Acceleration

Chapter 5: Super Who?

"Can I come with you after school today?" Tommy asked as he and Erin walked around the track. With nothing else to do but get obliterated in a no-flags game of "flag football" with the varsity team, the two had opted for laps instead.

"I'm not even going to the lab today," Erin replied.

"But I can still come over and help you with your sketches."

Erin sighed. For the past week, Tommy had been pestering him nonstop about seeing the updated suit design. Erin was reluctant—not just because it wasn't ready, but because his aunt was already furious that he'd told Tommy anything at all.

Before he could answer, a voice called out from the side of the track.

Both boys turned in sync.

Elizabeth stood there, holding a stack of papers. Erin felt his heartbeat jump to his throat. She waved him over. Tommy gave him a firm slap on the back as Erin made his way toward her.

"Hey, Elizabeth. What's up?"

"I got the papers you missed in Chem," she said, handing him the bundle.

Erin accepted them carefully. "How'd you get out of class early?"

"I have a free fifth period."

"Oh... that's cool."

The conversation came to an abrupt halt. Erin's brain scrambled for words, but came up short.

"Well, I'll see you later," Elizabeth said, turning back toward the building.

Erin's shoulders slumped as he walked back to Tommy.

"Dude, that was sad."

Erin shot him an exaggerated glare. "What was I supposed to say?"

"Anything. Compliment her! Tell her her highlights look good! Something other than standing there looking like you forgot how to speak English."

The bell rang. They grabbed their bags and started toward the parking lot.

"It's not that easy. What if she figures out I like her?"

"Isn't that... the point? You do want her to like you back, right?"

"I just don't want to get slapped for being creepy."

Erin waved at his mom, who waited at the curb. She gave him a warm smile and rolled down the window.

His mother was a woman who had been through more than her fair share. Her black hair was now streaked with silver—a recent change. Erin had always assumed the stress of raising a depressed teen had something to do with it. He'd inherited her dark hair rather than his father's blond, though the lightning strike had bizarrely tinted it brown.

She leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"How was school, baby?"

Erin smiled—she was in a good mood today.

"It was good, Mom. Can Tommy come over for a few hours?"

"Of course, sweetie."

Erin's Room — Later

"I'm just saying... where's the protection?" Tommy said, dropping into the beanbag in the corner of Erin's small room.

Erin lay in his hammock, arms folded behind his head. "What do you mean?"

Tommy tossed the sketchbook back at him. "You're going to be getting punched by bad guys—a lot. You're gonna need more than a skintight suit."