Misery and Destruction

I

Manhattan, New York- 2023

Nish laughed as Hayley did an awful impression of Mrs Grey their Biology teacher. "It's not like I purposefully aimed the eyeball of the pig at her and squeezed it so it would hit her head." Nish shook her head knowing that she purposefully aimed it at her because she got a detention from her earlier that day. Hayley went to the toilet before form time just so she could top up her makeup. Mrs Grey caught her leaving the bathroom 10 minutes after the bell so gave her a detention. Nish knew she deserved the detention but wouldn't say anything knowing the argument it would cause.

"I still don't understand why she gave everyone extra homework. It's like she wants everyone to hate me." Hayley moaned annoyed at the teacher. "So not only do I have two detentions with her this week, I also have to suffer through extra homework with a subject I despise."

Nish couldn't help but laugh at her rant. "Why do you keep laughing at me. Tomorrow I'm going to have the whole biology class throwing eggs at me because of the extra homework."

"Don't worry, they won't." Nish tried to reassure her, but she wasn't entirely sure that wouldn't happen herself.

Nish had enjoyed high school. She was in her Junior year after skipping Sophomore year. She joined Freshman in the Christmas of 2021 despite still being 13 but the principle was impressed with the results of her exams that he got her to take. The teachers immediately wanted to bump her up to Senior year and graduate with that class but Nish didn't want that so agreed to going into Junior instead of Sophomore the following September. She was there for the High School experience, not for education. She already knew everything that she was being taught.

She had made a few friends despite the fact that they were all 17 and she was nearly 15. These people helped her settle in and made sure that she avoided certain teachers and students. None of them knew about her past other than she was from England and moved to America with her parents after her twin brother died during the blip. Hayley however was her best friend, they would do everything together including having the same Saturday job as each other in a cafe.

Nish then began to realise that she had feelings for Hayley that were more than a friend way, it was feelings that she had towards a certain guy in her chemistry class before he started dating another girl. She then realised that she was Bisexual but she hadn't come out to anyone. She didn't really know how to. If she came out to Hayley and she didn't feel the same way, their friendship would be ruined and she didn't want that. She would rather stay in secret and have her best friend then come out with the chance of losing her completely.

"Anyway," Hayley pulled her out of her thoughts. "It's your birthday soon."

"Not until another month." Nish replied in a somber tone. She hated her birthday as it meant she was another year older than her twin. She had celebrated her 13th with him a week before he died and since then she's only had one birthday which was last year. She spent the day in her bedroom of her flat crying while Nat and Steve sat in the living room being there if she needed them.

"I know but I need to know what you want." Hayley said with her usual bubbly tone. "What if it takes a month to get here? Especially as it's Spring Break next week which means people are on vacation so the post will be slower."

Nish let out a quiet chuckle. "You don't need to get me anything." The only thing she wanted was Raz and Bucky living with her back in Wakanda like it was before.

Hayley gave a sad smile knowing that Nish had lost her twin in the blip. "Well you have a think about it and then let me know."

Nish smiled back. "No promises."

Hayley huffed in annoyance. "I hate you." She then hugged Nish as they had reached Hayley's apartment block. Nish returned the hug. "Bye Bitch." Hayley waved after they pulled out of the hug.

"See ya." Nish giggled at the comment.

When Hayley had disappeared in the block, Nish bent down pretending to do her laces. She discreetly pulled the knife that was tucked in her boot and concealed it in the sleeve of her top. She than crossed the road casually and walked into an alleyway.

The figure that had followed her all the way from school crossed the road into the alleyway his target just went in. When he looked around, there was no sign of life. That wasn't until he was pinned to the wall with a knife across his neck by a female of 5'4".

"What do you want Steve?" Nish questioned not understanding why he was following her.

"I needed to speak to you." He replied quickly. She took the knife away from his neck as he breathed out in relief.

"Why didn't you just call me or wait for me in my apartment?" She asked.

"I needed to speak to you alone and I wasn't sure if you would be with anyone." Steve took a closer look at the girl. The nearly 15 year old definitely looked much older than that. She was wearing black heeled lace up boots that gave her an extra couple of inches. She matched this with a short pinafore black and white checkered dress that was thrown over a tight-fitted white mock neck top. Nish's curly hair was now straightened and she was wearing natural make-up on her face which certainly made her look older. She had also started to wear jewellery that her friends had bought her for Christmas as well as now having her ears pierced with two in each lobe and a cartilage on the right ear.

"You look different." Steve mumbled aloud.

Nish looked down at her outfit. "Well when you are in a grade that is full of 17 year old girls, you tend to be influenced by their clothes and make-up." She smiled up at him.

"You definitely look older." Steve said as a compliment.

Nish nodded and smiled thanking him for the compliment. "What is it you need to say?"

Steve took a deep breath getting ready for her unpredictable reaction. "We think we can bring them back."

Nish's smile dropped. "Please don't joke about that."

"I'm not joking." He tried to reason with her. "We have a plan..."

"Don't say that." Her eyes began to water. "Please don't give me hope. I have a good life now. I'm finally happy. I've moved on as much as I can. I really don't need you and your stupid plan coming in and giving me hope!" She yelled as she poked Steve in the chest. She then stopped and turned away. "I can't go back to being in that state." She whispered as she let a couple of tears roll down her cheeks.

Steve walked up to her and placed his hand on one of her shoulders. "I wouldn't have come here if I didn't think it could work." He comforted her.

After a few moments of silence, Nish reasoned with herself. If there was a glimmer of hope, she needed to take it and if it didn't work, she didn't know what she would do. But she knew everyone would need to run from her.

Because nobody would be able to stop her whilst she was in her grief.

"I'll help."