Fireflight (Sky High)

8. Jealousy Plan

After getting home, Dad was all ecstatic by the fact Will had won at Save the Citizen. I entered into the kitchen to find Mom talking with Gwen around the same time as Will and Dad. Like before, my dragon started growling at the sight of Gwen.

"There they are," Mom smiled on seeing us.

"Gwen?" Will asked surprised to see her at our house.

"Hey," Gwen smiled at him.

"Oh uh Dad, this is Gwen Grayson. Gwen Grayson, this is Dad," Will introduced.

"Mr. Stronghold, it's such an honor," Gwen said as she shook his hand, "I'm sorry to barge in like this."

She's not really sorry at all.

"Oh no, We were just hangin' and chilling,'" Dad said.

"Honey, Gwen is a technopath, and she's offered to help Will with his science homework. And she's a senior," Mom explained.

"Will, I know we said we were gonna work on that antigravity stuff tomorrow, but something came up. Is there any chance we can do it tonight?" Gwen asked.

"Sure. Yeah," Will nodded.

"On one condition, Gwen. You join us for dinner," Dad suggested.

"Oh, no, no, I-I-I couldn't intrude," Gwen shook her head.

"Ah, oh, yes, you can," Will nodded.

"You must," Mom smiled.

"Ok. Well thanks," Gwen beamed and turned to Will, "So, should we get started?"

"Certainly," my brother nodded and lead her upstairs to his room.

Like before, my dragon started growling at her telling me that she wasn't who she was. Plus, I couldn't afford to be in the same room as Gwen without the threat of shifting and my dragon getting out of control. And, I wasn't sure how to express it to Mom and Dad who both were excited about Will and Gwen altogether since I didn't want to be the one to spoil things for them.

"I'm gonna go hang with Layla if that's okay?" I asked turning to Mom and Dad.

"Sure sweetie," Mom nodded.

"You girls have fun," Dad said.

So I grabbed my bag and headed to the Paper Lantern and found Layla seated at a booth. I could tell she was waiting for Will to show up as he promised her. 

"Ava?" Layla glanced at me as I sat across from her.

"Hey," I said, "I thought I'd find you here."

My best friend seemed glad that I showed up. The waitress came by us. I ordered myself a beef and broccoli dish since I felt hungry. 

After a while of waiting, Layla had ordered a small vegetarian dish but didn't eat. I only ate half of my dish.

"Lay, you gotta eat sometime," I said.

She didn't reply back.

"Still workin' on that?" Warren asked approaching the booth.

My dragon perked up happily at his arrival.

"Hey," Layla said.

"Hey," he said.

"We go to school together."

"Warren, this is Layla, my best friend," I answered.

"Right. Stronghold's friend," Warren nodded.

"Yeah," Layla nodded.

"You want me to heat those up for you?" He pointed at our dinner dishes.

"You're not supposed to use your powers outside of school," Layla whispered.