Dawn of Heroes: The Greats

Chapter Three: Hot Mess

 I would trade Eli for Ashley. Ashley was Preston’s age and apparently they were in the same class. Preston talked about me in class and called me the “pale sister” I was just fine with being the pale sister. It was better than the “grouchy sister.” Ashley was so precious with her absent two front teeth. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander loved me. “Better than that Winnie!” His father exclaimed when we were introduced. They insisted I call them Jacob and Pauline but it felt weird. We went to Mason’s room and I plopped down on his bed.
“These shoes are killing me!” “Why wear them?” “My 13 year old sister is taller than me without them.” “How tall. No no how short are you?” “I’m 5 foot.” “5 foot what?” “Nothing. I’m just 5 feet tall.” “Oh my God you’re so tiny!” I frowned. “Refrain from short jokes please.” “Just one.” “No.” “Please? It’s still my birthday.” “Just one.” “Okay. Can you do backflips under my bed?” I glared at him. “This is starting off on a bad foot.” “I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry.” Mason’s phone chimed and he scoffed. “That’s so petty.”

        “What?” He showed me an Instagram post from Winnie. She was sitting in the fading sunlight with her back to a window. Her hair was falling in her face in looser curls than before and she closed her eyes and pouted. “Thought he was only into Latinas. Guess I was wrong.” Read the post followed by emojis. I frowned. “That’s actually pretty damned trifling.” “Impressive vocabulary.” “Thank you. I try. I really do.” He laughed. “Sometimes I don’t understand what the hell is wrong with her. I mean I’ve been dating her since the summer before Freshman year and she goes and cheats on me!” Mason exclaimed. “You two were together for 2 years?” He nodded. “Our third anniversary would have been on July 17th. But that doesn't matter.”

        We talked all night. I didn't go home. Mason slept on the floor and I slept on his bed. I woke up Sunday morning and my phone blew up overnight. I had 6 texts from Rylie, 9 texts from Eli and 3 missed calls from my dad. When I went home I would be in trouble. Before I left Mr. and Mrs. Alexander insisted that I have breakfast with them. I ate as fast as I could without looking pig-ish. I thanked them and got in my truck.
I walked into my house and Eli was waiting on the couch. “You’re in so much trouble.” I pushed her face into her bowl of cereal. “Shut up Elijiah.” Preston ran downstairs hearing my voice. “Where were you sissy?” she asked with doe eyes. “Well um.....sissy was with her boyfriend.” “You have a boyfriend!?” Eli asked with surprise. “Well as of last night yes.”

        My father walked in from the kitchen with a stern expression and his arms crossed. Stephen Rodgers could be a scary when needed. He was a nice man unless you pissed him off. And I pissed him off royally. “Illiana you had us all worried. I called Rylie to see where you were and she didn’t have an idea to your whereabouts. Would you like to explain yourself?” “Well I went to a birthday party and um I got asked out by the birthday boy and we stayed up all night.” “Doing what?” “Talking daddy. I’ve been a good girl besides scaring the crap out you.”

        My dad gave me a dirty look. “What’s his name?” “Mason.” “Mason huh? Well invite him over to dinner.” “We don’t have family dinners on Sunday. You clean your guns.” “Oh I know.” “Dad!” “C’mon Ana. Either invite the boy for dinner or I ground you like I outta.” I groaned. “Fine, fine!” I pulled out my phone and went to the M’s of my contacts and clicked Mason’s name. He picked up on the 2nd ring. “Hey Illiana.” “Hi Mason. So my dad told me to invite you for dinner.” “Dinner? Tonight?” “Yes.” “What time?” “About 6 or 7. Don’t dress up but don’t come over looking like a bum either.” He chuckled. “All right. You just could have texted you know.” “If I texted my dad wouldn’t believe I invited you.” “Is that all?” “Yup.” “All right. Bye.” “Bye.” I hung up. “Happy?”