Powerless

63. Deceit's Mask

A new day means... class. I was almost tempted to skip it. But I had already suggested yesterdays classes be canceled. I couldn't skip it. So instead I found myself sitting in my old seat across from Roman, who was late. I glanced around to see Damien sitting in the back staring out the window as if some crazy monster was going to attack. 

I was tempted to ask what was so interesting when the classroom door burst open to reveal a disheveled Princey. He looked exhausted. He slammed his books in the seat right next to mine and I frowned as he glared at me.

"How could you?" His voice cracked in the overly dramatic way he used to do a child.

"What?" I was lost. His eyes burned with a sort of betrayal as if I had stolen his favorite Disney movie and said was totally bogus.

"I thought we were friends. How could you do that to me Caz?"

"Do what?" Roman was about to say something more when the teacher finally walked in. Thomas looked around at everyone before his eyes rested on me and I tensed up. His gaze was on my longer than the rest. 

"Good morning everyone. I hope you all enjoyed your free day." There was a bunch of yeses and thank yous thrown about. But it was the mumbles coming from Roman that caught my attention.

"I didn't get a free day. I needed to learn discipline and cooperation. I spent most of the day with the teachers doing all these stupid jobs because someone made a suggestion that they for some reason agreed with." He shot me a glare and I paled. I had completely forgotten about that.

"I am happy to announce that all of you did well, with the execution of Ghost, Damien, and Cassidy."

"WHAT?" Ghost had jumped up in shock at his name being called. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't remember anything since it was Jimmy not ghost. I raised my hand slightly in annoyance as the teacher once again looked over at me.

"Yeah, why are we being excluded."

"Well, because you didn't do well..." Thomas frowned slightly as he took a deep breath. "You three did amazing!" I jumped slightly as he lit up with pride. "I was pleasantly surprised to see how strong you three were. Quiet a shock with Ghost as he has never been so offensive. It was quite a spectacle. We even have the whole thing recorded." My blood when cold. They recorded the mock battle. Which means they caught me... 'suggesting' Mark give up... and the free day... and Romans 'punishment'. Shit. "I was thinking we would spend class watching the recording and going over ways to improve." Why? Roman was still glaring at me.

"Yes let's go over it, huh, Cassidy?" I cringed at the tone Roman had. I take it he already saw it. The teachers probably went over it while he was there. Today is just not my day.

By the end of class, everyone was staring daggers into my back and it was making me very uncomfortable. Thomas stopped the video right after I made the suggestion for Mark to end the training. 

"Can anyone make a guess as to what happened with the smoke?" Thomas smiled as people went off with theories and speculations. Logan raised his hand and I slowly started to curl into myself. "Yes Mr. Rhymes"

"Nullification, Mr. Sanders. They used it on a large scale to cancel out everyone powers in one fell swoop." Logan glanced over at me and I frowned burying my head into my hands.

"Do you know why they waited so long to use it?" I wanted to hide. Why didn't they just flat out say it was me? They all know it was if the stares to the back of my head were proof enough.

"I'd have to say they were waiting for Mark as he was no doubt the target." I could hear the questioning tone in Logan's voice and my skin began to crawl. I glanced over only to see Roman watching me with growing concern. I was tense. I was nervous. I didn't want to be here. "What I don't understand is why Mr. Fischbach just gave up like that?"

"Ah, see there's the fun bit. Mark didn't give up." I was like a frayed nerve about to burst under this pressure. Roman reached out placing a supportive hand on mine more concerned about me now than upset. That's going to change when he realizes what I really did. "You see Mark never actually gave up. He went along with what was said to him almost as if..." I snapped.

"Can I make a suggestion?" Thomas's eyes glossed over as I stood jumped up feeling the anxiety take over. Roman's eyes went wide as I shook slightly in my spot. 

"Cassidy, what you doing?" I could hear Virgil asking me as I shook my head.

"Can we not go over my powers and what I did during training? Don't I have the right to keep that information to myself? C-Can we maybe.... as a suggestion... forgo talking about me in general please?" Thomas blinked slightly as if registering what I was saying before smiling.

"Of course, my apologies." I swallowed the guilt that was building up in me as a deep laugh erupted from the back.

"Looks like someones getting used to their new power."

"SHUT UP, DAMIEN!" I cried out before running for the door. I managed only a few steps out of the classroom before Thomas stopped me. "I'm not sorry." He froze the moment the words passed my lips. "I meant to use it on you. I-I was just too..."

"It's ok Cassidy." I just seemed to deflate as he rubbed my shoulder supportively. "It's ok. I didn't come out here because of that?"

"Then why?" Thomas smiled as he handed over a bag. I carefully took it giving the man a confused glance before peeking inside. 

"I wanted to make sure I remembered to give you this. If you were going to leave class then I wouldn't have had time later so..." I slowly pulled out a silver phantoms mask similar to the one I use to wear. The one big difference was it wasn't a suppressor. I was stunned. Thomas had just handed me a brand new hero's outfit complete with gloves and a mask. "Deceit seemed to need an upgrade. I hope you like them."

"Thank you." Thomas laughed as I pulled him into a hug. I pulled away only to give him a boop on the nose with a laugh. "I really mean it, Thomas. Thank you." I smiled brightly as I pocketed the glove I had taken off moments prior to the hug. "It means a lot."