"Where did you go earlier?" Theo questioned when he entered her room.
Hera pretended to be asleep, hoping they wouldn't have to talk. She heard him mutter a confused, "okay?" under his breath before settling down on the new couch they had put in her room. Much better than sleeping on the floor, Theo had remarked.
Hera waited for Theo's breathing to even out before looking over at him. She gasped when she saw him staring straight at her. "What the fuck, Theo!" She threw a pillow at his head, her heart still racing.
"Ouch. You were ignoring me. And what if I slept with my eyes open, huh?" He frowned, rubbing his forehead sitting up.
"I was training, and then I went to bed. Happy?"
"Why are you in a mood?"
"I'm not in a mood. Don't act like you care. I know you're only doing your job, but I think I am getting a handle on this Evolved stuff, and I want to sleep in my room alone."
Theo was frowning, "It's not safe..."
Hera cut him off. "I feel stronger and more in control every day. You haven't had to help me in days now, besides with Fern, and that's different." Hera paused to breathe, and Theo cut in again.
"Okay, what the hell is going on with you, Hera? What did I do?"
She shook her head. "Listen, lines are blurring for me... I mean. I'm doing this for you, okay? You deserve to live your own life. Everyone thinks it's stupid that you need to babysit me all the time, and so do I. So just go!"
Theo leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. "Done?"
Hera rolled her eyes before falling back onto her pillow and staring at the white ceiling. "Yes."
"Come with me somewhere tonight. Karaoke."
Hera smirked. "Aren't you done with singing women for a lifetime by now?"
"Get dressed. I'll be outside." He walked out and closed the door behind him. Hera had no idea how the conversation turned the way it did. What the fuck just happened?
She heard a muffled shout from outside the door, "Don't question it. Get dressed."
Begrudgingly rolling out of bed, Hera dressed in some of the new clothes the Community had given her. Baggy jeans, a long-sleeved crop, and an oversized jacket. Cosy.
Hera took a few moments to wash her face and add a bit of colour when she noticed something bizarre. She realised she hadn't looked in a mirror in a while and was shocked to see her eyes looked different than the usual dark brown and blue.
She knew she had heterochromia from childhood, but now they were both spattered in flecks of gold and green. Her left eye, the blue one, looked much brighter, and the right eye looked more hazel than the deep chocolate colour she was used to.
"What the fuck?" She stared for a while before flicking off the lights, heart pounding. It must just be the lighting of this place, she thought, leaving her room. Theo's gaze lingered on her a little while before questioning if she was feeling okay.
Hera nodded, breathing shallowly so Theo wouldn't notice her anxiety rising. He put his hand out for her to hold, and she blushed, placing her hand in his. Immediately her anxiety calmed, and she pulled her hands away, embarrassed. He was just trying to get her abilities under control. Nothing more, she scolded herself.
"Let's go then," Hera said, noting a slight frown on Theo's face before he turned and walked away. Soon they found themselves outside the 'Green Room' again.
This time the singing within was not as alluring as Jean's siren call.
Actually, it was awful.
Theo laughed and quickly covered it with a cough.
He must've heard her.
"Come on," he called instead, already walking into the dark, musty room.
"It smells here." Again, he didn't say a word, just went to get her a drink. The room was full of people, dancing and singing along to the racket on the stage.
An attractive Evolved with light hair and eyes appeared in front of Hera, pulling her into the crowd to dance. She couldn't help but laugh and feel giddy as they held her hand, making her spin around and around.
She stumbled and crashed into their chest, and they whispered in her ear bitterly, "I can see why you have two of the most powerful Evolved swooning over you."
Hera felt like they had slapped her and pulled her hand away, cradling it as if wounded. She immediately felt like herself again, and when she turned to run, she bumped into a hard, warm frame.
"Theo," she breathed. He guided her behind him as he stared the blonde Evolved down. He must have spoken into their mind because Hera didn't hear a single word.
"Come on." Theo grasped her hand and pulled her over to a laughing Jean and an uncharacteristically serious-looking Zeke.
"Zeke! I Haven't seen you in so long..." Hera smiled seeing him but cleared her throat awkwardly when Jean interrupted. "As I was saying, Z, you should get up there! Serenade us... Please?"
Zeke turned to Hera with a knowing smile. "You look radiant, little star. I hear your training is going well. Did you manage to create anything yet?" Zeke winked while Hera's mouth dropped open. "How?"
He did not respond; instead, he headed up to the stage. "Time to give the people what they want!" He shouted toward the group. Radio-heads: 'Creep' started playing, and Hera nearly spat out her drink laughing. A little bit too on the nose.
Jean smirked. "Our DJ has excellent taste. Ocean can choose a song based on your memories, thoughts, feelings. You know. Make you share your feelings through song. I can't wait for my turn".
Hera heard Theo scoff. "You will not be having any more turns. That's the rule. You cheat."
Jean looked offended but smiled coyly. "Don't be embarrassed. But, maybe next time, don't underestimate me, pretty boy."
"That's what I said," Hera muttered.
Jean actually smiled. "Hmm, maybe you aren't stupid after all.'' She looked like she was trying to be nice.
"Yeah, wow, not a compliment Jean. Maybe try again later." Hera couldn't help the sarcasm after her second drink.
"Will you both play nice? Go and dance or something." Theo rolled his eyes at them, but his lips quirked up in a charming half-smile.
"Yes, the show's about to begin!" Jean jumped up and went to the 'dance floor'. Said dance floor was more a giant off-cut of puke green carpet. Ancient stains soiled its face, as did new alcohol sploshes from the drunk party-goers. Hera would probably add to the carpets' stain mural at some point, too; she was already swaying slightly on her feet.
Zeke's voice picked up over the crowd, "You float like a feather in a beautiful world. I wish I was special. You're so fuckin' special. But I'm a creep... I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doin' here? I don't belong here..."
His voice was surprisingly good. Hera got up to dance and moved her body to the song. She was so full of energy, and everyone else around her looked so excited, anticipating something. Hera downed another mystery shot and spun around the room, swaying her arms overhead.
As the bridge approached, Hera started seeing Auras of light appearing around everyone in the room. Some were dim, while others were stronger. Jean and Theo's lights were the brightest, and she could easily pick them out in the crowd. But she couldn't see her own. Everything was still dark around her.
She felt a sense of disappointment.
Everyone looked so happy and beautiful with their Auras as Zeke continued to sing, " She's running out. She runs, run, run, run. Run..." His voice became more powerful, and suddenly, she saw a blinding light surrounding her.
Her Aura almost entirely lighted up the room. "Woah, what the hell?" Everyone turned to face her in awe, whispering and smiling at each other. The song slowed, and as it came to an end, the lights dimmed and disappeared.
Jean pushed through the crowd forming and smiled, "Damn princess, no wonder Zeke kept calling you a star. You're bright as fuck!"
Hera was exhilarated and replied to Jean in wonder. " Yours was beautiful, Jean. But, what the hell was that?"
"It's Zeke's ability. Usually, he just senses others, but he can bring it out of you too. The light is the essence of your Evolution. Just made visible, obviously."
"That makes so little sense, but I'm gonna just go with it. " Hera swigged a fluorescent mystery shot as another song started, and she laughed, feeling tipsy. "Alright, Jeanie, it's your turn."
Jean screwed her face up, amused, "Jeanie?" She burst out laughing, shaking her head. "Didn't you hear Theo? I'm banned from karaoke nights."
"Aww, but I like your voice. It's beautiful..." Hera slurred a bit.
"Wow, you're full of compliments tonight. Maybe we should get you drunk more often..." Jean smirked.
"Maybe we should just be friends? Me, you and little babysitter Theo."
Jean laughed again, "better not let him hear that. Come dance with me for a bit."
The siren dragged her over to where Theo was standing with a conflicted expression, and they danced beside him. "Why so serious? Loosen up, Teddy." Jean yelled over the music. Theo rolled his eyes and yelled back, "I have to go for a bit to talk to the Director. Look after her, please."
Jean nodded, and Hera looked at her confusedly. "Are we friends now?"
She shook her head, chuckling. "Yes. We can be friends."