Chapter Sixty Two

...

"Magenta, you're smiling. Are you all right?" Layla teased, grinning at her.

"Hmm? Oh, yeah. I've got a date with Will tonight and I'm excited about it," she said, unable to stop smiling despite telling her facial muscles to stop already.

"That's sweet. I hope you have fun."

"Thanks, I'm sure I will. Uh, you're not going on a date with Warren tonight, are you?" Magenta asked, realising that the Paper Lantern was the place to be for Friday night date night.

"Nope, we're both working. I'd better get ready for Mad Science. Have a nice day, Magenta," Layla said over her shoulder as she headed to her locker.

Magenta caught her reflection - still smiling - and rolled her eyes at herself, closing her locker door firmly.

...

Despite the fact that, at most, ten people participated in Save the Citizen on Friday afternoons, all of the students at Sky High had to change into their PE clothes.

As a result, it was difficult to find space in the bathrooms to change. Even with their super-speed changing, almost one hundred students getting changed in the same small cramped spaces meant people got over their inhibitions by sophomore year at the latest.

"Dude, what happened to you?" Will asked, seeing long scratches down Warren's back.

He forgot that they weren't best friends anymore, that he didn't really have a right to ask Warren anything, and simply stared at the long welts down his back.

Warren pulled his singlet on and turned around, a smirk on his face. "Birthday present."

"Huh?" Will said, frowning.

Warren snorted. "I'll tell you when you're older," he said condescendingly, patting Will's shoulder before he left the bathroom.

Behind him, Donny snickered at Will's confused expression. "Dude, he got laid. Best present a man can get," he added, using his super speed to get changed and leave the bathroom.

Will stared after them, thinking and wondering what sort of present Magenta had got for his birthday.

"Did it work?" Warren asked Donny as they headed to the gym.

"Yeah, he's questioning his masculinity like it's tied to his virginity," Donny said, rolling his eyes.

"What an idiot."

...

Will paced back and forth, trying to decide how best to bring up his questions with his parents. Logically, he knew that he should just man up and ask, but his mother could be scathing, even if she didn't mean to be. Will also knew from first-hand experience that if he asked something even remotely embarrassing of his father, he'd be told to ask his mother.

It was a vicious cycle which really only looped because Will couldn't bring himself to ask his mother something that would either lead to a confrontation or embarrassment, or both.

Besides, his parents were both busy organising his party for tomorrow, and they weren't even home. He'd contemplated texting Magenta to see if she wanted to come over, but Will knew that he needed the extra night to do homework so he wouldn't be stuck doing it all on Sunday night again.

Wincing at the memory of his mother's anger - you're smart, but we know that you don't always apply your smarts (which basically meant he was an idiot) - Will sat down and started to work on his English assignment.

The answer to his problem came almost an hour later - his parents still weren't home, but that would work to his advantage right now - and Will started scribbling questions on post-its, sticking them to the pages of Lustful's autobiography.

With that part done, Will flew downstairs and into the Secret Sanctum to leave his English folder and the book on top, the post-its sticking out with a few extra question marks added to the brightly-coloured paper, just to make it really obvious.

Feeling proud of his ingenious plan, Will flew back up to his bedroom, closed his door, and decided to put in a few reps before going to bed.

...

Magenta tried to keep her smile on her face, even though her stomach was rumbling and she'd long given up on Will actually making their date. She'd ordered an entrée this time, but that had been almost an hour ago, and the spring rolls felt like a distant memory.

To make the whole thing even worse, both Larry and his girlfriend and Lisa and Ben were at the Paper Lantern, so they'd all seen her being stood up. Both couples had left after they'd finished eating, though Lisa had asked Magenta if she wanted her to text Will. Feeling like she'd died from embarrassment, Magenta had shaken her head, lying and saying that Will was running late, and he'd be there soon.

Probably off saving the world again, she'd added with a fake smile. Lisa and Ben hadn't seemed to believe her anymore than Magenta believed her own lie, but they'd finally left her alone.

Trying not to feel too bitter that they'd been able to enjoy their date together, Magenta wondered what Will's excuse would be this time.

"Hey. You going to order?" Warren asked.

"Oh, hey Warren. I forgot you worked here," Magenta said, wincing when she realised how harsh her words sounded.

Warren just shrugged. "No biggie. You gonna order something else, or are you eating like a guinea pig now?" he asked, nodding to her small plate, practically licked clean.

"Uh, no. I should probably get home, it's getting late," Magenta said.

Warren gave another shrug and put his notepad away. He grabbed her empty dishes, stacking them neatly. "Hang around for a few minutes; Layla will be here soon. I'm cooking dinner for her, so I'll do something for you too," he added, leaving without waiting for a response.

She should go. She should let Layla and Warren have their time together. But the prospect of food was far too enticing, so Magenta stayed seated, ripping the napkin into tiny pieces. She was creating a nest for her guinea pig, another nervous habit from her childhood. Magenta usually forced herself to stop when she found herself doing it now that she was older, but she didn't care now. She was alone, had been stood up again, was kind of starving, and she wanted to be small and warm without these stupid emotions in the way. Besides, shredding the rest of the napkin was cathartic and she felt better when the small pile was built up in front of her.

The front door opened and Magenta looked over as a habit, smiling briefly when she saw Layla coming inside. Scooping the shredded napkin into her handbag for her nest at home, Magenta waved over at Layla, who headed over after a brief expression of surprise.

"Hey, Magenta. I thought you were going on a date with Will tonight?" Layla asked curiously, taking off her coat and sitting across from Magenta.

She looked so professional and older in her business shirt and skirt, her hair done up in a bun, even if she was lugging her schoolbag around. Magenta suddenly wished that she'd dressed up nicer for her date; she looked like a complete slob in comparison.

"I thought the same thing," she admitted. "Will probably had people to save and forgot his phone again," Magenta said, shrugging as though she was indifferent to the whole thing.

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm sorry," Layla said, covering Magenta's hand with her own and squeezing gently in support. "I'm sure Will didn't mean to forget about you and your date. He just... spaces out sometimes," she said.

Magenta wished she hadn't shredded the napkin after all because she felt like she was going to cry. All at once, her eyes watered and she looked down at her blurry lap, hating herself.

God, this was so embarrassing.

"Have you eaten?" Layla asked, reaching into her bag and passing a tissue to Magenta.

After blowing her nose loudly, Magenta shook her head. "Just some spring rolls. Warren said he was going to make something for you, and he'd do something for me too."

"Oh, that's good. Food will help. Food and tea," Layla added with a brief smile. "Did you text Will?"

Magenta sighed. "Yeah, like, five times. He didn't answer," she said, shrugging. "Do you have to deal with this sorta stuff with Warren?"

"What sort of stuff?" Warren asked as he arrived with three bowls in his hands.

"Will hasn't text Magenta back and she's text him, like, five times," Layla said, accepting her bowl with a smile and thanks.

"Sounds like a dick move by Stronghold. You okay with Szechuan chicken, Magenta?" Warren asked, setting the bowl in front of her.

"Uh. Yeah, it's my favourite," she said, smiling. "How'd you know?" Magenta added curiously.

"You had your birthday party here last year; you said it was your favourite," Warren replied with a shrug before pulling his chopsticks apart and starting to eat.

"Eat up, Magenta. You don't want it to go cold," Layla added, starting to eat her own dinner.

"Right. Thanks."

Her stomach rumbling audibly, Magenta started to eat, grateful for the food and the company.

Paying for her dinner with the woman at the front desk, Magenta was surprised when Warren and Layla joined her outside a moment later. "You don't have to clean up?" Magenta asked.

"I put everything in the dishwasher. It doesn't take that long," Warren added when Magenta looked surprised.

"It turns into World War Three any time my mother asks my brothers to put their dishes away," she said with a grin.

"Well, your mother's not going to follow them around for the rest of their lives to put their dishes away for them, is she?" Warren asked pointedly.

Layla grabbed his hand and squeezed. "We're heading to the bus stop. Where are you going, Magenta?"

"Bus stop, too. You don't mind me being a third wheel?" she asked as they started walking.

"Yes. You've gotta be ten metres behind us," Warren said sarcastically.

Magenta laughed and Layla shook her head.

"Come on, or we'll all miss our buses," Layla said.

Magenta's bus arrived first and she waved goodbye to Layla and Warren, who waved back before heading to the other side of the road for their own bus. Despite Will not turning up for their date, Magenta realised that she'd had a nice night anyway.

"What's the bet she asks Will what her favourite meal is at the Paper Lantern?" Layla asked, muffling her laugher against Warren's shoulder.

"I think she'll ask, but it'll be tomorrow by text," Warren said.

"Ooh. She knows he won't text back tonight, so... I think she'll ask him at the party tomorrow," Layla replied, smiling brightly.

"What's the bet?"

Layla thought about it for a moment, waving down their arriving bus. "First flower to sell at the Hive?"

It wasn't exactly what he'd expected, but Warren nodded anyway. "Wait, does that mean you put in the business application?" he asked when they were seated.

"Yes, I did. I should know if they accept the application by next week," Layla said with a grin.

"Congratulations, hippie."

"Thank you. I was going to forge your signature and add you to the application, but I know your mother views the business applications."

Warren grinned. "She always says my signature looks like chicken scratch anyway."

"I'm not fluent in chicken scratch," Layla teased, kissing him. "Now, tell me what you and Donny did; Adam's been cackling about it all night."

"Stronghold saw the scratches on my back and assumed we'd had sex. Donny told him that sex is the best birthday present a man could get."

Layla laughed. "Oh, Super Jesus. Will's going to be obsessing over that for weeks."

"That's the idea," Warren said, grinning.

Layla glanced at Warren, a long once-over with heat in her gaze.

"What?"

"Trying to figure out what else you kept, besides the scratches on your back," she said, her eyes bright as she kissed him lightly.

"Can you wait until we're off the bus, hippie?" Warren said, kissing her.

"What if I said no? Would you let me find out now?" she asked, a teasing spark in her eye.

"Being arrested for public indecency isn't how I want my night to go," he said.

"How do you want it to go?" Layla asked teasingly, stroking his bicep with her fingertips.

Warren made a soft growling noise, grabbing Layla by the hips and moving her onto his lap, her back firm against his chest. "Like this, but with less clothing," he admitted, his words warm against the shell of her ear.

"Hmm. I think I can help with that," Layla said, reaching up and pressing her ass against Warren's crotch as she pressed the bus' stop button.

The bus came to a stop, Warren following Layla off the bus, strategically carrying their bags in front of him. The bus' tail lights had barely disappeared over the hill before Warren tugged Layla against his body, kissing her firmly.

"Come on. We can make out inside the Hive. It's warmer," Layla cajoled.

"I'm warm enough," Warren said, kissing her neck.

"I thought you didn't want to be arrested for public indecency?"

"There's no one else around, hippie," he said, nipping at her lips.

As if to prove Warren wrong, headlights came from a car behind them.

"Shit. Okay, come on, before I burn an innocent citizen's car," Warren muttered, glaring after the driver.

Layla laughed and took his hand, leading him down the road, through the forest, and into the Hive. Warren let their bags drop to the floor and then lifted Layla up into his arms, not intending to let her go for the rest of the night.

...

"Mum? Have you seen my English homework?" Will called. "I want to finish my essay before the party."

Josie was surprised to say the least - Will usually waited until Sunday night to finish any homework - but she didn't want to say that and ruin any chance of him actually studying. "I'll have a look now! Steve, look after the bacon?"

"Yes, dear," Steve said, standing by the frying pan as Josie flew around the house to try to find Will's homework.

"Why's it in the Secret Sanctum?" Josie muttered, then looked over to the pinball machine with narrowed eyes.

It had taken her half a day to reclaim the top score and she was positive that while Will had probably started studying, he'd definitely ended up on the pinball machine. After ensuring that her score was still at the top, Josie grabbed Will's homework.

Seeing the question marks sticking out of the book, she turned it the right way around. Feeling as though her heart stopped when she saw Lustful's name, Josie almost dropped all of Will's work. Her hands trembled as she flipped open to one of the marked pages.

Lustful's power only works on people who are attracted to her. She defeated both Mum & Dad with her power. Were both of them attracted to her?

Josie shut the book with a snap, forcing herself to inhale and exhale several times. Shoving the book in the folder, Josie flew up to Will's room and knocked on the door before opening it. "I found it in the Secret Sanctum. Were you trying to beat my score on the pinball machine instead of studying, Will?" she asked with a brittle smile.

This was the point where Will should have asked his questions. He should have gathered his courage, faced his mother like a man, and asked all thirty questions that he'd marked in the book. He didn't.

Instead, Will laughed, running a hand through his hair. "You caught me. I'll beat your score one day!"

"Not if I have any say in it. Now, I have two house showings and I'll be finalising a deal this afternoon, and your father has a fight scheduled for tonight. We'll meet you at the arcade for your party, and I'll bring your cake. You won't have a pre-party here, will you?"

"No, I learnt my lesson with that one, Mum," Will said, wondering when he'd ever be able to live that down; it hadn't even been his fault!

"Good. I'll see you tonight. Happy birthday," Josie said, kissing his forehead before flying down to the kitchen to check on the bacon.

Well, even ingenious plans failed sometimes, Will thought, dumping his English folder on his desk and going over to his gym equipment instead.

...

Waking up early, her brain in turmoil, Magenta unlocked her phone to check the time. Just before 5am and it was a Saturday. Knowing exactly why her brain was in such a state, Magenta flicked through her phone to her messages, wincing at the number of unanswered texts she'd sent to Will over the course of the previous night.

Was she being clingy or needy? They'd organised a date, surely checking to see where he was for said date was acceptable? Sending five texts within an hour wasn't clingy if she was worried, right? He hadn't picked up any of her calls, either, so this was the only way she knew her messages were getting through to Will.

What if he'd had to go save some citizens again?

What if he'd lost his phone? Or he'd damaged it by throwing it through a wall again?

What if he'd been hurt on the way to their date?

What if he didn't even like her anymore?

What if he wanted to break up with her and he just didn't want to admit it?

Was that something you could ask your boyfriend? Was that something she could ask Will and expect a truthful answer? Magenta knew just as well as anyone what lengths Will would go to in order to avoid answering questions.

Remembering the napkin she'd shredded the night before, Magenta climbed out of her warm bed. Lining her nest, she looked between her bed (and phone) and the nest full of newspaper, napkins, and an old shirt.

Muttering to herself - she was being clingy now, she knew she was - Magenta sent a final text message to Will, then turned her phone to 'do not disturb'. With that done, she shrank down into a guinea pig and curled up in her nest to sleep.

Happy birthday! Quick question: do you know what my favourite meal is at the Paper Lantern? See you tonight! :)

...

"How dare you allow this sort of behaviour from your staff?"

"Uh, Mrs. Damsale, it was just a misunderstanding..."

"With thirty children telling the teacher the exact same thing?! How on earth is that a misunderstanding?" Anita snapped.

"The substitute teacher..." the principal stammered, clutching at their desk with white knuckles.

"Should have listened to their students. They're substituting to teach, that doesn't give them the right to lord over the students! They might be children, but that doesn't mean they don't know what they're talking about. My daughter's inability to hear doesn't mean she's an idiot!" Anita said, as though daring the principal to disagree.

"Of-of course not. I... I apologise."

"Do you think that's good enough? Heidi was humiliated in front of her classmates, and had to go through the rest of the day without her hearing aids. It affected her ability to learn, especially from idiotic teachers with God complexes!"

"Of course. Of course not?" the principal added warily. "Uh. I'll deal with the substitute teacher. They won't be hired here again."

"And?" Anita asked, glaring.

"And... I'm sorry this happened?"

"How about apologising to Heidi personally? She is sitting right here; are you going to dismiss her as well?! And what about actually letting substitute teachers know you have disabled students in your classes? What if the teacher had told Stevie to stand up?"

"Stevie?" the principal asked, wondering if Anita had another child that he didn't know about.

Anita's face became even more stern; if she'd been a super, she would have been a Medusa-esque super, and the principal would've turned to stone under her gaze. "Stevie Kenarben, Heidi's friend who happens to be in a wheelchair."

"Oh. I don't know? I'm really sorry this happened to you, Heidi. There will be no detention for you, of course," the principal added before Anita could say anything else. "I'm very sorry, Mrs. Damsale. I will... take on your suggestions on board so this doesn't happen again. To any students," he added.

"Good. Are you all right now, Heidi?"

Heidi nodded and signed to Anita.

"You're welcome, dear. Now, let's go home. Boys, stop making out, your sister has to see enough of that at home," Anita said, rolling her eyes as she left the principal's office with Heidi beside her.

Behind them, the principal paled at her words, but didn't say a thing.

...

"You just couldn't wait to get home and make out?" Adam asked Ethan, wincing as he closed the video on his phone.

"Zach was worried, it was the easiest way to calm him down," Ethan replied with a shrug.

"Good morning. Honey's waiting for you," Sarah said, smiling at the two young men waiting in the Labyrinth's foyer.

"How are you, Sarah?" Ethan asked as they followed her down to Honey's office.

"Not too bad. I'm going to be meeting with Frieda later. Apparently she and her friends have created several wedding ideas for me and Jared to look over," Sarah said.

"Puffy dresses for the bridesmaids?" Adam asked with a laugh.

"I've got money riding on that being Hyacinth's idea," she admitted, grinning as she opened Honey's office door. "Adam and Ethan are here to see you," Sarah said.

"Thank you, Sarah. Come in, sit down. We have a lot to discuss, and not much time. I need one hostile takeover done by this afternoon or they're going to get support by Monday," Honey said, indicating to the two chairs across from her desk.

Adam and Ethan walked into her office, and behind them, Sarah shut the door firmly.

...

Zach tapped his feet against the floor with a highlighter in his mouth and a pen in each hand as he drummed along with the beat coming from his phone. Over the past few weeks, Zach had discovered he learnt best while there was noise in the background. Ethan had spent ten whole minutes kissing him after he'd admitted that to his boyfriend.

He was home alone, and had promised Ethan to finish the draft of his English essay while Ethan was helping Honey with the hostile takeover thing, and Heidi was at the audiologist's with Anita and Richard.

It took a moment to realise the knocking noise wasn't the sound of his feet, and Zach set his things aside to answer the front door.

"Mum?" he said, stopping short.

"Hello, Zach," Mrs. Brighton said, smiling briefly.

"What are you doing here?" Zach asked, grabbing the keys before walking out onto the front step and closing the door firmly behind him. "How did you even know where we live? It wasn't in the legal documents," he said, frowning at her.

"The Damsales are listed. Is your sister home?"

"No."

Heidi didn't hate their mother like she hated their father, but she hadn't liked the woman's inability to stand up for them, to protect them, to love them like Anita already did. Zach was suddenly so glad that Heidi wasn't home.

Mrs. Brighton's hopeful expression fell. She coughed and nodded slightly. "All right. I just... wanted to see that you were okay. That you were both okay. I miss you, Zachy," she said, reaching out for him.

Zach moved back as far as possible, the diamond shape of the screen door pressed into his back firmly. "I don't see why you care if we're okay now. You've never cared before," he said, trying to keep his voice even, though it felt like it was breaking.

"I did. Of course I did. You're my children."

"Then why didn't you check on me any time he beat me to a pulp?" Zach asked. "I waited up all night so many times, but you never came. You never cared about me, not once."

Mrs. Brighton's face turned pale at the reminder. "I... I should go. Look after your sister," she said as she headed down the path to her car.

"I always do," Zach said, his jaw clenched so hard that his face ached.

Opening the door with a trembling hand, Zach locked it behind him to make sure she wouldn't come back, then went upstairs to cry.

...

"Ethan, your phone's ringing," Honey said.

Knowing his phone was on silent, Ethan patted his pockets to find his phone, answering it when he saw that Zach was calling. "Are you all right?"

"Not really. Mum... She came to the house. Can you come home?" Zach asked, his voice quiet and shattered in a way that Ethan hadn't heard before.

Ethan didn't even spare a thought for the second hostile takeover they were in the middle of organising. "I'll be right there."

"Sarah can drop you off if you run," Honey said.

Ethan nodded in thanks, grabbed his bag, and ran out of Honey's office. He almost ran into Sarah, who was heading to the exit.

"Ethan? What's wrong?" Sarah asked, her amused expression falling away when she saw how stricken he looked.

"I need to get home. Zach's... I don't know, I need to make sure he's all right," Ethan said.

"Okay. Do you want me to call someone along the way? Your mother, an ambulance?" Sarah asked, leading him outside and over to her car.

"I-I don't know," Ethan admitted, feeling sick.

Ethan vaguely remembered directing Sarah from Labyrinth to his house, but opening the door and getting up the stairs was a blur. All he could focus on was Zach, curled up on the bed and looking like he'd had his soul sucked out of him. Even when they'd had Mr. Brighton liquefied in a jar, Zach hadn't looked this awful.

"Zach. I'm here," Ethan said, dropping his bag and rushing over, hugging Zach to his chest. "What happened? Are you hurt?"

Zach sniffed, shaking and then nodding his head. "I... I didn't expect her. Like, at all. Anyone else, I'd be fine. Hell, it could've been Super Jesus at the door and I'd be okay. But... I just... didn't expect Mum to be there."

Ethan kissed his cheek gently. "I'm here now. Let it all out," he murmured, rubbing Zach's back and letting him cry against his chest.

"Zach, is everything all right? The front door was wide open," Richard called out as he headed up the stairs to check on him. Seeing Ethan's bag in the hallway, Richard frowned. "Ethan, I thought you were out... Is Zach all right?" he asked, stopping short in the doorway when he saw the state Zach was in.

"Mrs. Brighton came over earlier. It freaked Zach out; he wasn't expecting to see her," Ethan added, stroking Zach's bright hair back.

"Oh. Well... How did she know where we lived?" Richard asked, frowning.

"She found you - hic - in the phonebook," Zach hiccuped.

"Anita, we need to call Frieda's lawyer," Richard called as he headed back downstairs.

"What's wrong?" Anita asked in surprise. "You know Ethan and Zach are dating."

"Of course I do," he said, frowning at his wife in confusion. "Mrs. Brighton came over earlier. Zach's upstairs bawling his eyes out. She found our address in the phonebook."

Heidi's eyes widened at his explanation and ran out of the kitchen and up to her brother. Climbing up on the bed beside him, Heidi wrapped her arms around Zach tightly. "You okay? I can hurt her, Zach. I can hurt anyone who hurts you. I don't care, I'll hurt them all," she said, her voice shaking.

Zach sniffed and turned slightly, hugging his sister in return. "I know you will, Heids."

Half an hour later, Anita and Richard finished talking with Ms. Martin about Mrs. Brighton's breach of privacy, causing Zach emotional harm, and their options as a result. They went upstairs to find Ethan, Zach, and Heidi all piled up and asleep on Ethan's bed. Richard set three glasses of water on Ethan's side table for when they woke up, and Anita led her husband back downstairs to talk about what they could do to protect their children and keep them safe.

...

"To anyone just tuning in, a villain named Nocturne is fighting against the Commander. This is one of the first scheduled fights Maxville has seen, and several people are already questioning whether this schedule will work," Brian Anderson said, looking to the screen where the Commander was fighting Nocturne.

It was night, as per Nocturne's request, but there was enough light from street lamps that the fight could be seen clearly. Nocturne's power was shifting into shadows, and so far, all he'd done was taunt the Commander and make him turn around in circles. While it had been amusing at the start of the fight, after almost twenty minutes, people were losing interest. The Commander was losing his patience each time Nocturne eluded his grasp, but he was on his own as Josie was putting the final touches on Will's birthday party and had promised to come as soon as she had finished.

"Can't catch - urgh," Nocturne gurgled when the Commander grabbed him by the throat.

"Caught you," the Commander said triumphantly.

Nocturne's eyes widened and he struggled, trying to pry off the Commander's hand around his throat and kicking out, trying to get free. He was lucky and managed to kick the Commander right between the legs. While he was super-strong, that didn't mean he was infallible, and the Commander let out a cry of pain, throwing Nocturne away from his own body.

Nocturne went flying, crashing and denting a brick house with the force of the impact. The Commander breathed for a moment, forced himself to straighten up, and stalked over to where he'd thrown Nocturne. The supervillain was no longer there, melted down into the shadows once more.

"Hey, Commander. Over here," Nocturne called from the other side of the street, grinning when he spun around abruptly.

The Commander lunged at the villain, Nocturne slipping back into shadows right before the impact, and instead, the Commander punched a hole through the glass wall of a modern home. He was taunted again, turned and threw himself at the villain once more, certain that he'd catch Nocturne this time, only to smash into another house.

This time, nothing broke. In fact, the Commander felt shaken up, as though the building had rammed into him instead. Shaking his head, the Commander looked at the simple timber house in confusion.

"Commander, what are you doing?" Jetstream asked, hovering a few metres above him with her hands on her hips.

"Oh, uh, nothing."

"Obviously, because Nocturne is still running around terrorising citizens," she snapped, indicating further down the road where Nocturne was popping out of shadows to scare people who'd come to view the fight in person.

"Right. Sorry," the Commander said.

Putting the house out of his mind, the Commander ran forward to grab Nocturne - making sure to hold the villain away from his crotch this time - and knocked him out with one fell punch. Jetstream landed beside him, smiling and waving at the crowd and cameras.

Layla exhaled slowly, blinking her way to consciousness, her head pounding. She was lying on her bed with her head in Warren's lap. Layla could hear the TV in the background, Brian Anderson mentioning something about Nocturne no longer terrorising the good citizens of Maxville thanks to the Commander and Jetstream.

"Are you all right, Layla?" Warren asked, stroking her hair back from her face gently.

The Commander hitting into her building had knocked Layla off her feet as well, and she was far paler than Warren would have liked. He was glad he had been there with her; Warren didn't want to imagine what would have happened if Layla had been on her own for this.

"I'm okay," Layla breathed, heavy and slow. "It was just a surprise; it felt like he'd literally slammed into me. I didn't expect it," she said, licking her lips. "I know what to expect now."

"Shit, hippie, maybe this was a bad idea. You can't fall over every time the Commander hits one of your buildings," Warren muttered. "You won't always know what to expect, will you? What if someone decides they don't like the organised fights and goes out on their own?"

"My vines will protect me. I'm all right, Warren, honest," Layla promised, smiling up at him. "I'm glad you were here; you caught me."

"Of course I did; you were going to brain yourself on the desk otherwise."

Layla sat up slowly, clutching Warren's hand for support. "Thank you, Warren."

"Anytime, hippie," he said, pulling her onto his lap and hugging her, tucking his chin over her shoulder. "I was scared he'd hurt you."

"I'm all right now. Promise," Layla said, hugging him tightly in return.

"Good. Keep it that way, hippie."

"I'll try. You too."

...

"Happy birthday, Will!"

The shout was echoed by several students, all of them waving to Will, who was wearing the laser tag equipment and waved back awkwardly with the laser gun in his hand.

Craig walked around the party, a plate with finger food in one hand and a drink in the other. He was disappointed, but not surprised, that the pigs in a blanket weren't as good as Zach's. Making a mental note to let Zach know later, Craig used Donny's power to focus on a few thoughts here and there.

Josie Stronghold was guarding the punch bowl like it was hoarded treasure, though she was, of course, smiling at everyone who came nearby, offering a cup when they were close enough. It also provided a great view of the laser tag scoreboard. Craig had listened in on her thoughts while getting his own drink, so he knew that Grant had been right: Will's party was basically a way to audition for potential sidekicks.

The questions Josie had asked of him while he was getting his drink would've confirmed that, even without reading her thoughts. She wanted to know his power, if he was a Hero or Hero Support, and what he thought of the party so far. Anyone who said the party was 'okay' had been immediately dismissed, so Craig knew that Josie wasn't just looking for a sidekick for Will, but for someone who would be able to boost her ego as well.

Wishing he hadn't chosen such a short dress - he'd been whistled at, ogled, and cat-called five times in the last ten minutes - Craig finally spotted a free seat and sat down. Sipping his drink, Craig's arm sparkled in the black lighting the bowling alley had set up for glow-in-the-dark bowling, and he tried not to look too surprised at the fact.

He'd crashed Will's party in Jewel's form, so sparkling was all part of the act. Besides, the look was kind of growing on him.

"Hey, babe. I thought you weren't coming?" Grant asked, sitting across from him.

Craig swallowed his mouthful of drink. He hadn't known that Grant and Jewel were dating. Unless Grant called everyone 'babe'?

"I changed my mind at the last minute," Craig said in Jewel's voice.

"Great. Want to have a go at whack-a-villain?" Grant asked, nodding over to the arcade game.

Licking his lips, Craig shook his head.

"How about we go somewhere and make out instead?" Grant asked, grinning and winking.

"What?" Craig asked, silently cursing himself and his squeaking voice.

Grant smirked and reached across the table, tapping Craig's chin with his finger. "You're cute when you blush, Craig."

Realising that he wasn't shifted while Grant was touching him, Craig pulled away and shifted back to Jewel's form. "How'd you know?"

"Jewel text me to say she was bored of Mad Science, so she'd be coming after all. Thing is, I'd already seen you. It didn't take a genius to figure it out," Grant said, winking.

"So, what, you just came over here to fuck with me?" Craig hissed.

"No, I came here to flirt with you," Grant replied simply.

"Because I look like Jewel?"

"No. Though you do look amazing in that dress," he said with another wink.

Craig felt his cheeks burning and wondered what Jewel looked like while blushing. He tried not to look too nervous when he realised that Jewel had arrived and was walking over to them. She was in jeans, a shirt, and a pair of gloves, which was far more practical for something like laser tag. Jewel also didn't look upset or surprised to see her carbon copy sitting across from Grant.

"You're lucky it's too dark for anyone to notice there's two of me," Jewel said as she arrived at their table. She pressed a kiss to Grant's mouth, then stood in front of Craig to block him from anyone else's view.

"Look, I just wanted to come to the party," Craig lied.

Grant rolled his eyes. "If you just wanted to come to the party, then you wouldn't be talking to people and putting little seeds in their head. You also wouldn't be flirting with people while shifted in Will's body."

Craig's jewelled hand crushed the cup he was holding, and he brushed the glass away with a soft tinkling noise that was drowned in the sound of bowling balls hitting the alleys. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I've been watching you, Craig. I know exactly who you've talked to, and I know what you've said to them," Grant said. "And I'm disappointed you didn't flirt with me first."

Not knowing how to respond to the second part, Craig decided to focus on the first. "How do you know what I've said to people?"

Jewel grinned. "Grant can read lips. Very handy for talking across the classroom without getting into trouble," she said, her thumb running along Craig's bottom lip, jewel grating on jewel.

Craig's breath shuddered at the motion, wondering in the back of his mind what it would feel like to have her thumb on his skin.

Across the table, Grant reached for him again, his fingertips brushing up against his forearm and making Craig change back.

"Want to get out of here with us?" Jewel asked, her jewelled lips scraping against his blush-red cheek.

Craig realised that they were serious. One hundred and ten fucking percent serious.

It didn't make any sense. Not to mention that he'd only just admitted to himself that he was pan; having both Jewel and Grant showing interest in him was ridiculous. It had to be a dream, surely. A really nice dream set in the weirdest place, or something.

Grant's fingertips squeezed his forearm slightly, as though he could hear the disbelief in Craig's head and decided to tell him it wasn't a dream. Or he was warning him; was someone was coming? Craig opened his eyes only to be faced with a view straight down Jewel's shirt. He swallowed hard and looked up at her.

Jewel shook her head and moved so she was leaning over him. "Stay still," she whispered.

Feeling like he was blushing from head to toe, Craig stayed as still as possible. A second later, Jetstream passed by with a tray of drinks for the students playing ten-pin bowling. With the way he was sitting, Jewel leaning over him looked like she was simply watching the bowlers, and even the way her arm was positioned protected his head from view. Grant and Jewel had stopped him from being found out, though Craig didn't know why.

"I... I've got to go," he said.

Jewel pouted, but stepped back when Grant let go of Craig's arm. Sighing audibly, Jewel smiled and winked down at Craig. "We'll keep planting those seeds, if you'd like."

"See you on Monday, babe," Grant added with a smirk.

Not knowing what to do or say, Craig just nodded and practically ran to get out of the arcade. Behind him, Jewel took the seat he'd just vacated and reached out for Grant's hand.

"It's all right, babe. She said to be patient," Grant said, kissing her hand.

"Patience isn't exactly my forte," Jewel replied with another sigh.

...

"You're here early. Is everything all right?" Ethan asked, frowning when Craig landed in front of the Stronghold's house.

"Yeah, everything's fine," Craig lied, smiling broadly. "Ready to get in there?" he asked, clapping his hands together.

Adam frowned at his best friend, obviously knowing that he was lying. He nodded after a long moment. "Find the spare key; I'll get started on bypassing the alarm system," he said.

Ethan and Craig set about finding the spare key that Layla had assured them was in the front yard under a rock.

"Found it," Craig said, holding the key up high.

"I found one, too," Ethan said, frowning at his own dirt-covered key. "Let me see yours," he said, taking the offered key. After cleaning them, he sat them flush against each other. Ethan promptly rolled his eyes and passed a key back to Craig. "They're the same key. They must've forgotten where they'd buried one," he said, melting the key down and letting the drop of water soak into his skin.

Craig snorted. "Nice."

"Alarm security's ready, you can open the door," Adam said, nodding to Craig.

Craig unlocked the door, pushing it open gingerly a moment later and waiting for the inevitable alarm to start blaring. Instead, a beeping noise came from the alarm system, the light turning green. "All right! Nice work, Adam. Now let's go steal all their shit," Craig said with a cackle.

Ethan and Adam both rolled their eyes, then followed their friend into the Stronghold's home, drops of water starting to form on Ethan's arm.

...

End of the sixty-second chapter.