Wallflower

Chapter 6: Coincidental

On Monday, Leia arrived at school with bruises adorning her body. Either covered by clothes, or concealer. It's not like anyone would notice anyways. No one pays that much attention to her.

There was also a gash on her arm from where a gang member had used a knife on her. No one questioned why she was wearing long sleeves in warm weather, but one person wanted to.

Grayson felt awful after what happened at the party. He wanted to explain to to her that kissing Elaine was a mistake, and the person who he really wanted to kiss was her. He was upset that he had most likely messed up his chance with Leia. He also knew that something strange was going on with her. She seemed to be the only person wearing long sleeves, and her hair was down. That was something else he had noticed. Leia never wore her hair up during school, maybe it was just because that's how she liked it or maybe there was a reason.

Either way, Grayson really just wanted to talk to her. Earn her trust back. So he left during lunch to do just that.

Imagine Leia's surprise to see Grayson standing by her car after school. He was holding a single white rose in one hand, and a Chik-fil-a bag in the other.

"Is-is that for me?" She asked hesitantly, tightening her grip on the strap of her backpack. The small breeze was blowing her slightly wavy locks behind her. Her hair hadn't fully returned to its natural straightness after the party.

Grayson grinned and took a step closer, holding both items out to her. "I hope you don't mind, but I went and asked your mom what food you like and what kind of flowers you like best. She said daisies but I thought that was kind of unoriginal because that's what the superhero gives people." He rambled on cutely.

"What do you mean?" She asked with mock confusion, tilting her head slightly. By now she had forgotten why she was even mad at him in the first place.

"That superhero, the one I told you about, gives people daisies when she saves them Pretty coincidental that you like the same flower, but I hope the white rose is okay."

Thankfully, he only thought it was coincidental.

"Well, tha-thank you for the food and-you know. What you did was still a bit rude, although I-I understand. I mean w-we aren't to-together or anything." Leia mumbled nervously, her stutter making more of an appearance.

"I really am sorry. I was the one that invited you, I should have stayed with you. Please trust me that no matter what Elaine says, I'm not with her, or any other girl for that matter. I invited you because I wanted to hangout with you. Not her." She sheepishly took the items from his hands, especially grateful for the food which had her stomach grumbling.

"Alright. I forgive you. If you w-want to come over you-you can I mean i-if you want to-"

"Leia, I'd love to come over. You don't have to be nervous around me." He leaned in and swiftly placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. Leia's face burned and she looked to the ground, hearing Grayson's chuckle.

"I'll meet you there."

Leia ate all her food on the way to her house, thinking about that kiss. So it was more like stress eating.

Grayson arrived at her house before she did, unfortunately. That meant her mom would embarrass her once again.

"Mom, what are you-"

She paused, observing the scene before her.

Her dad, for some of reason, was home and glaring at Grayson. Her mom was trying to talk to him, and Grayson was just standing there awkwardly.

Her dads furious eyes turned to Leia. "I thought we had gone over this. You do not get close to people. And now there's a boy in my house asking if it's okay to ask you out?"

Leia's face flushed at the last sentence, but it was forgotten once he marched over to her. He grabbed the pendant and pulled it closer to him, tugging on Leia's neck. She could faintly hear her mom gasp and ask Grayson to leave, but he said he wasn't going to leave her.

"Do you want everyone including him to find out what this really means?"

"W-well h-he will if-if you keep-"

"God! When did you turn into a disrespectful little brat?"

Tears slipped out of her eyes and she tried to keep the water from running down her hands, but it was pointless. She's never been trained, how was she supposed to magically just know hot to hide it? By now she was sure Grayson new she was the superhero he had been gushing about, but she didn't care. She only cared about why her father had suddenly turned into a monster. He had never been violent before. Maybe raised his voice a few times when talking about her powers, but that's it.

"M-mom ma-make him leave h-he can't get hur-t." She choked out, the chain around her neck tightening painfully. Her mom stared in horror at what was happening, and Leia guessed her mom had no idea what was going on either. Had no idea where all this anger had come from.

She made a move to get Grayson out the door but her dad stopped them.

"He is not going anywhere, Veronica."

Leia knew she had no other choice. She quickly heated her hands and grabbed both of his wrists. Much to her surprise, he didn't jump away. His skin turned as cold as ice and he pushed her away, into a wall. Her mother screamed, and Grayson ran to aid her. Leia groaned at the pain and slowly managed to stand up with Grayson's help.

"Why would-"

"Why would I do this? It's simple, little Leia. I've always told you to not use your powers, but you just had to disobey didn't you. You and your powers are going to ruin everything that I've worked for."

Leia, Veronica, and Grayson were all utterly confused. Veronica more than the others. This was not the man she married.

"Leave." She said firmly. She was not going to let her soon-to-be ex-husband hurt their child and her potential boyfriend.

Right before he shut the door, he shot an ice shard straight for Grayson. Without even thinking about it, Leia stepped in front of him. The shard pierced her skin painfully, sending her to the ground. It had hit the same arm that was hurting earlier.

None of them had any idea what that man had turned into.

Damn. #plottwist

I've been reading other superhero books and they don't have that many reads, but are SO GOOD and I literally don't understand.

So I realize this isnt going to get many reads, but I'm fine with that because I like it and I guess that's what matters, even if I'd like other people to enjoy it too.