At nine o'clock exactly, Riarshi opened the front door to his dorm with his hands in his pockets and a somber expression on his face. 

Being the last door on the left, he had the entire length of the hallway before him as he stepped out of his apartment. With the dress code for the party an unknown factor, he played it safe and fixed himself up in his only button-up shirt and a pair of denim jeans. He didn't take the time to change out of his slippers, though. He was already running late.

He looked down into the distance. At the far end of the hall were the girl's dorms, marked by a single pink sign hanging from the ceiling. On Riarshi's end of the hall were the boy's, also marked by a similar sign, but in blue. These together made the A-wing of the HQ's Internship dormitories.

In total, there were twelve apartments on this wing - five girls and seven boys. If Riarshi did the math right, that meant there would be three new male faces at this party. Thankfully, he already knew most of his neighbors.

Pacing down the long, narrow hallway, he passed by doors that read "Tabito Clarke", "Leon Craft", "Adachi Rivera", and...

"Felix Watson."

He stopped in his tracks. Gods, dammit. Riarshi cursed in his mind's voice.

Riarshi's stomach curled as he grit his teeth. He already didn't want to go to this stupid party, but now he'd rather take whatever punishment they threw at him for skipping. Sighing, he knew he couldn't, though. That decision would inevitably fall back on Tabito and Hara, too. They were a squad now, and he'd be damned if his own issues placed a heavier burden on them than they already did.

Riarshi continued walking down the hallway with his eyes at the floor. The carpet had a fancy artistic design in it that drew his attention. His eyes then drifted to the tall, bright white walls, the brilliantly lit ceiling, and even the edging of the wall that failed to contain even a speck of dust.

Even with a strict cleaning schedule, Riarshi's old apartment was never this tidy.

At the center of the hall between the separated halves, a wide archway rose above the rug which led into the A-wing common room. He could hear the mumbling of chatter and the sound of music coming from the other side of the wall. 

Once he turned the corner, there'd be no going back. He'd have to face what stood infront of him. Riarshi took in a deep breath, said a silent prayer, then walked under the archway.

As he expected, this room was as massive and beautiful as anything he'd seen before. To his left was a spacious kitchen, fitted with multiple stainless-steel stoves, microwaves, and sinks for the residents to use at their convenience. To the right was a sunken lounge area, equipped with a large screen TV, multiple couches, and a few tables set off to the side. In the back sat a pool table, dart board, and pinball machine, all set up on a raised platform for leisurely gaming. 

Once again, Riarshi felt extremely out of place. So many offerings in such a large area. This new life of luxury felt so foreign.

Maybe he was being dramatic. Even so, he couldn't deny his true feelings.

He stood in the archway and looked around the room, examining the combination of faces new and old. The first face he recognized was Felix's, who was in the middle of a cheerful conversation with a slim, taller blonde he hadn't seen before. 

The boys briefly made eye contact, and Felix's smile faded. He sent Riarshi a nasty, narrowing glare, and Riarshi sent one right back.

The blonde, noticing that Felix's attention had drifted somewhere over her shoulder, turned around. Her eyes widened when she spotted Riarshi in the distance. Surprisingly, she offered a small smile.

Riarshi didn't respond. He decided to look elsewhere, and chose the sunken lounge.

There was a male and female sitting on one of the couches, facing the television and speaking to no one. Riarshi couldn't manage a good look since their backs were turned, but their intense auras were enough for him to shift his gaze away.

Leon, Adachi, and Helga were off in the back, chatting and playing pool with a shorter, green-haired boy he'd never seen before. His friends were in button-up shirts and jeans, just like him.

Feeling somewhat relieved at the sight of familiar faces and the fact he didn't over-dress, Riarshi then looked over to the closer corner of the room, where one girl sat alone at a small, round table set against the wall.

Her power-blue hair was tied into a long, flowing ponytail that draped over her shoulder. Although her flattering black jacket fit nicely over her white top and skinny, black jeans, she too wore slippers instead of fancy shoes. 

Her confident outfit betrayed her, though. Glimmering eyes of aquamarine slowly scanned over the guests of the party, only to fall to the floor for several seconds at a time.

Riarshi didn't need his demonic powers to sense what she was currently feeling - the shaking solo cup clenched between her hands and her hunched posture made it obvious. She was nervous.

Though the slightest bit on concern floated across his mind, Riarshi looked away. He had his own issues to deal with, and worrying about this girl wasn't what he signed up for that night.

Luckily enough, the next pair of faces he recognized were Tabito's and Hara's. They were both standing near the kitchen, huddling next to a table that had been loaded with an assortment of snacks. 

He figured he'd join them.

The second Riarshi took his first steps into the common room, conversations broke off, people moved in their chairs, and the game of pool in the back came to a halt, though the music continued. 

All eyes turned to him at once.

He noticed the gaze from Felix, the impartial glances from the girl and boy on the couch, the friendly nods from Adachi, Leon, and Helga, and the intense stare from those aquamarine eyes in the corner of the room.

It was a load of attention he didn't want. His mind didn't need it. Were they looking at him, or his scar? What were they thinking? Did they all truly hate him? 

These anxious thoughts bounced around his head as Riarshi hurried his pace across the room and joined Hara and Tabito, who greeted him with warm but timid smiles. 

Tabito had dressed in stylish slacks and a v-neck sweater that properly showed off his build. It seemed even he knew when it was best to dress sensibly. Hara had on a pair of faded waist-high jeans that hugged her hips, a thin gray sweater with a slightly lower neckline, and a pair of pure white sneakers. Her outfit was less flashy and more modest than the other four girls in the room, but she still looked good.

She then handed him a red solo cup.

"What's this?" Riarshi asked, taking the cup and examining one side.

"It's a cup..."

Riarshi stared at her wide-eyed. "I know this, Hara," he deadpanned. "But why is there a number on it?" He spun the cup around and held it out to show her the number "1" written on the side.

"Oh, that," she mumbled. "That shows our squad number. It'll let our squad leaders know who's who during the party. We're Squad One, as you can tell..." her voice faded off. Though she refused to look at him directly, Hara's eyes appeared heavy with some unknown emotion even he couldn't sense. 

He turned to Tabito, who had the same somber look on his face.

Riarshi knew what this was all about. Today was supposed to be fun, supposed to be a new beginning for the three of them on their journeys to become Heroes. But ever since Riarshi spilled the truth about his parents, the mood had apparently been killed for the new squad. 

Even while helping him in the HQ with boxes and luggage - everything since the morning had been undoubtedly awkward. It seemed like he ruined the day with his little reveal. 

Riarshi sighed heavily. He really didn't want to be here. Preferably, he'd rather dive under his fresh set of blankets and start tomorrow anew.

It was too late for that now. But that didn't mean he couldn't avoid them.

"I'm sorry, guys," Riarshi groaned before he turned around and stepped backwards.

Both Tabito and Hara returned their eyes to him as he retreated. Hara spoke first with an apology in her eyes. "Hey, R-"

She was too late. Riarshi had already walked away toward the raised platform in the back.

***

Leon and the green-haired boy stood on one side of the pool table, though Leon hurriedly circled around, stick in hand, to find the best angle for his next shot. Adachi and Helga stood off to the side near the dartboard, waiting for the other duo to finish their turn. All four looked at Riarshi as he took the step up onto the platform.

"Look who it is," smiled Leon before sinking a corner shot. "Sorry, teams are full right now." He sunk another shot, grinning at the outcome. "You can call next if you grab a partner." He immediately noticed Riarshi's glum look and paused the game, straightening up from his bent over shooting position. "Oh, my bad, didn't mean to sound like I was excluding you."

"Nah, you're good," said Riarshi, plopping down into a cushioned seat set along the back wall. He rested his elbows on his knees. "I'll just watch. I'm no good, anyway."

Adachi kept thoughtful eyes on Riarshi, then looked at the green-haired boy across the table. "Hey, Kevin, this is Riarshi," he said, pointing to the teen with his team's stick. "I'd say he was a good friend of ours back in the first semester, but I'd be lying," he smirked, looking to see if Riarshi responded to the joke. Unfortunately, he didn't. The smirk quickly faded.

Oh, come on. Just let it be, Riarshi thought with unease. With his luck, Kevin was one intern who already hated his guts.

Kevin rounded the table and put that belief to rest. 

If the word "geek" could take a physical form, Kevin would be the splitting image and human representation. Standing a few inches shorter than Riarshi, the four-eyed teen had messy green hair that fell in random strands over his glasses. He wore a loose, green-striped sweater that he tucked liberally into a pair of jeans. His dad shoes only accentuated the picture.

He stuck out his hand toward Riarshi with a big, cheeky smile pastered on his face.

General politeness took over and stood Riarshi from his chair to face the newcomer. He tensed at whatever might come next as he extended his hand. 

"Hey, man," said Kevin as they shook hands. His smile never faded. "It's nice to meet you, for real. Name's Kevin Acosta."

"Same. I'm Riarshi Thomas."

"He's our new squadmate," Leon added with a tilt of his head toward Kevin as he bent at the waist and stared down the length of his stick. "Guy's a freak at pool. This is my first time getting to shoot tonight." He glared up at Kevin with a bit of irritation in his eyes. "I'm starting to think you missed that last shot just so I got a chance to play."

"Good hypothesis," Kevin smirked. "Would you be offended or grateful if it were true?"

"Little of both," Leon grumbled, returning his attention to the table. His next shot missed the mark by a few inches, bouncing off the siding of the table and earning a muffled swear from the teal-haired teen.

"Where are Hara and Tabito?" asked Helga.

"Around the corner, near the kitchen," Riarshi answered evenly, sitting back down into his chair. The tension in his body had faded slightly from Kevin's warm welcome, but his nerves still were not fully settled.

"Not hanging with them?" asked Adachi, who quickly added in a lower voice: "Not saying we don't want you here."

Riarshi took a second to figure out his response. "No, not right now. They're still acting weird about everything from earlier today. It's kinda throwing me off."

"Oh, I see," answered both Leon and Adachi. Helga offered a thoughtful look. Riarshi could only assume Adachi or Leon had already told her about what happened. Kevin looked among them, but decided it best not to ask about what he meant. 

Riarshi appreciated that.

"You can't blame them though, Riarshi," said Leon. "We all feel bad about that still." He pointed toward Helga and Adachi with his chin. "Y'know, we thought it would be best to just act normal. But they've been closer to you this entire time. They probably think you're still mad at them, and that'll get to them more than it would us."

"But I'm not mad at them. I'm over it," Riarshi lied, though he played it off well by raising his hands and leaning back in his chair. "I tried talking to them like normal, but they were just awkward about it. I appreciate you guys acting normal, by the way. Being treated differently for my past is exactly what I didn't want to happen. I don't want people feeling sorry for me." He lowered his voice into a grumble. "It also doesn't help that Felix is over there has been giving me the stink eye since I walked in."

"Screw him," Leon snapped, earning a flinch from Helga. He took a big swig from his cup then slammed it down on the edge of the pool table. The reddening of his cheeks became more apparent under the light from above. "I'll kick his ass if he pulls anything tonight. This party's supposed to be a fun time where we meet all of our new co-workers and neighbors. Hell, we just met Kevin like fifteen minutes ago and he's already chill."

"You're making me blush," Kevin chuckled before taking his shot. The eight ball ricocheted off three walls before falling in the far corner cup he silently called a few seconds prior. "It's all about the angles," he said, admiring his shot.

"Screw what that guy says," continued Leon, his words slurring a bit. "You freaking saved people, man. You saved everyone in this room. He was lying through his teeth when he said that crap about people hatin' you."

Kevin's eyes suddenly snapped open. "Wait," He turned towards the teen sitting in the chair. It seemed like he only noticed Riarshi's scar just that second, verified by the drop in his jaw and raising of his brow. "No way. It really is you. Damn, how did I not recognize you sooner?"

Riarshi shrunk in his chair, but didn't offer a reply.

Kevin then glanced toward the rest of the people around the table. "What's Felix saying about him?"

Adachi waited to see if Riarshi would cut them off or offer an objection, but he didn't. The anxious teen simply stared down at the cup in his hands. 

Adachi then proceeded to tell Kevin everything Felix had said after the orientation - everything about Riarshi's true motives behind his heroic display. 

"Screw that noise," Kevin snapped once Adachi finished. 

Surprised by the response, Riarshi's eyes rose to meet Kevin's as wide as can be.

"Listen, I went to high school with Felix," Kevin said evenly to everyone at the table. "He's always been the self-righteous type... quick to judge others when he was always a loner himself. Guy calls bluff when he doesn't even show his own hand. Don't listen to him. I can assure you that no one here thinks that way." He softened his voice. "We all think you're a hero, man."

Riarshi couldn't believe his ears. The words shocked him to his core, though skepticism still hung on his heart. "Thanks... I'm sorry I need so much reassurance," he said softly.

Kevin stepped closer to Riarshi and motioned with his stick. "Wanna play? I've already taken about five turns already. Gotta give someone else a chance."

Riarshi offered a quirk of his lips. "I'm all set. Thanks again, though. I'm really not any good."

"I'd really like you to play," Kevin said gently but firmly. He reached out with his other hand. "Here, gimme your cup. I'll grab you a drink while you take the table." Before Riarshi knew it, the pool stick and his cup had switched places. 

"These guys here want you to play, too," continued Kevin. "I want you to play. We're not including you out of charity or pity for whatever happened between you guys today and the shit Felix said. I've only known you for... what, maybe five minutes? But I already can tell that you're a good guy. If you were anything like Felix made you out to be, you wouldn't be sitting here down in the dumps like you are now."

Riarshi looked at Kevin with wide eyes. He never expected all this from a complete stranger. The magical heat his body craved soon took the place of the bitter cold biting at his insides. It seeped through each limb, climbed up his spine, and brought a smile to his face.

He gripped the pool stick and stood from the chair with a new found energy. "Thank you, Kevin. I mean it."

Kevin smiled back and stepped down onto the ground level. "Thank me once I bring back your drink."

"Grab me another!" shouted Leon.

"I'll grab you a water."