I wasn't sure exactly how Ted managed it, maybe his "people" did something, but suddenly I was an exchange student from Canada. I sat very still in the principle's office, marveling that the same exact stupid painting had managed to survive there until my time. You do not want to know how horrid this painting was. It looked like it was painted by a mouse dipped in watercolors.
Ted had gone to class already. He just up and left me alone in an office. I didn't even know him that well, but I'd rather hang out with somebody I did know a little than the frowning, decrepit old lady at the desk.
Finally the principle called me in. After getting a long talking to about how I was supposed to behave while I was here and that unfortunately, I would not be able to use the library as it was damaged last afternoon, and that the DC High campus was very large for a high school and to make sure not to get lost, I mean it, Michael, and did I have a place to stay while I was here?
"Um, I'm staying with Ted Kord?"
At least, I hoped I was. I crossed my fingers behind my back and hoped he liked slumber parties.
Principle Scott gave an unimpressed snort. "Well, that's fine. Note, however, that the way that Mr. Kord behaves is not the standard I am expecting from you."
"Uh..." I got the feeling that Ted wasn't the straight-laced geek I thought he was.
The principle smiled, a warm, honest smile and patted me on the back. "Don't worry. Enjoy yourself, Michael. I hope I don't see you in this office again until it's time to say goodbye."
"Oh um thanks, Mr. Scott. Bye."
The old lady handed me a slip of paper that was my class schedule, before giving me a look that plainly said "I'm watching you".
Okay, so I leave the office intending to head for class, right? When I run into this weird pale guy. Seriously pale. Like, blank white paper skin, like snow or white lead paint. His hair was dyed an acid green.
And in one arm he was carrying a squealing pig with a large number four painted on its side.
He saw me and grinned. "Hey, you never saw me."
"I don't even know who you are."
I didn't think it was even physically possible for him to grin wider but he did. "Hehheh. New, huh?"
He abruptly dropped the pig, and it ran squealing away as fast as it could. The pale kid saluted me and sprinted off. I heard voices from the office and decided to head to class before somebody blamed me for the pig.
I got lost.
The school is huge. My time, their time, the school is ginormous. And most of it wasn't the same building so I had no idea where I was going. Years of rebuilding and restoring had changed the landscape, making it unfamiliar. The sleek glass and metal of the future were replaced by dull blue lockers with rusty hinges and graffiti-covered brick of the present.
I wandered around, looking in vain for my classroom. The only company I had were the occasional pig with a number painted on one side and any adults too busy chasing them to give me directions.
I was eventually rescued by a guy who was a stark contrast with the lunatic with the pig.
He was wearing a tight black t-shirt and loose brown pants. His hair was light brown and cleanly cut and brushed. He was walking out of the classroom with a kleenex over his nose.
He spotted me and came over. "Are you lost?"
"...You could say that."
He smiled. "Want some help?"
I tried not to be too desperate. "Shouldn't you be in class?"
He waved a hand. "I'm getting a drink of water to help my nosebleed. It's not going to work, so I can take a little time to show you where to go."
"Um, okay, I guess."
"I'm Max."
"Booster."
He shook my hand. "Nice to meet you, Booster. Now, where are you headed?"
I gave him my time table.
It turns out I was three floors away from where I was going. And when I finally got there, the bell rang.
Max laughed. "How about I help you find your next class now, before you get lost again."
"Yeah, probably a good idea."
He looked at my timetable again and smiled. "Hey, we're in the same class – computer science. Very convenient."
I inwardly winced. Not because I didn't like the guy – but there was no point to learning old fashioned technology. It was like learning how to churn butter or how to probably transmit Morse code on a telegraph. Possibly entertaining but entirely useless. Still, Ted thought it was better if we shared as many classes as possible so he could keep an eye on me.
Computer sciences was made up of nerds.
Nice nerds. I like nerds, I swear.
There were murmurs and introductions and stuff, and everybody introduced themselves to me, but honestly I'm terrible with names so I couldn't remember most of them. I know them now, of course, but if you asked me then, I wouldn't have anything.
I do remember the redhead with the glasses in the wheelchair, who was some kind of genius because despite being a freshman was in our class, and I overheard Mr. Knight telling her that she really should be in the senior's class. Her name was Barbara Gordon. She was almost constantly bothered by this creepy dude called Noah Kuttler.
Max was there, of course, and Ted. Ted and Max seemed to know each other, kind of.
"Hey, Booster, I see you've met Maxwell Lord."
Ted pulled me aside and in a huge fake stage whisper said, "Don't trust that guy."
Max laughed. "Come on, Ted. Why would you say that?"
Ted played innocent. "What? I didn't say anything."
I solemnly turned to Max. "I'm sorry, Max, this guy I met yesterday says I'm not supposed to trust you. I should listen to him."
Max clasped a hand to his chest. "I'm hurt. Truly, I am."
Barbara Gordon wheeled over. "Guys, we're supposed to be in class. Stop fooling around and do some work."
Ted immediately turned back to his desktop. "As you command, queen of computers."
Barbara rolled her eyes and motioned to me. "Look, I'll get you started at a computer, okay, Michael?"
Max leaned away from his computer. "Is that his name?"
"Call me Booster," I said to both of them, before turning back to Barbara, "How'd you know my name?"
"I know everything."
I couldn't help but get goosebumps. I don't know why, but I believed her. She didn't say it like she was bragging. She didn't say it like it was some sort of mysterious thing like a secret agent or some spooky guy at a dark table lit from the back. She didn't say it like an offhand joke. She said it in a casual, matter-of-fact tone.
For one irrational moment I wondered if she knew I was from the future too.
But then it was gone. She gave me a computer and showed me what we were doing, and wheeled off before I could say thank you.
I couldn't help but smile as I got started. I had been in the past for about a day and I already made more real friends than I did in a year in the future.
I wanted to stay there.
A pig ran past the door, squealing much more squeakily than it had been before, almost as if it had been squealing so much it had lost its voice.
A parade of teachers chased after it.
On the other hand, the past was pretty weird.
