The Girl Next Door

Hey everyone, this is my first ever story so please don't be too critical, but I do appreciate the feedback. Let me know what you think. Also all characters in the story that are involved in sex are of the age of consent which is 18. This is just the first chapter of many. There isn't any sex in this chapter because I'm just introducing the characters, but I promise there will be sex in future chapters. I'm partnering with Phoenix Cinders and this story will take place in the fictional universe they created. That being said this is a science fiction story with superheroes and lesbians. It's a slow burn romance story between two best friends. I hope you enjoy.

*****

The alarm goes off at 5:30 in the morning, just as I planned it. Early enough to get the first scoop on the events of last night. As I shoot up out of bed and slide into my slippers, I quickly put the sheets and pillows back as they were when I first destroyed its symmetry.

Grabbing my glasses, I turn off the alarm and switch the lamp on. As I start my computer up, I grab my phone and screen through my notifications for the biggest scoop.

You've got to be kidding me! The Shadow Leaks has 5 new posts? How are they always the first ones to the feast? 5 new superhero sightings? No way! Rift... never heard of him before. Another Rayne video. More footage of the masked vigilante getting into brawls with criminals. Tigress. never heard of her before. Then there's another video of Karma and Fate. As much as I love them, I need to check out these new superheroes. 2 new ones heroes I haven't recorded yet. This is exciting news. It's too bad The Shadow Leaks beat me to it, but that doesn't mean I can't benefit from their crumbs.

I start watching the videos. Rift is an interesting hero. He can fly. His costume is one of the better ones I have seen. Some of the hero costumes, especially in the Battle of L. A. where rather... Lacking. By lacking, I mean they look like they were made by a 2-year-old.

But Rift's costume is rather different than most. It reminds me of a heroic knight in shining armor who always saves the day. Wait a second, did he just levitate that girl off the ground? Was that magic? No. There needs to be some reasonable explanation for it. I'll get to the bottom of it.

Now let's look at this new hero... Tigress. I like the name. It's a cell phone video, so the footage isn't the best. A fight broke loose. No, that's not a fight, it's 5 guys beating up one. Woah... A small figure in Black just swooped from out of the darkness with a flying kick to one of the guy's heads, knocking him cleanout. The rest of them are all stunned.

The tall lanky guy next to her who is as skinny as a twig goes to swing at her. She catches his fist and tosses him over her shoulder. Wow. She's strong. Really strong.

Another guy charges at her and she leaps over him and kicks a guy with a mohawk in the face. She's so fast. It's like everyone else is in slo-mo. The way she dodges the big brute's fist while bringing her foot up into his groin. He drops to his knees. Then she sends him falling to the ground with a roundhouse kick to the head.

She turns her attention to a guy charging her, managing to spin in time to bring her foot sailing across to hit the back of his neck, dragging him down to the ground. By the time she's finished with them, all 5 guys are on the ground out cold.

That was so awesome! I can't believe a girl her size was able to take out all 5 of those men. She's obviously an evolve. I think I'm officially a fangirl now. I need to find more videos of her. She easily just became one of my favorites. Of course, Karma and Fate are also my favorites, along with The Gecko who just made an appearance in Fort Myers.

Oh no! I lost track of time. I have to get ready for school. I quickly re-upload the videos to my vlog. I'll have to watch them later and post my reactions.

After I finish getting ready, I buzz downstairs and grab some food amid the chaos of my family. My mother and father are rushing about the kitchen like squirrels dashing about the yard. "Honey, make sure you get some food on your way to class," my mom says as she fills up a mug full of coffee on her way out the door.

"Sure thing, mom," I say.

"Love you, my little senorita, have a good day at school. Study hard," my dad says as he follows her out.

I sling my backpack over my shoulder and rush off with a pack of pop tarts in hand. I grab my bike and start heading to class. Crap. I'm running late. As I rush off down the block a horn leaves me nearly deaf as a car slams to a stop in my neighbor's driveway, almost hitting me. Gracie!

"Gabs, what are you doing! I nearly ran you over!" Gracie Murray says, sticking her head out the window.

"I'm sorry!" I say to her.

"Don't apologize, just hop in, I'll give you a ride to class."

"Really?" I ask.

"Of course, we're still friends, aren't we?" she asks. "Toss your bike in the back."

I hop off my bike and wheel it to the back of her Van and lift it inside before hopping in the front seat. "I wasn't sure, we haven't talked out in a long time," I say.

"Sorry about that, things got kind of hectic for me," she says. Ever since we entered High School, we hang out less and less. Gracie's considered one of the popular girls in school and well... I'm just a nerd. I brush a loose string of dark black hair behind my ear. "I miss our sleepovers. What do you say we have one tonight? It's Friday after all."

"Really? What about your... Other friends?" I ask.

"They all want to spend time with their boyfriends after the big game. By the way, are you going? I can give you a ride afterward," she asks, looking at me with those lively green eyes that always seem to lure me in.

"I don..."

"Of course you're going, you need to get out more anyway. Although, we definitely need to do something with your look. Baggy jeans and that nerdy superhero shirt need to go. We can run back to my house afterward and you can borrow some of my clothes," she says.

"Uhh, thanks. Wait, what's wrong with my clothes?" I ask.

"Seriously, Gabs? You look like a dork," she says. God, leave it to Gracie to be brutally honest. Still, I'm glad she still calls me Gabs. She's the only one that does that. I can't help but take a quick look over at her as she runs her hand through her thick golden blonde hair. She casts me a side glance and then laughs.

"What?" I ask.

"Somethings never change, Gabs. I miss hanging out with you. We used to have so much fun," she says.

I fix my glasses as I tear my gaze away. I can feel the heat flush through my face. "By the way, there's a huge party Saturday night. You're definitely going," Gracie says.

"A party? I... I can't go to a party... That's... I have to work on my blog. I've..."

"Come on Gabs! You're always locked away in your room. Live a little," she says.

"I don't know."

She places her hand on my thigh and looks into my eyes with those emeralds that make me feel like I'm looking at a forest. Did it suddenly just get really hot in here? "Trust me, Gabs. You need this."

The way she says my name feels like a flock of birds took flight in my stomach. "I uhh... Okay, I'll go!"

"Yes! We're going to have so much fun, I promise!"

We pull into the school parking lot and Gracie puts the car in park. As we walk in, Kate Maxwell and Stacy Talley walk up, the other two members of the royal trifecta of the cheerleaders. Of course, Gracie's the third member. All three of them are the cheerleading co-captains and are at the top of the popularity pyramid that rule this school. "About time you showed up. Damarco is looking so fine during his early morning workouts. You need to lock that boy down. Homecoming is only a week away. You have to claim what's yours before some of these thirsty sluts try to step in," Kate says.

"Why are you trying to push Damarco and me together? What if there's someone else I like?" Gracie asks.

"Girl, you know you want some of that sexy hot chocolate," Kate says.

"I wish Toby was more dedicated. He's like a child, I swear. I'm just glad he finally asked me out to the dance," Stacy says.

I drift away into the shadows as always as the three of them go on and on about boys. I don't know why I just don't feel the same way. Am I broken?

As I arrive at my neat and organized locker, I grab my stuff for class. Damarco Flynn walks by. His shirt almost looks as if it's about to rip as it fails to contain the mass of muscles underneath it. He's the ideal guy. Tall, confident, not an ounce of fat. And yet I don't feel anything. He and Toby do their manly greeting, bumping chests. Don't get me wrong, I understand what makes them attractive. I just... It doesn't make any sense to me.

Maybe I should just stick with my blog and school work. It's not like I've got time for a relationship anyway. It just sounds like so much work. I follow Damarco into Mr. Isaacson's class. As much as I love reading, I dread Mr. Isaacson's class. He always puts us in groups to discuss the book and they're always so awkward. Half the students in the class don't even read, let alone the books he assigns.

"Okay class, good morning everyone. Let's get into our groups and discuss the last chapter of Fahrenheit 451," Mr. Isaacson says. Luckily for me, I got put into a group that actually enjoys reading just as much as I do. At least 3 out of the 4 of us do.

Naomí, Robert, Dylan and I pull our desks together for our group discussion. Naomí stands out like a polar bear in the amazon jungle. Maybe it's her short lime green hair or the tattoos. Although, I think people misjudge her because of her appearance. I've come to find that she's actually a really deep and smart person.

"Overall I felt like the book was eye-opening as far as what could happen if we lived in a land without the freedom to speak our minds," Robert says. He's the only person with a higher GPA than me. He never makes a mistake.

"I know, right?" I say, getting excited. "Can you imagine living in a world where books were illegal?"

"It would certainly be a fucked up place," Naomí says. "I just couldn't fathom being prosecuted for owning a book. Let alone watch as they burn them."

"Also, the way information was controlled was horrifying. The only way to get information in a world where books are outlawed and speech is regulated is through the news, but the news only shows information that the people in power want the citizens to know. So they're practically brainwashed into learning what the government wants," I say.

"That's so true," Naomí says. "Fuck that!"

"Wait, isn't this book supposed to be about firefighting, why are we talking about books? Also, if speech was regulated, does that mean porn would be too?" Dylan asks. It's not hard to figure out which one of us hasn't read the material. Naomí let's out a sigh.

"Most likely," Robert says. "But that should be the least of our worries. Without the ability to express our thoughts and opinions, we're practically machines."

"Exactly!" Naomí says.

Once we finish class up, the rest of school goes by rather slowly as I endure the unbearable long stretch of classes. It's not the material that really makes school so anxiety-ridden. I love learning. It's the people. I think I was born broken because I'm so socially inept. Every time I try to make friends and talk to another girl, the words get caught in my throat. My hands start to sweat and my heart feels like it's having a spasm. Although, for some odd reason I didn't get that way with Gracie this morning.

I think it's because she always does most of the talking so all I have to do is listen. I miss spending time with her. She's been my only friend and without her, all I have are the heroes I watch and vlog about and my family. I can only take so much of my parents before I need to escape. I love spending time with my brother though. He's just as nerdy as I am, but now that he's away for college, we don't talk much anymore.

I miss the time we spent together, watching marvel marathons and reading comics. Life is so simple. Of course, we'd always argue about who'd win in a death match between random heroes. He's a total Titan fanboy.

Ever since he left, I never felt more alone. Here in school, I feel like a ghost. As if I'm invisible to everyone else. I walk through the halls unseen. Sometimes it even feels as if I'm drowning in the noise of everyone chatting. I look around and see all these happy faces. All these groups of people, chatting with their friends. Laughing together. Telling inside jokes.

I would love more than anything to be on the inside of those jokes. To be able to laugh from a secret. Unfortunately inside jokes don't work with only one person on the inside.

As I walk to lunch, I can't help but notice a group of junior girls heading off to the bathroom together. Is it wrong that I'm jealous of that? I've wanted nothing more than to have a friend who I could tell all my secrets as we gossip in the bathroom. Although, I don't understand why everyone loves to gossip. I find it rather boring. I'd much rather talk about interesting things like the footage of Tigress uploaded this morning or physics. Not who is dating who and what Damarco looks like without a shirt.

What really stings is having no one to sit by at lunch. As much as I don't enjoy the awkwardness of attempting to converse with other people, being alone in a room full of people is like drowning in an ocean. I often think if anyone would notice if I was gone. Most of the time I find the answer to be no. No one would notice if I vanished. I'm a ghost. And that's what hurts the most. I turn to go outside and find a rock to crawl under.

"Gabs!" My heart nearly leaps out from my lips. I turn to see the lively eyes of Gracie as she walks up and slings her arm in mind. "There you are. I was looking for you. Come sit by us."

She drags me over to where Kate and Stacy are sitting. "What is she doing here?" Stacy asks.

"She's with me," Gracie says.

"Okay, since when have you started taking in strays?" Stacy asks. I'm not a stray!

"She's cool. Trust me. Besides, if you want to pass physics, you'll want to become best friends with her. She's got the highest GPA in the school," Gracie says.

"Second highest, actually. Robert Shaw has a perfect GPA," I say. Finally, looking up at Kate and Stacy. My heart beats a little faster. They're so perfect. Kate's dark brown hair seems to flow as if a light breeze is constantly blowing like a trickling stream elegantly running down a beautiful mountainside. Stacy, on the other hand, has a different kind of beauty. She's got the golden tan skin from long hours spent sunbathing and long blond hair bleached almost white. Both of their nails are done to perfect which also matches their outfits. Short shorts and tank tops with adorable sandals that match their tops.

I look down at my own outfit, worn-out sneakers with baggy jeans and my brother's Titan t-shirt. Now I wish I could go back to being invisible. "Well, in that case, you should definitely come to my party tomorrow night," Stacy says with a smile that seems to outshine the sun.

"Oh she's coming, I already invited her," Gracie says, elbowing me. I catch her verdant green eyes and my skin forms goosebumps.

"You should probably wear something different, though. That outfit is rather..." Stacy looks as if she just spotted a rat the way she analyzes my choice of fashion.

"Lame..." Kate finishes for her.

"I know, right? That's what I told her this morning," Gracie says. "Don't worry, while you two are doing only God knows what with your boyfriends tonight, Gabs is coming over to my house and we'll do a total makeover."

Since when was Gracie so obsessed with such superficial stuff like makeovers? She was always the wild one who never cared what people thought about her.

"You know, if you'd finally wrap Damarco around your finger, you'd be busy tonight as well," Kate says.

"Like I'm worried," Gracie says. "Damarco agreed to come over to help us on the float Monday after school."

"Nice, when did you talk to him?" Kate asks.

"This morning after first period. He also asked if I wanted to wear his jersey since you know, someone decided cheerleaders should wear jersey's from now on," Gracie says.

"You should be thanking me. Now you get to wear Damarco's jersey. I'm such a genius," Kate says.

"Totally," Stacy says. "I just wish Toby's didn't smell so bad. I literally washed it 400 times and I still can't get the smell out."

"Did you drown it in Febreze?" Gracie asks. "Febreze works on everything."

"As long as you don't mind developing cancer," I point out.

"That's just a rumor their competitors spread," Kate says.

"I think carcinogens are a real thing," Gracie says.

"And yet you still use it," Stacy says.

Gracie just shrugs.

As the bell rings, everyone disperses. "Gabs, catch me after class, we can head back to my place and I'll let you borrow some clothes before the game."

"Okay," I squeak out before she turns and gets swallowed by the crowd of people. I hate crowds. The sea of voices makes my brain feel like it's in a blender. I can't think with all the noise. Class goes by even slower than this morning. I can't stop thinking about tonight. I almost feel sick as I analyze all the possibilities of this weekend. A party? What was I thinking? I can't go to a party. There will be way too many people there. What if there's alcohol there? I can't drink. What if they try to pressure me into drinking? And won't there be boys there? I... I can't. I just can't.

But, Gracie will be there and I don't want to disappoint her. I'll talk to her about it tonight. She'll understand. I wish it could just be the two of us this weekend. Why do we have to go to a stupid party?

As school comes to an end, I find Gracie in the commons surrounded by a crowd of people. I hang off to the side and wait for her to finish talking with all of them. God, she makes it all seem so easy the way she naturally interacts with them all. And everyone seems to love her. Of course, what's not to love about her. She's so relaxed and calm. Her smile dims out the stars. She always seems to move with so much grace. I guess all those years of gymnastics really paid off. It's too bad she quit. She was so good at it and so passionate about it, but after her mom and sister died she retreated. But now, it's as if it never happened. She seems so happy. How can she be so upbeat when her whole life came crashing down? She's just so strong.

Suddenly her eyes meet mine. It's as if my veins froze into ice and the breath left my lungs. But then her smile melts my heart and fills me with new life. She pushes her way through the crows and walks over to me. "There you are. Are you ready?"

I nod because the words are lost. She wraps her arm in mine and pulls me along with her. Of course, I'd follow her anywhere. "Good thing you left your bike in my car. By the way, I can give you a ride from now on. You don't have to bike anymore."

"Really?" I ask as my heart feels like it's going 800 million miles per hour.

"Hey, Gracie! Wait up," Damarco says as he catches up with us. "I just wanted to give you my jersey for the game."

And just like that, my chest collapses as my heart slams into a wall. Why do I feel this way? Am I okay? I think I might be really broken. I shouldn't feel this way. She's my friend. My only friend. And this is wrong. I... I shouldn't feel this way about a girl. What would my parents say?

"Thanks. If I'm going to wear your jersey, you better put on a show. I only wear jerseys of the best athletes." She laughs, taking his jersey. "I'm just kidding, break a leg. I mean, don't actually break a leg, but maybe a finger."