Not Your Sidekick Read Online Free PDF Page B

winks, gesturing theatrically. “Welcome, Chameleon, the newest and youngest member of the Heroes’ League of Heroes!”
    Chameleon hands the pocket square to Lysander, who compares it to his own. The camera zooms in on the pocket squares; they match. Lysander is examining them when the second pocket square disappears. The cameras pan back to Chameleon, who is back to his own look. He winks at the camera.
    Emma stops the holo. Leaning back on the couch, she grabs a pillow, clutches it to her chest, and squeals, “Isn’t he cute?”
    â€œCan’t see half his face,” Jess says. “No idea.” She turns to Bells for his opinion, but Bells is staring at the television. “Bells? What do you think?”
    â€œLike you said, we can’t see half his face. I can’t tell if he’s cute or not,” Bells says in a monotone.
    â€œBut it’s an incredible power,” Emma says. “I’ve never seen anything like that. Do you think he’s A-class? I mean, he’s working with the League already.”
    â€œWell, they do like to introduce their younger members before they start on their own,” Jess says. “Remember Powerstorm? She was like, fifteen when she first started.”
    Jess remembers it well; it was her sister’s introduction as a new superhero. For a time, Claudia had tailed along after the League and they had helped get her name out as she handled minor search and rescues and a few reconnaissance missions on the Villain’s Guild. Jess is pretty sure she was mostly fetching coffee for the members of the League, but Claudia played it up as a huge educational experience. Claudia was still in her training program when the League started introducing her to the public, but they always hand-pick the most promising to join the League. “He’s probably still in Meta-Human Training,” Jess says thoughtfully. “And if he’s a teenager, he probably hasn’t had a lot of time to practice control.”
    â€œWell, the League doesn’t accept just anybody,” Emma says. “Bells, come on, back me up. Isn’t Chameleon amazing?”
    â€œDo you seriously like him just because he has powers?” Bells blurts out, his voice sharp with annoyance.
    â€œWhat?” Emma frowns. “No, I just think he’s cute and really cool, you know.”
    â€œLike Jess said, you can’t see his face,” Bells points out. “So all you know about him is what’s listed on the League’s holo and this video. Kinda soon for a crush, don’t you think?”
    Emma huffs. “How is this different than what we’ve talked about with any of the other heroes we find attractive?”
    Bells gets up and grabs his backpack. “Whatever. I just realized I have to finish my history essay. I’ll see you in school.”
    â€œDo you need a ride?” Emma calls, but he’s already at the top of the stairs.
    The basement door shuts with a thud, and they can hear Bells’ footsteps echo through the house and then the front door open and close.
    â€œI guess he’s walking.” Jess bites her lip; it’s not that far to the nearest bus stop.
    Emma’s mouth is still open, and she’s frozen, staring up the stairs. She shakes herself. Her eyebrows knit and she turns to Jess. “What was that about?”
    Jess and Emma finish the movie, but the mood has changed. Emma keeps biting her lip and looking toward the stairs.
    â€œI’m gonna go see if he’s okay,” Emma says. “I feel like I should apologize, but I’m not really sure what for. Like how is me finding Chameleon cute different than Starscream or Copycat?”
    Jess brushes through her hair as she thinks. She ties her hair in a ponytail as Emma watches her. Great, Emma knows all her tells; she probably thinks Jess knows something.
    Jess has suspected for a while that Bells has feelings for Emma, who crushes