Love Story

We were Both Young When I First Saw You

The only sounds that could be heard in the messy room were the muffled clicking of the lockpicks working away and the steady breathing of the teen wielding them. It was only a moment before the final pin was pushed and the last of three locks trapping them in here turned. Morgan grinned and slipped their lockpicks into their boot, having taken to hiding them there after their parents had confiscated several sets.

Down on their knees, Morgan slowly pushed the door open to reveal a fine balcony overlooking a grand party on their lawn. It was a warm summer night, and the air was full of laughter and music. The sounds made the teen scoff bitterly. All this pomp and circumstance and for what? Because Chad had gotten accepted to the Fairness Association, just like everyone knew he would?

Morgan shook their head. They had to stay focused, or they would be caught. They scanned the balcony for any traps, a bit paranoid. The smooth concrete was warmly lit by a string of lights that was attached to the mansion above the teen's window. The string stretched out over the party, joining dozens of others just like it that were attached to other points on the house.

The young hero crawled forward cautiously, staying low for the moment to avoid being spotted. Green eyes scanned the crowd of fancy gowns and tailored suits, making sure no one was looking their way. The sight of their mother showing Chad off to some of her friends made Morgan roll their eyes before continuing to search for their father. They finally spotted him, chatting to an older couple who, while nicely dressed, seemed a little out of place among the opulence of the rest of the party.

Satisfied that the coast was clear for the moment, Morgan was ready to get to work, when their eyes landed on a familiar sight. Their mouth went dry, and they froze in place, simply staring at the hero they had been crushing on all year. Alex Stewart. Superior himself, was at Morgan's house. All of a sudden, the teen found themselves wishing they hadn't been grounded as they watched the young hero mingle among the guests.

As Alex turned away from the people he had been chatting to, Morgan was able to see him a bit better. Damn, he was even hotter in person. Maybe Morgan could sneak down for just a moment?

No.

Picking their jaw up off the ground, Morgan shook their head. They had to stay focused. They didn't have much time. Slowly standing, they looked up at one bulb hanging above them, just out of reach. They quietly moved to the railing, testing it before standing up on it, one hand on the wall for balance. They glanced back at the party before quietly cursing. "You're on a mission, Morgan." They whispered to themselves. "You can't let a pretty face distract you."

They reached up, just barely able to reach the warm bulb to start unscrewing it from the wire, struggling to keep themselves from glancing down again.

* * * * *

The laughter was finally dying down as Alex politely excused himself from the group of finely dressed adults who had gathered to talk to the charming young man. While he did enjoy being the center of attention, the conversation had quickly bored the teen, and he was grateful for an excuse to step away.

The night air was warm and full of the murmur of people talking and the soft rhythm of a string quartet. The party at the Sterling mansion was in full swing, with people mingling and dancing the night away. Something about Chad getting accepted to the Fairness Association or whatever; Alex hadn't really been paying attention. He'd never liked that idiot anyway.

The young hero scanned the crowd, marveling at the expensive clothes and jewelry that adorned most of the guests. Golden eyes landed on his parents, who were talking to the man of the Sterling house, and Alex skillfully refrained from making a face at the sight of him. He'd never liked that man either.

He turned away, towards the mansion, looking for a place to get a drink, when a server walked by with a tray of fine crystal flutes full of a bubbling golden liquid. "Would you care for some refreshment, Sir?" Alex was surprised, but he played it off as he nodded, taking a glass and thanking the other graciously.

As he enjoyed the warm flavor of sparkling drink, Alex couldn't help but notice how different this place was from the quaint little farmhouse he lived in. The mansion stood before him, looming imperiously over the lavishly decorated lawn. Strings of lights hung over them, the exposed bulbs bathing the partygoers in a warm glow. As the young hero appreciated the scene, he noticed one of the strings twitching a bit.

Golden eyes followed the wire up to the house and he froze at the sight of someone on a balcony, standing on the railing like they might jump. Alex was ready to leap into action and save the day like always, when something caught his attention. This person seemed to be messing with a lightbulb, unscrewing it from the string. As the mysterious stranger stepped back down from the railing and onto the safety of the balcony floor, Alex set his empty glass on the tray of another passing server.

With a quick glance around to ensure no one was watching him, Alex slipped away from the party.