Hero

Nine

I sit at my kitchen table playing with my arrows. I've decided I'm going to use them more often than my energy balls. Besides, I need the practice. I make it so my arrows explode on impact. I'm working on them being like flash bangs so I can disorient my enemy. It's not easy, but I'm pretty close to figuring it out.
Knock. Knock. Knock. I put my arrows away quickly and walk to the door. Oryn stands there with a smile.
"What?" I ask.
"I found out who Jade is," he beams.
"Look, I don't want to know. As long as she doesn't figure out who I am. I don't really care," I say.
"I thought you'd want to know," he says quietly.
"I don't. Not anymore. It'd ruin her," I say.
"You care about her don't you, Xander?" he asks.
"What?" I ask. "No I don't," I say.
He smirks at me. I roll my eyes.
"She's just another hero," I say.
"Then how come you keep saving her when she says she doesn't want it?" he asks trying to call my lie.
"I-I'm a hero and I'll save anyone in need," I say.
"Uh huh," he says not believing me.
I roll my eyes. "Look, Oryn I appreciate the effort, but I don't need the information," I say. He nods.
"I've got a shift at the coffee shop soon so I should be going. Don't flirt with Jade too much now," he winks and walks out. Why didn't I want to find out. Do I really care that much about Jade?
I walk out of the apartment. I get onto the elevator and ride down to the lobby.
"Xander!" Mr. Jacobson calls.
I turn and look at him. "Hi, Mr. Jacobson," I say.
"Where you headed to?" he asks.
"Just for a walk," I say. He nods and I walk out the door. Why does he want to know so much?
I walk down the street aimlessly.
"Xander!" someone calls behind me. I turn around. Mya is standing there with another girl.
"Hey, Mya. Who's this?" I ask.
"This is Sapphire. Sapphire this is Xander. The one I told you about," she says.
"Oh the one you think is cute?" She whispers, but I still hear. She definitely did that on purpose. I chuckle. Mya blushes a deep red.
"Sapphire!" she exclaims.
"Look at the time, I better be going!" she says loudly and starts walking away.
"Sapphire!" Mya calls. "I'll be right back Xander." She runs down the sidewalk after her friend. I laugh.
I wait about ten minutes, then when she doesn't come back, I continue walking aimlessly. I bump into someone a while later.
"Terribly sorry," they say in a thick British accent.
"No. It was my fault," I say. She smiles at me.
"While you're here, can you direct me to Jacobson apartments?" she asks.
"I was headed there anyways," I say leading her down the street. She looks at me, her dirty blond hair flowing in her face. She brushes it away, revealing her green eyes. I lead her into the building. She sets her suitcase down.
"Elizabeth Emerald!" Mr. Jacobson booms walking towards us. He grabs something from behind the desk. He gives it to her. It's her apartment key.
"I'll show you to your apartment," I say grabbing her suitcase.
We walk up to her apartment. It's on the floor below mine. I set her suitcase down once we are inside. Her furniture must've been already moved in because the place is completely furnished.
"Thank you, uh, I realized. I don't even know your name," she says.
"Oh. It's Xander," I say. She nods.
"Well, thank you, Xander," she says kissing my cheek. I blush and look away. She smiles. I grab a piece of paper of the counter and write my phone number on it. She smiles.
Later that night, as I'm ready to head out to check the city for crime I hear a knock on the door. I open it. Mya flies into my arms.
"Mya what's wrong?" I ask concerned. She looks up at me.
"A-A man tried to attack me," She says.
"Where? When? Did you see what he looked like?" I ask.
"O-Outside a few minutes ago. I-I don't know what he l-looked like," she stutters. I bring her more inside the apartment with my arm around her shoulders.
"What'd he attack you with?" I ask.
"A knife," She says showing me a gash on her arm. Should I go after the man or should I clean up her cut?