"She's… drunk?"
"Damn… this girl's lit the F up."
It didn't take long for panic to ripple through the group as Pauline's face grew redder by the second. The normally bashful and soft-spoken girl was now slurring, swaying, and smiling like she didn't have a care in the world.
"I'm fine, guys. Really," Pauline said, pointing around the table with a grin that only widened. If it weren't for Bella letting her rest against her shoulder, she probably would've smacked her head on the table already.
"And you," she suddenly pointed at Riley, eyes completely narrowed and filled with suspicion, "Don't think I'm not catching on to whatever your deal is, Riley Ross. I'm not reading your mind again 'cause I don't wanna puke, but I'm on to you."
"Jesus…" Hannah muttered, sliding over to trap Pauline in the middle of the booth between her and Bella. "Can someone just get her water before she actually starts reading our minds?"
"I got it," Katherine stood and made her way to the counter. The cashier groaned the moment he saw her gesture toward the booth and point at Pauline—clearly, this wasn't the first time this had happened.
He quickly disappeared into the kitchen, and a flurry of panicked shouting followed. A few seconds later, he returned with a full pitcher of water and a towel. Katherine took them with a smirk and strolled back to the group.
"Start with water," she sighed, pouring a glass and handing it to Pauline, who accepted it with both hands. Though wobbly, she managed to drink most of it without spilling.
"This is so messed up," Hannah winced, her tone rising as she looked toward the counter, "Why the fuck would there be alcohol in her dessert? Did they… spike it or something? That's the word, right? Spike?"
"No, they didn't. It just… happens sometimes," Katherine said, barely suppressing a grin. "Now you know why this was my favorite hangout spot when I was a freshie like you guys."
"I've… heard rumors," Victoria joined in, watching Pauline warily. She wanted to help, but everyone else already seemed to have it covered. "They're actually true?"
"Yup," Katherine confirmed.
"Wait, so this really be happenin'? Like… a lot?" Bella blinked, pulling the pitcher closer for a second refill.
"Once in a while," Katherine nodded. "One of the employees is, well, a raging alcoholic. Sometimes she mixes up her alcohol-infused syrup bottles."
"Shouldn't we report this?" Hannah asked, her brows furrowing.
"You could," Katherine shrugged. "Or you could end up with a stack of free dessert coupons. Your call."
Hannah narrowed her eyes suspiciously, glancing at the counter staff still shouting in the back.
"That's… up to Pauline," she muttered. Then, seeing Pauline's eyes start to droop, added, "Anyway, is she gonna be okay?"
"She'll be fine. Water, rest, and some time," Katherine assured. "Probably her first time drinking."
While the rest of the group scrambled to care for Pauline or debate filing a complaint, Riley hadn't moved at all. He sat quietly, his spoon untouched, his focus still locked entirely on the bruise under Hannah's left eye.
He had been staring at it for several minutes now, running plans silently behind blank eyes.
Unfortunately, I'm not as blessed as Father in thinking of ways of making people completely disappear.
"Riley?"
Perhaps make it look like an accident? But that will not happen inside Mega Academy—outside. We saw a student die outside, and the Academy only posted a bulletin note about it—I'll wait. Watch. Follow her when she's off-campus—
"Riley… Riley!"
"Oh?" Riley blinked as he finally noticed Hannah waving her hand in front of his face.
"Seriously, stop staring at my eye," she groaned. "We knew what kind of school this was. It's Mega Academy—we're being trained to be superheroes, for fuck's sake. Katherine already said it, a bruise here and there is normal."
"While that remains true, Sister—she struck you after the duel had ended."
"It doesn't matter, okay?" Hannah waved her hand dismissively. "Those assholes have always had it out for me."
"What else have they done to you in the past, Sister?"
"I told you, it doesn't—"
"She was bullied by them."
Hannah's words were cut off by Pauline, who wheezed awake and blinked blearily at the group.
"They bullied her. A lot," she muttered.
"They were just pranks," Hannah said with an awkward laugh, avoiding Riley's gaze. "I'm fine. Seriously, I'm fine."
"They cut her hair once," Pauline added, even though she was struggling.
"They cut your hair, Sister?" Riley's eyes widened. Beside him, Katherine suddenly stiffened—finally, she could feel the change in Riley's heartbeat, heavy and erratic for the first time.
"Was that the time you came home with a new haircut?"
"I turned one of them bald for it, seriously. And hold up…" Hannah narrowed her eyes at Pauline. "Are you reading my mind? What the—"
"Ack! Enough about all of this! We've lost track of why we're here," Gary suddenly stood up, dramatically placing a hand over half his face.
"Pauline's drunk, which means this is the perfect time to discuss our superhero names since she's talkative!" He declared.
"Seriously? That's what you fucking get in this situation?!"
"And I shall go first! I, Gary Gray, henceforth shall be known as—"
"Ah, fuck off," Pauline snarled, once again cutting people off their words.
"Sit the hell down, you tall oaf. You're embarrassing all of us," she pointed at him violently. "You already said your name would be Dragon Monarch. Do you ever shut the fuck up? And Bella's right—why the fuck are you wearing makeup? Are you gay? Also, why can't I read your mind?"
"Why is everyone asking that?!" Gary dropped back into his seat. "And I'm not wearing makeup! Can someone just take her to the infirmary already?!"
"It's totally fine if you are, you know…" Pauline twirled her finger before landing it squarely on Bella.
"...It'll make our group ratio perfect. Both the Jackson twins are gay."
"Wha—hell nah! I ain't no damn lesbian! Just how many times?!" Bella bellowed.
"Aw, stop lying…" Pauline rolled her eyes. "I'm reading your mind."
"Damn! Gary was right—we really do gotta take her to the clinic!" Bella cried as she covered her head. "This girl a whole menace when she lit!"
"Drink some more water," Katherine was still trying her best not to laugh, pouring another glass for Pauline. But Pauline just groaned and pushed it away this time.
"As for me…" She slurred, swaying slightly. "I think I want my superhero name to be… ugh… I can't think of anything. And wait… why are there more of you now? Is that normal? I have four hands. Whoa."
She blinked a few times, clearly out of it, before looking at Riley.
"How about you, Riley? Got a name picked out?"
Riley glanced briefly at her shoulder, completely unbothered by everything. He probably thought that Pauline's actions weren't weird at all.
"I already have a name, Ms. Pauline," he said,
"My name is Riley Ross."