Acceleration

Chapter 21: Lone Shark

"You're telling me you haven't seen the Hero Parade?" Tom asked, holding his phone up to Erin. He barely glanced at the image on his friend's cell. Two weeks of agony in his first period, along with constant harassment from Ashley and Charlie was making Erin despise school. The lack of information on Revnid also pulled him from his studies, and he was missing five assignments already.

"They're holding a parade in Hypersonic's honor!" His friend smiled. Erin shrugged, "I don't know why they would, it's not like many people in this town like me."

"Dude, the MAYOR is personally wanting to shake your... Hypersonic's hand to thank him for the work he does."

"How do you think Hypersonic will be able to get up there?" Erin asked. Tommy seemed confused.

"You walk onto the stage."

The pair exited the building and moved toward Liz's car.

Erin began his countdown, "3... 2... 1..."

"Erin!"

He couldn't help but groan as Ashley ran up to him.

"I'm so excited to go with you guys to the parade!"

Erin started his best friend in the eyes. Tom pursed his lips and nodded, understanding Erin's statement.

Lisa was in the passenger seat of Liz's car. She was hurriedly motioning for the pair to get in.

"Yeah, we'll meet you there!" Liz shouted out the window. The car was full."

Erin ran for the car and jumped in, quickly followed by Thomas.

"Liz you're a lifesaver," Erin slouched in his seat. Marlin patted him on the shoulder.

"Hey, why don't you sit back with your boyfriend?" Erin asked.

"Girls get front," Both Liz and Lisa shouted. Erin jumped in surprise.

***

The celebration was far bigger than Erin had expected. The parade, admittedly, wasn't much. Just a few massive Balloons that were shaped like him. However, the party afterward was massive. Stands stood everywhere selling Hypersonic merchandise, coffee shops had drinks with his name in the title, and blue and yellow streamers hung from buildings. Weirdly, Erin felt honored.

He and Elizabeth stood shoulder to shoulder the entire time. As they came to a booth, she handed him a yellow-blue stick of cotton candy.

"You didn't have to get me this," Erin said, taking a bite out of it. The stringy candy melted in his mouth.

"Lisa told me you liked cotton candy."

This was true.

"I didn't know you and Lisa were such good friends," Erin smiled. Liz nodded.

"Well, you wanted me to be part of your friend group."

He smiled, "You're amazing."

Elizabeth blushed.

"I'm not. I just like having friends. It's more fun than I thought."

She stared into his eyes for a moment. In their moment together, staring into each other's souls, Erin felt a spark. The tiniest of zaps. A shock, not from electricity, but from her. She felt the same way he did.

"Elizabeth!"

Erin almost sent his fist into Charlie's face. He stopped himself when he realized Hot Rod was right next to him.

"Hey sweetie!" the old speedster smiled, "Erin. Your friend and I were about to go grab a Hyper-Hot-Dog. Wanna come?"

Elizabeth sighed reluctantly, "Yeah."