Page 16 of The Not So Super Hero
Amery giggled from her spot on Bailey’s bed.“Or because you have a crush.”
“I do not!”Bailey’s slightly red cheeks didn’t help his case.
“Come on, he’s attractive.I would do unspeakable things to him.”
“You would do unspeakable things to just about anyone, Amery.”Bailey got kicked for his comment.Grumbling, he finished his paper shortly after, submitted it to the online drop box, then shut his laptop and sat it on his bedside table.With a sigh, he leaned back onto his bed and said, “I’m just curious about him.”
“Curious about his dick, you mean.”Now it was Amery’s turn to be kicked.
“Seriously, he’s likely telepathic,” Bailey explained, having already told Amery about Zane knowing of his nickname.Thinking that the lazy bastard possibly had such a cool ability made Bailey very jealous.“With such a cool mutation, you would think he would be…”
“Saving the world?”Amery asked, turning her head back to face Bailey with a smile.She shook her head and turned back to watch TV.“Not everyone has such dreams, Bailey.Some people prefer the simple life, and if Zane is telepathic, then he probably knows how sought after his ability is and rather keeps it to himself.It’s understandable really.The strong are always sought after, even when they don’t want to be.”
Amery’s words rang true.Though mutants were not forced into jobs, it didn’t mean people didn’t bug them to where they felt forced.Some people felt obligated to be or do something simply because of their mutation.Perhaps Zane felt the same?His (possible) ability was phenomenal, and he knew it, which meant someone would want him to do something phenomenal, something he likely didn’t want to do, so he kept quiet and pretended to be totally normal.Bailey could understand that, could see where he was coming from, though that didn’t lessen his insatiable curiosity.
He wanted to know more about Zane…and, no; it wasn’t because he had a crush on him.That would be preposterous.He was going for Mutant Studies for a reason; it was because he was a naturally curious guy who enjoyed studying mutations.That was the only reason!
“Oh, by the way, are you going home for Thanksgiving break?”Amery asked.
“No, I don’t really have the money for it since I plan to head back for Christmas break.”
“Aw.You should totally ask Zane to hang out—”
Bailey jumped on Amery and tickled her until she promised not to bring it up again.After gasping for much needed air, Amery gave in, though she kicked Bailey away.
“At least make yourself a decent meal over break,” she said.
“A decent meal being an extra cheesy pizza, right?”
She rolled her eyes.What?Bailey was a simple man of simple needs!
Of course, Amery bringing up the idea of asking Zane to hang out over Thanksgiving break made Bailey a little curious how the man would answer.Ok, so Bailey figured he would say no, although he wasn’t sure if Zane had any plans either.Knowing his lazy ass, he probably didn’t.It was likely because he wanted no plans, yet Bailey still had the courage to tell himself to ask.It was nice to ask, even if the answer was already known, wasn’t it?
So with a nod to himself, Bailey decided to ask Zane if he wanted to go to the movies or something over break when he saw him next at work.However, when Zane showed up one Wednesday afternoon a little more than a week after Bailey offered him free coffee, Bailey felt Zane was not in the best of moods.He hadn’t been for a while, though he looked exceptionally bad that day.The bags under his eyes were so dark he resembled a raccoon.Somehow he had grown more pale, and he looked somewhere between tired and comatose.
“Are you ok?”Bailey asked, watching Zane sway to the left before shaking his head and forcing himself to stand up straight.
“Peachy,” Zane snapped, proceeding to request the usual.
Bailey didn’t listen and leaned over the counter to ask, “Are you sick?You don’t look so good.Maybe you should head over to the clinic.”
“No.”
But that really was what he should do.Zane resembled a teen who recently discovered energy drinks and vowed to destroy their enemies through any form of murderous online combat, thus having not slept in a week.Which was odd considering Zane was lazy and likely slept more than anyone, even on a college campus.
“Seriously, have you been sleeping?”Bailey inquired softly.
Without hesitation, Zane slammed his fist against the counter and leaned in to growl in Bailey’s face, “If you aren’t getting me my coffee, I am leaving.”
There really was a brief moment where Bailey had the childish urge to stick his tongue out or grab Zane’s nose ring and yank, but his inner adult told him to be a professional.
Spinning on his heel, Bailey did his job and gave Zane the very much needed caffeine.Unlike other days, though, Zane didn’t immediately depart.He took a seat in a booth to enjoy his beverage.Bailey kept a mildly concerned eye on him, watching Zane lean forward until he buried his head in his arms.Within a half hour, he was unconscious.
Funny how clear it was that he hadn’t been sleeping, yet he passed out in a noisy space in a likely uncomfortable position.What could bug someone who never seemed to be bothered for over 5 minutes, let alone long enough to cause a lack of sleep?Bailey walked over to check on him by leaning down to hear Zane’s soft breathing.When he was asleep, and not being rude, he really wasn’t half bad looking.
Shaking his head, Bailey took Zane’s empty cup to throw away, then returned to work.When Darcie and Martin asked about Zane, Bailey insisted on letting the man sleep.Zane rested for over two hours.Bailey wasn’t sure if he was meant to let him continue sleeping or if he should wake him and ask him to go home.He would probably sleep better in his own bed.However, before Bailey came up with a response, Zane suddenly shot up like something startled him.
A few people whispered, then watched Zane whip his head back and forth in a rabid search for something.Though he calmed after a deep breath, then leaned forward to bury his face in his hand.Unlike earlier, he breathed heavily, back shaking as he removed his headphones and beanie.He ran his fingers furiously through his hair prior to Bailey appearing with another coffee.He sat the beverage on the table, successfully stopping Zane from assaulting his own skull.
