SuperVillain

8

The next day, I wasn't surprised to see Mason walk through the doors of the city hall. However, I was surprised when I realized he was alone. Before I knew it, I had my arms wrapped around him. I guess he was surprised by my actions as I was because he had his arms straight out. But I smiled when he hugged me back. "I missed you," I heard myself whisper. Then, just like that, I was back at my desk, sitting across from him. I was being so strange today. I cleared my throat. "So, how's your aunt?"

Mason sat across from me. "You're always so formal, sitting at this desk." He propped his elbow up.

I smiled. "Where's Sunny?"

"Oh, one of her new friends invited her over. She was about to decline to come over here, but I told her to go ahead, 'cause I said I was just going straight home."

"Yet you're here."

Mason blushed. "I... um, just wanted to ask you something. In private. As in, without Sunny. Like, alone."

He was mumbling on. Every time I saw him, he always kept his cool. I wondered what was up. "Go ahead."

"So, I heard you and Sunny went to get dinner last night, and-" he swallowed. "I wanted to know, if, tomorrow, you would - would you- um, get some dinner with me?"

"Okay." I smirked. "What, you jealous?"

He blushed harder. "No. I just- tomorrow's dinner is going to be different."

"Don't bother competing with her. We got our nails done and girl stuff like that." I teased.

"You and her had a friendly dinner, but- when I take you, I'm thinking it would be more of a-"

Suddenly I saw where he was going with this. "Mason LeBone, are you trying to ask me out on a-"

"Yes," he interrupted before I could get the word out. "But... don't tell Sunshine. She might think we're abandoning her."

I could feel myself blush. "Well, what do you say?" Mason asked.

What did I say? Did Mason... love me? Did I... love him? I'd never been in love before, or loved anyone in general. And if things didn't go right, I didn't want to ruin one of my only friendships. "Okay," I blurted. Oh, well.

"Alright," I saw something in his eyes I'd never seen before. They were... more shiny. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then." Then he ran out of City Hall. The shades were pulled over the glass doors, but I could see Mason dancing outside.

Well, I'd just landed myself a... a date.

I was practically dancing myself on my way home that night. I'd never been on a date, but I hoped it would be nice. Maybe I should dress up, I thought. I didn't really like wearing anything too fancy, but this was a special occasion. The hard part would be finding something that would look okay with my blue glasses. I mean, maybe I could go without them-

"You prepared for the plan tomorrow?"

I was startled to see my dad as soon as I opened the door to my apartment. "What are you doing? You need to be down in the Lair!"

He grabbed my wrist, slammed the door, and yanked me towards the bookcase. "Don't tell me what to do, you little lightbulb!"

I sighed. He called me a lightbulb so much. Compared to him, I was nothing. He might as well have been Zeus, and what would that make me? A lightbulb.

"So, I'll come into City Hall while the old dude is on his lunch break, and you'll go into a closet or whatever, and lock the door from the inside. If someone tries to help you, say your hands are tied together. When your butler or whatever comes back, I'll tell him that I won't let you go unless he lets me take over! Oh, and I'll tie him up too. Our code word can be... 'mangoes'. Whenever I say 'mangoes', the coast will be clear, so you can transform and come help me. Sound good?"

"When are we doing this again?"

"Tomorrow. I already told you that."

"But tomorrow I'm supposed to -"

"Tomorrow, you're supposed to help me take over Mid-Fais. Look. You're not Leila. You're Lightinga, daughter of the greatest person to ever walk the earth. Whatever you do as Leila has to be fake. Lightinga is who you really are. You're practically the daughter of evil itself. And that evil is me. So, you can choose Leila or Lightinga. And the other one is gone. You should be grateful I even let you work for me. So, decide. Right now."

I sighed. It was nice knowing you, Sunshine and Mason. "Lightinga."

Well, any dreams I'd had of going out with Mason were shattered, and I was hoping he wouldn't be too disappointed. Although, he'd probably just be too worried about little old Leila. The person I never was, the person I never would be.