Shining Heroes

Chapter 34

"This kind of thing always happens before someone first liberty weekend here." The doctor said as she examined my ribs.

"What do you mean?"

"Well they always like to do tasks that seem like their is a prize whenever someone's lockdown is about to be lifted." The older woman pressed against my ribs as she spoke. "If I'm not mistaken your lockdown is going to be lifted tonight."

"That is true."

I began to wonder if Melodic mood knew about this or if it's just a coincidence.

"That sounds about right." Spark added with their back facing us.

"So you aren't new?" I asked them.

The woman placed some sticky patch against my injured ribs. Beofre I lowered my shirt.

"Nope."

"That should help relieve the pain and speed up the healing process. Take the day off and see me on monday for a check up."

"Thank you." I quickly said.

"I would have been here sooner but I had some family stuff to get taken care of."

They turned around and smiled at me.

"I'm surprised that I've only been gone for two months and they already found a black shirt and another red shirt. There was another red shirt but they recently graduated." They explained as we left medical.

"Why did you follow me here exactly?"

"You looked like you could use a friend." They shrugged their shoulders. "Also I have a question who is that girl you were sparing with?"

Why were they suddenly so interested in her?

"Melodic mood."

"You two close?" They raised an eyebrow. BBC

"I'd say were friends."

"Hmm." They hummed at my response.

We made it all the way back to the dorms in silence. I had the feeling that they wanted to say something, because they kept glancing over at me.

"Shining!" Claire jumped on my back enthusiastically but was immediately pulled off.

It happened all too fast for my body to register any pain from the added weight.

"She has cracked ribs." Spark lectured claire a bit.

"Sorry Spark..." Claire was pouting as she talked

"It's honestly fine. Lightspeed does it all the time." I stated before punching Claire in the shoulder. "I'm use to her weight."

"Its a bad habit to do." Spark added.

"Its just one of the ways she shows affection. It's one of the ways you'll know she sees you as a friend."

"Fine but no jumping on me." Spark had a slightly concerned look on their face before they looked around the room.

"They don't like people randomly touching them because they tend to give off a minor electric charge if surprised. " Claire whispered in my ear.

"Do you guys want to hit The Mask tonight?" Spark asked quietly.

"Yes!" Claire exclaimed.

"The Mask?" I have to admit my interest has been peaked.

They both looked at me with shock until Claire's face changed to one of realization.

"She's been on lock down her entire time here." Claire stated. "She broke her security lockdown while she was being hunted."

"Oof."

"What's The Mask?"

"Um. Spark you go do whatever you would do. I'm gonna help her get ready." Claire grabbed my arm.

"Don't you have training?" Spark asked seeming just as confused as me.

"I won today's challenge." She said with a big grin. "So I got the day off."

Spark seemed content with the answer and began to walk away.

"Did everyone have the same reward?" I asked as I looked down the hall.

I caught sight of Melodic mood for just a second before Claire sped me into my dorm.

"You like someone, dont you?"

"Yes." Claire let out an ungodly squeal at my response. "But..."

"You have to tell me who."

There was a knock on my door, so I quickly stood up and opened it.

"I heard a scream; is everything ok?" Melodic mood asked as she looked into the room.

"Yes." I probably answered too fast. "Just discussing stuff."

I looked over at Claire and she was trying not to laugh.

"We're fine Mood. She has cracked ribs and I hugged her too tight." Claire shined mood a toothy smile.

"Y... yeah, but I'm fine though."

She causally nodded her head before scanning over the room once more.

"Ok. Sorry to bother you guys." She turned to leave.

"It's no problem. You should come hang out sometime Mood. I'm sure Shining would enjoy your company too." Claire wasn't even looking at her.

Instead she was making direct eye contact with me.

"I uh... need..." I fumbled over how I should even say.

"I'll think about it."

Mood smiled before leaving us. Claire was dying laughing on my bed and I was still failing at my words in the doorway.

"Wow you are so helpless." Claire shouted as I closed the door.

"Shut up." I looked over at her. "It's not like you have any room to talk."

I went and plopped down next to her on my bed.

"What do you mean?" She looked at me with a surprised expression.

"Owen." I raised my eyebrows 

"You knew?" Her jaw dropped.

"I've known for a while."

"Well anyway. I told him before he left for nerd camp." The way she sighed could only mean bad news.

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine, he was still stuck up on you." She sat up and walked over to my wardrobe. "I'm fine, that was like five weeks ago. I cant stay hung up on someone that doesnt like me back."

"Besides you're too good for him." I said to make her feel better.

She quickly turned around and stared at me like she was confused.

"Isnt he like your best friend?" She asked.

"Yeah that's exactly how I know." I laughed. "You deserve someone that wont take a year to realize you like them."

She began to look through what I had to wear.

"So The Mask is an underground club. No carding. It is a neutral ground, so not fighting under any circumstances." She gave a quick summary. "Big place for negotiations too."

I had to admit I was intrigued.

"It is run by a retired hero who is big on privacy. She is really kind, unless you get on her bad side." Threw a shirt at me. "Put this on."

I looked at the pink shirt in my hand.

"How do you always managed to find pink in my clothes?"