James Knight: Teenage Superhuman - Book Three

Sixteen

DEREK

I stomped down the stairs, each step heavier than the last, exhaustion hanging on me like a cloak. My stomach growled, a deep, aching hunger pushing me forward. As I stumbled into the kitchen, the sight that greeted me stopped me. Disbelief rippled through me as I stared at the plate on the counter. One lonely, pathetic strip of bacon remained as if mocking my appetite.

Across from me, Grace leaned casually against the counter, her legs crossed, a teasing smirk tugging at her lips, and a mischievous sparkle dancing in her eyes.

"Where's all the bacon?" I questioned, my tone tinged with disbelief.

Grace's lips curved into a smirk, mischief dancing in her eyes. "Cannibalism. Never thought you'd stoop that low," she teased, dangling a strip of bacon just out of reach.

I shot her a mock glare, a smirk playing on my lips. "Well, I'll be sure to find a reason to arrest you later," I countered, making a playful grab for the bacon.

Grace giggled, dodging my playful attempt to snatch the bacon from her grasp. "You'll have to catch me first!" she taunted, dancing out of reach.

I chuckled, enjoying our morning banter, even if it meant fighting over the last piece of bacon. "Challenge accepted," I replied with a grin.

Determined, I bolted back upstairs, the adrenaline rush fueling my steps. Within moments, I had shed my casual attire and slipped into my police uniform with practiced efficiency. The familiar weight of my badge on my chest grounded me.

Racing back downstairs, I found Grace eyeing the bacon with amusement. "Ready to surrender that last piece?" I quipped.

Grace chuckled, shaking her head triumphantly as she held up the bacon. "You're hot, but not that hot," she teased, swiftly popping the bacon into her mouth. Her laughter echoed through the kitchen.

I laughed at her quick satire. "Touché," I conceded with a grin. Then, I started walking off when she stopped me.

"You going to work today?" She asked me.

"Don't I always?" I replied.

"I'm just checking," she fluttered her lashes at me and sighed, her fist pressed against her chin and elbow digging into the counter.

"Bye, Grace. Stay safe," I said, saluting her before walking off.

"Bye, loser," she yelled back, laughing. I couldn't help but laugh too.

∆∆∆

JAMES

"You spoke to Max?" Joshua said, nearly choking on his pretzel bagel as he chewed and swallowed in one bite.

The mall was busy, and fans mostly left us alone except for the brief random girls who walked up to us for a photo.

I walked up to a storefront, mainly displaying merchandise dedicated to us. People liked us. It never surprised me.

"You see anything you like," a young employee appeared behind me, a massive smile on her cheeks as I looked back at her.

"Umm, no. Just admiring this," I replied wide-eyed.

Her smile widened slightly more as she looked me up and down. "You know, seeing you without your suit is weird. It's weird seeing all of you without your suit." She glanced at Noah, Mark, Bryce, and Joshua nearby.