Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Five
...
Larry inhaled deeply from the oxygen mask that Nurse Spex had attached to him. He was just starting to come down from the asthma attack that Will and his stupid Axe body spray had set off, but the sting of seeing his friend walk away while he was sitting in the dirt would never fade. On the bus trip into school, he had been debating whether it was worth trying to befriend Will again, whether the Dalton, Walton, Colton, and Morton heirs would even give him the time of day, whether it was worth his parent's constant nagging about how being bigger than everyone meant being better than everyone.
He'd done that already, hadn't he? When he was powered up, Larry was taller than even Robot Warrior, robot fighter. He was bigger than the Commander, than Captain Stronghold, than Gigantor herself, but somehow, that never meant he was better than them.
The scent of Axe body spray was in the air again a full ten seconds before Will was brought into the infirmary by Warren and Donny, and Larry felt his eyes watering at the smell and chemicals all over again. He dragged in another deep breath from the oxygen tank and tried not to broadcast his annoyance when Will didn't even look at him or acknowledge his presence.
"Super Jesus, Stronghold. I could light a flame a metre away and still set you on fire. How much goddamn body spray did you use?" Warren asked, practically choking on the stench as he and Donny dumped Will on one of the beds.
Half a goddamn can, Larry thought sarcastically, paling when Donny looked at him sharply.
"Where's Nurse Spex?" Donny asked, looking around the empty infirmary.
Larry nodded to the door behind Donny where a blood-splattered and feather-covered kid had been taken in by Nurse Spex.
"Ouch, looks painful. I've gotta get to home group; you coming or staying, Peace?" Donny asked.
"I'll stay until Nurse Spex gets back; I don't think Stronghold can tell her what happened with his throat like that."
"All right; from the look of the last kid, it might be a while."
"Let Mr. Bowie know for me?"
"Sure. Seeya later," Donny said over his shoulder.
Larry wondered why Warren was staying; he didn't even like Will, did he?
Will made a sad sort of walrus noise and Warren rolled his eyes in response. "Just text me, Stronghold; not even Babel could translate that."
Will nodded, making a high-pitched noise of pain as the action pressed on his swollen throat, and pulled his phone out.
Larry glared over at them. First, Will had set off an asthma attack, then he'd left him lying on the ground, then he hadn't even acknowledged his existence, and now he wasn't even including him in his conversation?
Deciding that he could survive the morning with just his inhaler, Larry took another deep breath of oxygen, then left the infirmary without even looking at Will.
No matter what his parents thought, associating with the Stronghold family was never going to make Levinsky a household name. If it was fame that they wanted, then Larry would give it to them by being bigger and better than everyone, even Will fucking Stronghold.
...
Josie was fuming. First, Mrs. Morton had insulted and belittled her, then Principal Powers called and had the audacity to accuse her son of attacking someone, and now Will was sitting in the Principal's waiting area with his throat swollen as big as a melon! Not to mention, Principal Powers was almost fifteen minutes late with their appointment; she'd already had to reschedule her clients twice and they weren't going to be happy if a third time occurred!
"I just can't believe that the person who viciously attacked you was allowed to return to class!" Josie said to Will for the sixth time in as many minutes.
"I can't believe your throat is that big. Are you sure it's not permanently damaged, dear?" Steve asked.
"I've already told you it's temporary, Steve! Stop repeating yourself!" she snapped.
Principal Powers finally opened her door and Josie stood up abruptly, Steve standing as well. Will stood, pressing the ice pack to his swollen throat. Principal Powers almost closed the door on the three Strongholds. She needed a coffee to get over Ms. Martin's phone call, and now she'd doubt if she'd get to have one before lunchtime.
"Please, come in."
"I must say, it's about time, Linda. Do you know how long we've been waiting?" Josie asked snidely.
"Our scheduled appointment's only been delayed by twelve minutes. You can wait another twenty, if you'd like?" Principal Powers snapped.
Will's eyes widened at the Principal's words and tone; he'd never heard her snap like that, even after that first Homecoming with Royal Pain.
Josie glared. "How dare you! You do know how much we donate to this school, don't you? I demand to - "
Principal Powers had had enough. Three lawyers and Josie Stronghold in one day was too much for anyone. She'd only ever spoken to Ms. Martin, but the woman was more formidable than anything Josie - or Jetstream - could ever convey. Steeling her expression, she looked at Josie and ensured that her words could not be misunderstood. "Your son is suspended for the rest of this week and next week. His behaviour has been unacceptable and I will not stand by it, nor will I let you attempt to bully me into keeping his toxic behaviour on school grounds a moment longer. The video and written evidence has been sent to your email, both work and personal. If you feel I have been wrong in the punishment of your son once you have seen the numerous videos, then you can contact me to discuss the punishment in a manner befitting an adult. I will organise for his schoolwork to be sent to him for the duration of his suspension. For now, I suggest you all leave the premises."
"Are you threatening me?" Jetstream asked, glasses in hand and a glare on her face.
"No, Josie, I am telling you. Leave the premises before I make you," Principal Powers said firmly, staring her down.
This time, it was Josie who looked away first. Swallowing hard, she barely glanced at her husband or son, and lead them out of the school. "What the hell did you do, Will?" she snapped at him, even as she grabbed both men under each arm and flew off the school grounds.
Will's throat was still too swollen to answer.
...
"Did you hear? Will Stronghold got suspended."
"Riley is still in the infirmary."
"I heard Will's going to be sent to military school."
"Nurse Spex has been pulling feathers out of Riley for three hours."
"Justina got detention for the rest of the school year!"
Donny rolled his eyes at the various conversations around the cafeteria. "The last three aren't true; Jetstream and the Commander wouldn't send their child to military school. Military school means there's a problem, and they'd never admit to that. As for Nurse Spex, she's been asleep for an hour, and Riley's undergoing a lot of blood tests to ensure he didn't get any diseases from the birds that managed to get to his skin."
"Yeah, well, he's lucky he used his bag as a shield; those woodpeckers would've gone right through him. Three weeks of detention is so worth it, don't even try looking guilty at me," Justina said, pointing her fork at Ry.
"I wasn't trying," Ry said, hands up in a gesture of peace.
"Okay, where's Warren and Layla? They should've been here by now. Are they making out somewhere?" Craig asked Donny, wiggling his eyebrows.
"No, we're not. Get out of my seat," Warren said, nudging at Craig.
"I don't want the bitch seat," Craig whined.
"Then get rid of the graffiti," Layla said simply.
"No, it's pretty."
"Then stop complaining," Warren said, moving Craig down a spot and sitting down.
"Fine. Where were you two, anyway?"
"Study hall. I needed to finish my Communications for Heroes essay, and Warren did some designs for the pineapple."
"Pineapple?" Terrence echoed, frowning.
"Oh, you mean the spike- "
"Yes, and please don't refer to it by name in the cafeteria," Layla said, raising an eyebrow at Zach.
"Right, okay. Makes sense."
"Can I see your designs? Grant and I still couldn't agree on the best way to overcome the problem, so I would be highly interested to see your take on it," Ethan said, setting his tray aside as Warren held out a notebook.
Zach looked at the notebook as well, his spoon sticking out of his mouth. "Huh, you made the leaves into a handle? That's, like, really simple, Eth. Why didn't you and Grant think of that as a solution?"
"We focused on the logistics of holding it with the spines intact and didn't think of the leaves, except as a way to protect your palms before throwing it. The handle design could work, but it means making sure everyone knows exactly when to let go in order to throw it a certain distance. If we don't, someone could follow through and it could land at their feet."
"Why're you all looking at me?" Zach asked. "I'm getting better at throwing!"
"It's true, you are. Even Coach Boomer complimented your throwing skills this week."
Zach glowed a warm red. "See, told you!"
Donny frowned as he looked out across the crowd, Warren and Layla following his gaze, and the others quieting and looking as well.
"What's going on, Donny?" Warren asked.
...
"Josie Stronghold accosted - "
"Who said you could speak?" Chad asked Pad, glaring at him.
"Just shut up and listen for once, you moron," Pad said. "Or do you want your mothers' harassed, too?"
Even Tad shut up at Pad's words. Brad looked at him, and Chad set his cutlery aside, nodding for Pad to continue.
"Josie Stronghold accosted my mother this morning at Morton headquarters. She tried to get an exclusive meeting with her as Jetstream, then almost blew a deal for her by flying at one of Mam's customers when she was told the public wait time. Mam said she was trying to use her son as a way to connect with her; you know what that means."
Chad, Brad, and Tad looked at each other in concern. Usually people waited until a firmer friendship had been formed before attempting to use the connection to get what they wanted from their families. It was the main reason they were all friends, even though they barely liked each other: they knew the others weren't in it for the fame or money since they already had copious amounts on their own.
"Stronghold probably doesn't even know what his mother did; they don't seem like a very communicative family," Chad mused after a long moment of silence.
"Remember what happened the last time we thought that? The Levinsky's almost got into the Dalton family tree," Tad said with a shudder.
"If Jetstream's going after my mother, then yours could be next. No one wants that, do they?" Pad asked pointedly.
"You're the smart one; what do you suggest we do?" Chad asked.
Pad smirked. "You have three choices: side with Stronghold, cut him loose, or make him choose between his family and his friends. Just remember who you'd choose if you were in his shoes."
...
"Is that a good ultimatum? Doesn't that help?" Zach asked Layla quietly.
"It could. Donny, what can you tell about Pad?"
"He hates them. Like, you know how you hate Will and Magenta? It's kind of a low-level thing in the back of your head where you're trying not to stab them every time you have a conversation? Pad feels that constantly and because of his family connections, can't conceive of a way to escape the other three unless he actually does kill them. Or organises a corporate takeover, but it's not likely while their stock and support levels are so high."
"Well, we'll change that soon enough. Speaking of; here's a list of all your folks' and/or guardians' stock choices. A few should probably be changed if you're not wanting to contribute to fossil fuels and global warming. Eth's got a list of medium and high-risk return stocks that support climate research," Adam said, sending a message out through the group chat.
"Does it matter if we didn't understand, like, half of that sentence?" Craig asked.
"Nah, just get Eth to talk to 'em. Victor's got a few set and forget stocks, but if he wants enough to get the twins through here and college, he'll have to amp up his game, dude."
"Eth, can you talk to Victor about that stuff? Also, can you put Cara's stuff in a better account for Elijah and Elliot? You can do that, right?"
"I already have the necessary information; I was just waiting for you to ask," Ethan confirmed.
"What if I didn't ask?"
"I would have told you eventually."
"How long is eventually?"
"Not so long that I wouldn't have been able to make up the difference between what they have and what they could have."
Craig blinked. "I think that's good."
"It is," Ethan promised, grinning.
Shrugging and conceding with a nod, Craig stabbed some tater tots, dunked them in sauce, and ate them noisily.
Beside him, Warren rolled his eyes. "Eat quietly, would you? Pretend it's a stealth mission," he said.
"Stealth eating isn't a thing."
"It is now; if you don't eat quietly, I'll burn your food to ash," Warren replied.
Craig's eyes widened in horror and he stuffed more tater tots in his mouth before Warren could do anything.
"He could burn them in your mouth, y'know," Zach said, Craig's eyes going comically wider still.
"Oh, calm down and eat your food," Warren said, shaking his head and eating his Hero sandwich.
Craig grinned wide with a mouthful of food. Warren groaned and pushed Craig's face away.
...
"You're sure I need to sell these stocks? I swear they're one of the better-performing ones," Anita said.
"I promise, Ma, you need to sell them. They will drop sooner rather than later," Ethan said.
Anita wondered how he sounded so positive. Even with the kids not being exactly heroic, they couldn't influence stock prices, could they?
"All right, I'll call them now to sell. You're lucky you told me before the market closes for the night," she said.
Ethan looked at his watch and winced. "I need to call a few others. I think a group call might be easiest," he muttered, scrolling through his phone to create a mass phone call to the adults.
"Give me a second to include a couple of people, Ethan," Honey said when she picked up.
"What's going on? Has something happened?" Edith asked, worried that someone had been kidnapped again.
"Nothing's wrong and everyone is all right," Ethan said, realising what they might presume at his call.
"Okay, we're good to go," Honey said.
"Thanks, Honey. You need to sell your stocks with Walton and Dalton and Colton. You need to sell tonight, tomorrow morning earliest."
"Uh, make that tonight. Tomorrow will be too late," Honey corrected.
"Jesus, Honey. We're not exactly getting much notice here," Connor muttered, seeing the time.
"I know, I know. It's my fault. Just hang up and call your financial brokers or whoever you have dealing with your stocks. Oh, and Ethan's going to send a list of stocks that support climate change research. Some of you have stocks that support or endorse fossil fuels and you should be ashamed."
"Hey, I don't know what stocks I have. I don't even know why I'm on this call," Jared said.
"I'll call for you," Sarah said, kissing her husband's cheek.
"Thanks for the info, Ethan. I need to call my guy, he's on the east coast," Victor said, ending the call abruptly.
Everyone hurried to end the call and organise the sale of their stock.
Ethan received a text message a few seconds after the call had ended.
Honey: Thanks, Ethan. I'll report it in the morning. Have a great night!
Ethan frowned at her message and replied: You're not even going to tell me who else you had on the line?
Honey: Nope! Say goodnight to everyone for me!
Ethan sighed and pocketed his phone, trying not to let the thought of who might've been on the call consume him.
...
"Eliza, please tell me what's going on," Medulla said, confused and not liking the feeling at all.
Eliza grinned at him and kissed his cheek. "Let me call my sister; she has stocks in them, too."
Medulla sighed. "I probably do as well. Will you explain once we've finished with the calls?"
"Maybe. Oh, don't give me those eyes, Max. You know I can't resist that look," Eliza said with a pretty pout, pressing a luxurious kiss to his lips.
Medulla almost forgot what he was meant to do, but then Eliza pulled away far too soon, and she winked at him as she put her phone to her ear.
"Oh, good, you're still there. We need to sell Dalton, Walton, Colton. Oh, does it really matter which way their names are said? You know what I meant," she said, rolling her eyes.
Realising that his girlfriend wasn't planning on moving off his lap, Medulla reached for his phone to sell his stocks too.
...
"Good morning, viewers. This morning's breaking news is one for all you financial kingpins out there: it's been revealed that the Walton and Dalton and Colton families don't actually have any superpowers by none other than the Walton heir himself," Brian Anderson said, shaking his head.
A microphone was shown on the screen with a soundbar moving along with Chad's words from the party.
"The Walton family's power was through radiation in the 70s and hasn't been seen since; the Dalton family hasn't had powers since the 70s when Tad's uncle died without an heir. The Colton super relative was through marriage and no one's had powers in that line since."
"Everyone knows the Walton and Dalton and Colton company, who rose to fame in the last 70s with the three super-intelligent supers taking the reign from their citizen parents. Since then, their heirs have also run Walton and Dalton and Colton with the promise of super-intelligence. It's even the company's tagline, which boosted their profit margins throughout the 80s and 90s.
"As you can imagine, the stock for Walton and Dalton and Colton has plummeted in a matter of hours, ever since the story was first reported on... Labyrinth's early morning radio show," Brian Anderson said, stating the name of Channel Five's competitor like he'd eaten a lemon whole. Hurrying to take back control - and his viewers' attention - Brian Anderson continued, "We have a financial expert here to discuss the implications for the Walton and Dalton and Colton company." He turned towards the other screen that appeared and smiled. "Thank you for joining us, Fred Iscal. Can you tell the viewers at home how this will impact the company and stocks?"
"Thank you, Brian Anderson. For those employed by Walton and Dalton and Colton, they might want to start looking into other jobs. For all that their employers were meant to be super-intelligent, they didn't diversify their business or stock like the Morton family did, and both employers and employees are now likely to suffer. If their stocks continue to drop at this rate, the Walton, Dalton, and Colton heirs are likely to be as common - and poor - as regular citizens by the end of the day. I truly hope that no one has their stock or 401(k) invested in this company, because it would be nothing short of disastrous."
Brian Anderson was momentarily distracted when several people in the studio pulled their phones out. He smiled thinly. "It looks like we're going to an ad break early, viewers. Please, call in if you want to discuss this further with Mr. Iscal. We'll be back after a word from these sponsors."
Awkwardly, the jingle for Walton and Dalton and Colton started playing as the first advertisement.
...
Chad, Tad, and Brad were used to being stared at as the famous Walton, Dalton, and Colton heirs. They weren't used to being stared at with pity, and that seemed to be all they were getting this morning.
Chad hated the feeling to the core of his being, but it still paled in comparison to the amount of hate he held for Will Stronghold. The lying liar had said he'd lost his phone, yet he and that purple chick were the only ones in that kitchen at the party. Tad had confirmed her phone had died, so that left Will Stronghold to not only record his admission, but he'd then sold it on to a goddamn tabloid like Labyrinth! Will was obviously trying to get rid of them as competition, and after what Josie had done to Mrs. Morton, it was obvious that the whole Stronghold family was out to ruin them completely.
"Where's Pad?" Chad snapped, looking to Tad and Brad who both shrugged.
"This morning's news about the Walton and Dalton and Colton families and company was pure chaos. It's resulted in a mass strike, public outrage, and - "
"Turn that shit off!" Chad yelled, reaching out to grab the student's phone where they were watching Labyrinth's news report.
"Hey, fuck off!" the student snapped, pulling their phone away.
Tad and Brad held Chad back and hauled him away before he could add to the mess.
"Chad, bro, calm down. We've got lawyers for this sort of shit, remember? That's why Gramps hired them back in the 80s when Dad came out empty, remember?" Tad muttered.
"We'll be all right. You can't add to it by hitting citizens," Brad added.
"They're not citizens, we are, remember?" Chad snapped.
"Yeah, and do you want to go up against a full school of supers?" Tad asked with a nervous look at the expression in Chad's eyes.
"I'm calling our parents. We can have the rest of the week off until it blows over and you cool down, okay?" Brad said.
Chad sneered and ran a hand through his hair. "You two can run to Mummy and Daddy and hide at home, but I'm not weak."
Tad rolled his eyes. "For fuck's sake, Chad, get the fuck over yourself. We're all in the same vat of toxic waste here, okay?"
Chad knew it wasn't true: the three of them were in shit, but Pad fucking Morton would be high and dry. His grandmother had refused to join the Walton, Dalton, and Colton's company - his Grandfather always said that he wouldn't have let her join even if she wanted to, they were a boy's club, after all - and the Morton family had been doing better than the other three combined.
"They'll be here in five minutes," Brad said, ending the call.
"They're actually coming in person?" Tad asked, surprised and hopeful.
Brad levelled him with a withering stare. "Of course not; our parents are all in damage control. They're sending a super-taxi. Our chauffeur quit this morning."
"Oh. Right. You coming, Chad?" Tad asked.
A group of students had already started with their pitying stares again and Chad turned away, his throat thick and fists clenched. "Yeah, I'm coming. Anyone got Stronghold's new mobile number? I've got a bone to pick with him on the way home."
...
Magenta looked around the cafeteria in confusion, not seeing Will.
Her parents had kept her home the day before, her mother almost suffocating her with her version of care. Magenta could shift again and was glad to be going back to school. She hadn't seen Will on the bus and thought he'd flown in, and recess she'd been kept back by Mr. Boy to talk about her English for Hero Support essay. Now it was lunch and she was really starting to worry. Deciding to text him once she'd sat down, Magenta headed over to their usual table only to find no one there. Chad, Brad, and Tad weren't at lunch, either?
She almost sighed in relief on seeing Pad heading to the table, headphones on his ears and his eyes intent on his phone screen. Sitting across from him, Magenta waved to get his attention. Pad looked like he'd rather be anywhere else right then, but she got up her courage.
"Where's Will? Or any of the others?"
"Will was suspended; the others are hiding at home until the shit-storm passes. Didn't you see the news?"
Magenta shook her head. She really needed to start watching the news again. She just couldn't stand seeing Tasha with her blonde hair and perky... everything.
Pad rolled his eyes. "I suggest you read it, if you won't watch it."
Well, Josie had said not to watch the news, but hadn't said anything about reading it, Magenta mused. Then she realised what he'd said about Will.
"He's suspended?"
Pad had his headphones back on and didn't respond.
Magenta looked around the cafeteria for someone who might have an answer for her but Layla and her friends were taking their lunches outside, talking and laughing with each other. She didn't want to impose on that.
Layla stopped at the cafeteria doorway, looking around. She smiled broadly at Magenta and waved her over. Checking to ensure Layla meant her, Magenta grabbed her tray and followed quickly, figuring Pad didn't care if she said goodbye one way or the other.
"You don't mind if I walk with you?" Magenta asked, wishing she had a more portable food than lasagne on seeing their sandwiches and rolls. Even Layla's salad was in a wrap.
"Yes. Go back inside," Craig said, snickering.
Magenta almost stepped back into the cafeteria, but Layla shook her head and smiled. "He's just teasing. Come on, or we'll lose the walking time."
"The what?"
"Move, move, move," Justina groaned, annoyed at being stuck behind everyone. "I'm going to start walking in the classrooms, Super Jesus, my back is killing me. If adults can have walking meetings, we should have walking subjects."
"Don't you dare bring that up; you know someone would actually make us do it," Zach said with an annoyed groan.
"Who do you think would do it?" Magenta asked.
Silence reigned, Zach obviously ignoring her question.
"It would have to be Coach Boomer. He'd probably make us do suicides while teaching Save the Citizen strategies," Warren said.
"Ugh, no. No one wants that," Robin said, wrinkling their nose.
"I'd pay someone else to run for me. Especially after lunch," Craig groaned.
"I pity your future Hero Support," Ethan said, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Not having one," Craig said, shrugging.
"Why not?" Magenta asked in surprise.
"I work alone," Batman!Craig said.
Adam snorted. "Yeah, right."
Craig poked his tongue out at his best friend.
"Here, sit down, Magenta. You can't eat lasagna while you're walking," Layla said as they reached the wall at the front of the school.
Magenta sat down and tried not to look too eager as she started to eat. Seeing that the others weren't joining her, she ate faster.
"Hey, slow down. We don't want you to choke to death," Wendy said.
Yes, we do, Donny's voice said in their heads.
"I have to go," Zach said, shoulders shaking with his laughter.
"Race you to the end of the school!" Justina said, already running.
Craig laughed and ran after her, most of their friends running off as well.
"Don't fall off the edge!" Warren called after them.
"I'll make sure they come back," Wendy said, jogging after their friends.
"Ugh, sorry. I'm taking so long to eat this," Magenta said, even as she ate another mouthful.
She was going to get indigestion at this rate, but she didn't want to be left behind.
Layla sat beside her. "Don't rush, Magenta. You'll be sick."
Trying to nod with a mouthful of food, Magenta swallowed the lump of pasta and tomato mush, gulping down her water.
"Where were you yesterday? I didn't see you at lunch," Layla added.
Surprised that Layla had even noticed her absence, Magenta set her water bottle down. "I wasn't well. I went to a party at Chad Walton's on Monday and I think... well, I think my drink was spiked. I couldn't shift all Monday night so Mum looked after me yesterday. Well, you know what she's like. Her version of looking after me involved lots of food and barging into my room. Josie's talking to me about dieting," Magenta said, patting her stomach.
"That's ridiculous; you don't need to diet," Layla said, rolling her eyes. "Also, I can't believe you went to a party on a school night and didn't tell me! What are best friends for?"
Magenta smiled. "I'm your best friend?"
"Of course!"
"I'm going to go find the others; I think someone pushed Craig off the edge of the school," Warren said, walking away while trying not to laugh.
Layla turned to Magenta and smiled broadly. "Tell me everything."
...
Will looked at his phone, confused as to why it would be ringing. All of his friends had school and his red phone hadn't rung despite him wishing it would. Seeing Chad's name on the screen, Will wondered if he was so rich that not even teachers would tell him off for using his phone in class.
"Hello?" Will said, his voice soft with his throat still swollen and tender.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing, Stronghold? Does your whole family think this is funny? You're getting sued for defamation and lying and whatever else I can think of! First your mother attacks Mrs. Morton, then you go and do this! You think you're so good, don't you? I'll see you in court, asshole!"
Will's eyes widened at Chad's words and the abrupt end of the call, Chad practically screaming at him.
What the hell had his mother done?
...
Jewel wasn't smart like Grant. Admittedly, there were few people who were as smart as her boyfriend, but she wasn't book-smart either way. She was smart enough if she studied her ass off and tried to remember everything required for essays or pop quizzes or exams. She'd passed Sky High in the top five of her class, so Jewel had obviously done something right.
Unless it was all an elaborate trick that she'd played. What if her scores had been mixed up with someone else's? What if she was actually meant to be at Sky High still? What was going to happen to her when the University learned the truth? That she was a sham, an imposter? She had no right being here, not when other people smarter than her had tried harder than her to get in.
She tried to breathe through the constricting feeling of her chest, the pain of her heart pounding and her mouth numb. Jewel sat on the closest seat and tried not to focus on the numerous texts and messages she could hear coming from her phone. She needed to breathe first.
"Hey. You okay?"
Jewel shook her head. Breathing and counting helped, right? Or was that meant to be counting and breathing? Was it both at the same time or one after the other? Did it matter?
Counting. She could do that. Breathing in and counting to four, Jewel exhaled as she counted to four again. Slowly and after a lot of repetition, her panic attack subsided and she opened her eyes.
"Holy fuck, you're pretty."
The guy across from her seemed startled at her words, the concern slipping away as he started to laugh. "Thanks. You're not so bad yourself. Just to clarify: it's an appreciation of prettiness and nothing more, right?"
"Right. Two boyfriends are enough."
"Shame. That was an epic panic attack you had. Imposter Syndrome, too?"
"Yeah, I think so. Was it that obvious I was panicking?"
"You sat on my bag, so yeah, a little. I'm Beau."
"I'm Jewel. Sorry about sitting on your bag," she said, moving and hoping she hadn't ruined anything important. She was glad to be wearing another prototype for Honey - this band cancelled not only her powers but also those around her - otherwise her jewelled body would have destroyed everything.
"No biggie; my laptop was on my lap, and I prefer my sandwiches flat," Beau said with a broad grin.
Jewel laughed at the joke, feeling better already. "So, what are you studying?"
"Majoring in Law, minor in Business, and a few electives from the Hero Curriculum," he added with a grin. "What about you?"
Not only was he pretty, but he was smart, too?
"Majoring in Business with a minor in Art," Jewel replied, wondering if they had any of the same Business units.
"So I'll see you in Business 101?" Beau asked with a smile.
Grant jogged over, his phone in his hand, and smiled in relief when he saw Jewel. "Hey, babe. You okay?" he asked, briefly touching his shoulder.
Realising that her panic attack really must have been epic if they'd felt it through the brands - that kind of explained her phone turning into a one-piece music festival in her pocket - Jewel winced. "Yeah, I'm okay now. Beau was kind enough to let me sit on his bag while I had a panic attack."
"That's... nice of him?" Grant said, sounding confused. His eyes widened at the sight of Beau. "Holy shit, you're pretty."
"So I've heard. I've also heard two boyfriends are enough, so I'm guessing you're one of them?" Beau asked, giving Grant a very slow and obvious once over.
"Yeah. I'm Grant. Thanks for looking after Jewel."
"Anytime. If either of you change your mind about having another boyfriend, let me know. You've both obviously got good taste, so I'd be interested in meeting your boyfriend; he's gotta be hot," Beau said with a wink. "See you around, Grant and Jewel."
They both watched as Beau picked up his bag and laptop, and left. Grant and Jewel looked at each other, eyes wide, and realised exactly how Craig must have felt when they first flirted with him.
...
End of the hundred and twenty-fifth chapter.
Thanks for reading; I hope you enjoyed the updates!
