The Outcasts *COMPLETED*

Chapter 7 - Heroic Deeds

Danny stood outside of the school as the sun shined brightly in the sky, and other students made their way through the two large doors that made up the entrance into the building. He closed the passenger door of his car, putting his bag on his back and slowly walking to class. Danny pulled out his phone, seeing a few texts from Sophie and then continued to walk. Making his way to his locker, the other students looked at him, some envious and others gossiping about what had happened with him and the wrestling team.

"Danny!" a female's voice shouted. Danny turned his head to see Sophie and Skylar quickly walking over to him, both with smiles on their faces. Danny looked around and saw that Johnny was at the end of the hall with his football buddies.

"Hey." Danny softly spoke, avoiding eye contact with his girlfriend. Sophie pouted and tried to look him in the eyes.

"Danny, what's wrong?" Sophie asked. He looked up at her and remembered the photo Cooper and Jade had showed him. He sighed and shook his head, turning around and beginning to walk away.

"Danny!" Sophie shouted again, grabbing his arm. The rest of the students in the hall grew quiet as everyone turned to look at the couple.

"It's over!" Danny shouted at her. Student's eyes went wide as Sophie gasped. "Just leave me alone." he shook her hand off of his arm and continued walking down the hall, being eyed up by Johnny who stood up straight as Danny passed by him.

* * *

Mollie stood by her locker, her hair a mess and wearing a large hoodie and baggy sweatpants. She grabbed some of her books and looked around as other girls passed by her. They were pointing and whispering, probably about the rumor that Mollie had been bullying Sophie. She looked down at the ground as she walked to the library for her study hall, avoiding everyone in the school.

She looked around the library and saw other students sitting in small groups, but one was by themself. Mollie walked over to the lonely student and began to recognize them. Jade was sitting at a table by herself with books scattered all over it and earbuds in her ears.

"Hey." Mollie whispered. Jade didn't look up however, unable to hear the former cheerleader over her music. Mollie decided to sit down anyway, putting her books on the small section of the table that was left open. Jade quickly looked up and pulled her earbuds out.

"What do you want?" Jade asked coldly.

"I just saw you sitting here and saw the open seat..." Mollie said, almost sounding like she was scared.

"Just promise not to write stuff about me." Jade said. She put her earbuds back in and went back to work as Mollie stared at the table and couldn't help as a tear ran down her face. She tried to fight back the urge to cry, just as Jade looked back up and saw what state she was in.

"Damn. Okay look, I didn't mean it." Jade said. She took her earbuds out again and moved closer towards the table. "I heard what happened, but I assumed you had tougher skin."

"It's fine." Mollie said meekly.

"You need to push it out of your mind. Everyone is talking about it. Even if you didn't do it, it won't matter to them." Jade said. "Trust me. They talk about whatever is going to bother people."

"It's just... there's no way I can prove I didn't. I would never do that, even if I hate her." Mollie said wiping away her tears.

"Doesn't matter. People are still gonna talk." Jade said, putting a single earbud back in. "I deal with it all the time. Just brush it off and it can't hurt you. Sometimes it's funny."

Mollie watched as Jade went back to work. She nodded to herself, grabbing her books and opening them up and began to start her work herself, occasionally looking up Jade and letting her words sink in.

* * *

"Professor Romero!" Javier basically shouted as he walked into the empty classroom. Professor Romero slammed his laptop shut, immediately being startled by the young student. He closed a notebook that he was writing in and leaned forward at his desk. His hair was neatly groomed, but the stubble on his face showed he wasn't keeping up with making himself presentable, to his own standards at least. His tie was loose and the top button of his dress shirt was undone.

"Yes Mr. Vasquez. What can I help you with?" Romero asked, running his hand through his hair. Javier grabbed a seat that was against the wall and pulled it over to the desk.

"I need some help." Javier said, holding a folded up piece of paper in his hand.

"And what might you need help with young man?" Romero questioned, rubbing the back of his neck now.

"I was kicked off the football team." Javier said, putting the paper on the professor's desk. "I don't know what to do. I feel angry, but I don't know how to act."

"First, don't do anything you'd regret. If you know it could hurt someone, don't do it. In the end it'll just end up hurting you too." Romero advised him. "As far as actions, there isn't much you can do. Don't try and fight with the other teammates, and especially not the coach."

"I tried so hard Professor Romero. I stayed here every day after school to practice. Every day until it was pitch black out. Just so I could make the damn team!" Javier began to speak louder and louder. He stood up and was walking around the classroom. He could feel his blood slowly begin to boil and his body heat rose.

"I know Mr. Vasquez. Sometimes things just happen for a reason. I'm sure coach has seen your dedication. He clearly knew you wanted it, but maybe he just doesn't want to raise your hopes by keeping you on the team." Romero said, staying behind his desk. Javier just shook his head as his body calmed down.

"Thanks for the talk Professor." Javier said, walking out of the class without looking back at his teacher.

* * *

After school had ended Cooper had stopped by one of the local corner stores to pick up some things for his foster parents. He was opening one of the coolers to grab a carton of milk when someone else walked into the small store. The elderly woman behind the register smiled at the new customer as Cooper looked over and saw the man. He had beady eyes and was constantly scratching his neck, leaving red lines all over it. Cooper put the gallon of milk in his hand back in the cooler and watched as the man pulled a pistol out from his coat pocket.

"Put the money in a bag quick." the man said. Cooper's eyes went wide as he saw the elderly woman begin to put the money from the register into a bag as fast as she could. Eventually everything slowed down and the woman froze in place. Cooper walked over to the two and realized his powers had activated.

Cooper grabbed the gun from the guy and put it on the counter. He looked around the store and saw some zipties. He grabbed them and tied the man's hands behind his back. Cooper pushed the man onto the ground and used two zipties to put his feet together. He then grabbed what he needed and left the money on the counter next to the register. Once he finished up he came out of the store and stood on the corner, pulling out his phone and calling the police.

"Hello officer, there's a robbery at a corner of Osborne and Winchester." Cooper said, looking at the street signs as he began walking down the street. On the opposite side of the block, Kayleigh Rhodes was in the back of a black SUV, watching as Cooper walked away from the robbery.

"He stopped the robber!" Dr. Reuben said with a large smile. He began to write down in his clipboard like usual while Rhodes rubbed her chin. Drew was in the driver's seat, and turned around to shrug at his boss.

"Keep a safe distance. This one's showing promise." Kayleigh said with a smile.