My Superhero

Chapter 9

For the third time this morning, I hit the snooze button on my alarm clock. It was noon already, but my bed’s hold on me was too strong. The sunrays crept in through my curtains, making the dust particles flying around the room look like little fairies flying in packs. I groaned and pulled the cover back over my head.

After I had gone out of the water yesterday, Kate, Luca, Jason and I had spent the rest of the morning attempting, and failing miserably, to build a huge sand castle. We were almost done; Luca had even carved in little windows and doors, when a five year old came stumbling over the fragile masterpiece.

“Mama, look!” he had shrieked before tumbling down on our building. Luca tried holding the kid back but it was too late; our castle was gone. A collective gasp rose, followed by a mortified groan. Jason, who had been so excited to see the castle gradually grow, had been stunned.

We all packed up and decided to spend the day at the park, which I had no idea existed until Jason suggested we go. In a world where all I ever see is sandy yellow and ocean blue, the change of scenery was overwhelming. As we walked further down the pier, the emergence of sudden greenery was breathtaking; gradually, big oak trees and bursts of pink and red flowers came into view.  The three of them laughed at me as a happy squeal escaped my throat, a wide smile making its way to my lips.

I couldn’t help but notice the secret glances Jason threw my way, making me feel like he and I shared a secret that no one else knew about. Kate noticed it too, and she certainly did not hold back on the embarrassing comments.

“Viv, your forehead’s on fire,” she had said in a voice loud enough for only me to hear. My heart filled with panic as I frantically slapped at my forehead.

“What? How? What ar-“

“Jason might as well be setting you on fire with his eyes,” she had wiggled her eyebrows mischievously at me. I hit her hard on her arm then burst into laughter at my gullibility.

She wasn’t necessarily wrong though. Every time I’d catch him looking at me, I’d feel my skin bursting into flames. It was like his eyes held a million unspoken words, and no matter how hard I’d tried I just couldn’t figure them out.

The alarm rang yet again, this time forcing me out of bed. I smacked it shut and groggily made my way to the bathroom. After a quick shower, I got dressed and went out into the living room.

Kate was already gone, her mystery client calling her in for an emergency shoot. What kind of emergencies can a photographer have anyway?

I sighed and turned on my laptop, desperate for something to do. Even when Kate comes back I wouldn’t be able to hang out with her as her big date with Luca was tonight.

I logged onto Skype and found that my best friend Miranda was on. As I was moving my cursor to click on the little green button next to her name, a loud ringing noise came from my headphones. She was calling me. I quickly put my headphones on and clicked answer.

“Viviana!” Miranda’s squealed in a high pitched voice.

“Oh my god, I miss you!” I shrieked back, realizing how much I’d missed my best friend.

“Turn your camera on, I want to see you,” she ordered. I obeyed, turning the webcam on.

“Oh my God, look at you all tanned and beachy,” she gasped. She had turned her camera on as well, so I could see the background of her pink and purple room. But not her.

“Mimi? Where are you?” I asked, frowning.

“Oh, sorry, I’m right here,” she appeared from somewhere beside her laptop. Her short blonde hair was tied up in a messy bun.