Hoping for Heroes

Chapter 29

The next day, Harley's making weekend plans with Lydia at her locker. 

"Got room for one more?" A voice chimes in, leaning against the locker next to Harley. Her gaze shifts to the new boy, finding it to be Aiden, one of the twins. Her jaw drops in disbelief and she looks quickly back to Lydia, who's rolling her eyes. 

"Right, this seems like a personal thing for you two, so," Harley tries to leave the conversation, but Aiden grabs her arm before she can go.

"That was actually aimed more for you," he smiles.

"He's already asked me about you," Lydia scoffs, "Maybe three times today? I told him you're way out of his league, but he can't seem to take a hint."

"What can I say? I'm determined."

"That's cute. I would've gone with annoying." As the two bicker, Harley looks across the hall to find Scott and Isaac both glaring in their direction. She realizes Aiden's hand is still around her arm, so she quickly shakes him off and closes her locker, waving goodbye to Lydia and walking away. Aiden, however, follows her.

"So, how about this weekend?" He asks, throwing his arm over her shoulder. She grabs his hand and removes his arm.

"Sorry," she sighs mockingly. "I don't date murderers." She swiftly turns and shoves her way into a group of students, causing him to lose track of her.

Harley's at her locker again later that day when Scott comes running, grabbing her arm and dragging her along. They stop short at the janitor's closet, where the vending machine has been pushed up against it. Scott wrenches the door open and throws Isaac out the door, who lands at Harley's feet. His eyes are glowing gold and his fangs protruding. Harley pushes behind them and goes to Allison, who is holding her bleeding wrist. She brings her back out of the doorway just as Scott screams Isaac's name, effectively calming him down. Harley looks between the boys, bemused. She doesn't understand how Scott completed that action, a beta versus beta. 

She steps aside and lets Scott deal with Allison as she kneels beside Isaac. He's holding his head in his hands, shaking.

"I'm sorry," he says, "I didn't-I didn't mean to do that."

"I'm okay," Allison reassures.

"I'm so sorry." Harley digs through her backpack to find bandages for Allison. Allison smiles softly at Harley as she wraps her wrist, but soon turns her attention to a glaring Scott.

"It's not his fault," Allison hisses at Scott.

"I know," Scott says. "I guess now we know they want to do more than get you angry. They want to get someone hurt." After finishing wrapping, Harley goes back to Isaac and helps him to his feet.

"I didn't mean to hurt her," he whimpers.

"I know," Harley whispers back. He looks at her for a moment before turning to Scott. 

"So are we gonna do something?"

"Yeah," Scott confirms. "I'm gonna get them angry. Really angry. I just don't know how."

"Oh," Harley realizes. "Oh, I have an idea."

Later that day, Isaac and Harley are outside as Harley picks at Aiden's motorcycle with Isaac standing guard. 

"This is kind of funny, you know," Isaac says after a while of silence.

"Hmm?" Harley asks, pin still stuck between her teeth.

"You, messing with a motorcycle."

"Why?"

"Cause your name is Harley."