Turns out they can...at least for me being a super.

After classes (and helping Gold Titan with taking down a bank robbery downtown, thus putting me in action for the first time as a superhero), the afternoon was spent with me having to fight my teammates (including Blue Crush and Green Wave) as part of an initiation and to test my hand-to-hand combat skills. And as much as I did get in a few good hits, it didn't do me any good since my entire body ached to the core. "Fuck," I hissed, emerging from the sauna room as I toddled to the men's locker room, my bones still crying for mercy. "Being a superhero is not for the inexperienced."

"Skylar?" Mom's voice rang from outside. "Darling, are you okay?"

"Peachy," I hollered back. "Training sucked ass, though."

"Oh, dear. But at least your teammates are keeping you on their toes."

I'll bet. "What's up, Mom?"

In stepped Dad holding what looked like a garment bag and a shoebox. "Don't make any plans to head home, son," he said. "We're having dinner here at the base and the mayor of Dallas is coming over with some of the council members and a few local politicians."

I groaned. "Dad," I whined.

"No buts. You did sign that contract that said that you're to embrace your new life as a superhero and you're to follow things to the letter. And I expect you to get with the times and follow through with things."

"Yes, sir," I said, knowing that there was no other way around it. I accepted the garment bag and shoebox as well as a bag of toiletries and a small bundle that must've been my underclothes that were packed. "Are Rhea and Shandi-"

"Nope. They're with their families and this is a private affair," Mom interrupted. "You'll see them at school tomorrow, but Drake and Jorge are to be your new friends. Honestly, son. This is meant for your own good. Learn to give the boys and being a superhero a chance. You might like it and even thank us all later."

Yeah, when hell and half of the South Pacific freezes over. But I couldn't say that out loud. Instead, I resigned to keep my mouth shut and opted to get ready for this dinner party.

***********

Two hours later, the dinner party was underway as I was sitting in between my mentors/godbrothers (as instructed by Dad) while taking in the happy camaraderie and enjoying my meal, smooth jazz music playing in the background. "Mr. O'Hara, it's so good for a new face to be joining the Alliance. I bet that you're going to be quite the rising star," Mayor Farrah Whitney (a plump older woman) said, giving me a small smile. "How does it feel to be part of it all, and during your senior year no less?"

I inhaled sharply. "It's a lot to take in," I commented. "But I know that my mentors will keep me on my toes."

"For a fact we will," Jorge hummed before frowning at my duffel bag. "I don't know why you brought your school bag with you, though. This is a time for friendship and relaxation."

"Well, it's a known fact that teenagers and young adults of my caliber like to carry a messenger bag at dinnertime, just like women bring an evening bag at dinnertime. You've seen it on shows like Suits, Law and Order, and even in reality shows like Shahs at Sunset or Married to Medicine."

"That's new to me," Jamal (looking dapper in dark blue) remarked.

"No need to be gagging," I told him as I looked around. "Anyway, I just like to make sure that I get opportunities to showcase my writing portfolio since I want to be an writer for Vogue, Elle, or GQ one day."

One of the female council members hummed. "You want to be a fashion correspondent," she said. "You're into fashion?"

I nodded. "I've been reading up on the latest fashion trends while reading other magazines. I want to start at least somewhere, but my main goal is to be like Anna Wintour one day."

My parents nodded, both of them knowing of my ambitions to be a fashion reporter and editor. "He's been starting up a blog this past summer before he became part of the team," Dad stated. "Though I'm not sure if he can make time for all that now that he'll be fighting crime even as he enters into adulthood."

"Why shouldn't he?" Rogelio asked. "Clark Kent was a reporter when he wasn't Superman. And even Batman made appearances for charity work as Bruce Wayne."

"Still, you have to admit that Skylar's going to need something more stable," Mom pointed out.

Maybe Drake and I can help him out with achieving his goals," Drake said, sitting up in his chair.

I turned to him, a pointed look on my face as I stared him down. "How's that?"

Both he and Jorge smiled, matching looks of mischievousness in their eyes. "Drake and I can talk with the Lewis duo at school to see if you can start your own fashion magazine for the school," the latter commented. "Not only that, you can work with the Morning News and the local lifestyle magazine to make your contributions."

"Really, now?" I asked. My face warped into a frown. "What's the catch?"

And then came the bombshell. "You know how Greenlee's been on you about wanting to stay away from us and how Jorge and I don't find her as our type right?"

I nodded.

"Well, Skylar, it's because Drake and I like to play for the same team," Jorge went on. "And we won't deny it, we do find you attractive, more so now that you're a superhero and our sidekick. And after what had happened earlier today at the pep rally, Drake and I talked things over and decided to have you choose: me...or him. Maybe both of us."

My eyes went wide with the realization, my parents smirking alongside Rogelio and the other heroes. "Wait, you don't mean," I began.

"That's right," Drake purred. "If you want your dreams to come true, you're going to start dating me and my pal here as both of us are gunning for your heart. And by Homecoming night, you're going to decide who you want to date unless you want to enter into a threesome."

What. The. Fuck?!

Cumulative word-count as of now: 7152 words.

I bet you didn't see it coming, folks! The bomb's been dropped and Skylar's life is taking a drastic turn yet again as Drake and Jorge want him bad! Don't even think about going anywhere just yet as Rhea and Shandra learn of the news while the courting games begin. And unfortunately, Greenlee's not going to be a happy camper about it at all! It's coming up next, so stay tuned!

Media: "Cherish the Day" by Sade. Dedicating this out to ArielMLongee and elveloy (please check out their ONC entries and tell them that Jay sent ya!).

Vote.
Comment.
Share.
Follow.
Add.
FAN!

Bonus media in reference to Skylar bringing his messenger bag: "Purse First" by Bob the Drag Queen! Check it out below!