Harbored Feelings

Chapter 1: Revealed

A/N: Alex, if you happen to read this fic, don't think it's a hate fic. ^_^;; Just a crazy scenario that popped in my head yesterday when I was talking to you-know-who. Please don't flame me! Well, enjoy!

Ryan Lau had a normal life. He was an average junior in high school. He had normal feelings towards working, he got bored in class, and he did his homework the last minute possible. He always thought that his life would be normal; or rather, he always thought that his friends weren't so. . .different. . .

His life was rapidly changing right before his eyes. He fell in love with a girl- - -but she was long-distance. After three weeks, her dad found out about them, and they broke up. . .but they're still friends. She was his first- - -so life was becoming pretty interesting now. His thoughts about his religion were changing. He believed in it, but he didn't know if he could handle it. One of his friends was really pissing him off; he wasn't so supportive of things. Yep, his life was changing. And then, one day, he found out that his best friend was different.

Everything was changing, and who can blame him for being confused? He went to his friend's high school one day; he just had to talk to his group of friends. The school was in Cerritos, and Ryan lived pretty far. And he was in for a shock of his life; his friends were so much more different than he thought.

Ryan: (Where did my life get all hazy?) : : Ryan thought to himself : : (First the news says something about others. . .others like me. . .and now my friends are starting to be different. . .)

Ryan just arrived at Karr High School, his friends' school. He walked in, but the campus security wouldn't let him in.

Security: Like I said, you're not a student here, so you can't come in. According to the rules, you have to be two blocks away from campus during school hours.

Ryan: Whatever. . .

Ryan walked away, and waited for a few minutes. When he had the chance, he snuck by the security.

He walked down the campus and searched for his friends: John, Nick, Tanisha, Ryan Lewis; but he was looking for the two people he needed to talk to most; Brendan Core and Alexandrea Orozco.

He had seen Alex about a week ago in front of a supermarket, and she was one of the people, one that the news was talking about being, different. She could make. . .fire, whenever she wanted to. These people were classified as * mutants * (Yes mutants, like on xmen) and Alex was one.

While Ryan was walking down the campus, he finally saw his friends. They were talking about something.

John: Okay, so you guys are all going to my house on Saturday, right?

They all replied yes. Then, Ryan appeared, shocking them all.

All: Ryan?! What are you doing here?

Ryan goes to a school in La Palma, so he's never been to Karr High School Before.

Ryan: Alex, Brendan, we need to talk.

Suddenly, Ryan Lewis intervened.

Ryan Lewis: Why don't you leave those two the hell alone? Just because your friends are different, you have been acting all weird.

Ryan: Shut up, I'm not here to talk to you.

Ryan Lewis: You know, the truth is that I've never liked you anyways. So don't come on our territory and tell me to shut up!

Ryan Lewis was getting really angry, and so was Ryan.

Ryan: The feeling is mutual. Now get out of my way, I need to talk to Alex and Brendan!

Alex: Lewis, calm down. But, he's right, Ryan. Just because your friends are different, you've been acting like a real jerk lately. You always told me that you weren't like that, and I guess you were lying.

Ryan: And you would know about differences, wouldn't you Alex?

Alex looked puzzled, but she knew that Ryan was hinting something. But what? Was it about her difference? If so, how did he know, she wondered.

Alex: . . .You know Ryan, I think you should go now.

Ryan: Ya know, the staff here at school would probably say that too, but I'm here to talk to you and Brendan. So come on you two, we need to go somewhere private.

Brendan: But Ryan, I thought that-

Ryan Lewis: Forget what you thought about him Brendan, he's a freaky jackass, just like I told you guys when I first met him at John's house!

Alex immediately jumped between Ryan and Ryan Lewis.

Alex: This is my fight Lewis. . .

Ryan: ? And what is that supposed to mean?

Alex: That's it Ryan! I thought you were kind of a jerk, but now I know that you are an ignorant jerk! This is where you need to leave, and stop being our friend. . .the friendship is through. . .

Everyone in the group was silent- - -John and Brendan have known Ryan for more than four years. But now he was acting different; because his life was getting confusing, he seemed to almost have taken it out on everyone else.

Ryan: . . .I knew that you felt that way! And how dare you come up to me and tell me who I can and cannot be friends with!

Alex: It would be best if you left right now! I think-

Ryan: Stop it already Alex! Stop acting like you know how to fix everything in the world! I didn't ask for my life to go hazy! I didn't ask for any of this!!

Alex: You think that this is all affecting you only?

Ryan: Oh, ho, ho, don't even try to tell me that this affects you guys like it does me!

Alex: : : She began to sulk a little : : Just go now!

Ryan: . . .So this is how you want to end it?

Alex: You can't accept your friends the way you should, so go.

By now all of the students on campus were watching.

Ryan: . . .Heh, heh, heh, ah ha ha ha ha!

Ryan suddenly began to laugh, almost maniacally.

Ryan: If your different, then you should not be afraid to act the way you really are, right?

Alex: Right. . .

Ryan: Heh, heh, oh Alex. You are such a hypocrite. You know, it's funny really. You get to a point in your life where you think you have it all, and everything is great. But then, some way, some how, the world picks it up, and throws it all back in your face.

Alex: Hypocrite? What do you mean?

Ryan: Heh, heh, you know EXACTLY what I mean. . .

Alex was looking uneasy, and everyone was starting to wonder what the hell was going on.

Alex: . . .

Ryan: That's right everyone. Alex is different. Alex isn't like you, or you, or you. You see there's been talk on the news that some people are different, and they're putting that lightly. Alex can vouch for that, couldn't you Alex?

People started murmuring to each other, until a student spoke up.

Student: Are you a. . .a mutant?

Suddenly the air seemed to get thicker. People started talking more and more.

Brendan: Hey! Leave her alone! She's not one of those things! Shut up!

Alex was looking around, realizing that everyone started to believe that, as well as back off from her.

Ryan: Isn't it funny? Everyone seems to be afraid of you now. . .how come you never told them Alex? You shouldn't be afraid to act the way you are. . .ha ha ha! You've always defended Brendan when we all talked, Alex. . .but who's here to defend you? : : Ryan said as he leaned in, whispering in her ear : : Look over there, of all people to be backing away from you, it's Ryan Lewis, your supposed best friend.

Alex began to weep a little.

Alex: . . .Lewis? Your not - your not afraid are you?

Ryan Lewis: So. . .is it true Alex?

Alex began crying. She didn't know what to think anymore. She was different, and that's all that mattered to most people. Ryan leaned in towards her again.

Ryan: You know, this all reminds me of something a wise person once said, "You get to a point in your life where you think you have it all, and everything is great. But then, some way, some how, the world picks it up, and throws it all back in your face." Oh wait, I said that. But, it applies to you now, doesn't it? Come on Alex, show them your ability. Show them your, firepower. Burn me, you know you want to. . .

Ryan was beginning to provoke her, and after one more look at her friends, Alex turned to Ryan with a cold hard look.

Ryan: Huh?

Ryan felt uneasy, and then. . .

Alex: . . .Yahhh!!!!

Alex threw her fists forward, launching a spout of fire straight into Ryan, and throwing him into the janitor's shed. He smashed everything, and all that was seen was a pile of burned wood, and a tall flame.

Alex froze; what she just did; it just hit her. She fell to her knees and started to cry hysterically.

Brendan: Oh my god. . .Alex. . .

Alex: I. . .I. . .oh, god!

She began crying, and all of the students stood in awe. Everyone was dazed and confused.

Alex: . . .I, I can't believe I. . .!!!

Suddenly, to Alex's surprise, as well as everyone else's, a burning body walked out from the massive flames. . .

A/N: Okay, weird fic. And the mutant thing is getting old now, but hey, I like mutant powers. I wanted to write a high school fic with a twist. Well, please leave a review. Thanks!

The One Still Called El Diablo- - -