2.02
Okay, so maybe the Wards weren't going to happen right away. The morning had passed by in a blur for Evelyn. She had woken up with the fluttering of anxiety in her stomach, and a vague sense of fear from a dream that quickly slipped away from recollection like sand through her fingers. She had gotten up slowly like a zombie, feeling drained still. A lot happened over the last few days. At least a few years of only using her powers to be able to read her stories, and the occasional small crime foiled, and then she was fighting actual Capes and meeting Protectorate Heroes. She had tried so hard to stay away from the life she was born into, and now she was diving headfirst into it…
Evelyn was in school now. What an odd idea. Evelyn Westwood, orphan by choice, the super heroic Campfire, the most bombastic and powerful 15 year old that wears bright orange for fun- She was getting carried away. That Evelyn was sitting still in an office like a normal kid who didn't hide their powers from their adoptive dad, waiting to meet her guide for the day.
"You need to get the best education possible in this city, Evelyn," Mr. Wallis had told her, "Arcadia High School will do that for you. You do not need to waste time on theological studies at Immaculata, or fight through the gangs at Winslow."
An honest, if rather blunt interpretation. Evelyn guessed it would be hard for a man of science, working in an organization that faces the worst of humanity and monstrous forces of nature, to believe in God. It didn't bother her, she'd been raised to believe in… well, not a God. She believed in nothing, now. Easier to just make her own luck. It was almost unimaginable that the city or even the PRT would know that one of their schools were gang controlled and not do something about it. She'd bring it up when she got some reputation as a Ward.
She had some basic knowledge classes, as a Freshman she didn't get many choices. Her one interesting class was an elective, The Arts vs Parahumans. She was going to get to learn how Capes influenced modern art and literature! Hopefully it wouldn't just be about Protectorate licensed movies, she wanted to learn about books too. She'd met with the principal, got welcomed in, and had her schedule printed out. That was what she was studying now, trying to keep track of when her class times were.
A girl, slightly older and shorter than Evelyn, pulled open the door with some enthusiasm. She was wearing a denim jacket and had her hair shaved on one side, in some sort of punk pixie cut.
"Denise, long time no see! And this time, I'm coming in for my good behavior!"
The punk girl's voice was a bit smoother and higher than she'd expected, Evelyn thought she'd have a more... intense voice. The secretary gave a long suffering sigh, and a fond smile, and pointed out Evelyn to the girl. Oh no.
"Thank you for coming so quickly, Erika. This is Evelyn Westwood, a new transfer to our school. Please show her the school, and make her feel welcome."
The old lady behind the counter who had been so unemotional for Evelyn's first time here suddenly seemed like a mother instead of a robot. Denise, was it? She was throwing Evelyn to the metaphorical wolf. With a smile!
"Of course I will! She is in very safe hands. I won't even scare her!"
The punk girl, newly christened as Erika, had closed the gap between them in the time that Evelyn had been looking at Denise-bot. Did she have powers too? Some manner of teleportation, clearly. An intimidation aura. Wasn't there a private team on the East Coast that had someone with that power? Evelyn was still locked in this internal battle when the hand landed on her shoulder like the jaws of death clamping shut.
"Hello," exclaimed Erika, with a smile like a serial killer, "I'm your guide! Can I see that?"
Maybe Evelyn was a little harsh. She was enthusiastic, but probably not a serial killer. Evelyn liked books and quiet, and this was a lot of energy after the days she'd been having. She handed over the paper with her classes on it and wished she'd jumped out of the window, nevermind that it was on the second floor. It could have been a less jarring experience than this.
"We have English with O'Leer together, I'm a sophomore but essays are NOT my strong suit. Got held back, you know. Not helpful to become a doctor, but what can you do right?."
She said all this while helping Evelyn out of her seat and ushering her out of the door. Erika gave a smile to Denise-bot and then the door closed behind them.
Erika changed into a completely different person as soon as they were free from the office. She dropped the smile, smoothed her hair back, and turned to appraise Evelyn. Evelyn realized that she hadn't said a word yet.
"I'm Evelyn, I'm new, but you probably already knew that. I'm excited to be here?"
Cringeworthy, but it got her point across. Was that too much for the first time they talked? Evelyn suddenly felt worried. How was she going to make friends here if she couldn't be smooth and funny?
"Okay, let's drop the bullshit. Some things you need to know. Empire 88 has some students here, but they won't bother you. The ABB doesn't have active members, but you never know when they're going to enforce their debts on the kids in their neighborhoods, so it's best not to antagonize them either. That'll do for the evil "gangs" in the school. Yes, New Wave and some of the Wards go here. Best to leave them alone too, the wage slaves are full of themselves and don't have time for the likes of us. They have their own table, at least for the ones without secret identities. Any questions so far?"
The girl had been counting off on her fingers, standing a few feet from the office door in the abandoned hallways. First period was going so they had time. Evelyn wasn't really sure what to say, but she tried.
"Um… New Wave is the hero team right?"
Erika gave a laugh, a full deep belly laugh, and threw her arm around Evelyn's shoulders.
"I like you, girl. New Wave IS our very own private light themed Hero team, with the star healer Panacea and the almost Alexandria, Glory Girl. Let's get to your first class. I'll come get you after and you can meet my group. It's World History with Langston right?"
Evelyn wasn't following very well, the girl's personality switch had thrown her off. Homeschooling was nothing like this, public school was its own breed of monster. She was liked, which was good, she thought. She thought it'd be easiest to nod and go along. They began walking, and Erika told her what locations they passed, as they went. She found out that there was a Faraday Cage in the walls of the school, preventing cell signal. She'd learned a little about Erika herself, along the way.
Erika was a very free spirit. She possessed a quick wit, and a scathing tongue. She seemed to mean her insults in good humour, but any little slip from Evelyn had a response within moments. Erika dominated the conversation, which was fine by Evelyn. Somehow the topic had shifted from school knowledge to who they were, and what they were into.
"Did you hear that Not so Silent Edge came to town this week," asked Erika, furtively glancing up and down the final hallway before Langston's class. She smiled and continued, "I heard that they're performing another concert this weekend. Even with what happened last night!"
Erika felt confusion twist her face. She did actually know this band, but they were San Diego based. Not the type to travel this far on a whim from what she remembered, and didn't have the fan numbers. Anarchists who hated the status quo, traveling to the other side of the country for a concert to a gang-ridden city.
"What happened last night? Are they doing a tour or something? The punk band right?"
"Something like that, they're here for the next two weeks performing! I was going to see them this weekend if you want to go, you seem cool enough. I can't wait to see Infamous' new tattoo! Apparently she tested it on Armsmaster last night when he tried to bust their gig, serves the white hat right!"
Erika was too enthusiastic about a Hero getting an illusory monster tested out on him. Not so different from Evelyn's power, and that was a scary thought.
"Are they alright," asked Evelyn, not sure which group she was worried about. The band were self proclaimed rebels, but she didn't think they were bad people. Obviously the Heroes could handle themselves.
"Oh, yeah definitely. The show went great, the video has already made its rounds on PHO, on the right communities of course. What do you say, want to go to the next one?"
Evelyn was saved from answering an uncomfortable question by seeing the number on the door up ahead match the one on her schedule.
"I'll have to think about it, I'm pretty busy, but this is my class! I'll see you around, right?"
"For sure, I'll come pick you up at the end of this class. Meet you right here."
Evelyn left Erika with a strange look on her face, as she entered the rather dull history class. She introduced herself to the teacher, and was placed in the back of the class next to a pale brunette boy who couldn't drag his eyes from the trees outside. She couldn't blame him, the class was dull and only focused on the times before capes were around, so she spent the class trying to compartmentalize the information she had. Today was packed, Evelyn wasn't going to get a break. Meet Erika's friends, try not to stand out too much in school, join the Wards, and talk to Bug Girl tonight about that little decision. Easy peasy, right?
A/N Hey guys. Sorry for the distance between the updates, my house was in the wildfires so I've had a stressful time, and then I moved into college. A little filler chapter, some worldbuilding sorta, just to get back into the writing mood. Thanks for reading!