Freya's POV:

I sneakily tip toe down the steps with my backpack slung over my shoulder but suddenly, a hand slaps against my back with a sigh which causes me to stumble forward.

"Freya! Morning, kiddo!" I scramble to catch my footing and turn, meeting Lawrence's smile. "Glad I finally caught you before you left off to school!"

"Lawrence. Hi." I fake a smile, my eyes trailing to the large crate he held in his hands containing several fruits, vegetables, and a jar of the nutrition shake powder. "It's almost six in the morning. Is this stuff for the grand opening at Ripped City?"

"No, actually. I want to be in the good graces with Dugan and his family so I thought it would be nice for them to wake up to a good picker-upper for breakfast. The ones I usually make for you and Arte. Wheatgrass, spirulina, bee pollen, but this time a pinch of testosterone just for Pat." He grinned before he snapped his fingers to me. "But, I wanted to speak to you."

I slowly take a step closer to the front door. "Can it wait? I want to a get a few good runs at the school track field and--"

"What was that putz doing here yesterday? The Gambler." Lawrence cut in. Guess it can't wait. "Why didn't Dugan and the kid lock him up? You and I both know you can easily throw him out the window if you wanted to."

"Right, but I'm not the one that's calling the shots. We're dealing with it."

"Well then let me tell you something. Take it as advice from your old man." He casually wrapped his arm around my shoulder, guiding me to the front door and easily opening it. "That Kentucky-fried felony is not to be trusted. No matter what he says, he's only ever been in this life for the money. That's all he cares about, understand?"

"I really should go, Lawrence." I awkwardly clear my throat. "But I'll think about keeping your advice in mind."

"Good enough! See you later, honey!" He patted my back again and started to make his way over to Courtney's house. "Make sure you stop by Ripped City tomorrow for the grand opening!"

"Wouldn't miss it." I sarcastically smile before I continue to walk. Kill me.

。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

"This is what happens when you forgive one of the bad guys." Yolanda pointed out to Courtney, waiting as I paid the lunch lady for my meal. "They all come running for handouts."

"Yeah, sorry about Lawrence this morning." I add. "But the one thing I'll agree with is that he had a point about Steven. He can't be trusted."

"Okay, we don't know if The Gambler is up to something bad." Courtney emphasized, sending me a knowing look as we walked to our table.

"Of course we don't, Court. He's not gonna tell us." Yolanda scoffed. "None of them are, especially Cindy. She stabbed me in the back, and she'll do it to you too first chance she gets. I have enough problems with my parents."

I move to take a seat next to Courtney this time, earning a look of confusion from Yolanda. "Did something happen at church?"

"No, they caught me sneaking out last time." She muttered, taking the spot on Courtney's right side. "If they catch me again, I wouldn't be surprised if they ship me off to boarding school."

"I told you guys, yellow and black are Rick's colors." Beth whispered, causing me to turn and notice that her goggles were lit green. "I like my cape. I don't need a new costume."

"Just take another look at the design." I hear father's voice lightly chime in.

"Laser lemon. It just--it sounds so superhero!" Her mom excitedly explained and I smile amusedly at their interactions.

"I gotta go, okay? Love you. Bye." Beth clenched her jaw with a forced smile as her parents bided her loving goodbyes until she tapped the side of her goggles, ending the call. "Shouldn't have given them this number."

"Sounds like they've really accepted your other life." I chuckle.

"I say a little too well." Beth muttered, putting the goggles away in her bag before placing her glasses on.

"Yum. What's that?" Courtney asked, nodding her head towards Beth's packed lunch.

"Oh, crispy chicken over turmeric, lemon, cabbage, and peas. My parents made it." Beth nervously laughed. "Breakfast too."

"Hey, guys." Rick greeted, dropping his bag on the floor as he took a seat beside Beth.

"Hey." Yolanda and Courtney spoke up as I simply wave since I was taking a sip of water.

"No luck with Grundy, huh?" Courtney asked.

Rick shook his head. "I've buried him everywhere The Shade's told me to. 'In a clear field under a full moon. Between two oak trees.' Whatever he says, but nothing ever happens."

"Maybe The Shade is lying." Yolanda shrugged, stirring the fruit with her fork. "Maybe Grundy's never coming back."

The screeching sounds of a chair skidding behind causes us to turn, seeing as Cindy plopped a chair beside me with a smirk.

"Hi." She innocently greeted. "Welcome back to school, JSA."

"Hi, Cindy!" Courtney smiled, sending pointed looks at the others who didn't say a word as I awkwardly opening the container to my salad.

"I guess me sitting here means this isn't the losers' table anymore."

Rick sarcastically smiled. "It never was."

"Might want to dial down the insults, Burman." I whisper but she rolled her eyes with a dry chuckle.

"So...wow." Courtney clapped her hands, bringing the attention back to her. "All six of us here. Um, so I wanna start this team meeting by talking about teamwork. Oh! I-I made some notes."

"Ooh." Beth awed.

"First, we have to wipe the slate clean, all of us." She emphasized, making sure to look at each person. "If I can look beyond the past with Cindy, so can all of you."

"Not necessarily." Yolanda remarked, keeping her glares at Cindy, who simply rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"Get over your trauma already." Uh oh.

Yolanda's grip tightens on her drink. "We don't want you here. Get it?"

"Yolanda, we all agreed to--"

"No, Court." Rick interrupted with a scoff. "You and Beth agreed to invite her into the JSA. Yolanda and I, we voted no."

"And what about your vote?" Cindy raised a brow at me.

I shake my head. "Didn't want to vote."

"How come? Because I knew you longer before you decided to join the goody two shoe squad?" She snorted. "Or you're just too afraid to piss off one side when you already have your answer. Does that make me the tiebreaker?"

"Because she wanted to see if you were actually serious about this. Clearly you're not a team player." Yolanda answered with a glare. "You don't get a vote."

"Can I get back to my notes?" Courtney nervously added, attempting to bring the attention back to her once more.

"Yeah. Can we just skip down to 'Starman's back'?" Cindy crossed her leg with a bored look. "'Cause I'm dying to know what the deal is. That's the real elephant in the room. Isn't it, gang?"

The question alone sent Courtney to timidly pick at her fingers as she folded her notes which causes Rick, Yolanda, Beth, and I to share worried looks with one another.

Even though Sylvester had the cosmic staff first, I didn't fully trust him enough to lead us. Was he even going to lead us? Why should we switch leaders when Courtney's shown she's perfectly capable of it?

"It's great that Starman is back. We all thought he was dead like Dr. McNider. So...how lucky are we?" Courtney lightly chuckled. "He thinks the Staff did it some--"

"What about the Staff?" Rick cut in. "What now?"

"Sylvester's supposed to show her how to use it." I give a small smile. "I'm gonna ask if he could give a few tips about some of the spells from my dad's journal. Maybe he might know something."

"But you already know how to use it." Yolanda asked Courtney with a puzzled look.

"Well, apparently it has a few more tricks up its proverbial sleeve, so that's exciting." She grinned.

"Yeah! Go team!" A pair of fists slam the table and I jump at the sudden voice from Artemis as she let out a woop, leaning close to the middle of the table with excited expression. Before I knew it, she slung her arm tightly around my neck before harshly rubbing her knuckles on top of my head in a playful manner. "Ain't that right sis?" She giggled but I stayed frozen in my spot. "Woo!"

She pulled away and pumped her fists in the air as her friends laughed in disbelief, continuing to follow behind her as they walked out of the cafeteria.

"Artemis, what are you talking about? They're losers." One of her friends commented.

I slowly looked away from them, meeting everyone else's confused expressions and I awkwardly pushed some of my hair strands away from my face.

"What was that 'go team' about?" Rick broke the silence, looking over to Courtney questioningly.

"I don't know. Freya?" Courtney asked but I immediately shook my head.

"Did you seriously think I enjoyed that?" I scoffed, pushing down some of the loose baby hairs that were sticking up. "I've been purposefully avoiding the Crocks the entire summer."

"Are you sure? Because it seems like anyone can join the JSA now." Yolanda remarked as she glared at Cindy once more before she snatched her backpack from the floor and walked away from the table.

I open my mouth to call out to her but stay quiet, not wanting the others to see my immediate concern.

"I'll see you later then, teammate." Cindy purposefully emphasized with a smirk.

"I'll wait till she gets back." Courtney muttered, folding her piece of paper and shoving it in her pocket.

Oh screw it.

I grab my bag from the floor and my food try before standing up as well. "Since the meeting ended...shortly, I'm gonna head out."

"Mind sharing with the class about where you're going?" Cindy questioned.

"To find Artemis and ask what she meant by what she said." I calmly answer. "Even though I'm sure it was just another football thing."

"Oh well...good luck?" Beth questioned as Courtney and Rick waved goodbye. "Not that I think you need it."

"Thanks Beth." I lightly chuckle before I walk away from the table, tossing the rest of my food in the big and exiting the cafeteria.

I didn't need to search too much of the school of where Yolanda could be because I already knew the first place she would go to.

I pull open the doors that led to the smaller gym and not to my surprise, saw Yolanda sparring against the punching bag with a disgruntled look.

"Hey." I softly speak up, gently closing the door behind me. "You know, I don't think punching with that much power will miraculously turn the bag into Cindy. At least, not in regular clothes where it's preventing you from having a better stance."

Almost as if she wasn't even acknowledging my presence, her expression didn't waver and continued to punch the bag.

"Don't let what Cindy said bring you down, okay?" I drop my bag next to hers and walk closer to where she stood. "She knows exactly what buttons to push and if you show her any sort of reaction to it, she's going to keep pushing it." She incoherently mumbles something under her breath as she continued to swing her punches, leaving me to furrow my brows in confusion. "What was that?"

She harshly slammed her fist against the punching bag with a huff before looking up to meet my eyes. "I said that she was right on one thing." She snapped, causing my eyes to widen at her tone. "That you already had made your decision about her joining the JSA."

"That's not true--"

"Oh, come on Freya. It makes sense why you wanted me to talk to her." She interrupted. "If I forgave her, then it makes things easier for you to say yes which would then make everything okay. While I appreciate you for trying to look out for me, it's not going to make everything she's done to me disappear."

I quickly shake my head. "That's not why I wanted you to talk to her. I already told you that you didn't have to forgive, but you could at least find a middle ground with her so that eventually--"

"Freya, we can go back and forth about this all you want, but I walked away from that table for a reason." She cut in before continuing to punch the bag once more. "If you can't accept that, then I don't know what else to tell you. Is there anything else?"

With a tightlipped smile, I simply shake my head. "No. I'll...text you later." I mutter before grabbing my bag from the floor and slung it over my shoulder, exiting the gym without another word.

。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

I flip another page through my dad's journal, blowing a puff of air in annoyance.

After school, I decided against attempting to try to talk to Yolanda since I thought it'd be best if I let her cool off for the rest of the day.

I would have gone to Courtney's house but I figure she might have wanted to spend the day with Sylvester to train, Rick wanted to keep trying with the Shade's theories with Grundy, and Beth...well for me personally, I didn't want her parents to continuously ask me my experiences with being in the ISA and how we almost took over the town.

I was close to caving in when they said that they would help figure out ways to revamp my suit so that I wouldn't have to carry or hide my helmet all the time and would only have to wear my amulet, but I figured Beth didn't want me to make things worse.

And since I didn't want to piss my girlfriend off even more, I didn't bother to ask Cindy.

So since I didn't have any other options to hang with the others...that left me with no choice other than to stay home and figure out some of the spells in my dad's journal.

Suddenly, the sounds of several knocks pound against on my door causes my eyes to widen. "One second!" I call out, scrambling to hide the journal under my pillow before I walk over to the door.

Once I pull it open, not only am I relieved that it isn't Lawrence or Paula, but I'm still slightly intimidated at who it was.

"Hey!" Artemis's voice slightly rose before she quickly shook her head. "Sorry, I'm just...I'm just surprised that you're actually home since every time I come up here, you're never in your room. Probably doing JSA stuff, huh?"

I meekly smile. "Not all the time. Maybe hangout at Richie's or fly around town."

"Right! Right. Sorry, I shouldn't have assumed." She dismissively waved her hand. "I have to remember you're not just Doctor Fate but Freya too."

I slowly nod. "Well...is there something you needed?"

"Yeah I..." She trailed before she took a deep breath. "You think we could talk? Unless you're busy then I could just--"

"No, no. Come in." I pull open the door wider for her to step inside. She takes a seat on the revolving chair as I sit across from her on my bed, interlacing my hands together. "What did you want to talk about?"

"It's more of an apology to you over the things I said." Artemis nervously picked at her fingers. "All of the things that I did to the JSA. To you especially. We used to be so close but once I found out why my parents really ended up in prison, I wanted nothing more than to see you suffer just as much as I had to. I almost put you in a hospital because you didn't want to fight back!"

"Artemis--"

"But I get it now. I understand why you wanted to hide the truth from me. While it would've been nice to know the reality of it all, all that you were trying to do is look out for me. To make sure that I was safe from the rest of the ISA members while you were the one who had to endure everything." She emphasized, tears beginning to spring from her eyes. "I was too blinded by the rage and I'm so sorry for not giving you to the chance to explain and help me understand. If I could take it all back, I would in a heartbeat. I understand if you want nothing to do with me or you want to punch me in the face--"

My eyes widen. "What? No, I don't want to do that to you."

"Seriously? Even after I--"

"Yes, even after everything. It's okay." I reassure with a small smile. "Just like you said, everything that I did was to make sure you were safe. That's all I ever wanted which is why I hated that I lied to you. I shouldn't have done that and could've easily talked this out with you so I'm sorry for hiding the truth."

"All that I want is to go back to the way things were. I want my parents to finally be just...parents."

I nod in agreement. "It's clear they want that too. Anyone can see that."

She starts to smile and held up her first. "So...does that mean we're good?"

"It's going to be a slow start but..." I bump my fist against hers with a chuckle. "We'll eventually be good."

"Thank god. Now that I got the hard part out of the way, you think it'll be easy with your team?" She hesitantly asked. "Get on their good side? Burman was sitting with you guys at lunch so I'm assuming it worked for her."

"Well--" I trail off but suddenly my phone rings from my bag. "Hold on."

I push myself off of the bed and pick up my bag from the floor, pulling my phone out of the front pocket and seeing Beth's name flash across the screen.

I click answer. "What's up Beth?"

"Freya, there's trouble. I alerted the others the location and sent the coordinates to your helmet."

"Uh..." I trail, my eyes flickering over to Artemis and see her eyes light up. "How urgent is it?"

"Not sure but it sounded like Courtney wants us all there."

"Fine. I'll see you guys soon." I say before I end the call. "I have to go but when I get back, we can talk more if you want?"

"What? No, I'm coming with you. I can be ready in five minutes." Artemis quickly said as she stood up from her spot as well. "It's a perfect opportunity to show them what I can do."

"I don't know, Artemis." I sigh, walking over to my closet and take the helmet of fate out.

"Think about it, Freya! This is our chance to finally work together!" She excitedly shook my arm, preventing me from slipping the helmet over my head. "Come on, I promise I won't get hurt."

I hesitantly glance between the window and Artemis before I let out a sigh. "You have five minutes or else I'm leaving."

"Deal!"

。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

A/N:

HIHI! I uploaded a trailer for Redamancy :) there's not too much of a difference compared to what was officially released since all I added were clips of 'Freya'

pls don't judge i tried with the limited clips there were of Liza Soberano and not a cartoon of Doctor fate LMAO

I hope you all have/had a great day! Bye!

~Cimbello