Hello, welcome to chapter three. Hopefully I'll be able to keep this once a week time line for chapter postings, crossing my fingers now.

Disclaimer: Sky High does not belong to me, no profit is made from this fic, it's only for fun. I own no rights to characters or storyline taken from the Disney movie. Definatly not wanting to piss off Disney, sounds dangerous.

On with the show.

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He was the embodiment of fire, quick to spark and erupt. But like fire, without control and steady foundation is destined for self destruction and burning up. Maybe he would have been fine without me, but I like to think that we saved each other. Saved ourselves from burning up and freezing out.

The light that shown through the gap in the curtains seemed strategically placed to always end up in my eyes without fail. I ran my hand over my eyes, then through my hair. I stretched, feeling my bones crack before I removed my covers, letting out the warmth I'd built all night. I hated mornings, something about the bright light, cold air, and numb limbs just bothered me. I sighed again, then stood and walked to my bathroom.

I splashed my face with cold water before reaching for the towel on the counter, noticing the slight mildew smell. Time to do laundry it seemed. I looked up into the mirror noticing the imprint from my sheets on my cheek which was slightly stubbled. Great, hopefully those would fade soon enough.

I headed back to my room and turned on my radio, Skillet's Monster flooding the room. I pulled the elastic band from around my wrist loosely tying my hair back in the process. What can I say, I'm an attractive guy with the roguish long hair, but it is a bitch to deal with when working out.

I clapped my hands before dropping to my bedroom floor and beginning my morning routine of fifty push ups. At first I felt a strain before I focused on the music and my breathing. Then it was about the burn, the pressure, the rhythm. In the end, about a sense of accomplishment, something I rarely felt.

After that I moved to the pull up bars over my bedroom door. Half way through my pull up set my mom walked up the stairs with a plate in one hand and laundry basket in the other. Her long black hair was fixed in a low ponytail and she was dressed nicely, like she was ready for work.

"It's Saturday," I said, dropping down and grabbing the plate from her hand seeing eggs, bacon, and sausage on the plate.

She sighed, frowning slightly, "I know sweetie, but the UN is calling for the peacekeeper. I'm going to start a load of laundry, will you finish it? Oh, and I'll be sure to be home for dinner."

"I'm working tonight," I said slowly, not apologetic as I made my way into my room and picked up my dirty laundry and handed it to her. "You don't have to worry about me Ma."

She narrowed her eyes at me, probably trying to determine if I was using a tone, yay parents and their tone tyranny. "Ok Warren, I'll see you tonight, maybe we can rent one of those action movies that just came out, how does that sound?"

I glanced at her, small and beautiful like one of those geisha dolls Mrs. Luo had as decoration at the paper lantern. Her mixed heritage was prominent in her almond eyes and flat forehead, her tiny stature contrasting and almost refreshing to the height I gained from my father's people. Even seeing that, I couldn't help but feel resentment towards her like always. Towards her voice, her presence, her very existence. And for that, I hated myself. She didn't deserve it, but it was the truth.

"I will probably come in late, you shouldn't wait up."

I could see the hurt in her eyes, but chose to ignore it. I moved back to my bed, grabbing the plate of breakfast and turning up my music as she moved on to her bedroom.

I had just finished my breakfast when Ma came back to my doorway, now carrying the dirty laundry.

"I've been thinking. You have been working a lot Warren, I'm not sure it is healthy. You're still so young and school starts back tomorrow. I would like you to cut back on hours, school is more important."

"What?" I started, "I need that job, how else am I gonna get my bike?"

She gave me a concerned look, "just a few hours Warren, not the end of the world. Not to mention that I'm still not comfortable with you getting a motorcycle."

I clenched my fist, heating up with each word she said, "What if my boss won't go for it? What if it means I lose my job?"

"It cant hurt to ask..."

"Won't you be late for work?"

She stared at me for a few moments more, a sad look in her eyes, before she nodded and walked away. By the time I was done with my shower, she was already long gone.

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The evening rush was killer tonight. I barely had a moment to think of one order before another was brought in. Tonight I was helping Henry in the kitchen, frying rice and noodles, steaming vegetables, est. this was the kind of work I lived for. No time to talk, to think. It was cathartic, it was necessary in truth.

The second I'd walked in for my shift at two Mrs. Luo had told me that my shift had been cut, that she had gotten a call from my mother. So, yea, it was a good thing I hadn't had time to think yet. But I could feel the rage, the heat and fire boiling under the surface, so I cooked, I cut and I tried my damndest to not think.

It was easy, the second I'd walked into work one look at my coworkers had let them know to leave me alone. Most people that worked here understood to leave me alone. It took only look now, but at first there were some slow learners, those that didn't get that Mrs. Luo was the only one allowed to give me crap at work.

I ignored the worried looks I was getting from the other chiefs as I cut, fried, sautéed. Burning grease was popping on my arms, my fingers gripping the iron handle of the skillet. Normal people would have burns by now, but my ability kept me safe. Normally I'd be more careful not to let anyone see my power, but today I didn't care.

Around eight I got my break, more like Mrs. Luo jabbed her meaty finger at me and yelled at me to go loom in the alley behind the restaurant because I was making her food taste gloomy.

Out in the alley it was cold, a strange difference from the heat inside, and I let out a frustrated breath. I pulled a cigarette out of my pack and snapped my fingers to light it. The first drag burned my throat, the smoke tasted disgusting, the minor relief I felt from the nicotine adding to my self-loathing. Priceless huh? The addict, hating his drug, hating himself. But mostly, I hated my mother who always pretended everything was ok, always worrying, putting pressure on me to pretend with her. And now, going behind my back and calling my boss, like she had when I was younger to my teachers when... when everything went wrong, it was just fucked up. I am so tired of pretending, tired of always trying to hide my anger.

"Hey," called a sweet voice from beside me. I glanced over and saw Amy, Mrs. Luo's niece stepping outside. She leaned against the wall across from me, a concerned look on her face.

"Those will kill you, you know?"

I glanced at her, she was older than me by ten years, the diamond ring on her left hand was glinting in the street light.

"Maybe that's what I'm hoping for," I smiled dimly. "That way I don't have to see the woman I love get married to another man. Which would just break my heart." I finished my dramatic exclamation with a hand to my chest and a pain filled tremble in my voice.

She rolled her eyes, walking to me and snagging my cig right out of my hand and taking a drag. "you don't have a heart Warren Peace," she joked, "just more sarcasm than one human being should ever be cursed with."

I grinned, for real this time. Amy was one of the few people I considered a friend and even though I had had a crush on her since I met her way back when she was my babysitter, I was actually able to feel some happiness for her and her impeding nuptials. It didn't hurt that she was always able to call my bullshit. I never could lie about that bedtime or whether I was aloud to have ice cream before bed.

"Now that's just cruel. What if I was truly in love you, I mean you were the hottest babysitter a kid could ask for."

"What do you mean I was?" Her eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms, " What about now?"

I shrugged, taking another drag, "well you are twenty-six, that does make you kinda ancient."I ducked her slap, smiling brightly.

She smiled, before looking serious again, "so really, what's wrong with you? You've been on edge all day." She grabbed my cig again, throwing it down and stomping it out.

"Hey!"

She ignored me, "I mean you almost bit off Lee's head when he accidently bumped into you earlier. So, what's wrong?"

"Maybe I just don't like him?"

"Why does that sound like a question?"

I stared at her, more like glared, but she held my gaze and raised an eyebrow. No bull-shit, forgot about that.

I sighed, falling down the wall until I was crouched above the foul smelling asphalt. I pulled another cigarette and a match out of my pocket. "I don't want to talk about it."

I struck the match on the side of my shoe and lighting my cig. She looked confused at first, before glaring, "not good enough. Come on Warren, I've known you for years. What's really wrong?"

I looked up at her, how dare she, like I owed her something? This was my business. "What makes you think it's any of your business," I said calmly.

"If you're going to be an ass to the people around you, it is my business."

"But out Amy, let me enjoy my break and buzz off." I turned away and took another drag.

Suddenly my cig was ripped out of my hand for the third time and tossed down the alley. "I'm just trying help, you're as pig headed as…"

I jerked up, interrupting her, "as who? Who were you going to say?"

"I wasn't going to, I…"

"Save it," I ripped off my apron, opened the back door to the kitchen and grabbing my leather jacket from the hook by the door. "I'm leaving," I yelled inside, ignoring Mrs. Luo's screams to come back.

I glared at Amy one last time, "just drop it Amy, and next time stay out of my business."

"No matter what you're angry about it is no reason to jump on Lee's case."

"That man," I near screamed. "Who the fuck does he think he is?" I kicked the metal trash bin next to me. "He is scum."

I then started leaving the alley, I had to get out of here, I could feel the fire on the tips of my fingers, running under my skin. I choked on the flame in my throat and the anger rolling around me in waves. I ran for blocks until I couldnt wait any longer and ducked into the next alley over and exploded.

Flames erupted all around me, licking the bricks and ground around me. Bright flame burst out and then was gone, my breath coming out in pants. Flame was quick to come, but quick to go if not controlled and fed carefully.

I slumped to the ground, exhausted and just empty. Ever since this morning, things had been so infuriating. I glanced around and was pleased to see there was no one around. I reached into my pocket, pulling a crumpled piece of paper from it. I stared at the paper before looking up into the sky. It wasn't worth it, not worth a damn. I then picked myself up and headed home, putting the envelope back in my pocket. The front of it was burned into my mind anyways. Had been all day.

To: Warren Peace

4356 Mable Road

Maxville, CA 91234

From: Robert Peace

Maxville Penitentiary, 789 Howard Mill Road

Maxville, CA 91234

End Chapter

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A/N I hope you liked it, sorry these first chapters haven't had the two of them together, but the next one should have them back at school.

Special thanks to everyone who has reviewed and I'd love to get more, :D

Any questions and suggestions are defiantly encouraged. Let me know of anything any one would like to see happen in this story. Most of the plot has been planned; see first chapter, but anything else is up in the air.

Just for reference, I'm picturing Warren as ¼ Chinese- explaining the restaurant and any mandarin he may speak, making his mother ½ white ½ Chinese. And that he is half Native American- for obvious height/coloring/features of the actor playing him in the movies.

See you next week.