Real or not real? (Five Hargreeves) Book 2

Chapter 3 'Keep trying'

Stellar makes her way up to the lobby, wiping furiously at her face. She refuses to cry. Not here. Not now. Preferably not ever. 

Stellar wonders around aimlessly before making her way to the bar, where she finds Luther sitting with headphones on, singing along to a song. She begins to walk over and meets Diego on the way. She furrows her brows at him.

"Where's Stan?" She inquires.

"Where's Lila?" He counters.

"Off with Five. Still." Stellar answers with a wave of her hand. Diego looks at her, then shrugs.

"By the way, I still don't trust you." 

Stellar scoffs. 

"And you trust my sister?" She protests.

"Well...yeah." Diego says flatly. Stellar purses her lips but doesn't say anything.

"Hey, she's not the one who used her horrifying powers on four of us at once. We don't even know what you can do." Diego points out.

"Ok, fine." Stellar says casually. "One, Lila basically used all of your powers on you, so how was mine any different? Two, I'll show you." 

Diego steps back cautiously. 

"I'm not gonna use it on you. Promise." She says softly. Diego just raises his eyebrows. Stellar sighs.

"I can create illusions. If I feel up to it, I can make them solid for a bit." Stellar flicks her wrist and her eyes glow that familiar purple. A rush runs through her veins and purple and gold sparks fly out of her hand like thin ropes. Diego's eyes widen as Stellar watches the illusions twist and turn, sparkling brightly. She closes her hand with another swish of her wrists and the illusions dissolve into nothing as quickly as they appeared.

"So how did you show us those...things?" Diego pushes.

"I can also see visions." Stellar explains. Diego gestures for more information.

"All different futures, pasts, your worst nightmare or fear, your biggest dream. I don't like using them though, so I don't."

"You literally used them on us like...yesterday." Diego laments.

"That was ages ago for me." Stellar reasons. Diego hums, then narrows his eyes at her.

"Okay, fine. Don't try anything." He says, and continues to walk towards Luther.

"Diego?" Stellar calls after him. He turns around.

"Look, I just want you to know that I'm sorry. I didn't mean for what happened back on the farm." Diego raises his eyebrows.

"I genuinely mean it. You don't have to believe me, or forgive me, but I just wanted to tell you that because the facts still stand that you have a kid with my sister." Stellar points out. 

Diego huffs.

"Okay." He says, and continues walking. Stellar follows.

"What's with the bottles?" Luther asks Diego.

"Molotov cocktails." Diego answers. "What's with the music?"

"None of your biz." Luther shoots back.

Diego picks up the cassette tapes on the table. 

"Phil Collins? Neil Diamond?" 

He puts them down.

"Are you making a mixtape?"

"Shouldn't you be watching your kid?" Luther dodges.

"Dude, I got that parenting thing down. The trick is, you give 'em a little trust, and everything falls into place!" Diego says.