Standard Disclaimer: check the prologue
Another chapter, I know it's late for the holiday, but what can you do, right? Oh well, enjoy!!!
Picture this if you will one tall, lean, broody, handsome (AHHH! Don't think that Oshi! Bad girl!)… Fine, not handsome, but tall, lean and bad-tempered 6'2" guy being manhandled, guilt-tripped, coddled and hanged on by a tiny, chubby, gushy 1'5" pygmy. If ever you are treated to the sight…TAKE A PICTURE! If not, record it, engrave it, sculpt it, I DON'T CARE just immortalize that moment forever, particularly the look on Warren's face when my three-year old niece launched herself onto his neck from my arms. As soon as Sophie jumped him, Warren was forced to stumble under the sudden weight; her chants of "Daddy" spread a look on his face that had me rolling on my snowy walkway with maniacal laughter.
Warren's emotions played a chaotic slideshow of confusion, desperation, shock and my favorite: unadulterated fear. Sophie on the other hand? The toddler was climbing all over him making the tears stream down my face. When my laughter started coming out in hiccupping pants, I realized that I really couldn't breathe was slightly blue. Sophie swung down from Warren's form to toddle over to me trying to see what was wrong with 'Mommy'. Only her form of seeing if I was fine was hugging me tightly stealing the already difficult breath I drew.
"Sophie, let her go, come on…" Warren's oddly paternal sounding voice was followed by my body being swept up in bridal style to the front door with my little niece waddling afterwards.
Warren sat me down on one of the island stools and handed me a glass of water from the tap. Making sure I took small gulps, he lifted Sophie onto the island counter and gave her a tippy cup under my hiccupy instructions.
"Better?" I grinned at him resting my chin on my palm. "What?"
"Do you want the honest answer?" His brow rose, "You're not what I pictured, if anything I'dve pegged you to have torched me the moment I bumped into you at Charlie's Music, but here you are in my kitchen giving me a hiccup cure, taking care of my niece and being anything but surly, angsty or mean. But I won't tell anyone how much of a softy you really are." Warren tried to cross his arms until Sophie started demanding he carry her. It was surprisingly natural to see him being so gentle with her, as if he'd handled children before. "You know, Warren, I'm glad we're friends."
He looked at me for a moment, "Me too."
February...
In the span of two short months after Christmas, Warren and I had a rather tight friendship, although the subject of parents was never brought up again. It was really nice having him around, however he does criticize me on my fighting skills, which I totally lack. My school just doesn't focus on fighting the bad guy, so sue me! The students as Super Prep work to have normal civilian lives, we actually don't deal with powers too much unless it's for control because some are less tame then others. He LOVES to bother me about that, but then I threaten to stop helping with his English and Hero Lit homework and then he's a lot nicer.
Warren's presence at my house soon became a regular thing, particularly since Sophie insisted that Warren be present every time I came to pick her up. And she still calls him and only him 'Daddy', at first Warren tried to get her to stop, but that was until she cried helplessly at the supermarket forcing him to cave. At least that time I stopped laughing enough to snap a picture with my camera phone of Warren holding the screaming, crying toddler at arms-length while trying to calm her down.
Every once in a while he would stay over in the guest house even though James, the head butler, was very uncomfortable with having the son of a villain under our roof. I assured the staff that Warren was perfectly harmless and I would deal with any problems personally, because I was Mistress of the House. That seemed to shut the complainers up.
I also saw him a lot at the prison, in fact he visits his father often; I just hardly ever saw him before. Only now Warren drives me home from work or from my work to Sophie's daycare to the Paper Lantern or from my work to home to Will Stronghold's house for their study sessions. In all honesty I was shocked to find out that the friends from Sky High I made in the library that day were best friends of Warren's. It's a funny little world innit? I never really expected to see them again either, but what can you do right?
So now I had a pretty good foothold in the Super Community that I never thought I'd have. Ethan may have seemed a total geek, but it was incredible the stuff he knew about the lives my parents led before they got married. This was the side I didn't hear from them when they used to talk sanely to me, and it was so nice to hear the things they used to do to help people. Even Zack knew some stuff about my parents I didn't know, like for example Mom had a sidekick named Balance, Jean Simone, who had the power to never fall or something like that. And Dad once freaked out a hero named Boomer with the Giant Talking Head from The Wizard of Oz. I didn't tell them who my parents really were because they don't need to know, and I don't need their 'poor little rich girl' sympathy. I've dealt with it, no need to bring up my pain.
I would rather they see me as Oshi the littera-path from Maxville Super Preparatory Academy with way too busy parents than a girl with a tragic angsty history. I've gotten it enough from the house staff, people at school, my best friend, my boss and his wife, the family I had left and anybody else who knew my life history. I didn't need or want them to look at me with those eyes. And I definitely didn't want Warren to feel guilty for something he didn't do.
"Oshi, these need to be filed, these need to be mailed out and I need you to RSVP to the mayor's invitation for me, put down four people attending." Warden Winters handed me a stack of files, envelops and a bright red, silver and white design of embossed lettering with hearts and confetti. The mayor's Valentine's Supers Ball, all superheroes/civilians in Maxville was invited, including Mom and Dad. Who knows when they'd be able to go to another ball?
"Four? But it's only you and Erin boss."
"You are coming, I won't take no for an answer. So find a dress and a date for that night, it's a Saturday." Aaron gave me a hard look that bordered no arguments until I actually looked at the date.
"Why don't you ask your friend…Battle's kid?" Cathy suggested rather tactlessly before I could say anything. Nice woman, but sometimes has shit for brains.
"Boss I can't, it's the same night as my school dance, as the Junior Class President I'm required to go." (Not true, but there's a reason I swear!) "I was auctioned off in the scholarship date thingy for $75, that's the highest bid." This was true too, Lee Chang, literally the hottest chess player in the world bought me (coincidentally after breaking up with Ally Lo, his girlfriend of nearly two years) to be his date. I was flattered that Lee and a bunch of other guys at school were so interested in buying a date with me, mostly because I never really cared about my appearance, I mean come on we wear uniforms to school!
It made me feel giddy that people wanted my attention for once; that people noticed me for once. Even though I am the Junior Class President doesn't alway mean, guys flock for my attention... until now. Aunt Paige has it in her head to help me get ready for the occasion as well as Maya my housekeeper/nanny.
"That's too bad kiddo because you are still going, so bring your date make an appearance, eat and then head over to your school. Like I said, no is not an answer." With that, my boss Warden Aaron Winters left me at the mercy of my chatterbox co-worker about my school dance. It's not even that big a deal!
Maya had just left for groceries and left me to look after Sophie before James drops me off for work. My textbooks were scattered on the kitchen table as I munched on the snack Maya left me. The back door slammed signaling Warren's arrival as I sipped my water.
"Hey, War—Whoa!" I stopped short as the tendrils of smoke curled from his body, "Hey you uh got something on your… just..." I tried hard not to laugh, but it was hard. Right there on his cheek was a bright red lip stain. "That is so not your color." I snorted before ducking the incoming fireball at my head. "Hey! This is a non-fire zone! Besides, Sophie's taking her nap, flame-butt!" I threw my glass of water at his burning hands only to watch it turn to steam.
He glared at me until I lifted the baby monitor for Sophie. Deep down, Warren adores my niece and spends time playing with her until he needs to leave or we bring her to Nadia's place.
"I'd ask what happened but…"
"I can't even be polite without some stupid girl mooning over me!" He exclaimed in his deep voice.
"Dude! Baby sleeping!" I whispered harshly before pulling him to the den where it was a little more soundproof. "Okay now you can rant. What happened?"
"Some senior girl was being hassled by Lash…"
"Lash? As in Andrew Lash, one of Royal Pain's flunkies?" He nodded, Dad had been assigned his case two years ago when it happened and I'd met the guy, but he was nice to me. So he got community service instead of serious jail time. My Dad could be waaaaaayyy too good at his job sometimes. "Okay, go on. Lash being a pain to some girl, you step in…" Don't giggle Oshi! IT'S NOT THAT FUNNY! Okay I lied, yes it is.
"Then she gives me this look and attacks me!" He removed his scarf and jacket at that moment to reveal the same lipstick color on his neck and shirt collar. "I can't get it off! And I am not going home where my mom will bug me about brushing off another chick."
"I think there's some make-up remover upstairs, come on," I picked up the baby monitor and led my pyromaniac friend up the stairs ignoring the looks from the staff. "This happen often?" Sitting him down on the toilet I searched the cabinets for something to help me after handing him a bright red plastic hair-band to push back his dark locks. My mom has got to have that stuff somewhere.
"Why do all these chicks keep bothering me?" Warren growled as I helped get the lipstick off his cheek. Man, these supers cosmetic companies make this shit last! Whoa, stalker girl got some on his lips, STOP GIGGLING OSHI! Or at least wait until his back is turned.
"You seriously want an answer to that?" He nodded, "Okay… the simple fact of the matter is you're hot." He glared thinking I was making some lame pun. "I'm not joking. Look, there are so many girls vying for your attention because you are…what's the word?"
"Hot." Warren deadpanned nearly making me giggle.
"Yes and no. A lot of girls go for the badass hunk that you seem to ooze." He looked incredulously at me as I explained calmly, "What? You didn't know?" I remember a time I had the same feelings for him, but either they've been beaten into submission or I just don't feel that way anymore. Then again it could just be denial. NO! I am so over that pre-teen, girly phase, he's my friend, my good friend, that's it! "And I should also remind you that Valentine's Day is coming up, you know that over-commercialized social event that has completely lost all meaning because capitalists want to cash in on false romantic ideas with jewelry, flowers and candy..."
"Get to the point."
"Right, this thingy with all the girls is gonna get worse because Layla told me about your school's Valentine Dance. So girls left and right at your school are vying hard for your attention," I fluttered my lashes stupidly, held my hands under my chin and imitated a Southern Belle, "in hopes you'll go with them and fall desperately in love with them and then live happily ever after. Oh, my heart's a-flutterin' just thinking of it." I teased mock-fainting against the sink and fanning myself with a hand. He didn't even give me his 'I'm not amused, but I'll throw you a bone' smirk! Punk!
"Not funny."
Straightening up and throwing the washcloth at his face, "Very funny, you just lack a sense of humor. See if I try to cheer you up again."
"I don't do cheery." The sound of pattering feet echoed the hallway as I opened the door.
"Humph, tell that to this little one," I retorted letting Sophie pounce Warren with gleeful cheers of 'DADDY!' Warren winced at the little girl tugging at him to play 'tea party' with her, he shot a look over his shoulder that screamed 'Help Me!' and made me laugh even harder against the sink. There's no way he can look intimidating with smudges of lipstick on his cheeks and a bright red hair-band in his hair, not to mention he's being dragged along by my little pygmy of a niece.
"Miss Oshi?"
"Yes James?" I replied tidying up the bathroom while Warren entertained Sophie for a bit before leaving to our respective jobs.
"There is a Miss Layla Williams on the telephone for you. Will you take it or should I dismiss her?" He had a playful grin on his weathered face before handing me the cordless. She wanted me to come with her and Magenta to choose gowns for their Valentine's Dance. Why they would want me there is beyond my comprehension, personally I prefer the pants and t-shirt look. Besides, my school has uniforms, I don't worry about what to wear day after day, and that's fine with me. I mean, that's the whole reason I'm letting Aunt Paige and Maya doll me up.
"Hey Layla."
A/N: So what do you think? Not as exciting as the last chapter, but it's a start. Reviews are great and so are any suggestions. See you next chapter!