22. Just When I Thought Life Was Settling Down...
After several hours and countless failed attempts to use any sort of superpower what-so-ever, it's official. Not only am I a total idiot, but I have successfully managed to lose my superpowers. I know. I'm terrible. The worst hero ever. Seriously, who accidentally 'loses' their powers?
Hey, maybe I should look on the bright side. At least I can now text freely, without being in fear of accidently destroying my phone.
After dinner I'm moping around on my bed, staring at my homework (that I completely forgot about) in hope that it will spontaneously combust and mentally planning ways to try and convince my mother to let me off school tomorrow. I could factor my nose into it, or maybe act really drained of energy, even more drained than what I feel right now. I'm not normally the type to try and skip school, but I really don't feel bothered for school right now. Or anything. Maybe I'll get lucky and mum will say that my house arrest includes school, too.
I hear movement in the doorway of my room and look up to see my mother, leaning casually against the doorframe, while shaking her head.
"Oh, hi mum."
"Firstly, I hate to crash your party, but don't even try. You are going to school tomorrow."
"Wait... what? How did you... I wasn't planning on..." She gives me a 'really' look. "Oh, that's right. Damn. I forgot you were..." Telepathic. "Well, that sucks. Do I have to go?"
She rolls her eyes. "Yes. School is important." I groan. "Anyway, I've been doing some research. Good news." I raise an eyebrow. "You haven't lost your powers."
I double fist pump and sit up on my bed, choosing to pay her more attention.
"You have just temporarily drained yourself of them."
"Oh, okay. So that's good, I guess." She nods. "So, how long will they take to, um, undrain?"
"A few days, maybe two or three." I groan.
"What will I do in the meantime? My lack of powers means I'm free of this stupid house arrest, yes?"
"Ha, nice try." She gives me a sly smile. "House arrest is still on, apart from school, which you will go to. In the meantime you can work on your homework. Do something useful."
"Meanie," I moan, as she walks away.
"So, how was the rest of your weekend?" Josh asks me, as we walk to our first period class. "After you beat that captain dude and he broke your nose. If it makes you feel any better, I think the news report said that you broke his, as well." I roll my eyes, stepping into the hallway.
"I had an... interesting weekend." He raises an eyebrow as he follows, while I resist the impulse to smirk. I'm about to continue, when a woman bumps into my shoulder as she rushes past me. Holding a microphone, she is followed by two men, both carrying large over-the-shoulder cameras. What? Another guy runs past, carrying a tripod camera and a bundle of cables.
"Josh... do you see those people?" I keep my voice down, trying not to attract any attention to myself. Calm down, surely there is a rational reason why there is people filming at my school.
But knowing my luck, there probably isn't.
"What, with the cameras and gear and stuff? Yeah."
"Do you know why they are here?"
"Well, no. My guess is that it's something to do with a supervillain, or maybe..." We look at each other at the same time, sharing the same oh crap expression on our faces. Surely they wouldn't be here to find me, right? I mean, nobody actually knows who I am. Well, I'm pretty sure CC does. Crap, maybe he leaked my location!
"This is bad," I whisper, nervously running my hand through my hair. "Okay, this is worse than bad. We gotta get out of here!" I duck into a random doorway, pulling Josh with me.
"Can't you overload their whole system again, like you did on Saturday?"
"What, and make it really obvious who I am? No. Also, well, I couldn't anyway, because-" Josh elbows me in the arm, and I look up to see a whole classroom full of media people. Some are in the act of putting up a white backdrop, while some are prepping lighting and checking the microphones on their video cameras. Well, not anymore, because they are all staring at me.
I swear. "Run!" I yell to Josh, before sprinting into the hallway. I run around a girl opening her locker and dodge a few of my fellow perplexed classmates. I bump into and startle an old female teacher. I barely have time to apologize as I run away, hearing her cries as she threatens me with detention. Josh chuckles from behind me.
I slow down at the next corner, trying to blend into the crowd. I immediately regret my decision when a camera woman grabs my arm and pulls me towards an empty room.
"You look busy, but hopefully not too busy for a quick interview? It will be short, I promise." She looks at me enthusiastically, and I try to think of ways to get away, as fast as possible. "You might even get to be on TV!"
Oh, trust me, I've had my fair share of air time. No thank you. "Uh..."
"Great! It will only take a sec." She swoops a lock of black hair behind her ear and shoves a camera in my face. "What's your name?"
"Er, Ti- I mean, Thomas." I thank my quick thinking. A false name couldn't hurt. "But I kind of have to go to my cl-"
"This won't take long. So, Tom. Can I call you Tom?"
"Huh? I really need to-"
"There's no rush. So tell me, Tom. What was your first reaction upon finding out that the famous supervillain Superto Thefto had chosen to visit your school?"
My reaction to this question is exactly the same as what I answered the lady with: "Wait, what?" Superto Thefto? But that guy is like... the best supervillain ever! I remember being a huge fan of him before I stuck my fingers in that socket and developed powers of my own, but why would he be here? I don't get it.
But then I feel relief wash over me. If he is here, it means the camera people aren't here for me! I have never been so relieved to be a part of the majority in my life. I'm an ordinary schoolboy. Wicked! My powers are temporarily AWOL too, so I can't even muck up and shock someone or something if I wanted to. Cool! I smile at the lady, putting on my best 'excited and biggest fan ever' face.
"WOAH," I say, exaggerating the tone of my voice. "Superto Thefto!? At our school! That's soooo wicked!"
Five minutes later I walk out of the classroom, a huge grin on my face. Life is good when you find out that you are not the centre of attention. A few steps into the hallway and I bump into a panicking Josh. Josh, the "King of Kool" (self-given name), panicking? I almost tease him, but decide against it.
"Dude!" he cries, "Where were you! I was worried! I thought you had been surrounded by cameras or something!"
I roll my eyes. "Only one camera. And they aren't looking for me or me in my suit."
"Oh. So that's good news." Josh scratches his chin. "Then who are they here for?"
"Superto Thefto." He raises an eyebrow. "It doesn't really matter who it is, though. As long as it isn't me."
"Right." Josh nods. "I suppose we have to go to class now, though?" He pouts and I laugh.
"Of course. Keep our heads down, be a part of the majority. Don't look suspicious."
"Can we still get autographs?"
I grin at him. "Definitely." 726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HVQOs6OHZ
