Superhero

Chapter 139

Addison couldn't really concentrate much in class, and it was clear that Giuseppe understood. He ended up bringing the class over to some seminar going on in the auditorium. Some of the students were tired at the fact that a seminar had ambushed them so early in the day, but no one could complain about the technically free period he was giving them.
What was funnier was the fact that Giuseppe ended up joining his two favourite students, a row behind where the rest of his colleagues were seated.
"You sure it's alright if you sit with us, sir?" Jordan asked in a low voice.
"There's not enough space there for me anyway," Giuseppe shrugged at him with a slight smirk, then leaned forward to look at Addison. "You okay?"
Addison nodded. "Yeah."
The seminar was actually quite boring, about some online shopping platform that had gained a huge audience or something like that. It was a good thing that Jordan decided to lighten the mood by pulling out a whole pizza during an event that kept emphasising the restriction of outside food and drinks. He had somehow hidden the box inside his white tote bag and had laid it flat in front of him so that he could subtly reach in to open the box and grab a slice. What's funnier is the fact that he was even sharing his pizza with Addison and Giuseppe.
"Are you sure no one's gonna see us?" Addison asked, although she reached over and helped herself to a slice of chicken pepperoni pizza. "Because I was once kicked out of this place for the mere reason of bringing bubble tea."
Jordan smirked. "Yeah, I remember. You made quite the racket when entering, but this ain't bubble tea now, is it?" Jordan smirked.
Giuseppe could hardly keep himself from laughing as he sat eating a slice as well. "It's the fact that I'm a lecturer and still joining in on this little escapade."
"Yes, and I love that about you," Jordan grinned before taking a bite of his pizza. He swallowed his mouthful and turned to Addison. "You want me to drop you off at work later?"
"It's alright," Addison shook her head. "I'll just take the bus. It's free anyway."
"Okay, but message us when you arrive, okay?" Giuseppe said. "And don't you try to come home by yourself."

Word had got around social media that a barn in the outskirts of Spring Valley had gone up in flames during the night. A gas leak was the suspected cause, but alcohol was also stated to be a factor. No foul play was detected since it was also found that both of those substances were both found to be stored in the barn. The cause of it was still 'under investigation', but it as also found that the owner of the barn, Fleurette Greyson, was found dead alongside another few more. What the barn was used for was still unknown, but 'investigations were still underway'. Addison was not surprised to know that Detectives Cooper and Lincoln were the ones on the case. Addison didn't know if they had always been detectives or had recently been promoted since she had referred to them as officers the last time she met them.
'What are they, the new Kane and Abel?' Addison thought to herself, seeing how they were always the only cops that showed up for any big case in Spring Valley.
She closed the social media app and put her phone on the glass-plates table of the library's quiet area as she leaned back to sip the iced mocha she had gotten from Sundeer. It had cost her a bit, but at least she got a student discount and she felt like enjoying herself after everything that happened last night.
Jordan showed up and Addison sighed slightly as she took her earbuds off.
"You doing alright?" Jordan asked.
"Last night feels like it was forever ago," Addison shrugged. "It all passed in a daze, I can barely remember anything."
Jordan nodded and leaned closer. "They found her body."
Addison nodded. "I know. I just saw the article as well."
They were both silent for a few moments until Jordan spoke again.
"Have you spoken to Jeff?"
"No, not yet," Addison sighed. "But I'll be seeing him later at work, though. I can ask him then."
"You want me to drop you off at your workplace?"
"Nah, no need for that. I'll just take the bus like I usually do."

Addison walked towards the shop almost an hour before her shift, but stopped short when she spotted Crawford sitting behind the counter instead of the usual Jeff. Quickly, she turned around and crossed the street to wait the rest of the shift out at a restaurant instead.
As soon as she was done ordering a light meal of cheesy chicken fries and a cup of green tea, Addison took her phone out and started messaging Jeff. When no response came, she called him instead.
Addison sighed. Did he actually run away from Spring Valley just because everyone that lived in the Kennedy home now knew who he really was? Did he really distrust them that much? After everything that they had gone through together?
A teardrop escaped her eye. Had she known that that was the last time she was ever going to see Jeff, she would've given him a big hug for always having her back and saving her life more times she could count. She would never admit it, but that was probably what she would have done. But now, she was probably never going to see him again.
And that was the saddest thing she could ever imagine.
After she had finished her meal, Addison dolefully crossed the street to go back to the shop, in a slight daze as she tried to imagine what it would be like to no longer fool around with Jeff. Crawfish was startled when she walked in and clocked out without a word before Addison took over for him.
Addison mumbled the price when he placed two beers and pack of chips on the counter.
"Wow, you must be really sad that that boy isn't here today," Crawford remarked. "You look like you're about to cry at any moment."
Addison just glared at him and handed him the receipt. Then, she sat down on the stool and took out more pieces of foolscap paper out to start writing out her feelings. After all, that was the only way she could really express her thoughts. And writing it in loose papers meant that she could easily dispose of them later.
Despite how Jeff had apparently vanished after last night's whole escapade, she still wished to protect his identity at all cost.