"Avalon Academy: The New Kid"
by Angel R. Harris
Disclaimer: All the
characters appearing in Gargoyles and Gargoyles: The Goliath Chronicles are
copyright Buena Vista Television/The Walt Disney Company.
No infringement of these copyrights is intended, and is not authorized by the
copyright holder. All original characters are the property of Angel R. Harris.
Summary: What if the "Gargoyles" characters grew up together and went to the same school? (Note: Although all of the characters are young, this story is set during modern times.)
***Inspired by "Kim Possible", motivated by "Sailor Moon". ^_~
*****
P.S. 129
Office of Dr. Ron Hildebrandt
Vice-Principal
Peter and Diane Maza had been in that same room many times before. Peter could tell exactly where the cheap veneer was peeling away on the edges of Dr. Hildebrandt's desk. He had become well acquainted with the lump in the chair on which he was sitting, and he knew the way to adjust his body so as to avoid it. Diane could remember how the window curtain's plaid pattern was folded between the creases of fabric. She could close her eyes and see the large block of yellow, the line of blue, and the bold stripe of red in the soft folds of polyester. (She wouldn't *want* to envision the ugly pattern, but she could.) Both Peter and Diane recognized the *buzz-hum* of the fan in the air vents. But where Dr. Hildebrandt found the rhythm of the fan blades reassuring, the Mazas found it increasingly annoying. The couple also knew not to be startled by the profuse amount of sweat in the vice-principal's hands and on his forehead when he greeted them. After all, if their reason for being here was any indication, working in a junior high school was incredibly stressful.
Indeed, those three individuals have been together in that same office with the same ugly plaid curtains many, many times in the past. Their reason for being there was always the same:
The Mazas' fourteen year-old daughter, Elisa, was in trouble again.
"I really don't know how to handle this situation," Dr. Hildebrandt stated after explaining the problem to them. "In the past two and a half months, Elisa has had two suspensions and ten after-school detentions! Is there anything I should know? Any problems with her other classmates? Problems at home?" He added in a softer tone, "Are there any medical conditions that I should know about?"
Both parents shook their heads. "No, it's nothing like that," Peter Maza replied. "To tell you the truth, we've been trying to figure it out also. The only thing we could think of is that she's just a smart-mouth hothead." Diane rolled her eyes.
"If you don't mind me asking," Dr. Hildebrandt said, "how do you discipline Elisa at home?"
Diane sat up straighter in her chair, a little insulted that he would imply that they didn't know how to handle their own daughter. "We discipline her just fine. We take away her privileges and keep her indoors. Since she's very active, keeping her in her room has always been effective." Diane relaxed from her defensive posture. "However," she continued, "she felt justified when she fought against those other students. Not to excuse what she's done, but she told us that she caught those boys bullying another student. She came to his defense."
Dr. Hildebrandt wiped the sweat off his brow with a handkerchief. He decided not to mention that the parents of the bullies' victim had already come to him with complaints about the other boys' violent behavior towards their son. He shook his head; the term "kids will be kids" didn't seem to apply to children these days. "Be that as it may," he replied, "we cannot have a vigilante disturbing our school." Both Mazas nodded and apologized profusely for their daughter's actions.
Dr. Hildebrandt folded his hands on the desk and leaned forward. "Despite all of the actions I've had to take against your daughter, Elisa's grades are glowing. Not only is she in the top ten percent of her class, she is also a terrific athlete. If this had been any other student, I would have expelled her by now."
Diane Maza gasped and a lump formed in her husband's throat. They knew that the problem was serious, but they had no idea that it could come to this.
"However," Dr. Hildebrandt continued, "the only action I will take is to put her on in-school suspension and to remove her from her extra-curricular activities." Peter Maza's heart wrenched. Elisa adored being on the track team, and she was excellent on the girls' basketball team. He knew she would be crushed when she heard the news, but he knew it had to be done. "But if her behavior continues down this path," the vice-principal declared," I'll have no other choice than to put her out of school permanently."
The Mazas nodded grimly.
*****
Later…
Peter pounded on the horn in frustration as he and his wife sat in the car that had been motionless for the past half hour.
Diane leaned on the passenger-side door and held her forehead in her hand. "Do you really think that's going to make this traffic move any faster?" she asked her husband.
Peter slumped back in his seat. "Expulsion. Elisa could be expelled from school." He rubbed his hand through his shoulder-length hair; his dark tresses were tinged with silver. "I just don't get it! What is wrong with that girl?"
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe she's just a 'smart-mouth hothead'." Diane muttered, "Like someone else I know."
Peter sighed and rubbed his hands along his face. "Please don't start this again."
"Well, I wasn't the one who thought it would be a good idea to sign her up for those martial arts classes when she was nine!" Diane turned on her husband angrily.
"Look, you were the one who said she needed some grace and poise. And those ballet lessons were working out *so well*," Peter pointed out, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "At least she isn't tripping over her own two feet anymore," Peter grumbled.
"No," Diane replied, "now she's giving out black eyes!" She sighed, exasperated. "Peter, what're we going to do? We both know that Elisa is really a good girl. She's just – "
"Wild."
"Tempestuous," Diane corrected him and smiled in spite of herself. "We just need to establish more boundaries for her."
"Well, what're we supposed to do, Diane? We can't watch her twenty-four hours a day."
Diane shrugged her shoulders and turned to watch the pedestrians passing by her car window. A young woman walked into her line of vision. She was Diane's junior by about five years or so, and she held the small hand of a little girl in her protective grasp. The child wore a pleated, plaid blue skirt and a dark green cardigan over her crisp, white blouse. The cardigan sported an elaborate golden crest and the same symbol was repeated in miniature on the little girl's beret. Diane watched the pair silently while an idea formed in her head.
"Peter," she asked, "how much money do we have in our savings?"
*****
Maza Residence
Elisa's bedroom
The next day…
"You're sending me where?"
"We're sending you to a private school," Peter answered his daughter. After discussing the idea at length, he and Diane had spent most of the past twenty-four hours trying to determine how to make it all work. Private schools were expensive; thankfully, they had a nice sum tucked away into their savings account. Also, their credit was good enough to ask for a loan from the bank if they needed it. The only problem, it seemed, was to get Elisa to go along with the whole idea.
"Why?" she demanded. "Just because of one little fight?"
"One little fight?!" Elisa's mother was practically livid. How could her daughter be so nonchalant about this? "Elisa, three boys went home from school yesterday covered in bruises and you're asking us why?"
"They were picking on Larry," Elisa defended herself. "What was I supposed to do? Let 'em beat up the poor kid?"
"Don't you dare take that tone of voice with us!" Peter scolded her. His body was tense with anger as he towered over his daughter who sat on the bed next to her mother. Peter took a breath to calm him. He began pacing the room. "Besides," he added, "it wasn't your fight."
"But shouldn't I help other people when they're in trouble?"
"Not by getting into trouble yourself," her mother pointed out. "What you should have done was call a teacher, not join in the fray!"
Elisa's bottom lip stuck out in an angry pout as she curled her legs beneath her and crossed her arms.
"Suck in that lip," Peter commanded. Elisa did as she was told.
The room was silent for several moments. Elisa pulled her knees to her chest and played with the toes of her sneakers. Her father stopped his pacing and rested against the doorframe. His wife sat on the edge of the bed, straightening and re-straightening the folds of her skirt.
Diane sighed and placed her hand over that of her daughter's; mahogany met gold. "Your father and I appreciate the fact that you want to help people, and we hope that someday you'll be able to do just that. Until then, you have to stay out of trouble.
"It seems that every time we draw a line in the sand, you find your way around it or under it – "
"Or through it," Peter added.
Diane ignored him. "We think you need more boundaries, so we're looking for a school that sets high standards for it's students. I know you'll miss your friends – " Elisa shrugged at this. There weren't really many classmates she could call on as a friend. She mainly kept to herself. Most of the girls were too gossipy, and the guys were too immature. Besides, she knew a lot of the kids at that school thought she was rather, well, odd. " – but I'm sure you'll make a lot of new ones," her mother continued.
Elisa looked up into her mother's face. She had always marveled at how, despite the stress of being a full-time college professor, being a police officer's wife, and raising three children, the skin around her eyes was as soft and smooth as Elisa's own. Elisa had noticed in the past, however, that whenever her mother was especially overworked, her eyelids would grow dark and puffy. Elisa recognized that same weariness beginning to surface in her mother's eyes, despite the warm smile on her face. Elisa forced herself to choke back her tears.
Elisa turned away from Diane and glanced up at her father, but she quickly yanked her gaze away in shame. When she finally allowed herself to gaze into her father's eyes, Elisa saw his strength and faith in his firstborn child. As Elisa stared through the window of her father's deep brown orbs, she saw hope, love, and…pride?
Elisa stared down at her toes sheepishly and nodded her assent. Diane took her "baby" in her arms and kissed her on the cheek.
*****
Several days later…
Peter Maza sighed as he tossed another rejection letter into the wastebasket. He didn't even have to open it; he was beginning to recognize the small, flimsy envelopes that contained them. Peter glanced at his wife who was already busy writing another letter to another private school.
For the first time since Elisa's birth, he was greatly worried about his daughter's future. When Elisa was born, neither he or his wife was making a lot of money. Peter was also concerned at how the daughter of a Hopi man and an African-American woman would be received by society. His fears had been diminished when he saw what a caring and intelligent, spirited young woman Elisa had become. Lately, however, she'd been more withdrawn and indignant. Peter had hoped it was just a phase, but things were starting to become more serious.
A sudden knock at the front door interrupted Peter's thoughts. He turned to his wife, who mirrored his same confused expression. Nobody was expecting any visitors.
Peter went over to the door. "Who is it?" he asked.
"My name is Anastasia D'Avalonis," a feminine voice replied, "and I'm here about your daughter, Elisa."
Peter muttered a short curse. "Look," he explained as he opened the door, "I sincerely apologize for whatever my daughter has done. If there are any damages, my wife and I are more than willing to pay."
The woman standing at the doorway wore a puzzled look her practically flawless face. Her long waves of sable locks shone richly despite the flicker of the old porch-light. Her creamy skin glowed with a beautiful luminescence, and her eyes were deep and wise. She smiled. "I believe that there has been a misunderstanding." The woman pulled a business card from her blazer's inner pocket and handed it to Mr. Maza. "I'm the headmistress of Avalon Academy. My sources tell me you've been seeking a new school for your eldest daughter."
Peter examined the card, which did identify her as Dr. Anastasia D'Avalonis, headmistress of Avalon Academy. The school's crest was embossed beneath the woman's name and title. It held a golden phoenix with large fiery wings. The symbol was stunning in its simplicity.
Peter shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I've never heard of this school."
"Avalon Academy is a very private, very elite institution. We will only accept the very best of the best. We're only concerned with students who show very great potential."
"And you're interested in Elisa?" Peter asked, disbelieving.
Diane, who had since followed her husband to the door and listened in on the conversation, slipped in front of her husband and graciously invited the woman into her home. After introductions were made, Dr. D'Avalonis joined the couple in their living room.
"So," Diane said excitedly, "tell me more about your school."
Dr. D'Avalonis began, "At Avalon Academy, we teach our students to always strive for perfection. In their quest for excellence, we instill in them the values of honor, courage, and perseverance. We are also highly selective. The student must be eager to learn and willing to accept any and all challenges. All of our students have a high pedigree – "
"But you've decided to take Elisa as a charity case, is that it?" Peter interrupted. He felt uncomfortable in Dr. D'Avalonis' presence. Maybe it was "cop instinct" or his instincts as a father, but there was something about the woman that set his nerves on edge. It seemed unusual to him for a headmistress of such a "very elite institution" to come to the home of a potential student, especially if she arrived uninvited. And it was downright suspicious that she came from a school that neither he or his wife had ever heard of.
Diane was angry at her husband's rudeness, but Anastasia D'Avalonis responded very calmly. "If my research is correct," she replied, "you, Mr. Maza, have an excellent service record with the New York City police department. Your wife has won prestige for her excellent teaching career. Your father, Mr. Maza, is a distinguished member of the Council on your Hopi reservation. And Mrs. Maza's parents are both hardworking, respectable members of their church and community." Dr. D'Avalonis pointed out, "I can see no better pedigree if Elisa was born with a brick of pure gold!"
Peter Maza was dumbfounded. He had certainly not given this woman enough credit.
Dr. D'Avalonis turned to Diane. "I'd love to see Elisa. When can I meet her?"
Peter spoke up, "I'll go and get her." He left the living room and went upstairs to Elisa's bedroom. He was still somewhat fazed by the doctor's honest answer. He knocked on Elisa's door. "Elisa," he called, "come downstairs."
"Why?" she called back. "I didn't do it!"
Peter felt his head begin to throb. "You have an important visitor. Come downstairs now!"
When the door was opened, Peter was greeted by a loud pop as a large pink bubble deflated in front of his daughter's face. He held out his hand and Elisa dutifully gave up the bubblegum. As she turned and walked down the hall, her father stopped her with his hand on her shoulder. He leaned close to her ear and whispered through clenched teeth, "We'll talk about what you *didn't* do, later."
Diane turned towards the stairs when she heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Anastasia stood up from the couch in order to see her new pupil. Avalon Academy's headmistress waited eagerly to see the face of the bright young woman who would help her school to achieve its ultimate goal!
Upon first sight of the child, Dr. Anastasia D'Avalonis thought, [Oh my goodness…This may be more of a challenge than I had realized!]
Elisa Maza stood before her in a faded tee-shirt and a pair of grey sweatpants that had been cut off at the knee. On her feet, the girl wore a pair of old, worn-out sneakers covered in dirt and grass stains. She had high cheekbones and a pretty, heart-shaped face. Her eyes were dark and inquisitive, and her long raven hair flowed like a dark river of ink down her back.
"Elisa," Diane Maza began, "this is Dr. Anastasia D'Avalonis. She's interested in having you attend her school Avalon Academy. Dr. D'Avalonis, this is our daughter, Elisa."
The doctor smiled down at the girl. "Come here child," she instructed. "Let me take a good look at you."
Elisa hesitated and arched her eyebrow at this strange woman. With a nudge in the back from her father, she approached Dr. D'Avalonis and stood quietly before her.
Anastasia placed her hands on Elisa's shoulders. "Stand up straight, Elisa." Elisa stood taller, straighter. Dr. D'Avalonis cupped Elisa's chin with her long, slender fingers. She turned Elisa's face one way and then the next. She noticed that Elisa's eyes were studying Anastasia just as intently as the woman was studying her. [Just a diamond in the rough,] Anastasia told herself. [With a little polishing, I'm sure this gem will shine!] "There's such great potential in this young one," Anastasia said quietly. "Such wonderful potential…"
Anastasia removed her hand and stood to face the parents. "I'll have my secretary call you to schedule an appointment for the orientation."
"Orientation?" Diane asked. "You mean Elisa got in?".
"Of course she got in." Anastasia turned to Elisa. "She'll be a wonderful edition to our student body." She returned her attention to the parents. "We'll schedule the orientation a couple of days from now. After that, we'll acquaint her with the school's rules and policies. Then she'll have to be tested to see which classes she'll be attending – "
"Wait a minute! Time out!" Peter spoke up. "I'm not so sure about this. We know nothing about you or this school. We don't even know where it is! And you expect us to sign over our daughter's education – not to mention our savings - just like that?"
Dr. D'Avalonis spoke in the same calm manner she had previously addressed the Maza patriarch. "Of course, you and your wife will be invited to attend the orientation. As for the money, I'm sure we can work a reasonable payment plan." She stepped closer to the couple. "I think you will be very pleased with our lovely institution. Our students are all bright and hardworking. When they leave us, they go and do marvelous things with their lives. I have no doubt that Elisa will flourish at Avalon Academy." Anastasia turned to the young Elisa and was somewhat startled that the girl still watched her with the same intensity in her deep, almond eyes. The doctor smiled at the girl and walked past her to the door. When she reached the front entrance, she turned back to give one last wave to the Maza's. Then she opened the door and left.
**To be continued…