3.8
Part 8
"Hey!" I called out to my fellow unannounced, proto-hero.
Taylor was pointedly, not looking at me.
"So..." I said to her, "That happened." Luckily, eldritch super empathy was telling me she was probably just embarrassed rather then pissed about something I said. While not always the case, teenagers could get really embarrassed about sexual implications.
...Which come to think of it was probably why people used them as insults so much.
Anyway it also came with a very simple solution to the problem, and unlike the 'talk to make them ignore us' idea this one wasn't likely to be spoiled by poor manners. "Let's pretend it didn't."
She nodded still not really looking at me.
But that was fine. Getting rid of embarrassment was a lot like getting rid of excess moisture. Once you set things up to allow for evaporation, all you needed was time.
Still I needed to give her that time, "So... want to talk about comic books? Or... you know, more 'local' heroes?"
"Kind of crowded for that," she said finally looking at me to see if I was serious about my crazy implication.
I wasn't. Doing so would be a level of stupid even I wasn't capable of without considerable assistance. After all, unlike when class was in session the halls were stuffed with people. What I was doing, was teasing her on an entirely different subject to distract her and the half smirk of naked amusement on my face of amusement told her that loud and clear.
Some of the fading pink on her face returned, but at the same time she scowled at me, looking honestly a little hurt at the prod.
Ah... maybe that wasn't the best approach...
"S-so!" I said off balance from my fumble. "Comic books?"
I watched a few emotions flicker across a well guarded face, not having the skill to really read any of them despite my unnatural insight's assistance, "Sure."
She didn't sound very enthusiastic.
"Well firstly. I figure we really do need to work out a good place to work on the project," I said scratching at my chin, noting absently that I needed to get back into the habit of shaving every morning. Five-o-clock shadow could work for some people. Five-o-clock peach fuzz didn't work for anyone.
"Okay," she agreed at once. "Library still good?" she asked.
"Works for me... can you meet me there right after school?" I did my best not to sound to eager, but you could never fully mask it with a phrase like that.
"Sure," she agreed again.
"Great! I'll see you there," I agreed at once, trying my best to supress the grin on my face. Finally someone to talk cape stuff with!
Really, the day might have been hectic, but it was really turning out great!
finally I saw the hints of her lip curve up into something that might just eventually be the hint of a smile.
Then she flattened it at once, "We should probably head to class."
I noted the herd of students starting to thin out, and let myself frown, "Right..." I sighed, then smiled again, "Okay see you then. Good luck with last class."
"Same to you?" she said not quite sure how to take my blessing of good fortune on her grave and terrible task.
Savoring that look of confusion I about faced and headed off to Drama once more, a notable spring to my step.590