Searching for You

I Hate Mondays

Ah, school. The bane of every teenager's existence. Especially when you're now a junior in high school when you were only a sophomore before. Classes are just getting started.

And I hated it.

Especially at Mission Creek High.

I tried my best to appear happy as I walked into the lobby of the high school. Unfortunately, I was never as good of an actress as my mom. She went to acting school and I just got by in theater class. It didn't surprise me that Chase Davenport rushed up to me all happy and then his face fell once he saw the look in my eyes.

"Didn't sleep well?" he asked me.

I laughed halfheartedly. "You have no idea."

I don't know what to call what Chase and I have now. It's not really a situationship and it's definitely not a relationship. But after Marcus died he'd always been there for me. And it wasn't like it was because he was thinking "ohhh now that Marcus is dead I have a foot in the door with Abby". He just knew I needed someone and so . . . he was there.

We had gotten closer over the past year and it felt like I could talk to him easier and I was definitely more comfortable around him than originally. But I don't think I liked him. Not yet anyways. He still liked me but we didn't talk about it much, so things wouldn't be awkward.

And it was already awkward enough because I hadn't told any of them that Strickland wasn't my last name.

"Well, luckily today isn't a test day," Chase remarked.

"That's true," I admitted.

Chase snapped his fingers as if he was remembering something. "By the way, Mr. Davenport says he wants you over at our house after school."

I looked at him suspiciously. "Why?"

He shrugged. "Said he wants to get a better look at what's going on with your powers. After all, in all of our years being the way we are, he's never seen anything like you."

Surprisingly, I wasn't angry or upset at this like I would have been a year ago. A year ago, I would have shouted right then and there, protesting that I wasn't a science experiment or something to dissect. I would have insisted that there was nothing wrong with me, maybe even lied about having bionics just so I could avoid it.

But since finding out about my dad, I was okay with discovering what was really going on with me. After all, my dad supposedly had a similar thing that no one else could explain. It might make finding him easier.

"Alright," I agreed. "What are we looking like test-wise?"

"Not sure," he admitted. "Mr. Davenport said he would have more of an idea once you got to the lab."

Great. More uncertainty. Exactly what I needed.

Leo was bounding toward us, seemingly out of breath. He was fixing his shirt, which was slightly twisted from his running. Sweat was glistening on his forehead.

"Woah, Leo," Chase interjected. "What's going on?"

"Trent's coming!" Leo cried. "You've got to hide me!"

"What?"

"DOOLEY!"

I jerked my head up to see the school's star football player strut his way into the lobby. He was wearing his football jersey---as always---and his black hair was plastered to his forehead, glistening with sweat. I wanted to hurl. He had obviously just been chasing Leo.

I hated Trent. Still do.

Leo worked his way behind me and Chase, using our bodies as human shields. I never understood why Trent found it so amusing to chase after Leo and make his day miserable. I guessed it was  because Leo was the skinny, smart kid. Those guys always seem to be the targets for bullying anywhere and it's super stupid.

And of course the school system does nothing about it when told it's an issue.

"Trent, what's got your panties in a twist today?" I spat at him, glaring.

Trent laughed heartily. Mockingly. I wanted to punch his lights out.

"Someone trying to play hero today?" he taunted.

"Why? You trying to play the villain?"

The expressions that washed over Trent's face were so funny I almost burst out laughing, but I managed to keep my composure. Laughing would take away the seriousness.

Trent regained his composure quickly, rolling his shoulders. We had gathered a crowd, people watching from all across the lobby. No one dared to stand up to Trent. Ever. People did occasionally. I just wasn't in the mood to deal with his crap. Especially not on Monday.

He sauntered up to me, and I could smell his sweat from five feet away. It took all I had not to gag. The man had no sense of hygiene. Yes, he was a man. He had been in high school for five years at that point. No one knew if he would graduate or not.

At this point it's grasping at straws to hope that he does.

"You trying to get under my skin, Blondie?" Trent sneered, his eyes boring in mine. "'Cause I won't let you."

I sighed, pushing my glasses further up my nose. "It seems I already have." I brushed past him. "If you'll excuse me, I have to get to class."

Leo was tailing right behind me, and Chase was trying to slip off as well but Trent was quicker. A football whizzed by our heads and slammed into the nearest locker, leaving a small dent. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. The ball had come inches from hitting Leo's head.

I turned slowly around, anger starting to cloud every other emotion. Nobody threw anything at my friends on my watch. Especially Leo. Yes, he and I had a bit of a problem last year, but we made up. He's still one of my best friends, even if we fight sometimes. And if someone came close to hurting him?

Oh, it's claws out, buddy.

Trent's taunting sneer vanished when he saw the look in my eyes. He wasn't exactly terrified, but he was scared. I liked seeing him scared. It was satisfying.

It made me hungry . . .

. . . for a fight.

The feeling of a hand on my shoulder jolted me out of my thoughts. Chase was tugging at me gently, trying to guide me away, his eyes worried.

"Abby," he cautioned, "walk away. You can't shift here. No one's hurt. Please don't make people hurt just because you're angry." He leaned in and whispered in my ear. "Trent's an idiot, let him be an idiot without starting a fight."

I gripped the strap of my backpack, trying to keep myself from punching someone. I knew Chase was right, but I just wanted to hit someone. And that somebody was definitely Trent.

I sighed. "Alright," I resigned. "You're right, let's go."

All three of us started to walk off just as the bell rang, startling both Chase and I and making our ears hurt. I hated having sensitive hearing sometimes.

But despite the overwhelming noise and pain in my ears, I could still hear Trent laugh at us and taunt us. I could hear it and it sounded so familiar.

I could see him and his spiky brown hair, flaunting his creation, his power over us . . . I could see him stare at me with that fear in his eyes . . . A blasting shot . . . fire in my side . . . rocks falling---

I shook myself. This was shaping up to be the worst Monday ever.

Ah yes, another installment to the series! I know it came out kinda fast, but I couldn't wait to get back to this story, especially with the crossovers we get! MARVEL FANS BUCKLE UP!

Enjoy the ride (: