I got back to the compound, and changed into my mission suit before I went to my usual disguise, hiding my blue hair and red eyes. I couldn't let anyone know my secret, and I couldn't let anyone hurt those I cared about. Of course, no one was smart enough to figure it out, unless they were Batman or Nightwing or something. I hated having black hair and gray eyes, since they weren't part of who I really was. I stood in front of my mirror and looked at out how my body had filled out, feeling inner turmoil as I prepared to do the very thing that I despised. But this is all to keep my family and my loved ones safe, I reminded myself.
"Shade! Meeting!" Icicle Junior called to me through my bedroom door.
"Just a minute, Cam!" I called back.
We had earned each other's respect, and he had become a good friend. But still I didn't trust him with my secret. It was too dangerous to tell him, he could get hurt. I finished putting my earrings on, and opened my door to see Cam waiting for me to be done so we could walk together. I wish I could tell him the truth, because he might understand why I'm doing this. But it's my little brother's life at stake here, and I can't even trust him with the truth without getting him killed. Cam put his arm around my shoulders, a gesture that made me want to tell him everything. I had to keep as many people safe as I could. Even if they were villains, I had to keep as many people alive as I could. It might be enough to make up for the horrible thing I'm fated to do, fated to become. I just wish that I could have hope, hope that this was all just a nightmare that I could wake up from. I hid my emotions as we walked into the so-called 'mission room'. Of course, I only let Cam see my emotions, since he was the only one I trusted here. It was a good thing that Cam had never seen my family pictures; I hated having to hide such an important part of my life from someone I trusted so much. I stood next to my old friend and we held hands for comfort behind our backs; my heat contrasting his cold. Shimmer noticed, and threw me a look that I didn't understand; it made me confused, but I didn't let it show. I let go of Cam's hand and went to my room to get ready when the meeting was over. I missed the coolness of his skin immediately, making me even more confused. Maybe I could go to Shimmer about this, since she seemed to understand more than me.
"Shimmer? Can I talk to you?" I asked her as I approached.
"Sure, lover girl." Shimmer said, making me confused.
"Can you explain to me why I always miss Cam when he isn't around? And why my heart rate increases when I'm around him?" I asked her; Shimmer looked slightly surprised.
"You like him." Was all she said.
"Of course I do, he's my friend." I said, my brows furrowing.
"You're hopeless." Shimmer sighed.
"Why?" I asked.
"You don't just like Cam, you like him." Shimmer said, making me even more confused.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked, not sure what she was talking about.
"You have a crush on him, Shade." Shimmer said, before she walked away.
"Wait what?" I said, my eyes wide; I liked Cam in that way?
I walked to my room after that, this new knowledge making my head spin. I changed into my casual wear dress, pulling a pair of sandals on and lacing them up to my knees. I pulled my wig off, and heard a gasp. I whirled around, to see Cam standing there, and froze.
"Shade? You have blue hair?" Cam asked, his voice full of surprise.
I looked away. "Go ahead, call me a freak just like everyone else that knows what I really look like." My voice sounded broken, even to me.
I was surprised by the arms that were suddenly around me, the cold that battled against my heat. I tensed, then relaxed as I realized that Cam was hugging me.
"You're not a freak, Shade. You're the most gorgeous girl I know." Cam whispered into my ear.
"You- you mean that?" I asked as I looked up at Cam, my eyes swimming with unshed tears.
"Have I ever lied to you?" Cam replied, knowing that the answer was no.
I sniffed, and took out my gray contacts, showing off my red eyes to the man I had a crush on. I looked up at him, as the tears started to slowly spill from my eyes.
"Thank you." I whispered as I hugged him, pressing my head against his chest.
"You're welcome." Cam murmured gently, holding me close to him. We stood like that for a moment, before my tears stopped and I looked up at him.
I smiled up at him, and wiped my eyes, feeling more comfortable around my friend than before. Maybe even comfortable enough to- whoa, Shade, not yet. I smiled and was pleasantly shocked when Cam pressed his lips to mine. I happily returned the kiss, my heart beating faster as I felt Cam's cold and chapped lips against my hot and smooth ones. Even though we were polar opposites - literally and figuratively - I loved him. And it might be too early to say that, but I don't care. I pulled reluctantly away from the kiss, from my first kiss. I looked up at Cam with wide eyes, shocked.
"D- did we just-?" I asked softly, and Cam smiled as he nodded.
I smiled and gave a small laugh as Cam suddenly started to tickle me. I laughed more as he found my ticklish spots and fell back with Cam on top, his body pinning me to the floor by my dress. I blushed darkly at the position I now found us in, bringing Cam to see the very dirty way he was holding me down.
"U- um..." Cam blushed darkly as he got off me and helped me up. We stood nose to neck, and it was made overly obvious that I was much shorter than him.
"Why are you so tall?" I pouted.
"You're adorable when you pout." Cam smiled, making my face turn red.
"Am not!" I protested, stomping my heel.
"Are." Cam laughed as he smiled down at me.
"Not." I tried to glare up at him.
"Can I ask you something?" Cam said.
"You just did." I chuckled.
"When?" Cam looked confused.
"Right then." I smiled.
"Fine, can I ask two things?" Cam told me.
"Sure." I smiled.
"Will you be my girlfriend?" Cam asked as he looked at me hopefully.
"Yes." I said with no hesitation.
Cam smiled brightly and kissed me again. I kissed back happily, before I pulled away.
"And by the way, my name is Emma." I murmured in his ear.
"Emma." Cam smiled like the Fourth of July. "You're name is beautiful, just like you."
I blushed. "Shut up."
Cam chuckled and kissed my cheek, having to lean down a little to do it. I giggled and blushed as I tugged a red wig on to hide my blue hair.
"Aww, but I like your real hair color." Cameron pouted. I giggled more.
"And I like it when I look normal." I smiled and kissed his nose, having to stand on tiptoes to do it. Cameron smiled and blushed.
"Fine. But only because I want you to be yourself, and I want you to be happy. If this is what makes you happy, then I'll let you do it, babe." Cameron said, causing my face to heat up.
"B- babe?" I asked with reddening cheeks.
"Well, would you prefer sweetheart? Princess? Love?" Cameron chuckled, finding my red face adorable.