream and the Commander to go to the museum."

Magenta immediately shook her head. "I couldn't do that. Mr. and Mrs. Stronghold are really busy; they wouldn't go just because I asked," she said.

Layla rolled her eyes, then turned and presented Magenta with a bright red apple. "Here you go. I'll see what I can do, okay?"

Magenta had already taken a large bite of the apple and could only frown at Layla's words.

"You'd better get to home group; the bell's about to ring," Layla said, gathering her books and pencil case before closing her locker.

Still with her mouth full, Magenta nodded and hurried to her locker to get her things for her morning classes. As Layla headed down the hallway to Mr. Medulla's classroom, she sent a text and then scrolled through her contacts before dialling a number.

"Good morning, this is Josie," Josie said pleasantly.

"Good morning, Mrs. Stronghold. This is Layla from the Mayor's office. I was wondering if you'd like a publicity opportunity today? There's a local kindergarten school going to Westville's Super Museum for the day, and I know they'd love a visit from yourself and the Commander."

"Oh, I'm sorry Layla, but Steve and I have a busy schedule today. We don't have the time to visit our fans."

"After this morning's news, that's a shame to hear. Thank you for your time," Layla said.

"Wait, what news?" Josie asked, looking to Steve in confusion.

"Oh, there was an article on Labyrinth's website about the popularity of the Commander and Jetstream. Don't worry, it's probably nothing," she replied sweetly.

"Nothing?! We'll be at the Super Museum at eleven o'clock this morning. You'll let the media know? Including the Labyrinth reporter?"

"Oh, of course, Mrs. Stronghold. Are you sure? I wouldn't want to inconvenience you."

"We'll be there," Josie said, a little tersely.

"Thank you so much, the Maxville kindergarten students will be so happy. Have a lovely day, Mr. and Mrs. Stronghold."

"Bye, Layla," Steve called out cheerfully.

"Steve, go to the Labyrinth's website - " Josie said, her voice cutting off as she hung up.

Layla looked at Honey's text in response, grinning a little guiltily before pocketing her phone and entering her home room.

Give me a bit more notice next time, would you?!

Layla sat down and listened as the bell rang, Will flying in just as the last echo finished.

"How kind of you to grace us with your presence, Mr. Stronghold," Mr. Medulla said, glaring.

"Sorry, Mr. Medulla. There was an emergency in Westville this morning. You know how it is."

Mr. Medulla bit back a retort that he obviously didn't know how it was, or else he wouldn't be teaching Mad Science to teenagers, then started to take attendance.

...

"Why do you look so happy, hippie?" Warren asked as he sat beside her.

"Two reasons: one, I sent Mr. and Mrs. Stronghold to the Super Museum to play nice with five year old's this morning, and two, you're wearing the present I gave you," Layla said with a bright smile, kissing his cheek.

Warren shrugged and adjusted the flower around his wrist briefly. He'd opened his locker to find a small seed sitting there. A burst of power had it blossoming into a fiery red and orange flower, designed to look like the flames on his wrists. He hadn't really planned on wearing it, but then Warren figured Layla would appreciate it, and he knew that no one would dare comment on the fact that he was wearing a flower. An extra burst of power had the flower's stem growing slightly, and he curved it around his wrist cuff before gathering his things for the morning and heading to class.

"Dude, you've got a flower on your wrist," Craig said as he sat down with Adam.

"No shit."

"Why?"

"Birthday present," Warren said. "Which Super Museum did you send them to, hippie?"

"The one in Westville; Magenta's little brother and his class are there today."

"Oh, interesting," Wendy said with a grin. "She must be very grateful to you."

"She will be," Layla said, going quiet as a student arrived with a dollar for Warren to heat their lunch.

Warren was careful not to burn his flower as he powered up, handing the student's lunch back to them a moment later.

"Thanks, Warren."

"I'll be right back. If anyone wants their lunch heated, just tell 'em to wait a minute," Warren said, standing and leaving without letting anyone question why.

"Oh, this is going to be good," Donny said, turning around to watch.

Layla frowned and watched as well, curious as to what Warren was planning.

"Hey, Stronghold."

Will almost choked on his mouthful, then coughed and swallowed. "Hey, Warren."

"I thought Westville was your territory now?" Warren asked.

"Uh... Yeah, it is," Will said, his chest puffed out. "Why?" he asked.

"'Cause your parents went to Westville's Super Museum this morning to visit some kids."

"They went?" Magenta asked, her eyes wide.

"You knew they were going?" Will asked.

"Well, no... I didn't think they'd go," Magenta said.

Will's jaw clenched and he forced himself to set his sandwich down so he wouldn't destroy it. "I can't believe you asked them to go to the Super Museum in Westville; you know that's my territory now."

"Cerulean's class is there today, and you know he's a huge fan of your parents. I didn't ask anyway," Magenta said.

"So, what, they just decided to go on their own?"

"Maybe? I don't know," Magenta said, feeling as though she'd done something wrong even though she hadn't actually done anything.

"Magenta obviously had nothing to do with it, Stronghold. Your parents are the ones that went to the Westville Super Museum, so talk to them if you're going to get all high and mighty about this," Warren said, rolling his eyes before heading back to his table where a few students were waiting with their lunch.

Will felt some of his anger give way to fear at the idea of confronting his parents, at confronting Jetstream and the Commander. "What do you think, guys?"

"I hate to say it, but I think he's right. Westville's your territory now," Ben said with a shrug.

Beside him, Larry nodded emphatically with a mouth full of food.

"It's up to you; they're your parents," Lisa said.

Magenta stayed silent, not wanting Will to get upset with her again.

When Warren finished heating the last student's lunch, Layla kissed him firmly. They both ignored Zach and Craig's gagging noises.

"I didn't even think of that. You're amazing," Layla said, smiling.

Warren shrugged. "You've got Magenta, I've got Stronghold."

"Speaking of, want to know what I'm doing with Lisa?" Wendy asked, grinning.

"Messing her hair up every time she walks outside," Adam said. "I heard her complaining about it on the bus yesterday," he added when Wendy glared at him.

"It's a very precise thing to do, and besides, I'm not just doing that," Wendy said firmly.

"Are you the one that keeps stealing the pens from the school newspaper office?"

Wendy rolled her eyes at Ethan's question. "No, that's petty."

"It might be petty, but it's driving Lisa crazy," Ethan retorted, grinning.

"Huh. How's she feel about highlighters?" Wendy asked curiously.

"Guarding them with her life," Ethan said with a snicker as he ate a forkful of pasta.

"What about post-its?" Craig asked with a grin.

"Too focused on the pens to notice."

"We're doing Save the Citizen training tonight; I'll come by the office to see how you're going before I head there," Wendy said.

Ethan laughed and nodded. "All right, that's very nice of you," he said with a grin as he pushed his glasses back up his nose.

"Uh, I think I might be stealing the pens?" Zach said with a frown.

"How is that a question?" Warren asked.

"Well, I keep Eth company in the office and I do my homework sometimes, and then... I don't think I put the pens back when I'm done."

"Evil mastermind, right there," Adam said, grinning.

Zach swallowed his answer as Jared approached their table. "Hi, Mr. Bowie."

"Hey, guys. Are you still good for tomorrow's language class?" he asked, looking around the table.

"Yeah, we're looking forward to it," Craig said.

"We were just discussing how some people use flash cards to learn, while others use coloured pens and paper, and some people label things around their homes in different languages, like pomme for apple," Ethan said.

"That sounds like an interesting discussion. Do you know which one you prefer?"

"I think studying a language is different to normal school study, so I'd like to try a few different ways," Ethan said.

"Excuse me," a voice piped up beside Jared.

"Oh, sorry. Did you want to talk to me?" Jared asked Robin, surprised at their arrival with their tray of food.

"No. Am I too late?" Robin asked Warren, looking between him and Ethan.

"Just made it," Warren said with a grin, taking their tray and powering up.

"What's going on?" Jared asked curiously, surprised when Robin handed a dollar note to Ethan.

"Food poisoning prevention," Warren replied.

Jared frowned. "Do you have permission to power up outside of class?"

Warren handed Robin their lunch and shook his head. "No, Mr. Bowie."

"Thanks, Warren. Oh, and thanks for your help with my assignment, Wendy; I passed," Robin said with a bright grin.

"That's great to hear, Robin," Wendy said enthusiastically.

"Can I ask you about English later on? I'm here after school; the chess club meets this afternoon," Robin said.

"I didn't know we had a chess club," Zach said.

"It was established in the 70s, Zach. Are you the other club that has Mr. Medulla?" Ethan asked Robin.

They nodded in response. "Mr. Medulla came second in the state championship last year."

"I'm heading to the school newspaper office after school; do you have enough time before the chess club to meet me there?" Wendy offered.

"Yeah, that'd be great. Thanks," Robin said, heading back to their table so they could eat their lunch.

"I'm not sure you should be powering up in the cafeteria like this, Warren," Jared said with a slight frown.

"Nurse Spex has had a 45 percent drop in after-lunch visits from students since Warren started doing this almost a month ago," Ethan said.

"Besides, there are cameras in the cafeteria; if Principal Powers had a problem with it, we would have known by now, wouldn't we?" Zach asked.

"Just because there are cameras, it doesn't mean they're being used," Jared said pointedly. "And how do you know about the after-lunch visits?" he asked Ethan.

"The next paper is all about cafeteria lunches. Ben's doing an experiment on the lasagne to find out what's in the meat they use; Lisa's looking into the freshness of the salads; I'm reporting on the before and after affects of re-heated lunches," Ethan said.

Across the table, Craig made a puking noise. "Remind me never to eat the lasagne."

"You've never picked the lasagne, dude," Adam said, rolling his eyes. "I've seen you skip that for a salad."

"It was a dark day," Craig said solemnly.

"Just for my peace of mind, would you check with Principal Powers that what you're doing is okay? It sets a precedent and you could be blamed for other students actions if they started powering up during lunch as well," Jared said.

"You're right, Mr. Bowie," Layla said suddenly, surprising the others.

"I've got like three mouthfuls left; can I see her after I've finished eating?" Warren asked.

"All right. I'm happy to accompany you, if you'd like?" Jared offered.

"I'll be fine. Ethan'll come with me; you've got more information than just percentages, right?" Warren asked, Ethan nodding firmly in response.

"Okay, great. I'm sure you won't get into trouble if it's been helping other students, but just in case I'm wrong, I'm apologising now ahead of time," Jared said, wincing when he realised that he could be setting Warren up for detention or some other form of punishment.

"It's fine, Mr. Bowie. We should have asked Principal Powers before starting," Layla said, Warren nodding with a mouthful beside her.

"Dude, if you get detention, that'd be the worst birthday present ever," Craig said, snickering.

Jared felt even worse when Craig's words registered. "You can leave it 'til tomorrow. I don't want you getting into trouble on your birthday."

"It's better to get it over and done with; today's just another day," Warren said with a shrug. He ate his last mouthful then stood up. "Ready, Eth?"

"If we can stop by my locker on the way, I've got a more detailed analysis," Ethan said, standing and brushing off his shirt before leaving with Warren.

"See you after lunch, Mr. Bowie. English for Heroes, right?" Layla asked, smiling.

"Right. I, uh, should probably eat. Let me know what happens, okay? I'll feel like shit if he gets in trouble," Jared said, then winced. "Uh, don't tell anyone I swore."

"Won't tell a fucking soul," Craig said, laughing when both Adam and Layla nudged him sharply, Wendy snorting a laugh across from him.

Jared had to leave before he started laughing. As he lined up to get his food, his gaze couldn't help but wander to the cafeteria doors where Warren and Ethan had left.

...

"I'm surprised it's taken you so long to ask for permission to power up. It didn't occur to you with the daily reminders about not powering up on school grounds?" Principal Powers asked, raising her eyebrow.

Warren shrugged. "The announcements kinda fade into the background, to be honest."

"If they weren't daily reminders, people would probably take more notice of them," Ethan added beside him. "I've been monitoring how many people actually listen, and apart from the freshmen and a few sophomores, most of the older students hardly even register them."

"How have you been monitoring them?" Principal Powers asked, surprised that he had been doing that and that her reminders weren't being listened to.

"Talking to them while the PA announcement's going. Freshmen and a few sophomores get distracted and listen; the rest of the sophomores, juniors, and seniors just keep talking. It's not a great sample size or the best conditions, unfortunately. As the results aren't conclusive or properly tested, it's more anecdotal than analytical data, but it seems to be where they results heading," Ethan said. "I also have statistics from Nurse Spex about the number of students she's seen both before and after Warren started heating food at lunchtime," he said, standing and handing a piece of paper to Principal Powers.

As he sat back down, Ethan surreptitiously wiped his hand on the underside of Principal Powers' desk, hoping she wouldn't notice the anxiety-formed sweat.

Principal Powers read the data and nodded briefly. "Very well. After reviewing this data, Warren, you have permission to power up in the cafeteria but only to heat lunches."

"Yes, Principal Powers," Warren said.

"I'll also have a word with the lunch staff to ensure the food is being correctly cooked; we can't have students getting ill this often," she said, looking to the statistics Ethan had provided from Nurse Spex. "Ethan, would you mind continuing to provide me with these statistics? I would like to know whether my students are at a health risk, and Nurse Spex... doesn't always see these kinds of things," she said, trying to be diplomatic in her wording.

"Of course, Principal Powers. Would you like a weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly report?" Ethan asked brightly.

"Bi-monthly should be suitable for now. I wouldn't want to take you away from your studies or extra-curricular activities. Thank you," Principal Powers added. "Enjoy the rest of your lunch."

"Thank you, you too," Ethan said, leaving with Warren.

"You're really enthusiastic about doing statistics, huh?" Warren asked when they were in the hallway and out of earshot.

Ethan smiled. "I like collating data. Besides, if I'm providing this information to Principal Powers every two weeks, then I have access to her office."

"You really think she's going to leave you alone in there?"

Ethan shook his head. "Of course not. But that doesn't mean I can't leave things behind."

"Huh? What're you going on about, Popsicle?" Warren asked, frowning.

Ethan grinned. "You'll see this afternoon at practise."

...

"Layla, a word before you sit down?" Jared asked.

"Yes, Mr. Bowie?"

"I was wondering if everything was all right with Warren? He didn't get into trouble, did he?"

Layla smiled and shook her head. "He's fine, Mr. Bowie. Principal Powers gave him permission to power up at lunch," she said, purposely not referring to the cafeteria restrictions, just in case.

"Oh, that's a relief. I've been feeling awful; though, to be honest, I wasn't sure if it was my emotions or the food," Jared added.

Layla almost laughed, then realised he was serious. "What did you eat?"

"Uh, the pizza," Jared replied, his stomach gurgling.

Layla's eyes widened and she stepped back. "I'll get Nurse Spex. You should get to a bathroom, Mr. Bowie."

Jared's face turned a sickly shade of green and he ran from the classroom, almost knocking Will over.

"What's wrong with Mr. Bowie?" Will asked, looking around the class and not getting an answer from his classmates who were just as confused as he was. Seeing Layla standing by Jared's desk, Will frowned at her. "What happened?"

"He ate the pizza for lunch," Layla said.

A noise of understanding and sympathy went through the class; everyone found out quickly to avoid the pizza, no matter how tempting it looked.

"I'll get Nurse Spex," Will said, flying out of the classroom without waiting for a response.

Craig turned into Jared, adjusted his tie, and went to the front of the class. "Class has started, so please take your seat, Miss Williams," he said, waving her towards her desk.

"There is a lesson plan on Mr. Bowie's desk, if you really want to teach," Layla said as she sat down.

"Nah, that's too much work. So, who bought the hardcover edition?" Craig asked, grinning and waggling his eyebrows.

"Nurse Spex is looking after Mr. Bowie now, Mr. Stronghold; there's no need for you to be out of class - Mr. Bowie?" Principal Powers said, frowning as she looked around the class. Her frown faded a moment later and she crossed her arms. "Return to your seat, Mr. Forge."

"I was gonna teach off the lesson plan," Craig said, shifting back to his normal self and hurrying to his desk, glad that he wouldn't be getting detention.

"As Mr. Bowie has become ill, I will be teaching you this afternoon," Principal Powers said, guiding Will back into the classroom and heading over to Jared's desk.

While Principal Powers' back was turned, Layla sent a message through the group chat to let the others know that Jared had eaten the pizza at lunch and Principal Powers would be teaching English that day.

"Excuse me, Principal Powers? Ah, someone's just... landed," Ron Wilson, bus driver, said, looking a little anxious and sweaty after running around the building trying to find the principal.

"Do you know who it is? Do we need to go into lockdown?" she asked, already shimmering.

Ron Wilson, bus driver, took off his hat and glanced down the corridor. "It's the super-health inspector. Surprise inspection."

Principal Powers paled, but nodded firmly. "I'll be right out. Thank you," she said. Looking around the classroom, Principal Powers considered a few students before making her decision. "Miss Williams, would you mind teaching the class, please? The lesson plan is right here," she added, holding out the piece of paper.

Surprised, Layla nodded. "Not a problem, Principal Powers," she said, standing to take the lesson plan.

Layla knew that if she hadn't saved the bus, she would never have been offered this. It would have gone to Will or Larry or Adam.

"I'm trusting all of you, so do not disappoint me. I will be checking on the class periodically," Principal Powers said before she left the classroom.

Everyone was silent for a long moment, unsure what to do while Principal Powers was still in earshot.

"Has anyone actually started reading Lustful's autobiography?" Layla asked curiously, setting the lesson plan aside.

"Uh. I've got to go... bathroom," Will said, cheeks bright red as he flew out of the classroom without waiting for a response or a hall pass.

"I did. I thought it was interesting that she didn't get her powers until she was almost sixteen," Adam said. "Being older might've been the reason she was so powerful 'cause it took so long for her powers to come."

"Heh, come; nice wording there, Adam. Anyone else not surprised that Lustful's book's a best-seller?"

Adam rolled his eyes at Ben's contribution, while beside him, Craig glared at Ben fiercely. "How about you contribute something meaningful, Benny-boy?" he snapped.

Ben sneered back at him. "What, like your thing earlier? Yeah, right, like that was meaningful, carrot-top," he said, a few others laughing.

"Why the fuck are you laughing, Larry? You're a redhead too, you idiot," Craig snapped, glaring at him and feeling a vindictive pleasure when Larry stopped laughing abruptly. "Unlike you, Benny-boy, I wasn't being an asshole when someone else was saying something intelligent! Just because Adam's got more intelligence in one dreadlock than you ever will in your lifetime, it doesn't mean you should be a prick to him."

"Yeah, and since when do you know when someone else is being as asshole? Oh, it takes one to know one, right?" Ben sneered.

A flash of movement outside caught a few students' attention and they paled, shrinking back in their seats and as far away from the window as possible.

"What?!" Ben snapped at Lisa, glaring down at her as she tugged on his sleeve for the tenth time in as many seconds.

Lisa indicated to the windows that were being covered in vines, drawing the rest of the class' attention there as well. The only reason most people hadn't noticed was because the classroom lights were on and they hadn't seen the vines' movement while they were so focused on Craig and Ben's argument. Ben paled, freezing as his fight or flight response kicked in and he was stuck like a deer in headlights.

"If everyone could please sit down, we can continue this discussion in a calm manner," Layla said, her voice as sharp as thorns.

Craig immediately sat down, while Ben had to be forcibly tugged down onto his seat by Lisa.

"Thank you. I think you raise an interesting point, Adam; does anyone else have any ideas about why Lustful might have been so powerful?" Layla asked, the vines disappearing from the window in an instant.

The sudden disappearance was more terrifying than the slow appearance of the vines, and the difference in light made a few people wonder how they'd missed it at all.

Fifteen minutes later, Principal Powers was pleasantly surprised to see the English for Heroes sophomore class so well-behaved and actually discussing the autobiography they'd chosen. It wasn't quite what the lesson plan had stated for the day, but it was better than a full-blown meltdown or complete disregard of the class itself.

Satisfied that she'd made the right decision in choosing Layla, Principal Powers hurried back to the cafeteria where the health inspector was making their rounds and frowning far too much for her liking.

...

End of the fifty-eighth chapter.