Chapter Text
Oneshot #1: High School (Chloe, Aquila, Jordan)
Chloe Cadell, a fairly regular 18-year-old in her last year of high school, just wanted to enjoy her last year with her two best friends Aquila Starr and Jordan Trix, in a world full of different people with different powers of who knows what, hell she was well versed in the world of powers, Aquila can literally control the stars at her will, but she just wished for a normal day. As she walked onto the spot where Jordan usually picks her up she glanced at the news to see if anything was new. When she looked she saw an article reporting another attack from a rising villain called “The Puppeteer”. Local forces seem to have difficulty controlling this unknown person who can create teal strings out of nowhere. To Chloe, they seemed like more of a magician as they could disappear and reappear, control others with their strings, and probably had a whole other arsenal of weapons at their disposal. But it would never be near her anyway so she’ll let the people who paid do the work and worry about her own issues. Soon she could see the purple car whose owner's name is Jordan, Chloe waved her hand and the purple car pulled over. Seeing the two people in the car she took her resident seat in the back, right next to Aquila.
“Good morning Aquila, Jordan.” Chloe greeted them good morning as she buckled her seat belt on and turned to face the two of them.
“Morning C, how's this morning treating you so far?” Jordan responded back from the driver seat, eyes still focused on the road. It seemed that they were almost in the school zone. Chloe could see Aquila out of the side of her vision looking at her, smiling brightly. She loved seeing that smile, ok yes she was slightly gay for her best friend. But everyone always felt a little gay sometimes right?
“It's been ok, the usual. I saw on the news that they were talking about this new villain figure, they were calling her “the puppeteer” or whatever shit name they came up with. It's not that big of a deal though.” She responded back, and she did truly believe it wasn't a big deal, I mean it's not like that persons gonna show up out of nowhere.
She can see Jordan nod from the front seat and speed up a bit, likely to get them to school faster. She also sees Aquila move to pull out some papers from her bag, it looks to be like… homework. Shit.
“Aquila, does that happen to be the homework due today..”
“Yes, it is! And I know you didn't do it so I did an extra copy. And don't hastily say no and not accept it, I know you’ve been busy with your job and all so I wanted to help you out a bit!” Aquila hands her the homework, before taking it back and just putting it in Chloe's bag just in case she hands it back. Chloe told them a while back that she was accepted as an intern to this clothing company that makes clothes for some of the people who help protect the city, hero work isn't an actual job but people sort of run on the honor system that if a new villain or criminal decide to cause issues, someone will come stop it. Though only a small selection of people actually have power to begin with, for example, Aquila has galaxy-related powers, but she's the only one in her family, who have never had someone with powers before, to actually have power. A very powerful one as well, so Aquila is well respected in the community, including at school where people just keep wanting to be her friend, it's annoying. No, she's not jealous please get that out of your head. Jordan on the other hand was just a regular girl, with a rough personality, questionable food choices, and a concerning amount of love for the color purple, but she was a very loyal person and had an amazing mother who cared for the other two girls like they were her own children. Chloe herself wasn't all that special, she was a girl who got ok grades, didn't really put herself out too much, and could never understand how Aquila and Jordan wanted to be her friend.
For Jordan, Chloe and her were just classmates since childhood, both living in this small town for all their lives and just being in the same classes. It was only after multiple group projects and a very awkward gym class did the two exchange numbers and become friends. It was a very slow process but for the last 2 years, they have been inseparable. For Aquila, it all started when she and her family moved in from a big city into their small town. Her family consisted of some wealthy business people who all just cared about who would benefit them the most, and when they realized that Aquila would give them the attention of both the good and bad, they moved to this small town to somewhat hide (though in Chloes opinion they were still way to easy to find). Aquila was different from the rest of her family, she never cared for how to use people, but she cared about how they felt, and she cared for their safety. Maybe that's why so many people liked her and enjoyed her company. But on the day Chloe met Aquila, Chloe ignored her. She assumes that this is what gave Aquila the motivation to actually try and be friends with her. Though Chloe wasn't interested in becoming friends with someone who wouldn't actually be friends, but just acquaintances. Aquila seemed to understand this and backed off a bit once she did, but a group project including Aquila, Jordan, and Chloe herself was what sparked a connection between the 3. It might have helped that when one day the 3 of them were walking home, someone had tried to jump them and then Aquila just completely beat the shit out of them might have led to Chloe actually considering Aquila a friend, she also might have looked very pretty in that moment but Chloe will be taking that thought to the grave.
The trio arrived at school, Jordan parked in her reserved spot, and the 3 of them walked to their respective classes. Chloe had English first with Aquila, both of them taking their seats in the back (Chloe forced Aquila to sit there instead of the front because the fronts were for losers). Chloe and Aquila then took out their homework, which were some notes for some book they had to read, though Chloe hasn't even touched the thing since she received it. The teacher soon came by and took their papers before delving into a recap of the chapter, analyzing some parts that didn't even seem important in Chloe's opinion, and then assigning the next homework assignment which was due at the beginning of next week. So all in all, the class was boring and Chloe didn't pay attention.
But that's fine because the next class is one that she actually enjoys, history. This class she doesnt have with any of her friends, however, she very much likes her teacher. He’s honestly very funny and has a very unique way of dealing with the rowdy people in class, he lets her work alone, and she gets her work done, submitted on time, and actually puts in the effort. She respects her teacher and he respects her back which makes her enjoy the class, plus he is funny and has some very quotable moments which she does in fact send to her friends. So in conclusion, it was a solid class, very enjoyable, and she got to finish her work early and chill on her phone, 10/10.
She then headed to her next class and was delighted to see that there was no substitute teacher, as her science teacher had stated that she wouldn't be there the next day and there would be a sub. But due to sheer luck there was none and she had the next two periods free. Chloe headed to the library to get her work done and then lounge around in the peace and quiet atmosphere that the library had. Offering a respectful nod to the librarian and workers there, she often came in here when she was overwhelmed or just couldn't be bothered to go to class so she was a familiar and welcomed face.
Next period was then her lunch period which she could meet up with both her friends in. As this year they all scored lucky and had lunch the same period, as she headed into the lunchroom she was smacked in the face with loud noises and greeted to the sight of many people standing in a circle. Which if you know high school can never mean anything good. It also just so happened to be near the table she and her friends sat at so with a sigh she walked towards the area only to hear some voices going back and forth at each other. One being recognized as Jordan, and the other Aquila, while the others were unknown. Pushing herself to the front of the crowd Chloe was greeted to the sight of some tall sophomore kid and his friends grabbing Jordans hair and taunting her. Chloe narrowed her eyes at the kids and looked them for a bit, obviously they thought they were the shit for being some tall kids, probably not even realizing they were messing with seniors, the one kid grabbing Jordens hair was probably the leader and the others were just hanging behind him laughing and adding in their own snarky comment. It seemed they were making fun of the choker that Jorden always wore, it was a gift from Jordans late father that was still a very sore subject for the girl, and it could be seen in Jordan as she was stuck in her own head instead of fighting back. Aquila was protesting and standing up for Jordan, but Chloe knew she didn't like hurting other people, unless they were criminals, she didn't like hurting innocent people. Though in Chloe's opinion these people were innocent. She could feel her fist clenching, before cracking her knuckles.
‘I'm gonna beat the shit out of him,’ Chloe thought as she bumped into another one of the bystanders watching the front and walked into the view of the kid grabbing Jordans hair. Before he could even get a word out Chloe threw in a mean right hook right in his face before kicking him right in the gut, as he kneeled over she grabbed him by his hair and smashed his nose right into her knee. She did this three times before throwing him to the ground. She gave him one last kick to the chest before realizing he took off Jordans choker, finding it on the floor, cleaning it off and then handing it back to Jordan. She could hear the worries of the people in the crowd but she couldn't care less. High School was just full of assholes, you have your group and then everyone else. There was no inbetween. She ignored the sick pleasure she felt when beating that kid up, he was so weak, she shook her head away from those thoughts and asked Jordan,
“Are you alright?” She adopted a concerned look on her face, asking both Aquila and Jordan this question.
“Im ok…” Aquila responded, she looked a bit uncomfortable with the show she just witnessed. But that look quietly changed into one of anger, before she calmed herself down again and swapped her face to a mask that she put on when dealing with her “friends.” Chloe hoped she didn't just ruin Aquilas reputation, and status of being “friends with everyone”. Though she only told herself she cared, she really didn't. Jordan did not respond to her though, still clutching at her choker before slowly but surely, shaking hands, putting it on and securing it around her neck.
“I'm fine… Thank you, Chloe. I really appreciate what you’ve done.” Jordan offered a shaky smile. Chloe, not one to be good with compliments and gratitude, just nodded with her own small smile before turning back to the group of idiots before her.
The leader had since gotten up and looked at her with looks of anger but also fear. She could get used to this. She just lifted an eyebrow, crossed her arms and dared them to try something again. The kids' friends had run off, probably to get a teacher, as soon as Chloe had punched the kid. Some friends they are. But the kid just scoffed and left the lunch room. Chloe turned to the crowd,
“You can leave now.” She asked (read: commanded), the kids and they all soon dispersed and left to sit at their own tables. Chloe would probably be the talk for the next week before going back to the shadows, she whipped her face but realized too late there was some blood on them. Probably from when she smashed that kid's face but she felt no remorse.
“Let's go to the nurses office.” Aquila suggested, taking Jordan’s arm it should have been hers and walking in the direction of the nurses office. Chloe followed, walking next to Aquila as the group walked in silence.
“I'm sorry if I made you both uncomfortable.” She apologized. She truly didn't feel sorry about her actions, just causing her friends discomfort.
“I just got so…angry when I realized these nobodies just decided they were the shit and decided to fuck with you Jordan. But I apologize if I made you both uncomfortable.” Chloe looked away from them as she was saying this, crossing her arms and slowing to a stop. She could feel her friend's eyes burning into her as she looked away from them.
After a second of silence she felt someone hugging her, realizing it to be Aquila, she blushed a bit as the girl spoke,
“You don't have to apologize! Sure I didn't really like you… beating… those kids, but it was for a good reason! They needed to be taught a lesson but I wasn't strong enough to fight back, Jordan and you are my best friends but I couldn't even defend one properly… im the one that should be sorry” Aquila declared to the both of them. Chloe took both her hands and looked at her,
“Aqulia you have nothing to be sorry about, we both understand how you feel about dealing with these types of stuff and I'm usually the one who deals with it to begin with. But I still think you should try and get used to getting rid of the idea that everyones innocent until they commit crimes, guilty people aren't always ones that are guilty by law.” Chloe spoke to her clearly, before turning to Jordan. A silent indicator to speak as well. She watched as Jordan placed a hand on Aquila’s shoulder.
“It's ok, I forgive you. But I do agree with Chloe, I know you want to see the good in people, but people won't always think the same as you. Not everyone is a good person.” Jordan spoke. Chloe took Aquila’s hand and continued to walk towards the nurses office, before stopping and turning towards the parking lot.
“Where are we going..?” Aquila asked.
“Home, or at least, my house. Where gonna chill the rest of the day. I can already tell Jordan doesn't want to deal with the rest of the day and I don't want to wait for the principal to call me to the office. I will deal with it tomorrow when I can form an argument without exploding on him” Chloe stated, grabbing Jordens hand gently as she dragged the two towards the parking lot.
“But we still have–!”
“It's ok Aquila, it's just one day of school anyways. Plus do you have anything else important to do today?”
“No…” She sighed.
“Fine, but this is the one time I'm skipping classes!” She exclaimed. Jordan laughed slightly at this, knowing that wouldn't be true as Chloe ends up convincing them both to skip many times, and how Aqulia always promises it will be the last time, though it never is.
“Thank god, I really wanted a nice bowl of ice cream. I'm done with people for today.” Jordan responded. She pulled out her car keys as they neared the parking lot and walked into it. Unlocking her car as the 3 stepped in and drove off campus.
‘Today might not have been the best day, but I think this just solidified our friendship. I wonder what other adventures we’ll get into. Hopefully nothing too serious’ Chloe thought as they drove away from the school.
‘High school sucks’ she concluded in her head.