Denigration

His day was pretty uneventful until lunch came rolling around.

Mara cornered him against the wall on his way to the cafeteria.

"I see you've found yourself someone new to drool over. So pathetic," she said with disdain.

"Why do you care?" Dave asked rhetorically.

"I don't. Just thought it was hilarious. It's obvious you're bothering her. I feel bad for her, I know what it's like after all." She sneered.

Dave was having trouble responding. Not because he believed her, but he was doing his best to repeat to himself things that would make him feel the kinds of emotions Mara was expecting of him. Depression, sadness, longing. He was cycling through memories rich in those emotions to combat her ability to the best of his abilities.

He was sure it didn't need to be perfect, it wasn't mind-reading after all. She was just better at sensing someone's emotions. He doubted it was accurate enough to be able to distinguish between slight variations of similar emotions so he was just shooting for close enough to not set off her suspicions.

He wasn't too worried about struggling to respond though as she was surely expecting that of him. The only downside is that he would love to retort tearing away all pretence that he still loved and cared for her. What little embers that were still smouldering within him despite her behaviour over the past few years was easily snuffed once he learned just how aware she must be of the torment she had been putting him through. He was thankful for his system snuffing out what little delusional feelings he still held towards her against his better judgement.

After her little rant Mara let out a drawn out sigh. "Well, whatever. Not like a loser like you can learn," she said while walking off towards the cafeteria.

It seemed she wasn't getting enough of a reaction for her liking and gave up for now, he wouldn't be surprised if he got more later or if Jeffrey showed up because she didn't feel like the emotional manipulation was effective enough.

Dave sighed deeply himself relieved to finally be able to stop torturing himself mentally. She thought she had put him through another bout of emotional abuse, but all of it bounced right off. He had a system and even if he never got another ability he already had what he considered one of the best physical abilities available. He had yet to come across a better one despite checking just about everyone in school and that he came across outside of school.

What should he be worried about? His only concern was laying low long enough to either grow his first ability enough or gain other abilities. Once he achieved either of those what was a little Mara in front of him? She would be lucky to have a chance just to beg for a moment of his attention then.

He started smirking just at the thought of it when suddenly he found something rush into his chest. Looking down he found Kate hugging him tightly.

He tilted his head in surprise.

"She's lying. About everything," Kate said rapidly.

Dave smiled and nodded gently brushing her locks behind her ear while gazing into her eyes.

Kate nervous that he might actually believe Mara did something she had been holding back on doing for days already. She pulled him closer pressing her lips against his in a warm kiss and unlike their other one she couldn't excuse this one as being a drunk mistake where she just responded without having initiated it. This kiss was all on her and it was in public.

He gently wrapped his arms around her lower back pulling her even closer as he returned the kiss passionately causing her to blush even harder than she already was, but before long she lost herself in the kiss again forgetting about her worries.

While she was caught up in the kiss his hands slid down cupping her ass, copping a good feel of her most praiseworthy asset. Physically at least. Her breasts were pretty good, but they didn't stand a candle to her ass. The little bit of extra weight she carried had mostly settled there in the best way.

She ended up spending lunch trying to cheer him up. He didn't need it, but he definitely appreciated the flirting over lunch.

He was happy to find Mara and Jeffrey didn't feel the need to show up again for the day meaning the continuation of lunch wouldn't come at least until after the weekend. He wasn't too concerned anymore though. He was already past the average physically after two weeks of working on his new ability which put him ahead of Jeffrey himself who was only average physically and it wouldn't be much longer until he exceeded his jock buddies too.

Mara was even less of a concern. She lost most of her power over him the moment he stopped caring about her. The only power she did still have was the power to influence his reputation at school which was already extremely low meaning it would be hard to make it worse without drastic actions.

Back home his father was at least up and out of bed again since his concussion had improved enough for him to get up and about a little, but that was about it so far. Dave was rather frustrated by this because it meant it was harder for him to spend time with Jackie now that his father was somewhat mobile again severely reducing their alone time even if what time they did have was more exciting under the threat of being caught.

Meanwhile Dave was already planning his weekend. He could only hope things worked out with the course, at least they should be willing to take his money even if they don't believe he has the potential up front. As long as he got his foot in the door he was sure he could impress them with his growth and dedication.

-X-X-X-

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Writing Soundtrack: Falling In Reverse - Various Tracks, Fame On Fire - Various Tracks