Murphy's Law dictates the old adage "Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong."

Boy, if I'd been prepared for what was about to happen since making the declaration of war against the Populars (I decided to call all the pro-Titan Club fans that since almost everyone at Sandifer Bay was for the all-male superheroes and everyone was nearly popular), I think that it might've been easier for the blows to come easier.

The next few days were spent in relative peace as I dutifully fulfilled my after-school and lunchtime detentions with silence while hearing about how I should stop being a hater and join the bandwagon. Kelante, of course, was quick with some remarks and insults against the top-tier crowds since he and his family lived next door to them. "Every time that Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, and I came over for dinner and got greeted by those Dermotts or that witch Deveraux, I was ready to cuss them out Dixieland style," he had said the previous day. "And Deveraux's looking more and more of an overused Bratz doll that's seen better days. The cheek of that heffa criticizing me for dressing like I belonged in a Kmart catalogue. My clothes only come from Macy's or Dillards and what I bought was on sale!"

As for Marcel and his cronies, their campaigns for me to join them became more and more repetitive and demanding every time that I came across them with a goofy-looking Marcel in tow.

"How's life now that you're almost down for the count, Browning? It's better to give us a chance before graduation comes around. We won't think less of you than we already do."

"You don't stand a chance unless you humble down and be a part of the winning team, loser. You got a sinking ship, a bubble-brained girlfriend, and a loudmouthed wannabe on your side alongside some old people and your hilbilly family. Come to our side and be made into a real teenager with potential."

"From where I sit, bro, your future only consists of being a janitor, a fast-food employee, or a future prisoner unless you're willing to play homebound daddy duty to Detweiler's future kids. Why don't you end your hate parade and let Kyle and Marcel work with you to become a winner like them? Save face and end things while you can. You're no longer playing with kids anymore. Time to wake up and smell the coffee."

At least Tiffany, Kelante and his family (including Mr. and Mrs. Tillman, the two saints of the York household), and my parents were still on my side. Because something told me that my bad days at Sandifer Bay High were going to get a lot worse.

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

I really hated it when I was right. Really, I do.

Why?

The second Monday of the new year arrived as I was bogged down with extra homework assignments from the teachers (courtesy of Mrs. York to keep me away from her son), an after-school detention with Mr. York as I dealt with his "pep-talk" about joining his son, and not enough sleep after dreams of watching Kyle and Marcel be happily married while I got dumped by Tiffany and was now working as a fry cook. The school day came and went without warning and I was ready to head home and sulk. But no sooner than I arrived at my home when I was in for a nasty shock that came in threes.

Dad was now a younger version of himself, dressed in lime-green spandex while Mom was more demure in a pantsuit.

And all my stuff was packed away in boxes.

Not only that, Mr. and Mrs. York was there with arrogant smiles on their faces alongside Andrew and Phillip Dermott.

"What the hell is all of this?" I demanded angrily. "Mom, Dad, please tell me that you all are playin' some sort of bad joke on me and I'm not seeing you two selling out."

"We're not selling out, Tamarious," Dad replied calmly. "Your mother and I decided that it was time to...well, level up and get with the program. We've talked with Lisa and Brian about trying something new and they offered me a chance to start fresh. You know my story in the past as someone who was in prison right?"

I nodded, remembering the tragic tale of Dad losing his parents early on and him having to hustle on the streets and avoiding jail time before becoming a superstar in his own right while staying true to himself. "But you were cool in your own way," I rebutted softly. "Why now, Dad? Why are you now becoming one of them?"

"Because your father knew that he needed a second chance for himself and this family," Mom responded. "My family was well-off, but I too felt like something was missing. I don't regret having you and Kennedy, Tamarious, and I will always love you. But it's time to begin with being a part of the now."

"Does Kennedy know of this?"

Dad nodded. "She gave me and your mother her blessing as well as gave it to the Yorks and Dermotts alongside Marcel's friends," he answered. "Not only that, she's making friends with the cheerleading squad and has caught the attention of a young superhero on the basketball team at her new school."

I couldn't believe it. My whole family was becoming sellouts. "So where does that leave me?" I asked, my anger rising to new levels.

"Well, Tamarious, you don't actually fit into the family anymore that your parents decided to change course and your sister is in Tennessee doing the same thing," Mr. York said, finally speaking up. "And lately, you seem to be dragging everyone else down. So as of today, you're no longer allowed into this house."

"You can't be serious."

"We are," Dad said. "I'm sorry, but it's time for you to face facts. The longer that you fight against the movement, the more worse it'll get. But you don't have to be homeless, son. Just give up this campaign of yours and accept the new normal in this town. Save face and be a winner like your mother, myself, and even the Yorks and Dermotts. We want to work with you instead of leaving you in the cold. Don't make us lose you, son. We really don't want to lose you.

I sneered, snorting loudly. "That won't be necessary," I spat. "I'm out of here! Mr. and Mrs. Browning, you are now consorts of the enemy."

Mr. York sneered back at me. "Then I guess you're going to be homeless," he replied nonchalantly. "It's really a pity that such a fine young man as yourself still holds yourself back due to bias."

"He ain't holdin' back, fool! He's speaking the truth!"

I turned around to see a pissed-off Kelante with his great-aunt and uncle behind him, the teenager coming to collect my packed bags. "Mr. and Mrs. Tilllman, what are you and Kelante-"

"Something told us that you're in need of a great hand," Mr. Tillman replied, shooting his son-in-law a glare. "And it seems that he got his hands on your family."

"We just decided to save face and cross over to the winning team," Dad replied coolly. To me, "Tamarious, there's no need to stick with that negative mindset. Your mother and I alongside Kennedy want you to be a whole family. All we need is you."

"Too bad, Mr. Browning, because I want no part of it!" I declared. "And with that, you can all drop dead! I hope y'all don't miss me."

I stormed past the plaintive Yorks and silent Dermotts and shot my perplexed parents the middle finger before storming outside and joining the Tillman couple in their car, Kelante staying behind to pack the rest oof my things in his mother's car. Once I got in the backseat, I finally let the tears fall and sobbed as if I was newly born.

"Lord have mercy," Mrs. Tillman said gently, reaching with her hand to rub her fingers through my hair. "Child, you're staying with me and my husband until this war is over. Kyle would've wanted it that way. As he said in his letter to us and you, you're my and my husband's kin now. Go ahead and cry, Tamarious. It'll be alright."

No, it wouldn't. But it wouldn't have mattered because all bets were now off. No more games. This. Was. War.

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

Marcel's POV

"Perfect," I purred gently, finishing with the injection of the serum into a now-sleeping Kyle after the two of us did our superheroic duty and endured combat training. "Haters are the past. Titans are the future. Haters are the past. Titans are the future. Haters are the past. Titans are the future. Haters are the past. Titans are the future. Haters are the past. Titans are the future."

Job well done. This serum is doing a fine job and things are looking up. Although Kyle's parents and my family and I knew that Kyle was now all mine and loyal all the way, we couldn't taje any risks. Once we used up the last of the serum, only then we would know if things were going to be falling in the right places.

My cell buzzed. Sliding away from Kyle's side, I answered it. "Yeah," I said.

"It's Browning's parents," came the voice of my spy. "They joined our ranks thanks to Mr. York. Not only that, the sister in Tennessee has also defected from the Outcasts. Browning basically has no one from his family on his side anymore, but is staying with the Tillmans."

"Keep me posted, friend. By the end of this year, you'll get what you want and everything will be set in stone," I intoned. "Haters are the past. Titans are the future."

"But of course. I'll be in touch," my contact said before disconnecting.

I chuckled lowly as I returned to my sleeping fiance. "Everything is coming up roses, Kyle. And before graduation, we'll be saying our vows and sealing them with a super-powered kiss," I vowed in a whispered. Getting under the covers, I placed a kiss on his lips. "I love you, Kyle York. And nothing and no one will stop me from making sure that your new life is sealed."

And that was a promise that I intended to keep.

Poor Tamarious! His parents and sister sold out completely and left him homeless! Thank the lord for Kyle's grandparents coming to his rescue alongside Kelante! Tamarious is going to need all the love he can get because this story is only going to get messed up from here.

But coming up next, we dive into Kyle's mind and check in with him as he sees the last of his old life being erased and Kevarix sealing his new destiny with...sensual matters and actions. Oh, my! You're not going to want to miss out on this!

Song: "What Now" by Rhianna. Dedication: CBMokedi.

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