“The one with the laser beam eyes. What’s his name again?”
“I think he got coined with Seam. That’s like the worst one.” Abby laughed.
“When he called, he asked me to try and get Asher going. Like sorry buddy, you’ve been Seam for years, no one’s changing that.”
Amber’s jaw dropped.
“He’s one of your villains and you didn’t bother to tell me? Some friend you are!”
“I’m sorry I can’t keep up with your Villain of the Week. What happened to Hemlock?”
“You traded your crush on Hemlock for Laser Eyes?” Candice shook her head. “Girl, you need severe therapy. And an appointment with an optometrist.”
Even Jessica laughed at that one. Interesting. Maybe she wasn’t as uptight as I thought.
“Seriously. If you’d let me answer for myself, I would have said Hem. He’s funny and a huge flirt.”
Everyone gaped at me, except Amber—who knew about the date-not-date a couple of months ago. Jessica was the one to break the silence.
“He flirted with you?”
I scoffed. “Try not to act so surprised. You’re hurting my self-esteem.”
“No. Sorry. I just mean… You actually know these people?”
“You think I’d have all these numbers if they didn’t trust me? Yes, I’ve met 90% of them face to face. Whisper’s hot too, if you can get past the freaky mind thing he does.”
“Do you know what all of them look like without their masks?”
This was the most words Jessica had ever spoken to me outside of chastising me for my “inappropriate break room conversations.” Whatever, I could roll with it.
“About half. Maybe more. There’s a lot of trust involved in showing me their faces. Most of the ones I’ve seen sans mask are part of Avalanche’s circle. They trust me because he does.”
“I think he’s the hottest.” Jenny giggled.
“Same,” Maddy, Alex, Tasha, and Ashley mumbled in agreement.
And there went all the joy this conversation was bringing me. Of course they did, because he was. And if they knew how he was outside of the whole murdering villain thing, they’d probably fall in love with him, too. It should have strengthened my resolve but all it did was make me sad. He could have his pick of anyone, why the hell would he choose me?
You’re reading too much into it.
“Well, to each their own I guess.”
“Oh come on, you’ve had a crush on him for years and now you’re saying Hemlock? What, did the big bad ice monster break your heart or something?” Amber teased.
I flipped her off, sticking out my tongue.No, my delusions broke my heart.
“I spend a lot more time with Hemlock. The man has a wicked mouth, maybe that makes me biased, but I implore you to resist his charm.”
“You said he didn’t give stalker vibes, he’s not my type.” She sighed.
I shook my head, but I couldn’t help laughing.
“I might have lied because I wanted him all to myself.”
The look of betrayal on my best friend’s face had me wheezing for air.
“Judas,” she gasped. “I want his number. It’s the only way I’ll forgive you.” Then she mumbled something under her breath I couldn’t hear.
