Chapter Text
-Max's Perspective.
I work for an organization made by heroes, for heroes. It's all I've known all my life, it's all I'll probably ever know.
Don't get me wrong, I don't hate it, but... it gets boring sometimes. I mean, we have hundreds of heroes, for only a handful of villains.
The last time a hero saw a true challenge, I wasn't born yet. The villain is retired now, so I won't get the chance to face him. Too bad...
I'm in a meeting, just me and my boss — Joyce Byers — as she tells me about my next mission. I don't hear a word, until—
"You have probably heard of James Hopper, the most powerful villain we've seen. He's... not from your generation, but the elders love to mention him." The woman mentions, and I finally raise my head to look at her, interested for once.
I simply nod, confirming I knew who he was.
"Well, our sources indicate that the new villain we're facing may be his daughter, Jane Hopper. It seems he trained her to be his successor." Joyce explained, her voice breaking a little as she attempted to remain neutral.
I had heard rumors of Joyce's romance with James Hopper, back when the two were young. "Nothing good comes from a romance between a hero and a villain", the elders had taught me.
Whatever. This Jane seems interesting. If she's as strong as her father, I may finally have some challenge! That would be fun, for once.
I kept thinking of how she could be, fantasizing about a strong, scary villain that wants to take revenge on all heroes for taking down her father.
I didn't even notice as I zoned out again, until Joyce hit me by throwing an eraser on my forehead, making me wince.
"I want your full focus on this mission, Ms. Mayfield. If she's as strong as her father was on her age, she may be as strong as you; if not stronger. So prepare properly, got it?" She scolded.
I sighed, but understood where she was coming from. She's not wrong. "Of course, Ms. Byers. I'll be careful, I promise."
She looked at me suspiciously, not sure I fully meant it, but sighed.
"Steve will be mentoring you for the next week, to make sure you're truly prepared."
At least it's not Nancy. Last time Nancy mentored me, my entired body was sore. That woman didn't let me take a single break in three hours of training!
——————————
I went to my bedroom later that day, and searched for the name "Jane Hopper" on my computer. There had to be something about her, right?
After a bit of scrolling, I found an Instagram page. I scrolled through some pictures, seeing some of her friends, her family.
Then I saw her Story. In the background, I noticed a very familiar classroom—the science lab from my school.
Great. How didn't I notice her, if she goes to the same school I do? ...Not that I notice many people.
I decided to text my friend, Mike Wheeler, about it.
——————————
Mike
You
DUDE.
FUCKING. JANE. HOPPER.
SHE'S FROM OUR SCHOOL?
Mike
???
no shit?
she sits in front of you
every day.
You
she does not
I vividly remember who sits in front of me, okay?
Mike
what's their name?
You
...
ok, fine.
I don't
BUT YOU DIDN'T EVEN TELL ME??
Mike
I did
you were playing videogames with Lucas
You
ooooooh
that makes sense, yeah...
anyway, bye :D
——————————
I stared at her Instagram for a few more seconds. Damn, she's pretty!
...What? I know I said romance between heroes and villains doesn't end well, but can't I appreciate a pretty woman? Either way, in no moment did I mention I cared for those warnings. I just mentioned their existence.
I decided to follow her. Why not? Maybe it will mess with her a bit.
After a few minutes, I put my phone away and went to sleep.
——————————
-Jane's Perspective
I was reading a book. It was marketed as Enemies to Lovers slow burn, but it burned so fast it almost toasted the page.
I went on the book's page and posted a review.
Jane Hopper.
1⭐️
"Pretty stereotypical.
Magical girl, villain, they kiss, all's forgiven. Yipee!
Can these authors be any more unoriginal?
Well, doesn't matter. The book ends when the hero gives her tragic backstory monologue and the hero kisses her. Ew."
When I posted it, I received a notification from Instagram. Some girl named Max followed me.
Normally, only family and friends followed me, so I looked through her profile.
I recognized her as someone who sat behind me. She's relatively popular, to my memory, and I don't remember us ever talking.
I'm not sure why she would follow me, so I decided not to follow back. I'd ask her about it later.
It was 11pm, and I have a full week ahead of me. Might as well get some sleep.