Superhero

Chapter 95

"JEFF!" Addison burst into the shop, startling poor Jeff who was trying to eat his burger but ended up face-planting it.
"What is it now?" Jeff sighed, getting the burger off his face but still had remnants of sauce and lettuce on his nose and cheeks. "I was trying to eat my burger."
"Sorry..." Addison apologised and took her bag off, opening it to pull out a pack of wet wipes. "Here, use this to wipe your face."
Jeff accepted her offer and took the pack, pulling out one before handing it back to her. "So what happened?" He asked as he wiped his face.
"I saw Superhero last night!" Addison went back to being excited.
Jeff sighed, examining the dirty wipe with a frown. "When do you not see him?"
"I'm not sure," Addison simply said. "Whatever, that's not the point. He rescued me from this crazy lady last night. The nerve of that lady, she actually ran straight into the Superhero to attack him. But you know him, he teleported her away to... somewhere."
"I think he brings them to the police station or something," Jeff remarked, going back to his burger. "Whatever, you still haven't learnt your lesson of walking alone at night?"
"Jake bailed on me last night," Addison admitted in defeat. "That's why I had to walk home myself."
"I'm not even surprised at this point," Jeff said before taking a bite.
"Yeah... also, Superhero dropped his journal yesterday. And I managed to get a glimpse inside."
Jeff stopped mid chewing and looked at her in surprise. He swallowed his mouthful before asking. "What did you see in that journal?"
"Nothing, really," Addison shrugged. "Just this fully scribbled-up page. That must've been his pen-testing page or something like that, I think. I didn't see no name."
Jeff smirked a little. "Guess he really protects his identity. I'm surprised you even managed to get that journal in your grasp."
"Yeah, and the journal is really pretty too, guess he's into the vintage stuff," Addison remarked as she made her way towards the food warmer. "It was like the brown leather kind, complete with a strap to wrap around to keep it closed. This strap has this nice ship's wheel charm too."
"I think I've seen one of those online," Jeff nodded slowly. "Was thinking of buying one."
"You should, it's really pretty," Addison agreed, nodding as she placed a pack of food in the microwave. "Would look great with a fountain pen or a quill. Send me the link later if you find it, I'll go look for it too."
Jeff smirked. "Sure. I'd like one too, since the Superhero has one."
"Yeah, and he also dropped something," Addison added, making Jeff lean forward eagerly. "It was this flower, a pressed rose."
"A pressed rose?" Jeff repeated thoughtfully before chewing his burger. "I didn't know Hoodie actually likes doing that."
"Neither did I," Addison admitted, shrugging. "But yeah, I think it dropped out of his book when he hastily stuffed it under his coat."
Jeff nodded slowly, finishing the last of his meal. "Wow. This guy could be best friends with my sister. She loves pressing flowers too, like the bookmark she gave me."
"Oh yeah, you were reading that book the other day," Addison remembered, taking the pack of noodles out of the microwave before making her way towards the counter. "What was it called? Krizalid?"
"It's The Chrysalids, Addie," Jeff snorted in amusement. "But yeah. I'm still reading that book, halfway done."
"How is it?" Addison took her purse out as he scanned her noodles and soda. "Is it good?"
"It's a mixture of dystopia and medieval at the same time," Jeff explained, scanning her things. "It's like a past era, yet it's like set in the future. Kinda interesting, actually."
"Yeah, I can already tell judging by what you're saying," Addison chuckled as she paid for her food. "Anyway, you still not getting enough sleep?"
"No..." Jeff sighed, pushing the drink and food towards her. "Have another assignment to worry about."
"Oh..." Addison nodded. "You scold me for walking home every night instead of taking a PickYou, but you're just the same in this sleep matter."
"At least my safety isn't at stake in my matter, unlike you. Addie, seriously. Just because the Superhero roams around at night. That doesn't mean he'll always be there to save you."
Addison sighed. "Guess you're right there. But at least I get to see the Superhero! I even have a memento at this point." She gave him the peace sign.
Jeff rolled his eyes and took a sip from his McRonalds cup. "Something tells me you're bullying the Superhero on purpose."
"Maybe I am, but it's not my fault he keeps running into me, right?"
"At this point, I think he actually keeps an eye on you for being frequently in trouble. I won't be surprised if he actually does that."
"I never really thought about that, but yeah," Addison nodded in agreement, ripping open her pack of noodles. "Because I use the same route every time."
"You use the same route?!" Jeff exclaimed in shock. "Seriously, so much has happened in that cursed route of yours but you're still not willing to let it go? Addie, seriously? What is this?"
Addison nonchalantly shrugged and proceeded to eat her noodles, casually sipping on her soda as she ate. Jeff didn't know what else to say and ended up fishing his book out to continue since she didn't seem to heed any of his advice.

Fiolina came in and as usual, made a giant fuss of whatever Addison told her about the Superhero, much to the latter's delight. She had expected this same excitement with Jeff, but he ended up lecturing for the sake of her safety instead.
"Do you have the flower with you now?" Fiolina eagerly asked.
Addison frowned, shaking her head. "No, it's at home. But I can take a picture and send it to you if you want."
Fiolina chuckled. "I actually gave Jordan a rose during our first date. He said he pressed it between a few thick books. Do you think it's the same one?"
"There's a possibility, yes, do you want it back?" Addison asked.
"Nah," Fiolina chuckled. "It isn't mine to keep anymore. Just hand it over to Jordan for me. It belongs to him."
Addison dreaded the thought of having to part with Superhero's pressed rose. She considered it hers now, a gift that the Superhero left for her. Then again, it did still rightfully belong to the Superhero, who she suspected to be Jordan after all, so what's the harm in returning it?
"Sure, I'll give it back to him later," Addison nodded. "I'll just say he dropped it somewhere and I found it. I won't tell him where he dropped it though."
Fiolina smirked. "Yeah, good idea. Don't blow his cover, okay? He's still my boyfriend."
Addison smirked back. "He was still my friend first, Fio."

Jake arrived on time to pick Addison up, sparing her from another potential escapade with the Superhero. Not that she didn't like meeting the Superhero from time to time, she just didn't like the reason he had to show himself to her.
And that was danger.
"So how was work?" Addison asked Jake as he drove towards their home.
"Was good," Jake nodded. "For once, my coworkers were actually obedient."
"Maybe I should visit you one day at work and see the situation myself," Addison suggested. "That way, I might even give your sorry reason for coworkers a piece of my mind."
"That would be great, but they are a menace," Jake sighed. "You might need backup."
"You need some too. I'm actually surprised you manage to deal with their shenanigans alone."
"Tell me about it," Jake tiredly agreed. "Anyway, Giuseppe's back early today and is already waiting for us at the dining table."
"Already?" Addison repeated in surprise. "Why so soon?"
Jake shrugged. "He seems very enthusiastic for some reason."
Addison groaned. "But I need to shower, I need to have dinner, have to—" she was about to go on but Jake stopped her.
"Don't worry, Mom's making dinner. So you don't have to worry about food tonight."
"Oh." This piece of news was more than enough to cheer Addison up from the thought of Galante Class.