by Drew Hayes
“I guess that sort of makes sense,” Camille said hesitantly. “Um, this white one is my house.”
“Oh, okay,” Vince said. “It was nice to meet you, Camy.”
“It was. We could hang out again sometime,” she ventured hopefully. “What street do you live on?”
“I don’t,” Vince replied. “My father and I are just passing through. I have to go meet him soon, actually. We’re catching a train out of town tonight.”
“Oh. So I won’t see you again?” Camille asked.
“Probably not. The trains don’t come through here too often,” Vince said.
“Well then... thank you again,” she said, heartbreak already seeping in. Her hero, the first real friend she’d had, wouldn’t even be here for one more night. That hurt more than anything Billy or Rick had ever done. That’s when Camille did possibly the first, but by no means the last, brave thing of her life. She whirled around and quickly planted a peck right on Vince’s lips. That accomplished, Camille dashed up the sidewalk to the front door of her house, pausing only briefly to glance back and see his reaction. Vince’s cheeks were bright red, but there was a smile on his face. It nearly matched the one nestled firmly on Camille’s.
Neither knew it, but they were both each other’s first kiss.
* * *
“Hey!” Vince said, snapping his fingers and looking at Camille. “I just remembered where I know you from.”
Camille let out a very soft, very high-pitched squeak and turned bright red.
“You were the healer at Jill and Sasha’s fight, weren’t you?” Vince asked.
Camille slowly nodded her head and prayed the blood would move away from her face sometime soon.
“Ah, great. I knew you looked familiar. That was driving me crazy.”
83.
“So, Alice and Mary, this is my roommate, Larry, but we all call him L-Ray, and his best friend, Steve. Steve doesn’t really have a nickname yet,” Bubbles said.
“And I cannot put into words how thankful I am for that,” Steve added.
“Just so I’m clear here, it’s Bubbles, L-Ray, and Steve?” Alice asked, a part of very much hoping she would be corrected.
“Unfortunately, yes,” L-Ray confirmed for her. “It’s nice to meet both of you.”
“Ditto,” Steve agreed.
While Bubbles looked more or less normal for a girl her age, L-Ray stood out significantly more. He wore a skintight purple shirt cut in a long V-neck, snug black jeans that left just a bit too little to the imagination, and purple sneakers. All of this was topped off by black hair with the tips dyed purple and a generous smearing of silver makeup all around his eyes. L-Ray looked even stranger when compared to Steve. Steve was wearing a simple polo, khakis, and sensible shoes. His hair was trimmed in a crew cut and he had the look of a man who definitely knew how to work out and eat right. Neither of the girls would have been surprised to learn he was enrolled in the ROTC program, which he was.
“It’s nice to meet you both as well,” Alice said. “I had a class with Nata- er... Bubbles last semester.”
“Forgive me, but I thought Bubbles said she was introducing us to her roommate,” Mary said.
“She is. I’m her roommate. Turns out Lander is pretty laid back about a co-ed arrangement as long as one of you is gay. I suspect there was a civil suit somewhere along the line,” L-Ray speculated.
“Oh, don’t be silly,” Bubbles said. “I bet they just want everyone to live with the people they have the most fun with. Ooooooh this year will be so awesome and we’ll have so much fun. I’ve already got some awesome plans for the next weekend-”
“That sounds wonderful, darling, but first would you grab us some bottled waters? Just put it on my tab at the bar,” L-Ray asked her.
“Sure thing!” With that Bubble scampered off to wait in a long line of patrons.
“Lovely girl, but I’ve found it’s best to distract her when meeting new people, or else nothing besides opening pleasantries get exchanged,” L-Ray explained once she was gone. “So what are your majors, what year are you, and Mary, can I just say I love your contacts? They go so well with your skin tone.”
“Thank you,” Mary said, not wanting to correct him. Things like her amber eyes or Vince’s hair were often hallmarks of people born with powers. The only blessing was that so many people wanted to be perceived as Supers that such cosmetic versions of these non-human features were almost commonplace, allowing the real ones a bit of room to blend in. There were some who believed this fashion trend had been instigated and kept buoyant by a conspiracy of Supers so they could at least halfway blend in. “I like your eye makeup.”
“Really? I felt like it was a bit over the top, but then again, I saw some guy walking around in here with all of his hair done up in silver, so at least I’m not the most garish one in the room,” L-ray said. “The truth is I prefer to dress a bit more subdued normally, but the makeup is the only part of my outfit that’s mandatory. Thus I figure it’s better to at least appear as if I was going for a specific look. But listen to me, rambling like Bubbles.”
“No, no, it’s interesting,” Alice said. “Why is the makeup mandatory, though?”
“He’s a Powered,” Steve answered for his friend. “He has to wear it pretty much all the time.”
“I’m afraid I still don’t get it,” Alice admitted.
“I have spontaneous x-ray vision,” L-Ray told her. “It just happens at random intervals. The makeup I wear is specially made with lead in it. That way when it kicks on, I can just close my eyes.”
“Right, because eyelids don’t stop x-rays on their own,” Alice said, comprehension dawning.
“And depending on how much you see though, that could be quite a horrifying sight,” Mary added on.
“Exactly,” Steve agreed with them.
“I must say, you’re taking this well. A lot of people get uncomfortable when they find out I’m a Powered,” L-Ray admitted.
Alice and Mary resisted the urge to exchange tell-tale glances. Barely, but they did.
“I guess we’re just open-minded,” Alice said with a slightly too-large grin.
“So it seems,” L-Ray concurred. “Anyway, I believe you were telling us about yourselves.”
* * *
“So ladies, which of you wants to take the first sashay around the floor with the dance master?” Nick asked.
“Pass,” Violet said.
“No, thank you,” Camille replied.
“Lose the shades and maybe we’ll talk,” Stella shot back.
“No dice, Toots, the shades can be considered welded into my face,” Nick said.
“Guess that means you’re back to asking some other lady is the she wants the pleasure of your company,” Vince chuckled. “I’m sure they’ll be more receptive to your charms.”
“As long as none of them has a Bible on hand,” Alex added.
“Wait, what now?” Thomas asked.
“Oh, we haven’t told you this story yet?” Alex asked in surprise. “Boy, it’s a good one.”
“Screw you guys. I’m getting a water at the bar and picking up some girl with self-esteem issues. You’ll see, next time your eyes fall on Nick Campbell it will be as a gorgeous woman swoons into his arms,” Nick declared, half walking, half storming off back inside.
“You think we were too mean?” Vince said, suddenly concerned.
“Nah, Nick loves having all eyes on him. Hell, sometimes I think he messes up with girls on purpose just for the stories. Trust me on this one, he’s feeling just fine,” Alex assured him.
Vince decided to take his word for it, because while Alex might not have Mary’s precision, he was more than capable of picking up on feelings.
“So, what now?” Hershel asked.
“Much as Nick can be a bit peculiar in his methods, I say we take his idea and go dance,” Violet said. “Thomas, would you care to start me off, for old times’ sake?”
“Of course,” Thomas replied
with a gentlemanly nod of his head.
“No way I’m sitting that out,” Stella declared. “Hershel, your other persona seems to have some moves. Want to do a spin on the floor?”
“Sure, I guess so,” Hershel reluctantly agreed. He would have rather been dancing with Mary, but he didn’t see the strength of will to make that happen coming anytime soon. Besides, this seemed innocent enough.
“Only one girl left,” Alex pointed out. “Vince, if you don’t mind, can I steal her away?”
“Sure thing,” Vince replied. “I really don’t feel right dancing with someone besides my girlfriend anyway.”
“Um... well... I...” Camille said, hesitating. She really didn’t have any urge to go gyrate on the dance floor with some man she barely knew. Then again, the other option was staying here with Vince, possibly alone if Alex decided to search for another partner. As soon as that thought raced into her head, the decision was made.
“That sounds lovely.”
* * *
“-and that’s how I decided to major in geology,” L-Ray finished explaining.
“Eeeeeeeee!” Bubble squealed, dashing up to their cluster and passing out waters.
“Sweet heaven, I think my eardrum just killed itself,” Steve complained.
“Calm down, darling, what’s got you in such a tizzy?” L-Ray said, working with more patience than Alice believed she could have mustered under such auditory assault.
“OhmygodItotallysawthatguyandhewas-”
“Spaces, Bubbles. I need spaces between the words to understand them,” L-Ray instructed her.
Bubble took a few deep, rapid breaths and tried again. “You know that really cute guy I told you about that I see around campus who looks really cool and fun and all well I was up there getting the water and he got in line just a few people behind me and he’s still there and what should I do?”
“Well, that was better. No punctuation, but then I didn’t ask for any, so I’ve only got myself to blame,” L-Ray said. “Just go up and talk to him. You’re an adorable girl, I’m sure he’d love to meet and hit on you.”
“I don’t know, he’s really cute. I bet girls come up to him all the time and I bet I’m not as pretty by comparison,” Bubbles said uncertainly.
“Which guy is it?” Alice asked, trying to see through the throngs of people at the bar.
“He’s wearing a green shirt, jeans, and these awesome sunglasses,” Bubbles told her.
“Wait, sunglasses?” Sure enough, Nick was by the bar, a bottle of cold water pressed to his lips and the standard shades still in place. The next words out of Alice’s mouth were a prime example of how the tongue can rush forward before the brain’s diplomatic instincts have any chance to intervene.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me.”
84.
“She’s surprised at the coincidence,” Mary said quickly. “That guy you were talking about is a friend of ours named Nick.”
“Oh holy crap, really? You know him? Be honest with me: does he already have a girlfriend or is he just playing the field?” Bubbles asked.
“Him? Really? Him?” Alice said.
“Yes, she’s talking about our friend,” Mary assured her. “Such coincidences do happen. And Bubbles, he is still single, to the very best of my knowledge.”
“That is so awesome! You have to introduce me, will you please introduce me? Every time I see him on campus I totally want to say something but I just think it’d seem so desperate. Pretty please introduce us.”
“Every time you see him?” Alice said once more, her mind still not congealing the facts being presented to her.
“I would love to introduce you,” Mary said. “Just come with me.”
“Cute? Him? Really?”
* * *
“We don’t have to dance much if you don’t want to,” Alex told Camille once they had put a significant distance between themselves and Vince. “I just thought you might like an exit.”
“What are you talking-” Camille began to ask, then basic memory function kicked in. “Right. You’re the other telepath in the class.”
“I’m not a... look, that isn’t important,” Alex said patiently. “The point is, I had a sense of how uncomfortable you were feeling and I wanted to help.”
“Thank you,” Camille said sincerely.
“If you’re in the mood, though, I wouldn’t mind a little dancing,” Alex added.
“I think that would be okay,” Camille agreed, oddly more comfortable with this boy despite that fact that her mental privacy had been a bit violated.
“I should also mention that while I don’t know what makes you so uneasy around Vince, there’s no need to be. I can promise you he’s a really good guy.”
Camille wasn’t quite able to stop herself from glancing over her shoulder at Vince’s silhouette against the too-bright lights of the club.
“I know.”
* * *
“Hey, Nick, this is my friend, Bubbles,” Mary said, approaching him.
“Hey, Mary. Hi, Bubbles. Interesting name, story I should be aware of?”
“Hi, Nick. Nice to meet you. I really like your sunglasses. Why do wear them indoors, though? Is it a prescription thing? My mom does that when her contacts fall out or when she loses her normal pair or wants to look pretty because she thinks they make her look like Audrey Hepburn even though they don’t but no one tells her ‘cause we love her.”
“You know what, I think I can put the pieces together myself,” Nick said. He looked over this new girl. She was yappy, that was pretty much the definition of evident. She was chipper, though, and that was a plus. Happy people asked fewer questions and demanded less attention, or so he’d found. It didn’t hurt that she was cute, too. Tall, with chestnut brown hair and not easily ignorable curves to her body. Not to mention she was clearly at a ridiculous level of into him. This would work.
“Bubbles, I don’t mean to be forward, but would you like to dance?” Nick asked casually.
“Yes!” She grabbed his hand and began pulling him toward to the room where the music was blasting.
It wasn’t a perfect situation; Nick would freely admit that. She couldn’t talk over the music, though, and he had made the boast that he would next be on the floor with a beautiful woman. It could have been worse.
Meanwhile Mary, having been almost immediately abandoned, made her way back over to the others.
“That went fast,” Steve commented.
“What Nick lacks in game he makes up for in luck,” Mary said truthfully. Admittedly, the discrepancy was a much different ratio than those who couldn’t read his mind might guess, but the statement was still basically honest.
“She was into Nick,” Alice said, still somewhat coming to terms with the idea.
“It was bound to happen eventually,” Steve said. “Your friend is pretty good looking.”
“I... how am I missing this?” Alice asked uncertainly.
“Uh huh. While little miss not-big-on-facing-the-obvious wraps her head around some truth, you ladies want to keep an eye on them on the dance floor?” L-Ray asked. “At least you know we won’t try to cop a feel.”
“We?” Mary said. “I mean, I know you’re gay, but I didn’t know Steve was.”
“Gay as a Broadway musical ensemble,” Steve assured her. “We don’t all fit the stereotypes.”
Mary blushed. She was getting so used to her telepathy that she found herself making serious social blunders without it. “I’m sorry. That was insensitive and stupid of me.”
Steve patted her shoulder. “Nothing to worry about. It happens all the time. L-Ray is a little more flamboyant than I am, and that tends to draw the attention of most people’s gaydar.”
“I’m still sorry,” Mary repeated. “But I’d love to take you both up on your offer. Let’s go cut a rug.”
L-Ray laughed. “Oh, you are just precious.”
* * *
So it was that everyone except Vince, Will, and Jill f
ound themselves on the dance floor. The sweaty, stuffed with people, assaulted by a symphony of screeching, dance floor. Still, it was contact with the opposite sex, albeit only a swiveling of hips and awkward placing of hands. It was a mash of friends, some old and some new, just trying to enjoy themselves in an environment designed for other things. It was even a little fun, too.
Pretty much everyone was terrible at the act of dancing, so no one knew how bad their particular partner was, Nick and Violet being the exceptions. They had natural rhythm and training, so they knew their particular partners sucked, but they pressed on anyway. There was no conversation to be had on the floor, only meaningful glances and more than one game of poorly-played charades. In a way this was a blessing, for if any word exchange had been possible things might have played out differently.
Hershel had been dancing with Stella for a few minutes when Nick and Bubbles wandered in. Hershel had to tip a mental hat to his friend; he’d come through on returning with a hottie in hand. Then he noticed the pair that had followed them in and begun dancing. By luck of the draw Mary had wound up dancing with Steve, whose broad shoulders and square jaw told the story of a powerful man. A man who was capable and strong, who could get things done. In other words, a man who had all the qualities Hershel only experienced vicariously through Roy.
Hershel’s heart sank. He should have asked her when he had the chance. Now this guy would dance with her all night. After all, who would be stupid enough to let Mary get away? Well, besides him. No, this guy would charm and woo her, then ask her out at the end of the night. They’d start a long lasting relationship, get married, and Hershel would never see that window of opportunity open again. It was over; he’d missed his shot.
Then something stirred within Hershel he hadn’t felt since he was stranded on the mountain. Sheer, stupid desperation. Roy hadn’t been there to help him. His only way out had been to press on no matter what. It was a situation where all he could do was try and move upward, because there was no other option. He didn’t know why, but somehow it was the same now. He had to try.
