In case you guys didn't know what I just read from the files that La'Shae showed me, here's a small glimpse of what to know.

1. Mom and Dad knew of Drake and Jorge being Blue Crush and Green Wave respectively long before high school and even before my friends and I became fans of the heroes in question.
2. They were out of options of trying to get me to befriend my godbrothers even after five years of failed efforts since middle school.
3. Mom believed that I would benefit from being part of something bigger and far away from Rhea and Shandra since she never liked the latter and thought that Rhea was a future druggie.
4. Once I became a fan of the Youth Hero Alliance, Mom and Dad soon became allies of the league and rebooted their efforts to befriend me even though I wanted nothing to do with them.
5. Since becoming part of the Youth Hero Alliance, everyone- my parents, the Lewises, and even the entire school- has not only joined in their efforts to keep me in line even as Greenlee Sammons still believes that she was the perfect candidate.
6. If I was to refuse the marriage proposals, I would likely be forced into marriage since they didn't want to actually kill me.
7. Upon my acceptance of one or both marriage proposals, the next phase of being a superhero would result me in being a Titan after Homecoming night. And it would involve more complex procedures and others that are too complicated to explain.

All in all, folks, this was definitely planned for the longest time and I was the perfect lab rat for everyone to use and abuse me- all while making sure that my time involved being a superhero and part of the popular crowd.

And unfortunately for me, I was in the eye of one hell of a storm.

After reading what was needed, I had instructed La'Shae to submit copies to my two besties before swearing her into secrecy. I knew that time was not going to be on my side. And even if death was still an option for me, I knew that the ultimatums that both Greenlee and my team were giving me were still active. It would be easy to renounce the whole thing, but I knew that I would be a dead man walking and put my two female friends in danger as well as their families.

But to accept the offer of marriage by Jorge and/or Drake with Greenlee being ready to strike?

Well, I knew that she wasn't going to make things any easier. After all, hell hath no fury than a woman scorned.

My hands were actually tied with a future of being a fashion columnist in danger either way. And with the countdown to Homecoming night winding down, I had to make a decision that could change everything.

I had to come up with a plan. And fast.

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

Three days before Homecoming...

"Skylar, this is way more fun than being with McNeil and Finnessey," Jorge said cheerfully after a day of classes, fighting crime, and being part of the preparations for Homecoming (I had to work on the floats for the FFA and the FBLA clubs as well as help out with the Homecoming court's brunch). And I was currently enjoying yet another date with the Hispanic stud at the local arcade. "This could lead to many more opportunities if you say yes to me. Of course, I wouldn't mine sharing you with Drake if you also accepted his proposal, but there's going to be a lot of open doors if you allow yourself to be happy with being a superhero."

"I suppose," I said absentmindedly as we went to the Skee-Ball area. "Things still feel so surreal, you know? I'm actually scared, in a way."

Jorge turned me around, a concerned look on his face. "No need to be afraid that things won't be perfect, Corazon," he said gently. "The only thing to be afraid of is a future where you don't just be. I know that everyone's been expecting too much from you these days, but you've been hiding in the shadows for far too long. You have so much potential locked inside of you, yet you stick to a mindset where you resist change and won't take a chance to venture into the unknown. You've watched Frozen 2?"

I nodded. "Had to since my little cousin wanted to watch it a while back," I replied. "She was a fan of that song called 'Into the Unknown.'"

Jorge nodded, leading me away from the gaming area and into the snack bar's dining area. Once we took our seats, he pulled out his phone and earbuds before handing the latter to me as he scrolled through the phones. "Put those earbuds on," he instructed. "You need to listen to the song."

I gave him a questioning look, but did what I was told. Two minutes later, my ears were soon filled with a rock version of Elsa's song, Brandon Urie's voice soon singing of the familiar lyrics that talked of fearing the inevitable waves of change and how people need to start coming out of their comfort zones and venture into unknown worlds.

And as I listened, I thought of how I was comfortable with my usual life- being on the outside looking in- before being swept in a world where the comic-book realities became part of my reality while I was facing jealous divas, too many demands, and romantic gestures. Before being a superhero, I thought I was living life on my terms and was ready for whatever came next.

But now, even as I had a lot of decisions to make? I wasn't so sure anymore.

Tears soon formed before the salty droplets became icicles as Jorge himself took away the earbuds and soon wrapped me in a hug. "It'll be okay, carino. All you can do is learn to make the right choice and venture into the unknown," he said gently. He pulled away before drying my eyes, my vision clearing to see his face. "Just trust your instincts and know that a brave new world waits for you, but only if you trust in the future that you can enjoy. Time waits for no one, Skylar. It's up to you to choose what's next."

Unfortunately for me, folks, that was going to be easier said than done.

Cumulative word-count so far: 20,631 words.

You already know that Skylar's going to have to choose, folks. But would it be the right choice? We'll have to wait and see because Homecoming night isn't going to be far off!

But first, the next chapter involves tea with the Lewis couple and Skylar's parents before Enrique himself makes his case. And unfortunately, one more ultimatum is going to be made.

Media: "Into the Unknown" by Brandon Urie. Dedicating this chapter to IndecentNiceties and bemuah.

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