Chapter 12

The room was soon cleaned up completely, and the owners of the restaurant, being as excited to meet THE Commander as they were, waved the group off without second thought as there weren't any (major) damages done to the building. Feeling a bit guilty, however, Layla spruced up their landscape a bit, adding fresh flowers and greener grass.

Warren looked at her in amusement.

The two teenagers were holding hands, and anyone with a set of working eyes could tell that Will was trying his hardest not to jump in and make a scene. You could practically see the gears working overtime in his head, trying to process this new development. If it weren't for his father present, he probably would have jumped down everyone's throats, especially Magentas because it was obvious that the other girl knew about this so-called relationship and was actually okay with it. Did she not see him attacked in the cafeteria at the beginning of the school year?!

"So how much trouble are you in exactly?" Warren asked, his voice low.

"I won't be able to go out anytime soon, but I'll be able to see you at school still."

Warren nodded, accepting her answer. "I'll be back on Monday."

In the meantime, Ethan was giving a round of high-fives to those who had stayed to help clean up. Magenta was trying hard not to smile at the silliness of the whole situation, but gave in when Zach picked her up and twirled her around.

Will huffed impatiently and Warren sent over a glare, his eyes flicking up to the Commander with signs of distrust written all over his features. He had thankfully kept his distance for the remainder of the evening, his dislike of Will miniscule compared to his dislike of the man who put his father in jail, even if his dad did deserve it.

Layla took a step closer, gaining his attention back to her. She smiled up at him sweetly and he couldn't help but smile back, bringing his hand up to wrap around the back of her neck. The two teenagers stared at each other for what felt like several minutes before Warren moved his face closer, Layla's eyes closing...

"Ahem!" coughed Will's dad, making Layla jump apart from her... oh, whatever he was. She glanced over and smiled sheepishly, the older man giving her and Warren a stern look.

Will looked like he was going to be sick.

"It's best you get home son." The older man said, walking forward and placing a protective hand on Layla's shoulder.

Warren's eyes narrowed but he didn't argue, instead muttering a "goodnight" to Layla, completely ignoring everyone else. He turned and sauntered away, his shoulders slouched as always.

"Let's get you home," the Commander said, turning to the other students. "You all have fun at the dance."

"But-" Will started, moving forward toward his best friend and father.

He was cut off by a glare, and he slowly stepped back toward the group.

Magenta rushed forward and hugged her friend quickly.

"You are freaking awesome!" she whispered, pulling back with a grin. Layla smirked in response, telling her friends to have fun while waving them off.

She wasn't at all disappointed about not being able to go to the dance, she mused. Tonight had definitely been worth any punishment. It was time that Gwen was put into her place, and Warren was right. Nobody had the guts to stand up to her. Instead they just let her walk all over them. But tonight showed that sidekicks could be just as powerful as heroes, inside and out.

She only hoped that school wouldn't be terrible come Monday.

Not only did she have the wrath of Gwen to watch out for, but now most of the student population probably thought she was some sort of freaky psycho. She had a feeling Warren wasn't completely joking when he told her what he had overheard some of them saying.

She got in the passenger seat of the Commander's car, putting on her seatbelt silently. Will's family had always been like her own and vice versa. She knew enough about the older man sitting next to her to know that he was disappointed in her, but the way he kept sending appreciative glances her way let her know that he was a bit proud of her display of power, even under the circumstances.

All too soon they reached Layla's house, her mom already standing at the door. Layla groaned when she could tell even from the car that she was less than amused.

"Thanks Mr. Stronghold," Layla mumbled, opening the car door.

"Layla," the older man called before she had a chance to shut the door. Seeing as he had her attention, he continued, his features hard although his eyes were warm and protective.

"Be good."