Guitar Hero (Cape High Series Book 12) (20 page)

The Big Date

I stare at the boring looking teenager in Nico's apartment mirror, and glance down at the watch I'm wearing. "This IS waterproof, right?" I ask Nico, glancing over my shoulder at him. "I still don't know where she's taking me, but there's a really good chance there'll be water."

"Completely waterproof," he says, tapping on his computer. "I still think the haircut could be better."

"Nah, it looks lame—that's a good thing," I say, brushing the dirt brown hair. It reacts all of a second too late and I look at him. "It's a little slow."

"Got it," he says, tapping a few more times. "Try it again."

I reach up and brush the hair. It reacts perfectly. "That works."

"You're barking up the wrong tree, you know," he says, leaning back in his chair and looking at me seriously. "Malina isn't one of your fan girls."

"Yeah, I know. She's completely NOT interested, too," I say honestly. "But she's a great way to get over Morgan."

He looks at me, shaking his head slightly. "Does she know you're using her for that?"

"She probably doesn't even think she CAN be used for that," I admit. "I don't think she even likes boys yet." Late bloomers happen, even I know that. I reach up and straighten my t-shirt, feeling a little stupid.

"There's always the new healer girl," Nico says. "When I'm done here, I plan on bringing that group back here."

I make a face. "No fan girls, thank you. This will be just fine. I like her," I admit, a little smile pulling at my lips. "And it's not like I'm looking for a girlfriend, I'm just looking for a date."

"Well that's good," he says as he stands, "because I won't be ruining your chances by coming along."

I stare at him, shocked. "What?"

"Under the laws of the Hall, according to Double M, Malina is my ward. That means she gets a chaperone—especially if there are super villains out there looking for her date. Nothing personal, but if we were to lose one of our most promising heroes-in-training, it'd be my head," he says, walking past me.

"Don't you need to get back up to the Arctic Circle?" I ask. "Skye and Superior left, already, right?"

"They're packing," he says. "And Father took my teleportation watch so he could pack up Skye's stuff, so I'm stuck here." He sounds far too cheerful about that fact.

"Why do they need Skye's stuff?" I ask blankly.

"Because she's going to move here until the situation is over. It's the safest place for her, right now," he says.

"Okay, fine, but you don't NEED the teleporter watch, you can fly!" I protest as I turn the watch off. That can wait until we're out in public. "It's only a skip and a jump up there—"

"You don't interrupt women packing," Nico says, "especially if they're family. Come on, maybe we can talk her into going to a movie. That way I'll sit in the back and you won't even know I'm there."

"How come Max and Zoe never get a chaperone?" I demand as I reluctantly follow him. "She's more than your ward—she's your daughter!"

"Because I know where he takes her so I hack into that security system before it happens," he explains, as if that ISN'T a crime. It is one, right? It definitely should be! "You left it up to Malina, and she hasn't said where you're going, so you get me tagging along," he finishes. "Besides, nobody's home, so why not?"

I stare at him before giving up as we head out of the apartment and to the dorms. "You can come on out now, Malina," Nico calls through the force field that surrounds

"Carla wants to come too!" Malina calls. I can't see her through the field, but I can read her tone. I'm not surprised, but I am a bit disappointed. Then again, can't exactly call it a real date with your principal tagging along, anyway, now can you?

"Both of you are clear to exit, then," Nico says. I step back, watching as the two girls come out.

"We're going on a date!" Carla says cheerfully, grabbing my arm as soon as she gets out. "So we thought we'd go shopping and out to lunch, right, Malina?" she asks Malina—as if this date was a group outing.

Wait, it IS a group outing.

"Carla wants to go to Build-A-Bear and then to the dinosaur restaurant at the Legends," Malina says with a little grin. She looks at me, as if expecting me to opt out at the idea. "Then we were thinking we'd play tag."

"At the Legends?" I ask.

"The ENTIRE place—all of the stores AND Nebraska Furniture, too!" Carla says, bouncing next to me. "It's going to be awesome!"

Legends is a massive outside mall, right next to the over-sized furniture mart. I have a speedster and a girl with water powers…

I feel a grin cross my face, which widens as Malina sees it with a hint of surprise. "Let's do it!" I say, slipping an arm over Carla's shoulder and leading her over to do the same to Malina. "But I call 'not it', got it?" I say, leading them both to the parking lot where Nico is waiting.

"We're going to make TOYS and eat surrounded by DINOSAURS," Malina says pointedly, giving me a sharp look. "And screaming little kids."

"Yep, I got that," I agree.

"Not really a romantic date," she presses on as I tug her along.

"The Central Hall Water Park is out that direction, too," I say casually.

"We're going to need a van," Nico says cheerfully as all the kids start shouting from inside the force field that they want to go, too. "Actually, forget that, we'll take Justin's tour bus." He looks at me, grinning slightly. "If that's okay with you, Justin?"

"The more the merrier," I say, calling Malina's bluff. "Isn't that right, Malina?" I say to her.

She gives me a cynical look, and I know she's going to call me out on this, so I cut her off before she can, leaning down and whispering, "I DID tell you that you could choose, right?"

The tiniest hints of a blush cross her cheeks. I pretend I didn't see it and turn, watching the rest of the school come out.

"You're paying for this, you know that, right?" Nico says from behind me.

Well… crap. I did not think of that part.

"To the Legends!" Carla says.

"TO THE LEGENDS!" the others shout in reply.

Mentally I wave my bank account goodbye.

The Point(s) of It

“So keep an eye out for him, okay?” Jack says, ignoring the blank look on Ace’s face.

“Did you SERIOUSLY have to come up this far just to tell me that?” Ace asks.

“Yep,” Jack replies. His surfboard comes to him as he lets out a sharp whistle and he jumps on. He flies off before Ace can ask any more questions, pulling to a stop a few dozen miles away. “You get it?” he asks.

The air behind him shimmers slightly, and Brandon appears, a small metal pendant in his hand. “Sure did,” Brandon says cheerfully. “Just like I did Max’s.”

Jack grins, pulling out his phone and scanning the metal chip. The Points App bleeps twice, showing he’s gained five points and Ace has lost them. “Good job, man. At this rate, you’re going to be my right hand man.”

“Are you two DONE yet?” Ward demands over the com-link. “We’ve got a debut to do in the morning!”

“Don’t get your man panties in a twist, we’re on our way,” Jack says.

Where’s Jenna?

The video of Justin’s bus being attacked was blasted all over the Hero TV channels for an entire day, followed quickly by the scene with Herold—unlike the norms, the heroes got to see Century almost attack him. Right now Andre Harrison is on the channel. Every super in the world is watching, since he’s the owner of HTV, and the most famous super around outside of the Hall (at least he is among other heroes). "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a cause for concern," he says in a calm tone. As if they weren't aware of that already, Jennifer thinks darkly. That's why she's stuck in this room with her mom, her aunt, her annoying sister, and her step-dad.

"I understand why they might want Jetta to go to that school," her mom says, "but there's absolutely NO REASON for Jenna to go!"

"I go by Jennifer now, Mom," Jennifer says, not that her mom even listens.

"I am NOT going to that stupid school!" Jetta snaps. "I'm a debuted hero, I don't need their stupid lessons! I know everything I need to know—you TAUGHT me, Mom!"

"This is just giving into peer pressure!" Jennifer’s mom says. "Jenna is perfectly safe in her old school—I considered it for half a day, and that is all! This subject was over a month ago!"

"Now, honey," Jennifer's step-dad says, reaching out and touching her arm, "you have to admit, even a D class super is at risk right now. In fact, they might be the MOST at risk."

"This isn't your decision when it comes down to it, though," Aunt Barbara says firmly, earning sharp glares from everyone other than Jennifer. "You relinquished your parental rights for Jennifer to me. Now I've been trying to go along with your wishes, but this—" she motions to the television which is repeating the bus scene again, "is the final point for me."

"We only signed over guardianship to you because raising Jetta to be—"

"It doesn't matter why you signed it over, what matters is that you did, little sister," Aunt Barbara says sharply. "You chose this, now you must deal with the consequences."

"It's not like it's going to make any difference," Jennifer mutters, scowling at the wall rather than looking at the others. "I'm just going to be a charity case for the school, just like I am for Aunt Barbara." Life has gone downhill since the whole issue with Ace. Matt had ditched her for a brunette, she'd lost her place on the cheerleading squad, and now everyone stares silently at her whenever she walks past—as if that whole situation with Ace breaking Matt's hand was her fault, somehow. She should have NEVER confessed to Matt that she was a super, she thinks for the millionth time. It still makes her feel sick to her stomach that she had.

"You are NOT a charity case," Aunt Barbara says with exasperation. "You are a wonderful blessing to me, and you always will be. I want what's best for you, Jennifer," she goes on, walking over and taking Jennifer's hand. "Will you at least try?"

"How do we know that it was because of the weird lady?" Jennifer asks instead of replying. "He's THE Justin. They could just be trying to get him because he's famous."

"Because the neighbors were wailing about 'giving Mother Justin Gregory'?" Aunt Barbara says dryly. "We're a handful of states away from him."

"Yeah… but—"

"I've already signed you up for a school tour and registration," Aunt Barbara says. "There will be a group, because Technico is a very busy man. I just called your family here to tell you all at the same time. Jennifer is going to Cape High," she tells them, looking from one to the next until they all look away. "This subject is not up for debate."

"A group?" Jetta asks. "What other morons are sending their kids to that lame school?"

"Isotonic, for one," Aunt Barbara says. "And some other rather impressive names—I haven't gotten the full list, but it’s my duty as an HTV reporter to find out. But more importantly, this tour will be on Friday. Your paperwork has already been processed—"

"What? How did SHE get in so easily?" Jetta demands, almost jumping off of the couch.

"Technico told me that one of the students vouched for her—a boy named Ace," Aunt Barbara says.

"Ace vouched for me?" Jennifer asks.

"You know him, right?"

"Yeah…"

"Well you won't be going to school this week, so we're going clothes shopping tomorrow."

She doesn't know what to say to that, and her mother is gaping at Aunt Barbara, searching for words, so Jennifer does the only thing she can think of. She nods.

Coming Soon:

Cape High Book 13:

Windy Girl

The past is the past, and this might be Ace's school, but I don't have a choice, right? That's the line that keeps repeating over and over again in my mind. Sure I might have made fun of him—Ace was CREEPY when he was pretending to be a norm! He's obviously a freak, right? Well, okay, his whole going super villain thing makes it better—I mean, if you're freaky and you know it, OWN IT. He has definitely owned it. Every time I walk down the street I see someone wearing a "Dragon" shirt, or a hat, or even a tattoo once in a while.

You're probably wondering what I'm talking about huh? Well, it's either focus on Ace, or focus on the fact that I am definitely the oldest kid standing here by like, four years, almost. I dare to glance around, seeing the other kids watching each other curiously. Three of them seem to know each other—two boys and a girl. They're trying to hand her things—rocks, toys, all sorts of weird things, and she keeps yelling at them to go away.

"That's Isotonic," Aunt Barbara whispers, making me look at the man standing behind the group. "That's his right hand man, Hard Knocks, beside him—I believe the two boys are his," she says. "Prisma is going to DIE when she hears I got first dibs on this story—"

"I'm going to what?" someone asks from behind us. I turn, giving the beautiful black woman a large smile.

"Aunt Prisma!" I say, eagerly accepting the hug she offers. "I didn't know you were coming!"

"Jen-Jen!" Prisma says, always excited to see me as well. "You look more beautiful every day, sweetie!"

It's totally a lie. Look, at one time I might have been the picture perfect blonde cheerleader, but I've had a rough go of it since Ace outed himself. I look stressed. I'm no longer a cheerleader—I also chopped my hair off super short, with only long bangs framing my face. And I swear I've gained five pounds. Probably all that stress eating. My sister NEVER gains weight, that lucky—

"I don't see why I'm getting dragged along for this," Elidee says, making me look over. "You're just using me as story bait, aren't you? All of a sudden they have open house for people with super kids and BAM I'm dragged out of my school and shoved into this one!" Elidee is Prisma's daughter—beautiful, boy crazy, and only thirteen years old. That would be bad enough, but she’s also a pheromone manipulator. Yeah. It's THAT bad. "Jen," she says, looking at me. For a second there's a worried expression on her face. She walks over, grabbing my arm and pulling me away from the group. "I REALLY don't want to go in there," she whispers.

"I know why I don't want to go," I say, hesitating, "but what's your problem?"

"Adanna goes here! She's got a boyfriend and EVERYTHING, and he's a freaking SUPERIOR," she wails. "How am I going to beat that?"

I groan inwardly. "Elidee," I say patiently, touching her shoulder, "boys are nothing but trouble. You're better off single."

"Jennifer!" Aunt Barbara says in exasperation. "Don't tell her that!"

"She's thirteen, she should learn it in one way or another," I say shamelessly. "It's better that she learns it from someone that loves her!" I add with a cheeky grin.

"So how IS Matt these days?" Elidee asks evilly. I give her a dark look.

"Dating a brunette," I say dryly.

She's about to respond when a large man in a t-shirt appears out of nowhere in front of us. He steps over the tattered yellow police tape that surrounds Death Canyon. Norms still think it's radioactive—I did as well, until recently. "And you are?" I hear the big black man behind us ask.

"That's Technico," Isotonic says. "Technico, good to see you again," he adds, stepping forward and offering his hand.

"My new little sister says hello, Gin and Tonic," Technico says blandly, only briefly shaking his hand.

"I thought his name was Isotonic," Elidee whispers to me silently. The flustered look on Isotonic's face tells me he hadn't expected that.

"Tell her hello for me, as well," he says after all of a second. "I'd like to introduce you to my daughter, Olivia," he goes on, turning and motioning the girl with the two boys forward.

The expression on Technico's face lightens and he gives the girl a smile, holding out his hand. "Olivia," he says, offering it to the daughter. "Call me Nico, I'll be your principal."

"Who's your new little sister?" Olivia asks, hesitating over the hand.

"Skystep. She's deliberately a trouble maker. Don't worry—I'm fully human—well, no, actually I'm only half human, but nothing that'll change you," he adds quietly. She takes the hand he offers. "And you two would be Hard Knocks’ boys," he goes on, looking at the boys. "Have they inherited your animation abilities?" he asks Hard Knocks.

"They actually haven't come into their powers yet," Hard Knocks says, "but there's a good chance."

"So this is just a tour for them?"

"For now," Hard Knocks agrees.

"Why are you wearing a Panther shirt?" one of the boys asks.

"He's a super villain," the other says. "You're a hero."

"Actually, I'm not," Nico says, looking around at the adults in the crowd. "My name is Technico—I'm an ex super villain, in case you hadn't heard. I spent fifteen years in the Cape Cells for the use of a Weapon of Mass Destruction. I forgot to fill out all the paperwork first."

"Wait—a weapon of mass destruction?" I ask. "What did you destroy?"

"I'm the one that created all of this," he says, motioning to the massive canyon behind him.

I feel a little light headed. I look at Barbara, but she doesn't even react. I get the feeling she knew all of this already.

"Now's the time to back out if that bothers you," Nico prompts us. His hand shoots out, stopping the boys from running past him—towards the canyon. "No you don't," he says. "That's dangerous—especially for you two," he tells them.

"Is this the infamous dome?" Isotonic asks. "I really don't see it," he adds with a hint of surprise.

"I'm sure you would if you got closer," Nico says, reaching down and picking up a stone. "Throw this at the canyon," he tells one of the boys. He throws it, and they both cheer as it explodes and laser lights spark. All of a sudden they're throwing every rock they can find. "Enough," Nico says. They stop. "There is a laser protective field surrounding the entire canyon. It's enough to turn back even an S-class super. I tweak it on a regular basis, upgrading it in my spare time. That is why I'm going to have to scan each of you before allowing you in."

"Scan?" I ask. "Like—like you'll know everything about us? Even our class levels?" I do NOT want that! The entire world will find out that I'm a D-class hero! It's almost worse than being a norm!

"Don't worry, I don't share your information," Nico says. "But it does mean you have to trust me. Again, here's a chance to turn and run."

"I get the feeling you don't want new students very much," Hard Knocks says.

"I like to get all of this over with—sending the kids here means you have to trust me with the training programs for your kids. Everything they do out on the field will be something I taught them. Do you really want that?" Nico asks.

"You trained Kid Liberty, Fire Hazard, and Divine Justice," Isotonic says. "They're excellent examples of teen capes. You're also the founder of the cleanup system in Central Hall. Everyone's pushing to get that in our Hall, as well."

"I knew that no good deed would go unpunished," Nico mutters. I choke on a laugh, surprised at just how irritated he looks. "You," he says, motioning me forward. "You get to go first. You've been putting this off long enough, don't you think?"

I look at Aunt Barbara, who just smiles slightly and motions me forward. Nico pulls out a cell phone, aiming the camera lens at me. A green light scans me, and I wait, unable to breathe, as he stares at the screen. "Do you want to see?" he asks.

"No—I—yes," I finally say, walking over next to him to look. The letter "D" stares at me in bright blue. I feel the urge to cry, honestly. Jetta hadn't been lying. I jerk as his hand comes up, dropping on my head.

"Do you have any idea what I can do with this?" he asks me quietly.

"Not much," I mutter.

"I'm a genius technopath, Jennifer," he says silently, leaning down next to my ear. "I make machines that can compete with B-class heroes. I'd make them stronger, but Double M would yell at me. But he can't yell if they're assisting a super, now can he?"

My eyes widen. So THAT'S why he was willing to let me in! That's why I keep getting little notes from the school, reminding me I've got a standing invite!

"You ARE a super villain," I accuse him silently.

He gives me a wicked little grin. "He won't ask questions if it's a girl that's helped us out in the past," he adds. "Next, Olivia, step up, let's get your bios. Do you plan on staying after the tour or do you need to go home and pack?" he asks as she quickly races forward, standing next to me. She's a pretty little thing with long dark brown hair and big hazel colored eyes. She looks at me a bit shyly for a second before belatedly answering Nico.

"I'm packed. My mom wants to come see the campus, but with Dad out of state, she says she needs to stay with the Hall. Can she come next week?"

"Sure, just send a heads up through the Halls," Nico says as the green light flickers over her. "Not bad, you've got a lot of promise," he says as he looks over the phone. "You are your dad's kid, after all. You—it was Elidee, right?" he goes on, motioning to Elidee. "Let's get your stats."

She has this look on her face that tells me she's going to try something stupid. Look, I've known Elidee for years—ever since I came to live with Aunt Barbara. I can tell when she's about to do something stupid. I glance over at the boys, first, seeing their faces go slack and their eyes glue on her as she walks towards us. Yep. She's doing that thing of hers.

"Hiii," she says, moving closer to Nico. He looks at her, raising an eyebrow before glancing at Prisma.

"She takes after you," he says as he scans Elidee with his phone. "You promise to be quite a pain," he says, much to Elidee's shock.

"Wh—what?" she yelps.

"It might be entertaining, though, so I'll allow it," Nico finishes. "Adults next. A quick scan should be all I need from you—you're all in the Hall records. Once we're done with that, we'll start the tour."

The adults fall in line and I watch him scan them quickly.

"How can he call me a pain?" Elidee whispers as she moves to my side.

"You tried to seduce him," I whisper back. "Are you crazy? He's an adult—not only is he an adult, he's an ex super villain!"

"I just wanted him to let me do what I want!" she whispers back, as if that was a perfectly good excuse.

"You ARE crazy," Olivia whispers, making us both look at her. "He's the son of Superior—that's what my dad says."

"He's the WHAT?" I yelp, too loudly.

"SHHH!" both girls hiss at me as everyone else turns to look at me.

"Before we go in, I need to make sure none of you are brainwashed," Nico says, completely ignoring us. He shows each of us a quick video, one that I'm not quite sure I caught all of, and then motions us to touch a metal panel. "You're all clear," he says. "Touch the screen and follow the footsteps on the ground. Wait on the platform for the rest of us to join you when you get inside."

"Is Fire Hazard going to be here?" Olivia asks excitedly.

"Unfortunately most of the class is out on a mission. You'll only get to meet a handful of the students," Nico says.

"Hiiii." I look at Elidee, who seems to have been flanked by the boys when I wasn't looking. "You're pretty," one of them says.

"You smell good, too," the second says.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" the first asks, shoving his brother away.

Elidee looks at them, notes that they're shorter than she is, and walks away. Or at least she tries to walk away, I note with amusement. They follow her like puppies, trying to get her attention. I can't help but glance back at Hard Knocks. He shakes his head, looking amused. "Looks like Olivia lost her fanboys," he says quietly to Isotonic.

"She will forever be grateful," Isotonic agrees. "If your kids weren't intent on showing their love by bugging the crap out of them, they might have better luck with girls, you know."

"I keep trying to tell them that," Hard Knocks says, letting out a laugh.

Yes, I'm D-class, but I'm also a wind manipulator. I can hear really, really well. I glance over at Olivia, who's staring at the twins, and then at Elidee, who's trying to escape them without actually running away. I can't help the hint of a grin that crosses my face. This is actually REALLY amusing. I mean, here's Elidee saying how much she wants a boyfriend, trying to avoid two boys that will probably grow up to look like their Dad—and Hard Knocks is really good looking for an old guy. And Olivia is—if I'm hearing her gritting her teeth properly, extremely irritated by all of this.

But none of this is my business. I'm being forced to leave school in my junior year, and tossed into a school of kids that are WAY more powerful than I am—and probably younger! I step into the line blindly, feeling sorry for myself again, and jerk as I realize Isotonic is standing behind me.