I slowly start walking over to the Tube station while holding onto my bag like my life depends on it. I should call Piper when I get home. Or I could pick her up. No, I don't even know when her classes end.

I decide to send her a text and get my phone out. While I'm scrolling through the contacts, I notice someone stepping in front of me.

Oh please, don't be another suicidal junkie with a superhero on their heels.

I look up and my eyes widen. Gabriel!

He's blocking the Tube entrance and smirks down at me. Actually, he looks like a complete douche when he grins like that.

“Uh, yes?” I ask and lower my phone. He's holding the bouquet I just put together. My gaze drops down to it before I meet his eyes again.

“Aven, long time no see.” He says, still with that smirk on his face. “Don't mind me. I just wanted to tell you that I noticed your looks.”

Oh no...

“Actually I noticed how you were staring at me yesterday and today just proved it. I mean, it's obvious that you're head over heels for me.” He continues proudly.

Wait, what?

“I'm head over heels for you?” I ask slowly and he simply nods.

“Exactly” He chuckles and looks down at the bouquet of roses before holding it out for me. “I wanted to do you a favour and make the first move. I simply can't stand the thought of a cute guy like you sitting alone at home, crying his eyes out.”

I blink at him, ignoring the bouquet. “You wanted to do me a favour?” I ask again, narrowing my eyes.

He nods and shakes the flowers expectantly. “So here you go. I noticed and you're cute. How about you come over to my place tonight?” He winks at me.

Okay, that's enough.

Gabriel might be hot. Like, really hot. This though? Am I some damsel in distress in need of a good fuck? I don't think so. Guys like him shouldn't be allowed to run around and talk to others. Just sit still and look pretty.

“Are you serious?” I hiss and slap the bouquet away. It hits the ground and a few flowers fall out. “Do I look that desperate?”

His smirk finally disappears, making way for confusion. “Uh, I thought you were too shy to talk to me.”

I wish I had the ability to shoot laser beams out of my eyes. That would be really convenient right now.

“Listen, asshole” I start and take a step closer, pointing a finger at his chest. He stands straight and blinks down at me. “If I want to ask someone out, I can do it just fine. And just because you're good-looking, doesn't mean that I'll come running when you want to lure me into your bed.”

Gabriel seems surprised at first but then he raises an eyebrow at me and that smug look is back. “But you still think I'm hot.”

Is this guy for real?

“Were you even listening to me?” I spit and drop my hand.

“You said I'm good-looking. That's enough for me.” He purrs and leans down.

I take a few steps back and shake my head to myself. I'm so stupid. Of course the hot ones are always either jerks, or straight.

“I'm really not in the mood for this so would you please just leave me alone? Go find someone else to fuck with. I'm not interested.” I sigh and turn around to walk away.

“Don't you take the Tube today?” He calls behind me and I roll my eyes.

“Fuck off!” I yell and push my hands into the pockets of my jeans.

I'm so stupid!

Stupid stupid stupid

I wish I could say that this is the first time something like that happened. It's not though. Sometimes I wish I weren't so short. Maybe if I were a bit taller and had the ability to actually grow a beard, I wouldn't look as vulnerable.

Apparently my appearance makes everyone think I can't defend myself but I assure you, I can land a good kick if I try. I'm not weak. I'm not helpless. I'm not a trophy to win. Damnit!

I close my eyes and stop walking. I need a plan. Going back isn't an option. I could take the bus, that's inconvenient though. I could also just keep walking and take the Tube at Marylebone. That sounds better.

I sigh and start walking again when I hear someone scream nearby. I flinch and look around before slowly walking along the pavement. I round the next corner and a mass of people greets me. I frown and quickly step closer.

I try to see what's going on but I'm to short to see anything so I simply start to push my way through the bodies until the cause comes into view.

There are two cars in the middle of the road. One looks as good as new except for a few scratches. The driver stands next to it and screams into his smartphone. The second seems to have hit a fire hydrant while trying to get out of the way. The front is wrapped around the hydrant and inside I see that all airbags went off.

That's probably enough to attract so many bystanders. On top of that, the second car probably broke the hydrant. Water is flowing out of several holes in it, flooding the street.

“Fire services will take some time to get here. There's a traffic jam on the way.” The owner of the first car says and I notice the rather unhappy-looking woman sitting on the pavement.

In the distance I see the lights of a police car approaching. They won't be able to do anything about the water though.

I bite my lip as an idea comes up in my head. Freezing it would stop the flow, right? There are a few smaller shops around. I know some of the owners. Most of them don't have insurance for a case like that so if their shops get flooded, that would ruin their business.

Slowly, I step back. Once I make it out of the crowd I stop and take in my surroundings. I can't just walk over there and freeze everything. Everyone would see me. What do I do?

A dumpster in a small alley catches my eye. Seriously? This is so cliché I want to throw up. Before I can think about it, I start running over to it. No one seems to notice as I rush into the alley and slide behind the dumpster.

Okay, I can do this. I'm not a hero. I just want to help out. I won't start catching robbers and purse-stealing junkies. Nope.

I lean back against the dumpster and grimace at the smell that reaches my nose. Of course I choose the alley behind a fish restaurant. I think I might really end up throwing up right here.

After reaching up to hold my nose, I shut my eyes and try to concentrate on that dumb costume from this morning. The frozen water bottle pops up in my head, the broken tab, the lack of that uncomfortable heat.

Then, suddenly, an electric shock goes through my body and I drop my hand in shock. It's the same as this morning when I managed to change back. When I look down I see the blue sweater and idiotic pants.

“It worked.” I cheer quietly but my happiness doesn't last long when that fishy smell comes back. “Oh, shit.”

I decide to leave my bag there. Who would check behind a dumpster anyway?

Alright, I can do this. I just have to go over there, freeze the water to stop the flow and run off again. Perfect.

I carefully rise to my feet and take a deep breath before exiting the alley. No one really pays attention to me as I walk closer. What if someone recognises me? Shit, that would be so embarrassing.

I quickly reach behind myself and pull the hood over my head while I force myself to keep walking. When I reach the crowd I push my way through. It's not like anyone pays attention to me. First I stop in front of the scene to watch. The police arrived. They are talking to the owner of the first car. The man seems to be rather angry as he throws his arms into the air.

My gaze moves over to the second car. I finally spot the driver. He's sitting behind the wreck on a bench, his feet in the water. He doesn't seem to care though as he his holding his head in his hands. I feel pity for him. I bet that other asshole is going to sue him.

That's when I finally decide to move again. It feels like time starts to slow down when the bystanders notice me. Their voices drop to whispers and murmurs. Some think that I'm some kind of wannabe, which is the truth. Others say I might be a new hero. The one to take Visionary's place. Yeah, that's not gonna happen.

My bare feet reach the water but I still keep going. I dare to glance over to the police. The man watches me closely but otherwise doesn't react. He's probably waiting for me to do something before he arrests me.

I force myself to look forward again and when I reach the hydrant, I stop and look down at my gloves hands before placing both on top of it. Almost immediately, the water pouring out of it freezes. It's like a shock goes through the water on the street and within seconds, everything is frozen.

I pull back and look down at myself. I might have to think before I act next time. My feet are frozen too. A groan escapes me. I don't expect it to give way but when I try to move my legs, the ice gives way so my feet can slide out. That's something I can work with.

When I turn around, I notice that the crowd is silent and everyone is staring at me, including the police officer and the angry car owner. I might as well use this to my advantage.

I try to come over as confident as I step over to the driver. The police officer takes a step back when he realises what I'm doing and one of his hands moves to the holster on his belt. I ignore it and stop a few metres away from the man.

“I get that you're pissed.” I tell him and glance over to his barely damaged car. “But if you even think about suing this poor guy, I'll freeze your car next time.” I point towards the man sitting on the bench and smile sweetly.

The man looks into the direction I'm pointing before nodding slowly. “Uh, sure. Sorry.”

“Don't worry. I bet you have enough money to help him out, huh? Why don't you do that?” I suggest and pat his shoulder before turning away.

I smile, proud at myself. I doubt that he'll actually pay the other guy's damage but I'm pretty sure that he doesn't want his precious car to end up as an ice cube. No idea how that would even work. I mean, it's not made of water. Well, he just needs to think that I'm capable of doing so.

The crowd parts when I approach it and everyone stares at me as I walk past them. Okay, that was awesome, to be honest. Now, how do I find a place to change back without anyone noticing? I don't dare to look behind me but I bet they are still staring at me.

Come on, think. How do I get out of this.

Wait, I'm near Regent's park. I bet it's not too crowded there and there's plenty of trees so I might be able to hide behind one of those.

I pick up my pace and start sprinting into the direction of it. Everyone I pass stops to stare at me. I can't blame them. I look ridiculous.

When I reach the park I smile when I notice that it is indeed mostly empty. I slow down and walk along the path. Trees are lining it and after strolling around for a few minutes I quickly jump behind one of them. I wait for a few minutes to make sure that nobody is following me before I try to concentrate on changing back. It works almost immediately and I let myself sink down into the grass and sigh in relief.

I really did it. This is awesome!

I have superpowers! It's totally crazy and I don't get it but it's true!

A giggle escapes me and I slowly turn my head to check the path. It's empty so I quickly get up again and leave my hiding spot.

Okay, this was fun but I won't do it again. I might have powers now but that doesn't mean that I have to play superhero like Visionary. It only got him killed in the end. That's not a fate I want for myself.

Now I just have to retrieve my bag. I hope it doesn't smell like fish. Gabriel should be gone by now so it should be safe to walk back to Baker Street and take the Tube home.

I beam and start dancing back the way I came. No one looks at me. No one even notices me. I'm back to normal and it never felt better. No, I'm not normal any more. My biggest secret isn't being gay any more. Not that I ever kept it a secret.

I'm still Aven but I'm an improved version.

Fuck Gabriel and what he thinks of me. I don't need any help.

And I certainly don't need someone like him.