Dummies' Guide to Being a Superhero (Editing)

Six: Screw Crime, its Justice Time

SIX: SCREW CRIME, ITS JUSTICE TIME

"We all have secrets: the ones we keep and the ones that are kept from us."

- Peter Parker, The Amazing Spider-Man

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GRETAL STAYED QUIET AT HOME, for many reasons. One being that she and John saved a family from drowning. Two being that she was going to see her father at twelve p.m. To be honest, she didn't know if she was ready or not. All she felt was panic and anger and just pure nerves. Her mom didn't know what to do with Gretal's attitude. She didn't know what to do since their fight. That's the thing. Her mom never knew what to do when they fought, since she was the one who would take control.

Gretal sat on her desk, typing away on her computer. The Amazing Spider-Man played on her TV screen and she quickly looked back, watching Peter Parker sleep in the subway. She turned back, staring at the website in front of her. Her dad's face stared back at her, smiling with that fake smile. She bit her lip,the jumped when her phone buzzed against the desk.

"Hello?"

"Its Cooper."

"Hi."

"Open your window."

"What?"

"I said, open your window."

A pause. "Okay . . ."

Gretal slid her window open, jumping back when Cooper fell in. He glanced up, smiling.  Gretal's cheeks tinted red. This was the first time Cooper had ever been in her room, and dammit, she had no idea what to do. "W-what are you doing here?"

"I decided to come here first. Nice room." Cooper said as he looked around. He looked down at her, grinning at her expression. Damn you, Cooper Doyle, damn you and your gorgeous face. Gretal awkwardly stood there, hands behind her back as she tried to look anywhere but Cooper.

"So," Cooper whispered, "Alexander Davidson's your dad?"

She nodded slowly. She kind of hoped Doyle didn't figure it out, but she knew he would with that damn brain of his. "I'm not proud of him, honestly."

Cooper sat on her bed, leaning on his elbows and staring up at her with worried eyes. Gretal had to admit that he never looked so sexy ever. God, Cooper, what the hell are you doing to me? Gretal sat at her computer desk, making sure she was a good five feet away from Doyle.

"My dad was never there for me, honestly. He left when I was three and I barely knew him then. He was always out, going to meetings and clubs at night. Then he just dropped and left. Months later my mom got a divorce and for fourteen years we lived without him. I never thought I'd see him again. And I don't want to, but I guess today I'm going to. I just need someone to go with me, and I thought maybe you would like to . . ."

Cooper sat up, grabbing her arm and pulling her closer as the chair rolled to him. Gretal's heart sped as she stared at him, watching his lips form a smile and God, she wanted to kiss him so bad. (When did she even get these damn feelings? Its, like, she sees Cooper and her hearts on overdrive. Like, damn.)

"Gretal, that honestly means a lot to me. And I'm just glad you trust me. This probably is a big thing for you, and I'm happy you chose me to come with you."

"Wow," she murmured, "I never knew you could be so cheesy."

Cooper leaned forward, almost teasingly. Gretal's heart raced. Like when did the hell did Doyle become so confident? He grinned - that jackass - and leaned a few inches. Was he abusing the moment? Was he just using her for a kiss? All those thoughts rang in her head as Doyle moved closer. He reached up with his thumb and did the opposite of what she thought he was going to do. His thumb brushed against her cheek and he leaned back, smiling.