Superhero

Chapter 47

"Jeff!" Addison exclaimed as she banged her hands down on the counter.
"Argh! What's wrong?!" Jeff backed away in surprise.
"Jeff, remember the 'landlady dude'?"
"Yeah?"
"That was him! I didn't know you knew him!"
Jeff gasped, his mouth hanging agape. Then, he gave her a knowing smirk. "You know what, I think our suspicions are right. He's our guy."
"Why?"
"He's always so mysterious, no one can ever see through him," Jeff shrugged. "You see... though he mixes with everyone, no one actually knows about his past. Rarely smiles too."
Addison frowned. "But I do. Jordan does too. He knows Jake since high school. Besides, I know his mom."
"Oh come on, admit it, does he talk much about himself?" Jeff pointed out.
"No... he's very closed up."
Jeff smirked. "I still suspect him. Even in college, I always had this hunch. He always shows up early, and he's always eating those Itchy-Buns that you usually buy. Even now, he only bought those. Like five of those."
"I noticed..." Addison nodded.
"Besides, he appears out of nowhere," Jeff continued. "Like you'd be walking down the corridor, and he'd suddenly be there when you turn the corner. But he's still a nice guy."
Addison nodded thoughtfully. "Actually, I think you're right. I had a slight hunch about it too. He's always late, especially on days with Superhero sightings."
Jeff gave her a knowing smile. "See what I mean? I like how I'm always complaining that I've never seen the Superhero in person when I might be the one going to the same college with him."
"Jeff, I think it's best we don't jump into conclusions first," Addison frowned when he was done. "We don't even have proof that it's him."
"Oh, come on, at least let me think the famous Superhero goes to the same college with me, even taking a few classes with me. Heck, he's even been my groupmate once!"
"Does he take the same course as you?" Addison asked.
"Not really... I'm taking Veterinary Pharmacology. He's taking... something... I'm not sure what. We only meet for Academic Writing."
Addison nodded understandingly. "That makes sense."
Jeff nodded too and then turned to the punch-card machine behind him to see the time. "Addie, I think you better get ready, it's almost time for your shift."
Addison nodded and made her way to the backroom to change. Soon, she exchanged shifts with Jeff, who changed out of his uniform and went around the shop to get whatever he wanted.
"Let me guess, you're gonna get Itchy-Buns too?" Addison smirked.
Jeff scoffed, setting the timer for the microwave. "Since when? I only ate it once and didn't even like it."
"Wow, looks like you're anti-Itchy-Bun," Addison laughed. "And then there's Jake who's addicted to them."
"Really, he's always eating them at school," Jeff said, making his way to the SlurpSlurp machine. "Eats while walking too."
Addison frowned thoughtfully. "Do you think it's actually him? The Superhero? I freakin' study with him every night, ya know? I know his whole family!"
Jeff shrugged, filling his cup up with one SlurpSlurp flavour after another. "Who knows? It's just a hunch. It may or may not be right."
"I think I should keep an eye on him. And dig a little deeper."
"Great, do that and see how he acts," Jeff smirked, coming to the counter with his SlurpSlurp cup. "And then tell me about it."
"Jeff..." Addison rolled her eyes as she grabbed the scanner.
"What, I wanna know too!" Jeff pointed out with a grin.
Addison sighed, shaking her head.

***

Addison and Fiolina talked and talked while waiting for the end of Addison's shift and the start of Fiolina's shift.
Fiolina looked at the time and smirked at her friend. "Bet you a nickel, Blondie is gonna enter in three... two... one..."
To Addison's surprise, she saw Jake come down the corridor towards the shop.
"I don't believe it!" Addison exclaimed right before Jake walked in.
"Hey, Addie," Jake smiled at Addison as he walked in. Then he turned to Fiolina near the window. "Hey... Addie's coworker."
"It's Fiolina..." Fiolina sighed.
"She's Jordan's... lucky woman," Addison smiled, much to Fiolina's joy.
Jake's smile instantly faltered. "Oh... I see. Nice to meet you, Miss Fiona."
Addison knew why but didn't say anything.
On the other hand, Fiolina thought that he was just sad because she was taken. But she was still annoyed that he messed her name.
Jake went around the shop to take some stuff and came over to the counter. Addison wasn't even surprised when he took like ten pizza and cheese Itchy-Buns.
"You really like Itchy-Buns, don't you?" Addison smirked as she scanned everything. "I only see you buying those."
"Easy for me to eat them during college," Jake shrugged. "Makes a good quick snack."
"Well, if you asked me, I'd choose Felicia's cooking over buns any day."
"Ain't got time for a proper meal, let alone a home-cooked one..."
"Wow..." Addison couldn't help but say.
"Yeah, I'm really busy, school, work, president of Student Council, it's a lot to handle," Jake sighed tiredly. "These buns are my only hope."
Addison kinda felt bad for him, especially if he's the Superhero. "Wow, that sounds tough."
"Well, not for you since you don't join anything," Fiolina chimed in from behind Jake.
"Fio!" Addison scowled.
Jake glanced at her with a smirk. "You actually remind me of Jordan."
Fiolina started celebrating.
Addison sighed. "I know, lazy. I have a lot to juggle too, okay? College, work, writing, seeing your face."
"Hey!" Fiolina scowled and tilted slightly to look past Jake.
"Ignore her, Jake," Addison smirked. "And it will be eighteen dollars."
Jake took out a twenty-dollar note and paid. Addison tore the receipt off and handed it to him together with his change.
"Your shift... it ends in a few minutes, right?" Jake asked, looking at his watch. "Yeah... I'll wait for you."
Fiolina was a little dismayed when he came and sat on the chair opposite hers, staring her down as if examining a specimen from an experiment. She frowned and got up.
"Addie, I think I'll go get changed into my uni," Fiolina piped up, making her way to the back room. "There's only a few minutes left, right?"
Addison looked at the time and nodded. "Yeah."
Fiolina changed into her uniform and clocked in while Addison clocked out.
"Come on, Mom made a feast for dinner," Jake got up with a grin.
Addison lit up. "Will the new tenant be down?"
"If he comes early, he will," Jake shrugged. "He's always late nowadays for some reason."
Addison smirked. "Maybe our hunch is right and he is the Superhero?"
"Maybe?" Jake grinned back.
Suddenly, Addison didn't know who to suspect. Both of them were equally suspicious.
"Let's go," Addison said. She waved at Fiolina with a smile. "Bye, Fio."
"Say hi to Jordan for me," Fiolina dreamily smiled back.
Addison chuckled. "Yeah, sure. Bye!"
She walked out of the shop with Jake and got into his car.
"Thanks for picking me up again," Addison said, thinking she hadn't been giving him the credit he deserved. "You come every day just to pick me up."
"Oh come on, it's no biggie," Jake chuckled, unlocking his car. "I always get buns the night before, and Speedmart is always low on what I want. I don't mind dropping by. I'd have to drive back eventually and I don't mind tagging you along."
Addison gave him a small smile and got into the car.