The Anthem
As the sports car took off down the road from Grand Street, Elektra began to look at the map. "Okay, I know where we need to go."
"Wha- How? Where?"
She smiled and pointed out of the frosted window. "There…" She was pointing at Haven High School.
… Ya. Here we go…
Walking up the stairs to the high school, Kit threw open the doors, entering into a long hallway that seemed to stretched on for miles.
… It's a new day, but it all feels old. It's a good life. That's what I'm told …
In a room somewhere in the school, a black haired child was sitting at a desk, spinning a pen and resting his head on his fist. The classroom was bland and generic. The words "Test Today" were scribbled on the chalkboard.
… But everything it all just feels the same…
Kit, followed closely by Elektra, navigated the twisting halls with ease as the bright fluorescent lights poured from the ceiling.
…. At my high school, it felt more to me, like a jail cell: a penitentiary…
Entering the office they both approached the large desk, a woman with glasses at the tip of her nose sat behind it, reading a newspaper.
… My time spent there had only made me see…
"Ummm…" Kit began. The woman looked up at him, awaiting a question.
... That I don't ever wanna be like you. I don't wanna do the things you do…
"Kit? Kit Praxten?" The woman asked, replacing her glasses. He gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, looking at Elektra.
… I'm never gonna hear the words you say…
The child at the desk raised his hand. The teacher, an old, graying man stopped, mid-sentence and called on him. "M-m-yes?" He stuttered.
… 'Cuz I don't ever wanna, I don't ever wanna be you…
Kit sighed. "I'm here to pick up my brother." Elektra smiled at her sweetly.
… Don't wanna be just like you…
"He actually will be gone for a while. Family vacation. So can I just, like, excuse him for the next two weeks?" The woman replied. "Oh, I'm sorry, you need to be over twenty-one to excuse a child."
… What I'm sayin' is, this is the Anthem throw all your hands up…
"Can I go to the bathroom?" The student said.
… You… Don't wanna be you…
"Oh, um. I am." Kit retrieved his driver's license. She examined it. "Has it been that long since you've been here? Oh my!" Kit and Elektra raced down the hall, towards the room the woman had said.
…'Go to college, a university. Get a real job'. That's what they said to me…Up ahead, the hallway turned. Skidding to a halt, they ran into someone coming from the other direction. All three fell to the ground. "Ian?" Elektra asked.
…But I could never live the way they want…
"Why were you running down the hall?" Kit yelled.
… I'm gonna get by and just do my time…
"Skippin' class." He announced, shamelessly.
…Outta step while they all get in line…
"Oh no your not mister!" Elektra said. "You're coming with us!"
…I'm just a minor threat so pay no mind…
The smaller version of Kit laughed. "Technically, isn't that skipping?"
… And do you really wanna be like them? Do you really wanna be another trend?…
"No!" Kit scoffed, "Cuz we got you excused for two weeks."
… Do you wanna be part of that crowd?…
"Nuh-uh!" He exclaimed.
… Cuz I don't ever wanna, I don't ever wanna be you…
"Get in the car!" Kit called.
… Don't wanna be just like you. What I'm sayin' is this is the Anthem throw all your hands up…
"Kit's got girlfriend!" He called, running down the hall.
… You. Don't wanna be you…
Kit chased after him, faster. "Shut UP!"
… Shake it once that's fine. Shake it twice that's okay…
Elektra rolled her eyes and took off after them.
… Shake it three times; you're playing with your mind again…
She pushed open the doors of the school, looking down to the car parked on the curb.
…You! Don't wanna be just like you. What I'm sayin' is this is the Anthem, throw all your hands up…
"Get in the back! Elektra's sitting up here!" Kit was shoving Ian's shoulder.
…Yall gotta feel me Sing if you with me…
Elektra slowly walked down the concrete stairs to the car and leaned on the side, resting her head on her fist and sighing.
… Don't wanna be just like you…
"This should just be a minute." Kit smiled as he continued to fight his brother.
… This is the Anthem throw all your hands up…
Elektra returned his hokey smile, squinting.
…Yall got the feeling, Sing if you with me…
"Get… in… the… BACK!" He picked Ian up and tossed him in the back.
… Another loser Anthem… Another loser Anthem…
He patted the seat next to him. Elektra opening the shiny red door and stepped in.
… Another loser Anthem… Another loser Anthem…
The car skidded off down the road. "Why can't I sit in the front?" Ian called.
"Umm. Airbags." Kit said, shifting gears.
Elektra reached into the black book bag she had brought along and pulled out a small, chrome cell phone. She dialed a number and placed the phone to her ear. "Stavros? I need to talk to Daddy." She said, kindly. "Dad? Hey! Um, is our jet ready yet? Oh. Ya, okay. Where?" She lowered the phone and placed her hand over it. "Get off on Exit 24b." She replaced the phone. "Okay. We'll be back in a few weeks probably. Okay. Love you, too. Okay, bye! OKAY!" She hung up the phone.
"So, where are we headed?" Ian asked, from the back seat. He seemed to have gotten over his pouting fast.
"The Grand Hotel." She turned to face Kit. "Turns out the jets preoccupied. Some super secret thing or somethin'. We'll be taking the helicopter."
"Ya, but taking the helicopter to where?" Kit asked, growing noticeably impatient.
She laughed. "Well, the Magic Kingdom. Just trust me Kit. I've got it under control. I know exactly where we're going. Just trust me. Just get to Grand."