Chapter 17

Layla was not able to talk to Warren for the rest of the day, despite her best attempts. She did manage to spot him a few times, but he was always too far along for her to get to unless she decided to yell out his name, and she wasn't quite that desperate yet.

After meeting with Mrs. Powers, her day pretty much went in a downward spiral. She had told Magenta about starting hero classes after lunch, and while the other girl didn't seem irritated in the least, you could tell there was a little disappointment.

"Did you find Warren?" Magenta asked, having not seen her friend directly after lunch. The two girls were sitting in the classroom, seconds away from the bell signaling to start their lessons.

"Yes, but only for a minute. He was just coming out of Principal Powers' office, and we didn't have a chance to talk. He looked kind of mad, though."

"Do you think he got into trouble for something?"

"I don't know. I'm hoping I can catch him later after school, but I'm not sure how."

"You could always just look in the phone book, find where he lives?" Magenta suggested.

"Like he doesn't think I'm creepy enough already always following him around," Layla said, smiling a bit at the suggestion. Magenta just rolled her eyes, shrugging her shoulders.

"So what took you so long then?"

Layla opened her mouth, about to respond when the bell suddenly rang, cutting off their means of communication for now. The girls turned back around in their seats, waiting for Mr. Boy to start today's lesson.

When the topic became a bit boring, Magenta leaned over to Layla, whispering softly as to not alert their teacher.

"Well?"

"After he came out of the office, Mrs. Powers said she wanted to talk with me."

"Are you serious? About what?"

"About what I did to Gwen Saturday night…"

Magenta looked horrified, clearly not thinking her friend would get into any major trouble. At least, not anymore than she was already in at home.

"What happened? What did she say?"

"She just told me not to let it happen again and to be a good role model for students."

"Wow… so are you in trouble?"

"I don't think so… but I think Warren is."

"Does she think he had something to do with it?"

"She didn't say, but she talked about something to do with villains and I don't know, it was just a little weird. I have a feeling she was talking about him but I don't know what it has to do with me."

"Maybe she thinks you'd be a good influence?"

"But why, Warren's never in any trouble."

"Um, except for when he attacked Will and Gwen," Magenta stated, her expression dubious.

"Oh… right."

"So is that all she said?"

"Well, no."

"What else?"

Layla hesitated, not sure how to go about tell one of her best friends that she was no longer going to be in the same class as her. Well, if she decided to take the hero route, anyway.

"She asked me to switch classes… to hero classes."

"What?"

This last question was exclaimed rather enthusiastically, earning them a glare from Mr. Boy.

"Ladies, do I need to separate you two?" Mr. Boy wasn't known for being the most stern of teachers, but when it came to talking in class, he was particularly strict to the rules. Perhaps it was due to the years of pent up frustration of never being able to live out the glory of being The Commander's sidekick.

The two girls shook their heads, attempting to look innocent. Their teacher gave them one last stern look before returning to his rambling on something or another.

Once she felt it was safe, Layla leaned over once again and whispered to her friend, an apologetic look on her face.

"I'm supposed to start tomorrow, but she said I can decide at the end of the week if I actually want to or not."

"So are you?"

Layla shrugged in response.

"I think you should."

"You do?"

"Yeah, I mean why not? You have an amazing power and let's face it, you aren't really sidekick material."

"But I like being a sidekick! I like being with you and Zach and Ethan…"

"And where is that going to get you?" Magenta asked dryly.

"Ladies!"

Although her friend encouraged her to take the hero classes, Magenta had been a little distant for the rest of the day. It was leaving Layla feeling bummed and alone. Krista was still following Will around, and she didn't feel like competing for some alone time with him in order to talk out her problems.

Warren would have been the perfect choice to come to, but again she was having no luck.

As she boarded the bus to go home, Layla tried not to reflect on her crummy day. It would be hard seeing as she was to report right home and would have nothing to occupy her time due to her punishment.

A knock on the window beside her jarred her out of her thoughts, surprising her enough to make her jump a little in her seat. She peered outside only to find the one person she had been trying to reach all day. He gave her a small wave and it was a scramble as she hurriedly opened up the window for him.

"Hey," Warren stated, smiling at her but looking a bit uncomfortable.

"Hi! I've been looking all over for you!"

"Yeah?" he questioned, seeming a little more interested.

As she was about to respond, the bus driver boarded the bus and told everyone to take their seats. Seeing as he was pressed for time, Warren continued.

"Can you be at the restaurant tonight when I get off?"

Layla gave him an apologetic look.

"I can't… Grounded, remember?"

"Oh, right. Would it be ok if I snuck over then?"

"Um… I guess not." Layla said, trying not to let her surprise take over. "Do you need my address?"

Warren smirked a little, shaking his head.

"I know where it is."

Layla gave him a funny look and she opened her mouth, calling out to him as the bus started.

Warren took a few steps back so that he wouldn't be in the way, a grin breaking out on his face at their little inside joke.

"Stalking me?"

A/N: Sorry for the delay. I meant to post this sooner because I've had this chapter finished for awhile now, but I wanted to wait until I had most of the next chapter already written out to make sure I was taking it in the direction I wanted to go. Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter! I'm taking a couple writing classes this semester so I don't know how much time I'll have to sit down and add to this story but I'll do the best I can.