Nighthawk: A Superhero Story (closed for Siobhancan99)

[siobhancan99]

"oh that's a year program right? Honestly sometimes I wish I'd done trade school. Be making money instead of spending it. Job can't be offshored or done by machine. A lot of the people Zoe and I went to school with are learning a real trade right now, we're from a rural town." She gestured at the little blond "I'm in Electrical Engineering, but I'm considering adding a year to double major in materials science" She leaned against the counter "How do you know Ian and Eve? from the band or just around?" she gestured "I dated Ian's brother. So he's also from our tiny little podunk piece of the world." She looked at the girl's tattoos, envious. She couldn't take the risk with something like that, if her armor tore and exposed a tattoo she could be found.

 

[Halcyon638]

Annabel nodded. “Yeah, it’s pretty cool. Our football team sucks, though,” she said with an endearing little grin. “I like it. I mean, yeah, there’s the job thing, but it’s nice helping people feel better about themselves.”

When Monica mentioned her degree, the girl said, “Wow. That must be hard.” Flushing, Annabel looked down at her drink and said, “God, could I have sounded any dumber just now?” She was smiling while she spoke but there was a hint of real embarrassment to her tone.

“Monica—towel?” Hadley said rushing in. After handing the theatre major a dish towel, she watched as Hadley bolted across the room to where someone had spilled a beer in front of the tv but fortunately, just on the hardwood. “Thank you!”

Annabel watched and took another sip. “Mmm. So, I’ve actually only known Eve about a month now. I was looking for a roommate and her lease was up, so, yeah. She lets me mess around with her hair and because she’s doing the whole rockstar thing, it doesn’t matter how bad I screw it up.”

“Rockstar. Yeah,” Eve said doubtfully, striding past with her hand in Ian’s, patting the full-figured blonde on the shoulder as she passed.

"Ian seems nice," Annabel observed.

 

[siobhancan99]

"What? with all those big manly guys in cosmetology? I find it hard to believe you aren't fucking dominating." She laughed and took a swig of her beer. "Please don't run yourself down. We don't do that in this house. Women stand up for women, including themselves. You're learning a trade that will always be with you, acquiring very little debt, and if you're good at it, well. Fuck. I spend a ton on my fucking hair so. I imagine the earnings can be pretty nice. You eventually can be your own boss.If you like it, and you are good at it, then be proud of it." She nodded and sipped at her beer then said quietly "Ian's really changed since his brother died. Which, I'm guessing you don't really know about but since I mentioned dating Tom I didn't want you to bring it up later then feel awkward."

She called out into the other room "careful with my TV" but wasn't overly concerned. She knew Hads would keep everyone in line. She had food out, stuff to play drinking games. She set out red solo cups and called out "anyone for beer pong?" then looked over to Annabel "Eve seems really nice. I'm glad you two are getting along. Have you been out to see the band?" She hmmmed "are you 21?"

 

[Halcyon638]

Annabel smiled appreciatively and took another sip. “Thanks. Eve said you all were pretty cool here.” Her eyes flitted to Monica’s hair when the topic arose.

Cristina and Zoe sat on the couch, the latter laughing as Cristina acted out some story about a crazy incident that had happened when she was volunteering at a local school.

When Monica mentioned Tom's death, a sympathetic expression crossed her face, but she didn't ask any follow-up questions. Hadley was pulling up some sci-fi B movie on YouTube, and soon the screen was filled with images of hokey alien costumes, cheesy light effects, and a woman in a space bikini.

A number of the guests made their way over to the table for beer pong. Cristina's brother, Berto, approached. "Oh, hell yes. Gotta redeem myself for that Dance Dance Revolution disgrace. You're on."

Annabel walked toward the table as they discussed Eve's band. "Yeah, I've seen them twice now. A lot of fun, and she kicks all kinds of ass. You been to one lately? I'm pretty sure I would have remembered you."

The cosmetology student put on her best innocent naif expression. "I will be in 2 months..." She curled the rum and Coke against her chest protectively as if Monica might seize it.

 

[siobhancan99]

"Well then that makes you probably the oldest person in the house." She laughs "SO don't worry about your drink. I just was asking because it's hard to go see them while I don't have ID. I'm just 20." She smiled at the way Annabel expressed a little interest. "I'm sure I would have remembered you too."

As Berto made his way into the kitchen she snorted "Berto, I'm gonna spank you so hard you'll call me Papi from here out." She laughed and set up the triangles of cups, glad she had an actual table to play on. She poured a little beer into the bottom of each cup, using maybe two bottles for each side of six. She grinned over at him "tell you what, you win and I'll consider you fully redeemed. I win, and you must admit that through Monica, all things are possible." She winked at him, then looked over at Annabel a moment. She was cute, but Monica had to remind herself that relationships were a disaster and she was just looking for a bit of fun at the moment. What was nice was with her being Eve's room mate, she didn't have to push that fun tonight. She could just flirt and hang out a little.

 

[Halcyon638]

Annabel snickered. “Great. Now I have to be the mature one.” She made her way over to the tables with Monica.

The rugged Latino grinned as the others laughed at Monica’s trash talk. “First of all, new kink unlocked. Secondly…call me an empty beer bottle, because I am headed for redemption.”

“I’ve just decided I’m no longer related to him,” Cristina said, rolling her eyes and laughing. She draped an arm around Zoe’s waist as they huddled up near the table.

“Alright, let’s get serious. Teams? I’ll even let you pick first,” Berto said to Monica, getting into a mock action pose behind one side of the table. Eve, Cristina, Zoe, Porter, Annabel, Caleb, and Hadley were among the competitors. Ian was off to the side, nursing the canned water he’d brought.

“Ian?” Cristina asked.

“I’ll be refereeing,” he responded.

 

[siobhancan99]

Monica smiled at that, as it meant Ian was serious about not getting wasted. "I'll take the new girl." She gestured at Annabel. "Blond solidarity." Since they were the only two. She leaned against the counter, waiting for Berto to take his partner. "I'll let you throw first, since I got to pick."

 

[Halcyon638]

Annabel flashed a pleased smile at Monica then made her way over to the table. “Just so you know: I get stupid competitive about the dumbest things. I’ve been uninvited to game nights before.”

“You’ll fit right in,” Berto assured her. “Alright, who’s with me?”

“Porter!” Hadley said, grabbing the newly muscular arm of the sophomore and giving it a tug.

“Porter. Come on, man,” Berto said. “You’re my only hope.”

“I can’t say no to that.” Porter made his way over. “You can go first.”

Berto nodded, then tossed the ball back and forth between hands as Monica and Annabel got into position on the other side of the table. “Here it comes. Wait for it.”

He made his first attempt. The ball landed cleanly in one of the cups, drawing assorted cheers or boos. “I hope you ladies are thirsty.”

Annabel picked up the cup, produced the dripping ping pong ball, then tossed down the alcohol in one motion. “Mmm. Refreshing.”

 

[siobhancan99]

Monica gestured to the girl "you've got the ball. it's on you." She figured she could come in after, plus she wanted the girl to feel sort of at home in case she'd be coming around more. "Show us what you've got Annabel. Don't let these chumps knock us out of the game early."

 

[Halcyon638]

“Chumps? Porter, man, you going to let her talk about us that way?” Berto said.

“Uh…probably?”

Annabel's blue eyes focused in. As soon as she released it, she shook her fist in disappointment, realizing it was going to bounce off to the right. “Damn it,” she said with a good-natured grin and laugh.

“Alright, P-Man. Put another nail in that coffin.” Porter held the tiny ball in his meaty right-hand and let it fly with surprising touch. It landed in another one of the cups, mostly to cheers for the usually reserved Prospect City native.

“My boy’s a killer!” Berto enthused, patting him on the back, while Annabel made a mock-pained expression.

“Damn, man,” Ian said.

 

[siobhancan99]

Downing the beer she shrugged "just clearing out the easy cups really. it's fine." she winks over at Annabel "Let them think they've got us." Though maybe they did. "Porter you don't have to actually let people talk shit on you." Another year, another attempt to build up Porter's self esteem. She eyed the table then tossed, looking to get into the lead cup of the pyramid, leaving the easier cups for her partner.

 

[Halcyon638]

“You should hear this guy playing Magic: The Gathering,” Hadley said, patting Porter’s shoulder. “It’s all shit talk all the time from him.”

“I mean, if you have a graveyard deck like I do…” Porter responded.

Annabel nodded. “You got this,” she said as Monica prepared for the toss, most of her friends cheering her on.

She threw the ball in what looked like almost a perfect arc, and it landed softly into the lead cup. “Yes!” Annabel said, pumping her first.

“Alright, alright,” Berto said. “That was good form. I’ll give you that.” He picked up the beer, drank it down, and then lobbed the ball.

It bounced off one cup, nearly toppling into before plopping into another. “Yes!”

“Booo,” Cristina called out, playfully swatting his shoulder.

Annabel took the beer and drank it down. “Okay. Shit’s getting real.”

Annabel leaned over, lining up her throw. With a quick flick, she tossed it into the cup, pumping her fist again and turning toward Monica as Porter prepared to drink.

 

[siobhancan99]

"I know you two are speaking English and all but its Greek to me" she winked at Hads and Porter. Of course she had a basic understanding of the game from Porter and Austin's obsession, but that was limited to "you put cards down and talk shit" and not really how it worked. She was more into DnD nerdery. She contemplated maybe giving that a shot again but it was so... wrapped up in Gabi and her complicated feelings there. She shook her head letting herself get back into the moment with the game. "real" was they were losing three to two and it was Porter's ball. Monica was nothing if not competitive. Warrior ethos. Pong ethos. All were one. She turned her attention to Annabel "good job. Just needed to get a beer in you, get over that nervousness." She winked "we will make up the cups. don't you worry."

 

[Halcyon638]

Porter grinned and drank, then prepped his shot. Annabel nodded. “Truth. Totally my plan all along.”

Porter’s hot steak continued, as did Monica’s steady precision. Berto overshot one, and before long, the girls were riding the comeback Monica had predicted.

Down to 1 cup a piece, Berto was preparing for another attempt. “I just want you to know: there’s no shame in second place.”

“Is that what you’re going to be telling yourself crying in the shower later?” Annabel said with a smirk.

Berto laughed and took another shot. It looked on target, but was a little low, grazing the rim, then bouncing back.

 

[siobhancan99]

Monica laughed and referenced a classic comedy from the 80s, Happy Gilmore "the ball just wants to go to its home. Just tap it in. Taaaap it in." She laughed and bumped Annabel playfully, then stepped back and let her take her shot. "No pressure. just our pride on the line here." She grinned at the other blond, hoping she made it because she was competitive as fuck.

 

[Halcyon638]

Annabel snickered. “I mean, I can’t let your perfect streak go to waste.” With one fluid motion, she swept back a thick wave of her golden hair and lined up another toss. For a moment, her curvy hip pressed into Monica’s.

“Go, Anna!” Eve cheered, with Ian clapping at her side.

“Hey, I thought refs were supposed to be unbiased,” Berto said, chomping on a potato chip.

The cosmetology student threw the ball.

It struck the inner rim of the cup and rattled about for a second before plopping into the now warm liquid. Annabel let out a whoop of excitement, and beaming, turned to Monica.

Berto pulled the ball out of the beer, shaking his head and smiling.

 

[siobhancan99]

Monica grinned "Through Monica all things are possible. Say it" she laughed and wrapped an arm around Annabel's waist for a moment "Good job partner." she looked down at her with a grin "couldn't have asked for a better one" before letting her go and letting the next two teams take their place at the table. She moved around to the side, leaning against the counter, contemplating a pizza. "so is there a lot of beer pong at your school?" She looked over into the other room then back to Annabel. "We should throw some music on since nobody's watching the movie really."

 

[Halcyon638]

Annabel laughed. “I think you’re making me a believer.” Her eyes glanced down at Monica’s arm, and the corners of her lips curled up. “Thanks! You were on fire. You probably know all the like, science and angles and math. ‘Calculate trajectories,’ that sort of thing.”

Caleb and one of Monica’s new neighbors were lining up along the table next, preparing to match up with Zoe and Cristina, while Hadley snapped photos.

Annabel crunched down on a few chips as Eve made her way over. “Not so much. Those skills were pretty much all from my one year at State.” Eyeing the TV, she added, “Aww, just when it’s getting really good.” On screen, a low-budget, spark-heavy spaceship battle was going on, and the actors were doing their best to sell the material flopping around the ship’s dingy bridge.

“Way to go, Monica,” Eve said, grabbing a Dr. Pepper. “I just gotta steal Annabel for a minute.”

“Be right back,” Annabel said.

Zoe and Cristina seemed to be enjoying themselves, and the chemistry was evident between them. Between tosses, Monica spotted their hands meeting under the table and frequent flirtatious glances.

“Sounds gooood,” Annabel called to Eve as the singer made her way back to where Ian and Porter were shooting the shit. The beautiful blonde drifted back toward where Monica was scrolling through playlists. “You gonna find me a beat?”

 

[siobhancan99]

Monica threw on some Bebe Rexha, and started moving to the music. When Annabel came back out she grinned "I got your beat, girl" Then danced over towards her, without dancing with her. She wasn't sure about this, because she wasn't sure about hooking up with a room mate of a friend just as a one time thing and she wasn't ready for more, but ... she was also young and had a few beers in her. Annabel was pretty and the music was rights, she fucking danced. She danced and she smiled and for a moment, brief and shining, she didn't think about Gabi or feel like a failure. It was like the moments she was punching someone, without having to punch someone, and she reveled in it. In being young and alive and having nothing to do the next day except be young and alive.

 

[Halcyon638]

“Nice,” Annabel said, beginning to bob her head. as Monica turned up the music. The cosmetology student bounced blissfully to the song, staying a couple of arms lengths from Monica but occasionally stealing glances.

Ian and Berto made their way over, beginning to move to the beat, while half-focusing on the next round of beer pong unfolding.

After a little while, most of the partygoers had migrated over to the dance area, and before much longer, an impromptu round of karaoke sprang up.

Cristina and Zoe were dancing closely, the former showing off her dance moves, long legs, and new curves for the petite girl, who seemed to be loving every second of it.

Nearby, Ian and Eve swayed together as he mostly held the singer in his arms, looking as if they were lost in their own little world.

As the music went on, Zoe and Cristina made their way over to Monica. Both girls motioned for her to join them, grinning. “Get your butt over here!” Zoe called over the music. A little ways away, Annabel and Caleb were chatting and laughing about something, the blonde girl still intermittently making eye contact with Monica.

 

[siobhancan99]

Monica smiled, for a reason that didn't involve some sort of strange genetic predisposition for violence, for the first time in a while it felt. These weren't Gabi's friends. They were her friends too, and they were here in her house, enjoying her music and her food and her company and each other's. The house might not have been a success in terms of a life for her and Gabi, but it *was* shaping up to be a success. A place where they could gather without any hassle. Where she could use her money to create a place for everyone from these different groups to come together and hang out. She was building something, instead of tearing it all down. That felt amazing. It didn't erase the pain of losing Gabi, but for a minute she wasn't thinking about it. It was off to the side somewhere, a specter like Tom though not one that would drive her out into the night quite so often. Maybe drive her from bed to bed.

She made her way over to Zoe and Christina, smiling "hey you two!" she bumped zoe with a hip and turned to Christina, while draping an arm around Zoe's shoulders "I'm so glad you came! and Berto too! I'm hoping to have people every couple of weeks probably. Though maybe a potluck or something at some point?"

 

[Halcyon638]

“Totally—we should do a dinner party!” Zoe said as she gave Monica a little squeeze. “We can all bring something. Lots of wine, def.”

“We can talk about our summers on the Cape,” the Latina added with a smile, lightly grasping Zoe’s chin and giving her cheek a soft kiss. “I love that idea.”

“Hold still, guys,” Hadley said, holding up her camera and snapping a picture of the 3 of them before roaming off.

Cristina tugged on Monica’s hand as a new song started up. “This is so much fun. Thanks for inviting us.” She, Monica, and Zoe danced for a little bit, the vibe more friendly than sensual.

As a slower song started, Zoe and Cristina left Monica and found their own corner of the impromptu dance floor. Annabel was sitting up on the kitchen counter now, sipping from a bottle, taking in everything going on around her, a little gleam in her eyes when they met Monica’s.

 

[siobhancan99]

Monica hoisted herself up onto the counter, then cracked another beer. She leaned back, looking over at Annabel. "So, Miss beer pong champion. Did you have a good enough time we might be seeing you again, do you think?"

 

[Halcyon638]

Annabel held her bottle of hard iced tea up to clink against Monica’s bottle, her Cheshire Cat tattoo visible near the white rabbit. “I did. You college kids know how to throw a party, I’ll give you that. Much less drama than a beauty school party, too,” she said with an adorable smirk.

She laughed as Caleb, who despite his nerdy demeanor throughout school had never shown the slightest hint of self-consciousness, threw himself into a full-body freakout as he danced.

Monica smelled what seemed like hints of caramel body spray lingering in the air. “What about you, Miss Beer Pong Co-Champ? Are you enjoying yourself?”

 

[siobhancan99]

"you know I actually am" She knew she sounded a little surprised. She looked over at Annabel then looked out over her friends "All of these people I know, because my ex girlfriend made friends with them at the beginning of last year, and its dumb because I've been friends with them that whole time, but part of me was I dunno. Afraid they'd disappear now that she left." She sipped at her beer "So honestly like, in addition to having fun its been sort of reassuring." She shrugged and looked over at everyone dancing and carrying on "Its nice to feel like most things are still normal."