My phone buzzed sharply in my pocket, making me start and bump my forehead against Amy’s. She broke the kiss she’d pinned me down with, pulling away and rubbing her head. I apologized and wiped my face, then fixed my shirt and sat up, trying to ignore the butterflies dancing in my stomach, and the heat burning lower.

  “Hello?” I said as I answered the phone.

  “Amaranth, this is Viola Stanford, Youth Guard. Do you have a moment?” My eyes widened and I glanced at Amy.

  “Yeah, I do.” I made a gesture at Amy and she sighed, redoing the clasp on her bra. I mouthed an apology then turned my attention back to the phone. “What’s up?”

  “I wanted to offer my condolences, I heard about your departure from the Wards.” I heard her sigh and some papers shuffle. “A shame you couldn’t have waited a little longer, but no matter. Tell me, do you have time after school on Tuesday?” I narrowed my eyes.

  “What for?” I wasn’t keen on walking into another goddamn ambush. Considering who she worked for, I could at least figure in advance who was behind it at least. “No offense, but um, I’m not exactly, you know.”

  “Affiliated with the Wards, I know,” she finished for me. “That, fortunately, isn’t relevant to the Youth Guard’s mission. I assume you’re still a parahuman and haven’t turned eighteen yet, have you?”

  “Duh.”

  “Then my job is still looking out for you,” Stanford said. “We’re supposed to work with all parahumans youths, though obviously that’s not always viable. You remember the Davis family?”

  “I...guess?” I vaguely recalled a photo of a smiling couple and their chubby toddler. “They want to meet then?”

  “Indeed they do,” she replied. “Masked, of course. If you’re comfortable, the PRT will facilitate the meeting as well. And yes, they’ve been informed of the change in your status; they seemed quite eager to meet when I told them you weren’t a Ward any longer.” I frowned.

  “Isn’t that weird?” I asked. “Like, that should be a red flag.”

  “Normally I’d agree,” she sighed. “But considering the utter thrashing the PRT has been receiving in the media for several months, I’m hardly surprised. To quote Malcolm, the father: ‘I’m glad she was smart enough to get the hell out of Dodge’. I believe they assume you’re joining another team.”

  “Great,” I groaned. “Fine, I guess it doesn’t matter. Not like I’ll be going with them.”

  “Why not?” Stanford asked, sounding a little worried. “If the issue is security, the PRT already—”

  “I’m sort of living with my girlfriend,” I said in a rush. Amy cocked her head, evidently confused by the half of our conversation she could hear. “I don’t… Honestly, I don’t think I’ll choose them over her.” There was a long pause, and Amy snaked her arm around my back. I leaned against her, shutting my eyes.

  “I...understand,” Stanford said after a moment. “Still, I’d like you to at least meet them. I think you may come around.”

  “Sorry, I just— One sec.” I stopped as Amy jabbed my side and covered the microphone. “What?”

  “Who’s that?” Amy asked. “Important?”

  “It’s my YGA,” I said. “Just wants me to meet potential parents. No point.” She frowned.

  “You should go.”

  “What?” I grimaced. “Why?”

  “Because one of us should have a chance to be normal.”

  “Amy…” I sighed as she shook her head and took my hand away from my phone. “Sorry. Tuesday you said?”

  “That’s right,” Stanford replied. “I can come pick you up, if you need a ride.”

  “No it’s fine,” I said. “You said the PRT is handling it, so do I go there?”

  “They’ve offered a meeting space for it, so if that works then you can simply go there after school.”

  “Cool, we’ll do that then.”

  “Alright.” There was a beat of silence. “How have you been, Amaranth?”

  “Fine, I guess,” I said, shrugging. “Just, living, going to school, doing normal stuff. Still feels weird.”

  “Totally understandable, considering your experience,” Stanford said. “Your grades are keeping up?”

  “Dunno, haven’t got a report card,” I said. “Hasn’t felt that bad though, maybe hard but I don’t think I’m failing.”

  “I’m glad to hear,” she said. “And you’re settling in with your girlfriend alright? No issues?”

  “Nope,” I said, smiling up at Amy. “Love her to bits. Maybe losing a little sleep but—”

  “Shut up,” Amy hissed as Stanford chuckled dryly.

  “Your sense of humour hasn’t cleaned up,” she said lightly. “No matter, be safe about it. Were there any other concerns you wanted to bring up?”

  “I’m good,” I said, shaking my head. “See you Tuesday.” She agree and the line clicked off. The moment I put my phone away, Amy smacked my shoulder.

  “Why are you so embarrassing?” she groaned. I chuckled, but it died away when I saw her frowning.

  “Sorry,” I apologized, looking away. “I’ll stop.”

  “You just…” Amy huffed and threw up her hands. “I don’t get why you’re so proud of this.” I gave her a quizzical look.

  “Proud?” I said. “I’m not proud I’m… Okay maybe I’m a bit proud a butterface like me is somehow dating someone as hot as you. But I’m just happy, about all this. Aren’t you?”

  “Sure I’m happy,” she said. “But I’m not talking to my dad about this.” She gestured to her bra.

  “Okay fair,” I sighed. “Sorry.”

  “It’s fine, just...yeah.”

  “Umm, so, I guess I’m meeting my potential new parents in a couple days?” I said after a minute of tense silence.

  “Yeah, what’re they like?” Amy asked, settled back. I shuffled up against her and sighed as her arm wrapped around my shoulders.

  “I dunno, young,” I replied. “They have a toddler too, not sure why they want me.”

  “Oh god, that sucks,” she said.

  “Yeah I’m not really looking forward to that,” I said with a grimace. “But hey like, who knows, they might hate me or something. I’m probably not going to get adopted that quick or anything.”

  “At least try and be...you know, cool to them?”

  “I’m not going to be my usual bitchy self, if that’s what you’re saying,” I said dryly.

  “Lia…”

  “Look, can we forget about it?” My shoulders slumped and I stared at the floor. “I’m just...I’d rather not worry about that crap right now.”

  “Can’t ignore it forever,” Amy said, squeezing me tight.

  “I won’t,” I replied. “For now...I just want to forget.” I shivered as her fingers trailed down my spine.

  “Want a little help?” she asked, voice low and husky.

  “Always,” I replied breathily.

  “See you Amy,” I said, giving her a peck on the cheek.

  “Bye,” she said, planting her lips on my forehead before I rose from the bus seat. “Good luck.”

  “Thanks.”

  I hopped off the bus and started walking up the road, doing my best to ignore how my stomach was twisting itself into knots. This was going to be fine. The PRT was hosting us, they knew me, and they’d probably try to make sure this wasn’t going to be a problem. The Youth Guard had vetted these guys too, so it wasn’t likely to be some Nazi plot to try and get me back on their side or something.

  Had to change before going in, I sure wasn’t going mask-off to this meeting. I found a little alley a block down from the headquarters and quickly put on my makeshift, battered costume. In the daylight, wearing all black with a balaclava sure a hell made me look like a villain, but I had to worry about more practical things in my life than image these days. Once I was dressed, I headed in through the front entrance, waving at the nearest PRT officer.

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  “Amaranth, here for a meeting,” I said as they bristled. At least my name carried enough weight to make them relax after I explained. I headed over to the reception desk, frowning as the officer there turned to me. “Bailey?”

  “Am— Amaranth?” he stuttered, cocking his head. Half of his mouth seemed to be dragged down at the corner. “G— It’s nice to s— see you.”

  “You too,” I said. “Are you um, okay?”

  “D— depends who you ask,” he replied, the other side of his mouth twisting up in a sardonic grin. “Back in the sad— saddle.”

  “Yeah,” I said, throat tightening. “Uh, I’m here for a meeting. Can you tell me where it is, get an escort and stuff?”

  “S— sure thing, Mara,” Bailey said, turning to the computer. With agonizing slowness, he began typing on the keyboard, a letter at a time. He spent a long time staring at the screen before finally turning back to me. “Oh— Okay, you’re in a private con— con— meeting room. Ar— Archie!” A short officer toting a grenade launcher came over, giving me a nod. “Ama— Mara has a meeting, room two-oh-two. Can you take her?”

  “Sure thing Bales,” he replied in a bassy rumble. “How you feeling man?”

  “P— peachy,” Bailey replied, only able to offer half a smile.

  “Cool,” Archie said, nodding. “Amaranth, follow me please.” I fell in behind him after saying goodbye to Bailey and was led into the back hallways. “Hey you were the one who nailed Skitter when she raided us, right?” he asked after a minute of walking.

  “Sure,” I answered, tensing a little. “Had some help, but I technically arrested her.”

  “Good stuff,” he said. “Hope my gun was any help.” I glanced over at him.

  “What do you mean?” I asked, frowning.

  “Let me reintroduce myself,” he said, chuckling. “Archie Burroughs, you borrowed my pistol.”

  “Oh, uh, sorry,” I said, cheeks heating. “I needed it.”

  “Hey, like I said, I just hope it helped,” Archie said, waving away my apology. He lowered his voice before continuing. “Wouldn’t have complained if that ‘warning’ shot wasn’t a warning.”

  “Well it was,” I retorted. “Anyway, you’re welcome or something.” That got another chuckle.

  “Good old attack dog,” he said. “Too bad they never let you work with tac.”

  “Yeah well, I’m a kid,” I said, shrugging. “I’ll just try and not cause you guys too much trouble when I get back out there, cool?”

  “Appreciated,” he said, stopping by a door. “Here we are. I’ll just be out here. Shout if you need backup, but I think you can handle just about anyone waiting.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” I took a deep breath and pushed my way inside.

  “Hello Amaranth,” Stanford greeted me. She was sitting at the head of a small table. Two adults that looked vaguely like their photos sat on the far side of it from me. “How are you today?”

  “Fine,” I said, taking a seat opposite my would-be parents. “Was just school, you know?”

  “Oh don’t I,” the man, Malcolm if I was remembering right, said with a smile. “I’m a teacher at Immaculata.”

  “Oh, sorry,” I apologized quickly. “Didn’t mean anything by that.”

  “No apology needed,” he assured me. “It’s good to finally meet you, Amaranth. My name’s Malcolm, but you can call me Mike. This is my wife, Vivian.”

  “Happy to meet you, Amaranth,” Vivian said with a smile of her own.

  “Yeah, good to meet you too,” I said, glancing from one to the other.

  “I’ll give you some time to get to know one another,” Stanford said, rising and checking her watch. “You have up to an hour today, so please take your time.” With that, she abandoned me to the mercies of Mike and Vivian.

  “Are you doing alright?’ Mike asked after a minute of awkward silence. He gestured to my chest and I frowned behind my balaclava. “Your uh, costume looks like it’s been through the wringer.”

  “Oh.” I glanced down at my poor repairs. “It’s um, it’s fine. Only damaged the costume, takes more than a knife or whatever to get through the rest of me.” I winced as Vivian paled slightly.

  “You’re a um, what do you call it again, a Brute?” Mike said, trying and failing to hide the tension in his voice. “So you’re tougher than the average girl, right?”

  “Yeah basically.” I wasn’t about to get bogged down in explaining my power to them. “I have a forcefield, sort of. Stops stuff from getting through to my body.” Until it didn’t, at least.

  “Oh that’s good,” Vivian said with a sigh of relief.

  “Certainly sounds handy,” Mike agreed. “I suppose that means you’re still doing hero work?”

  “Well, not right now,” I said. “Sort of figuring stuff out, still. But I’m going to eventually.”

  “At least there are plenty of teams to choose from,” he said brightly. “You know I heard about this new one, Bayside Bulwark. Just a couple independents right now, but I bet they’ll grow fast.”

  “Uh huh,” I mumbled. I didn’t really want to start a fight over me not joining a team with two people who weren’t my parents yet.

  “But enough about all that, I’m sure you already think too much about it,” Vivian said. “If it’s alright, I’d like to get to know you, Amaranth.” I settled back in my chair, eyeing her.

  “Sure,” I said. “What do you want to know?”

  “Well, how about your hobbies?” she asked. “I’m sure putting on a costume isn’t all you do for fun.”

  “I guess,” I hedged. “I draw stuff.”

  “Oh, you’re an artist?”

  “I wouldn’t go that far,” I snorted. “I’m not really that good, but some people like my stuff. It’s really nothing special though.”

  “Don’t say that to Viv,” Mike said, chuckling.

  “I’m a visual artist,” she explained. “It’s...a little sad to hear a young woman putting down her work.”

  “It’s just sketches and doodles,” I said, holding out my hands. “When I say nothing special I mean like, it really isn’t. I don’t even work on it that much.”

  “I’d love to see it sometime,” Vivian bulled ahead. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and we’re always our own worst critics.”

  “You’ve got her hackles up,” Mike stage-whispered, offering me a wink. “Don’t sweat it, I managed to do that on the first date telling her I was a failed musician.”

  “And now you direct Immaculata’s music program,” she replied, sounding a little proud.

  “Yes, well, I’m a big enough man to admit I was wrong,” he said bashfully. “You said some people like it though, didn’t you Amaranth? Anyone in particular.”

  “Um, my girlfriend.” I caught them sharing a glance.

  “Oh?” Mike leaned forward slightly, his smile seeming to shrink. “You’re uh, dating?”

  “Yeah,” I said hesitantly. “I’m living with her, actually, since I’m not a Ward.”

  “I see,” he said. “Well I’m glad to hear you’ve got a place to stay right now. That said, I’m not sure two young ladies living together is...the best sort of situation for you.”

  “For any young person,” Vivian added. “Being on your own, without support, must be difficult.”

  “Not really,” I countered. “Like, the worst thing is that meals are sort of boring, but I’m thinking of taking Home Ec next semester.”

  “There are a lot of things in this world you need an adult for,” Mike said, his tone warning.

  “God don’t remind me,” I groaned. “Seriously though, we’re okay. I’d—” I bit my tongue. No, I had to actually try, for Amy if no other reason. “I like it there, but yeah, I guess there are some problems.” Not our fault of course, but they still existed.

  “I understand why you’d be attached,” Vivian said gently. “Crushes can make things feel safe, even when they’re nothing of the sort. But there are things that, frankly, you’re not able to do yet; and we’d like to support you, Amaranth.” ‘Crush’ like I was fucking twelve.

  “I appreciate that,” I said flatly. “I guess we’ll see how things go.”

  “Hopefully well,” Mike said, his tone more chipper. It sounded forced now. “Say, how about we introduce you to the little guy who couldn’t be here today? Max was a little disappointed, but I’m sure he’ll be excited to hear all about you.”

  “Sure, why not?” I said as he began flipping through his phone.

  At least we wouldn’t be talking about me.

  “You really should get your own laptop,” Amy complained as she joined me on the couch.

  “Sorry,” I sighed, scratching the back of my head. “You’re right, maybe we hit the mall this weekend?”

  “Sure,” she nodded, craning her neck to look at the screen. “PHO again? Don’t tell me you’re moping…”

  “No, no, this is...business, maybe?” I frowned. “Here, take a look.” I turned the laptop so she could see better and pointed to the message.

  “Hey I’m the person you rescued from that Nazi dog pit,” Amy read, looking at me. “Dog pit?”

  “The place I got caught.”

  “Ah.” She grimaced. “Right, okay. Anyway, so she wants to meet because she’s a fan or something.”

  “Amy she triggered.” She swore and pinched the bridge of her nose.

  “Right, sorry, long day.” Amy shook her head, frizzy curls bouncing. “So...outreach?”

  “I guess,” I replied with a shrug. “God, I don’t want to deal with this right now.”

  “So don’t,” she said simply, kissing my cheek and shutting the laptop lid. “Tell me about your day instead. How’d meeting the family go?”

  “It was...fine,” I said. “Awkward. I don’t think they like you, or at least don’t like the idea of us living together.”

  “Neither do my parents,” Amy said. “They’re adults, they don’t like us being like, on our own.”

  “Yeah but they’re your parents,” I retorted. “Like, it makes sense they’d feel some way about it. These are just two randos looking to adopt.”

  “To adopt you, dumbass.” She flicked my ear. “Of course they feel weird about it.”

  “Still...whatever, it went fine besides that.” Had to at least pretend I was into this. “Their kid is...chubby.”

  “Isn’t it a toddler? Of course the kid’s chubby.”

  “I guess,” I hedged. “His name’s Max and, well, at least they seem to love him.”

  “Probably a good sign,” Amy said. “Means they actually want kids.”

  “You’re being weirdly positive about this.”

  “How is it weird? I told you, I want you to have a chance to be normal.”

  “I don’t want to be normal I want to stay here, with you.” I grit my teeth as my throat tightened. “You don’t tell me off when I wake up screaming, or make fun of me because I pissed myself dreaming the Siberian was after me again. They...I don’t know Amy, I just…” I focused on my breathing, trying to calm down before I really started freaking out.

  “It’s okay,” Amy said gently. “I...I want you here too, Lia, but it’s not the best place, you know?”

  “And what about you?” I countered. “Your parents want you home.”

  “That’s different,” she retorted. “You didn’t fuck up these people’s kid.”

  “No I’m just a cold-blooded killer.”

  We fell silent, there really wasn’t anything else to say. Sure, Amy had really messed up her sister, and that was bad. She didn’t have blood on her hands though, that dubious honour was reserved for me. It wasn’t even that it bothered me much anymore, beyond the occasional nightmare about Mark… Okay maybe it bothered me.

  “Sorry,” I apologized after a few minutes of tense silence.

  “Me too,” Amy said a moment later. “I like you Lia, like a lot, but you deserve a better place than with me.”

  “Can’t think of a better one,” I sighed. “Anyway, I...won’t torpedo it, for you. But I’m not hoping this goes quick either.”

  “Hey I never said I wanted it to go fast,” she said, wrapping her arm around me. “I just...want it to happen, for you.” I kissed her cheek.

  “Sweetheart,” I said. “Anyway, enough about my stupid crap. How was your day?”

  “Ugh, spent an hour in a medical lecture,” she said. “Apparently they want to ‘recertify my medical Thinker status’, as if my power changed when I put on a mask.”

  “Oh fun,” I said dryly.

  “Not really,” she sighed, then smiled at me. “I can think of something a bit more fun.”

  “Do te—” I was cut off by a yelp as Amy pinned me down, pressing her lips to mine for a split-second before we were interrupted by a very expensive sound crunch. She broke the kiss and pulled away, face a little paler. “Amy you didn’t…”

  “I forgot it was on your lap okay?” Amy groaned and rubbed her eyes. “Fuck sake, I’m sorry.”

  “It’s fine.” I glanced down at the laptop and grimaced. It definitely wasn’t. “Um, guess we’re both going laptop shopping?”

  “God dammit.”

  “I think that means, it’s a date,” I said, chucking and kissing her cheek.