Peer Pressure [S.Barber]

[11] BUT YOU LIKE HER BETTER

After getting a call from Sydney, Lana was on her way to the bowling alley, Sydney by her side. The redhead had finally decided that she wanted to try and test Stanley's theories, but refused to go without Lana.

"Sorry, we're closed." Stanley sighs as the two walk in. When he looks up, he pauses. "Was hoping you might make an exception?" Sydney responds, walking forward, while Lana prefers to stay behind.

"That depends. Are you a good bowler? Cause Lana's not." Stanley jokes, though the blonde doesn't laugh. "I'm not either." Sydney admits.

"Then what are you two doing here?" He questions. "Gotta... try to make the lasagna." Sydney breathes out.

"That sounds vaguely... sexual." Stanley trails. "Alright, goodbye, Syd. It was nice talking to you." Lana turns around, but Sydney quickly pulls her back.

"No, it's not." Sydney shakes her head. "Okay." Stanley looks down in embrassement. "I thought maybe...I could hear some of those dumb theories of yours." She explains.

Stanley can't help but smile, then excitedly runs off. "Okay." He grins. Sydney and Lana take a seat on a bench, watching as Stanley returns with a stack of comic books.

"When you said 'research' I thought you meant..." Sydney begins. "Research." Lana cuts in.

"Okay, So the people who wrote these things— Do you think they just come up with these characters and their powers out of thin air?" Stanley asks.

"Yes." The two girls nod. "Or—or— or is it possible they researched carefully and grounded these superhero abilities in modern science and parapsychology?" The boy adds.

"No, it's not possible." Sydney shakes her head. "Not really, no." Lana agrees. "At all."

"Okay. You're right. The people who wrote these were probably eating acid like candy. But the point is, they know superpowers. Okay? So each of these comics features an unknown visitor." Stanley takes a seat besides Lana and across from Syd.

"A professor, a wise old sage, some form of a mentor figure, you know, who visits the hero, explains their abilities, the mythology behind them, and how they can harness those powers for good." Stanley tells.

"What's your point?" Sydney inquires. "Has anyone like this ever visited you?" He raises his eyebrows. Sydney takes a moment to think, then shakes her head.

"Okay, totally fine. Maybe I'll just be your mentor figure." He suggests. Sydney scrunches up her features. "Or not! Or Lana could be. She seems like a smart girl, right?" He looks to her. "Sure." She shrugs.