[GL] Black Gold

Chapter 37

Papers didn't waste a second and the next day, Black Gold was everywhere in the news. It was even the first thing Camie heard when she came out of her room:

"Is Black Gold Abandoning Her Duties? In a concerning turn of events, our city's defenders faced their second consecutive attack without the crucial assistance of Black Gold. The superhero's absence raises questions about her commitment to the ongoing battle against villains. Stay tuned as we investigate the reasons behind Black Gold's unexpected no-shows in the face of danger. Updates on this developing situation will follow."

Camie immediately turned the TV off:

"Don't watch this, dad. It's bad for your intellect to listen to stupid people."

Her father turned around from behind the kitchen counter:

"Could you put on another channel at least? I just need some background noise while I make mashed potatoes."

Camie started looking through the channels but quickly gave up:

"There's not one channel that isn't talking about Black Gold! And never in a positive light of course.

-Why is that? Did something happen with Black Gold recently?

-Nothing! They are just grumpy because she didn't do the police's job.

-Oh, yes. I heard about that. But it all ended well even without her didn't it?

-Exactly! They are so selfish. She deserves a break just like anyone else."

Camie's father put the knife down.

"I can see that it really angers you.

-Of course it does! It's so unfair...

-I know, darling... Unfortunately rumors form very easily.

-It's not even a rumor at this point. Anything she does is taken by them and is multiplied tenfold."

Her father smiled:

"I didn't know that you were a Black Gold fan. I saw shirts with Black Gold's face on them on Legbook. Would you like me to buy one for you?"

Camie imagined showing up to her meeting with Théa with a t-shirt in her image.

"No, thank you.

-Are you sure? It was really cheap. If you don't like it you could wear it as a pajama."

Camie thought about it a bit more. She really would have liked a shirt of Black Gold. Her father showed her a picture of the shirt in question and it was way prettier than Camie would have thought.

"I would love one!"

Her father started laughing:

"See? I knew you would love it. It should be here in a few days.

-Thank you so much, dad! I love you.

-Me too."

He hesitated a second before asking:

"Speaking of love... Are you having coffee with your new friend today too?"

Camie frowned:

"With Théa? Maybe later, I am supposed to meet Violet first."

Camie suddenly jumped up:

"I'm late!"

She rushed to her room and got dressed before rushing back out:

"Have a good day!"

Camie got very lucky with her buses and she arrived right on time to the deserted classroom. Violet even arrived a second after her and seeing Camie, she yelled:

"Hi!"

Violet took her headset off before saying again:

"Hi! Today we will talk about fusion."

Camie didn't even have time to put her things down when Violet started their class. This theme was way harder than the first class for Camie and she had to stop Violet multiple times. They only managed to cover half of what Violet prepared but what mattered was that Camie finally understood:

"Okay! I see now!"

Violet sighed:

"Great. I think we should stop here for today. We can finally talk about the different kinds of stars and their deaths next time."

Camie frowned:

"And when are we talking about Black Holes?

-Next time."

Camie didn't fully understand but she was satisfied knowing that they would finally cover the important subject. Seeing that contempt made Violet smile:

"How did the Black Hole passion suddenly come to you?"

Camie shrugged:

"I should have thought about it before but it came recently. I..."

Camie hadn't tried talking about her vision for so long that she completely forgot the effect of trying had on her. She coughed a few times, trying to get her voice back on track.

"Sorry."

Violet tilted her head:

"Are you Black Gold's fan?

-Yes."

The little fan raised her head high, ready to fight Violet if she said the wrong thing.

"That makes sense."

Camie frowned. Was it that obvious?

"I believe Black Gold has powers related to Black Holes right? Or her powers really are the power of the Black Hole. I don't remember exactly. I am not really a big fan of superheroes but I know that all astrophysicists are fascinated by her. Or at least all the astrophysicists I know. One of my friends calls her the Walking Celestial Body. She collects pictures of Black Gold and once she even managed to see her from afar. Well, she didn't see a lot of her because she fainted a second later. Poor soul. She really is sensible."

Camie couldn't stop frowning:

"I thought everyone hated her."

This made Violet frown even more:

"Why would people hate her?

-A lot of people do.

-Well, most people are stupid. I am ashamed of being of the same species as them."

Camie smiled:

"Exactly!

-She has been protecting us for years and people don't like her? Maybe those people are suicidal."

Camie started laughing:

"What? That's the only explanation. Actually, I think one guy in my class once said that Black Gold should tear the Earth to shreds. He didn't have anything against her or humanity for that matter but he just thought that it would be cool. Who wouldn't want to see a Black Hole in action? And so close at that. We would be having VIP tickets. Not that we would be able to see it for very long. But it's still worth it."

Camie nodded:

"True.

-I wouldn't mind if Black Gold tore our world to shreds. That would be a dramatic way to put an end to all humanity's errors."

Camie suddenly jumped up:

"I have to introduce you to someone.

-Okay."

Violet was the first person Camie met who didn't hate Black Gold. They weren't even following the news and she was still more normal than anyone else around them. Théa needed to spend more time with such people. Maybe that could help her feel better about herself and stop sacrificing herself all the time.

"Do you have time right now?"

Violet took out a red agenda.

"I do.

-Great."