Jane's glare looked like it could burn through anything. Vidaj shivered at the thought of the one time he was on the receiving end of it. One day there was a boy named Harold who had hit Vidaj with a fruit colored filled water balloon. Embarrassed and angry, Vidaj exacted his revenge by using his shadows to bludgeon him with purple filled ink balloons that left him stained for days. When Jane found out he got scolded so much that he didn't talk to anyone for days. After that incident, Vidaj was convinced she was a mother trapped in a child's body, keeping everyone in line. Lana, on the other hand, had yet to notice Jane, instead she continued her celebration by prancing around the field.

After Vidaj took a seat in the bleachers behind home plate, he waited for what was sure to be a clash of two titans. If it were physically possible for emotions to be felt, then Jane's current state was the equivalent of the raging sun. Lana, however, was as cool as a soothing wind. Even so, Vidaj knew all too well that even a quiet, carefree girl like Lana had the ability to get just as angry as Jane when she was pushed.

The unsuspecting Lana was gathering flowers from the field when she noticed Jane. She turned back and waved them at her. "You know how much I hate flowers, but it's hard not to pick them up when they come from loving fans like the ones who showed up today. By the way, did you see that crowd? I expected a big turnout, but that crowd was huuuuge! And did you see how despondent all the Spartans looked? You could tell they were broken by the third inning!"

Her eyes were glued to Lana and her mouth sour. "Yeah, I saw what you did out there, and I've got one question for you." Lana, who'd just finished picking up the flowers, looked up at Jane and kept smiling. "Was it really that much fun toying with those girls?" Jane asked.

Lana fired back, "What do you mean? We dominated their team. Who cares about their feelings?"

Vidaj was astounded at how oblivious Lana was to Jane's death stare. Just as when it appeared that Jane couldn't get any angrier she had balled her hands into a fist. Her arms started to shake. "So you were more interested in the show you created than playing the game?"

Lana's smile faded as the bad vibes and in an aggressive tone she spoke. "What are you talking about? Did you see that enormous crowd cheering for us? They didn't seem to mind me having a little fun. This is a competitive sport, with no room for weak-minded players. Maybe if you played on a team, you'd understand what I'm talking about."

Vidaj cringed while Jane's expression went from furious to surprised and then back to even more furious in just a few seconds. "So you're saying you think it's funny to have fun at the expense of others, especially if it involves using your powers to trick them?"

Lana stepped right up to Jane; her head tilted up to her. Jane, who wasn't going to back down, shoved Lana, who stumbled back a few steps.

Lana charged forward, shouting, "Are you sure you want to fight me? With my ability to create illusions and my insane speed and reflexes?"

Jane's stern look never left as she calmly replied, "Your illusions have tripped me up quite a few times, and you're definitely faster than me, but you're forgetting one thing."

"And what's that?"

"Your speed, athleticism, and illusions can't block your pain receptors!" Jane exclaimed.

"What makes you think you can ever get your powers off?"

"Get my powers off?" Jane's hands moved up close to her face tingling. "Honey, I'm already using them!"

Dropping her flowers, Lana grabbed her left shoulder and grimaced in pain. The pain intensified as she fell to her knees.

Jane stood above her, her fingers still tingling from the effects of her ability. "Like I said, it doesn't matter if you're using your illusions right now. I can sense the pain receptors in your shoulder, which is how I know it's the real you."

"Why are you doing this to me?" Lana cried out. "Let me go! It hurts!"

Jane shot back, "All that hot air you're getting from these people is going to your head. It's making you soft. I'm sick of everyone treating you like a queen; it's turning you into a spoiled brat. Someone's got to remind you that your powers are a privilege, not something you're entitled to."

Jane reached down and touched Lana's shoulder with her twitching hand. Lana lay on the ground, sweating. The pain had subsided. Admitting defeat, she extended her arm to Jane. Jane refused it.

"Pick yourself up!" Jane challenged.

Though she struggled a little, she got to her feet and took a seat next to Vidaj on the bench. Leaning back, she took long deep breaths.

Her face was beet red. Vidaj wasn't sure if it was from the intense pain or the embarrassment of Jane having put her in her place. Maybe it was a mixture of both, he thought.

After a few moments, Lana's face returned to its usual light brown color. "You're right, you know," she told Jane, who started walking toward the bleachers. "I do let all the attention go to my head. But it's so hard to contain myself. I get that we can't tell anyone about our powers, but when I'm on the field, I feel like I can push myself to my limits." She sighed. "I don't understand how you're able to do it, hiding what you can do every day."

"It's not any easier for the rest of us?" Jane asked, taking a seat next to Lana. "Just because most of us don't show or express our emotions in the same way you do doesn't mean it doesn't suck any less. You want to know how I feel about hiding my powers? Well, it's just as hard for me as it is for you. I just remind myself that one day the world will be ready to see us in our true form and accept us for what we are. The best thing we can do is look out for each other and keep ourselves from abusing our powers. It's no secret that we all have different personalities, which means we'll definitely clash a lot more in the future so we'll have to get better at controlling our emotions."

Lana gripped Jane. "You're right. I've been pretty spoiled. I'll try to be better." Pulling back from their hug, they both noticed Vidaj watching with his eyes wide open.

Vidaj stood up, scratched his head, and muttered, "So... is everyone all right?"

Jane jabbed Lana on the shoulder. "I just had to give a little tough love to my pal here."

Lana reached out and shoved Vidaj. He stumbled back a couple of steps as she shouted, "You were watching Jane attack me the whole time!"

Vidaj regained his footing and smirked. "Yup."

Lana crossed her arms over her chest. "And you didn't even try to help me up," she said, sounding deflated.

"Well... Jane had that crazy look in her eyes. You know that look. You've gotta be out of your mind to mess with her when she's in her crazy-angry mode."

Lana's tone changed. "Ah, now I see what type of friend you are! You're there when everything's good but run away at the first sign of trouble."

Vidaj laughed. "You're just mad because Jane kicked your butt! Besides, didn't you hear her? You have to pick yourself up." Vidaj dropped to his knees clutching his leg. Behind him was Jane with her tingling fingers spread out.

"Why'd you do that?" A puzzled Lana exclaimed.

"Lana is right," Jane released her hold on Vidaj. "You should always help a lady up when she's down."

"What?" A lost Vidaj picked himself up. "What happened to all that talk about abusing our powers? This is a little hypocritical, don't you think?"

Jane revealed her blue braces with a wide grin. "Well, you have a point, but you have to see it from my perspective. What I did isn't abuse—it's more of a reminder."

"Well, thanks for the reminder," A dry faced Vidaj muttered. "Like any of us needs to be reminded of that. You're already one of the most intimidating people I've ever met, with or without your powers."

Jane tapped her fingers together. "Well, I do have a reputation to uphold."

Vidaj gave her a sheepish look, thinking about how terrifying it would be to face her if he ever got on her bad side.

Jane glanced at her phone. "Whoa! Look at the time. I gotta catch the bus. See you two later."

Lana looked at her phone as well and sighed. "My dad was supposed to be here an hour ago. Where is he?" Vidaj glanced toward one of the hills, where he faintly saw Pax making out with his date. He rolled his eyes in disappointment and took a seat on the bench.

"Well, my ride looks like he's gone for the night. Don't worry, though. I'll stick around with you until your dad comes, and then I'll catch the next bus."

Lana slid over next to him and mockingly reached out to hug him. "Aw, look at you sticking by me, being all concerned."

"Well, after that whooping Jane just gave you, I wanted to make sure you're alright. I totally understand if you need a shoulder to cry on." Vidaj let out a cackle.

Lana leaned with puppy dog eyes and and pointed to her heart. "Ouch, that hurts."

Vidaj continued to tease her. "It's hard to believe you even have a heart with the way you were toying with those girls."

Lana formed a fist in frustration. "Right. It's not like you riled me up earlier today or anything. You're so lucky my illusions don't work on you. You can't even imagine the schemes I could've pulled off on you over the years."

Vidaj laughed again. "Like that's ever stopped you from messing with me. I doubt the damage would be that much different if you could abuse me with your powers." Lana laughed as well as she stared him down. After Jane's maniacal laugh, Lana's rendition seemed more like a childish chuckle to Vidaj.

As the two continued to chat, a dark blue sedan pulled up in the parking lot next to the field. A short burly man with a rugged beard and mustache opened his window and shouted, "Sorry I'm late, sweetheart. I got caught up at work, and then I got caught up in traffic. I saw the crowd leaving, though, so it must have been one heck of a game. How'd you do?"

An ecstatic Lana ran toward the car. "Dad, is that even a question? You know no one can beat us!"

Lana's dad pulled her in and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Great! I knew you girls had it in you." He looked toward the bleachers. "Is that Vidaj? It is! What's he doing there by himself? Hey! Get over here!"

Vidaj walked over as Lana's father greeted him.

"Hey Mr. Ventura." Vidaj awkwardly approached.

"Why are you out here so late?" Mr. Ventura questioned.

"I guess I lost track of time," Vidaj said as he reached for the back of his head.

"Well hop in, you're literally right behind us."

Vidaj jumped in the back seat. He felt relieved that he didn't have to take the bus. He leaned back and pondered about the mysterious large man in the trench coat. He knew for sure that it was only a matter of time before the two would meet face to face.