One week later...

"Can you guys believe that Homecoming week is now two weeks away?" Kendall gushed as she, the other Supers, and I was hustling down the halls of Centennial Grove High School on an unusually warm Monday in October. "And since we're all going to be running for the main titles- me for the homecoming queen and you guys for the homecoming queen; you know that we have to show up when we're not fighting crime."

"That's definitely true," Dominic agreed, nodding his head. To me, "And with you now a part of the gang, O'Hara, this means that you'll have to show us what you can bring to the table."

"I'm not sure about all that," I began.

"Dude, there's no need to be so insecure," Jamal remarked, giving me a pointed stare. "With you now being a superhero and part of the Alliance with us, you got a lot of stake to claim and you're expected to rule the rest with us. No need to act so shy now."

"And besides, chico, being on our team and learning the ropes is way better than being on the outside looking in while being seen as a hater by the whole world," Rogelio reminded me, a subtle hint to take the contract that I signed more seriously. "Think of what you would've missed if you continued to snub us."

"And think about your future without us," Jorge added. "You'd be doomed from the start since the sponsors from the major corporations who now see you as an icon would've gladly turned you away or bar you from anything. Not only that, you might've been dead and laid up in an unmarked grave. Drake and I won't have that."

"Damn right," his cohort, who remained quiet until now, said. "Skylar, we have invested a lot of time, effort, and resources into having you become one of us. Don't let your bias get in the way of pursuing greatness. If you want something so bad, go out there and claim it as your own."

I could only nod as we stopped at our lockers (I had to change mine last week because Principal Lewis thought that I needed to be closer to the guys in every way, meaning I had to leave my old one where Rhea and Shandra were at and be one where the teams were) to grab our belongings. It was still surreal and nerve-wracking with me being a superhero who was basically immortal. And with both Drake and Jorge still playing the courting games while taking me out on weekend dates (the three of us on Saturdays, family time on Sundays), I knew that everything wasn't going to be that simple even if I wished for it one million times. And like my parents reminded me when I got ready for another house party, saving the world, or going out on dates; I had to hunker down and start being part of the now.

I just wished for one day when I could have some "me time" without everyone hounding me. Was that too much to ask?

"Skylar!"

I snapped out of my thoughts to find Kendall and Dominic leering at me. "Sorry, lost in thought," I muttered.

"Time to get into focus, bro," Dominic said, a slight scowl on his face. "Mid-terms are next week, plus we're also getting things ready for Homecoming week after that. Not only that, we gotta get you in shape as well as keep you on your toes during training. Time to snap to it and get on the ball!"

"That's right," came the voice of Principal Lewis as he and his wife joined the fray. To me, "You can't afford to be distracted, Skylar. Shake off any doubts and show all of Centennial Grove who you can become. Now, head on to class and I expect you to play ball with everyone."

I nodded, feeling the unwanted pressure of perfection and the knowing and unsympathetic stares from everyone around me. "Yes, sir."

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

Lunchtime soon arrived, yet I had to skip the meal to help Jamal and Brian with two suicidal jumpers and take down a drug bust in Houston before I headed back in time before the bell rang. "Why is it that the biggest threats always pop up during lunch?" I lamented as the three of us transformed out of our superhero garb into our teenage personas. "That's the seventh or eighth time this month that I had to miss out on food."

"Crime waits for no one, Sky," Brian said, slipping his glasses back on before grabbing his backpack. "Besides, you can hold out until after training today."

"And think of this as a way to keep you nice and healthy for the tuxedo fittings in two weeks," Jamal added before scowling at the sight of Greenlee storming towards us. "What do you want, Sammons?"

She ignored him as she came to me. "Well, well," she sneered. "Looks like the Ice Twink's now going to be part of the Homecoming festivities. I hope you're thinking about the ultimatum that I gave you, O'Hara. I hate for you and me to go at it if you choose to be close to my boys."

"Greenlee Sammons, I 'clare. I never seen such a woman like yourself get so hung up over two men who have ZERO interest in you," I shot back, already exasperated at her antics. "Haven't you had enough of you spamming my phone calls and stalking me at my house? Good God, girl! Get a grip, get a clue, and get a hold of yourself! Jorge and Drake don't want you. They don't need you. Hell, they don't even like your pathetic ass! They are interested in men, as much as I hate to admit it! And as much as I don't want to say it, they are interested in me!"

"Ah, but that's my problem with you. You should've stayed upstairs in the toilet before you found out about everything that I now despise about you. Jorge and Drake need a REAL woman who can make them feel good in bed, not some loser who has to follow them day by day."

I've been playing nice with this chick, but she's really asking for it. "Listen, you Glenn Close wannabe," I snarled. "I'm sick of all the pettiness between us, and I already got a lot on my plate. Do yourself a fucking favor and find yourself another guy to leech off of. This game you're trying to play is getting old, and I'm one step away from pulling a Beyonce on your ass as I will knock you out like she did to Ali Larter in Obsessed. Get this through your head, Sammons, when I say that this game you're playing with me is officially over!"

Greenlee laughed sarcastically, rolling her eyes in a way that made me wanna punch her in the nose. "This isn't over, O'Hara, not by a long shot. You better make the right choice by Homecoming night, or I will be your worst nightmare."

I sniggered darkly. "Bring it on, little girl. You may be the dark lady of this school, but I can easily freeze you into a block of ice," I threatened. "You wanna play your games? Then let's roll the dice, Greenlee Sammons!"

No more Mr. Nice Guy, readers! Let the games begin!

END OF ACT ONE

Cumulative word count so far: 13,319 words.

Ooh, wee! I got this story pumping like fried bologna! You ain't going to be ready for what I have in store for you in act two when two (or three) new characters come into play and shake things up in more ways than one! And let's just say that Skylar will be facing a whole new drama as one new character is aiming for his heart while Jorge and Skylar themselves are showing their green-eyed monsters! All in all, boys and girls? Act two is going to be full of juicy drama!

Coming up next, folks, we'll do a time-skip as Skylar sits down for an interview before one of the new characters introduces himself...and lights the fuse of one bomb of scandals. Don't go anywhere!

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