The boy standing at the corner of the street seemed to shimmer. Everything he wore reflected a golden light. He swept bright blond hair out of his face and checked his watch. In a matter of seconds, an old yellow school bus turned the corner and stopped in front of him with a squeal of brakes. The boy stepped onto the bus, giving a curt nod to Ron Wilson, Bus Driver. There were a lot of freshmen this year, the boy thought, looking for a familiar face. He finally found someone and sat down next to another guy wearing a garish neon green t-shirt that somehow complemented his white hair.
"Hey Zach," the blond said quickly, fiddling with his gold gloves. "Beginning of Junior Year. Long time, no see. You worried?"
"You're joking, right, Midas? I am SO NOT worried that I am the total opposite of worried, bro." Zach's huge gestures got a smile from Midas. For a moment, with their pale skin, blond hair, and bright grins, they looked like they could almost be brothers. The moment was shattered when Midas raised an eyebrow.
"You do realize that you can't get paired with Magenta?"
Zach's face fell as the concept of Hero Pairing finally caught up to him.
It happened on the first day of junior year at Sky High, and it was the beginning of every student's life as a hero. Or a sidekick. Based on a performance they would each do today, each member of the Hero Class would be partnered with a member of Hero Support. These groups, barring events of catastrophic proportions, would be permanent. But the idea only fazed Zach for a moment before he shrugged.
"Doesn't change a…"
Zach's voice caught for a second when the bus drove over a cliff and activated its jets, taking to sky.
"Thing," he finished.
"Really," Layla chimed in. Her bright red hair bounced from the seat behind them. "Well, I actually am a bit worried about partners."
"Give me a break," Midas joked. "We all know you're going to get paired with Will. Don't even try to deny it, Green Thumb."
"And it's a shame he still sticks with you losers," someone else added.
Layla groaned when she looked at the face that hovered over her shoulder. Will, who had been resting against the window, opened his eyes and glared at Lash.
"And I'm surprised you didn't fail out last year."
The extendable boy laughed, a deep, growling sort of noise that made Midas start. He turned to face Lash with a look of scarcely concealed annoyance.
"Can you stop being a total dick?"
"Or what, Golden Boy? Gonna arrest me for talking to you?"
"No. But I will make you shut up," Midas said icily, removing his right glove like a surgeon after an operation.
"Ooooh… Scary," Lash drawled, "Sidekick here's gonna-"
His eyes showed his surprise as Midas put a finger on his lips. Lines of gold spread from the point of contact like cracks on an icy lake. In a second, Lash's mouth was sealed shut by his new metal lips. Midas drew his finger back with a slight smirk, while Lash made muffled sounds of anger before reeling his head back to his body, three rows behind them.
"Yeah, man!" Zach shouted his approval and high fived Midas. The boy's eyes widened the instant Zach touched him and he pulled away quickly. The damage was already done, though. Gold radiated from Zach's palm, twining its way into his fingers and wrist and rendering his hand completely immobile. Magenta glared at the blond, but Midas was already apologizing, waving his hands around frantically as he tried to explain.
"I am so sorry, Zach! I was just trying to get him to shut up and then you and then I couldn't get out of the way fast enough and, it's my fault."
He took a deep breath before continuing, not noticing the trails of gold he had left on the bus seat.
"But please don't worry. It'll wear off in a few minutes."
"It's all good, man," Zach laughed, flashing his working hand up in a thumbs up. Midas looked at Zach's ridiculous grin, and a small smile played across his face. Even Magenta allowed herself a smirk.
The bus slowed down, landing in front of the looming 'Sky High' sign, and rolling into the parking lot. Dozens of other buses were already there, letting students out, and it looked like the year wouldn't start out with anything too crazy. Friends were seeing each other for the first time since the beginning of summer break, and the air was warm, even at this altitude. Midas looked out at the school and sighed. This year was going to be a good one, he thought.
That blissfully ignorant thought lasted about four seconds before Zach nudged him in the rib. Midas turned around and looked him in the eyes, then quickly looked down.
"What is it, Zach?"
"I'm just wondering who I'm getting paired with. Bet you are too."
"So," Midas said dryly, "you are worried?"
"Not."
"Are."
"Not."
"Are."
Their little argument was cut short by Ron Wilson, Bus Driver, who opened the doors onto the first day of the (Super) School Year. Students surged out of the bus, pulling Zach and Midas along with them. Their disagreement was forgotten as they stepped through the halls. Magenta joined them as they passed the gym, where the freshmen were filing in for power placement. They shuddered collectively as they remembered the day two years earlier. Layla and Ethan met them outside the auditorium, which was where they would showcase their powers.
"Will and Warren are already in there, preparing for the Hero displays" Layla told them, before they could start looking around for their other friends.
"Show offs," Zach grumbled.
"It's not their fault they're in Hero Class."
"And it's not my fault you're blocking us from going in to see them," Magenta shot back.
"Oh. Sorry. Go ahead."
Everyone made their way in, but when Midas tried to walk in, Layla grabbed him by the arm and pulled him close. She whispered gently , her hair tickling his ear.
"You need to get your thing for Zach under control, Midas. Magenta's starting to get annoyed with you, and I really don't want to see you two get in a fight. It would be terrible. Now go ahead."
She said the last part with a smile, gently pushing a violently blushing Midas into the auditorium.