Chapter 3: Liking You II

It's already been a year, since Pietro discovered his power. By now he practically couldn't imagine living without it. He could sleep longer (not that he needed it), his foster father couldn't lay a finger on him, he could learn for the tests and things over night, he could do anything in few seconds. But it came with a price. He couldn't tell Evan and he was constantly bored. The only thing that kept him amused for long enough were basketball, Evan's company and the challenges he started to make up for himself.

Evan also noticed a change in his friend. He became more outgoing, popular even, his grades were never below ninety percent even though he studied even less than Evan, and he became quite restless. There wasn't a moment when Pietro stood still for longer than a second. It wasn't a big thing, just tapping his foot or pacing around during the break. Most people didn't notice it, but they weren't gypsy boy's best friends. Not that he was unpopular, no. At the beginning there were few issues due to Pietro's heritage, but now he was perceived as a witty basketball star, almost inseparable from the black skater, also a basketball player.

But then Pietro started to notice things in himself that started to disturb, even scare him sometimes. Basically from the beginning of the school he was surrounded by girls, most of them quite pretty, he had to admit. At first he though it was because he was much more fun to be around than some muscle-heads. Then, that maybe they were simply curious, of his pale complexion, white ("silver" as he always corrected) hair, mysterious background, extraordinary taste in clothes. But then it got to him. Maybe it was when he saw one of them fluttering her eyelashes at him, but he realised that they liked him. Like in some sort of romance novel! And suddenly Pietro found himself not caring even a bit.

And then there was this... incident.

It was a big night for middle school basketball team. It was middle of the season, but this game decided whether or not they are going to play for the championship.

The first half turned out alright, more or less even out. Their team was leading by four points.

"Now, only keep them away from the ball and the game is ours. OK?" said coach.

Players nodded and Evan exchanged glances with Pietro. He could see how excited he was, almost jumping up and down.

"You OK, man?"

"Yeah, I'm kushti."*

"If you say so."

And then the second part of the game began. There had been so much going on, that even Pietro's quick mind almost lost the track of events. One minute they were winning, the other they were losing by twenty points!

"Come on guys! Play like a team," yelled the coach from his bench. However his voice was soon drowned in the sound of the audience cheers as Evan scored three points for their team. From that moment, everything changed. Now it was them who scored and the other team ended up losing by over fifteen points. The boys cheered, holding the game's hero, Evan Daniels, high in the air. Pietro followed them, wide smile on his face.

For the next half an hour, the locker room was full of laughter and talking. Finally it was only Pietro and Evan left. The blonde was taking much deserved shower, while Pietro waited on him, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on the bench he was sitting at.

"Gosh! It's so uncomfortable," he thought. "Moving at a slime's pace. Why can't I just run, move as fast as I please? Maybe I should tell Evan. He would understand, wouldn't he? And there are so many things we could do together if he knew..."

But the speedster never got to think of those things. As soon as his thoughts wandered in that direction, Evan walked out of the showers, with just a towel around his hips. A wave of heat passed through his body, weird, butterfly-like feeling down in his stomach. What was that about? He's seen Evan in the towel before.

"What is going on Pietro?" asked Evan getting closer to the boy.

"I... I don't know."

"How can you not know?" the blonde's face was centimeters from his own. "Because I know."

"You do?"

"I can see the way you look at me sometimes. And I want to say that I feel the same."

Before any of them had a chance to say something else, Evan's arms wrapped around Pietro's neck, pulling him into a passionate kiss. Albino gasped as the other boy took liberty of sliding one of his muscular legs between his tighs, the intimated brush sending shivers down his spine.

"That's a new one. Pietro Maximoff - speechless."

Pietro still haven't gotten the occasion to respond, moaning as Evan kissed his neck, leaving a small hickey behind. The dark-skinned hands caressed his back, sliding lower and lower, just to be pulled up withing a second. Just this time, they found it's way under the boy's shirt. Evan's warm fingertips were causing more gasps and moans from the silver-haired boy, as they seemed to finds every sensitive point on his body...

Pietro woke up screaming Evan's name. He looked around to find the one guilty of ripping him away from the wonderful dream he had. His alarm clock ended up being tossed out through the window. Pietro sighed. Why life couldn't be like his dreams, simple and uncomplicated? He started dressing to school, trying to ignore rumbling in his stomach. He haven't eaten since yesterday, his foster father spent all the money on alcohol. He'll just have to ask Evan to share his lunch with him or something.

The first person Pietro noticed when he got to school was Evan, as always. But then he noticed a girl standing next to him. He studied her for a moment. Long black hair in thin braids, tanned skin, expensive clothes (yes, Pietro knew expensive clothes when he saw them. Mostly because he didn't own any) and a fake smile glued to her face, never reaching her mud-brown eyes. He walked over to his friend, just in time to hear her say:

"You were like so fantastic at that game yesterday, you know!"

"He just knows how to play with the team. And he had perfect passes from his perfect friend," Pietro smirked as he said that and Evan laughed loudly.

"Lashi de tehara** to you too, Pietro. Hey, this is Madison. She's an exchange student from California."

The girl looked at Pietro, disinterest clear in her eyes. Then she turned to Evan again.

"Well, I am so hoping that you are going to help me out. I'm so totally lost in here. Like, where should I go now?" she said, pointing her schedule. (1)

Fortunately for Pietro's sanity, Madison left them after school, claiming she had to do some sightseeing. As soon as they lost sight of her, Pietro growled:

"I don't like her. And she clearly doesn't like me."

"C'mon, she's fine. Not as great as you, but fine."

Evan's response made Pietro shiver inside. Something told him that the girl was trouble.

* kushti - fine, good

**lashi de tehara - good morning

(1) - now guess why Pietro doesn't like Kitty ;)

A/N: this one was hard to write, because I don't know exactly what is going on in thirteen-year-olds' head (it's been long time since I've been one), especially boys', but I think I managed. Please, I'm starving for REVIEWS!

Next up: next school year is up and Evan and Pietro have a sleepover. Some Madison trouble ensured and Pietro is trying to deal...