Stephanie & Xander

Chapter 11

She stops to greet a beefcake stranger. They clasp their hands together and then bump each other's shoulders like buddies. I guess, Xander isn't the only one who's scary. All her friends are scary looking guys too. This is the first time I've ever seen someone with a crown of thorns tattoo around his shaved head along with four silicon horns. There's a ring on his nose too and tunnels on his ear.

Honestly, I can understand that people wears piercings, but he's also wearing dirty white, super stretchable tank top like he bought the M size and he's XXL, and now one of his nipples are showing.

And, I hate that only one of his nipples is showing. Like, I want to stretch the other side of his tank top to cover it but it'll end up pulling the other end and the other nipple will show instead. I hate that I'm having OCD over some bulkhead's nip slip. I hate myself.

"Stephanie, this is Superman. Superman, I want you to meet Stephanie." Xander introduces and I was like, honestly? Superman?

"I think you're wondering why she calls me Superman." No, actually I'm still wondering about your asymmetrical nipples. "You know how Superman is called a man of steel? I'm also like that. I repair vehicles and I'm good with anything steel from crafting and repairing, that's how I got my nickname."

I didn't ask though, "Actually, my name is Stephan."

He nods and then he walks towards his garage. Well, thankfully he didn't ask about my gender. Although, I kind of wanted him to ask because I want to explain that I'm not wearing this dress on purpose.

He points at the corner of the garage, "There you go." He says and it's an Adventure motorcycle he was pointing at, "That thing, BMW R1200GS Adventure initially belongs to Alex but her father whines about how large it is for a woman. And, his father knows that an Adventure model means long-ride. So, he knows she's planning for a long ride. His father wants it discarded so she gave it to me for free but I know she'll need it someday so I keep it and her father bought her a Scooter, a pink Lance Havana Classic. That's almost 10 times cheaper." He laughs. I don't actually know much about bikes, but I know how scooters look like so Xander probably felt sad when her gorilla turned into some pastel chipmunk.

"Hey," I call out to Xander, "Once, I asked your father where you were and he said you're outside biking... it's not a mommy bike, is it?"

"He's referring to that." She says, pointing at the motorcycle, "I love biking and long rides."

That hits me fatally. Gawd, the image of Alexa in my head is completely ruined. I somehow felt that someone important just died. My sweet 3 years Alexa who gives innocent advices and loves me unrequitedly is actually this man-woman who makes me wear her dress in public, announce I'm her girlfriend, in public, then, kick me in the gut, also in public.

"Let's have a bathe and get changes while we're here." She suggests, getting inside Superman's house without even getting invited in. I guess this place is like Abby's for her.

Superman follows in and started moving around in the kitchen to prepare something. On the side table are screws and tools and 3 picture frames facing downwards. The couch is stained with grease, the floors too. The corners are occupied with car and motorcycle parts. Superman seems to be cooking something delicious but I can barely smell it because of the gasoline.

"Superman, I bet you're divorced." I say and he stopped moving like it hit him somewhere critical. That proves it.

"How'd you know?" he tries to smile when he looks at me. And I guess, this is the part where one was supposed to feel guilty. Unfortunately, I don't.