Derek's POV
Mark Reignson was standing outside the window of the local Macville diner. I knew the college campus cafeteria for its Italian and American menu, including pizza, burgers, chicken tenders, and salads.
Sam and I would take James to the cafe to get a sense of what it's like to be a student at a university while discussing his superhuman future. It was also where we went when the three of us became tired of Mercredi Matin Cafes' coffee and pastries.
Max stood with his arm snaked around Mia's shoulder, caressing her as his eyes shot to Mark. Just like James, I couldn't stand Mark or Max. But I couldn't help my curiosity, so I watched the three of them walk towards the entrance until I got the courage to open my car door and follow them inside.
Max spotted me sitting in the booth towards the restaurant's back, beaming me maliciously. I thought I saw his eyes glow crimson when we locked eyes; Max made me sick, knowing he was the supervillain causing havoc in town. They proudly approached the table and took one of the open seats available.
"Hey, Knight," Mark swiped his hand across the table, knocking the pepper over, making himself comfortable in the booth. "You've met Mia, right?" He introduced her as she slid into the booth, shyly hiding her face underneath my brother's hoodie she was wearing from the other day.
"Hey, Derek," she replied with a frown. It caught me off, guard. I tried to remain calm, but the urge to run gave me a sudden chill.
Mark cleared his throat, and all eyes landed on me. "How is James doing?" Mark asked as if he cared. I was tripping for sure.
Max wrapped his arm around Mia again, pulling her in for a tight hug. Then she snuggled her face into his side. I took a nosedive for the table, keeping my eyes on Max. My forehead crashed against the metal frame, and I sat straight, rubbing my palm against the unfortunate new bruise on my head.
Shit.
Then the server trotted over, her notebook open. "What can I get for you guys?" She asked.
"Anything," Max blurted out, looking uninterested and almost annoyed.
The server looked my way and smiled. "What can I get for you, officer Knight?" In the booth's corner, Mark rolled his eyes. I hated Mark almost as much as my brother. I looked out the window for a way to escape if I needed it.
"I'm good, thanks," I said. Max growled at me, his eyes meeting mine.
Max was trying to intimidate me now. I see why James hated him, too. "You are sure, Mr. Knight?"
I looked at Max, watching him glare at me. "I'm good."
"And you, Mark, or Mia?" The server pointed her pen at Mark.
Mark rolled his eyes and tipped up the pepper. "All right," she said, flipping her notebook closed with disappointment. "Let me know if you want anything." The server wandered off with a plate full of spaghetti and meat sauce she picked up from the table next to us.
"What's up, Knight?" Mark looked at me with raised eyebrows.
"Have you seen James?" Mia joined in, a glimmer of a smirk coating her rosy lips. THIS-IS-NOT-HAPPENING. I panicked, looking out the window at my cruiser again.
"I have to get back to work," I said, rising from my seat, watching Mia pout, and feeling sorry as I gathered myself.
"I won't tell my uncle," Mia said. I shook my head. What games are you playing, Mia?
"I've got to go," I said, walking past the flapping doorway back to my car, leaving Mia with those jerks. But I assumed it was for the best. Mia probably knew about Max or was using James. I felt terrible for leaving her with Max and Mark, and I never expected Mia to hang out with them, especially since she seemed to like my brother so much. I was utterly disappointed and felt James' torturous pain for a moment.
∆∆∆
James lay on the couch, flipping through his phone; his feet dangled over the edge as I walked in. He dumped a bottle of coke against his lips and sighed.
"I saw Mia with Max and Mark at Macville. Something isn't right about her, and I feel like Noah was telling the truth."
"You don't know that." James was quick to defend Mia. I wasn't sure and curious if he was taking the entire picture. I was too afraid to tell my brother, especially while James loaded up on caffeine, that Max had her in his arms, and she seemed happy.
"There is no way in hell that she would do that to—"
"James!" I shouted, interrupting him. "I saw her records. I know she likes to steal things. She has a long history of five-finger-discounting. Maybe she stole the cure before Max even went down there."
"Derek," he growled, glaring at me. I bit my tongue, scared of what he could do, even though I knew he would never hurt me on purpose. He was a hero and not a villain. "Maybe I'm just gullible, and Sam and you are on to something."
"I don't think then gullible, James. You go through so much for a teenager. When I was sixteen, I knew I had my struggles with my dad and school. I got by with straight A's. For you to do the same while saving the city is extraordinary."
James guzzled the rest of his coke when Sam wandered in, chewing on a red vine as he bee-lined to the couch, sitting on his arm. "He's right, James. I don't know how often we have to tell you this, either." Sam pulled the empty bottle from James's fingers.
"You don't have to tell me, Sam," James growled. There was silence for a moment until I cleared my throat.
"Anyway, Dad's going to be here in about ten, maybe fifteen minutes, for the rest of the night." I stretched and yawned mid-sentence. "I have a late shift tonight, thanks to Mark and his big mouth, and I won't be here to talk; if you want to discuss anything else, I'm here for the next half an hour until I get back to work."
James blew hot air from his lips and scowled. "Awesome." his voice dripped with sarcasm as he sat on the couch. Then Sam slipped down onto the cushions.
"I'm also here if you need to talk," Sam added.
"Great," James groaned, sinking into the arm of the couch.
"I'll be upstairs," I said, excusing myself. I wandered to the doorway, watching my brother pout momentarily before I walked off. I felt bad for James. He hated his superpowers and wanted nothing to do with Max or Noah, but he knew he was the only one powerful enough to take them on. However, Max seemed to have an unmatched power that James hadn't reached. He was stronger than my brother, and it seemed like he knew that already, but with Mark on his side, he was very intimidating to James. That was his tactic. He wanted something, and as Noah said, Max would do anything to get it, including making Mia do the dirty work for him.
∆∆∆
Mark's POV
MMax paced the room while watching and re-watching the security footage of Noah, James, and Derek on a police laptop I loaned him while he sat on the king-size bed. I stood there watching him in a panic and chewed my bottom lip.
"Is that what you wanted? Because I sure as hell can get you more proof if you need—"
"Shut the fuck up!" Max shouted, cutting me off. I groaned, shutting the laptop in front of him.
"Whatever. I must return this to the station before my dad notices it missing."
"Do you think I give a bloody fuck?" Max snapped, shifting on the mattress. I took caution when moving, hoping he wouldn't slam me into a wall.
Relieved to see him calm down and release his fists, I scoffed, sitting on the bed. "No. I have that footage backed up to a hard drive if you need it have that footage backed up to a hard drive if you need it."
Max grunted at me, sliding his hands over the laptop and pulling it towards him. "Are you bloody stupid?"
"What the fuck. I'm helping you. You don't have to be a dick." I roared. Suddenly Max appeared in front of me, his hand squeezing his neck. My heart pounded, fearing the worst as my hypnotizing chocolate brown eyes met mine.
"If you want to live, you do, mate." Max stared back at me before he let me fall to the hotel floor, catching my breath.
"Goddamn, you're strong," I cursed. Max rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Shut up, take your stupid laptop, and leave," Maximus barked. I sighed, sliding the laptop away from him.
"AlrightAll right. If you need anything, just text," I said, holding my cell phone in the air, a scowl tugging my pursed lips apart.
"Fucking leave already," He roared.
"Fuck it," I snapped. I paced off, stopping in the doorway, watching Max, staring at the wide screen tv. The news headline read: BOY WONDER. City superhero does it again. Who is he? Where did he come from, and why did he choose to be a hero?
Of course, it was James. Not that I needed to, but I recognized those piercing ocean blue ocean-blue eyes anywhere. He was a tight-lipped superhero. He talked a little. He did his job and left in a rush as civilians did their best to capture good photos of Alpha, his alter-ego.
I resented him for it, but that was only because most days, I wanted to be with him most days. Call me a heinous fanboy all you want. I had a secret infatuation with James since the sixth grade, which stuck with me for the rest of my life. It lingered like sticky gum on the bottom of your shoe. I wanted James to be mine—at least more than Mia.
Maximus shifted away from the news, staring at the ceiling as he blew hot air from his mouth. A shaky clip of James in his hoodie, stopping the armed theft at the jewelry store the other day, played on a loop. The armed man's face was barely visible, revealing similar blue eyes.
Suddenly, CLICK. The TV shut off, and Max shouted at me again, "Get out!" I shuffled out of the doorway without hesitation, taking one last look at him before leaving the hotel room.
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