by Rey, Solomon
“You aren’t wearing anything!” He said slightly embarrassed.
“I’ve got underwear on.”
“Yeah, but…”
“You’ve see me naked loads of times.”
“Yeah, but your body was nothing like it is now!”
“Will you knock it off, just pretend it’s a bikini.”
He considered what she said; she was right! She’s like a sister to me, he thought, it’s just a bikini. He turned back toward her, It worked! “Maybe my Mom put them in her drawer by accident, I’ll check.” He left, only to return moments later, holding black clothes. “Here you go,” he said.
“Thanks!” She dressed.
“Where’s the twenty?” He asked.
“In my dresser, under my panties. You hold on to it.”
He found the twenty, tucked it in to his front left pocket. “Ready?” He asked.
“Yeah.”
They turned a few lights out and walked into the moonlight. She scanned the area, near and far, as she covered her head with her hood, tying it tight.
“Well, hop on Yoda,” she said.
“Oh yes…the force is strong with this one,” He said with his best Yoda voice. He jumped on. “Don’t forget to keep your mouth shut when you’re running,” he chuckled.
“Shut up!” She smiled. Olivia dashed off.
The night was relatively warm, but when you are travelling at ninety miles an hour, the wind can get a bit frigid.
“I really wish I’d worn a jacket,” He whispered into her ear.
She laughed, being mindful to keep her mouth closed. Not a car or person in sight, which was not surprising to either. As she ran, he felt every bump, dip and pothole in the road.
“We need to put some new shocks on you, because this is definetly not a very smooth ride. I think my easter-eggs are nearly ready to crack,” he complained.
She shook her head. That’s gross! She thought, boys can be disgusting…but funny.
Trees flew by at a blistering speed; city lights quickly came into view. He was not used to travelling this fast, it was hypnotic…mesmerizing. They were a couple of hundred yards away from the Dairy Queen before they knew it. She stopped abruptly, letting him down.
“You go the rest of the way on foot, I’ll be waiting for you in the back.” She directed.
He looked towards the Dairy Queen, when he turned back, she’d disappeared.
“I can see that becoming annoying,” he said aloud.
He jogged the rest of the way, happy to be on his own two feet. The Dairy Queen was packed as usual, with familiar faces through out. He walked quickly to the back—it was empty.
“Olivia,” he whispered, “Olivia.” He searched the area for a sign of her and found nothing. He looked to the left, right and back again.
“Holy crap,” he cried out. She stood smiling at him, “You scared the hell out of me! You know…we’re going to have to have a talk about your vanishing…thing.”
“That’s what you get for the stupid fart question,” she said snickering.
“Whatever,” he said, “What do you want from DQ?”
“You know what I like…get me two!”
“You’ve really become a pig.”
“It’s not my fault!” She said whining.
“Okay, I’ll be right back,” he turned, walking to the side entrance.
She went back to her hiding place. She had to admit, it was fun sneaking around. I feel like a spy or something, she thought.
* * *
Derek ventured into the Dairy Queen, acknowledging the people he knew. He stood back, trying to settle on something to order, but everything looked sooo good.
“What are you going to get?” A familiar voice asked.
He turned around to see Lisa Ryan standing next to him, staring at the lighted menu. His heart raced.
“I’m not sure, still looking,” He said casually, “How’s your sister doing?”
“She’s fine. Just a little sore,” she said, “That Angel thing’s kinda crazy, don’t you think?”
“You don’t really believe it, do you?” He asked.
“How do you explain it? How do you explain the doors being torn off and both Sheila and Mark safely set aside?”
“I don’t know, but there has to be some logical explanation other than The Angel.”
“If there is, I want to hear it!” Lisa said adamantly, “I would think, of all people, you would believe in The Angel.”
“Why would you say that?” He asked curiously.
“Because, ever since I’ve known you, you’ve loved comic books.
“I don’t believe that these comic book heroes exist. They’re fictional, just like The Angel.”
“I choose to believe in her even if you don’t.”
“I’m not telling you not to believe in her, I’m just saying I don’t.” Derek said, “Hey, I didn’t see you when I came in?”
“I was in the restroom,” she said.
“I hope everything came out smoothly,” Derek smiled.
Lisa was familiar with Derek’s sense of humor and would often best him. She would always try to out do him. When Derek, Lisa and Olivia were together tears of laughter were sure to be shed.
“Oh, it did! Funny thing, it looked just like you,” Lisa said smirking. Derek chuckled. “I went to the restroom to wash my hands.”
“Who did you come with?” Derek asked.
“My mom dropped me off,” She said, “How’s Olivia doing? Is she better?”
“She’s getting better, before you know it she’ll be pooping like the rest of us.”
Lisa glanced around trying to see whom she knew out of the crowd…
“Uh…Derek…don’t turn around, but Scott and Ronnie are sitting over in the corner-booth behind us,” she said furtively.
“Great!” He said sarcastically, “That’s just great!”
“You’d better get out of here!” She said nervously.
“You might be right,” he said. Olivia could take care of them with no problem; but that might jeopardize her secret.
“I’ll be back in a couple of minutes,” he grinned.
“Okay…I’ll be here,” she was confused, but exited to see him.
He walked briskly to the back, where Olivia was waiting.
“Hey−“
“I already heard…what’s your idea?”
They discussed Derek’s plan quickly.
“Okay, don’t come till I call you and stay hidden behind the cars, okay?” He instructed. She responded with a nod and a smile. He ran off laughing.
Derek stood in front of the cars that were parked adjacent to the entrance. He giggled a few times. This is going to be awesome, he thought, I can’t wait to see their faces.
Lisa spotted Derek from where she stood inside. She came out, curious as to what was going on.
“What are you doing?” Lisa asked, walking towards him.
“Lisa, don’t come any closer, just stand by the door and I promise you will enjoy what’s going to happen…trust me!”
“Are you crazy? Did Scott hit you too hard on Friday?” She asked semi-joking.
“Lisa, you need to trust me…now stand over there,” he said firmly as he pointed.
He watched Scott and Ronnie dispose of their trash on their way out the door, holding their milk shakes.
Derek waited patiently, smiling at Lisa, who stood by with a worried look on her face. He observed Scott and Ronnie stop to harass a couple of smaller kids. As Ronnie stepped out, he noticed Derek first.
“Scott, look who’s here,” he chuckled. His face still bruised, thanks to Olivia’s kick days earlier.
Lisa was worried for her friend.
“Somebody’s about to get his butt kicked,” Scott announced. “That’s very nice of you to come to me,” he laughed, “Wussy.”
I really think he’s lost it, Lisa thought, I don’t want to watch this.
“I’m standing here,” Derek said taunting them
.
Scott drank from his cup. He was a bit taken back by Derek’s suicidal behavior. Ronnie looked at Scott, waiting for instruction.
“Olivia,” Derek whispered, “Be ready!”
She dashed behind the SUVS in back and to the side of Derek in the shadows. She had a birds-eye-view of Scott, Ronnie and Lisa, but she couldn’t see Derek, which was okay. He would signal when the time was right.
Derek stood with his hands in his front pockets. He whipped both hands out, pointing his forefingers at the two cretins, pretending his hands were fully loaded pistols.
Lisa couldn’t believe her eyes. He really is crazy, she thought.
The boys began to laugh.
“If you take one step toward me, you’ll force me to shoot,” he said, as calmly as Clint Eastwood in one of his spaghetti westerns.
They laughed even harder. Lisa cracked a smile.
“I think you hit him way too hard, Scott,” Ronnie said.
“I’m not kidding,” Derek said, “Try me if you’ve got the guts.”
This angered Scott, extinguishing his smile. Nothing was funny anymore though Ronnie continue to laugh.
“Shut up, idiot!” Scott said with a quick glance at Ronnie. He did as ordered.
Olivia smiled, trying hard to stifle a laugh. She knew the time to have some fun was near.
Scott scanned the area, looking toward the street, making sure there was no nosey cops hanging around. Why was this runt acting this way? He couldn’t figure it out, but he didn’t give it much thought. He never gave anything in his life much thought.
“I’m going to beat you senseless, wussy,” he said, taking a step forward.
Derek aimed his finger at Scott and yelled, “BANG!”
Scott’s shake exploded in his hand, coating his face, chest and shoulders with cold sticky ice cream.
His eyes widened in disbelief, and anger lit his mind on fire. Strawberry shake dripped off his nose and chin, as he tossed what remained of his cup to the ground.
Lisa covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. How did he do that, she thought. She searched the parking lot for someone helping him—she saw no one.
“What the hell,” Ronnie said, as his mouth hung open, staring in disbelief.
Derek remained calm, fingers at the ready.
“I wanted you Davies!” Derek said, “I dare you to take another step,” He squinted his eyes as he grinned.
This was more than Scott could stand. His face turned ten shades of red; He charged Derek.
Derek shot from the hip: “BANG! BANG! BANG!”
Scott was pelted by things he couldn’t see—welts appeared on his skin. “OW! OW! OW!,” He yelled, “What the—“
Ronnie didn’t know what to do.
Lisa laughed aloud, still looking for Derek’s accomplice.
The patrons inside the Dairy Queen started to gather against the plate-glass windows, watching the show with their noses pressed against it—fogging them up.
Scott was apprehensive to take another step. “Go get him you idiot,” He ordered Ronnie. Ronnie’s eyes widened. Scott saw the fear in his eyes. “Are you chicken?” Scott asked.
“Well…yeah! As much as you are.”
“Shut up, idiot!”
“I tell you what,” Derek said still calm and cool, “I’ll give you till the count of three to get out of here, and you’d better run.”
“I’m not running anywhere, wussy,” Scott said not as confidently as before.
“Last warning…Run or I’ll unload my guns.”
“How are you doing this!” He screamed frantically.
“It’s called ‘magic’,” He said grinning, “One…you’d better start moving.”
Lisa watched intently, as well as the audience inside the DQ.
Scott stood defiantly, with evident fear in his eyes. Ronnie was prepared to run.
“Two…don’t say you weren’t warned.”
Scott’s shoulders slumped slightly, face tense. He didn’t want to show weakness, but he had no choice.
“I’ll get you! You know I will,” Scott promised.
“Three…BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!”
Ronnie screamed, “Owww! Owww!” As he ran down the driveway. The roar of the crowd could be heard through the large glass windows.
Scott walked quickly trying not to run, despite the pelting of the rocks. He wanted to maintain the little dignity he had left. “Ow, Ow, Ow,” he exclaimed under his breath.
“Wow, now that was fun,” he whispered to Olivia, “Thanks, I’ll get us our food now.”
“Yes! I’m so starving!” She whispered to herself.
Lisa ran to Derek, “That was awesome!” She said laughing and nearly dancing a jig, “How did you do it?”
“Like I said, its magic,” he smiled, walking into DQ with Lisa on his heels.
“You won’t tell me?”
“I can’t. I’m sorry,” he said sincerely.
“Well, it doesn’t matter it was fun to watch. I’ll remember this forever,” she said smiling at him.
As he entered, people patted him on the back, some he knew—others he didn’t. They questioned him, thanked him and applauded him. He was walking on cloud nine! He’d never done anything that warranted admiration from anyone before; this was an amazing feeling.
When the praise died down, he ordered their food. Lisa stood by his side.
“I have to get going. My mom should be out front soon.”
“Okay, I’ll see you later, bye,” Derek said.
“Have Olivia call me so we can have a sleep over or something, okay.” He nodded, as she waved bye.
Derek picked up his order and joined Olivia behind the SUVs.
“Here you go,” Derek said, handing the food to Olivia, as she sat next to him.
“Oh My God! I’m starving,” she said, sliding the hood off her head. She unwrapped her burger. They enjoyed their food as they watched patrons exit the DQ.
* * *
Lisa stood patiently on the curb in front of Dairy Queen watching a stream of cars passing by from both directions. She had a whale-of-a-tale to tell her mom and Sheila, they would probably laugh as hard as she had. The scene replayed over and over in her mind, as though it were on a loop. Way to go, Derek, she thought, maybe they’ll stop bullying kids. Probably not!
“Lisa,” Rhonda Ryan yelled. No response from Lisa, her mind was elsewhere. “Lisa,” she yelled again. This time she looked toward her mother’s voice.
Rhonda sat across the street in her late-model Camry with little Mark in the back seat. Her window was rolled down as she waved Lisa over. She greeted her Mom with a quick wave of her hand and a smile, but her mind was still on Derek’s recent escape. She absent-mindedly stepped off the curb.
Rhonda’s smile vanished, replaced by a mask of panic-stricken horror. Her eyes grew large as every muscle in her body became taut. She saw the inevitable and screamed at the top of her lungs, “Lisa! Nooooo!”
Everything slowed for Olivia, the second she heard Rhonda’s shriek. She stepped out of the shadows, to assess the situation at hand: A two-ton truck was hurtling toward Lisa; there was no time for evasive action by the driver or Lisa; her friend’s death was eminent—unless she intervened.
She thought about trying to stop the truck by attacking it head on, but the laws of physics could not be avoided. The reality was: That the truck weighed two tons and Olivia topped out at a mere 160 pounds; she would end up bouncing off the bumper, while failing to slow it down in the least—she’d worked it out in her head in a micro-second.
In the smallest fragment of time, she zoomed toward the two-ton truck, which was inches from ending Lisa’s life. Olivia stuck her left arm out, as though she were a running back, straight-arming the opposing team, and at full speed and power, struck the right-front fender. She heard the wrenching of metal, screeching of tires, as she sent the truck careening into on-coming traffic.
Derek stood on the sidewalk watching everything unfurl,
as Frogger video game briefly ran through his mind. He watched his best friend shove the two-ton truck out of the way as though it weighed ounces. Others watched from both sides of the street, including patrons inside Dairy Queen and its neighboring businesses.
A car, swerving to avoid a head on, collision with the truck, successfully veered out of its way, only to bear down on Olivia and Lisa. Olivia put her arm around Lisa, who stood wide-eyed through the whole ordeal. Olivia quickly instructed Lisa, “Hold onto me!”
Lisa barely had time to grab hold when Olivia propelled them both upwards of thirty feet.
People either, fumbled for their phones, to video the happenings, so they could show their friends, or post on YouTube, or they watched in a stupor, not wanting to turn away for a second, afraid of missing a thing.
Though Derek was aware of Olivia’s special talents, he was not fully cognizant of the extent of her abilities, which held him in a daze, He forced himself out of a trance to whisper a message, “Olivia, get the hell out of here! I’ll meet you where you dropped me off earlier,” she heard him.
Olivia and Lisa landed safely on the sidewalk next to Derek. “Take her!” Olivia directed.
He held on to Lisa, as Olivia vaulted onto the roof of the Dairy Queen. She turned to look down on the spectators, oohing and aahing her. She turned away and in a single leap shot through the air, disappearing from sight.
Derek heard the mutterings of the crowd that began to encompass them. Lisa came to her senses, trying to soak up everything that happened in the span of seconds.
“Who was that?” She asked, looking at Derek.
“I guess…that was The Angel,” He couldn’t think of anything else. What could he say? Oh, that was Olivia and by the way—she’s superhuman.”
The crowd, which surrounded them had heard Derek’s declaration—it spread like wildfire. The name “Angel’ was being tossed about like a beach ball.
