I Need A Hero (Editing)

Swift

"SWIFTY!" I stepped outside the shop holding my bag of newly purchased clothes. Looking down the street further in the city I could see the crowd drawn in to the building that was engulfed in flames. My nerves grew when I saw the masked hero zipping in and out of the building with civilians. Finally he slowed down as he appeared with a child as an explosion happened. He covered the child getting them out of harms way. The top of the building gave way caving in. Swifty put the boy down with his father before giving him a smile and running off leaving a blue blur.

I couldn't help but smile seeing him save the day once again. I may hate him at the moment for our current fight but I worry every single time. I walked back to my car that was parked on the side of the street like as the fire fighter continued to put the fire out. Most people don't feel like that about a random her because, well...he's no stranger to me. He's my brother.

As annoying as he is.. I love him, because he is my brother, but...for the past few years, his painfully bright light has put me in the shadows. My father hardly notices me anymore, and my mom left when I was five. I have one best friend, and her name is Emily. Even with her, it's hard to escape the shadow of my big brother. That's because she is totally in love with Swifty. Can't blame her, he's still a pretty good guy.

Honestly as of the last few years not being in focus of my fathers attention I get to do a lot of pretty awesome things. I maintain my perfect grades and volunteer while partying and holding the highest number of wins for poker games in the parking lot. When It's not that it's usually work at the community centre with the six and seven year olds. See, I'm trying to get into the University in Hawthorn, a city far from Silver City giving me a break from anything hero related. Also its Early Childhood Education program is one of the top in the country. The plan so far is to double major in English and ECE, with a minor in Psychology.

Since Nate got his powers though it's made me think about kids like him. Supers. Some kids can't possibly know how to navigate their powers. It took us a little to long to figure out why he was getting head aches and passing out after he got his powers, he wasn't eating enough. Now he eats more than what a whole NFL football team would eat in only one sitting. Using his speed to eat it he could do it in a couple seconds. All I know is I want to make a change with supers even if I'm not a super myself.

It was a kind of long drive to my house, but years ago my family had to move out to a twenty -acre spread out in the boonies so we could keep Swifty a secret. I parked my car in the dirt driveway and got out only to see Nate standing there in his normal clothes. Just a t-shirt and jeans. He sported his I-just-saved-people smile. Again I rolled my eyes.

"I noticed you were there today," he said. I grabbed my shopping bags from the back seat and started making my way inside Nate following. "Would have come by but we can't expose me now."

"Yeah, well you can help now,"

"What's up with you?" he asked taking a bag as we walked into the kitchen.

"I'm just tired, sore, cramping, normal." I turned to him. "Doesn't help I've had a hard week and your superhero-ness seems to just follow me everywhere. A girl can only handle so much of Swifty." He nodded his head and walked to the freezer pulling out my mint chip ice cream. He smiled as he slid it across the island making me smile as I flipped him off. He grabbed a the orange juice from the fridge preparing himself a drink.

Being normal sucks when you're surrounded by magnificent and powerful people. People who can make the mark you know you can't. With preparations for superhero day in prep my brothers masked face seemed to be everywhere. Still annoyed with him he ate my special delivery Turkish Delight from Turkey. Enough boxes to last me six months lasted six second around my brother. "I've gotta go,"

Having to catch up on homework since I've spent a lot of time at the centre to stay away from home and spending time with Emily to make up for my hiding time can make anyone annoyed. All I need is have someone else eat my food, listen to knuckle head at school, or stub my toe. Any one of those and a melt down was surely on it's way.

Homework took another couple hours but I still had some time before the evening turned into night. I texted Emily seeing if she was free only to get a text a moment in all caps MEET AT ACE'S A local club that a guy started about ten year back because he never had much to do with his friends. So it's a club, for teens. Photo Booths, Photo walls, Loud music, virgin drinks, and even fun things to do during the day when the floors turn into video games, Pool, and skate park right behind. Best place to be for a teen honestly and some spend most of their days there. Inspirational as well.

Walking into my closet I looked through my clothes. Mostly thrifted, some new pieces. I settled on a light green crop top made of soft satin and had a cowel neck line with spaghetti straps. I grabbed my denim skit that stop mid thigh. Looking to the other side of my closet I grabbed my chunky heeled ankle boots. Oddly comfortable but I always keep some ballet flats in my bag. I grabbed my bag the crossed my body and sat at my hip filling it with what I needed before unclipping my hair and shaking it out into it's natural wavy sate. Past my shoulder blades it was getting harder to take care of so the thought of chopping it off soon came to mind.

I left without a word as my father didn't much care and my brother was most likely off in his hideout room keeping listen for the city in need as he worked on school. I drove off back to the city until I found the club and back down the street. I walked up to the crowed finding Emily quickly with her bouncy black curls and big wide smile. "Thank god you're showing off the girls." She didn't hesitate to push my boobs up before stepping back. "What do ya think?" She twirled around.

"Drop dead beautiful." She wore a skin-tight gold dress with black four inch heels. See, Emily is literally a tiny dancer, straight out of the old Elton John song. She could pull off any outfit and look like a bazillion bucks. Like--no joke--even the sexy clown costume from last Halloween. While she freaked me and some others completely out, she looked really good. I, on the other hand, was dressed as me. I spend enough time around costumes and masks already, so let's just say that Halloween felt like the rest of my life. Though I did throw on a witch hat. I do have some Halloween spirit left.

"Thanks, babe." She grabbed my wrist and pulled me to the door. The guy let us right in knowing us well. Emily's brother's, girlfriend's older brother or someone like that owns the club giving us quick access. Zachary is close to many people so we're only a few of a rather large hand full that get the quick pass. When we got further in I could hear one of my favourite songs making me already move to the beat as she moved deeper into the dance floor.

A dance floor full of teens like it was another high school dance only the clubs open six days a week. Everyone here was here for their own reasons and mine was an escape. Moving to the beat, dancing with my best friend, and being just another teen. I can lose myself with the crowed and the music so loud I could feel the beat in my feet. No hero's, no parents, no pressure.