Douglas's Dilemma -Chapter 13

Illyana is hoping for the best

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Illyana strolled down the aisle of a convenience store, wearing raffled denim shorts with the pockets peeking out, a pair of worn-out white sneakers, and a black hoodie featuring a white tiger's head on the front with the hood pulled over her head. Strands of her dark hair slipped out, framing her pretty face. She paused in front of shelves stocked with liquor bottles and peered through them, observing the store owner engrossed in his phone behind the counter.

She picked up a bottle of Smirnoff vodka and discreetly slipped it into a bag containing two bags of chips, a chocolate bar, and a pack of hotdogs, all while keeping a watchful eye on the owner. As she moved further down the aisle, still monitoring the store owner, she also grabbed some shampoo and conditioner. Illyana was so focused on her actions that she failed to notice someone standing behind her, closely observing her every move.

"Are you planning on swiping that?" a male voice suddenly questions, making her jump. Illyana lets out a yelp and nearly drops the shampoo bottle as she spins around to find herself face-to-face with a boy slightly older than her. He casts a doubtful glance at her bag.

"Of course not. I have money here, see." Illyana shows him a roll of money bills, pushing it in his face to see.

"Then why are you acting so sneaky?" The boy says.

With a flicker of irritation, Illyana responds, "Would you mind keeping to your own business, please?" She rolls her eyes, turns on her heel, and strides away, her movements purposeful and brisk. As she ambled through the aisle, she could hear the soft, persistent patter of the boy's footsteps trailing behind her, echoing her own. Just then, a door swings open with a creak, and a police officer saunters in, entering the story with a relaxed, unhurried gait. He greets the store owner with a nod and a smile as if they are familiar acquaintances, sharing a camaraderie built over many such encounters.

Illyana changed directions to steer clear of the police officer and turned left. Someone grabbed her arm. "I think I've caught a shoplifter red-handed," the boy announced, glancing at the police officer and the store clerk.

"What do you mean?" the officer said, scrutinizing Illyana.

"This young lady was on her way to the exit with a bag full of items without paying, isn't that right?" he said, giving Illyana a cunning smile.

The officer glanced at Illyana and her bag. "Is that true, young lady?"

Before Illyana could respond, the boy reached into her bag and pulled out the bottle of Smirnoff vodka. "And look at this, she even has booze. Are you even twenty-one, miss?"

"I..." Illyana stuttered.

The police officer raised an eyebrow. "So, are you, miss?"

Feeling trapped, Illyana glanced nervously between the officer and the boy, then burst into laughter, leaving the boy confused. "Oh, come on, CJ, quit messing around." She gave his shoulder a playful slap. "I was picking this up for you, remember? Let's not pretend we don't know each other and waste these officers' time."

Illyana shoots the boy a glance that hints at something more if he played along with her. She noticed how he admired her and knew he was attracted to her. Illyana is conscious of her allure and understands its power when wielded effectively. The boy pauses before responding, then bursts into laughter. Illyana laughs along with him. "We really fooled those guys, didn't we?" the boy says.

Illyana nodded. "Totally."

The police officer and the store clerk both shake their heads, realizing they've been drawn into the antics of these youngsters and have wasted their time.

"Here, give me that," the boy said, taking the Smirnoff vodka from Illyana and the bag containing the other items as well. "I will settle the bill."

The boy extended his hand, and Illyana frowned, unsure what else he wanted.

"The money," he clarified. "We're not going to get this for free, are we?" Illyana hesitated before giving him a few bills. The boy paid with the money and used his ID to purchase the alcohol at the counter. Then, he headed outside, where Illyana was already waiting. As soon as he stepped through the door, Illyana snatched the items from him before he realized she was standing there.

"Hey! Be careful. What if I dropped the bag? The bottle of booze would shatter," the boy complained.

Illyana verified the contents. "Do you have the change?" she asked.

The boy nodded and passed her the money. Illyana counted it, then slipped it into her pocket.

"Well, anyway, thanks," she said with a wink, about to leave when a hand caught her arm.

"What about your promise?" The boy says.

Illyana looks puzzled. "Promise? What promise?"

"Yeah, in the store, you shot me this look right when I was on the verge of tattling you to that cop," he said, his eyes lingering suggestively on the way her hoodie outlined her ample bosom.

"Oh, that!" Illyana laughed. "I'm sorry, I sometimes get this twitch in my eyes, and it acts on its own. Here, see." Illyana demonstrated, her eyes flickering from side to side.

The boy was not buying it. He grabbed the bottle from Illyana's hand.

"Hey! That was bought with my money!" Illyana said as the boy walked off with the bottle.

He waved it over his shoulder. "With the help of my ID, giving me the right to keep it. Have a nice day, bitch. Oh, and a pleasant day to you too, officer." he added in an overly polite tone, winking as the officer stepped out of the convenience store. The officer looked confused, glancing between the boy and Illyana.

Sensing the police officer's scrutinizing gaze, Illyana pivots and strides away. Once she bends around a corner, she glances back, slips her hand into her back pocket, and pulls out a wallet.

Opening it, she grimaces at a photo of the boy who stole her booze and his girlfriend, clearly smitten with each other.

She scoffs and tosses the photo on the street. After pocketing the cash she finds, she discards the wallet in a dumpster and heads home.

Upon returning home, she preheats the oven for a frozen pizza. Illyana approaches the mirror and brushes her hair aside, revealing a one-inch scar running down the side of her neck. She traces it with her finger.

"It healed good. I barely notice it anymore."

Illyana glanced back to find her father smiling from the hallway doorway. "Dad? Aren't you supposed to be working a double shift today? You gave me quite a scare," Illyana said, walking up to the freezer to grab a pizza.

"Apologies for the scare, sweetie. No double shift for me today," her father said as he made his way to the dining table to take a seat, watching his daughter put the pizza in the oven.

"Does it still trouble you, thinking about that day?" Illyana's father asked.

Illyana exhaled deeply, leaning against the kitchen counter with her arms crossed. "Yes, it does. It's so unfair that Mr. Corn only suffered material damage that money can easily fix while I'm left with this lasting mark of shame on my skin," she said, gesturing to the scar on the side of her neck.

"Well, good thing it's only a small mark of shame and, luckily, on a place on your body that's not directly noticeable. What about that poor girl—what was her name again?" Illyana's father shakes his head. "A scar the size of a hand right in the middle of her chest."

"Her name is Tracy Wilkins, and she absolutely deserved it!" Illyana retorted, gripping the kitchen counter as the anger she had felt that day began to surge within her once more.

"Seriously, Illyana? What did she do to you, make fun of you in class? Called you a whore? You find that a proper reason to mutilate someone's skin with a broken bottle?"

"Well, you probably think Mr. Corn was justified in hurting me, your own daughter, since you haven't mentioned that. What a caring father you are," Illyana said.

"The guy was trying to wrench you free from Tracy."

"But he still mutilated me," Illyana said.

"Accidentally. And that still doesn't excuse you for setting his car on fire," Illyana's father replied.

Illyana looked away, focusing her gaze on the oven to check if her pizza was done. The enticing smell of cheese and dough was already filling the kitchen.

Illyana's father sighed. "Do you realize how much trouble it took to keep you out of juvie for that heinous act? You're fortunate I knew the right people."

The oven beeped, signaling that Illyana's pizza was done. She picked up a pair of mitts and opened the oven.

"Is your lecture over?" Illyana asked her father, glancing back as she retrieved her pizza.

Her father stood up, walking up to her. "No, it's not. Listen, I'm giving you one month to consider your future, young lady." He pointed a finger at her. "You need to come up with a solid plan, or you'll have to move out. “You're down to your last chance here. It's your decision." Illyana's father was about to leave, but halted and turned back. “Oh, and don’t be naive to think that the fine your mother and I were forced to pay for all the damage you've caused was a gift."

With her father finally gone, Illyana sat at the table to enjoy her pizza and a large glass of ice-cold Coke. It had been over 24 hours since she kissed Douglas, yet Illyana felt no change in her body. She was unsure how long it would take for the powers to transfer to her, but she assumed it wouldn't exceed a day. Doubts began to creep in about whether it would work at all.

Illyana also started questioning the impulsiveness of her decision. Perhaps she should have manipulated Douglas a bit more, and he would have inevitably kissed her willingly.

Illyana didn't want to consider her other options in life at the moment—if there were any at all. Her entire attention was devoted to acquiring these powers.

Illyana's father was unaware, but she had already attempted to enroll in a local community college. Unfortunately, her application was rejected because of her disciplinary records and criminal background.

Similarly, trade school was not an option for the same reasons.

And, as the cherry on the cake, Illyana impulsively rage-quit her job last week after a heated argument with her manager.

Now, she was left with nothing. Her only hope lay in getting these powers.