In Bad Company (ReWriting)

Day One

A newspaper was slammed on the table in front of me, the table groaning in protest. It's header read Town Hall reduced to rubble- Police investigating.

"Tessa, do you really think this is the way to introduce Supers to the public?" Natalie said, a strange calm covering her true anger, giving me the death stare from above her glasses. It was always easy to rile her up, and it was reserved only for me that she was quick to anger.

I sighed in resignation, rubbing my temples. "I didn't mean to, Nat. Really. I didn't think one small earthquake-"

"Small? Small! Tessa that earthquake was large enough to topple buildings, and happened in one little concentrated area. I knew I should've sent Stephen out. He would have done the job correctly. What was I thinking, sending an untrained little brat." Natalie spat out, her voice like venom.

Hurt filled my body, but I pushed it down. "Maybe you should have. I know you like him better any way -the perfect child. The best little super there ever was. " I glared at her and stood up. Natalie's face softened.

"I didn't mean it Tess. I'm sorry-"

"Don't you even dare. You know you meant every little thing you said. Don't even try to apologise. I just-" My voice cracked. I looked down at my feet; my toes strikingly tan against the white tile. "I just want mom back." I whispered.

Natalie's eyes hardened, and her voice got icy. "It's been 5 years, Tess. She's dead, and there is no bringing her back, so shut the hell up about it."

My head shot up. "Wow Nat. You really are a heartless bitch. Some of us never got over her death."

She seemed to ignore the last part, hissing back an angry, "Don't start with the name calling, or I'll get Aunt Cass."

"Oh how terrifying," I said, rolling my eyes. Aunt Cass was the sweetest person alive, and the only person who couldn't kill a fly without crying about it.

"Tess I am the one who took care of you when mom died, and I thought I had done a pretty damn good job up until now. If you want to be a bitch, fine. Be a bitch. But if - no when - you come crawling back to me begging for help, just know that I will say no." She straightened up, tugging at the bottom of her blazer. Instantly I felt guilty, but it wasn't as if I could tell her that. My pride wouldn't let me.

Besides, we would get over it in an hour or two, and then fight again the following day. It was the way our family worked, at least, when mom died it was. It seemed that when she passed on, the world went to shit.

I rolled my eyes again, and she shook her head. "One day Tess, your going to regret this. I hate fighting with you, but it seems as if your in that phase. I love you, and I'll be here when you need me again."

I crossed my arms, sitting down with a huff. I looked down at the table, slowly unfolding my hands and tracing the light brown swirls that covered the table. It was silent for a few minutes, and then I heard her sigh and walk out the door, her heels clicking on the kitchen floor.

I clearly remember the day I sat here with mom, the time she explained what I was, what the most of family was. She told me of my Nat's powers, and how she first used them to steal a car. That must have been why mother was so mad at her for that one week. Nat had the power to convince anyone to do anything, with just a thought. That's why she's so good at cleaning up me messes, I giggled to myself. Mother also told me, that day, that I would grow stronger, just like Nat did. And I would gain control as time went on. Then she grasped my hands, looking me straight in the eye. Her warm brown eyes were gentle as she told me "With great power comes great responsibility."

I laughed her off and told her she needed to lay off with the superman movies. She merely sighed, and said I'd learn in the long run.

Boy, did I learn.