One week later (Ten days before Homecoming night)...

"Mr. O'Hara, thank you so much for taking time from your busy schedule to talk with Cosmo Teen," the perky  female reporter gushed, still blown away on seeing me in action as I helped Gold Titan (Brian) and Memphis (Jamal) take on a hostage situation downtown moments before class began. And of course, I had to be the only one to do the interviews since me being a teen superhero was still the hottest topic. "I hope your teachers don't mind that I'll be taking much of your time."

Not if your principal, vice-principal, and all the faculty is reminding you to be nice to the press and watch what I say while keeping me accountable. "They won't mind at all," I said, still feeling a bit exposed in my superhero garb. "And they're as much as fans of my friends and myself as is everyone else around here. I just have to make sure that I take time for midterm prep since testing's tomorrow."

"Then let's get right to business. Tell me, how's life been like since being a teen superhero? I know that you've been out of the loop with your mentors Blue Crush and Green Wave being your godbrothers Mr. Andrews and Mr. Fernandez. But tell me what it was like when you finally found out the truth."

I was pissed the fuck off after the shock wore off and I was ready to commit myself to the local asylum. "I can only tell you that I was blown away," I remarked, granting the reporter a wan smile. "I was blindsided, I will admit it, seeing that I hardly gave myself the chance to know the guys, but being a superhero and letting them show me the ropes gives me the opportunity to enjoy life."

"And do you like it?"

Not for all the tea in China and Japan. "It's still a challenge, but I'm telling myself to ride the waves as much as possible."

The female reporter smiled, giggling softly. "And how has it been being part of the popular crowd while managing your heroic duties, doing interviews, and attending social events?" she wanted to know.

Try to imagine having to give up all that you love doing while going on arranged dates, letting your teammates dictate your free time and your diet as well as use you as a punching bag, and your parents being all for having my mentors date me to see whether I pick one or both of them; then get back to me on that. "It's like a big calendar of opportunities to let people know who I am and where I coming from," I said. "Thankfully, I can catch up on my sleep." Whenever I'm not being loaded up on coffee, No-Doz, and those god-awful energy drinks that Dominic swears by.

"And your love life, is it true that your mentors are wanting to compete for your heart?"

"Yes, yes they are. They're always courting me with some lavish gifts to prove that one or both of them can be perfect for me." And unfortunately for me, it means that one psychotic huzzy is out to tear me down if I didn't back off with her being too damn clingy for anyone's own good. Not only do I have to deal with my family, school, and teammates on my neck to seek perfection in EVERYTHING, I have to deal with her threats to back off by Homecoming night next week. "And let me tell you, they are really gunning for me to choose either one or both of them."

"One last question. If the world was ending today, would you regret being a superhero?"

In a word, yes. "None whatsoever."

The interview now over, the reporter and I shook hands as she took her leave with Vice-Principal Lewis leading her out of the conference room while her husband had the honors of taking me to class. "You did good, Skylar," the man hummed. "You stuck to the scripts and kept your opinions to yourself. Still, you need to relax and be more friendly towards the press. No need to be standoffish."

"I'll keep that in mind, sir," I replied, stifling a yawn that didn't go unnoticed. "Sorry. I had to get ready for midterms as well as help out with a domestic spat last night and take on another interview. Black Enterprises Magazine."

In stepped Allison (one of the human allies for the Alliance as well as Kendall's fellow dance-team member) with a fresh cup of coffee. "Keep awake, O'Hara," she reminded me. "We know you need sleep, but being part of the Alliance and part of the popular crowd is more important more than anything."

"Thanks," I said, taking a sip of the hot beverage before entering Mr. Sandretti's first-period class. AP Chem. I sat next to Kendall who waved hello as the morning began.

***********

"You're on a streak, Skylar," Dominic said as he and I joined the others for lunch. Unfortunately, being part of the popular crowd also meant having to sit with the cool kids and not with either Shandra or Rhea with them being relegated to the unpopular kids. "See how being a superhero can open a lot of doors? Pretty soon, you're going to take to this lifestyle like a duck to water."

"And with you soon joining in on the Homecoming festivities next week, you're bound to go even further," Jorge commented as I sat between him and Drake (as instructed). "You still need a bit of polish, but all of us as well as your family and the whole school will hold you accountable."

I inhaled deeply, fighting the urge to take a nap in front of everyone while I saw a glimpse of Shandra waiting at the lunch line.

"Pay attention to us, okay?" Kendall said brusquely, snapping her fingers which snapped me back into focus. "It's hard work, believe me. But Finnessey and McNeil have their own lives and social circles. You had your fun with them. Now it's time to be part of the action with us."

I nodded before taking in Rogelio's words as he recounted his heroic deeds from yesterday and how he made a little girl happy when he saved her cat out of a tree. Oh, how I wished to be normal again.

************

"Now, class, make sure that you all use tonight and tomorrow night to study properly and get ready for midterms next week," Ms. Altimare, a hardy older woman who lives for giving teens extra homework, said crisply during fifth-period Spanish II. "Homecoming may be next week, but there's no excuse for slacking off...even if you're a teen superhero. So I'll be doubling down on your homework assignments next week to make sure you know what's really important."

I fought the urge to join the other groaning students just as I saw the door open to reveal...a fine specimen of a man who could make Drake and Jorge turn green with envy. From his sable-brown hair that was gelled and styled in spikes and his deep-green eyes that sparkled with mischief to his cinnamon-brown skin and his athletic complexion, he was every girl's dream...and my personal fantasy. Following him was one of the school secretaries. "Ms. Altimare, this is a new student who just arrived from Frisco," the older woman said. To the mystery dreamboat, "Why don't you introduce yourself dear?"

He smirked. "But of course," he said in a thick accent. "My name's Enrique Pinero, and I'm from Frisco but my family's from Bolivia. And... I think I'm going to like it here."

His eyes were directly trained on me...as I felt waves of jealousy coming from both Jorge and Drake.

"Don't even think about it," hissed Kendall as she sat behind me. "I don't like the way he's looking at you, the new kid. And if I know better, he'll try to steal you away from the guys. Don't get too close to them."

"Damn right," Jorge said as he glared at me. "You belong to me and Drake, Corazon. And that poser's not going to go near you. Meeting at the base. No exceptions."

Oh...fuck!

Cumulative word-count total: 14,706 words.

"Oh, fuck" is right! As Skylar has the new guy's attention, he's also in the crosshairs of a pending war that will unleash the possessive side of his teammates- mainly his mentors. Don't you even think about going anywhere just yet because the team and his parents are laying down the law...and a not-so-subtle threat while his mentors decide to take drastic action in a sensual manner! You can't afford to miss out on this, y'all! Stick around as act two is going to be gag-worthy!

Media: "Freestyler" by Bomfunk MC's. Dedicating this out to Brian-Pearce.

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