The morning of Homecoming...

Today was full of anticipation throughout the halls of Centennial Grove High School as everyone was talking about the big Homecoming game for the football team as they faced Yvonne Central High School followed by the dance that was to be at the gymnasium where the Homecoming king and queen would share the first dance.

But for me...it was going to be a day that I was going to relive over and over again. Especially after watching the clip that Rhea showed me. And it was something that it was going to haunt me if I would even survive after tonight. Still, I had to keep a cool head and play the performance of a lifetime because I was still a superhero in every sense of the word. Even now, when I was escorted by the entire gang of the YHA (heroes and allies alike) to our lockers, I was giving them what they wanted to hear. "Today's going to be memorable," I commented for the nth time as I retrieved my books for the day. "I'm on pins and needles even after last night."

"I bet you are," Dominic remarked. "And sorry for keeping you out until midnight, bro. That wildfire in Georgia needed more than my water-wielding powers and your ice really put the kibosh on things. At least we gave the Peach State something to talk about."

"Well, I still got enough sleep and I was able to think clearly about everything, Sellers."

"I hope you also mean about the proposal from myself and Drake," Jorge piped up, giving me a small smirk. "And you know that today's going to be one to remember...and hopefully full of good memories if it's the right one."

I gave him a small smile of my own. "I'm certain that you and everyone else will be left satisfied after tonight," I promised him. Even more so once I made sure that Rhea verified everything, I added to myself. "I promise you guys that I will make sure that nothing is left to chance."

"We know you will," Kendall said just as VP Lewis and my mom arrived. "And how can we help y'all?"

"We're here to make sure that you all are going to keep Skylar on his toes, especially during halftime tonight," Mom said, granting everyone wide grins. To me, "Your tux will arrive at lunchtime. You may have to fight some crime before getting ready, but that's how it is when you're a teenage superhero."

I nodded. "I totally agree," I told her. "It's all about finding balance and all that. Anyway, there's no going back after tonight, and I intend to give y'all the best that I can give."

Everyone smiled brightly. "You're going to make the right choice," Drake said just as the bell rang. "Now, off to class!"

He didn't have to tell me twice. I was still a star student, after all. I only prayed that I was prepared for everything. Because one moment of hesitation...and it was game over.

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

"You look very handsome," Mom said as I continued to smooth the wrinkles out of my black Topman tuxedo. "You remind me so much of your father, Skylar, just like him when he and I were at our Homecoming night when we danced the night away."

"That he does," Dad agreed. To me, "You're prepared for tonight?"

I nodded, fiddling with my bow tie briefly. "I never imagined how things could be so nerve-wracking with being part of the Homecoming court. Still, I know that tonight's going to be memorable for a long time."

Sure enough, I was back at the YHA headquarters where everyone was getting ready for tonight's big ceremony. And after I had to play hero with saving a single mother and her infant son from an abusive boyfriend, I was getting ready for the night of my life. But I also was preparing for the ultimate future that would change everything for better or worse. I still haven't forgotten about the video that I watched, though. And I now had the opportunity to talk to my parents about this. It was time. "Mom, Dad? Can I talk to you about something that Rhea sent me last night?" I asked.

Dad sighed in dismay. "What is it that she sent you?" he asked frustratedly. "Another ploy to scare you off?"

I shook my head no, pulling out my phone as my parents joined me. "No, but I think that I could be placing myself in danger, not to mention you guys. And after getting things verified thanks to Rhea's brother, I just wanna know if the decision that I'll be making is going to be worth it."

"What is it?" Mom asked as I pressed PLAY.

"So we're agreed," came Enrique's voice as the screen showed him and his sister meeting with the dark-clad Greenlee Sammons in what looked like the old photography club's darkroom. "Whatever he chooses, Skylar O'Hara is going to go down alongside his family and the YHA."

"Definitely," Greenlee replied. "I'm only sorry that it has to come down to this, but O'Hara is not taking what's rightfully mine. Everyone is now against me while he's going to live it up? Like hell he will! And those goody-goody guys are going to become the perfect scapegoats for this! If I can't have Jorge and Drake, no one else will!"

"All the better to begin the takeover," commented La'Shae from somewhere in the room. "Everything is all set. After tonight, there will be no going back..."

Mom and Dad's faces were warped with shock and fear. "Oh, God," Dad breathed just as Drake and Jorge arrived. "Do the police know?"

I nodded. "Had Shandra send the film to her dad who's on the force," I replied.

"What's going on?" Drake asked, eyes lit in confusion as he took my phone. "What's this?"

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

It was now Homecoming night as our team was trailing behind Yvonne Central by three points. And after the visiting band was finished with their performance, it was time for me to join my spandex-clad team to join the other members of the Homecoming court as the winners were announced.

Maya Westin and Devin Crowne were crowned Mr. & Miss Freshman

Destiny Simmons and Tre'Von Oaks were crowned Mr. & Miss Sophomore.

Mr. & Miss Junior were surprisingly given to Candace Yates (a sweet cherub-faced teen with Down Syndrome and one of the special-ed kids) and Tamarious Sanders (one of the hard-faced gang-bangers who actually was an Honors student).

Then came the seniors and their titles. Mr. & Miss Sapphire went to Kendall and one of the tennis players named Cameron Emerson. Mr. & Miss Gold went to A'Nia Walthall and Brian. And much to everyone's surprise, there was no Homecoming queen for this year, but three Homecoming kings: myself, Jorge, and Drake.

And speaking of which, it was time for Drake and Jorge to make the same proposals as the crowd went wild at the sight of them presenting me with the same wedding bands. "Will you marry one or both of us?" they asked dreamily, eyes wide with hope.

From the distance, I saw Greenlee being taken into custody by the Texas FBI squad. And from there, I knew that I was ready. But before I could even say a word...there was a loud explosion from the parking lot.

"What was that?!" I heard someone cry out.

"Good Lord, someone's car is on fire!" another person yelled as everyone soon heard sirens.

My team and I transformed into our hero personas as my fear intensified. And as I soon spotted the familiar SUV, it was all confirmed. The last thing I remembered was turning into ice and then putting out the fires before letting out a blood-curdling scream of horror and rage.

Because I was soon facing the SUV that held the remains of my two best friends...and my parents. This...meant war.

Cumulative word-count so far: 26,114 words.

Bet you didn't expect THAT, didn't you?! Well, don't go too far because Skylar's going to need to prepare himself for what's ahead AND make his decision known! And believe me when I say that what'll happen next will shock you to the core!

Media: "No Time to Die" by Billie Eilish. Dedicating this out to RSTraylor.

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