Douglas's Dilemma – Chapter 2

Illyana peeked over the rim of her drink at Douglas, her eyes curious. "So what exactly are we doing in this coffee bar, Douglas?"

It had been at least two years since they last saw each other. Douglas had kept up with her through Instagram, so he knew what she looked like. The girl had not changed a bit. And damn, was she still a hottie. Even more so in real life.

Douglas's girlfriend was the epitome of perfection, with a dazzling smile that could brighten any mood.

But Illyana was something different. She was in the same league as Tiffany; she only radiated a different aura.

However, an air of mystery and intrigue about the dark-haired beauty kept Douglas under her spell, unable to fully let go of his thoughts about her.

Douglas couldn't help but stare into her emerald gaze for a moment longer than socially acceptable before returning to his brownie. With his fork, he sliced off another mouthful of the chocolate treat and brought it to his lips.

"Just catching up is all." He mumbled with his mouth full. "I haven't spoken to you in ages. And besides…" Douglas lowered his eyes and voice. "I still feel bad for bailing on you during that accident with Mr. Corn."

"Oh, you mean the time when I intentionally set that jerk's car on fire, and you were supposed to be on the lookout, but you couldn't handle it, so you ran off and left me to get caught and expelled from school, leading me to end up in juvie?" Illyana said.

Douglas placed his fork back on his plate and used his napkin to clean the corners of his mouth. "But you're not in Juvie anymore, aren't you?"

Illyana took a sip from her drink. "Nope, but not thanks to you."

"I see you're working at a Boutique store now. And you're living with your Dad on the other side of town?"

Illyana's eyes narrowed into tiny slits, granting them a suspicious look. "You seemed to notice a lot about me awfully, yet you never once visited me during my time in juvie."

"I wanted to, Illyana. I mean it. I was just so consumed by—"

"You're relationship with the world's most beloved superhero?" Illyana finished his sentence, cocking a brow. "Yeah, I get that. How can anyone go around Tiffany? Speaking of which, where is she? Does she know you're here with me?" Illyana glanced around.

Douglas dismissively waved his hand. "Don't worry about her. She's getting her ego bolstered as we speak for some heroic deed again, just like every other day of the damn week."

"And instead of being by her side, as a loving partner would do, you're here chatting with me, an old infatuation? I'm sure she'll appreciate that. I know I would if I were in her shoes." Illyana said.

"Listen, I cannot even count the times Tiffany complained about not having enough room for all the accolades and medals she'd received for her heroic deeds. I accompanied her on most ceremonies, so I can afford to skip just one and still be considered the most beloved partner ever."

"Yes, sweet old Tiffany has it all, hasn't she? And when that wasn't enough, fate decided to grant her superpowers as well. What a poor girl. My heart truly goes out to her."

"Good that you're mentioning that because I wanted to talk to you about that."

"About Tiffany having it all?" Illyana asked.

Douglas shook his head. "About superpowers."

"What is there to even discuss? If there is anyone who is an expert with these things, it's you with your superpowered girlfriend."

"I'm not here to discuss the qualities of superpowers. I want to talk to you about having these superpowers. Don't tell me you never dreamt of having them. To be able to roast your meat with a sheer gaze of the eyes or to be able to fly wherever the fuck you want."

Illyana's pitching laughter drew the attention of the other customers. "Seriously, Dougie? I came here with the faint hope that you might regret your act of cowardly in the past or your lack of sympathy after I got caught. But no, you're worse; this whole façade is meant to humiliate me. To make it clear how pathetic I am compared to Tiffany. I bet you two concocted this together. She's probably looking at me right now, laughing her ass off while glancing through some wall. You sick tiny twisted bitches!"

Illyana's voice grew louder and more emotional, causing everyone in the coffee shop to turn and listen. Douglas stood up from his seat and made his way over to her. His hand reached out, gently resting on Illyana's shoulder in an attempt to calm her down.

She slept his hand away. "Don't touch me! I'm out of here!"

Illyana stood up, grabbed her purse, and wanted to walk off, but some nerdy fat waitperson with milky-colored skin blocked her path. His nasal voice grated on her ears as he began to speak. "You still need to pay, miss," he said, holding his bony hand.

"I give you exactly three seconds to get out of my face, you white pustuled swine, before I slap those glasses off your nose and shove it up your throat so hard–"

"I'll cover the bill for the lady!" Douglas's grinning glee came in between them.

Illyana didn't want to stick around any longer, so she quickly made her way to the parking lot. As she reached for her car door handle, Douglas caught up to her and slammed it shut again after paying for their consumption.

"What, Douglas?!" she yelled, her arms flailing as she tried to grab her car key that he had sneakily taken and now held behind his back.

"Have you ever wondered how Tiffany acquired her powers?" Douglas said.

"Hand over my keys, jerk!" She lunged for them, but they slipped through her fingers.

“Aaah!" he screeched as the pointy end of Illyana's boot connected with his shin. "Okay, okay, I will. But please hear me out. I'm not playing here, Illyana. And Tiffany is not around here."

"What do you want from me, Douglas?"

"Listen," Douglas turned to Illyana with a severe expression. "I need you to hear me out, even if what I say sounds ridiculous. Just give me 30 seconds, and if you still think it's stupid, I'll give you your car key back and never bother you again."

Illyana let out an exasperated sigh and crossed her arms in surrender. "Fine, start speaking. And no more games, or my next kick will be aimed at your groin."

"Great!" He clapped his hands. "Tiffany's powers they derive from my will."

Illyana glanced at him, confused.

"Tiffany has powers because it is my wish she has them."

"You're speaking in enigmas."

"I was out hiking with a friend when we came across this genie who—"

"Okay, stop!" Illyana nearly slammed her hand in his face. "A freakin genie? Do I seriously have to keep listening to this nonsense?"

"Yes, you do if you value your car key."

Illyana let out a heavy sigh, turning her head.

"Anyway," Douglas continued. "This guy – because this genie looked like a guy, and one with a good taste for fashion if you ask me – offered me the opportunity to grant someone of my choice nigh-omnipotent powers."

"And you choose Tiffany?" Illyana said.

Douglas nodded.

"Does she know this story?"

Douglas nodded again. "However, there's one crucial detail that she doesn't know. You see, this genie also revealed to me something more. If I discover that I've made the wrong decision, I have the ability to transfer these powers to someone else instead."

"Meaning that Tiffany would lose her powers?"

Douglas confirmed with a nod.

"And why exactly are you telling me all of this?"

"Do I really need to spell it out for you?" Douglas replied, his gaze fixed on Illyana.

"You want me to have these powers?" Illyana asked.

"Yup."

Illyana chuckled, shaking her head. "Why?"

"Because you deserve them," Douglas said earnestly, his eyes shining sincerely.

"Me? An ex-offender who enjoys kicking boys below the belt when they become too annoying is more deserving than sweet, clean Tiffany with her unwavering moral compass. Yeah, that makes real sense, Douglas. Give me my keys." She held out her hand for them impatiently.

"Are you sure?" Douglas said.

"Keys or a kick!" Illyana screeched.

Douglas hesitated before reluctantly placing the car keys in Illyana's outstretched hand. He looked deep into her eyes, silently pleading for her to reconsider. But her expression remained steadfast. With a heavy heart, he released the keys, and she swiftly left without even a farewell gesture.

Douglas extended his index finger like a gun, aiming it at Illyana's car as he watched it drive away.

"You will become a Goddess, bitch! Whether you like it or not."

Later that evening, Douglas and Tiffany were cozied up on the couch, eating pizza and watching a movie, when his phone started buzzing.

"You aren't going to check who that is?" Tiffany asked while taking a bite from her slice of pizza.

Douglas shook his head. "Nah, it's probably Eliot again to ask if I can borrow him some money during lunchtime at school."

Tiffany shrugged and snuggled her back closer to Douglas's chest.

Sneakily, Douglas reached out to unlock his phone.

"And, is it Eliot?" Tiffany asked absentmindedly as she was mesmerized by the movie playing on TV.

"Yup," Douglas confirmed, noticing a message from Illyana pop up on his screen.

"What's he saying?" Tiffany took a long slurp from her coke.

"Exactly what I expected," Douglas said as he opened Illyana's message, which read: "How does the transfer of these powers work?"

Douglas looked startled when Tiffany turned around to look at him. "Why is your heart suddenly rattling like you're sprinting to catch the bus?"

"I, uhm…" Douglas strained his mind for a way out of this delicate predicament. If Tiffany got even the slightest suspicion, she would pry his phone from him and discover the truth, trapping him in his deception.

He clenched his teeth, biting down so hard that he thought he might draw blood. Suddenly, a light bulb went off in his head. "Because I have no idea how you will react to this surprise I forgot to give you, sweety!" He reached into his back pocket and pulled out the dinner voucher he intended to give his mother for her birthday tomorrow.

Thankfully, he didn't have time to add something like "Happy birthday, Mom!" and a personalized message. So, it was still blank and could be given to anyone.

Either way, it was still weird that Douglas gave it to her out of the blue. He wasn't mainly known for being the romantic type or for surprising her with gestures like this. But Tiffany gladly accepted it, and Douglas sighed in relief when she embraced him and gave him a grateful kiss to show her gratitude.

The next day, while Tiffany was off saving the world, Douglas had an appointment scheduled with Illyana. He was determined to leave a lasting impact on her that would change her forever.