After my meeting with Professor Blake, I kept thinking more and more about Tempest. I craved the knowledge he had and wondered if her time here was finite.

Can I really pull off being a superhero? I’m not sure what led me to the thought. I guess the idea has been building up in the back of my mind—right between the news and my Good Samaritan efforts.

I started to head back to my apartment, but halfway through changed course.

I’ll never know unless I try. I mean, really try. I passed my reflection in Le Café’s window. For that brief second, I didn’t just see me. I saw Tempest too.

We were one and the same.

I smiled.

Maybe it’s time for a change.

*****

Artsy was packed today. It seemed like everyone except Des was here, buying out the crafts store. I was doing my part too. Heck, I was nearly choked out for trying to grab a shopping basket.

I waited in this ridiculously long line! I swear it went to the back of the store. This is seriously testing my patience. I thought as the next customer to leave only moved me up half a step.

I sighed. Remember, Penn, this is worth it.

“Getting ready for Halloween so soon?” I heard Jack’s laughter come from my right.

I smirked. “You can never start too early.”

“Seriously though, what are you planning to do with all that stuff?” he looked at my basket.

I stared down at it, looking at the liquid latex, head form, foam, spirit gum, and various paints and cutters. “Oh, I can’t say. It’s top secret.” I teased, remembering the way he brought up his latest experiment. “The government might come out of the walls and arrest me if I tell you.”

He gave me puppy eyes as he tried to hide his smile—come to think of it, Jack was almost always smiling. “Aww! Come on, Penn. You know it will drive me crazy for weeks!” he mocked me.

We laughed, remembering that day from weeks ago.

“What are you doing at Artsy?” I asked him, conveniently avoiding his question. “Don’t tell me you’re finally going to start finger-painting. I was wondering when they’d advance you to first grade.”

Jack rolled his caramel eyes. “I’m picking some stuff up for Gavin. I guess him and Jojo are doing some type of poster.”

“Ooh, I should go visit Gavin. It always feels like I never get to see him even though he’s down the hall.”

Jack looked down for a second as if he was trying to hide his smile. “Please, feel free to come by anytime.”

For some reason, that made me look at my own feet. The way he spoke… it was so gentle, sincere. And he has yet to call me Penelope! Thank you, Felicia!

“Oh,” he started up again, following me up the line. “I’ve been meaning to ask how you’ve been feeling.”

I looked at him, confused. “Why?”

He gave me this duh-stare. “You’ve been missing classes, remember? Des said you were sick.”

“Oh, right! Yeah, I’m totally fine now. No big deal. Just a cold.”

Jack stared at me, uncertain. “Well, if you say so.” He paused before saying, “It was kind of weird not having you around… in class, I mean.”

I actually laughed at that, but not a normal chuckle. It was more obnoxious than I meant for it to be. “Ha! You needed your daily dose of Penn.” I grinned.

His gaze was impenetrable. “Something like that.”

We stood silent as the moment passed us. But for some reason, I couldn’t let it go.

“What do you mean by that?” I inquired, feeling a sense of importance coming over me.

He shrugged, looking down the line.

“Jack…”

“So how was your date with lover-boy?” he teased, but something about it sounded odd. Jack’s face showed the same silly grin, but his voice said differently.

“I’ll have you know that my date with Colin was amazing!” I stuck my tongue out at him as I avoided mentioning how the end of the night went. “We had some drinks and just talked for hours. He even walked me home. Colin is such a gentleman.” I thought about the way Colin looked early and did my best to keep myself from frowning. “It was super fun. We’ll probably do it again sometime.” I lied.

“That’s… good. I’m happy for you.” Jack stared me down head-to-toe.

What could you be thinking?

After the lengthiest awkward pause ever experienced by humankind, he said, “I met your cousin.”

“What?”

“Felicia. I met her.” he glanced at me again, smirking.

“Oh,” I looked in front of me, watching my line move again. For some reason, I felt like blushing as I remembered that moment. “Yeah, she told me. You guys had a talk?”

He nodded. “Don’t worry, I won’t call you Penelope again.” He paused, taking the slightest step forward. “I’m sorry, Penn. I didn’t know…”

I gave him a hard smile but found that I couldn’t quite look at him. “How could you have? It’s alright, Jack. Don’t worry about it. Let’s just… not bring it up, ok?”

“Alright,” he agreed. “So, about Felicia…”

My gaze quickly shifted back to Jack, eyebrow raised. “What about her?” I asked—a dangerous tone in place.

“So… like what’s her situation?”

“Situation? I don’t under—” I made an “O” face as I realized what he was asking me.

“Is she seeing anyone or… what?” Jack could barely look at me.

My face instantly heated up, but I wasn’t sure if I was embarrassed or if I was completely pissed.

“Are you serious, right now?” I leered.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” he asked, befuddled. “She seems like a great person. I just want to talk to her some more is all.”

He wants to TALK to Felicia!? Jack is asking me to hook him up with… me!? You have got to be kidding me! What kind of crap is this!? He’s so… so…

“You are such a jackass!” I screamed.

As soon as I did it, I instantly covered my mouth. I looked around, watching nearly every head turn in my direction. Oh, shit… what have I done?

I was consumed with insta-regret as I stared back at Jack. He looked confused and hurt. It seemed like he wanted to turn away, but something was stopping him. “What the hell is your problem, Penn? I just wanted to talk to her. What are you having a spaz attack for?”

I didn’t know what to say to him. How do I explain that the girl he wants to ‘talk’ to is really me in disguise?

“I see…” he started slowly, his brow creasing in frustration. “So… it’s ok for you to go on and on about Colin Powers, but the second I want to talk about someone it’s a complete system shut down, huh?”

“That’s not the same!” I tried to defend myself.

In the first place, you brought that up!

“Isn’t it?” he scoffed. “Whatever, Penn. It’s not like I need your approval. I’ll talk to whoever I want—including your cousin.” He took one step away before he stopped and turned his head ever so slightly. “Glad you’re feeling well, Benson.”

“Jack…” I called, but he didn’t look back.

I sighed like I was Atlas holding the world on my shoulders. Now I’m the jackass…

I’ve never seen him so angry before. The part of me that felt bad wanted to chase after him and apologize… profusely, but the part of me using logic kept me from doing it. What could I have said to explain myself? Jack may be a scientist, but even he’d have trouble believing my story.

“Miss, you’re next.” The cashier called me, forcing me to look at the huge gap between me and the older gent who caught my attention.

“Yeah…” I mumbled, going to the register, and cashing out.

*****

I tried not to think about what an ass I was at Artsy as I took out the stuff I brought home. I needed to concentrate. If I was going to be a superhero, then I needed to wear a mask.

I mean, technically, I don’t need a mask—considering I change form and all, but what kind of hero would I be if I didn’t wear one? That was the real question. If people are going to call me a vigilante, I should at least, look the part. And I would be lying if I said I wasn't excited about it. 

After perfecting the design for the mask, I traced it onto the foam and cut it out. With YouTube being my greatest asset at the moment, I followed the directions of the special effects video, but for some reason, I just couldn’t quite get it right.

“Oh, come on!” I yelled at my supplies. “Why can’t I get this?”

“Petite?” Des called. She must have just come home from the library. “Is everything alright?”

“No.” I pouted. “I can’t get this right!”

She came over; laughing at me a bit when she saw me surrounded by art supplies. “What are you doing?”

“I’m trying to make a mask.” I replied, being careful not to reveal too much information. “I wanted to dress up for the next Comic Con in a few months, but I can’t get the mask right.”

“Let me see.” She smiled, clicking on the video to watch it. Once she finished, she nodded her head as if the whole thing was as simple as blinking. “I think I got it.” Des told me as she began the process. Her hand was steadier than mine, and she did everything with a perfection that made me want to jump for joy. “There we are. Now it just dries, yes?”

I felt almost teary-eyed as I jumped on Des, squeezing her tightly. “Oh my gosh! You are the QUEEN of the fashion world. I bow to you, oh great one!”

She laughed as she hugged me back. “You are very welcome, cherie.”