Lyra tried to give the school a chance, she really did. But it was a constant uphill battle. For such a unique school Lyra was treated like a freak by her peers. They considered her healing ability as a lack of power since she never used it in front of them. The "Super Heroes" would give her dirty looks and talked behind her back. At least they had the common sense not to say anything to her face after hearing what happened to Coach Boomer. They might not want to admit it, but she wasn't completely helpless. So they refrained from physical attacks.

The only peace she achieved was from the first half of her day when she would be in her Hero Support classes with the sidekicks. But she wasn't learning anything useful. The teacher was a total imbecile. But there she wasn't ignored or shunned. There she was just another student. The other kids liked her. They thought her power was special.

Lyra almost thought of asking Principal Powers to be moved to hero support permanently if she didn't hate the idea of labels. She had opted to take lunch with Principal Powers to talk different options about her little control problem. Everyday for about two weeks they parted with a promise, but no closer to discovering a solution.

Today for lunch Lyra decided to take a break from their daily meet up. When she walked into the cafeteria the side kicks table waved her over to join them, but Lyra wasn't quite ready. She didn't want to get attached to anyone here. She still wasn't sure how long she planned on staying at this school. Lyra graciously declined with a smile and sat down at the empty table alone. She had brought her homework with her to keep her occupied.

"You lost?"Warren stood over her in an attempt of intimidation.

"Well this is the cafeteria and I am eating. So I'd say No." She took a sip of her soda. "This is exactly where I am suppose to be."

"This is my table." He demanded.

"Really?" Lyra sarcastically searched the table. "I don't see your name on it."

"Everyone knows this is where I eat." Warren gripped his tray tighter.

"Than sit down, shut up, and eat." She casually turned the page of her book to continue her work.

Warren stood there red in the face. The Student body was watching their interaction waiting to see what would happen next. Lyra could hear the straining plastic as Warren gripped his tray.

"I'd reconsider what you are thinking right now." Lyra finally looked him in the eye as she told him. "Unless you want a replay of what happened next time."

She dared him with her gaze. She dared him to start fight. It would be the best of both worlds. She could kick the shit out of him, letting out all her frustrations with this place, and she might get expelled in the process. Win Win

Warren took a second before walking around the table, slamming his tray down, to sit in his usual seat. Tension filled the air as the whole room cautiously went about their business. Lyra released the breath she hadn't noticed she'd been holding and leaned into her chair. She caught sight of Will and Layla across the room giving her a worried look. Will immediately looked away the second Warren glanced at them. But Layla kept her sights on Lyra waiting for any signal of distress or need from the girl. Lyra gave her a reassuring nod and went back to her homework.

"Why don't you go sit with your friends?" Warren goaded. "They obviously want you there"

"Why don't you have any friends?" Lyra snapped back effectively silencing him. Warren stood down and opened up his book to ignore her.

Battle Tactics/ History was the worst. It was all about past super hero fights and how they saved the city or world. The purpose was to teach the younger generations the skill to defeat their enemies. But the teacher was a self righteous retired super hero who uses telepathy and telekinesis. She used the class to relive the good old days and gloat about her own superiority.

"I heard that Miss Wilson." Ms. Brooks addressed Lyra who was sitting quietly in her seat. "I could give you detention for the mere thought."

"Then stay out of my head and mind your own business." Lyra hissed.

"Seeing as you have all the answers you can enlighten us with question number four." Ms. Brooks countered.

Lyra read the question and took a moment to formulate an answer. "I would-"

"Incorrect Miss Wilson" Ms. Brooks interrupted. "The correct way to subdue the assailant would be to use your super strength to disarm them. If you don't have super strength than super speed, fire power, ice power, invisibility, or flight are all acceptable."

"I don't have any of those things." Lyra gritted through clenched teeth.

"In your case, Miss Wilson, I suggest waiting for reinforcements and staying out of the way." The class snickered around her.

Lyra tried to defend herself. "I could-"

"Your little acrobatics would do nothing but get yourself killed when faced with a foe far more superior than yourself." Ms. Brooks rubbed her temples. "When will you people ever learn?"

"You people?" Lyra's mouth dropped.

"The weak, Miss Wilson. The weak. Weak willed, Weak minded, Weak masses. This is why we are here people," The teacher addressed the rest of the class. "to teach you how to use your power, to keep them from getting themselves killed. Only super heroes have the capability to protect and save. Anyone else put in the same position will only end in disaster."

Lyra gripped her desk for control. Hostility rose and the students became antsy feeding from the bitterness bleeding from her. An image of a discarded sign with offensive writing at her father's funeral flashed through her mind.

Ms. Brooks was one of those people. She was the type that thought her father wasn't a hero. She probably thought he was a stupid weak fool that got what he deserved. She was a bigot. She was a withered up, ulgy, old bi-

"One Week Detention"

"This is total bull." Lyra jumped out of her seat.

"Principal's office now." Ms. Brooks ordered.

Lyra stormed out of the class room slamming the door behind her. Once with Principal Powers she explained the incident. Principal Powers, Being very understanding, allowed Lyra to drop her history class. Although the principal saw Lyra's valid argument that didn't change the outcome and the detention still stood. Instead of serving detention after school, since there would be difficult to get home, she would serve it during lunch time.

The next day Layla asked her to join them for lunch. Again she graciously declined explaining to them her prior engagement. She picked up her lunch and headed to the detention room. It was completely empty. Luckily Professor Medulla had given her the lectures and worksheets to catch up with the lesson plan. The hour flew by as she studied in pure silence.

Lyra walked int to the mad science lab handing Professor Medulla her transfer papers.

"Yes Miss Wilson" Professor Medulla announced to the class. "Perfect timing. Why don't you partner up with Mr. Peace" Lyra searched the room to see Warren lift his head confounded. "Mr. Peace please try to refrain from scorching this one."

Lyra quickly made her way to the desk taking the seat next to him. She tried not to glance in Warren's direction as she took notes. But the heat radiating off him was almost unbearable.

"Study your notes people." Professor Medulla announced before dismissing the class. "You and your partner will be tested on how to properly assemble an apparatus of my choosing in a few days."

It was only her first day there and, even with Professor Medulla notes, she was lost. The whole class was at an advantage having been there from the start. Lyra was just about to ask Warren if he could possibly help her study when Gwen popped up in front of her.

"Hey there" Gwen greeted her in her usual perky style.

"Oh hi" Lyra smiled in apprehension. They hadn't spoken to each other in weeks since their first introduction.

"So I saw the confusion on your face from across the room and I thought I'd offer my services."

"Oh you don't have to do that." Lyra declined the offer. "I don't want to hold you back."

"It's no trouble at all. Actually," Gwen explained. "I'm the teaching assistant and helping struggling students is apart of my job."

"Oh" Lyra stared dumbfounded. She was amazed that a student had already become an assistant. Gwen must really know her stuff. "That would be great. You think we could start today?"

"Absolutely. Just give me your info and I'll meet you at your house." The two exchanged information and Lyra headed to her next class less stressed.

Lyra and Gwen sat at the kitchen table as Lyra failed to assemble a simple invisibility ray,

"See here," Gwen pointed to a piece of the machine. "You tried to put the exhaust vent into the battery cartridge."

"I thought it would fit." Lyra tried to make light of her failure.

"Watch carefully." With a wave of her hand the pieces floated in front of them. One by one the pieces slowly came together while Gwen explained the parts and their functions while making one solid contraption.

"That was amazing." Lyra watched as the fully functional invisibility ray landed on the table. "So you're telekinetic?"

"Close" With another wave of her hand the pieces separated. "I'm a technopath. I control technology with my mind."

"That's so useful. My 'power'," Lyra used her fingers to make air quotes. "Seem so lame in comparison." She picked up the pieces to try and reassemble it the way Gwen did a moment ago. "I think that's why my dad was so persistent about making sure I can protect myself."

"If you think about it our powers are very similar." Gwen's statement caused Lyra to snort. "think about it. We both use them to fix or mend something broken."

"Yeah but your abilities can be used with ease." Lyra spun the bracelet on her wrist. "Mine is a burden."

"Yeah" Gwen sucked air through her teeth. "I heard about your little problem."

"What?" Lyra almost went into a hysteric at the statement. "Does everybody know?"

"No!" Gwen waved her hand in front of her. "I only overheard Principal Powers talking about it when she was on the phone. No one else knows. "

But that didn't settle Lyra's fears. "Great. This is just great. Soon everyone will find out. They already treat me like a freak."

"Lyra relax no one is going to find out."

"But you did." Lyra argued.

"That was by accident and I'm not telling anyone." Gwen promised.

"Why would you do that?" Lyra asked doubtfully. "I saw the way you looked at me when I told you I didn't have a title. I know you're student body president and all but, and don't take this the wrong way, you are kind of a snob."

"Because," Gwen placed a hand on Lyra's forearm. "I've seen what a misunderstanding of power can do to a person. I was lucky being born in the age of technology now. But...my mom had a difficult life. People didn't understand what a technopath was back then. The way they treated her turned her angry and bitter. She did some shameful things. Now I'm trying to be better than that. I'm trying to leave that past behind me."

Lyra could sympathize with living with a parents decision. "Thank you for telling me that." She rubbed the hand that still clung to her arm. "It means a lot."

"Well I figured since I know one of your secrets you deserve one of mine. Now we're even."She smiled at Lyra who returned it.

"Lyra honey." Her mother came into the room. "Would your friend like to stay for dinner?"

"No thank you I need to get going."

The girls gathered up their things and Lyra walked Gwen to her car. When they were saying their good byes Warren had pulled into his driveway. Gwen eyed him carefully as he made his way inside.

"Warren Peace is your neighbor?" Her eyes didn't leave the house almost expecting an attack at any moment.

"Umm... Yeah" Lyra shrugged

"Be careful around him." Gwen got into the car. "The guy is a real hot head. I would hate to see you having to use that healing power when you could have just avoided the situation all together."

She closed the car door and drive off leaving Lyra with her words of warning. Lyra lingered outside for a moment. Lyra wasn't sure what else to say. She didn't know what to think. Yes, Warren had a bit of a reputation at school and it wasn't good. But she she didn't quite like the way Gwen was looking at the house.