Climbing aboard the bus, Astrid let out an audible sigh when the stripy nuisance accompanied her once again.

"You better not make a habit out of this," she threatened before a Senior interrupted the pair.

Arm wrapped around a smaller girl, the Senior explained that the Freshman had split her knee open after she tripped whilst running for the bus. Apologising for taking advantage of her skills, the Senior explained that no one on the bus had a plaster to stick on the wound. Reassuring both women that the whole purpose of her power was to help people in this instance, she swapped seats with Lash so as to easily heal the scrape.

Lash watched in fascination as the muscle knit itself back together, a new layer of skin forming as the blood stopped pouring and the wound cleaned itself of any gravel. All that was left was the red rawness of fresh skin. Pulling out a wipe, Astrid handed it to the girl so she could clean off the blood streak down her leg and smiled after ensuring the younger girl was all better. Waving off the gratitude, she reassured the siblings that it was no problem and she was happy to help with any future incidents.

Healing people always cheered Astrid up, knowing she had helped someone when they needed her most. Lash couldn't help but notice the sparkle in her eyes when she smiled, or the dimple in her right cheek and the happy glow to her face. Lash couldn't help but notice her.

Granted, she had always been cute but now he was noticing just how beautiful she was.

"You're staring." Astrid noted, cheeks turning peek as her form flickered in and out of view.

"You're fading," he shot back, chuckling when she disappeared entirely from his line of sight.

Only the warmth of her body notified him that she was still there. When she finally returned, the lovely pink cheeks had returned to their natural fair colour.

"That was pretty cool." Lash complimented, shifting uncomfortably under her incredulous look.

"Thanks. It's nice to – uh, it's nice to be able to help others."

"I suppose it comes in handy when you hurt yourself as well."

"Not really."

All warmth drained from Astrid's face as she was once again reminded of the downside of her powers. Confused at her attitude change, Lash probed further, asking why not.

"I can't actually heal myself," she admitted, disappearing once more. "Nor can I fix serious injuries. "

Her voice wavered slightly as she said the last part and Lash knew instantly what she was referring to. Living next to Stronghold women meant he had overheard some arguments between the two and Astrid's powers were a sore spot for Allison. Hand reaching out to pat her gently on the leg, he hesitated when he heard her sharp intake of breath and thought against it.

"That's a downside then," he said.

"I suppose so. At least I can still help people to some extent."

Conversation ceased between the two of them after that as Astrid stared out of the window, replaying a dark conversation she had once overheard in her head. A conversation that had fractured a close relationship between mother and daughter. Astrid knew nothing would ever bring back that bond and whilst her father was the only one who had been buried, she had also lost her mother that night. Neither one would ever return to her.

Being able to help others. Help others. HELP.

Astrid's words swam inside Lash's head even after he got off the bus and away from him. Speed greeted him by asking if he had heard any more information about what they needed to do. Shaking his head, Lash barely paid attention to the words of his friend as he watched the blonde woman pick up some fallen books for a Sophomore Sidekick. Penny joined the Hero duo and informed them that they were to meet at her house after school.

Watching as Astrid smiled politely at someone who bumped into her, Lash felt his stomach lurch. Helping Others. That's what was a Hero was meant to do; help and protect those in need. Even though he had taunted her for years, Lash knew Astrid was more of a Hero than he would ever be.

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Lunch had come and gone and Astrid had yet to be insulted by Lash. Speed had shoved her into a locker but he had done so without his accomplice by his side. It was almost as if he was avoiding her for a change, which he was.

Knowing what he had to do made it almost impossible to look into her sweet, innocent eyes. He knew that if their interactions considered the way they had yesterday, he was in danger of getting too close to her and she was far too good for someone like him. Not that Astrid would ever lower herself to be friendly towards him after the way he had treated her these past two years.

Turning the corner, Astrid saw a striped sleeve and glanced in his direction. Hurt flashed across her face when he recoiled at the sight of her and fled from the hallway. Knowing that she should be grateful that she could go a day where she didn't have to disappear when she saw him for fear of hearing cruel words, she was instead conflicted.

What could I have done for him to react this way, she mused.

Slamming her locker in frustration, she immediately apologised for frightening the boy next to her before hurrying to Mad Science. Sliding into her seat next to Natalia, she was fully prepared to spend the lesson analysing Lash's bizarre behaviour (who was sat at the front of the classroom staring intensely at the notebook in front of him) when something exploded in the back of the classroom.

Unbeknownst to her, Lash was refusing to look at her because each glance at her caused guilt to wash over him and make him doubt the decisions he had made.

Dr Medulla ushered the pupils out of the smoking lab, dismissing them early so that he could rush down to Hero Support and explain what had happened. Distracted by the explosion, Natalia and Astrid veered off the topic of Lash as they exited the classroom.

Staying behind so as to not get too close to the blonde, Lash watched longingly as the Healer walked out the door and away from him. Somehow he had managed to convince himself that the minuscule feelings he harboured had vanished over the summer but now he could feeling them returning with far more force than before.

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"Yo, that's so weak, man. I'm already holding the crossbow so why can't I shoot him?" Zack complained.

Freshmen Sidekicks had invaded the Stronghold household and Astrid had volunteered to chaperone them whilst her Aunt and Uncle were gone. So far it had included ordering pizza and ensuring they completed their homework.

Will had yet to tell his father about his lack of powers or the fact that he was a Sidekick, which is why holding the study group whilst the Commander was away was the most opportune moment.

"Because you're Hero Support. If your Hero asks for the crossbow, you have to hand it to him." Astrid explained.

"Or her." Layla interrupted.

"It's your job to make sure they have what they need to get the job done," said Astrid, ignoring the instinct to roll her eyes at Layla.

Ignoring the bickering of the younger teenagers, Astrid slid her phone out of her pocket when she felt it buzz and smiled when she recognised the name. Furrowing her eyebrows, she glanced at the words in confusion.

Natalia had written, making her anger evident with all the red faced emojis she had sent.

In the end, Astrid hadn't been given the opportunity to tell Natalia about Lash's bizarre behaviour but she thought perhaps he was having a day where he was actually being a decent human being. Apparently not.

So, what had she done to grant her a free pass from his wrath? Astrid didn't want him to bully her daily but the fact that he had left alone her all day was far more concerning and she feared he was planning something evil as revenge for her behaviour yesterday.

But, her brain thought, he had been perfectly polite to you on the bus.

The Commander pulled her out of her thoughts as he stood in his Superhero pose in the doorway boasting about the job he had successfully completed. Disappointment was evident in his face when he discovered the capabilities of Will's friends. Making a quick exit, Steven excused himself from the group but was soon followed by Will.

Knowing that an uncomfortable conversation was taking place, Astrid wished she could hear what was being said between the Stronghold men but she kept the Freshmen distracted by loudly asking them the questions on their homework.

Steven had been in a foul mood when he had discovered his own niece was Sidekick but he knew she had chosen to do so and that he had to respect her decision. After all, he was aware of how powerful she truly was and that filled him with enough pride.

However, his own son being a Sidekick? Astrid felt sorry for the furious phone call Coach Boomer was no doubt about to receive.

"Washed out!" Steven's yell sounded from the other and Astrid flinched at the outrage in it.

Will must've finally gathered the courage to tell him everything. Five minutes later, the young Stronghold shuffled back into the room, refusing to look at his friends and the quizzical looks they were sending him.

Glancing at her cousin, she noticed the unshed tears shining in his eyes and reached over to give his hand a subtle squeeze. Nodding in understanding, she leaned over and corrected his answers.

No one talked about what had just happened.