"Miss Wilson," Principal Powers sat at her desk with Lyra across from her. "seeing as you are starting your first year as a sophomore I didn't think it appropriate that you attend the power placement with the freshmen."
"Power placement?" Lyra questioned uncertain.
"Yes, it's when first year students demonstrate their powers and we place them into a suitable curriculum." Principal Powers clarified.
"What are the subjects?" Lyra acted skeptically.
"If you are labeled a super hero you will take courses like mad science, tactics, and speech." Principal Powers elaborated.
"And if I don't want to be a super hero?" The question dripped with disdain.
"Then you will take the hero support curriculum." Principal Powers ignored the tone coming from the young student.
"Hero support?" Lyra quirked an eyebrow
"Yes there you will learn how best to assist the hero you are assigned at graduation."
"Well that's a bunch of bull."
"Excuse me."Principal Powers scrunched her eyebrows before gathering her composure.
"Let's say I'd rather not be labeled by either category." Lyra looked at Principal Powers expectantly.
"Miss Wilson I sense some resistance here." Powers shuffled some papers around. "Let's start over, shall we. What is it you wish to accomplish here at Sky High?"
"To get expelled as quickly as possible and back to my life." Lyra stated simply.
"Miss Wilson here at Sky High we do everything we can to teach our students how to use their powers." Principal Powers laced her fingers together resting her elbows on the desk. "Can you honestly say you have nothing to learn?"
"No, I just don't see how labeling me will accomplish it." Lyra sighed. "A lot of damage can be done from a simple title."
"Maybe you're right. I will take that into consideration during your placement." Principal Powers returned to her papers and jotted down a few note. "Moving on what is the category of your ability in a broad sense?"
"I can heal people." Lyra stated.
Principal Powers wrote down the response. "How do you accomplish this?"
"Most of the time I touch them and I heal them." Lyra elaborated.
"Yes but how do you accomplish the healing process?"
"What do you mean?" Lyra asked looking for the meaning of the question.
"Well do you take invisible tape and glue to sew up cuts?" Lyra snorted at the ludicrous image.
"No I reach out and I... heal their..." Lyra searched for the right words. "soul."
"Heal their soul." Principal Powers glanced up from her paper. "Is that a metaphor?"
"No ya see everyone has to have some sort of a soul." Lyra sat up straight in her seat. "A body can't survive without it. I reach out and touch that soul using its energy to heal the owner's body."
"I think a demonstration is in order." Putting down the pen, Principal Powers offered her hand to Lyra. "Do you always need physical contact?"
"Not when I at my full potential." Lyra stared at the hand. "But it is the easiest way."
"For the accuracy of this demonstration I will need you at peak ability. Please remove your jewelry."
"Principal Powers," Lyra knew the risks involved. "I don't think-"
"It wasn't a request Miss Wilson." It was a stern command. Lyra slid the bracelet off setting it on the table and placed a hand on top of Principal Power's hand. "When you're ready."
Lyra allowed her muscles to relax and concentrated on her breathing. Slowly she could see a soft sky blue aura coming off her principal. She waited as the color intensified, swirling around, coming to life.
"I can feel your determination." Lyra studied Principal Powers' body. "You are convinced that this is the best place for me."
"Well yes, I think that with proper training everyone here can-"
"No" Lyra interrupted the scripted sales speech. "It's more than a thought. This is emotional, deep with in you." She tried to explain. "I feel love. You love every child that walks through these halls. You truly want what is best for them. Not only success, but happiness. You want them to find what makes them happy."
"I" Principal Powers knew what Lyra said was true. She was at a lose for words.
"But it hurts." Lyra winced in pain squeezing Principal Power's hand a little tighter. "The idea of one of your children taking the path of self harm and self destruction, it kills you inside. But, as every good mother knows, you know they have to choose their own way." Lyra looked up at Principal Powers, both of their eyes on the brink of tears. "But the sadness you feel begs you for more."
"Lyra, I" Principal Powers cleared her throat and leaned in and gave her hand a little squeeze. "You have an extraordinary gift. I think we can help you with-"
White hot pain blinded Principal Powers as the feeling of a million pieces of sharp, jagged glass sliced her from the inside. When she forced her eyes open Lyra was convulsing in her chair suffering the same pain. Their hands were stilled locked together in a death grip. Principal Powers pushed herself forward, chest landing on her desk, and fought through the torturous pain to move her other hand. Her hand inched closer, second feeling like an eternity in hell, and finally reached Lyra's wrist wrenching them apart. When their hold was broken both flew back in their seats panting heavily. The pain, dull, still raked up and down her body from head to toe. Lyra, regaining her bearings, scrambled out of her chair for her bracelet. When the metal ring slipped around Lyra's wrist the link was broken filling them both with relief.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Lyra rushed to her principal's side unsure what to do.
"Everything is all right my dear." Principal Powers brushed her off gesturing for Lyra to sit. "New student with limited control, it's a common hazard of the job." Principal Powers smoothed out her hair and outfit. "Now what exactly happened?"
"Collateral damages." Lyra shamefully shrugged. "The soul has the potential for any and all emotions. They carry everything that happen to us, everything we do, and the choices we make." She rubbed her shoulders to chase away the imaginary chill. "When I reach out I have to use my soul as a kind of a conductor. We have to link for me to use the energy. When they connect I feel everything. I have no filter... I can't control accidentally connecting to someone. Hate. Anger. Rage. I can't control the transfer which is why I wear this." She held up the bracelet. "It blocks the connection for the most part."
"So that pain," Principal Powers hesitated. "That's inside me?"
"No" Lyra shook her head. "It's inside me."
Lyra spent the first few hours of school in Principal Powers' office. Principal Powers had admitted to a lack of preparation for this unique situation. They had agreed on classes, a mix of both categories leaning towards the hero curriculum. Principal Powers assured Lyra that she would take a closer took at her little problem and came up with a new lesson plan to help with her control issue. She was dismissed with her class schedule when the bell signaled for lunch time.
Lyra payed for her sub and walked into the cafeteria. Surveying the room, it was like the first day of any school. The athletes, the smart kids, the popular kids, the trouble makers, and the losers, Everyone already had their clicks and were sitting in groups.
Lyra swiftly took a seat at the end of an empty table. She took a bite of her sandwich and looked around the room again. A couple of jerks were pointing in her direction and snickering. A few cheerleaders, probably triplets, were giving her a mean look. At second glance it was the exact same girl. The scraping of metal against the floor brought Lyra back to her table. Someone had joined her.
At the other corner on the opposite end of the table she spotted the only familiar face. Warren hadn't acknowledged her as he opened his book and began reading. Lyra opened her mouth to warmly greet him only to shut it. She wasn't sure where they stood. They had been friends, best friends, a little over a year ago. They had trusted and confided in one another. They had been there and helped each other without question. But that almost two years ago. More recently their last couple interactions had not gone well. Neither one wanted anything to do with the other. They were more like strangers than neighbors. But maybe they could come to some kind of understanding. Before Lyra could strike up a conversation she was interrupted.
"Are you the new transfer?" Lyra turned to see a perky girl with long brown hair. The abundance of pink in her outfit made Lyra want to gag.
"Umm... Yeah?" Lyra admitted almost reluctantly.
"My name is Gwen Grayson" She smiled. "I'm the student body president here at Sky High"
"Lyra Wilson." Lyra awkwardly smiled back. "But I guess you already knew that."
"Well yeah" Gwen sat across from her. "Everyone's heard about the new sophomore transfer."
"Why is that?" She asked uncomfortably.
"It's rare for someone to just show up in the second year."
"Oh" Lyra glanced around. It was true. Everyone was staring and whispering about her. "Well I'm nothing special."
"As if, You're practically famous. If you don't mind me asking," Gwen glanced around and leaned in closer. "but everyone is dieing to know. What is your title?"
"Oh...I umm... I don't have one." Half the room gasped. Lyra lifted her head and everyone immediately averted their eyes pretending to do something.
"How is that possible?" Gwen looked shock. Lyra didn't miss the little bit of disgust on her face. "Didn't you go through power placement?"
"Principal Powers and I had a private session." Lyra squirmed a little in her chair not wanting to go into detail.
Picking up on her hesitation Gwen changed the subject. "Well if you have any questions or need anything just come to me." She plastered a smile on her face.
"Okay" Lyra returned the kind gesture. "Thank you."
The bell rang a five minute warning for the students to get back to class and Gwen took her leave. Lyra waved her goodbye as she collected her stuff.
"In the future" Lyra twisted her head at the voice to look up at a standing Warren. "you should know that this is my table." He said turning away to leave.
Lyra's classes were completely foreign to her. She had never even heard of these subjects and never thought she would use them in the future. The only class that was vaguely familiar was the last one of the day. Lyra was never more relieved to take Gym as she dress in her exercise uniform. A couple of laps. A few push ups. How bad could it be?
"All right, all right. Settle down." The class quieted their conversations as the teacher addressed them. "Most of you know me from last year. For those of you that don't," He eyes Lyra specifically. "My name is Coach Boomer. Now let's jump into the semester with some warm ups and sparing. Now pair up."
The students continued to socialize not moving in the speed to Coach Boomers liking.
"I said PAIR UP" The yell almost knocked the teenagers down.
They all scrambled around picking their partners. Lyra searched, but everyone had paired up and were starting their warm ups.
"Wilson." Coach Boomer walked up to Lyra. "Your lat entry into the course leave us at an odd number. You will be sparing with me today."
Lyra gulped at the smirk Coach Boomer had on his face. She scurried in front of him and got into a defensive position.
"Now I want you to strike me with all your power." Coach Boomer planted his feet and steadied himself for the oncoming attack.
"Excuse me sir?"
"Cone on. Hit me and don't hold back." He waved her on.
Lyra shrugged and switched to an attack stance. "If you say so sir." She went in with a left hook.
"Whoa Whoa Whoa" Coach Boomer took a few steps back. "I meant use your powers to strike me." He whacked Lyra on the top of her head with his clipboard. "Back in position."
Lyra shook her head in aggravation and followed orders.
"Now" Coach Boomer readied himself for an assault. "Attack" Lyra stayed in her stance with her fist up. "I said attack." Nothing happened. "What are you doing? Attack me with your powers." His patience wearing thin.
"I can't sir."
"Any why not?" He dropped his hands to his sides.
"Because I can't" She stated bluntly.
Coach Boomer threw his hands up in the air. "Great. Just great. First day and I already have a trouble maker." He flipped through the papers on his clipboard. "Can you tell me what is your power?"
Lyra lowered her fists. "I'm a healer, sir."
"Healer? HEALER?!" The whole class froze with the outburst. "What is a healer doing in the hero class?"
"That's where they put me." Lyra propped a hand on her hip.
"What am I suppose to do with a healer?" He asked sarcastically. "Why aren't you with the other sidekicks? I'm sorry missy but this is no place for that kind of weakness. You could get seriously hurt in this class."
"I can handle it?" Lyra quickly defended herself.
"Oh can you now?" The group of students was crowded in a circle around them. "You think you can handle it?" He taunted her. "Then explain to me how you intend to handle THIS"
A sonic boom came straight for her. Lyra swiftly rolled out of the way. The strike hit a few of the spectators behind her knocking them down. Coach Boomer stood there surprise the hit didn't take her out of commission. In his stunned state Lyra took the opportunity to charge at him from the side. Coach Boomer swung at her with his clipboard. She easily avoided it crouching down to sweep her leg and knock his feet from under him. Coach Boomer landed on his back with a loud thud.
"Like that" Lyra looked down at him.
He laid there speechless on the floor. When he finally got back to his feet he was red in the face.
"LAPS" He yelled at the snickering students. "Twenty laps, all of you."
The kids groaned in protest as they took off, one student doing twenty at the speed it took the rest to do one. They all avoided Lyra, giving her dirty looks as they ran.
Lyra collapsed on the couch when she got home.
"Lyra dear" Her mom called out from the front door.
"In here" The cushion muffled her call.
"How was your first day of school?" Lyra's mother rubber her back with one hand trying to rouse her daughter.
"It was awful" Lyra said through the cushion.
"Oh Lyra" Her mother sat on the cushion next to Lyra's feet. "You don't have to be over dramatic."
"Seriously" Lyra lifted her head. "That school is filled with people and their over inflated egos teaching students and their over inflated egos how to be high and mighty. I can honestly say I didn't learn a thing."
"I got a call from Principal Powers," Lyra groaned at the mention of anything associated with that school. "and regardless to your initial experience, she said you were exemplary."
"Really?!" Lyra looked over her shoulder in interest.
"The words 'impressive' and 'resourceful' were used."
Lyra flipped to her back propping herself up by her elbows. "Seriously!?"
"Yep" Her mother popped the P and the two shared a genuine smile. "We also talked about the little incident in her office." Lyra blanched at the thought.
"Mom I didn't mean to." She sat up straight.
"I know that sweetie." Her mother patted her knee. "We both know you did not intend to hurt anyone." After calming her daughter down she continued. "We were only brain storming ideas on how to teach you to control your power. I truly believe Principal Powers and the rest of the teachers want to help solve the issue. Give it a chance. This could be the answer we are looking for."
"I know" Lyra brought her knees up to her chest hiding her face. "I just wish I wasn't the problem."