Ashes to Ashes

It was May. Graduation was coming a little too fast for a lot of seniors. Warren found that he was actually one of them. He had given some thought to what he wanted to do after high school but if the nervous clenching of his stomach was any indication, he had not given it enough. That and there were other issues. For once, he found that he was worried about someone else. And it was not really his mother.

Crystal was going to actually enlist rather than go to the academy. Her father had done just as Warren predicted and backed her choice up. The mother had been thrown out and the door slammed in her face which really was good. And yet, he had the strange feeling he might never see her again. It was stupid, but he knew there was always that possibility.

"I know that everyone expects me to go one and be a Hero like everyone else in that class. But it's never meant anything to me. I don't want to use my powers like that."

He understood. Personally he had no real desire to become a Hero or a Villain himself. He could be happy just being himself the way he was. A better job perhaps but that was it. There was no desire to follow the rest into the roles of cape-wearing idiots. Neither was there the desire to take over the world. Warren was not like his father in the hatred of goody-two-shoes either.

"So, you're going to go ahead and try to get into the position to fly fighters?"

"Yeah. It won't be too hard since my dad's taught me since I was little about military habits, the maneuvers, the fighting skills and weapons knowledge."

"You're lucky."

"What about you? Any plans? Or should I keep an eye on the newspapers for a certain tough and dark Firestarter to turn up saving cute girls?"

Warren had wanted to say "No" but he had shrugged instead. She had looked at him but let it go. Actually, he sort of wished she had pushed for an answer. Then again, maybe she was afraid of hearing something she did not want to. Either way, the conversation had moved to other things. It hardly helped the feeling of depression. He knew enough to realize what the dark, down feeling was but he hardly announced it.

Once he had figured out that the main reason for the depression was because he did not want to loose touch with Crystal, things had only gotten more complicated. They were not really "together" as in relationship. Sure the school thought so, but it was not quite that serious. They were friends...maybe a little more really. Certainly more than his relationship with the S.S.S. He had no idea just what to do.

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"So, got a date for the prom yet, Warren?"

Glancing at the Popsicle, he glowered. Ethan had apparently either grown immune to the looks or he had faith that Stronghold would protect him. Could have been either really.

"Yeah, cause this is like, the last year you'll be able to go since you're a senior and all," Zach actually managed to voice his opinion for once as he had not been obsessed with Magenta.

"Actually, I wasn't planning on going."

"Why not?" Layla asked.

"Yeah...are you and Crystal fighting or something?"

Stronghold really was an idiot.

"No. I just don't dance."

For all of twenty seconds they were quiet.

Layla spoke up again. "You should go, Warren. Everyone's going. Even Ethan has a date."

Warren was a little surprised about that. "Yeah, and I know the rest of the rundown. Zach's with Magenta, you're with Stronghold. The Popsicle has a date this time. I'm not going."

A hand came to rest on his shoulder and he tensed before he felt a familiar light tug on the red strip of his hair. "Yes, you are."

"Says who?" he muttered before glancing at her over his shoulder.

Crystal's hand slid in to grip the back of his neck, teasing him by pressing just right and momentarily paralyzing his body. She leaned down and smirked.

"Says no one. But I'm asking."

Blinking, his brows rose faintly. Her smirk grew a little as she eased her grip to rub the spot. It was an unseen gesture due to his hair.

"That's asking?"

"Well, if I have to make it an order, I can do that too."

This had to be one of the oddest ways he had ever heard anyone asking someone out to a dance. Despite the fact he would once have found it humiliating and degrading, he found himself amused rather than angered.

"I'm not renting a tux."

"No problem."

Rather noticeably, the S.S.S. was completely lost on the confrontation. Crystal ignored them just like Warren did as she winked and slid away.

"See you after school."

Ethan was the first to recover and remember to blink so his eyes would not pop out of his head.

"Woah. That was so cool. Never thought I'd see the day--" he wisely snapped his jaw closed when he saw the flicker of fire around Warren's hand.

Layla was grinning, Magenta still looked surprised, Zach...was clearly lost and Will was still staring stupidly. Rolling his eyes, Warren sighed and tugged his book out of his bag before rising and leaving the table to head outside. He had actually learned something else about Crystal by that. She was shy but she would also pursue what she wanted. At least, he hoped that was what she was doing.

Gavin was in their usual spot but there was no sign of Crystal. Actually, that was good because he needed to think. That and he had to ask Gavin a few things as well. It looked like he was going to be going to the prom after all. He was suddenly wondering just what she had meant by the "No problem" comment. The tux he had worn last time was basically ruined--not that his dad would miss it really--so there had to be something up.

So, she did manage to get you to go with her to prom?

He glanced at the notebook before nodding once.

Cool. Ethan owes me twenty bucks.

He gave the mute a dark look only to receive a grin and shrug.

"You aren't his date, are you?"

What? Hell no! I didn't ask anyone. I'm just going to make sure Crystal has fun. You'd better not hurt her, Warren.

"Trust me, I don't intend to. Her boyfriend was an asshole."

I may just be a Sidekick, but if you do happen to hurt her, you better hope I don't find you again.

Something in Gavin's eyes made a shiver pass down his spine. The guy was dead serious.

"Deal."