I never wanted this… Why me? What's so special about me? My whole life's been nothing but a mess. And it finally all went down the drain when Pa passed away, when he left us…
Mom had to take on a second job and I had to get one as well; bills don't pay themselves. It's all been so hard on my little sister, the other girls make fun of her for being poor. I wish I could say something, do something to make her feel better, but I just don't know what to do…And I had enough on my plate without this!
Between the homework, the jobs, being a hero, the bullying - both at home and at school – I felt like I was drowning.
Being bullied at school was bad enough, but the bullying didn't stop when I got home, it just went on with my "step-dad". Who must have gotten his kick out of tormenting me since he did it nearly every day, not that anyone else was witness to it. I tried to say something about him, but Ma and sis don't believe me because around them he's all sunshine and rainbows. They think I just pick fights and want to make trouble because of being bullied at school
And if you were wondering, my name is Jaime Reyes, and I never wanted to be a hero. It was by a twist of fate, a cruel turn of events that made me what I am today. I wasn't chosen, never trained, and wasn't born for this. One day I end up with a murderous alien bug stuck to my spine and I'm thrust into the world of heroes and villains. And it was all because I was hurrying to get home. Some might say it was meant to happen, that it was 'fate', but I know better; nothing is predestined. Stuff just happens and you're stuck dealing with the aftermath. If I hadn't taken that short cut, I never would have been stuck with this…
And it talks to me. Always wanting to use lethal measures. It just won't leave, and it won't shut up. I'm the only one who can hear it and most times I get carried away and reply out loud, and that's a big problem. That alone has earned me the nickname "Scitzo" around school, and fractured ribs, courtesy of my step-dad. I just hope Ma and Milagro don't find out…
I spend next to no time at home, my responsibilities make sure of that. It's always the same: get up and go to school; go to work; go to the cave for training or a mission; rest and start all over again. The only fun I've had so far is when I play my dad's old electric guitar. Mom says I play more like him every day, which means more to me than she knows. And I don't mind when the team is just hanging out, and I get to sleep, listen and participate in conversations that flow around me.
Bart and Cassandra are the only ones who get me, maybe the others do too, but they don't show it. Bart's a good amigo, but he can be annoying. Cassie on the other hand isn't as overbearing as Bart, but she talks just as much. She's always so occupied though.
What I really found extraña though is that she chooses to be occupied. She's such a good person, not like me; she helps people on her free time, she does her homework, and she makes the people around her happy. I just do what I got to do, not what I want to. I feel like a toad next to a princess. I think bitterly
Right now though, I'm helping the old owner of a local diner move crates in the back. "I gotta tell ya, Jaime, I really 'preceate what'ya doin' for me." He pats me on the shoulder, "Would it be okay for me to repay ya wit' a good hot meal?" Damn, I really need the money. Eliminate him; take the currency he keeps in the register. Damn scarab. No, I really need the money, but I know him; he wouldn't ask if he had money to spare. I smile, "Yes, it would be alright."
yYy
I finally get home, with three meals packed in standard Styrofoam packages. Only three because padrastro isn't here tonight. Error, thermal scan reveals there are three other bodies in the living room area.
Mierda, really!? One night, just one night…
Sighing I kick off my shoes as I come in and drop my skateboard in a corner. I turn into the living room "Me trajo comida." I lift up the plastic bag with food. They turn from the TV to look at me, Milagro almost jumps in the air
"Yay! Jaime bought takeout!"
We don't get to eat out often, so this is like a real treat to her. My mom looks skeptical though. "Niño, you only have three trays?"
"Yeah, I kinda…" Think, think… Why must you lie? You have earned the food, not the step-father. Tell them.
"Well?" She asks.
Tell them! "I already ate mine." I rub the back of my head, sheepishly. "Sorry." I lied through my teeth, but it saved me from a possible beating. I see him smirk out in the corner of my eye, cabrón…
I climb the stairs to my room and immediately drop onto my bed after closing the door behind me. The lumpy mattress creaks under my weight as I sink further into it. "Finally…" I sigh, "a moment of silence and relaxation."
I feel vibration from my pocket and I read out the text message on the team communicator.
Hey wanna come over 4 muvi nite? I read.
I grunt and punch in my reply, "No thanks," and lay my head back down, yawning my exhaustion. Vibration, another text .
why not?
This time it's Cassie. I sigh.
disculpe, chica, got too much stuff to do
I feel bad for her, but at least she has Bart… and Robin. Sexual jealousy.What? No! You are jealous of the Robin, he interests the Wonder Girl. Such distraction will get you killed. Suggestion: eliminate the Robin."Shut up!" I whisper-yell.
I get another message, from Bart.
Cmon hermano! Be crash and take a break!
Take a break? Take a break!? That's what I'm trying to do!
No! I have no time for a stupid movie night! I have responsibilities! Send.
There's a pause and I feel a vibration in my hands
You okay? Not feeling the mode are you?
I exhale sharply and turn off my phone. The Impulse is source of annoyance, suggestion: Eliminate him. "No."
After a lengthy pause, the scarab decides to break the silence. Your body requires nutrients. "I knooow…" I mutter half asleep. You must eat or activate the armour so that it may sustain you, Jaime Reyes. Mierda, there's no food in the fridge, no money in my wallet, and absolutely no way I'm putting on the armour here…
"Nooo, wanna sleep…" I groan, my forearm covering my eyes. Jaime Reyes, your body requires the proper amounts of nutrients in order to function. In order to help your family unit, your body must be functioning. Ha! Trying to appeal to my emotional side? Alright, guess it worked.
I grudgingly get up, wearing only jeans, since I was about to sleep. Too lazy to put on a shirt, I shuffle over the open the window, still only half conscious. I activate the armour and jump out.
yYy
"Recognized Blue Beetle B022" "What?" I stupidly mutter. One second I'm jumping out the window, the next I'm… here? How the hell did that happen?
"Hey Blue! Thought you were angry when you didn't reply. Figures you were on your way after all. You okay? You look sorta… tired," Bart blurts out, at barely human speed.
Your body lacks nutrients, the scarab annoying reminds me. "I know!" I angrily reply as I stomp towards the kitchen. Why couldn't we just fly around and have the armour "sustain" me? You had expressed your wish to come here as you fell asleep. Mierda…
"Whoa, dude, chill okay?" Bart zips in front of me with his hands up, "What IS it with you today?" My face scrunches up, "Nada, esé," I wave a dismissive hand and keep walking.
I open the pantry and pull out a bag of chips, insufficient nutrients, vast amount of calories… Stupid insect, "I eat what I can!" I reply hotly. Not eating does not benefit health. That's it. "You think I don't know that!? You seriously believe I CHOOSE not to eat!? Are you and idiot?" I huff, I am not an idiot, "I don't choose not to eat… I have to…" I whisper to the scarab, leaning onto the counter head bowed.
"Uhm… Hermano?" I snap out of my thoughts. "Why…ah… Why are you half naked?" Mierda, I left the house without a shirt. I put the bag back in the cupboards and open the fridge without answering Bart.
"What would be good?" I ask the scarab… No reply, guess I could figure this out for myself. I stuff a small hot bread into my mouth and pick up a plate of spaghetti with meat sauce. Thank you M'gann.I grab the apple juice for good measure and I'm about to close the door, "Jaime?" I stand up straight, kind of like those deer, right before they get hit by a truck, except with food.
Cassie points to my legs, "Why are you wearing only pants?" she giggles. I shrug, nice move estupido. I put the food on the island and finally take a bite of the bread. She looks at me, "And…?"
I sigh, I can't really tell them about my situation. They'd get worried and probably try to help. No duh, they're heroes, of course they'll want to help. Which wouldn't do anything, because there's NOTHING to do. If they actually DID something, it would probably make things worse. Last resort! "Curiosity killed el gato, Cassie." I smile and eat the rest of the bread. She sighs and shakes her head "Then will you answer me if I asked you why you're here, even though you said you wouldn't come?"
I almost drop my fork. I stand up straight and swallow my bite. Sure, it's because I can't eat whenever I'm at home because we can only feed three people and my stepfather eats my earnings! As if! I'm not telling her that! Lying to the Wonder Girl will not benefit you Jaime Reyes. I shrug as casually as possible and calmly walk back to the zeta tubes. Stop! You lack the required nutrients to remain healthy! The scarab scolds me. "Can't hear youuu…" I hum like a child.
"Dude wait!" Garfield joins in, "Why are you being so weird? Are you alright?" No… But before I can say anything, my stomach lets out this monster rumble. Silence… Bart clamps a hand on my shoulder, which I shrug off, "Hermano! Why did not just say so?" He pokes my stomach.
I face palm, "Look esé, I take care of myself, and you take care of yourself. Got that? Good!" I say a bit more angry than needed, but I don't care. I make my way back to the tube "But, Blue," it's Gar, "We're your teammates." "Your family!" Cassie joins in.
My body cringes at the word. "No! You're not! You're nothing like my family! You don't know what it's like," I sigh, "to be my family." I say, weary of the sore subject. I feel like sitting in a corner and crying, I want someone else to take care of me for once…
"Then tell us," Connor says from his spot on the couch. "Oh, yes! Tell us what it's like to live in Texas, Jaime!" Megan jumps in. "No!" I snap bitterly. I can't tell you anything, I have to take care of my own! It's the one task Dad left me. I don't want to worry them more and I want to leave. Do not show weakness, keep a strong front.
That shocked them; I can imagine Connor turning his head wondering "What the hell?" They hadn't thought I'd react like that I guess. Well, neither did I actually. "Look, I just came here to eat," I say impatiently, "not to talk about myself. Buenos. Noches," I spit venomously as I turn my back to them.
Two hands grab my naked shoulders and keep me from walking. The one on my right shoulder feels warm and soft. I see Bart and Cass are the ones holding me in place. They both sport confused and worried expressions. I look over to Cassie but quickly turn away.
I shrug them off, or try to since Cassie's hand still lingers on my shoulder. She squeezes gently, hormonal increase detected. Well that killed the moment, for me at least. I sigh grab her hand in mine, but quickly let go.
I feel her hand sliding off my shoulder, grazing my back gently as it falls. I start for the zeta tubes without a word.
yYy
I enter my room through the ajar window and power down. Almost instantly I'm in my bed, snoring what's left of the night away…
xXx
"Did we do something wrong?" I asked in confusion. Blue just left and I'm very confused. My hand still feels cold from when I grabbed his shoulder… "And why wasn't he wearing a shirt?!"
"He probably just had a bad day, Cassie." Connor answers, still in the living room, "I'm sure it's nothing."
"Yeah," Bart starts, "we all have days, or times of the month like that." He starts laughing as he zooms into the kitchen, probably to finish Jaime's pasta.
Maybe Nightwing will know what's up with Jaime. Lucky for me he's here tonight. I go for the training room. Once there I can see him doing flips off the structures in the room. I flag him and he stops to come talk to me.
"Hey, weren't you guys watching a movie?" he asked, a film of sweat on his forehead. I sigh, "Um, yeah, but something happened." His expression becomes serious.
"What happened?"
I tuck some hair behind my ear, "Nothing bad, but it's something with Blue. He came and when we talked he became all angry and stuff. And, like, I'm wondering if you know what's wrong with him?"
His expression softened, and rubbed his chin, "Don't know why you'd think that, but…" he paused, unsure as to what to say, "But I can't tell you," he told me firmly.
What?! "Why?" I ask, annoyed that he won't let me help Jaime.
"Look, I found out by accident, and he made me promise not to tell anybody. I don't like it, but I can understand. If he wants your help, he'll ask, if he wants you to know, he'll tell you, otherwise leave him alone. Just know that it's nothing that'll impede his abilities on the field."
I scoff, "How can you be so sure that it won't distract him, won't get him killed on the field?" I asked heatedly.
He thought for a moment, "Actually… I think it might keep him alive instead." He started walking away.
"But-" I started.
"No buts, Wonder Girl; this is a teammate's private issue and will remain as such. He'll tell us when he's ready." And with these parted words, he walked out the room.
A/N: Hey, I know I should be uploading my main story (The Ghost and the Guard Dog: s/8011232/1/The-Ghost-and-the-Guard-Dog ), but inspiration for it doesn't always come to me, so I upload other stuff (or just nothing, but that would suck). So, don't give up hope.