can i drink you

You felt the urge to mourn.

You had no recollections of what happened before you came here. All you knew this wasn't the earth you know, nature took over the planet, the sky a deep orange and a strange massive oak tree standing at the middle of it all.

a glowing green power shined inside it's body, dormant, angry, and isolated. Betrayed and stabbed by an axe which left imprints at the base, a scar, a reminder of what it went through.

There was an urge to comfort the alien plant, perhaps it was simply your mind playing tricks on you. There was no way a tree could feel human emotions.

You feel cold as you walk around it. You need to find home, but where is home exactly? This wasn't the earth you know of and you have no clue who or what brought you here in the first place.

You followed the roots of the first tree that protruded from the ground to another clearing where yet another oak tree stands, this time, normal for its height.

The last tree had vibrant colors, this one was dull in comparison to that green shine. You stopped for a brief moment to take in the sight before you.

Despite it's normal appearance and dull color, you can't help but touch the base of the tree and you flinched, stepping back when the shine swirled unnaturally when you touched it.

It seemed friendly, whatever these are they are definitely sentient to some degree.

You made distance with the oak, it didn't feel right to feel scared but you moved on your own feet, reminding yourself that you have to find a way back home and that sticking to one location is never a good idea- at least according to your mother's questionable survival guide she had passed down to you.

You pondered what your parents are doing, they probably filed a missing persons report on you and since you don't quite know how long you've been gone, you only hope its only been a day, and you started praying you weren't kidnapped by actual aliens from another planet.

Your train of thoughts also lingered further as you walk mindlessly through the dense forest. You think of Mark and how he was doing. You wished you cleared up the misunderstanding's about Todd before you came here, how you should have been honest with yourself and confessed.

Still, fear holds you back, you fear change, you are terrified of changing what you both have now. Knowing one day he's going to find someone and he looks at them like how you look at him all your life.

Mark is a friend, you know that, and you delude yourself that you're okay with just being friends, the next door childhood friend that will one day also find someone to love- someone who isn't Mark.

It repulsed you. The idea of someone else in your lives when you love him too much to give him away. Call it an obsession but you'd rather fight for the both of you to stay single for the rest of your life.

You tripped and fell on the grass when your foot caught itself on a stone, you hadn't realized you started crying in the middle of your crisis.

Stupid feelings.

Stupid lies.

Stupid you.

Why of all people has it have to be Mark?

Why does it feel like the world would tear itself apart when you aren't with him?

Why him?

Because he's Mark Grayson.

You're first love and possibly your last. The dork next door that would listen to you rant or ramble in the middle of the night with all the attention on you, the boy who would catch a lizard for you in recess just because you called them cool despite how scared he was touching one, the boy next door who shows up and glues himself on you with every chance he gets and spends most of your summers locked in your room dozing off or playing video games.

That was Mark Grayson, and to him?

You are nothing but a best friend. His ride or die, the girl next door who listens to him ramble about the new release of seance dog, the one who would put him in stupid situations, the girl who has a questionable love interest on Todd.

And who are you to make you change his mind?

You made your bed along ago, you just refused to lie still in it.

You leaned yourself onto a tree, small, insecure, but you felt the most safe within it's small dome, its little sanctuary in the middle of nowhere. It took you a minute to calm down and realized you hadn't gone that far at all from the second oak tree and from the distance you can still see the first tree towering above the head of the rest of the planets in this world.

The smaller oak you leaned to was still growing to maturity, the seconds tree's roots intertwined with the smaller one just like the first one did.

There was no green shine in its body not even a minuscule of it, just a normal tree with a parent tree root embracing its child.

You sat down and scoots further on the small tree where you feel safe. Where you can drown yourself in your own emotions without the feeling of being judged.

You want Mark to be here,

You want your mom to be here,

You want to hear your dad,

You want to hear Debbie giggle,

You want to see Nolan give you his best awkward comfort smiles,

You miss William and his loud comments,

You miss everyone back home, they're probably all worried sick about you,

How do you even go back home?

When did you fall asleep?

Soft fingers strokes your face, it wiped the salted tears away and she whispered soothing words into your ears, Russian was a language your mother didn't bother teaching you, as to why you don't know yourself, this woman is unmistakably speaking Russian to you, whispering soft words of encouragement.

"Вы должны проснуться!"

"Не заканчивай здесь свою жизнь!"

"Приди ко мне, дитя мое!"

"Вот и всё, иди сюда, дорогая."

Why was half your body inside the tree?

She held your hands and pry's you away from the plant in desperation, gathering her strength and she held you close when you are thrown out of the tree's hollow inside. You breathe heavily and watched the tree you we're resting on shamefully closed, the imprint of your body fading slowly as if it understood its irrational behavior of consuming you was wrong and selfish.

You could have died back there, and yet a stranger saved you.

"T-thank you saving me..."

She was massive, not as near as the same physique as your mother, but she was almost the same build. She has sharp features like your mother however, almost creepily identical and you flinched when she furrows her brows in anger.

"О чем ты думал! У тебя есть желание умереть? Что тебя так беспокоит, что ты хочешь покончить с собой?"

"I, I'm sorry? Miss i don't understand what you're saying."

There was a long pause before she sighed, her shoulders slump in defeat, you watch her stand up and motion for you to follow, despite everything, something tells you to obey without further questions. Perhaps because she was human in a nonhuman world, your instincts screams to survive.

You walked behind her, glancing back at the tree that almost consumed you and shuddered. You could have died, you got too comfortable and ended up almost giving up your life and the oddest thing is, you don't even hold any sort of resentment towards it.

Your body slams to a stop when the mystery woman stood still, she points towards a hole on the ground, her face unreadable but serious in the way she spoke.

"Home."

Home? You step a little closer to the hole, it was an endless abyss down there and you're beginning to doubt that she was even here to help you, looking back at the woman, she crossed her arms and waits for you to jump in.

"I'm sorry but this doesn't look safe."

Maybe she speaks and understand minimal English that would explain how she seems to understand you to a certain level. She shakes her head and comes up to you just to jab her finger right where you're heart is.

"Return."

"Return?" You repeat and she nods.

"Return, home." She points back at the hole once more then at you.

"Sorry, I don't understand how this hole is going to bring me back to earth."

A frustrated huff left her lips, she chew the inside of her cheeks thinking, finding words she could convince you to jump, and you wait for her to speak, the more the silence grew the more you think you have to be on your own to find your way back home.

A spaceship would be great about now.

"You, soul, home, body, return."

"wh-"

You didn't even get to ask before she actually shoved you. You flail your arms around trying to catch anything to stop your fall, screaming as the orange sky began to disappear and the silhouette of your murderer fades.

Fuck your life.

-

You jolt from slumber. Mouth opened to scream but no noise did come out. What the hell did you dream about? You're then hit with a throbbing sensation in every part of your body.

Everything hurts. The pain you feel was like being struck by a truck going pass the speed limit down the road to end you, the mattress felt thin and stiff making you squirm and groan once your entire senses came back at full force.

You can make out the faint smell medicine wavering in the air, the bed would creaked on occasion if you shifted, your face was numbed with something clings onto your cheeks like sticker, your arms are no better, needles inserted in your veins and supplying you whatever nutrients you needed..

You felt dizzy when you sat up, and you're careful not to accidentally push the needle to where it shouldn't be. You felt nauseous and scared.

How long have you been out? What happened? Why are you in the hospital with these bandages wrapped around you?

Like a second truck coming out of nowhere to finish the job, you're hit with the last memories before you went unconscious out, you were alone underneath the bench and in the mercy of your own company, begging death not to take you, recalling Rebecca and her goons walk away from your body submerged in your own vomit, the way they laughed and tortured you.

You cried. Sobbing in your bruised hands as you let it all out. The agony they made you feel, how you felt pathetic and small while in their mercy as you took on their assault, blow after blow begging and crying out for help and mercy.

You hear the door open, you didn't stop your tears, nor try to shame the emotions you felt before your father went inside.

He froze on that doorway, his eyes red and tired. You felt bad for everyone, the pain they must have gone through just to wait for you to wake up, to know what happened.

It wasn't long before Nicolas held you in his arms, holding your head against his chest as he feel you tremble in his arms, crying to him, for your mother to hold you, to surround you in their presence, and Nicolas hushes you and kissing your head in comfort.

"I'm here,"

"You're safe, nothing is going to harm you now,"

"Let it all out, (Name)."

You drowned in his comfort, his smell, his voice, the way he sooth you in a tight embrace. You believe him, you survived in what you felt was death guiding you to the afterlife, surviving what felt like an eternity of torture, and he lets you cry, again and again.

Because you're his little girl.

And nothing will ever change that.

Not in a hundred years, not even millions.

So Nicolas didn't speak, he didn't stop you from crying, acknowledging what you went through, understanding his grounds as a father.

And for you it was enough.

-

Mark felt the world beneath him crumbled in an instant.

Nobody blamed him for what happened, no one yelled at him for something he couldn't control. Yet, he skimmed through the what ifs in his head. Haunting him ever since he saw you in that state.

What if he stayed with you?

What if he never rode on that bus alone?

What if he offered to wait for you after class?

Then maybe, just maybe, all of this would have been prevented. You wouldn't be hurt, you wouldn't be unconscious in that hospital bed with all those bandages wrapped around you while he drowned in the noise of your fathers endless sobs in the hallway leading to the operation room.

He was your best friend, why wasn't he there when you needed him the most? He can't recall what he was even doing prior to the call.

Mark left the hospital utterly wrecked, dragged away by his parents telling them he didn't want to leave your side until you opened your eyes. Apologizing that he wasn't there for you, Nolan had to physically restrain him as he sat him down at the back of the car.

Mark turned over and sat up from his bed. He looked out his window to stare into your room. It was dark, eerily so, gone were the lights coming from your television that he had was used to seeing. He noticed that your window was slightly ajar and he moved.

He knew it was wrong to suddenly jump in your room without your permission, he knows it was even more wrong when he laid in your bed, tightly holding onto your heavy blankets and pillows closer to him. Inhaling the lingering scent you had on them, he found himself sinking further in the sheets where your musk was stronger.

Instantly he felt calmer, he felt safe, like you were in the same room with him. Mark found comfort in your smell, finding himself falling asleep, imagining you were next to him with your arms wrapped around him in a tight embrace.

Mark felt utterly hopeless as he longed for you. Wanting and needing you at the same time. The plant in his chest blossomed uncontrollably and he mourned for your absence to end. To come back to him and hold him like you never want to let him go.

How strange, he thinks, it felt like the seed have already been planted in his heart so long ago.

Mark fell asleep surrounded by the smell of you.

"I miss you (nickname)..."

-

It was the next day. Mark was completely out of it, he dazed off more ever since your absence and William was beginning to think his entire world just fell apart- actually it might have.

You and Mark never did stray far from the other. Taking slow steps when one of you lags behind, PE was horrendous when you three got in back in 6th grade, you two could not be separated, even if different teams you both we're insufferable.

Now William would be lying if he said he wasn't mad. Not at Mark, rather at Rebecca. He had always hated White and her cronies since they were kids. She might not remember it but he absolutely does.

Rebecca was originally Williams bully.

She made fun of him for playing dolls when he minded his business with some girls playing make believe house. However that switched when both you and Mark transferred. You stood up to Rebecca and told her to buzz off only for her to push you down on the sand, before being dragged away by the calls of her mother and getting on in those fancy ass cars you see in movies.

Instead of dusting off the grime that got on your clothes, you turned to him and smiled. Continuing like nothing ever happened and you never let her near him again. Mark becoming a second wall to protect him.

He was friends with the two of you ever since then. Forever thankful for your act of kindness.

And he wasn't going to lie, he was beyond pissed off to what happened to you when he got word of it from a mutual friend of a friend.

So imagine everyone's horror when he, who stood by in the sidelines for so long, threw his entire lunch tray at her face.

He wasn't apologic about it either.

"Girl," He eyed her up and down in judgement he didn't just started a war, "That outfit? Suits you, not even lying."

Rebecca stunned for a moment shot up from her seat and only ended up tripping on her feet when her foot caught on the edge of the seat.

He snickered, he places his hand over his mouth before he pretends to be concern.

"Oh my god, is the floor okay? You didn't harm it when you fell right?"

"You!" Rebecca hissed.

"What the hell! Do you know how expensive this shirt is!"

William rolled his eyes crossing his arms while she picked herself back up.

"Honestly, I think i just made the outfit a lot prettier. Your shirt? eyesore material, do you even have a fashion sense?"

If Mark wasn't paying attention, he was now.

One moment he was dozing off with a spoon in hand, poking at the mash potatoes while he thinks of you and if you had woken up by now, the next he stood between William and Rebecca, holding him back as they went a full on brawl at the cafeteria.

"I know you did it, you dumb bitch! You sent her to the hospital because of your jealousy! You hurt my best friend!" William screamed and Mark shakes his head, even if it is true, William shouldn't be acting this way- if what he reasons in his head.

Mark definitely wanted to smack her or two in the face the more he looks at her.

"Get off me!" Rebecca struggles at some guys that helped to break up the fight.

"This is not over, Clockwell!"

"Fuck you and your green eyed monster!"

"William, calm down-"

Needless to say both William and Rebecca was sent to the office after.

Mark waited by the stairs in front of the school entrance, missing the way you called to him at the end of the day. God, he felt miserable and out of it. He had dozed off so much that he hadn't realized class ended and he sat there like an idiot waiting for something to happen.

if only he had stayed with you, offering to wait so you both can just walk back home instead he lets you be, and he felt he was at fault whenever he recalls waving at you from the window with William.

He had watched you walk back in.

And watched you come out on a stretcher and into an ambulance.

"Fuck Rebecca and her rich ass parents."

Vanessa and William came back out.

Despite everything that happened. Your mother offered to be William's guardian since they couldn't go because of strict job stuff Mark wasn't interested in.

William, with cuts and bruises on his face, grumbles something incoherent and Vanessa took Mark and him to the car. Mark noticed that something in your mother's attitude seem to shift compared to when she arrived, it wasn't noticeable since it was quite subtle, but Mark caught the way she seems almost too, happy? like she can't wait to go home.

Mark shakes it off. Probably nothing and forgot about it.

"How was the meeting?" Mark questions.

"Ugh, Rebecca keeps spinning the story saying, i swung at her first, like? I didn't! She attacked me first with those, ugh, long talons of hers- and btw i'll admit, her nails are pretty." William rambled on and on about what happened in the meeting.

Rebecca's mom turned up instead of her father. Comparing both interactions between the two, it was clear Rebecca adores her mom more than her dad.

"Her mom keeps denying what she did, you know? Like I'll be honest, i wanted to slap her too." William whispers the last part to Mark's ear.

William had boldly claim that Rebecca and her cronies are the ones who put you in the hospital not even a nano second of the meeting starting. Vanessa was wide eyed when he said it but composed herself as she listen in.

"You children alright back there? Just so you know William, your house is not far." Vanessa's accent made both boys realized how quiet they've become, exchanging whispers as if they're planning on a heist.

"Oh yeah, thanks Mrs. Aguilar. By the way, i heard from Mark that (Name) was moved into this super strict and expensive private hospital and i was wondering if i could drop by?"

Vanessa thought about it, tapping the stirring wheel looking eyeing William in the mirror. Mark already knew the answer but kept his mouth shut.

You we're moved to the pentagon for better treatment last night when he was asleep in your room, thankfully he managed to wake himself up and sneaks himself back into his room before anyone noticed, his mom said they couldn't just go there to visit you since they needed permission or his dad to fly them over there.

The only time he's ever going to visit is when you move back to a more normal hospital.

"No."

"Oh, come on! I'll make sure she ace her math exams when she gets back! Promise!"

Vanessa actually thought about it.

"... Tempting, a good bargain, but it is still a no."

"Aw come on!"

-

A deal with Cecil means selling your life to the devil himself.

Vanessa knows the risk, knew what she signed up for when she struck that deal with Cecil on the phone. She wasn't blind nor deaf, he's been wanting her to be a weapon ever since her father's demise.

The details of their agreement sealed away in a box forever inked in her name.

In exchanged for everything she needed, she had sign the rights for her life, her powers belong to the GDA now, used for whatever he deems it fit to use.

A card is what she is.

Not an wildcard, no, never an wildcard, she was too stubborn to be one, Cecil would risk everything is she was the wildcard in Cecil's plan against the common foe. Too predictable, too infamous.

They need someone quiet, someone who didn't bring attention whenever they walk in the room- all these useless thoughts ceased when they made a moved.

She spot a car leaving the mansion. Where are they travelling to so late in the night?

A couple at the front. Sadly no child sitting on the back. They seem to be arguing as they drive.

Shame that their daughter didn't join.

Vanessa thinks old habits die, she shouldn't be this excited for this and should be reconsidering her actions, yet here she was grinning in sadistic pleasure of the idea that pops into her head. If she wanted to make the kid to pay, she'll have to pay in a way that'll hurt them back, ten-fucking-fold.

Rebecca loves her parents, right?

As for Cecil? He lets it, just as long as it was only the target she ended tonight is the one the government wants gone.

Two bird with one stone. He says when he gave her the green light.

Who knew the biggest runaway drug boss lived in their neighborhood? Color her surprise when a hit for his head was presented to her and served in a silver platter. No excuse and just do it, nice and clean.

And while she trail after the car, she waits for the opportunity to flip it over and drown them on the river.

Just the dad, Stedman instructed, but the mother should go to, right?

After all according to her files and what she saw in the meeting earlier when she took the opportunity to find the culprits,

Rebecca loves her dear old mom,

oh,

so,

much.

-

Note: Williams hands are rated E for Everyone. I don't usually pay much attention to anyone's mannerism other than the events that's happening in the series, so yeah, ooc characters <3 mostly head canons in my head. All i know is William is pretty funny and quite sharp with his tongue so i tried???? to base off his entire character from that. dunno if i even got that right

You stand in the ruins of a city, arms crossed on your well developed chest. your white and grey tight skin suit littered with gashes from the fight between you and a kaiju.

The beast roared for a second to make its presence known, both of you in an intense stare down waiting for the other to make its move. Your hair adorned with a white streak to similar to your mothers.

You didn't wait, you didn't want to give it time. So you flew right onto the monsters snout and gave it a good punch with your bare knuckles. It staggered a few meters back and you didn't give it enough time to recover as you held your hands out, the tingling feeling of your powers making it effect on the beast as it whimpered.

It's face began to contort followed by its body curling into a ball midair before it turned into a flesh sphere. It fell somewhere in the city for the GDA to find.

As you lower yourself back to earth, you were met with the praises of civilians.

"Empress Crusader! We love you!"

"Empress! Look here!"

The praises got into your head, flipping your hair coolly as you walked through and they part for you like the red sea.

At the end of the crowd, stood there was Mark, he was older and he was wearing his civilian attire. His blue sweater with two lines across and his yellow undershirt peeked out from underneath his sweater. You see him smile at you, clapping at your victory.

"Wow (Name) you were really great back there!" he says as he took you by the hand.

"Thanks Mark!" You blushed, hold his hand tightly on yours as you both leaned closer to one another.

"So, do you wanna hang out in my place later?"

Mark smiled as he eagerly accepted.

"Yeah, I'd like that."

You two leaned closer, nose brushing as you two slowly close the gap. Lips nearly touching as you close your eyes.

Then without warning the sky turned red, the wind picked up as you pushed Mark behind you to protect him. The clouds morphed and turned into a face, a gnarly and grotesque face appears, glaring at you from below.

"Who are you?" You yelled, covering Mark as he cowers from behind you.

"Ms. Aguilar..." The face spoke

"How do you know my name!" This time you were in a defensive stand, ready to take action.

"Ms. Aguilar..." This time the face spoke angrily.

"Wake up..."

"huh?"

"WAKE UP!"

You jolted awake from your nap. The pencil firm in your hand flew off the table, the papers you were sleeping on wet from your drooling. You scanned the room in a panic, your ears picking up the snickering from the other side of the room.

Right, you were in your first class doodling about your hero costume on some spare papers you had on your bag, then somehow you fell asleep in the middle of his class.

Mr. Harrington raised a brow at you, one hand on a ruler he had been using to slap the whiteboard at the front earlier in class and the other on his waist before he slapped the ruler on your desk again.

"Awake now Ms. Aguilar?"

You nodded vigorously and wiping away the drool from your mouth.

"Sorry Mr. Harrington, I didn't have enough sleep last night." You sheepishly smiled, cursed Demon Manslaughter and its great amination because by the time the anime was done, you only have 3 hours left to sleep.

Glaring at Rebecca's goons from across the room when you see them fake sleeping clearly mocking you while a friend of hers laugh.

"Detention after (Name), don't even think of skipping." He points his ruler on you before he made his way back to the front of the class, continuing where he left off.

You let out a groan. Fuck high school.

-

It's been a year since you have your unrequited crush on your next door neighbor.

A year since you both finally became freshmen in high school.

A year since you lied about liking Todd.

And you don't know who, but someone told her that you like Todd.

You should have seen it miles away. The way she bat her lashes at Todd, the way she smiled like he was the most important person in her life, the way she changed based on his preferences.

God, you should have known that Rebecca White, your long time bully, had a fat fucking obsession crush on Todd Jefferson, the number one douchebag since elementary.

You were pressed harshly underneath the school benches, held by her goons on each arm as she slapped and clawed at your face, saying some shit that Todd would never look at you and what not. You we're incoherent, your ears failing you when one of her goons punched you right in ear in an attempt to knock you out earlier.

You can hear muffles of what she was saying, blood rushing out of your nose, your cheeks red from the constant assault of her hands, you felt sore all over. No matter how many times you try to pry away from her friends, you were always pinned right back up on that very same wall.

You cried out when Rebecca's friend punched your stomach, you we're just minding your business, heading to detention after parting ways with William and Mark. Mark offered to stay after school to wait for you but you shooed him off and told him to wait at your house so you both can play video games. Now you wished you let him stay, you wished you didn't waved at him when he entered that bus.

You puked out the food your father made for you. Head hanging low. You see the chunks of what he made, the ones he stuff in your bag and you remember your mother kissing you in the head before she and your father saw you off to school. Promising you that it'll be a fun day.

You cried not out of pain, but for your parents, for anyone to hear your pleas as you beg them for mercy.

"Holy shit Becks, her ear is bleeding."

You can make out one of her goons. Rebecca didn't stop no, seeing you writhing in pain entirely at her mercy gave her a power boost. How pathetic you were in her eyes. If anything, you understood she was turned on at the sight of you in her mercy.

"You always acted like you were fucking untouchable with that little gang of yours, where the hell are they now huh?!" slap after slap, your skin was becoming raw, red and bleeding.

"Let.. me go." You attempted to swing at her, but your arms we're pinned to the wall.

Another punch to the gut causes you to choke on the bile that rise in your throat. You let the contents of your food fall from your mouth, gasping in pain and finally you were let go.

You unceremoniously fell into your own stomach fluid. The smell clinging to your hair and you sob as your open wounds soaked in the puke that you laid on.

Before you can even lift yourself up, Rebecca kicked you right in the chest. Hard.

You feel yourself choked. Gasping as you gripped on your stained shirt for a sense of relief.

"Fucking know your place you sleepless freak."

With that they left. Not when one of them send one last kick to your stomach. You choked on a sob, tears blurred your vision as you see them walk away from you.

Rebecca White, she was rich, unstoppable, her parent's success makes her invulnerable to expulsions or even consequences for her actions. Back then she only ever did shove you out the swings or push you when you were in her way.

You wondered, why haven't you told on her to your mother. Was it shame? or was it because you thought you can handle whatever she brings to you?

Or perhaps you were afraid for her?

You don't know, you don't want to think.

So you cried, you cried for the pain to stop, your cheeks to heal, you cried for someone to find you, anyone really, you begged for the universe to find the strength in your arms to get up, for your legs to move.

Hell you were begging for a miracle, for your dormant powers to come and save you.

fucking move already, you cursed, but instead you gasped, your chest hurting and then there was a crack, your ribs caved in under the pressure.

You were crying for so long you hadn't notice the sun was setting, and the school lights closing.

You laid there, in the cold, waiting for someone to open them again, anyone to find you.

Pleading.

"Mommy..."

Was the last thing you muttered when you ultimately passed out in your own digested vomit.

-

Amber grumbles in annoyance. Her volleyball was left at school, her friends were using it after class during practice since the school haven't ordered any new ones.

She was relentlessly annoyed since it was her volleyball that was left at school. A gift her mother on her birthday.

Amber notices a few teachers hanging out the entrance, ready to leave when they spot her jogging over.

Amber explained to them briefly of her situation, Mr. Harrington nodded, agreeing to accompany Amber to get her ball back as they open the open the lights back up only for the gym.

"Where did your friends leave it?" Mr. Harrington questions Amber who was running up and down the benches, looking for the blue ball.

"They said they left it at the bench over here," Amber says, "I guess it rolled under."

Amber crouched, scanning for her ball and spots it rolled into the corner.

"Sweet! I found it!"

She celebrated, then she froze, face going pale as her mouth gape when she caught sight of someone's shoes still quite clearly attached to the person under the benches just a few steps away from where her ball was.

"Amber, are you alright?"

Amber didn't speak, mortified as she points at the body.

Mr. Harrington looked and his blood ran cold. Instantly he rushed to under the benches yelling at Amber to call the other teachers and for an ambulance.

It wasn't long before an ambulance appeared.

and for the news to reach your father.

-

Vanessa returned home, lights turned on the stove recently shut off, with the cupcakes still inside. The television buzzing in the living but nobody home.

She found it odd. Eerie, she doesn't return home to nobody in it once in her life when she had you. She was on her toes, alert for any signs of break ins that might have happened yet nothing, the house was dead silent, the ac in your room was off.

Why weren't you home?

Her phone rang, startling her from her thoughts. She scrambled to pick it up.

Nicolas was calling her.

"My love, where are you? Where is (Name)?" she paced around the living room.

Nicolas sharply took in some air trying to calm himself at the end of the line but broken sobs followed and he couldn't hide how entirely wreck he is now.

"I'm fine, but (Name)-"

"What happened to our varóbushik?" Vanessa feels her heart racing, "Tell me where you two are, now!"

Dead silence at the end, but Vanessa can make out that Nicolas was trying his best not to break down while he was talking to her.

"...we are at the hospital, mahal, Debbie and Mark are here too..."

Hospital?

"Changed into civilian clothes okay? They took her to a normal hospital, we'll be waiting, I love you..."

She hadn't even noticed she froze. Hospital, the one thing she never wants to see you in.

She made efforts, brought you medicine and with the help of your father fed you only the heathiest meals meant for someone as precious as you.

Yet you were at the hospital?

Vanessa sat down, taking it in. Breathing in and out, like Nicolas taught her when they were young, when he caught her in a panic attack not far from your age.

Her fingers were numbing. What the hell happened to her baby, was she even breathing normally? Was her kid even alive?

There was worry, then it boils into anger.

She dialed a number on her phone, stomping her way and changing into normal clothes, ignoring the way the objects that were levitating in her anger with clenched fist, rationality slipping as the seconds roll by while hearing the phone ring in her end.

"Crusher?"

"Mr. Stedman, i wish to ask a favor."

Nobody harms her baby and get away with it.

Sickness, Alien or Human.

-

To others, your mother was intimidating and unfriendly, standing at a whooping 190cm (6'3) with a muscular build, face that stayed a permanent scowl all hours of the day, hair tied tightly into a low military bun and streaks of white hair on each side of her head, tucked tightly behind her ears. Giving a more unapproachable look.

But to (Name), she was Vanessa P. Aguilar, your mother who was, yes scary and intimidating and quite frankly unapproachable to some, but behind the intimidation, she a kind woman. A hard-ass without a doubt but she tries her best for her family. For you, her daughter she loved so much.

Her baby.

Vanessa's pregnancy was difficult, she lost so much over the years, so emotional and angry until (Name) finally came to her and Nicolas lives. She had cried ugly in that hospital bed when they handed her daughter over cradled into her arms in a pink blanket, relieved that finally everything she had dream for are finally coming true.

She had a child to call and love as her own.

Pure love, not like the one her father drilled into her head.

The pure parental love that was absent in her earlier life.

Vanessa stares, and she stares intensely at a snack section in a small market somewhere in Seoul, South Korea. Food, you like food, you like eating just like your father and no dolls can please you unlike when you we're only a child. There was so much she couldn't choose just one to take home.

The store clerk stood by, dragged by the tall foreigner from the safety of his counter asking him in minimal English while he breaks into broken English, giving his best to reply.

Communicating with one of America's top superhero's known as the infamous Crusher, was hellish.

A thick Russian accent rolled from her tongue, unforgiving and sharp, picking out 8 of the sweeter options in the entire shelf and paying for them all with the additional salted ones she picked out for herself.

This was new to her as it will be new to you. Vanessa often daydreams how you would initially react when she goes out of her way to spoil you with new things, either by object or food. It was one of her many joys in life.

She steps out of the store, hands gripping tightly on the plastic bags and flew right back up into the sky to met up her neighbor.

"Nolan."

Nolan eyed the woman as she stopped besides him. He too went shopping, wanting to please his wife and Mark. Vanessa could tell he wanted to look normal and followed her idea, but decided not to bring it up, it was none of her business is what she tells herself every single time.

"Vanessa." Nolan greets her in the same way.

"Did you buy what i asked of you? I also bought something Mark and (Name) may like." She lifts a bag up in the air, the rustles of junk foods reaches his ear.

Nolan genuinely smiled for once since their departure from home. He too showed a plastic bag full of the stuff Debbie and Nicolas were obsessing over that was only available outside America. Vanessa smiled back.

There was no further conversation. No jokes or jab at each others worn appearance. Just stiffness and odd comfort in the silence that surrounds them both as they fly back home in a steady pace.

Nolan likes working with Vanessa. She was quiet, she minded her business, and most importantly knew where she stood. He didn't feel like he needed to explain why he do things his way, unlike those in the GDA.

coughmidmortalcough

Vanessa however did not feel the same. Something about Nolan, still clueless and stiff coming from somewhere in space and was sent to protect earth, was unsettling. Like a storm brewing and ready to combust at any given moment.

Is she scared of her neighbor? Absolutely.

Was she going to do something about it?

Vanessa pondered at that question for a moment. Sneaking glances at the alien who stared ahead. Soon, she tells herself over and over since the first time they met.

Nolan just needs to give her a reason, a trigger, to put a fist through that gut of his.

-

"Maya lyubov, I am home!"

You hear the back door opening with a loud creak. You and Mark halted your activities. Duct tape in hand as you both glanced at each other.

It's been a few days since everything fell back into normalcy. Mark and William was there congratulating you for finishing your last class and headed out to eat out at the local burger mart down the road.

Your father and Debbie even spoiled you three by playing in the arcade and a sleepover at Williams to end the day.

Both you and Mark grinned. Tapping down last of the duct tape on your knees and bolted down the stairs to where your parents were.

Nicolas was with your mother in the kitchen, giving him a passionate kiss before they hug. You mother's large build covering him fully in their long embrace.

"Mom! Look and me and Mark! We're Duct tape man and Duct tape woman!" You announced from the doorway, posing with Mark proudly with both your hands on your waist.

Your mother's jaw drop at the horrifying sight of her baby looking ridiculous, your father simply laughed at the both of you.

"Even if me and Mark don't get our powers!" You fake punch mark who dramatically falls back to avoid it grinning at you as he does, "We'll be the duo that sends all the villains in jail with our duct tapes!"

"Sounds like an expensive superpower." Nicolas teased and crossed his arms, a huge grin on his face and avoiding the punches that you were throwing at him. Your father giggled and nudges for your mother to say something.

"Well does Debbie and your father know of this, duct tape adventure?" Vanessa muttered, reaching to peel a duct tape on your face.

You winced and she recoiled back surprised that it hurt you. Vanessa noted that she ask Debbie how to get rid of the silver tape without hurting your skin.

"We'll I'm quite excited to see what both of them are going to say to whatever you two we're cooking up." Nicolas ruffled both of your hairs.

You and Mark held hands while your parents trailed behind you two as Mark barged right into his home. Saying the same thing you said to your parents.

"Dad look! We're gonna be Duct tape man and she's gonna be Duct tape woman!"

Nolan and Debbie stared at the two of you as you two posed and started punching the air while Mark was explaining more about the power of duct tape. Debbie caught sight of Nicolas holding in his laughter and Vanessa shaking her head as they stood by to watch.

"I don't know if that's gonna work as well as you hope so kiddo." Nolan said. Both you and Mark paused and looked at each other. Debbie was quick to be by her sons side and gently tugs on the tape.

"And you two might want to rethink that as we peel all this off."

"You two go upstairs and run a bath, that just might help," A flutter of giggles escaped your lips and you drag Mark upstairs accompanied by Nicolas who nodded at three left in the living room to keep an eye on them.

"A little."

Vanessa sat on a bar stool sighing loudly.

"I was not prepared to witness my own child rolled in duct tape along with your son, my apologies." Debbie pats her back.

"Well we signed up for kids, its bound to happen that they'll do something stupid together."

A loud thud happened upstairs, a muffled yells of your name left Mark and your father heavy footsteps scrambled to aid you in whatever happened. Vanessa and Debbie can't help but laugh a bit at the sound of their children calling to each other.

"That boy is never getting his powers is he?"

Debbie leans over and gave Nolan a hug.

Vanessa glanced at him warily from the side before she stands to leave the two alone.

"Don't ask me, you're the superhero space alien."

"But even if he doesn't, we'll love him just as much."

"OW!" , "Sorry Mark!"

Debbie shakes her head, "Finish dinner while I go over there and help untape the kids."

Sometimes you feel like your mother hates you. Not downright abuse just enough to show that she was always thinking about how she can ruin your day. You didn't willingly sign up for your schools summer class, they we're for kids who failed, for insufferable academic tryhards to get ahead of the other students, and for adults to earn extra cash.

Your mother who goes by the hero name Crusher, left for a duo mission abroad with Omni-man, and signed you up for a month of summer classes.

Arguing that you, her daughter who does nothing at home, who has a small friend group, and a general homebody, would sneak off during the middle of the night to party at some dudes house. Afraid that she won't be there to scold you and drag you back home by the ear.

Because you recently turned 13, and girls your age are curious of the world beyond the walls of their home. Her words seems to reflect her more than it did to you, and your father shares the same sentient. Pointing it out which caused her to glare at him. Promptly shutting up a past she never wants to share.

Your father then argues for his right of daddy-daughter bonding month, he had prior plans to take you out camping and hiking in the mountains, but her words are final.

a stab to your fathers gentle heart.

"It's only for a month, you both will live."

She shrugged it off and blasted off, not before she gave you and your disappointed father kisses. Promising souvenir's and food from countries you'll never be able to visit.

Today was like any other day of the year when it was summer, the AC turned on to the max, your room cold with you buried in your blankets with the anime you've been watching finally coming to an end.

Skipping one day is not big deal, your father don't mind at all as long as you both kept it hush hush around your mother.

And you deserved the break from enduring for this long in the summer heat after all.

Kicking the blankets off you. You lazily rolled off the bed, yawning as you sluggishly walked over to the TV mounted on the wall and turned it off.

It was way to cold in your room, your bare feet kissing the ice cold carpet and you shivered. Regretting not wearing socks.

You glanced at the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of Mark in his room playing his Gameboys like any other day when he waits for you to wake up, but his curtains were drawn close again. You weren't stupid. Mark has been ignoring you after you lied to him about liking Todd, because you were afraid to tell him the truth.

of course it was going to be awkward. Like Todd? You could have said some other guys name and he'd probably wouldn't bat an eye! Why did you have to blur out his name of all things?

You had screamed into your pillow that night until you passed out.

Your face hit the mattress, groaning into your messy bed. Heart aching for him, to see his face, hear his voice and my god you desperately wanted to hold his hand in yours while watching shows or reading comics.

Just thinking about him gave you butterflies. His stupid dorky smile, and his stupid laugh, the way his dark eyes twinkled as he attentively listens to you talk about your recent fixation he had every right to not listen to, but he did. he always did, no matter how boring of a topic it was.

You held your pillow tightly, screaming into it as you body shakes. Your legs kicked the air as you toss and turn in your bed.

"Damn you, Grayson!" you hissed, face warm as you try to calm your racing heart.

You sighed loudly, burying yourself into the comfort of your bed. Nearly falling back to slumber if it weren't for the door opening and closing with a soft click.

Must be your dad coming in to check on you. You made no attempts to look at your father, waiting for him to say something outrageous like when he admitted he already knew how much you love mark.

You've never seen that man panic in your entire life when you stormed back into your room and slammed the door shut right in his face. Snacks left outside your door with dinner Prepare and left for you to eat as an apology for teasing you.

"Dad, can you leave please? I don't wanna talk to anyone right now."

"uh, hey (name)? "

you have never bolted up from your bed as fast you have before. There he was, standing over your bed like a creep, your creep, a sheepish smile on his face as he awkwardly stood there, watching you.

"Mark! Hi! I, what, I didn't know you were here!" you sat on the edge of your bed, a little too eager to greet him. God, play it cool.

"Uh yeah, you were still asleep from watching all those shows last night." Mark said, "I didn't want to disturb you or anything."

You leaned back, blinking slowly, heat creeping to your cheeks a little embarrassed by the way he smiled softly as he spoke.

"I, I didn't know you were awake last night. You didn't knock on my window... We could have hangout, ya'know?"

Mark seems stun, like that wasn't an option at all when it comes to your friendship. He cleared his throat, shaking the nerves as he casually sat on the edge with you.

"I wasn't feeling well, and uh," Mark cleared his throat, "your dad wants me to hang out with you."

"We can do anything you want."

Tilting your head you were too well aware of your surroundings, his scent, the way he breathes and the way his eyes was staring at you in an intense emotional connection.

You try to create a gap between you two, fearing he may hear the rapid beats of your heart. God, the way he makes you feel was wonderful as it is scary.

Mark, noticed the slight gap between you two, and he feel his heart ache in hurt.

You never leaned away from him before.

All because you like, Todd. Was that it?

Just because you like Todd now, you suddenly want to distance from him now? Mark thinks it's unfair that you we're throwing away your friendship with him. You and him we're together the day you two met, why were you throwing it all away for your bully?

For your stupid crush?

You fought back anything that was cringe worthy, choosing to fake cough a few times when Mark stares at you, ignoring that he looked absolutely livid and pushed a strand of your hair behind your ear.

"D-do you wanna play Mario Kart with me?"

It came off as a whisper, too flustered and shy. You felt like punching yourself in the face and deleting your entire existence.

It took Mark a second to reply, hesitant, as if trying to see if he could offer something else to do with you. Slowly he nods.

"Yeah," Mark wore a smile it didn't reach his eyes but you were too over the moon to even notice anything astray.

"Let's play Mario Kart."

-

note : SCHOOL IS KICKING MY ASS THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FINISHED YESTERDAY #CULINARYSTUDENTSUFFERING, #HOSPITALITYMANAGEMENTTHINGS, why can't college pay for all of these things, huhu im going crazy-

Mark didn't know what to say to you. You, who reads comic books and loves eating more than the average kid, love Todd?

The kid who picked on you with Rebecca in every recess?

The same kid who pushed you from the swings just because you were on it for no longer than a second.

The SAME kid who said means things to him and William?

That Todd???

and you LOVE him?

it confused him.

and it angered him all at the same time.

Mark stares up at the ceiling from Williams bed. Williams room was, girlish, some pink here and there, sparkled with his interest littered around the room. Posters of band boys and popstars on his walls. Mark didn't mind it, not at all- but he needed something, anything to distract his thoughts, away from Todd and away from you.

Mark groans and William, who was sorting out his photocards had enough of his friend bitching about something he wasn't even telling him about.

"Look man, if you're not sharing what's troubling you, how about you leave. You are infecting my space with your yucky sulky feelings."

Mark sat at the edge of the bed, feet dangling just a few centimeters off the ground as he stares at William and thought for a second. How can he say it without William freaking out? It was Todd after all, same kid who called him gay in front of entire school.

Looking at William, Mark concludes he didn't have enough time to fully think about it before William kicks him out his room and simply blurred it out.

"(Name) likes Todd."

William's jaw dropped, eyes widen and a hand slapped over his mouth.

"No way."

"Yes way."

William jumped at Mark, shaking him violently whilst screeching in his face.

"What do you mean she likes Todd?! Todd is like, number one douchebag! Same with that Rebecca bitch!"

Mark was let go and William began pacing around the room, trying to wrap around the idea of you liking Todd of all people.

"Maybe, like, she's lying or something, or maybe there's another guy at school named Todd!"

Mark fell back into the mattress, drained out of energy just thinking about you and Todd.

"Why would she lie about this, William? i mean, what does she even see in Todd that makes him attractive?"

What does he have that Mark doesn't?

William paused, and thought deeply about it.

"Well, first of all, I hate the guy. But i think (Name) is really into tall dudes and lets be honest with ourselves, Todd is like, the tallest kid in our school and he's got a bit of muscles."

Mark snorts, "William ewww."

William raised both his hands, "Hey i'm just being honest here!"

"William, how do we talk her out of this, i'm going crazy thinking that maybe after summer ends she's going to confess to him and, it just makes me-"

Mark paused, he balled his hands into a fist before he ran his fingers through his hair. Trying to find reason, trying to ground himself from the anger that was rising to his head.

"It makes me so, mad."

William squints his eyes at him and crossed his arms.

"You sound jealous, Grayson."

Mark shot up, shaking his head at William, denying any feelings he has for you, and he, William, was starting to piece the puzzle together in his head.

There are times where Mark never simply pass by whenever you played with someone else other than them, inserting himself to whatever game you and whoever you were playing with and making the other party uncomfortable enough to leave. He even gets mad on your behalf when something doesn't go your way, and he was always the one first to be by your side after class.

William even saw him deliberately miss his bus home, just to wait for you and walk home together.

Oh god, William needed to get is eyes check because he never felt so blind in his entire life. It was right there in front of him the entire time, Mark's affection in broad fucking daylight, always with you, always by you. Always looking like a sick puppy whenever you were away.

"William, i don't like her like that okay!"

William only responded with a dragged out 'sureeeee' as he giggled into his hand. Shit, he can tease the fuck out of him and never get bored of it for years to come.

"Sureeeee, Mark, I'mnotjealousbecausemycrushhasacrush, Grayson, i'll believe you."

Mark, red from the neck up, threw a pillow at him.

-

Okay, perhaps he is jealous but not in a way William makes it out to be.

You like boys who are taller than you, unlike him who was shorter by an inch, you like boys with muscles and not like him who was literally the definition of fish and bones, you like boys with blue eyes, why couldn't he been born with blue eyes too...

There will be a day that you'll hang out with cooler friends, friends that are the opposite to his interest and Mark will one day see you drift away from him.

Away from him.

He sat in your living room, mindlessly munching away at your snacks as your father and his mother converse. You were sleeping in your room with the AC on, the low hum of the machine reaching his ears. He had seen you watch shows from his bedroom when he woke up in the middle of the night, binge watching anime before you fell asleep.

Mark wanted to come join you in your marathon of shows, but fought against it.

Mark kept recalling your confession in his head like a broken music disc, it makes it awkward for him to greet even you in the morning that he shuts his curtains the moment you stir in your bed, and its been a week since it happened.

Debbie and Nicolas nudged each other, waiting for the other to do something as they watch Mark absentmindedly chew on the same cookie he had grabbed the moment he sat on the couch 30 minutes ago.

Both adults vibrates, holding in their laughter as it was obvious that Mark is clearly avoiding you as you are avoiding him. Earlier that weak, Debbie immediately noticed the change when Mark didn't just ran out of the door to wake you up for your summer class and hang out with you.

the normal mornings where she had to drag him back to the house so he looks at least presentable and fed.

With one quick phone call to Nicolas, she couldn't stop grinning the entire day.

It was cute, how you two obviously like each other, and Nicolas having seen enough cleared his throat. Elbowing Debbie as she sniffle down a laugh.

"Mark, be a dear and spend some time with (Name) upstairs, she's probably already awake with the volume down watching shows."

"C-can I?" Mark's eyes sparkled, waiting for your father's approval.

"Yeah, just make sure she shuts the AC as you go in. It probably feels like Antarctica in there."

Mark didn't waste a single second before he was bolting towards your bedroom.

Nicolas and Debbie waits until his footsteps cease before bursting out in laughter.

"Our kids are doomed Debs, i can't take it anymore."

There are three things Nicolas James P. Aguilar loves in this world. His work, his wife, and his little girl (Name).

And like any other man who is weak for their daughters, he would do anything for that child to smile even if it means dragging her out her room to the living room for a one on one talk, snacks at the ready accompanied by his little girls favorite drink.

Nicolas puts his hands on his hips, lips pursed as he stares at his daughter who slumped further into the couch with a sad and absent look on her worn face.

"Darling stop making that face, you're making daddy sad. Now tell me what's wrong." you looked at him funny but made no move to comment, and simply turned away not even attempting to grab the cupcakes he made for you. Nicolas straighten up now fully awake.

You, his sweet gluttonous daughter, rejecting the food he made for you, the very same food you never share even if it was Mark?! Something was badly troubling his sweet angel and he needs to get to the bottom of it ASAP.

"Dad, why are you like this?"

You question your father as he sobs dramatically in his hands. Crying that you weren't sharing your troubles with your dear old man.

If there is one thing you hate most in this household is that you're father makes the most ugliest face whenever he attempted to cry to get a reaction out of you. Yet like always without fail, it made you crack with how ridiculous it made him look. "Dad, stop it, I'm fine, just- my god."

Your head hits the couch pillow and you release a tired sigh, like you worked a 9 to 5 job but Nicolas wasn't going to complain and point it out, you were cracking and he really just wants to know what was going on inside that head of yours.

"You ready to talk about it?"

He sat on the couch, but never close to you to give you the space.

It didn't even take a second before you gave him an idea to what was bothering you.

"Dad, how did you ever figure out you like mom and how did you make her love you?"

Oh?

Ooooh

Nicolas fought, and he fought hard to make his face stay neutral.

Guess He and Debbie are going to France soon~

He coughs, biting down the grinning threating to show, growing a little flustered as he reach for a cup. He needs a second to gather his thoughts, to fight back the urge to tease the living shit out of his daughter. "Well... Uh, your mother and I met each other in the Philippines, you know my home country?"

"Yeah?"

"And we never did tell you how we actually met each other. Well, we met because we were classmates. Ehe."

You sat up, mouth agape with your eyes popping out of your sockets. "You guys lied to me! I thought you two met when mom saved you from a mugger!"

Nicolas laughs, "We'll that's your mothers side of the story, we actually first met when we were classmates but she doesn't really like talking about it."

He shrugged, "You see your mother was, lets say, uhm, a very intense when she was young. She was an exchange student from America, and let me say this,"

"She was a menace."

You leaned closer, eager to listen to how your parents actually met and not the overly romantic version you're mother told you when you were too young to count numbers. There was a gleam of curiosity and eagerness to how their lives unfold and Nicolas can't help but smile at your adorable face.

"Unlike in America, we had uniforms we wear from Monday to Friday, and your mother would violate all the known dress codes in the school and would constantly fight with the other schools in the area."

"So in other words she's a delinquent?"

"A lone wolf at that."

You awed and admired your mother more as the story progressed.

"She was different then, always frowning, always cursing at the world, but I guess after she saved me while she was on duty that day, she began noticing me,"

Nicolas gave you a goofy grin, "I was just a nerdy kid who was into making hero costumes, i was always next to her, and by the stars the day she saved me, it was like the universe aligned and, well you know, everything just fell into place."

"She was changing, slowly, she wasn't so cruel as she was before she transferred, and honestly we didn't know it then but we were falling for each other."

He looked over to where you sat, and pats your head.

"Then we moved here and had you. Your mother changed for the better and look at us, a happy family with our beautiful daughter."

You giggled when your father gave you forehead kisses.

"So in other words?"

"Darling you can't force love, you naturally gain it over time, you let it fall and you let it bloom. If you force love, it only gives you despair and hurt at the end."

You hugged your father, burying your face into his shirt, contemplating, calculating, trying to make sense of things. to understand what he was trying to say.

"I know you may not understand now, you're confused i was too at your age. But know this, if the person you love don't love you back, just move on, don't force it darling, okay?"

You don't know why but you feel sad. Mark wouldn't love you, he would never fall for you, and it hurts to slowly come to that understanding. If love is so beautiful why can't you have it as well? You should accept and move on like your father said, but your heart screamed and disagreed.

"But what if i don't want to move on from them, dad? What do i do then?"

"Then accept that sometimes, the one you love will love someone else and you should just let them go. I think only then that you'll be able to move on and feel content."

Nicolas felt like crying, fuck, what kind of effect did that Grayson kid had on you? and why now we're you just realizing you like the kid after years of being so possessive of him???

Nicolas was actually going to start bawling here and now if it weren't for you sitting straight up, hands clenched into a ball as you furrowed your brows deep in thought.

"Dad,"

"Yes?"

"I, I think I'm in love Mark."

Oh yeah, Vacation in France is just around the corner. He could smell it.

and without even thinking he blurred out his stupidest mistake.

"Oh i know, honey."

"Huh?"

-

It first started with a simple and innocent feeling.

Mark Grayson and (Name) are childhood best friends, next door neighbors that had one parent as a superhero. Every sleepover, every birthday parties, and each and every playdates, attended to since both of you live close to one another. you both were close, closer than what both your parents shares about you two to strangers or friends. yet neither of you cared for that as long as you had each other.

At first (Name) didn't think much of it, didn't understand the feelings you felt towards Mark, just that you understood that you really like being around him, standing next to him, playing with him, and listening to him ramble about the latest superhero that caught his attention or the newest addition Seance Dog that your mother gifted him on his birthday. All ears as you drowned in the way he speaks.

something about him makes you feel special, like you have been seen and understood, was it bad that you think he feels the same way too?

Then comes the budding plant that blossomed uncontrollably as you grew- grew to understand why you like being with him, like when you held hands as you both walk to school when you both miss the bus, like when he talks and rambles over anything he was interested in. You were head over heels in love and you're scared. Scared to lose the friendship, scared to be treated differently.

And you went home, crying uncontrollably because not only did you love Mark, you also had to walk in the scorching heat because of course a villain just had to show up during your summer classes.

Worse of all, Mark saw you cry the day you understood these feelings. Witness from the window that faced both your bedrooms, the very same window where you both would stay late at night just to talk until his father tells you both to go to sleep. Mark opens the window and leaned over to knock on yours. a pleading look to open, the very same ones when he sees you having a bad day.

How can you ever deny him when he looks this sad.

"Are you okay?"

Mark, the 12 year old next door neighbor, who you have a crush on hops on over and flops right on to your bed with his back pressed to the wall. You slide the window shut again and wiped the tears away.

"M'fine."

"We'll you're crying, that means you are not fine." Mark pouts and crosses his arms, scanning you over to see what could possibly upset you so much that you had to cry tears.

"Was Rebecca being mean to you again?" He gasped as if he figured the cause of your tears, "me and William will go and give her a piece of our minds!"

"it's not her this time, Mark..." you laid on your bed facing the opposite from mark. hands clutched near your heart to calm the erratic thumps. unable to speak as the words clogged inside your throat.

Mark ever the dork he was jumped over you only to land on the floor with a thud.

"Mark!"

"I'm okay!"

He popped back up just to sit on the floor, elbows propped against the bed and his head on his hands. grinning and waiting for you to tell him about your struggles. his ears were a little red and you cant help but giggle how he was playing it off like he hadn't hurt himself.

Mark smiled, "You laughed!" you feel his finger poke your cheek "Does that mean you aren't sad anymore?"

shaking your head, you sat up right and sighed.

"Still sad, but with you around I always feel better. Thanks, you dork."

"w-well I'm glad you feel better."

Mark coughed and cleared his throat, "so, what's on your mind?"

You stared into his eyes, and suddenly that feeling in your heart intensifies, your face was warmer and your palms began to sweat.

you wanted, no, you needed him to know what you feel but you couldn't because you fear change. so you began stammering trying to a make passable excuse to give.

"I, uh, i, i just really want a dog!"

"Isn't your mom allergic?"

Mark leaned back and gave you the most baffled look that he knows that you know that you we're lying. the perks of living next to each other your whole lives.

You slapped yourself mentally. Out of all the lies you can say, why an animal that you're mother is deathly allergic too?

"come on (Name) you can tell me anything, we're best friends right? and as best friends we don't hide anything from each other!"

Mark watches you bury yourself in your blankets. You felt your heart aching slightly. Friends, of course he only saw you as a friend never will it be anything else, not now, not in the future. You felt like crying but not here, god forbid he ever catches you crying again.

You hear him shuffle as the bed dips from his weight before he yanks your blankets off you.

"Mark!" you fought him back by trying to take back the sheet.

"Tell me what's wrong first!" He held onto the blanket with all the strength he's got. Damn him and his alien genes, despite not awakening his powers yet he was strong, stronger than you at least.

After a bit, you relent and Mark smiled victorious. patiently he waits for you to confess, to answer for the tears he saw you shed earlier in his bedroom.

your heart raced. we're you going to really tell him now? what if he says he doesn't like you? "Mark... I, I like-"

The boy perks up. Eagerly waits to what you had to say, his brown eyes sparkling.

"I LIKE TODD!"

...

...

"... what?"