The S-Force

20: Jacqueline

Things were different without Spence. I was still mad at Toni so there was some awkwardness with the other girls. Kylie was still slightly miffed on my behalf and Yvonne in her usual way was understanding of Toni's actions.

Although it was strange between us girls, I would never hang out with Han Daewoo. Especially one on one. That would be my second worst nightmare come to life. My worst nightmare being homelessness. However, he had no one to hang out with so he was stuck with me and the girls.

"I've been getting better at sparring." Yvonne boasted.

"Me too." Kylie revealed as well, her mouth still fool of watercress.

"I thought I was useless at it and was scared of being stuck depending on my powers but now I can hold my own."

"Yeah now I don't need extra strength anymore."

"So the rest of you guys noticing any improvements?" Yvonne looked around the table.

"Well apart from being able to spin myself into a cyclone... nothing." Toni contributed.

"Oh I can do freeze breaths now." I excitedly chipped in.

"Wow!" Yvonne exclaimed, eyes wide as a meteor.

"With my nose." I added with a flourish.

"That's so cool." Kylie praised.

"Psh! That's not special." Daewoo said dismissively from his place opposite me.

"Oh my gosh! Will you shut up?" Toni suddenly blurted out, shocking everyone at the table. "What is wrong with you?"

"Huh?"

"Oh you had all the words for Jacqueline but suddenly you're mute." Toni stood up to glare at Daewoo. "You have no friends here mister except for Jacqueline because of your condescending attitude and despite her efforts to be nice to you, you treat her like... like... like a... burden. Well I got news for you. If anyone is a burden, it's you. You're super annoying and exhausting to be around."

I saw Daewoo shrink with every word Toni threw at him, a twisted sense of satisfaction swelling within me. Everyone turned to watched the spectacle.

"And!" Toni announced. "Admit that the main reason you treat Jacqueline poorly is 'cause you actually like her."

The girls and everyone else gasped in sheer shock.

Daewoo stared at his tray of food, frozen in place for the longest time. Suddenly he stood up and briskly left the cafeteria.

"Ugh what a nuisance!" Toni huffed and plopped back into her chair, rolling her eyes in annoyance.

"What just happened?" Yvonne said to no one in particular.

"Don't you think you were a little harsh?" Kylie turned to Toni who simply shrugged.

"He deserved it." Toni simply said and turned back to her food like nothing happened.

"Thank you." I mouthed to Toni when she looked up from her now empty salad plate.

"The least I could do." She mouthed back. Then she left with her tray.

"Well I'm glad she said something." Yvonne suddenly voiced out.

"Yvonne!" Kylie gasped.

"If she didn't, I would. He's just so unbearable to be around."

"Oh my gosh." Kylie pressed her palm to her forehead.

"I don't know how you put up with him Jacky."

"Well it was mostly for Spence." I explained myself.

"Well Spence isn't here."

"Yvonne!" Kylie scolded. "Fresh wounds remember?"

"Oh sorry."

"It's fine." I exhaled.

"Well you don't have to hang out with him anymore now. You have us."

"Yeah." I said then stuffed some cabbage into my mouth.

"Are you going to be OK?" Yvonne's voice took on a softer tone.

"Yeah."

But I wasn't quite sure. I was less annoyed with Toni but now I was left with more questions. Questions that I did not know if I wanted answers to.