Chapter Fourteen

Nana: Gahh! This totally sucks! I'm sick as hell, and bedridden until the doctor gives me the full report of health. Sure, it's nice not having to attend school for a while, but being stuck in your being forced to drink these terrible "ancient Chinese remedies" for six days can drive you crazy. But pushing my health problems aside, I do not own Sky High. I do own Tenni, so if you even think about doing something with her without my permission, I will hunt you down and hurt you! The penguins will help! Trust me when I say that you do not want to see what they can do.

Now, the most important things to talk about. There are only seven chapters left of this story (this chapter included). So because of this, I am going let you guys vote for which boy Tenni will end up with. Will it be Warren? Will it be Lash? Or should Tenni not be with anyone? The decision is yours! Well, have fun reading! And don't forget to vote!!! (Make sure you send your votes via Private Message!) Plus, I know you readers out there have must have some questions for me about the story. So send me every question you have as long as it A) Does not spoil the ending or B) Give away the final pairings. I'll just give you one of those crappy vague answers that give you nothing if you do.

Street lamps stood tall and seemed to demand attention in the dark, a long line of them running alongside the sidewalk. They each cast their dim glow upon the abandoned street, illuminating only parts. It was still enough to see the pavement in front of you though. I didn't want to be able to see though. I'm alone out here, and even though it's dark, I can still see each foot take another heavy step as I went. A wave of familiarity rushes through my mind, as I remember a similar walk down this street. Things this time around are different though. Much different.

I'm still alone. Last time I took a walk like this, someone was with me. There had been silence that time too, but it was awkward yet comfortable and companionable silence. This silence was empty. No sound was registering to me anymore. Not even the terrible blare that had been coming from my own house when I fled reached my ears. Even that had long since faded. It actually scared me. It was probably because I was alone that the silence was so creepy. I knew there was someone there back then, and now I know there isn't a single person there. The moon is also gone too, and with it that comforting light it gave off.

His hand is gone.

Truthfully, I miss his hand. Those short minutes I was lucky enough to hold his hand seem so far-off now. Sort of untouchable. Instead of loosely holding it as I did then, my hand is hanging limply at my side. I can feel that ache to reach out and grab his hand again— And I would!— if only it were there. It's not though. My hands wish they had his warmth. It's not that they are cold, they just lack the kind of warmth his seemed to overflow with. Maybe it was because of his power. Maybe he really just has warm hands. Either way, I feel very without not feeling his big, ungloved hands holding my own tiny ones like he did.

It's funny, and a little sad, when I think about it. I've just been hurt and used and had my friendship discarded by Lash and the thing my mind shoots straight back to is Warren. It does still hurt like hell though, and I don't know why. I wonder, does he feels even as close to as confused as I do right now? No, I know he knew what he was doing. He even expected me to take that kind of betrayal lying down. Hasn't he ever heard of that saying, "wrath of a woman scorned"? Then again, I'm not sure I count in the "woman scorned" category.

It's not like I've been scorned, right?

I've never loved Lash. I know that for a fact. In light of the current events, I'm not even sure Lash ever even cared about me. As far as I'm concerned, he took advantage of my initial peace offering and then abused our relationship (whatever it was). Where was my end of the deal? I don't see Warren getting jealous and begging me to go out with him (HA! As if! Even in my dreams, that would be scary!). Most of my friends are still weirded out by the fact I even wanted to go out with Lash. And Penny's still as much of a smug, bitch as she was before we set this scheme into motion, if not more so. So everything's just gotten worse in my opinion, no better. Damn.

Kicking the non-existent pebble in my path, I looked up and spotted the park up ahead. Yet again, those memories of me sitting at the swings with Warren came back, making me feel significantly worse. Damn Lash. Damn Lash to hell. No, damn him to the Ice Age. Causing an Ice Age is actually possible for me, so if I want to freeze over the world starting with Lash, I sure as hell can do it, and no one can really stop me. Seriously? Whose going to stop me, a crazed powerful teenager with a problem, whose got a bone to pick with a Cheating… God! I really have to find a real name for… Whatever Lash is to me!!

As I got closer to the park, I began to make out the silhouette of someone seated on the swing on the far right of the swing set. I was about to rub me eyes to see if I wasn't seeing right, but stopped, because I knew someone was there, and I was just imagining it. Soon, I was only seconds away from reaching the swing set, and now, I could see the person somewhat better now. I could make out the finer details, but I could tell it was a girl, and a rather tall girl with long hair at that. Stepping closer, my loneliness fueling my courage, I spoke.

"Hello?"

"Whose… sniff… there?"

I froze. I recognized the voice.

"G-Gwen? Is that you?" I stammered out, completely confused. When I heard a choked sob, I suddenly felt concerned, "Are you alright? Is something wrong?"

"Will…" This was not what I was expecting.

"What?"

"W-Will… he-he dumped me!" I heard another sob from the older girl and immediately went to her side. In my mind, I was thinking of all the things I would say to Will over this, regardless of the fact that we weren't even on good speaking terms. When she looked up and looked into my eyes, her own widening, I realized a little too late that I had forgotten my illusion after leaving my house, "Is that you Tenni?" I gave a very long, disconsolate sigh.

"Yes, it's me," I said with another sigh, deciding that in this situation, it wouldn't be nice to lie to a crying girl no matter how bad my own problems were.

"Your face! And your hair! You look completely different!" She said, almost as if she had forgotten she had been sobbing only seconds ago before me, "How come?"

"Um…" Did I want to answer that question? "I use my illusion powers…" Apparently I did. "To make myself unnoticed. Brown hair, glasses and freckles make a girl like me look rather plain and unattractive to people…" I cut myself off when I noticed the dark look that had fallen upon Gwen's face when I had said that. Noticing I had stopped talking, she looked up again, her face taking on a genuinely curious look.

"Why would you ever do that to yourself?" She asked, "I mean, you were born with such pretty hair and eyes and skin. Why would you ever try to not be pretty?"

I felt my throat go dry. For a second, I thought about the real reason why I made my hair look like that. Sure, I always hated boys looking at me like I was a piece of meat or something, but there was another reason. The real reason why I always tried to be the little glasses-wearing, brunette girl. Why I made my hair look the exact shade of brown Will's looked. Why I had glasses covering those silver eyes. No, I wouldn't. But I still felt bad.

"I don't like bringing attention to myself, I like being overlooked sometimes," I answered trying to be as convincing as possible, "Everyone says it's because I'm too shy."

Gwen's look of curiosity only seemed to intensify at my answer. There was something weird in her eyes. I recognized it though, strangely enough. But I had never seen her look at anything the way she was looking at me right now, except for Will. It was the kind of look I'd seen her give him when she was sure no one— not even Will— noticed. Well, except me. I'd only caught it that once when she thought I had been sleeping during Science. It was strange though, it didn't seem to fit Gwen. It was a cold, calculating sort of gaze, like she was planning something, weighing the outcome, in a very detached sort of way. And now she had it focused on me.

"Why are you out so late Tenni?" Gwen asked me abruptly. I stumbled over my reply for a while before finally forming a suitable excuse.

"Someone, Will maybe, started a party. Probably without permission either," I answered slowly, "I really just didn't want to be there with all of the hormonal teenagers hanging off one another, you know." Flashes of Penny wrapping herself around Lash came to mind before I could stop them. I couldn't stop my flinch.

"I understand what you're saying," she said softly, "I was there, too." I suddenly remembered that Gwen had been dumped by Will and realized that the party was probably where she had been when he dumped her. I bit my tongue, feeling bad that I had probably just reminded her. After all, I could relate.

"Sorry for bringing it up."

"Oh, don't apologize, Tenni. You've had a rough night too, what with being driven out of your own home. Will was such a jerk, not giving you a heads up. He didn't even tell me you were there. Penny and I could've kept you company." Right, I thought, Keep me company while sucking off stretch-boy's face.

"Thanks." I mumbled.

"It's getting late…" Gwen said out of the blue looking around. Suddenly, a bright expression overcame her face, "Hey! Why don't you come over to my house? After all, that party will probably be going on way off into the night. We can stay up and share embarrassing stories about Will! God knows, it'll make me feel better." Gwen gave me a reassuring smile. Unfortunately, the minute she smiled it, I knew something was off. Gwen had been acting funny the whole time I'd been talking to her. She was an amazing actress, I'll give her that, but her cogent smile bothered me more than I'd like to admit.

"Oh, I don't know about that. Even though my parents said they'd be out late, I don't think it would be a good idea to go anywhere without their permission." I had already decided I needed to get home now, regardless of whether or not there was a party going on. Mom and Dad would come home soon. I'd take my chances waiting out the party.

"Aww, come on Tenni! I'm sure the Commander and Jetstream won't mind. Just come!" Now I really knew something was wrong. Gwen always put a lot of effort into being friendly, but she always knew when to back off. Why was she pushing so hard this time?

"That's really okay Gwen, I just really want to go home. I guess I'll see you tomorrow," I rushed, "I hope you feel better tomorrow." With that, I tried to walk away, my nerves on the fritz and my feet clumsy. The air grew several degrees colder, alarmingly fast, though I barely noticed the fact. Suddenly, there was a hand upon my right shoulder and another around my left wrist. In panic, I tried to free myself, only to find that I couldn't and the grip was getting stronger.

"Don't you dare try to turn you back on me," the taller girl said from behind my, a distinct chill in her voice, "You're brother may have gotten away with it, but I will not allow the same for you." By this point, I was really getting scared. I gave one more useless try at breaking away and powering up, only to find that I couldn't move anymore. My fear was beginning to ebb away and be replaced by a strange sort of exhaustion. Not only was I too tired to move anymore, I was starting to lose all feeling in my body and I could feel my consciousness starting to slip.

"Can't have you getting away now, could we?" A disembodied voice mocked. "There's far more potential in you than there ever was in that blithering fool." I barely registered the feeling of falling forward, or the feelings of being caught and lifted. Everything was falling into a hazy darkness. When my senses were fully enveloped by that whirl of darkness, I was gone.

Downtown – Paper Lantern

(Flip to Will POV)

"Layla! Layla, just pick up! In case you didn't get my earlier messages, I'm at the Paper Lantern and I— Beep!—"

I paused as I heard the beep.

"Message Box Full."

I heard the annoyingly emotionless female voice of my phone gibber out. Sighing in a frustrated manner, I flipped my cell phone shut and set it none to gently onto the tabletop in front of me. I berated myself for being so stupid. Layla would be pissed to see how many messages I had left her in the half-hour period it had been since she had stormed off from the party. Normally, I'd brush this off as one of her usual, "I'm Mad At You William Stronghold, But We Will Be Friends Again By Tomorrow Morning" anger-fits if it hadn't have been for that look she had given me the moment she saw me.

She didn't look mad at all. In fact, she looked downright miserable. It made me feel terrible. I hate that look. I've always hated that look, ever since the day I first met her. I had accidentally made a rip in her brand new dress. Layla didn't cry often (and it was only sniffles during those sappy chick-flicks during the sad parts and at the happy ending). Instead, she'd give you a look that no matter what, would make you feel just as bad as she was feeling at that moment or worse. If I remembered correctly, I had been the one crying that day I ripped her dress. Not my most manly moment, I admit.

My whole family couldn't resist her either. Her sadness wasn't the only thing that affected people. When she smiled, you'd feel happy too. As I thought about it, I realized that there was something about Layla. I had never thought too hard about it, but I always knew there was something about her that was basically… perfect. Layla is sweet and caring. Layla is smart and responsible. Layla is strong-willed and reliable. Layla is beautiful, though I'd never tell anyone, because I'd never live it down. I doubted they'd ever let me.

Every time though, every time I had ever gotten close to those thoughts I'd tell myself she was just a friend. Like a sister. And for the longest time, I really believed that. Another thing I realize now is that ever since I actually got a sister, Layla started looking less and less like a sister. Tenni had single-handedly removed that title from Layla without even trying. She really was the sister I never really had, she was even blood related, even if she wasn't one hundred percent Stronghold.

So her arrival made me confused. Once I had completely gotten used to sensation of actually having a sister, I started trying to try and figure out what that made Layla. I love Tenni, don't get me wrong, I've loved her since day one, but the feelings I have her are completely and purely brother and sister. What I felt, and still feel for Layla, still confuses me, because all this time, I thought those were the feelings you'd have for a sibling, or sibling like person. Now that I know they're not, what does that make them?

I know that it's different from Gwen. Something about Gwen, in a weird way, attracted me. I don't know what happened, but every time she was around or mentioned, my mind went to mush. But, after tonight, I can barely stand to think of her. I mean, she is the first girlfriend I've ever had, and she is drop-dead gorgeous, but after what happened tonight, I know that there's something wrong with her. That way she hurt Layla like that, putting that look I hate so much on her face… It was unforgivable. I care too much about Layla to let her be hurt that much by Gwen, even if she is, WAS my girlfriend.

"Have fun with Gwen, you two deserve each other."

Even now, I don't know what exactly I've said or did that upset her. I've been calling her repetitively to try and make amends for whatever it was she thinks I did. Sure I've been rather… preoccupied with Gwen, almost to the point where the only times I've communicated with her, my sister, or my friends were on the bus rides to and from school, but it hasn't been that bad, right?

Now that I think about it, it probably was that bad.

"What are you doing here?"

I was brought out of my thoughts on how to go about trying to get Layla (and possibly every person I actually cared about) to forgive me by whoever it was. Looking up, I had to gulp down what could have possibly been a girly shriek of terror when I realized who it was. Warren. Warren Peace. Son of Baron Battle. AKA, The-Guy-Whose-Probably-Number-One-On-The "First Dibs On Killing Will Stronghold" List. I shrunk back a little, hoping I could melt back into my seat. Too bad I'm not Ethan right now. It would really help.

"I'm, uh, looking for Layla." Surprisingly, I'm still able to speak. "Do you know where she is?" Now I wanted to hit myself. I truthfully didn't want to know if he did. Sure, he was Layla's…date … to Homecoming, but I'm her best friend! I have a right to know where she is before he does. Even if she is really upset with me right now.

"How should I know?" Warren asked, looking as if he didn't even know who I was talking about. I felt the smallest surge of anger at the fact he didn't even seem to care about her.

"I don't know, you're taking her to Homecoming." That was meant to come out angrier, but it instead made me sound depressed and whiny.

"Oh, yeah. Right." A look of sudden realization came across Warren's face as finally understood what I was trying to ask him about. He gave a slight inclination of his head as if to ask why it mattered and also to get on with what I wanted to say. That managed to make me feel both angrier and more depressed. What did Tenni ever see in this guy? I sighed averting my eyes for a second before looking back at the guy who had taken Layla from me.

"Well, you don't have to worry about me ruining your guy's night." I muttered bitterly.

"And why's that?" The pyrokinetic asked looking bored.

"Because I'm not going."

"Hmm," Warren mumbled with a thoughtful look upon his face before setting the tray with glasses on it onto the table in front of me. I jumped in surprise from his unexpected action, just what the heck was he thinking? "That's too bad." He took a seat in my booth right across from me.

Wha…? I thought cluelessly, I'm not following here, What are you talking about?

"We're only going together to make you jealous." WAIT, WHAT?! JEALOUS?! WHAT?!

All I could get out was a dumb, "Huh?"

"Dude, you're so stupid." He gave me the "Are you retarded?" look. "She's totally into you." Was he trying to comfort me? It really wasn't working, since I was totally weirded out by the fact that he was talking to me, and he was also doing a bad job at it. I looked down dejectedly at the table then looked back up.

"I doubt it," I said hopelessly, "I wouldn't be surprised if Layla or any of the other guys ever want to talk to me again." For a second, I thought about Tenni, wondering if she hated me too right now. I wondered why I was here telling the guy who so passionately hated me about my problems. What did he care?

"Yeah. You must have been a real jerk," Warren said with wry smile, before it transformed into a frown, "Because no matter what I do, I can't get 'em to stop talking to me."

"Thanks," I responded sarcastically. Yeah, he totally sucked at the comforting thing. Or maybe this was his way of getting at me for… well… being me. I expected him to get up, but instead, he remained sitting there, staring thoughtfully at the flame on the candle sitting on the far end of the table.

"Besides… there was someone else... I wanted to go with…" He murmured in a somewhat detached tone.

I blinked, partially amazed at the fact that this guy who I thoughts only joys in life were avoiding all human contact and being an asshole to everyone actually admitted that he was into a girl. I mean, sure, there was that whole, faking a relationship with Layla thing, but that was all fake so it didn't count. Maybe he is human! After a couple of seconds of staring at the flame, Warren snapped out of it and began to get up, throwing the tattered cleaning rag his shoulder and picking up the try with glasses.

"Stronghold," Warren muttered gruffly, regaining my attention.

"What?"

"You should really stop ignoring them. She loves you a lot, I can tell. It hurts her." Did he mean Layla? "I watch her, sometimes. Every time I see those silver eyes, I can see it. Just take a little time out of your popular life. Start with her before you trying to fix things with all of your little friends. You owe her that much."

With that, he was gone. I lost him in a crowd of people shuffling into the Paper Lantern. I sat there for a while, processing everything he had just said to me. I felt worse than I had when I had first come in here. There was only one person I knew who had silver eyes. And to think that I could hurt her as much as Warren said I did. I'm her brother, for Pete's sake! I'm supposed to protect her from being hurt like that, not cause her to feel that way.

"What kind of brother am I?" I asked aloud, slumping forward onto the table in front of me.

Na-Na: Ahh! The plot thickens! Hope you guys like it, and I hope that I get better soon. Don't forget to vote either! I'm counting!

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