Yeah, so I spent this entire weekend coughing up all of my major organs. So I watched the entire third season of Heroes and decided to work on this story :)
"When grey skies turn blue, I'll come back for you. My mind can't change my heart there's nothing I can do." –Grey Skies Turn Blue by MXPX
6 Days Later…
"Hey, you're going to the dance tomorrow right?" Frieda questioned eagerly taking a seat opposite of Ellie during the last few free minutes of Spanish. Ellie blinked in confusion.
"Dance? What dance?" Ellie asked.
"It's like this Spring Fling thing, but you have to go, we haven't sold enough tickets to make a profit!" Frieda pleaded flipping her brown hair in desperation, "It'll be fun! Great music, great food, great… decorated gymnasium!"
"Spring Fling? Sounds like a couple thing." Ellie stated skeptically.
"What about Richi-" Frieda asked. Ellie slammed her pencil on the desk.
"Why does everyone keep harassing me about him? We are seriously just friends, is he telling people that-"
"Ellie! I just meant that, Richie, Virgil, me and Daisy are all going, as a group of friends, so you don't need a date." Frieda interrupted quickly.
"Oh…" Ellie said rearranging her pencil neatly, then regaining a composed smile she responded, "I don't think I can go though, my counseling got moved from Sunday to Saturday. Sorry Frieda."
"It's alright," Frieda disappointedly sighed and looked down. For a moment Ellie considered just blowing off the counseling because she just looked so pitiful. But the moment a red haired boy entered the classroom after a bathroom break Frieda's attention shot up as she leapt from the desk and cornered him.
"Paul! Why don't you take Gina to the Spring Fling tomorrow?!" Ellie giggled as she heard Frieda harass him. That girl certainly had an influential future ahead of her. The bell rang and Ellie quickly stood up with her back pack. She waited until the rush for the door was over before heading out and then she skipped over to Richie's locker which was only one hallway away. People still hadn't really gotten used to Ellie's skipping, most thought she was very weird and they stared at her in confusion as she passed. But the people who had gotten to know her in the past 2 weeks, were quite aware that skipping was just a part of Ellie's abundant happy energy. And Richie paid it no mind when she pranced over to him and leaned against the locker next to him.
"Hey sunshine, how are you this fine spring day?" Ellie asked. He had also gotten somewhat used to the girlie statements she would utter. And it got rather frightening sometimes like the time she claimed that unicorns were a lot more bad ass than they appeared. Or she'd defend that Johnny Knoxville looks like the kind of person that would adopt kittens. Whatever outrageous claims she made, Richie learned it was best not to argue with her.
"I'm great Ellie, how are you?" Richie returned as he shoved his biology book into his backpack and closed his locker behind him.
"Well, I'm spectacular. I thought I might burn a couple thousand rounds around the track before I go home. What shenanigans do you and Virgil have planned?" Ellie asked.
"We're hanging out at Virgil's place, probably gonna play some video games and whatnot, maybe rent a movie, you're welcome to come over." Richie said.
"Nah, I'm good. You guys have fun and de-stress a little, you're both really on edge." Ellie said, "Besides, someone's gotta handle the streets when Static's off duty."
"I wish you would de-stress too, you've also been kinda jumpy lately." Richie observed.
"I'm always jumpy, it's a part of having super enhanced reflexes." Ellie reminded him.
"Well you just seem to be a little more anxious lately. But I know what'll make you feel better, are you going to the dance tomorrow?" Richie asked.
"Oh no, not you too. Frieda already cornered me about this. I have consoling, I can't go." Ellie immediately said.
"Oh come on, you know Mr. H will have no problem with rescheduling it." Richie said.
"Dances… aren't my thing." Ellie admitted.
"…really?" Richie asked.
"Does that surprise you?"
"Well… yeah! I mean you're just about the spunkiest girly girls I've ever met, a dance sounds right about your alley."
"Oh yeah, I just beat up meta-humans on a daily basis and basically strike fear into the hearts of common thugs and criminals. Oh but yeah, girly girl sounds like an appropriate term to describe me." Ellie shrugged sarcastically.
"Have you looked at you're attire recently?" Richie laughed. Ellie looked down at the pastel hippy flower patterned blouse she was wearing.
"Okay, my clothes don't count."
"You just greeted me, 'Hey Sunshine' and then told me you were 'spectacular'." Richie reminded her.
"My vocabulary doesn't count."
"Let me guess, you're actions and gestures don't count for anything either?"
"Whatever. But dances are still not my thing. I mean there's crappy music, crappy food and people trying to communicate with each other by screaming over the speakers. Not my idea of a fun time." Ellie explained as they opened the twin doors to the back entrance of the school, "But yeah, I'm running off, so just give me a call later so I know you're okay."
"You're getting paranoid." Richie rolled his eyes.
"Bite me, Foley." Ellie said with a grin as she sped off.
"Hi dad." Ellie greeted as she sped into the kitchen. Malcolm barely looked up from his coffee.
"Hello my little warrior, you have a nice day at school?" Malcolm yawned.
"You bet. I skipped three classes to hang out in the parking lot and do drugs with some less than reputable characters."
"Can I have a less sarcastic response?"
"Yes daddy, school was fine. How was work and such?"
"It was fine, I had an epiphany today though." Malcolm said.
"Did you invent a flux capacitor allowing humans to travel through space and time on the comfy seats of a DeLorean?"
"Um no. But I now think that I should be monitoring your Michael J. Fox intake. That response was a little too quick." Malcolm said.
"Yeah okay whatever. What was your epiphany?"
"I miss my kids." Malcolm said.
"Well spend time with us." Ellie commanded.
"I will… in two weeks when my work schedule calms down. But until then I'll just buy your love like a good parent." With that Malcolm tossed a box in the air and it landed into Ellie's awaiting hands. Ellie smiled warmly as she saw the picture on the box.
"Aw! You replaced my iPod? What happened to the whole 'I'm not buying you a new one because you won't learn anything...' Blah, blah, blah, old person rant?" Ellie asked.
"Eh, I don't mind spoiling my youngest little girl every once in a while."
"And here I thought being the Ginny Weasly in this family would never pay off." Ellie grinned as she took a seat at the table, "Thanks dad."
"You're welcome sweet pea. Is there anything going on your life you want to talk about before I leave for my double shift?"
"Not really."
"Oh, are you dating that kid next door yet?" Malcolm asked.
"Why do you believe the things that come out of Peter's mouth?" Ellie asked with an un-amused look on her face.
"I still can't believe you told him you were Velocity, I mean what were you thinking?" Malcolm scoffed and sipped his coffee and flipped through the crossword puzzles that now how held more appeal to him than the current conversation.
"I trust him." Ellie said quietly her eyes fixated on the placemat in front of her. Malcolm returned his attention to his daughter and his bigger hand wrapped around his daughter's bony fingers.
"I'm glad you found someone you trust here." He smiled reassuringly, "I'm sorry."
"It's okay, I guess I'm just wondering myself what I was thinking. It even sounds ridiculous, I just broke down my deepest secret for the first pair of blue eyes I saw. I've been trying to convince myself that I only told him because of the whole Ebon situation and that the physical attraction that he has over me has nothing to do with it, but it would just help if I didn't feel that way." Ellie sighed as she slumped over the table, her eyes looked up to her father who seemed confused and unsure of what to say, and she added, "Sorry. Sometimes I forget that excessive amounts of estrogen freak you out. Maybe Mr. Hawkins is right… I do need chicks to talk to."
"Why don't you call Constance more?" Malcolm asked. Ellie's face scrunched up with the thought of talking to her old friend from New York. And while the girl was practically family to her, the thought of going to her for advice was bizarre.
"I said a chick, not an uncompassionate demon." Ellie said.
"Well why don't you call your mother?" Malcolm suggested.
"Yeah, that's even less unlikely." Ellie shook her head.
"I wish you'd try to talk to her. Trust me you don't wanna end up one of those 40 year old nut cases in therapy that blames all their problems in life on their mother."
"Weren't you the one telling me I shouldn't be such a caveman and a lot of people get therapy nowadays?" Ellie asked curiously.
"I only have you in therapy because you won't talk to me. I figure you should be getting advice from somewhere." Malcolm shrugged.
"I'm talking to you right now. And I talk to Pete about my problems sometimes… even though he doesn't come to me with his." Ellie said morbidly as she slumped again. Malcolm set his coffee and crossword aside as he looked at his daughter in complete and utter curiosity.
"What are you talking about El?" he asked.
"It's nothing." Ellie lied with a depressing sigh.
"It's not nothing. What hasn't Peter told you?" Malcolm blinked. Ellie hesitated for a moment.
"He didn't tell me he was in AA…" Ellie admitted.
"I see…" Malcolm nodded. Ellie looked up to try and read her father's expression.
"Did he tell you?"
"Yes he did."
"Why didn't you guys tell me? It's eating me up." Ellie asked. It really was, Ellie had always felt like her and Peter shared a strong bond. Her other two brothers Charlie and John were much older than her and always treated her like a kid. But Peter leaned on her. She cooked dinners for him and he would ask her opinion on the girls he dated. They shared their amount of bickering but they were still close. At least they had been.
"Do you really want to know?" Malcolm asked as he folded his hands.
"Yes, I really do." Ellie said.
"You're a kid." Malcolm said bluntly. Ellie's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"That's your reason?"
"Yep."
"You think my 'fragile' kid mind handle this?"
"It shouldn't have to." Malcolm said. Ellie just stared at him with her mouth opened in disbelief before he decided to embellish, "Eleanor, did you know that I really resent your mother?"
"You haven't ever mentioned it." Ellie noticed.
"Well that's because I don't want to sway you or your brother's opinion of her. But the truth is, I really can't stand her for what she did to you. She made you an adult when you were five. You've always had to be the grown up in every situation you got into. I've always hoped you would gain some childhood innocence… but then you became Velocity and all hopes of that were gone. You've seen the worlds true colors, its cruel and evil. But you're still a kid, you're still my little Ellie bean for three more years. Alcohol is Peter's adult problem…" Malcolm explained.
"But I have adult problems too."
"Right, but those are yours to worry about. You don't need your brother's problems added on to that." Malcolm said.
"I guess I don't." Ellie said sadly, "I'm just gonna go to take a nap and sleep on it ya know? Have a nice shift, I love you dad." She said as she bent over and kissed his cheek.
"I love you too sweetheart." Malcolm called after her.
Virgil and Richie were eating popcorn and enjoying the last few minutes of a cheesy slasher film on this casual Friday night.
"Don't go in the closet." Virgil warned the television as the redheaded girl gasped and spun around wildly her hand touching the closet door knob, "Don't do it." Virgil warned again. She opened the door and the body of her boyfriend fell to the ground and she screamed. Virgil shook his head, "Told her not to do it."
"Homegirl shouldn't be hiding in the upstairs room anyway, she should be heading for the front door." Richie sighed. 'The End' written in blood flashed across the screen before the credits began to roll. Richie yawned and stretched.
"Well, I gotta get going home, I'll see you tomorrow." Richie said.
"Hold on Richie, I'll go ask my pops to give you a ride." Virgil insisted.
"It's okay, I'll just walk V." he shook his head.
"I don't know Rich, it's pretty late and with Ebon out and all, it's kinda dangerous. And it's pretty grey out there, it's gonna start raining soon." Virgil reminded him.
"Grey skies turn blue sometimes. It's been quiet all week, maybe Ebon was just bluffing." Richie shrugged, "I'll be fine V."
"Alright, I'll meet you and the girls at the dance at like 7 tomorrow." Virgil extended his arm and they did their traditional fist bump.
"Catch you later V," Richie called as he walked down the front steps of the Hawkins residence. He had made it passed the curb before he felt a rain drop hit his face. Maybe he should have taken the ride when he was offered it. He had rounded another block before reaching a bus bench. He took a seat and decided to wait. The bright street lamp that was over his head flickered catching Richie's attention. His fingers drummed on the arm rest of the bend impatiently, until the light went completely out flooding the entire corner with darkness. Richie nervously looked around before a shadow zoomed by making him jump.
"Calm down Foley…" Richie muttered to himself after letting out a deep breath. A few footsteps behind him sounded and he whipped around to see no one there. "Hello?" he called out into the darkness. There was no response. And the blond turned his attention to the sidewalk and sighed.
"Man, I gotta get a grip." Richie said rubbing his temples. He allowed his shoulders to drop and fall into an almost relaxed state of mind. But it was a bad idea to let his guard down. Because not even a second later a shadowy hand wrapped itself around his mouth and he was pulled into a world of darkness.
'Hey it's Richie, leave a message.' Beep.
"Hi Richie, it's Ellie." The blond said as she paced the kitchen floor, "It's uh Saturday evening and I haven't heard from you since yesterday. So I'm growing a bit concerned, just give me a call when you get this, kay?" she hung up the phone and sighed.
"Richie trouble?" Malcolm asked as he entered the kitchen to use the fridge.
"Kinda… he was supposed to call me yesterday, but he never did. But I'm sure he's fine. He's probably just getting ready for the dance tonight." Ellie said as she sat on the kitchen counter and opened a bag of fruit snacks.
"He's going to a dance tonight… without you?" Malcolm said.
"Dad, we're not a couple or anything. Why should I care if he goes to a dance without me?" Ellie said, even though the truth was that she did care. She cared A LOT.
"Well, it's just yesterday you said…"
"I said I was attracted to him. But that's all." Ellie said, "I'm not the right girl for him. I'm trouble. And God knows that's the last thing that boy needs. It's bad enough we're friends."
"I'm sure he doesn't see it that way."
"Well that's the way I see it." Ellie sighed, "I just wish he'd pick up his phone, I'm worried."
"Why don't you call Virgil?" Malcolm suggested.
"I tried, Mr. Hawkins said he's spending the day at the mall and then he's going straight to the dance. I asked if Richie was with him, but Mr. H said he didn't know." Ellie said, "But it's okay, I'll probably just drop by his house when the dance is over to see if he's there or not." She stretched out and finished the last of her fruit snacks. "I'm probably gonna head over to the Community Center now, so I'll see you when I get back."
"Okay, be careful, El." Malcolm said.
"Always." Ellie said before speeding out of the house.
"Later pops! I'll call you before 10:30!" Virgil announced as he closed the door behind him. Robert Hawkins waved off his son and drove away. Virgil straightened his jacket and started heading for the gymnasium. He had gotten there rather late, so most of everybody was already inside. His fingers just barely touched the door knob before a scream sent an icy chill down his spine.
"Help me! Somebody!" a feminine voice called for help and followed in a series of painful screams. Virgil glanced down at his civilian wear, there was no time to change into Static. He quickly turned the corner where he heard the voice coming from. The side parking lot was abandoned save a hooded girl curled up in the fetal position near the dumpster. Virgil quickly ran over to her.
"Hey, miss, are you alright?" he called eagerly as he bent down next to her. A feather fell from inside the hoodie and Virgil picked it up with two fingers. He slowly looked over as a sick realization sunk into the pit of his stomach. Talon grinned as she quickly lowered the hoodie. Virgil stood to his feet only to be caught in Ebon's shadowy grip.
Ellie was sitting in the waiting room with her legs crossed as she read the latest Cosmo. She had been grateful that Robert had moved her appointment a day earlier. A dance was the last place she wanted to be at the moment. She was too riled up, she wanted to be in costume. She checked her watch and noted it was almost 7, Robert had most likely just dropped off Virgil at the dance. The lobby was completely abandoned, since the community center closed at six o clock on Saturdays. But Mr. Hawkins had forgotten that he had to drop off Virgil at the dance, so he wound up scheduling Ellie's appointment for a little later than usual. The place was completely quiet except for the radio playing on the front desk. Ellie stood up and headed over to the soda machine and had a quick mental debate on whether or not to take a run before her appointment.
"Eleanor Covelli?" someone called her name as she attempted to feed the machine her dollar.
"Yeah?" Ellie asked and turned around to see her addresser. But turning around only led to Shiv tackling her and pressing her against a wall. Ellie let out a scream of surprise as he pulled out a pair of handcuffs and quickly cuffed her ankles together. He let her go and Ellie dropped to the ground, she tugged at the metal device trapping her legs in place, "What the hell?!"
"Yeah, try getting out of that one Speedy!" Shiv challenged. Ice cold fear crept into her entire system. She was mortified when the realization that Shiv had found her as Ellie completely crept in.
"What are you talking about?" Ellie asked with the best confused voice she could to try and throw him off.
"Oh you know exactly what I'm talking about…Velocity!" Shiv accused. The unmasked heroine angrily used the vending machine for balance to steady herself.
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm not Velocity, you jumped up little creep!" Ellie growled.
"Well Velocity, I have specific orders from Ebon to keep you from interrupting with tonight's plans. So you're gonna sit back…" Shiv paused and shoved Ellie into a rolling chair. "and watch the fireworks."
"What fireworks?" Ellie questioned.
"You'll just have to see Miss. Covelli." Shiv stated as he turned on the news, "Oh and by the way, Talon and I have a bet on that you're banging that Foley kid, so what's the deal?" Ellie spat at him and glared, Shiv let a disappointed sneer cross his lips as he mumbled, "Something tells me I'm out 20 dollars."
Uh oh spaghetti-o. ;)
Hit that review button, dear.