Streak

Chapter One: Change of Pace

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Tick.

Blinking eyes gazed in disinterest as her mouth opened for a yawn. On the stage, teachers gave out awards to students with outstanding achievements, while wide grins inflated youthful egos. Her person hardly stood up for an award. It was just like the other years. Same old, same old... Nothing ever changed. The principal was at the podium, summarizing the school year and the successful events that took place within the campus.

Tock.

Nila West, age sixteen and a grade ten student, was grateful that the first year of high school and final exams were over. This year was a disaster for her! The expectations in high school were way different than in middle school. With her lack of effort on academics during the school year, her parents kept on hounding her to put in the time after school to do her homework. She was lucky enough to have passed each of her classes to move on to the next grade. Nila did not mind school and it's academic competition. She liked the social aspect of school and the sense of belonging it brought. Suddenly, Nila was starting to feel hungry. She glanced at her stomach in worry.

Oh, crap, she thought. It's probably the hyper metabolism.

Tick.

"... and I wish you all a safe and happy summer vacation. See you all next year!" said the middle-aged headmaster.

Tock.

"Hey, Nila, let's go...!" a faint voice calling out to her.

She looked up and saw that it was one of her friends, Becky. The rest of their companions were just about to leave the gymnasium, excited about their two month holiday.

"Yeah, sure, coming," said Nila, focusing intently on her hunger.

They met up at the main entrance of the school grounds of Central City High School, enthusiastic about finally having a moment of freedom to themselves.

"Who's up for espressos at the Java Bean?" smiled Laurie, mentioning their usual meeting place in joy and giddy.

"Well, duh!" said Erin with a gentle grin on her face. "That's what we always do at the end of the school year. We defiantly deserve that after finals!"

"Count me in!" squealed Becky. "You coming Nila?"

Closing her eyes, she deeply sighed, smiled, and looked up at her girlfriends.

"Ladies... as of tonight... I am a free woman!"

Everyone clumped together in a warm embrace, giggling with delight. The world was not in peril. Gymnastics was over until August, and there were no training classes at the Metrotower. This was a very good day for Nila. As a bonus for her, Rocky, her twin brother, was away in Mexico for soccer camp, so she had the house all to herself.

Once they were in front of the small bistro, Nila heard her cellphone ringing in her purse. She unzipped her handbag, and glanced at the screen of the phone. She rolled her eyes as she saw who was calling her.

"Oh, great..." she muttered as she opened her cell.

She walked away into an area where her friends couldn't hear her, since she was often called on her cellphone for League business. It was a way to keep hero life and normal life two separate worlds.

"Talk to me."

"Nila, it's me," said a familiar voice on the other line.

"Hey, mom."

"Nila, I need to talk to you at the Metrotower," she began. "It's urgent."

"Is there any trouble?" asked Nila.

"No, everything's fine," she replied. "I want you to come to the Metrotower right now. It's very important."

From the tone of her mother's voice, Nila knew she was serious.

"Alright, alright, I'm coming," she sighed. "I'll be there in five, just give me a sec."

Closing her cellphone, she glanced at her friends and told them that she had to leave.

"Aw, so soon!" cried Laurie in disappointment.

"Sorry, gals, but you know how it is with my Ma," she began. "Say no to her, and you'll be in therapy for years...!"

Extreme laughter then filled the atmosphere, leaving the girls breathless and weak. They then said their goodbyes and Nila was on her way to the bus stop. Once she knew she was out of sight, she speed off to an alley, and dug through her purse. Once she found what she needed, she placed her comm-link in her ear and pressed a button.

"Metrotower, table for one..."

Author's Note

'kay, I know that it was short and all, but I'm tired, cranky, impatient, (rants on)... ... that I wanted you to see it BADLY!!

There's a load of info in the next chapter, so that's one of my excuses for putting this up. Mostly about Nila's view on a superhero family, the superhero community, her friends, double life and so on.

I thank Leya Gecko and Miles333 for beta reading. :)

Questions? Comments? Feel free to ask/tell them! :)