Page 14 of The Not So Super Hero

A few students passed by the lounges. None stopped to inspect what Bailey was up to.

He found himself alone on the couch, waiting for the last of his food to be done.

When the microwave went off, Bailey got up to retrieve some food.

Being the idiot that he was, he tried to take the bowl of green beans out without a cooking mitt.

The poor boy hissed when his fingers touched the hot surface, successfully burning them.

He shoved his finger into his mouth as if that would magically heal his wound and, of course, the door had to open at that exact moment.

Bailey stared wide-eyed, a finger shoved in his mouth, at the person he least expected to show up.

Standing in the lounge with a confused expression was Zane.

His headphones hung around his neck. Silver strands of hair framed his shark cheekbones, the rest had been pulled into that damn loose ponytail that looked fantastic on him.

Bailey hated himself for thinking about that again.

Zane wasn’t in his work clothes, but a simple pair of jeans and a black sweater.

Zane glanced at the finger Bailey had shoved in his mouth before asking, “You burned yourself, didn’t you?”

He chose not to answer that as he took his finger from his mouth to run it under some cool water.

Clearing his throat, he pretended not to be overjoyed that Zane showed up.

The fact that he was going to have someone to eat dinner with made it hard not to smile.

It was a relief to think about, even if his company was Zane.

Bailey chose not to look at the man either, since he knew his face would likely prove how happy he actually was.

“No, I…cut it,” Bailey lied.

“You say that as if it isn’t just as bad.”

Bailey mentally slapped himself for thinking that somehow changed anything. “What are you doing here?”

“I was offered free food.”

“Seems your stomach is the only thing capable of making decisions.”

Zane made his way over to the kitchen, inspecting what Bailey had cooked. By then, he had cooled his finger off, though kept his gaze low. Zane stood surprisingly close. Bailey’s heart might have palpitated. A little. Barely a smidge, really.

“How much of this did you buy and sit out as if you made it?” Zane asked, and man, did that get Bailey’s attention.

“I made all of this!” Bailey exclaimed, shoving Zane hard, only to realize that he was a complete wimp because Zane hardly budged. “I may be a terrible cook at most things, but my gravy and macaroni salad is amazing!”

Zane’s face stated he didn’t believe a word Bailey said.

“Seriously, try it!” And once again Bailey’s body moved on its own, grabbing a spoon to scoop some of his creation from the bowl, then held it in front of Zane.

It wasn’t until Zane’s face scrunched up in confusion that Bailey realized he was offering to spoon feed a man that was likely older than him.

Well, things had gotten embarrassing real quick.

Zane took the spoon to feed himself. After finishing his bite, Bailey smiled at Zane’s quiet expression.

“Good, isn’t it?” Bailey asked, rocking on the heels of his feet.

“You definitely bought this.”

“I didn’t!” Bailey screamed, and was ignored.

Whatever, he gave up because Zane got himself a plate of food, and yes, he totally put on a heap of the macaroni salad.

Bailey patted himself on the back for that while getting himself a plate as well.

It was after the two got their food and sat on the couch together that Bailey asked, “Hey, how did you know to find me in the lounge?”

“Where else can you cook a turkey on campus?” Zane replied.

“Right.”

Bailey absentmindedly pushed the food around his plate. His gaze shifted between Zane and his meal. It was hard to focus on eating when someone so unwilling to come for a meal cooked by Bailey ate that meal.

Bailey was really curious about Zane’s reaction, though he never offered one.

His eyes focused on the TV. He leaned forward to eat from the plate resting on the coffee table.

He made no mention about how dry the turkey was, nor did he say anything about how the mashed potatoes kind of had chunks of potatoes left in them.

They still tasted like potatoes, so technically, there was nothing wrong. Bailey just got lazy half way through.

“So, you didn’t have plans with anyone today?” he asked, munching away on green beans.

“I thought I was just getting a free meal?” Zane huffed. “If an interrogation is involved, I’m leaving.”

“Asking about your plans isn’t an interrogation. You’re so dramatic. I’m just curious.”

“I have somewhere to be later,” Zane said, causing Bailey to give him a curious look since he actually hadn’t expected Zane to answer.

“Oh, you don’t have to eat anything then. I mean, if someone else is cooking for you, I don’t want you to be full and not eat there,” Bailey rambled on.

Zane grimaced. “I rather eat this.”

“Uh, thanks?”

Zane continued to eat in silence. When he got up, Bailey suspected he would leave.

However, Zane walked back to retrieve a second plate.

Bailey chose not to say anything, although Zane totally saw his smile when he came back.

Zane rolled his eyes when he sat down and grumbled something to himself.

It made Bailey snicker before he got up and got a second plate, too.

When Bailey sat back down, it shocked him to hear Zane ask, “Why didn’t you go home for break?”

“You’re interrogating me now?” Bailey teased.

When Zane glared as if to say, I will totally leave you alone right here and now if you do that, Bailey quickly cleared his throat.

“Uh, well, I’m a few hours away, so it would be a long trip there and back.

I don’t want to spend the gas money nor ask for it so… ” Bailey shrugged.

Zane nodded. It seemed he was as shitty at conversations as Bailey thought him to be. The conversation would have ended right if it weren’t for Bailey, who went on to ask, “What about you?”

“What about me?”

“Are you from here, or did you move?”

“Moved.”

“Where are you from? I’m from Connellsville, Pennsylvania. Do you know where that is?” Bailey finished his plate and sat it on the coffee table. He moved closer to Zane, which caused him to scoot a little further away.

“You talk a lot, you know that?” Zane asked. If he expected a response, he didn’t get one. Bailey sat there with those wide green eyes sparkling behind big rimmed glasses while waiting for Zane’s answer.

Sighing, Zane replied, “Fairfall, California.”

“California? What brought you all the way to New York?”

Zane had finished his plate as well, sitting his utensils on said plate before throwing himself back onto the couch. Groaning, he placed his hands over his face and spoke into his palms with a muffled voice, “I knew I shouldn’t have come.”

“You act like conversations are the hardest thing in the world.”

“They are.”

“I may talk a lot but you,” Bailey poked Zane in the side. “You don’t talk enough.”

Zane threw his arms over the back of the couch, allowing his head to loll off the back as well. “Free food isn’t worth this hassle.”

“Come on, you’ve been through worse with me. We almost got blown up!”

“Thanks for reminding me. I’m going to leave before I risk a second encounter with death.”

Bailey pushed Zane back when he tried to get up.

Scowling, he narrowed his eyes on Bailey, who smiled apologetically.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have brought that up.

Please stay? Unless you have to go for your other engagement.

I don’t want to force you to stay here or anything.

Wait, was I doing that already? I don’t know, sorry. You can go.”

Bailey sat back on the couch, hoping for it to swallow him up. With his eyes on his shoes clicking together, he waited for Zane to get up and leave, but he never did.

“If anything bad happens, I’m leaving.”

Smiling, Bailey said, “Define bad.”

Bailey wasn’t sure what got Zane to stay, but he was grateful that he did.