Chapter 16

There were still ten minutes left to the lunch period, and Layla made her way to the front office hoping that Warren would be released before that timeframe so she could get to the bottom of things.

There was the question as to why he was meeting with Principal Powers. What happened? Surely there would've been talk around the school by now if there was another altercation. The only person Layla could think of that Warren would have a bone to pick with was Gwen, and she obviously was unharmed.

Leaning against the lockers next to the office, she didn't have to wait long before the door opened slowly and the older teen walked out, followed by Principal Powers.

At first glace Warren looked less that amused at his current predicament. His features were scowling, and his jaw kept clenching as if he was angered enough to say something, but biting his tongue instead.

"Remember what I suggested, Mr. Peace."

He wisely did not reply, not trusting the words that could possibly come out of his mouth. His eyes snapped to Layla as he finally noticed her standing there, his eyes still hard and his lips forming a narrow line on his face.

"Ms. Williams, can I help you with something?" Principal Powers questioned, having too noticed the freshman.

"Um, no Mrs. Powers. I was just waiting on Warren because he wasn't at lunch…" she trailed off, not really having a valid explanation for hanging outside the office. She hoped the older woman would accept her answer without question; students were not normally permitted to wander the halls during lunch hour unless they had extra studying to do.

"Mr. Peace and I were just having a little chat, but I'm glad you came by. There is something I wish to discuss with you as well," she stated, turning back toward Warren. "You may finish up your lunch period now, Warren."

At being dismissed, the older teen promptly turned around and stalking toward the cafeteria in a huff, not giving Layla a second glance. She was able to admit that him not acknowledging her other than an annoyed stare kind of hurt, but he did look angry at whatever "chat" Mrs. Powers was referring to so she dismissed it as nothing personal.

She didn't realize that she was staring after Warren's retreating form until the principal snapped her out of her trance by asking her to come inside her office.

A bit nervously, Layla followed the older woman inside and sat at one of the chairs she was motioned to in front of her desk. Once seated, the woman sitting in front of her seemed friendly enough, her expression light which helped to ease Layla's nerves a little bit. Her eyes were a bit stern, however, which most likely meant this was not going to be a completely cheerful conversation. Was it for the same reason she called Warren into her office?

"I was informed over the weekend about your… incident this weekend with Ms. Grayson," Principal Powers started, getting right to the point.

Layla cringed and looked down at her hands. She could handle the disappointment from the Commander and her parents because she had grown up with them, but a lecture coming from the principal of her school brought a whole different level of shame to the situation.

"One of the most important lessons we teach you here at Sky High is that heroes always use discretion with their powers. You were lucky Mr. Stronghold was there to help smooth things over."

Layla nodded, her fingers twisting them hem of her shirt. Her nervous habit paused briefly when she realized what exactly Mrs. Powers had said.

"Hero?" Layla questioned, raising her eyes to meet those of her superior.

Mrs. Powers smiled slightly at Layla's question, as if remembering an inside joke.

"Yes, Miss Williams. I want you to consider starting hero training with us. With a power as potent as yours, it will do you good to learn how to use control and judgment. It would be nice to see you at your full potential, and hero classes can prepare you much better than hero support ever could."

Transfer? To hero classes? Layla bit her lip in thought, a million thoughts racing through her mind. What would she tell her friends? Would they be furious with her? She remembered how betrayed a few of them felt when Will transferred, although they never outright said it. She knew like her best friend they would be happy for her, but extremely jealous at the same time. And what did she mean by full potential? She controlled plants. Surely there was nothing spectacular about that?

"It's up to you of course," Principal Powers continued, giving the younger girl a warm smile. "But I would highly suggest it. Do you have any questions?"

"Um…" Layla trailed, understanding the reasoning behind the request but not exactly warm to the idea. She had no idea what to say, to be completely honest.

"I'll tell you what, how about you try out hero class for the rest of the week, and we'll talk again on Friday and you can let me know what you decide then. Sound fair?" Principal Powers questioned, sensing her hesitance.

"Okay," Layla agreed, wondering how on earth she should go about telling her friends this. Will would be thrilled, this much she knew. If all else failed, at least she knew he would be there for support.

"Great!" the older woman stated with a bright smile. "Come in tomorrow morning and the front desk will have your new schedule ready for you. I really hope you do consider this, however. I think it would be very beneficial to you."

Layla nodded and moved to stand up, sensing the end of their conversation, but the elder's next words caught her a bit off guard and she fell slightly back into her seat.

"One more thing, Miss Williams."

"Yes?" Layla questioned, nerves reacting again as Mrs. Powers' expression once again became stern.

"Do try to refrain from attacking fellow students, school grounds or not. There is a thin line between being a hero and a villain, and while I do not think you to be the latter, here at Sky High we try everything to our ability to make sure you are using yours for good rather than harm."

Layla, abashed, sat in her seat and nodded.

"You're a good student, Miss Williams. I expect nothing less of you from now on," the woman stated, her eyes once again friendly. There seemed to be an underlying emotion in them, however.

"Unfortunately, we cannot save all our students, but it would be good for someone like you to set a good example for them," she finished, smiling at the younger girl, the peculiar expression still marring her features.

As Layla headed to her next class after leaving the principal's office, she couldn't help but think that Mrs. Powers' last comments were possibly referring to a certain reclusive student, one who had been sitting the same very seat she had been in a very short time ago.

A/N: Sort of a filler chapter. What do you think about Layla making the change from sidekick to hero? I haven't fully decided on if she actually will or not.