Kyle's POV

"Kyle's a lucky bastard right now! Him meeting the Titan Club and them taking him under their wing is another step for him to be a part of the winning team!"

"So jelly right now! Those superheroes are always incognito and everything, yet they came and saved York from that jerk who tried to kill him last week! And now he's going to be their mascot or something!"

"York's reputation is on the line now, man. And with him now running for homecoming king with his boyfriend Marcel, he's going to up his game and be far away from the losers."

Sure enough, word of me being rescued from the assailant and being the Titan Club's lackey (or whatever) had reached an all-time high around Sandifer Bay High and the city of Berkeley. And if you thought that it'd be easier for me to keep my double-agent duties on track, that would be a lie since I was now under the watch of everyone as Homecoming week was now in full play. With the list of events and duties that I needed to fulfill, I was lucky enough to make sure my grades were on point (which they were, thankfully) and even sleep.

I had swim practice and meets to attend (I was now slated to lead the diving team for the platform trials), football practices to attend to support Marcel and the guys, and a dinner party or two with some of Dad's clientele. Of course, Grandma and Grandpa were still around to make sure that I not only lost my edge but also recalibrate my center; but Dad kept micromanaging my free time to make sure that I didn't renege on my promise to him. "All to make sure that you know what's important," Dad intoned over and over again as I got involved with decorating the gym for the dance (the theme was Moulin Rouge), participated with Marcel and other Homecoming court members for various activities (Wednesday's parade included), and even spent time with the Dermotts. "We can't have you losing your edge with anything that might knock you off-course. And I'm still making sure that you keep your end of the bargain if you want to keep your freedom. Eyes on the prize, son. Eyes on the prize."

Add to me now spending what little time that Dad could find for me with the Titan Club at the their hideout with watching them spar and getting me involved with exercises and studying (unfortunately, they never took off their masks and kept their voices distorted), and I was being pushed to the limit.

As for the Outcasts, their group was hardly seen outside of lunchtime as I was still surrounded by the Beautiful Teens. But I still needed to keep my persona up to par to avoid any suspicion, meaning less time with them and more time with the in-crowd.

At this rate, I was going to need to sleep for a year.

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

It was now Thursday and I was with Lita and Diana for break period as they gave me the run-down for Friday. "Early tomorrow morning, you'll join Mr. and Mr. Dermott for a run before you change for school. Classes will go on as planned, but you'll have an abbreviated version since you'll help out with finalizing the concessions for the game tonight," Lita went on, me nodding in agreement while taking in the schedule. "You and your family will join the Dermotts for a private lunch catered by Chase's Bistro before you're to get things ready for the pep rally."

"After that and when school's out, you'll have a light dinner with your dad before you change into your tuxedo for the coronations," Diane piped up. "Everyone's gunning for you and Marcel to win Homecoming monarchs, so make sure to continue to win their votes tomorrow. After the crownings and all, it'll be the big game and then the homecoming dance before you spend the weekend with the guys at Kaleb's."

"Right," I replied, stifling a yawn that didn't go unnoticed. "Sorry, long night with the Titan Club. They weren't playing around when they said they wanted me to focus on my studies. It was almost midnight when I came home."

"Ouch," Diane said, giving me a pout, "but it never pays to slack off, Kyle. With you being their friend and the guys now in your circle, it's all on you to make everything work and own your power. It can be a bitch to master and all that, but you can never go wrong as long as you stick with Marcel."

"And where is he? And where are his dads and mine? I haven't seen them since this morning?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Had to handle some affairs, but you'll see them later on," I heard Mom as she came into the classroom. "But this is about you, son. I know everyone's been on your jock and all that, but at least you're putting in the work and being a part of the trendsetting club. You're doing a great job with all that we ask of you, but it's only going to be more challenging from here on out. It's up to you to decide where to go from here. Do you want to slack off and risk losing it all...or do you dare to reach higher and tie yourself to shooting stars?"

I huffed a tired sigh, inwardly craving for something sugary if not for this keto diet that was kicking my ass while keeping me in shape.

"Don't feel bad, Kyle," Lita commented, noticing my tired state. "It'll get better once you start to believe in your true power. Own it and live it. All eyes are on you for tomorrow. Come hell or high water, you will shine like the stars."

I sat up straight, giving them my best game face. "Right," I breathed. "So, what's on the agenda for this afternoon?"

The rest of break period went on as we recapped my duties for tomorrow's events and the weekend (which also included another shift at the bakery and cafe and family time) before a discussion of my afternoon plans. And while I took in every detail, I silently prayed that Tamarious and the gang would find the ammunition to bring everyone down so my grandparents and I could make our exodus from Berkeley for good.

And when the time came, I would gladly disown my family and leave them to their ruin. They ruined my life, so I would gladly return the favor.

***********

After another grueling swim practice that followed my tuxedo fitting (I was cleared for lunch to attend with Mom and the girls in tow), it was time to finally call it a day as Grandpa was waiting to give me a lift home. "I'm actually surprised that Dad called to say that I was cleared from spending time with the Titan Club," I breathed as I got into his truck. "I need to not only finish my Calculus homework and my paper for English Lit."

"Well, son, you'll have to do it at the Dermotts," he said gruffly. "Your daddy called me to take you there, informing me that you'll be spending the night there since you'll be running with those boys before the crack of dawn. Your momma's got your overnight bag packed and your tux will be dropped off at school tomorrow during lunch."

And there went any hope for me to sleep in my own bed without the muscular football player wrapping himself around me like a snake! I only nodded as we made the trek to the Dermott home.

Usually, it'd take fifteen minutes to get there in Grandpa's used pickup since it guzzled on gas. But I'd get there on time to perform my rounds and make nice without freshening up or catching my breath.

Today, however, we got to the house five minutes earlier than I was expected to. Grandpa and I soon arrived and was greeted by the Cuban housemaid. "You're five minutes early," she chirped. "Kyle, your bags are upstairs in Senor Kyle's bedroom. Feel free to catch your breath and freshen up, dear."

I nodded as Grandpa let me out of the car before heading for home. I ducked inside to search for the restroom. But no sooner than I finished my business and came out when I saw something that would change my world forever.

Marcel came out of his room with Dad and the Dermott men following suit...

Both of them dressed in the same Titan Club gear sans masks and distorted voices...

And they were currently smirking at my look of utter shock. "Surprise," Marcel said, distorting his voice that would sound like the same superhero. "Cat's out of the bag."

Dad gave me a leering grin. "We might as well reintroduce ourselves," he said in his Orynyx voice. "I'm Orynyx."

"I'm Cetrus," Principal Andrew, in his all-grey ensemble, intoned.

"I'm Scion," Vice-Principal Phillip piped up, not feeling ashamed in his violet-and-black getup.

"And I'm Blue Sentry," Marcel said, looking domineering in his blue outfit. "And as you can tell...we're four members of the Titan Club."

I inhaled sharply, taking in the look of the unmasked heroes while calming my racing heart. "Well," I began after a few awkward moments, "I guess there's one thing left to do for me in times like this."

"What's that?" Dad asked.

Readers, if there was a good time to pass out from all the stress, exhaustion, and this revelating tidbit of news then I was all for it because I went down like falling timber.

And now, this is the part when the REAL story begins and I would soon ask, "How did my life become a comical comic book?"

END OF ACT ONE

And...CUT!

Act one is now officially in the books, ladies and gentlemen! But we still have a LONG way to go before things start to make sense. Anyway, act two will take us to the meat of this story as Kyle is inducted into the Titan Club with all the spandex, craziness, and scandalous moments that will make you laugh, cry, and gag over for days on end! Believe me when I say that you're not ready for what's coming up next! Buckle up for safety because the real theme of this story gets underway!

The prologue for act two is coming up next, so don't miss out!

Dedication: SilviaKrpatova. Song: "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley

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