Adopting The Superhero

Chapter 22

Nyssa's pov

"So Nyssa, what's your explanation as to why you were missing from the charity event last night. People said they saw you arrive but you disappeared before you got pictures with the boys. Where were you?" Mark demands, slamming his hand down on the table. Ashton, Luke, Michael, and Calum jump slightly. I lean back in my chair.

"I was hanging out with a friend. Neither of us happened to like being at that party. Even before it was robbed. After that it was just scary," I lie, making my eyes go wide for effect. Mark buys it. Luke and Calum are rolling their eyes at my story. They are still mad at me for wearing my 'World's Okayest Superhero' shirt. Both of them have become extremely protective over my secret recently.

"Look, Nyssa, I know that you don't exactly love being here and everything, but if the boys don't start getting more publicity because of you then I'm afraid we'll have to return you to the orphanage," Mark warns, his tone sympathetic but stern. I shrug. They can try. I'm not going back there though. I'll just live at my hideout. No one will ever know, other than Aiden and Oliver.

"No!" Ashton, Michael, Luke, and Calum all shout at Mark, which actually startles him.

"Mark, we've gotten plenty of publicity since we adopted Nyssa," Luke blurts out.

"Yeah! And we don't want her to go back. We're attached to her now," Ashton adds on. The other three nod. I narrow my eyes at him. Ashton and I barely know each other. I probably know him the least out of all four boys. He knows something. But what?

"Fine. I'll keep your suggestions in mind if the time comes," Mark promises, glancing over at me. I look away and back out the window. He sighs and starts to talk to the band for a couple of minutes before he leaves. None of us move.

"So Ashton, what was it like last night when you saw Viper and Storm?" Michael asks, glancing over at me. He has an edge in his voice. He is hiding something too. Is he possibly jealous of Ashton?

"Kind of scary. The two of them got their asses kicked," Ashton replies, his eyes focused on me, almost as if he's trying to see my reaction. I keep my face neutral.

"I wonder if Storm and Viper are dating," Michael adds on, sighing dramatically. I roll my eyes.

"I don't know. What do you think, Nyssa? Are Viper and Storm dating?" Ashton taunts. Luke and Calum, who have been watching me the entire time, pale slightly. They know how these traps usually work with me. It normally ends with me blowing my secret. Not today.

"I don't know," I answer, shrugging, "but I don't think they look like a couple. They probably have too much shit going on to even bother with trying to date anymore." My heart starts to ache. Lucy hasn't contacted any of us since she broke up with me. None of us have even seen her. Something is wrong.

I shake my head slightly and look back up at Michael and Ashton, who are both frowning, unsatisfied with my answer.

Just out of curiosity, how many of you (if any) are participating in the day of silence? I am.