chapter two:
❛ out of control ❜

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The day Scarlett had eagerly awaited had finally arrived. She had been counting down the days until Mike's arrival, and now that he was here, her excitement was mixed with a whirlwind of anxiety. She paced back and forth in the waiting area of the airport, her nervous energy palpable. The flickering lights above her seemed to mirror her inner turmoil, casting erratic shadows on the walls.

Eleven, Will, Jonathan, and Jonathan's friend Arygle were seated nearby, observing Scarlett's restless behavior with a mix of concern and curiosity. Will tried to offer some comfort, his voice gentle but firm. "Scar, calm down. He'll be here soon."

Scarlett shot him a frustrated look. "How can I calm down!? I haven't seen him in 186 days!" Her voice was tinged with both excitement and frustration. The flickering lights above them seemed to react to her heightened emotions, adding to the surreal atmosphere.

Eleven, her brow furrowed, watched as Scarlett's powers manifested in the erratic lighting. "So, your powers...?" she began, her curiosity evident.

Scarlett took a deep breath, trying to control her erratic emotions. "Yeah, they're back... sort of. I tried to reach out to my grandma last night, but I couldn't access my void," she explained, her voice trembling slightly as she struggled with the recent resurgence of her abilities.

Before Eleven could offer a response, Scarlett's attention was abruptly captured by Mike's voice calling her name. "Scarlett!"

Scarlett's face lit up as she spotted Mike standing at the entrance. She immediately sprinted over to him, her excitement palpable. She enveloped him in a tight embrace, her arms wrapping around him with an eagerness that spoke of the long months apart. She planted kisses all over his face, her affection overflowing. Mike chuckled, his arms instinctively going around her as he tried to maintain his balance under her enthusiastic greeting.

"Scar, you're gonna smoosh the flowers!" Mike exclaimed, holding out a bouquet he had brought for her. The flowers were a striking blue and teal, a vibrant contrast to the usual floral arrangements she was accustomed to.

Scarlett gasped in delight, her eyes moving from the bouquet to Mike's outfit. He was dressed in what looked like a grandpa's ensemble: a floral-patterned shirt with an old-fashioned sun hat, and sunglasses hanging from a rope around his neck. "Mike, what are you wearing?" Scarlett asked, her bewilderment evident.

Mike glanced down at himself, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "I— I found these glasses and hat in the gift shop at the airport," he admitted, scratching the back of his neck as he tried to explain his unusual choice of attire.

Eleven, having approached behind Scarlett, blinked at Mike's outfit with a mixture of curiosity and confusion. "Yeah... what are you wearing?" she asked, echoing Scarlett's sentiment.

Mike chuckled softly, his eyes shifting between Scarlett and Eleven. "I thought it would be fun," he said, though his attempt at humor only highlighted his awkwardness.

Scarlett chuckled at Mike's effort to lighten the mood but quickly noticed the card attached to the bouquet. It read: "To Scar. From Mike." The lack of a loving sign-off like "Love" that she was used to made her heart sink. The card simply stated "From," which felt impersonal compared to the affectionate notes she had always received.

Eleven, sensing Scarlett's shift in mood, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You okay?" she asked, her concern evident.

Scarlett forced a smile, trying to mask her disappointment. "Yeah, I'm fine," she said, though her expression remained troubled.

Eleven tried to reassure her, her voice gentle. "Mike loves you, Scar. He... he just isn't good at showing it sometimes."

Scarlett nodded, though her frown didn't fade as she glanced over at Mike. He was now engaged in an awkward conversation with Will and Jonathan, clearly struggling to fit into the group dynamics. Arygle, who had just joined them, made his entrance with a noticeable smell of weed. He looked at Mike's shirt and scoffed. "No, it's a shitty knockoff. Yeah," he said dismissively.

Scarlett and Eleven exchanged a knowing glance, understanding the subtle tension in the air. Arygle quickly shifted topics, trying to ease the mood. "But don't sweat it. I'll get you the good threads out here," he said, attempting to redirect the conversation.

He then turned to Scarlett, his tone casual. "I heard a lot about your sister," he mentioned, his nonchalant attitude contrasting with the seriousness of his comment.

Scarlett, irritated by Arygle's offhand remark and the lingering odor of weed, rolled her eyes. She wrapped her arm around Mike, a gesture meant to offer support and to signal that she was ready to move on. "Let's go," she said, trying to shift the focus away from the awkward introductions and lingering doubts. As they began to walk away, Scarlett's mind was preoccupied with her feelings about Mike's apparent lack of affection and the unresolved questions about their relationship.

Eleven's voice cut through the hum of the airport terminal as she spoke with a practiced cheerfulness, her gaze focused on Mike. She walked closely behind him, her hand gripping the handle of his suitcase. Despite the underlying tension in her heart, she was determined to support Scarlett's relationship with Mike. It wasn't easy—she still had feelings for Mike, but she wanted to be a good friend to Scarlett, who had clearly become a significant part of his life.

"I have our whole day planned," Eleven declared, her tone brimming with excitement.

Mike glanced back at her, his expression a mix of curiosity and confusion. "Really? You've got a whole day planned?"

"First, El Rodeo for burritos," Eleven continued, her enthusiasm undeterred.

Mike's eyebrows knitted together. "Burritos for breakfast? Are you serious?" he asked, clearly taken aback by the idea.

Scarlett, who had been listening, brightened at the mention of the restaurant. "Trust her, Mike. El Rodeo has the best burritos. You'll love them," she said, her voice full of warmth and eagerness.

Mike shrugged with a hint of skepticism but decided to go along with it. "Okay, okay. When are we meeting your mom?" he asked, shifting the topic to the next part of the plan.

Scarlett chuckled, clearly enjoying the unfolding day. "You'll meet her for dinner at El and Will's place," she explained as they navigated through the bustling airport, heading towards the exit.

Eleven's enthusiasm was palpable as she continued. "After burritos, I want to go to Rink-O-Mania."

Mike's face showed genuine confusion. "Rink-O-Mania? What's that?" he asked, curiosity evident in his tone.

"Only the most fun place ever," Eleven replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "They have skating, games, everything. It's a blast."

"Sounds great," Mike said, his tone warming up. "Are your friends going to meet us there?" he asked, eager to know who else would be part of their day.

Scarlett and Will exchanged a meaningful look. There was an unspoken communication between them—a mix of concern and hesitation. Scarlett had been writing to Mike, but Eleven had also been in touch. Did Eleven mention Angela as a friend?

Before Scarlett could voice her concern, Will broke the silence, his tone cautious. "Friends? What friends?" he asked, trying to get clarity.

Eleven's expression hardened slightly, and she shot Will a sharp look. "You know, Stacy and Angela," she said, her voice carrying a touch of irritation.

Scarlett's eyes widened in disbelief and frustration. "What? She fucking got me sus—" Scarlett began to say, her frustration bubbling over. But Eleven interrupted with a pointed glare, effectively silencing her.

Scarlett sighed heavily, clearly annoyed by the situation.

Arygle's van came to a halt in front of Rink-O-Mania, and Mike was quick to open the door, stepping out to help Scarlett out of the vehicle. As he guided her onto the pavement, he wrapped his arm around her in a familiar gesture, clearly pleased to be reunited. Eleven and Will followed behind, with Eleven carrying a hint of enthusiasm despite the underlying tensions.

Scarlett gently withdrew her hand from Mike's and followed him inside, her gaze flicking back to check on Will. She noticed a troubled expression on his face and reached out to grab his wrist. "Will, you okay?" she asked softly, her concern evident.

Will shook his head, his voice tinged with frustration. "Mike hasn't even said 'happy birthday' to me yet...and El is already bossing us around. And she's lying about stuff. I don't even know if Harvey is going to be here." His words came out in a rush, the anxiety clear in his tone.

Scarlett's heart sank as she realized the depth of Will's unease. The mention of Harvey, combined with Mike's lack of acknowledgment, only added to her growing discomfort. Will's apparent confusion about his feelings and Mike's behavior further complicated things.

As they entered Rink-O-Mania and approached the front desk to get their roller skates, Mike and Eleven were engaged in a conversation with the attendant, arranging their skates. Scarlett noticed the tension between Eleven and Mike, particularly when Eleven's casual response about visiting the rink frequently seemed to clash with Will's comment.

Will, feeling the need to clarify, interjected, "No, Eleven doesn't come here that often. I don't either. But Scarlett and I do come to parties here sometimes. She's also friends with Angela and Stacy."

Scarlett blinked in surprise at the mention of Angela and Stacy. "What—" she started to protest, but Eleven shot her a warning glance, silencing her before she could fully express her frustration.

Scarlett rolled her eyes, unable to keep the irritation from showing. She sat down on a nearby bench, her friends joining her as she took off her shoes and slipped on her roller skates. She glanced over at Mike, who was now off to buy socks after realizing he needed them.

"Oh, I forgot. You need socks," Scarlett called out to Mike, who responded with a sheepish, "Oh, shit."

"They sell them at the counter," Will informed him, and Mike nodded before skating away to fetch a pair.

Once Mike was out of earshot, Scarlett turned her attention back to Eleven with a frustrated sigh. "Why the hell do you keep lying? Saying I'm friends with Stacy and Angela? Angela got me suspended," she said, her voice tinged with annoyance.

Eleven shrugged, her expression defensive. "You haven't told Mike about your suspension," she shot back, her tone implying a sense of fairness in her own actions.

Scarlett felt a pang of frustration. It seemed like Eleven was deliberately trying to undermine her in front of Mike, and it made her wonder if the whole situation was a ploy to regain Mike's attention. "Is this about Mike? Are you trying to win him back?" she demanded, her voice laced with frustration.

Eleven's face softened slightly, and she shook her head. "N-No," she stuttered, though the hesitation in her voice betrayed her uncertainty.

Scarlett wasn't convinced. With a huff, she finished tying her skates and smoothly glided across the rink, her skill evident as she maneuvered effortlessly.

Excusing herself from the group, Scarlett stormed towards the restroom, her frustration barely contained. She pushed open the bathroom door with a bit more force than necessary and entered, slamming the door behind her. The stark fluorescent lights flickered slightly as she walked towards the sink, her emotions roiling beneath the surface.

The flickering of the lights wasn't entirely coincidental. Scarlett's electrokinesis, which had been sporadic since her powers began to return, seemed to be responding to her heightened emotions. As she stood in front of the mirror, her reflection was intermittently illuminated by the erratic lights. The sensation of her powers was both familiar and foreign, a reminder of how much she had missed their presence.

She took deep, calming breaths, trying to steady herself. The lights continued to flicker, reflecting her inner chaos. She needed to clear her head, and as she took one final breath, she resolved to return to the rink, determined to confront her concerns.

As Scarlett stepped out of the restroom, she collided with someone just outside the door. She looked up to see Harvey standing there, his expression a mix of surprise and anxiety. He seemed to be caught off guard by the sudden encounter, his eyes widening as he stammered, "Oh—uh, sorry! I didn't mean to—"

Scarlett, still feeling the residual frustration, grabbed Harvey's arm and pulled him towards the rink, where Will was skating alone. The rink, filled with people skating and enjoying themselves, was a stark contrast to Scarlett's stormy mood.

"Will!" Scarlett called out, and Will looked up from his solitary skate, his face lighting up with concern as he noticed Harvey. Scarlett nudged Harvey towards Will, and the three stood together, watching Mike and Eleven, who were chatting and skating together in a seemingly carefree manner.

Scarlett's voice was laced with worry as she spoke, "I'm really worried. I think Eleven might be trying to steal Mike from me." She glanced at Harvey, who looked confused. "Who is Eleven?" he asked, his brows furrowed.

Scarlett exchanged a glance with Will before answering. "I mean Jane. You know, the girl who's always around Mike and causes trouble."

Will added, "It's not important. What matters is what you're feeling."

Scarlett nodded, her expression serious. "I'm also worried that Mike doesn't actually love me. It feels like he's just here because of some obligation, not because he really cares."

Will chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Scarlett, Mike does love you. He's terrible at showing it, but he does. I mean, he can never shut up about you. Even when you hated him, he tried everything to get you to be his friend again. That's how you know."

Scarlett's eyes widened in surprise, her frustration melting away in the face of Will's reassuring words. "Really? I didn't realize he felt that strongly. It's hard to see sometimes with everything going on."

Will placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Yeah, he does. Just give it some time. Mike might not always express himself well, but his actions speak louder than words."

Harvey, still looking a bit uncomfortable, nodded in agreement. "If he's anything like the Mike I've heard about, he's probably just bad at showing his feelings. But he definitely cares about you."

Scarlett took a deep breath, feeling the tension in her shoulders ease. As she watched Mike and Eleven from a distance, she tried to focus on the positive aspects of her relationship and the support she had from her friends. Despite the complexities and uncertainties, she knew she wasn't alone in navigating her feelings.

Scarlett excused herself once more, her steps brisk as she left the roller rink. Mike's eyes followed her with concern, noting the tension in her posture and the swift pace of her movements. The buzzing energy of the rink seemed to intensify as Scarlett disappeared into the bathroom.

When Scarlett emerged, her face was set in determination. The roller rink's vibrant colors and flashing lights seemed to blur as her focus sharpened on the scene unfolding before her. Eleven was surrounded by Angela and her entourage, who were clearly taking pleasure in tormenting her. Angela and her friends laughed loudly, their taunts cutting through the cheerful din of the rink.

Scarlett's anger flared. Her fists clenched tightly at her sides as she scanned the scene. The lights above flickered momentarily, a subtle sign of the energy building within her. Without another thought, Scarlett dashed through the rink, weaving through skaters with practiced ease. Her urgency propelled her forward as she reached the DJ booth where Mike stood, adjusting the music.

"Mike!" Scarlett's voice cut through the music, sharp and urgent.

Mike turned abruptly, his face a mask of confusion. "Why didn't you tell me El was getting bullied!?" he shouted, his frustration evident.

Scarlett's eyes widened, a mix of shock and frustration crossing her face. "Wheeler, I thought El was telling you! I didn't realize she's been feeding you lies! Don't put the blame on me!" she shot back, her voice rising above the din.

Harvey and Will exchanged worried glances, their faces reflecting the tension of the situation. The announcer's voice suddenly cut through the commotion, "Wipeout!" The crowd's attention shifted as they turned to Eleven, who was now covered in chocolate, her face a picture of humiliation as Angela leaned in to mock her.

Scarlett's anger boiled over. She grabbed a roller skate from a nearby skater and skated fiercely toward Angela. "Angela!" she yelled, her voice filled with raw fury.

Angela's smirk faded as she saw Scarlett charging at her. "Oh, isn't it the freak—" Angela began, but her taunt was abruptly silenced by Scarlett's furious scream. The air around Scarlett crackled with electrical energy, and the lights overhead flickered violently in response to her rising power.

Scarlett's grip tightened around the roller skate, her eyes blazing with blue electricity. She swung the skate with force, and it collided with Angela's nose with a sharp crack. Angela's scream pierced the air as she stumbled backward, blood streaming from her nose. The crowd gasped in shock, their eyes widening at the scene unfolding before them.

Scarlett stood over Angela, her eyes reflecting a harsh, unyielding glare. The lights above flickered erratically, casting an eerie glow over the rink. Blood trickled from Scarlett's own nose, a physical sign of her unleashed powers. The energy crackling around her only heightened the chaos.

Mike, Harvey, Eleven, and Will rushed over to the scene, their faces a mixture of horror and disbelief. "Oh my God," Will whispered, his voice filled with a mix of awe and fear.

Harvey's eyes were wide with shock. "No way, you just did that," he said, his voice trembling.

Eleven stood by, her face a mask of stunned amazement as she watched Angela being helped up. The tension between her and Scarlett was palpable, but she was also processing the gravity of the situation.

Mike's anger reached a boiling point as he confronted Scarlett. "Scar, what did you just do!?" he shouted, his voice laced with panic.

Scarlett, still seething with rage, clenched her jaw. "She deserved it," she said through gritted teeth, her voice cold and resolute.

Harvey shook his head, his frustration evident. "This is crazy," he muttered, his disbelief clear.

ASH SPEAKS!

i do not like how i wrote this chapter at all. i'm really sorry this sucks

i know i made angela getting hurt a bit sooner but i wanted to show how scarletts anger and powers are out of control !! which will be explained very soon!!!

please check out my two new fics!! "bed chem" peter parker fic and "paper rings" eli moskowitz fic!!

please dont be a ghost reader!! it helps us writers stay motivated:)