Extraordinary- Chapter Four: Trials of Power Placement

plummet: Aiight, chapter four is posted! This chapter is a little more lightly written than the others. If you don't like a lot of humor, please let me know. Oh, and I just realized I haven't been posting the disclaimers…Ah, well here's one now:

Disclaimer I don't own anything…blah, blah…from Sky High….blah, blahdy blah….actors/actresses…blahdy…plot…blah.

plummet: Lovely, ain't it?

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'The only really valuable thing is intuition…'- Albert Einstein

Perhaps dawdling around outside wasn't one of my more brilliant ideas. Why, do you ask? Well, to put it simply…it got me lost. And not just lost. I mean, at least lost people have enough sense to ask for directions. Er, most of them, anyway. I was hopelessly lost. I had no idea where to go or what to look for. Nada. Zip. So, what did I end up doing?

I wandered; drifted aimlessly about the halls like a complete and utter bafoon.

Nice one, Ammie.

Yeah I know, right? As I was saying…I just drifted about. It was like my body moved of its own accord…Everything I did was, I can't seem to describe it any better than 'empty'; 'thoughtless'. It was…strange, to say the least.

You know what else I found strange? There was no one in the halls. They were totally cleared of students. Huh, guess I must've dawdled more than I thought.

I furrowed my brow a bit. I distinctly recall Layla telling me something yesterday…What was it? Oh yeah! I'm supposed to go to 'power placement'! Er…whatever that is. Or, considering my current predicament, wherever that is.

So again, what did I end up doing? Er, no, I didn't go to get a doughnut. Though, I would like one right now. I've only had one once before, and boy was it good! What was it called again? Boston Cream, maybe? Or…something. But man…that would be sweet if I cou-

I got a smidge off track there, sorry. Anyhow, I stopped walking. Right. When I have next to no destination, I walk around, constantly getting more and more lost by the minute. But then, when I actually have a purpose, I stop walking. Go figure.

Well, I have to say this. God must love me right now. Not even joking. You wanna know where I just happened to end up? No, not in front of a cafe (I wish…)!

In front of the gym.

There stood its doors in all their brown, wooden glory….and the very unobvious lighter brown lettering proclaiming its name on one of the said doors for those of us who aren't almost color blind. Heh, I guess that has me out for the count.

'Hallelujah,' I mentally praised.

I practically yanked open the gym doors in all my enthusiasm.

Unfortunately, my happiness was destined to be short-lived, for when my eyes took in all of the students gathered there…I blanched. My knees locked, my eyes squeezed shut…I couldn't move a muscle or conjure up a single thought. I was frozen.

I don't think I'll ever say this again in my life…But thank goodness for Coach Boomer at that moment. If it weren't for him, I'm positive that I would've been frozen in place until everyone left of their own accord, magically or otherwise.

"AMELIE BOWEN! ARE YOU HERE!"

Coach Boomer's voice echoed obnoxiously throughout the gym room (and painfully throughout the skulls of everyone else present). I'm thankful to this man? Che, well his voice got the job done, anyhow.

I snapped out of it.

"Ah," I winced, "Yeah, I'm here!"

I raised my hand so he could spot me out. Are your ears supposed to ring for this long…?

No matter, because at that precise moment, everyone's head snapped in my direction. I gulped. Oh boy…

My frantic eyes locked on Coach Boomer's…which were not happy. Frankly, I'd say he was straight up PO-ed.

"WHAT ARE YOU TRYIN' TO PULL, BOWEN! TARDINESS IS UNACCEPTABLE!"

If possible, I think my brain just exploded. Fortunately, despite the resounding pain in my eardrums, I managed a quick, 'Sorry'. That seemed to calm him down. Well, a little bit, anyway.

"Yeah, yeah…Whiner-baby! I don't take crap from kids like you! Now, get up here and show me your power!"

At least he quieted down to more of a scathing bark. Notice the sarcasm? Good. Though, my ears are still ringing…Ah, oh well.

It was then that I noticed just how far away the gym teacher was standing…and what he was standing on: a platform. Oh…wonderful. I braced myself. I would have to stand in front of a crowd sooner or later…Though frankly, I'd rather not at the moment. Somehow, if the look in his eyes was any indication, I don't think I had a choice.

I began walking.

Hundreds of eyes were burning into the back of my head…It made me wonder if they found my discomfort entertaining.

I counted my steps:

One, two, three…seven, eight, nine…twenty…thirty-one.

'Thirty-one? What kind of crap number is that?' I thought insanely to myself.

"I'm waiting, Bowen."

Alright, someone's a little testy. So, to avoid angering Mr. Cranky-pants, I climbed onto the platform and…faced the audience.

If you haven't noticed already, I tend to make jokes when I'm nervous. It's a habit with me, you see, and not even a good one because, well…I keep them to myself. Some say that having an internal conversation is unhealthy. Well, here's what I have to say in response to that: Trust me, you get used to it after awhile.

With a cough from the very irate teacher behind me, I decided to get on with it. But…what exactly was I expected to do?

'Okay, Ammie, deep breaths now. You can do this…'

Hands spread wide and feet set shoulders' width apart, I did the only thing I could do: I thought up a storm. Literally.

Okay, okay, it wasn't exactly a storm. It was…Well, it was more of a little stratus cloud, but that counts, right? …Please tell me that counts.

But then, I guess it doesn't really matter if it had or not because, at that precise moment, my little stratus cloud decided to meander on over Coach Boomers head and…rain on him.

Ew, cloud pee.

If you hate Coach Boomer when he's dry, you're sure gonna down right abhor him soaking wet. And not voluntarily wet, I might just add.

He turned to face me, and just to cause me extreme pain (I'm sure), he bellowed at the top of his lungs:

"SIDE-KICK!"

Alright, yeah, my brain just exploded.

I had been wandering the halls absently when an inhuman shout reached me:

"SIDE-KICK!"

I'm disgusted to say that his obnoxiously loud voice will be forever engraved into my brain. Despite hearing it so many times before, something told me to stop. Not normally one to ignore gut feelings, I obeyed. Looking over my shoulder, I found that I had stopped a little ways in front of the gym entrance.

..Okay, Now what?

I rolled my eyes as I pivoted on my heel and opened the gym doors. An assault of anxiously whispering voices washed over me like an unexpected wave. I searched for the source of the commotion and invariably found it, or should I say her.

"Ah, hell…"

There Amelie was, an ungraceful heap on the platform, a soaking wet Coach Boomer glancing irritably down at her. If I wasn't momentarily stunned to find Amelie unconcious, I would've laughed whole-heartedly at the sight of him.

Navigating my way through the sea of freshmen, a frown marring my features, I made my way to the platform. I bent down, gathered Amelie into my arms and, without a word to anyone, exited the gym room.

Unfortunately for me, I bumped into Layla, Stronghold and their posse on my way to the nurse's office. What're the odds? Well, they're against me, obviously.

"What happened?" Layla questioned, concerned.

"Found her in the gym. From what I understand, Boomer must've knocked her out," I answered methodically.

Layla and Maj gasped with indignance, "No!"

"No need to go all 'feminist' on me. He used his powers, not his fist."

"Oh," They sighed in unison.

"Alright, ladies, question time later. Right now, we have to get her to the nurse," Zach soothed.

'New that kid had his uses…' I thought offhandedly.

"…been out for quite some time…" I distantly heard someone say.

All my senses came rushing back after that. I was on some kind of cot with a hard, stiff mattress. My unusually dry eyes peeled open, and I shied back from the bright light I was greeted with. I had to blink a few times to clear my vision. If the white-washed walls and sterile smell were any indication, I was in the nurse's office. But why?

"Oh, thank goodness you're alright!"

And that was the only warning I received before I was enveloped into overeager arms.

"Layla…" I started, my voice a little muffled, "I'm fine."

She swatted me lightly on the arm. "Yeah, fine now. You just blacked out, Am! Don't you remember?"

I blinked stupidly. "Is it safe to say I have no idea what you're talking about…? And how did I get here, anyway?"

"I brought you here," A gruff voice was kind enough to answer.

I looked over at the source of the voice and found a very ruffled and perturbed-looking…Warren?

'Warren? What in the world…?'

Confusion and uncertainty flashed across my features.

Layla must've noticed for she elaborated helpfully, "What he means is: I found you unconscious in the gym and was worried, so I brought you here. Isn't that right, Warren?"

Oh, Lord help us all. That mischievous glint was in her eye again.

If Warren was bothered by her remark, he didn't show it. All she got in immediate response was a shrug. Eh, good for her, I guess. She wouldn't do well to meddle with him. At least I don't think…

"I meant exactly what I said," Warren evenly replied.

"Well, alright then," said Layla with a giggle. She then turned to me, "You really have no recollection of what happened?"

I shook my head in the negative, "No, not at all…"

Silence descended in the room at my response. It was then that I took notice of the other four persons present. One of them I recognized as Layla's 'boyfriend'. The other three…They were new to me.

Layla caught my gaze, "Oh, right! Guys, I'd like you to meet Amelie. Amelie, meet Will, Maj, Ethan, and Zach."

I responded cleverly with a quiet 'Hi' and a small, half-hearted wave. I received a 'Hiya' from Will, two 'Hi's' from Maj and Ethan, and one 'Hey there, hot stuff' from Zach. Warren's twitch at Zach's comment was barely noticeable, but I caught it.

My lips twisted into a wry smile.

Just then, an elderly nurse swept into the room. She power-walked over to my cot and hastily took action. When she was done checking my vitals, she pulled out a brightly wrapped orange lollipop from her uniform pocket.

"Lollipop?" she offered with a flourish.

I took it from her reluctantly, "…Thanks."

Her eyes sparkled benignly. "You're very welcome." She stood up again and exhaled, "So…Feeling any better, dear?"

As a reflex, I sat up on the cot. My hand immediately clutched at my head.

"Ah, pain…" I breathed.

The nurse rushed to my side, "Not so fast, deary! You're still recovering from a major fainting spell."

When the pain vanished and I was settled, the nurse turned to the other room occupants, "Does anyone know how this happened?" She gestured to my form on the cot.

Warren shifted from foot to foot, and my head lolled in his direction.

"Yeah, I know. Coach Boomer decided to 'sonic-boom' her into oblivion," he said, the slightest hint of annoyance creeping into his voice.

The nurse gasped, "No!"

Warren just quirked his eyebrow.

"Tsk, tsk…Sensory overload, most likely," She muttered.

She continued mumbling as she made her leave. Something about 'Gym teachers and their masculinity'…

I blinked stupidly again. Nothing new.

"Who was that lady…?" I finally asked.

"Heh, she's Nurse Specs," Magenta said while gesturing to the door with her thumb. "She's somethin' else, ain't she?"

I nodded my head and laughed.

Whatever awkwardness that had been wrapped around the room previously had been lifted by my outburst. After the laughter had evanesced, everyone except Warren and me left the room on a lighter note. I titled my head skyward. Tell me this wasn't Layla's idea…

Warren's retreating footsteps brought me back to his presence.

Getting clumsily off of the cot, I whispered a quiet 'Thanks'.

Even though I got no response, the fault in his footsteps was enough to show me he'd heard.

A special thanks to:

vionette, Lita Lightning, Sasha, Coffee-And-Sugar, Movie-CaffineAddict, Crystal Moon Magic, lovetoread, and hotredhead who reviewed chapter three.

Your reviews all mean a lot, just so you know. Thanks so much. And to answer your question, Crystal Moon Magic, little Sophie will be brought back into topic soon. Can't tell you anymore, else I ruin the story. Heh.