As Clarissa exited a jet black, impressive looking Mercedes-Benz wearing over ear headphones, she sighed, wishing it was her parents at the wheel today. They were both away on a business trip in Kyoto and as such, the chauffeur drove her to school today. Clarissa would want nothing to do but to travel to Kyoto with them, but she was recently missed a bit too much school on account of having several bouts of minor illness. Of course, it was only assumed that it was just a bad year for getting sick, but Clarissa knew why she was getting sick. Just stepping out of the car reminds her why. With superpowers, Clarissa feels just as useless as before, if not more so by being able to do something to them but being unable to do so. Crossing her fingers, Clarissa went to a courtyard to read a new novel she picked up the other day. It was a small part of her that hoped that maybe they wouldn't show up, that they wouldn't bother her just for today. Unfortunately, her hopes were dashed when she saw them, hanging out in a group gossiping about how fake this one girl was being or something like that. Very unimportant shit. It soon became important, however, when the group spotted her. They hovered over her, almost looking as if to have a friendly talk if it weren't blatantly apparent to Clarissa what they'd do. With her headphones blaring music, Clarissa tried her best to blot them out, only to have the raven haired girl, Nadia, yank the headphones off of her head and exclaimed, "It's rude to be ignoring us when someone is talking to you, Clarissa."
The poshest one of the group, Madeline, scoffed and added, "Yeah, what kind of barn were you raised in?"
Clarissa said nothing, and only looked down, pretending in vain for them not to exist. Nadia picked her head up and said, "When someone is talking to you, you look them in the eye. Did your parents not raise you right?" Her last remark was said in a mocking tone.
"P-p-please leave me alone."
A third girl, Jeanette, replied in a faux pleasant tone, "But we've only just graced your company. You don't wanna run away now when we're having fun."
Alex arrived at school rather early. As Christine's mom worked as a chef at a small Italian restaurant with her husband, Christine always got here earlier than most. The two were mostly quiet as they walked the familiar halls of the high school; mostly because Alex was still half dead from waking so early.
"So where do you want to hang out? Lunchroom?" Christine was initiating conversation as always. It was all Alex could do to nod sleepily, and follow her friend. That all changed of course, when she caught the tail end of what seemed a harmless comment, but she could practically feel the spite dripping from it. It was coming from one of the small courtyards from what she could hear.
"Hey Chris, give me a sec. Thought I heard something. I'll catch up." With a nod, Alex excused herself, and headed toward the commotion. Sticking to the wall, so as to stay out of sight, she spotted a group of girls hounding another; closer inspection revealed the victim to be Clarissa--or as Alex knew her, Aereo, another one of the Wards. She didn't recognize most of the aggressors, but Madeline--Her Highness as Alex mockingly called her with Christine--stood out like a sore thumb. If she was here there was no mistaking what was going on, but Alex decided to watch for a bit longer. Clarissa didn't seem to be fighting back, so perhaps they'd get bored.
Madeline giggled. "I am being quite nice. It's only fitting that you should repay the favor. Now, we both know that I'm not the best with history. Would you be a dear and help an old friend out?" Without prompting, Madeline dug into the backpack of Clarissa and combed through her stuff.
Clarissa meekly protested, "H-hey, leave my stuff alone."
Madeline smirked, "What, you think that people care about some wannabe from the ghetto? I really am being quite merciful, and I'm not appreciating how you're treating me." She frowned.
"Alright," Alex spoke up as she walked into the courtyard, "you heard her, Madeline." Crossing her arms as she approached the shorter girl, Alex continued, "put down the backpack and go be a prick somewhere else." This wasn't the first time she'd butted in on Madeline, so it surely wasn't going to be that easy, but it was worth a shot. Glancing at the other girls, she mentally braced herself for how bad this could go; it didn't matter to Alex either way.
The shorter girl replied and feigned outrage. "Ugh. Did you just hear that? Calling
me that word." As if she was truly the taller one, Madeline replied in a condescending tone, "Listen, maybe you don't really get how things work around here, but you don't talk to me that way, capisce? I think you would be best not to get involved, skeleton."
Alex feigned horror in her expression, and in a mocking tone replied, "oh no, she called me a name! Whatever shall I do?" Getting serious again, Alex took a step closer to Clarissa, getting between her and Madeline. "Listen, I don't care what you call me. I just can't stand people that prop themselves up by pushing others down. Understand?" She was nearly on top of Madeline at this point, and continued, "so if you're going to pick on someone, pick on someone that can take it."
One of the other girls replied, "Pssh, you're gonna stand up for
her? You a friend or something?"
Clarissa mumbled, "You were."
Clearly hearing the remark, the other girl replied, "I'm sorry, did you say something, Clarissa? Can't really hear you all that well. Why don't you speak up?"
Clarissa didn't speak, and didn't say anything more. Madeline added, "You know she won't, Janice. The little girl is too spineless."
It was obvious words were not working. This was more antagonistic than she'd thought, only solidified when she hear Clarissa's mumbled comment. Once Madeline had finished, Alex spoke up, "are you done now?"
Just as she was about to speak Alex's palm struck her. It wasn't anything hard--barely enough to move Madeline--but the resounding
smack was more than clear. "I'm not going to say it again. Leave. Her. Alone."
Madeline cried out, histrionic and incredulous at the slap, though obviously not actually hurting based on the insincere delivery. "Wh-how dare you? You are not the boss of me!"
Alex simply stood there, feet planted and arms crossed, glaring daggers at Madeline. Daring her, no ASKING her, to try to push it harder. She'd enjoy punching Madeline in the gut for once. Thankfully the other girls were mostly just staring; Alex hoped they thought she could take them all, even if she actually couldn't. Not without using her powers anyways.
Instead of being flustered, Madeline smirked and replied, "Go ahead. Beat me up. It's not as if I can't make your life a living hell or anything. I could sue you for all that you're worth. You wouldn't want that, would you?"
"I think you misunderstand. I don't give a shit what happens to me. But my friends? I'd die for them before backing down to a pig like you." There was no mistaking the seriousness in Alex's voice. She meant every word down to her core.
Clarissa, having been looking down the entire time, looked up to face Alex properly for the first time. Everyone else apart from Madeline was flustered and tense, not expecting kickback. The different sides seemed to stare each other down, waiting for the other side to buckle. This time, it was the bullies' side that buckled. Madeline stared at Alex's fierce gaze, and turned to face Clarissa, the rest of her posse and then back to Alex. "We aren't through here. You have no idea what kind of shit you're getting into. I'll humor you, Alex." She sighed as she said to her friends. "We'll worry about these two later. Come." She and her friends backed off from Clarissa and turned to leave.
As soon as the group was out of sight, Alex grinned. It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless. She sat down next to the person she'd been protecting, and said, "Hey, you alright? They didn't hurt you did they?"
Clarissa looked up at the blond girl, shocked to see none other than a fellow Wards. She immediately ducked her head back down, feeling that it was extremely embarrassing to be bailed out by your coworker instead of being able to save yourself. "N-no. I-I'm fine."
"Alright good." Alex saw how nervous Clarissa was, and added, "and apparently we go to the same high school too. I've seen you at 'work' a couple times, but this is my first time running into you here. How long have those girls been hounding you?"
Clarissa mumbled, "S-since this year." She clenched her fist in pain. "Ever since…"
It was obvious whatever had happened was paining Clarissa, if anything, it reminded her of her own feelings when she thought about her mother. "If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine," she replied. She knew how hard it could be to relive trauma like that. "I can help deal with those bullies if you want. I was being serious before."
The orange haired girl replied, "Y-you don't need to do this. It never works out being friends with anyone…"
Alex furrowed her brow. She'd heard what Clarissa had said about Madeline, but she hadn't really thought about it. "I'll be honest," Alex said, voice gentle, "I can't begin to guess how you feel. But I'm not like that. When I make a friend, it's for life. And I'd do anything to keep one."
Clarissa replied, "I really appreciate the offer, but I just...I just…"
Alex scooted a bit closer to Clarissa, concern apparent on her face. "I understand you're going through a tough time, but… Y'know it's easier when you've got someone you can rely on."
Clarissa said nothing, only nodding limply in reply. She bit her nail, still very nervous about even talking to Alex outside of work. It's all so much easier with a mask and a bold persona to hide behind. "You would really want to support me? But I'm just so pathetic. I could easily knock out those guys but here I am…"
"Listen…" Alex mentally braced herself for what she was about to say. "About a year ago, I watched my mother die in my arms. She died protecting people, myself included, and I'm not about to waste that on myself. I'm alive right now to help other people." She mentally steeled herself as the emotions started flowing in, forcing herself to keep talking. "So when I say I want to help you… I really mean it, with all my heart."
Clarissa quietly said, "I had no idea your mother died. I'm so sorry."
Alex nodded. On the outside she appeared calm, perhaps a bit pensive, but inside was a raging storm of emotions. She took a deep, albeit shaky breath as she pulled herself back into line, forcing
the tears she could feel back down. "I'm not about to force you into anything. If you'd rather take this on alone that's okay. But I can be there for you, you just need to say so."
Clarissa put her right hand through her tousled hair, and closed her eyes, thinking about the offer. So many conflicting emotions, ranging from doubt to cynicism to the desire to have a friend. With the conflicted emotions apparent on her face, Clarissa replied with a meek nod. "I need help."
Alex smiled at Clarissa, faint as it was.
Look at us she thought,
the two most powerful people
at this school, reduced to sobbing teenagers. She put her arm around Clarisse's shoulders, and added, "if you need anything, just let me know. No matter what, or when, I'll be there for you."
Clarissa flinched at Alex's touch but relaxed as it was clear she was comforting her. "Thank you so much. I don't feel so ill anymore."
"So do you usually hang out here outside of class? I can come during lunch. I'm sure they'll be back with a vengeance."
Clutching her book bag, Clarissa replied, "I prefer the library. Much harder to make a scene there." For anyone else, it might be sad that the library was a place of refuge, but it suited her just fine.
"That's good. I'll find you there then." She removed her arm and made to stand before an idea popped into her head. "Say, I've got another friend waiting in the cafeteria I'm sure you'd like, if you want to come. It's alright if making one friend is enough for today though." A sly grin made its way to Alex's face; it made her feel better after such a heavy conversation.
"I'm, I-I'm not sure. I mean I would really love to but I'm don't know if she would like me…"
"I'll let you think about it, how about that? You can meet her at lunch, I'm sure it'll be fine." With a genuine smile, Alex stood and waved to her new friend, heading off to the lunchroom. Her head was buzzing with ideas on how to explain it all to Christine; but that was an issue for when she got there.