Hidden Heroes

FĮVE

I pulled on my jeans and t-shirt with uncertainty. We were going to the beachside today for a school trip but I wouldn't imagine any school doing that. Just what you would expect from Hero Academy.

I dragged along two suit cases and a duffel bag because it said on the notice we would be there for a month, about the same amount of time Max would be on his mission.
I eventually got to the school and by then, about all the students were crowded by the gates, piling in to the coach buses.

Luna caught my gaze and she gestured me to come over. She seemed to have the same amount of bags I do but they were way bigger.
"Hey Luna."

"Lizzie! I'm super excited for this trip! I hope that we can bunk together with all my other friends."
Huh, I have a friend. Well, there's a first time for everything.

"Hey Zachary," spoke Lilith Jamaica. "What's up?"

I turned my body slightly to get a better look at Zac's face. His face was tinted slightly pink, it makes me think he might be sick.
"Fable, thanks for yesterday."

"Ooo," Adley Woods mouthed. "What went on yesterday, hmm?"
"Nothing. He got bruised so I helped him."
"Oh really?"
"Yes really!"

I turned back to Zachary and grinned. "It was nothing, really."

"Allow me to do in return. Once we arrive to our destination, you can tell me what you feel I can return the favor with."

"Oooooooo," worded all of the girls and guys listening.
"SHATTDAP!!," I snapped at the growing crowd.
I rubbed my chin. "Yeah, yeah. I'll tell you what you owe me but you gave me this offer. I never asked for this."

He didn't laugh and walked back to his group of friends. "Wow, all the hot boys sure are no fun- what the hell did I just say?"
"Ooo, someone has a crush," Jenny Lee stated.

I rolled my eyes and hoped that the warmth crawling is my neck wasn't noticeable. "Pfft. Do not."
"Of course not," Luna agreed. "No way Fable-Lizbeth Duior would fall for such a hot boy who wandered into your arms like faith has decided."

I opened my mouth to argue but we were being pushed inside by teachers and I ended up sitting with Jason. Big surprise there.
"Hey Fae." I didn't respond.
"Darling, I feel like you've been ignoring me."

"So what if I was?"
"I'm hurt. I thought we had a special bond."
"We did until you broke it."
"Come on. I'll make it up to you. How about during our free time, you and I plan something special, hmm?"

I rose my eyebrow at him. "How can I trust you?"
He grinned. "You can."

After an hour, my eyes started to droop. Shit, I didn't sleep well last night. I wonder if they are gonna leave me on the bus if I fall asleep.
Well, I'll take my chances.
:.~^*^~.:
"Mom, where'd you go?"
The room was full of fog, I could barely make out the outline of my own hands. The smoke was consuming and much space as it could in my lungs and it was getting difficult to breath.
I got on my hands and knees and started to crawl to the living room, where it seemed mom and Max were first.

I eventually made it down the stairs and saw Max's silhouette hiding behind the counter in the kitchen. I crawled over and Max was cradling himself in a ball.
Child trauma filled his eyes and blood stained his tee. "Max," I coughed. "Max where's mom?"

He looked up at me, his lip trembling and the same color as the stains in his shirt.
He wrapped his arms around my neck and whimpered. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."