Medora took a deep breathe and counted to three before releasing. The sounds of cameras clicking and questions the interviewers were asking almost louder than than her father''s voice, which was something since he had the microphone.


    This wasn''t the first time she''s been here and it definitely won''t be the last. Her older brother had just stopped a bus full of people from going off a bridge on his way to the gym and of course there were people with their phones capturing the whole thing. Instead of actually calling the police or fire department. She didn''t mind, such things were what put them in all the good headlines.


    "But enough about me. Now I''ll let the hero, my son Alek, address your curious minds." He flashed his heart warming grin one more time before stepping away from the podium, allowing Alek to take over. ''Adebayo the charmer'' is what they called her dad back in the day. At least that''s what he told Medora multiple times while she was growing up.


    She felt a pinch on her arm and tilted her head slightly to peer at her younger sister, Topaz. "What?" She whispered sharply, it was hard to smile and whisper at the same time. "I''m need to use the bathroom. Do you think they''d notice if I slipped away for a bit?" Topaz was noticeably shifting on her legs. Medora shook her head, "Alek is almost done. Just hold on for a bit." It wasn''t like she had told her to go before they got on stage.


    And right on time the crowd erupted into cheers and applause. The whole family was ushered closer for the paparazzi to take their pictures. The perfect image of the perfect family.


    ***


    "You did so well well today." Their Dad said said they entered their family home. Of five bedrooms and three bathrooms, with a study and a garden out back.


    "Thanks Dad. But if you don''t mind I''d like to go to my room to rest a bit, my arms are terribly sore." Their dad nodded and Alek made his way up to his room. The twins went to the kitchen for a late night snack while Medora remained in the parlour with her parents.


    Her mother''s eyes steeled on her, "How was the crowd tonight?"


    Medora crossed her legs and leaned back on the armchair, replaying the whole night back in her head, "They''re all impressed. Some are even planning to donate to your charities. This would do well when you start to campaign."


    He stood up and placed a kiss on her forehead, "You''re my lucky charm Dora."


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    "Thanks Dad." She offered him a small smile, her head was starting to throb. He made his way to his room while his wife stayed behind, "Are you still taking your medicine?" She asked solemnly. Medora nodded, "Yeah I am." She didn''t mention how she had skipped tonight in order to read the room properly. Or how she skipped every time they went to an event. It was working so if it wasn''t broke then don''t fix it.


    "Good. We can''t have you spiralling again." She stood up and went to the kitchen to make her night time tea.


    Medora didn''t get up again for the next five minutes taking a few deep breathes to clam herself down. ''You throw a fit one time and suddenly you''re a nutcase.'' She thought bitterly.


    "Hey, get to bed. You still have school tomorrow." Her mother said before leaving as well. Now she was the only one downstairs. She picked at a loose string of her suit pants, finally she dragged herself off the chair and climbed up the stairs to her room. In the hall she could see her parents suitcases outside their room ready for when they left in the morning, they''d leave in their private jet and not come back until a month or two. That was their MO. They''re back for a week or two for an event then leaves for a month or so for ''business and whatnot''. Always a new discovery to make or ribbon to cut.


    She stumbled into her room, not even bothering to turn on her light as she sat on her bed. Her suit was starting to itch and her makeup was getting runny, reaching into her dresser she grabbed her make up bag and took out her wipes. After cleaning her face she changed into her sleeping gown. Curling onto her bed her couldn''t seem to get tired, her head turned from a dull throb to a sharp sting. Grudgingly she reached onto her dresser and grabbed her pill bottle, it had six in it left. She''d have to go Syntax for a refill. It was supposed to dull her mutated senses in order for her to function properly. She believed she was much more fun without it but what did she know. She wasn''t the award winning scientist. She was just the product of one.


    She laid on her back and stared at the ceiling. It was littered with glow in the dark stars she had placed on it in the actual arrangement of the constellations, she had bought it in a moment of whimsy, she counted each and every star until she fell asleep. Ready for the storm that would accompany school the next day.


    ~~~


    A Day Ago


    Medora was looking at her phone scrolling through her quickgram dms, it was the same old same old. People asking whether she could have them meet her family, death threats, wondering whether they''re aliens or tools of a bigger conspiracy.


    It was a pass time while waiting for the mechanic to step out of his office. She was at Jeremy Bros. Mechanics where the city buses were maintained and repaired. She was given an assignment and now she had to complete it.


    Jeremy stepped out with a clipboard, he looked out in surprise seeing her there, recognition flashed in his eyes.


    ”Can I help you?” He asked. No one else was around but she knew that. They were all on break.


    She smiled warmly at the man, “I just need you to do something for me.” Her eyes glowing a soft gold.