𝑯𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑨𝒃𝒍𝒂𝒛𝒆 ꨄ

Six.

─⊹⊱☆⊰⊹─

I'm finishing up my schoolwork as I hear the bell ring, signaling that it's time for lunch. I turn in my worksheet and place my pink notebooks into my backpack.

I head into the crowded cafeteria and get into the forming line for lunch. I got to admit that despite the loneliness I felt while homeschooled, I do miss the peace and quiet that came with it. Now I'm constantly surrounded by noise and prying eyes.

I get my tray and look around, searching for my sister. I don't see her, so I head over to the freshman's table. "Hey guys." I say as I sit down next to Magenta. The table is filled with hellos as they welcome me.

Ethan and Zach began playing around arguing about who knows what. I stay focused on my food and start to converse with Lydia and Magenta.

"Where's Will?" I question curiously not seeing him at the table.

"I don't know, but he should be here soon." Lydia responds, looking around.

Out of nowhere, as Zach tries to throw his apple at Ethan, he misses, causing it to fly past Ethan, hitting Warren Peace.

Warren looks up quickly with an intense glare. Zach lets out a pathetic squeak before looking around the table for help. His pitiful eyes catch mine. I deeply sigh out of irritation before dropping my fork.

I get up and swiftly head over to Warren's table just as he's about to get up.

"Sorry about that Warren." I say sweetly, trying to take his attention off of Zach.

His eyes dart to me in surprise. I gently push him back into his seat as he looks at me in a trance-like state.

"I just wanted to come over and apologize for my friend's reckless behavior. He didn't mean to hit you." I say with sincerity.

"Oh, okay. Thanks for apologizing, I guess?" He says with uncertainty. His face is turning a bit red, and my eyes widen as I take in his mannerisms. Is he mad or embarrassed?

"I also want to apologize for canceling the other night."

He gives me a nod. His eyes meet mine as he looks up.

"Paula I was thinking that maybe," Warren starts to speak but doesn't get to finish as something bumps harshly into him. A tray is slammed onto the table, startling me.

Warren's expression darkens as he stands up and hovers over someone. I look around him trying to see who it is, and I lock eyes with a terrified Will.

"Sorry," Will mutters with wide eyes.

"You will be." Warren mutters back with a darkened glare.

"Let's not do this." Will spits out quickly with an uneven voice.

"You think you can do whatever you want just because your last name is Stronghold?" Warren questions the anger evident in his voice.

"I'm sorry my dad put your dad in jail..." Will doesn't get to finish what he's saying. Warren tightly grabs him by his shirt collar. I'm about to step in, but I decide against it as I take in Warren's expression. I don't think I'm going to be able to calm him down.

I turn towards Lydia, gesturing for her to get help. I stay a good distance away, but if push comes to shove, I decide that I'll try to teleport Will away from Warren.

Warren's hands suddenly ignite in flames, and everyone in the cafeteria begins to chant.

I feel stuck as Warren throws fireballs at Will. Will yelps, frightened, loudly asking for help. I prepare myself before teleporting behind Will, trying to grab him, but he moves away from me, dodging another fireball. He then runs across the cafeteria out of my reach, and I'm not about to hop around the cafeteria trying to get him.

I try to quickly analyze the situation. I watch Will run towards the fire sprinkles, but he gets knocked down by Lash. He crawls under the table as Warren gets on top and throws rapid-fire balls. "Where are your sidekicks' now, Stronghold?" Warren shouts bitterly.

"Right here," Ethan yells, causing Warren to look at him. Ethan nearly pisses himself and melts into an orange splotch of liquid.

As a last attempt, I teleport behind Warren, and just as he's about to recharge and throw a fireball, I come up behind him and tightly wrap my hands around him. Me, Warren, and the lunchroom table are suddenly lifted off the ground. Did Will get his powers?

I can feel the table about to be thrown, so I let my mind quickly drift to the place I want to go, and we disappear before we could crash into the ground.

─⊹⊱☆⊰⊹─

We end up in an empty classroom, and Warren is still fuming. He tries to calm himself down, and I give him the space to do so, trying to regulate my own emotions too.

His breathing turns rigid as he slouches, and his shoulders begin to shake. I grow concerned as I take in his weeping frame.

I cautiously sit beside him on the floor and wrap my arm around his shoulders as an attempt to comfort him.

"What's wrong?" I question simply wanting to know why he's upset.

He doesn't respond. He wipes his face harshly, trying to make himself appear as if he wasn't crying.

"Thank you." Anger is still lingering on his face, but I also discern a look of disappointment.

"Why are you thanking me?" I question quizzically.

"For using your powers. I would've been thrown across the lunchroom if it wasn't for you." Warren stands up, dusting himself off with defeated, sad eyes.

"I'll see you around, Paula." And with that he walks out of the classroom, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

─⊹⊱☆⊰⊹─