A/N: Here it is. The second chapter. I hope you enjoy it.
Chapter Two - Why 'Sky' High?
The thing I've dreaded for years has finally occurred. Last night, as I slept, tomorrow turned into today, bringing with it, my first day of Sky High. Sure, I should be excited for this day, where I'll finally attend a school with other supers, just like myself; anyone else would be... apart from my brother, Will. The thought making me cringe a little as I stare up at the ceiling from my bed where I lay, fully dressed and ready to go, but refusing until I have no choice. I know how people will react when they discover my power. The same way everyone else, apart from my mom... and Warren Peace surprisingly, a part of my mind supplies, causing my heart rate to pick up. To be honest, even my own twin tried to avoid me once he found out, scared that I might take away his power before he even received it. Unfortunately for him it was too late, but I didn't need to let him know that. Mom sorted everything out eventually, but it still left a lasting impression.
"Will?" My dad's voice, calling for Will, snaps me out of my trance. I glance at the clock on my bedside table to see that I can't put it off for any longer. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and brace myself for the day ahead. I grab my backpack, along with my jacket and beanie, and go to head downstairs. As I turn down the hall, I almost collide with Dad, but he narrowly avoids me, barely missing the photo frames on the wall.
"Wow! That was a close one." Dad says, stepping away from me. I roll my eyes, used to his antics now, and walk down the stairs.
I'm greeted by Layla, Will's best friend and by extension mine, and Mom, who hands me a plate of breakfast and glass of fresh juice. I take a seat next to Layla and start eating my bacon. Layla gives me a strange look, but doesn't answer when I ask what it is, so I shrug it off.
"He's on his way." Dad says as he walks into the kitchen, past Mom and goes to sit at the table with us. "Oh, hi Layla." He greets, taking a seat and subconsciously moving it away from me. I'm not entirely sure he notices, but I do. I look away and focus on finishing my eggs.
"Good morning, Commander." We all look over to Layla and see her motioning for his missing glasses.
"Oh, thanks Layla." Dad pulls out his fake glasses and places them on before grabbing today's newspaper and turning his back to me. Before I can let it get to me, Mom speaks up.
"I can't believe you, Jamie and Will are starting high school. It seems like just yesterday you three were swimming naked in the kiddie pool!."
At that moment, Will walks into the room and both of us yell "Mom!" in sync at her for embarrassing us in front of Layla. To think I thought she got it all out of her during middle school. Apparently not.
"Hi, Layla" Will greets her as he goes to sit down opposite me, forgoing breakfast and just drinking juice instead.
It's a this moment when the phone starts to ring. I notice Mom walking over to our main phone when I see Dad reaching for the 'Other' phone in the corner of my eye. The mood suddenly turns serious as he answers the phone. We watch and listen intently to them as they receive their orders. "There's trouble downtown. Big trouble, downtown." Dad emphasises, hanging up the phone. They have to leave and for one quick moment, I think the embarrassment is over, but it turns out I'm not so lucky.
"Oh shoot, and I really wanted to see Will and Jamie off to the bus. I remember their first day of preschool, they wouldn't let go of my legs!"
"Mom!" We call in unison once more, showing off our twinness... is that even a word? She stops and walks over to give me a hug and Will a kiss on his cheek before Dad calls her over.
"Oh, Will, a reminder. A lot of the kids at Sky High will only have one superhero parent, not two." He puts two fingers up to show a point. "So take it easy on them, huh?"
"Oh, Dad, not to worry. We'll keep it low key." Will promises. So low key they won't even know he has powers. The thought upsetting me.
"Steve!" Our mom calls.
"Gotta go. Jamie, be careful out there today. Don't let your powers loose again, like you do with Will all the time." I look down at my empty plate in shame as he walks away.
I quickly stand up and go wash up my plate and glass before Will or Layla can say anything. Will, instead, chooses to go turn on the television, flipping to the WXY News to watch their parents deal with a giant robot attacking the city. Checking the time, I realise that we have to get going or else we'll miss the bus. So I grab both our bags, throwing Will's his and basically pushing both of them out the door, locking it behind me. Catching up to Will and Layla, I hear the beginning of Layla's speech.
"Now, I know it's just our first day, but I already can't wait to graduate and start saving mankind... and womankind." She gushes making me laugh, but I had to ad to it.
"Don't forget the animals." Layla looks affronted at even the thought that I could think she would ever forget about the animals.
"And the rainforest." Will chimes in.
"Of corse!" She exclaims, as we pass by Miss. Kabbitch's house who greets us on our way. "I just feel really good about this year." Layla's positive attitude bringing up mine. Maybe things won't be so bad after all.
"Yeah, should be great." I hear Will say with a hint of sarcasm. I rub his shoulder to help ease his nerves, which must be even more on edge than mine, with his power problems, or lack there of. He exhales as the bus shows up. As we board the bus, Will casually asks the bus driver something any person with a sense of self preservation would have asked; and if Will didn't, I would have, but the bus driver didn't seem to think the same way.
"Is this the bus to Sky High?"
"What, are you crazy!?" The man pulls a lever, forcing the doors shut behind me and if it wasn't for the fast reflexes Will and I inherited from our mom, my bag would have been trapped by it. "I guess you want every Supervillain in the neighbourhood to know we're here?" He demands, staring at the three of us.
"No. No, sorry." Will stutters out an apology and goes to take a seat when the man stops him again by holding his hand out in front of Will.
"What's your name, freshman?" I shake my head at Will, hoping for him to notice, for I know the reaction we will most likely get when he hears, but luck is not on my side as he doesn't notice.
"Will Stronghold." I brace myself as I hear the bus driver audibly gulp and look to me then Will again.
"Will and Jamie Stronghold, the son and daughter of the Commander and Jetstream?" The awe in his voice is almost tangible. Will simply nods, looking unsure of what to do or say next. I couldn't say I knew either, for all I would have done is walk past him, trying my best to ignore everyone. But as luck would have it, I'm currently stuck behind Layla, Will and this bus driver who suddenly stands up and makes more of a spectacle of everything.
"Everyone! It's Will and Jamie Stronghold, the son and daughter of the Commander and Jetstream!" He grabs me from behind Layla, almost knocking her down in the process, and pulls me to Will's side. Everyone looks up, I'm pretty sure they can all make out the irritation on my face at this entire fiasco. "My name's Ron Wilson, Sky High bus driver."
I stop paying attention as I realise he's starting to suck up to us and only bring my attention back when I notice Will taking a seat next to Zack, our friend from middle school. I don't mind Zack that much. He's just not exactly my type, which is what I told him when he asked me out at the end of last year. I still find him to be a great and funny guy, but I would just love it if he could find someone else to crush on, since it made me uncomfortable to be around him.
"Hey, Will, Layla." He says, high fiving my brother. Zack may have omitted me at first, but I knew it was coming. "Hi, Jamie." I nod my head in acknowledgment, but not encouraging his advances. Will and I share a knowing look before he starts distracting Zack, letting me pass. Sometimes being able to read people easily has it's downfalls.
Walking past the gang, I look around and see an empty seat next to a girl dressed in pastel colours, not unlike myself. Smiling, I step up to her to gain her attention as the bus starts moving. "Hi, can I please sit next you you?" She looks up and smiles, quickly moving over to the window side to make room for me. It's then that I notice how gorgeous she looks, with her classical straight blond hair, blue eyes and petite body, unlike my wavy brown hair, blue eyes and average body. I'm not calling myself ugly or anything, but when held up against her, I wouldn't stand a chance. But even with all of this, she still sent me a large smile and started chatting away.
"Hi. I'm Luci Remirez. I saw what happened at the front of the bus. Does that always happen?"
"Jamie, as Ron just announced to the entire neighbourhood, and yeah. It's happened a few times. You would think people would get over it, but apparently not. The whole Hero-worship thing is getting old." I roll my eyes, which gains a laugh from Luci.
"I bet." With that I start to think that maybe, just maybe, I may have gained my first friend at Sky High. But I'll reserve judgement until after she finds out there's a high chance I'll accidentally take away her power.
The bus comes to a dramatic stop, causing everyone to lunge forward, some getting hurt in the process. "Sorry!" Ron calls out as a boy jumps on board and takes a seat. Luci and I start talking again, ignoring Ron's dramatic call of, "Next stop, Sky High!". The bus starts moving once more, but I notice Layla looking around, slightly worried.
"Where are we?" She says, asking anyone who will answer her. But no one does. Instead, Luci and a few others look outside, only to notice roadwork signs. I feel Luci tugging on my jacket to gain my attention, then pointing ahead when I give it to her. There, directly in front of the bus, is the end of a bridge and we are heading directly for it. All of a sudden a bar come out in front of us and seat belts strap themselves around us. Luci lets out a squeal in surprise while I gasp, unable to do much more, frozen in fear, until we are plummeting off the bridge where I let out a ear splitting scream. A few people struggle against their bindings while the rest of us just cling onto the bar in front of us. I'm going to die on a bus full of screaming teenagers and I haven't even had my first kiss. Maybe I should have taken Zack up on his offer. I shake off the thought, realising that I would rather not kiss anyone then give it away to someone I don't share romantic feelings for. If only Mom or Dad, or really anyone, could save us now. But it would be just our luck for a bus full of Super children to plummet to their death while a bus full of non-supers would probably be saved instantly. Honestly, I'm screaming so much with my eyes clamped shut, that I don't even notice we are flying instead of falling now. To be fair though, I'm not sure many of us do. But I do notice and feel a particularly rough jolt at some point, although I don't look up or open my eyes to find out what it is until I feel someone shaking me and calling my name. Ever so slowly, I open my eyes to look around, only to find that people are calmly walking past me and off of the 'bus'. Without thinking, I jump up and rush off of the thing, pushing past people as I go. Once off, I collapse onto the ground. A sick feeling rushing through me as I try to hold it back. I'm so relieved to be off that evil contraption, that I don't notice I left I bag on there until it suddenly appears right by my side on the ground. Shocked, I look up to find Luci standing over me with a worried expression.
"Thanks." I say, shakily standing up and trying to ignore the amused looks I'm receiving.
"Anytime." She smiles at me and I give her the best smile I can manage at the moment. Luci stays by my side as we walk to catch up to everyone else from our... I refuse to call it a bus anymore. That title is reserved for the ones that travel solely on the ground. Looking up at the sky, to make myself feel as though I'm not god knows how many feet above the actual ground, I see two girls fly over our heads. I feels dizzy just watching them. How anyone could stand heights and flying I have no idea. I'm not meant to be more than one foot off the ground at any time. I drop my gaze back down to my feet and continue to follow everyone else, once looking up at an entire cheer squad made out of one girl when Luci points them out to me.
A sudden strong gust of wind and I'm being pushed into everyone else, landing in between Will and Zack. He grins down at me, but I just try to keep my skirt held down. Finally the gust relents, leaving a chubby guy in front of us. "Your attention please."
I then notice another boy stretching beyond belief and landing next to him. "I'm Lash. This is Speed. And as representatives of the Sky High welcoming committee..." He leaves the sentence hanging for his friend to pick up as he stretches out his hand in front of the group.
"We'd be happy to collect that fifteen dollar New Student Fee." The smirk he wears not hiding the fact that it's a scam very well. Someone makes a comment to them that I don't bother listening to and instead choose to listen to a stray comment Luci makes.
"Lash is kind of cute." Her words make me chuckle a little, but I don't say anything, letting her think what she wants.
"Okay, guys. Very funny. I'll take over from here." A brunette covered in pink says, walking up to our group. The two go away, racing each other up the stairs. "Hey, everybody. I'm Gwen Grayson, your student body president. I know you're all going to love it here at Sky High. I know I have. I've just had the greatest experience having the greatest friends, but there are a few rules that I want you to know. First..." Gwen continues her speech finishing with "And if you just follow those few simple rules, I promise you will not fall off the school." After that she leads us into the school where we each receive our nametags and then shows us to the gym, leaving us there.
Luci and I follow behind the group, as she tries to whisper to me. I say tries, because I'm pretty sure some of the others can still hear her. "So, do you know what happens now? You're third generation aren't you?".
"Honestly, all I know is that we're going to be separated into two classes. Hero and Sidekick. How? I have no idea. Mom and Dad wanted to keep it this big secret for us to discover." I explain to her as she looks around the Gym in curiosity and fascination. Upon hearing Luci gasp, I turn around to find her watching a flying ball of light, speed over our heads, many of us ducking out of it's way, and fly over to a podium in front of the group, transforming into a woman as it lands.
"Good morning. I am Principal Powers. On behalf of all the faculty and staff, Welcome to Sky High!" She greets, with her arms open wide.
"Yeah!" Zack boisterously shouts, interrupting her and receiving an amused, yet disapproving look from the Principal, making him quiet down a little.
"In a few moments you'll go through Power Placement and your own heroic journey will begin. You have all been chosen for Sky High because you are all special in your own way. All of you will form your own goals. For now, good deeds and good luck. Let the adventure begin. Comets Away!" With that she transforms back into her ball of light and flies away. Just seeing her do so makes me feel ill, so I look down at the ground to stop it. What's with this school having so many flyers in some way or another?
As I stare at the floor I hear a strange noise behind me. Turning around, I spot a man standing on a platform, holding a clipboard and wearing sports attire. Gym teacher, my mind suplies me. "Alright, listen up!" He calls, gaining the attention of the few who haven't spun around to face him yet. "My name is Coach Boomer. You may know me as 'Sonic Boom'. You may not." From the awed expression on Luci's face that I see in the corner of my eye, I gather she does. "Here's how Power Placement is gonna work. You will step up here and show me your power. Yes, you will do so in front of the entire class."
Oh no. The sick feeling returns and I stop focusing on his words, too scared of what is to come. What if Luci freaks out when she finds out I can possibly lose control of my powers and take hers away at a moments notice? Only one person out of four hasn't freaked out so far when they found out. That's not exactly a great track record! I'm so distracted by my panicking that I'm only brought out of it when Coach Boomer 'boom's' at us.
"Yes, Coach Boomer!" I yell with everyone else even though I'm not sure as to what exactly I'm agreeing to. I just pray that I'm not first up, or ever really. Thankfully I'm not and I watch as person after person goes up and is sorted. By the time the lunch bell rings, four Heroes and five Sidekicks have been sorted, including Zack and surprisingly Layla, who refused to demonstrate her powers.
I'm relieved at first, but that feeling quickly dissipates upon hearing Coach Boomer saying my brother will be next. As we leave the gym and head off to the cafeteria, I wait up for Will and his friends, then embrace him in a hug to help calm his nerves, ignoring all the stares we are receiving. He seems to relax a little at this, so I leave with Luci to let him be with his friends.
Walking into the cafeteria, I'm already a little annoyed at everyones staring, but Luci's amusement towards it distracts me. That is, until two boys walk up to us in the cafeteria line and start flirting with me. It feels odd, I've only ever been hit on by Zack and he certainly never brought up my parents while doing so. Thankfully, with help from Luci, we manage to get them to leave me alone. But it's not the end of it. After we receive our food and start looking around for a place to sit, people all over the place start asking us to sit with them upon sighting my nametag. I'm so frustrated, that by the time we manage to find a seat with three boys who have already managed to be sorted into the Hero class, I slam down my tray and tear off my nametag. Balling it up, I throw it at the nearest trash can, ignoring the fact that it misses terribly. At the confused looks my actions receive, Luci explains the situation. By the end of it, they are all laughing their heads off and I eventually join in, relieved it's over for now.
"Looks like your brother is having just as hard'a time." Luke, the guy with acid spit sitting next to me, says, pointing in their direction.
Looking over, I spot Will sitting with Zack, Layla and two others I remember being sorted into Sidekick class. I watch as he turns around and glances behind him, then curling in on himself a little as he turns back around. Following his lead, I glance over to the table behind them only to see a lone figure sitting there. I don't recognise him at first, with his hair out. But that face is burnt into my memory and I snort in laughter upon realising what is going on.
"I see Warren has managed to find my brother already. I just hope Will doesn't do anything stupid." I comment even though I know it's not possible. Will is bound to mess up somehow. It's just a matter of when.
A choking noise gains my attention and I look back to our table to see Charlie, the shapeshifter, choking on his drink. Giving him a few seconds to clear his throat, Charlie suddenly exclaims. "Warren? As in Warren Peace?!" His eyes are wide as he turns his head to where I was staring before.
"The one and only." I say, nodding my head.
"I think he's kinda cute" Luci says, resting her head in her arms. A dreamy look in her eyes. I laugh at her for a moment until Alex Hamilton, a boy with the power to control gravity, randomly yells at us.
"You're crazy! He's evil!" Luci and I glare at him in response.
"I believe the world you're looking for, Hamilton, is 'Bad Boy'." I burst out laughing and Luci grins at me.
"You're insane, woman." Alex says, grabbing his tray and walking away. We both roll our eyes at him. Charlie gives us an apologetic look before following Alex. Surprisingly though, Luke stays sitting with us.
"Well that was awkward." He says, making Luci start laughing. I follow her lead and pretty soon we are all laughing and joking about again.
"You're alright, Luke." Luci says, high fiving him.
"Why thank you, ladies. I do try." He even takes a small bow while saying so which I snicker at. After a while, we all stand up and empty our trays into the trash. "Hey, I'm just going to go talk with my brother for a bit. I'll catch up with you two in the gym later." I wave goodbye as Luci blows him a kiss then laughs as we walk away.
Not many are staring at me now and I'm grateful as Luci and I head towards our lockers. "A reminder. There is no smoking on the school grounds. Or freezing or bursting into flames." We stare at eachother for a few seconds after the announcement, then burst out laughing.
"I think I'm going to like whoever does these announcements." I say to her as we continue walking.
"Oh boy." Luci says, stopping in her tracks. I stop as well, looking over to where she is staring. It's now that I notice Will and Warren standing together in silence. Will thankfully walks away and Warren turns towards us. I catch his eye and smile at him. He gives me a small smile in return causing Luci to look back and forth between us in confusion. He walks towards us then stops at a locker and opens it. Taking a deep breath, I walk up to him, with a hesitant Luci following behind me. I lean on one of the other lockers near his, shocking him.
"Hey, Warren. This is Luci." I say, pointing towards Luci's frozen form where we both realise she is blatantly staring up at him in sock. Warren tenses up and turns back to his locker. "Um, don't mind her." A few seconds pass in silence with him just moving things about in his locker before I bring up the courage to speak again. "How are you?" I hesitantly ask, hoping for a positive response, or really any response so I'm not just awkwardly standing here. It takes him a few seconds in which he stares at him as though mentally debating himself, for him to respond. But he does.
"How's Power Placement going?" His question startles me at first, but then I grin even though my response doesn't match that expression.
"Not so good. I'm not exactly looking forward to my turn." I admit.
"You'll be fine." I blush a little at his words and roll my eyes.
"So how was the bus?" He asks with a smirk. I pale upon remembering it and he laughs seeing me do so. "You really weren't lying about that fear of heights, were you?" The shake of my head making him grin a little as he closes his locker door. "Well, see you around, Princess." And with that he walks away, leaving me blushing like mad at the nickname.
Quickly, I grab the still frozen Luci and pull her along to her locker. When she finally snaps out of her shock, she almost screams at me. "When did you meet Warren Peace?... Princess?!" I cover her mouth until she promises not to shout anymore, then explain the time at the Paper Lantern to her once I take away my hand and she doesn't scream. Once I'm done, she's grinning like a mad man. "You like Warren Peace." The blush that crosses my face confirms her suspicions. "You do!" I quickly cover her mouth again, but I can't stop that wide grin that spreads across her face. I'm so doomed if she ends up hating me after Power Placement. The thought dampening my mood once more.
A/N: I can't believe I lost half of that last night! It made me so sad. I've rewritten it now, but I'm afraid it's not as good as it was before, but it'll have to do since I want to get the next chapter started. Review to let me know what you think. :)
Also I want to have a shout out to my new Beta. Thank you av23! :D