Divided Mask

Chapter 1 - The key to combat

"Good morning class! Although I see mostly familiar faces, I will introduce myself. I am Mr. Rutherford and I am one of the head combat teachers." Wren had known Mr. Rutherford long enough. They had a good bond considering how well she did in his class.

He held an icebreaker. Most of the students shared. She has missed the entirety of junior year as she was put into therapy which had been a waste it didn't help.

"Wren? Can you share?" Mr Rutherford looked towards her.

She panicked had he not been told? Her breathe hitched in her throat. Her face burned as students turned to look at her

"She will respectfully pass on that Mr. Rutherford." Her only remaining friend Percy spoke up.

"Oh yes." He looked like he finally remembered, "Percy why don't you go ahead and tell us about yourself. Then we will write a survey."

As Percy spoke, Mr. Rutherford passed out the survey.

One landed on her desk, attached a note said
Sorry Wren, I'll make sure to not make that mistake again.
She looked up and offered Mr. Rutherford a small smile letting him know it was okay.
The first question was 'what is your fighting style?'
Wren was more specialized in range and a little close combat for situation.
'what is your weapon, or weapons of choice if you don't have one'
Shotgun gauntlets. She had been using them since daggers were not as good of a fit. The last question read  'Mr. Rutherford is the coolest teacher right'
She rolled her eyes, he was very cocky for a teacher.

The bell rang many students rushed out. The halls made Wren uncomfortable people were way more willing to comment on her silence.
"Okay Class tomorrow we start training. Be ready."

"Hey freak!" One person called. At least it was easy to ignore them.

She saw the guidance counselor. She motioned her over into an office.
"Use this notepad so you can communicate better. Hurry so you're not late."

She did arrive after the bell. Of course it was for a teacher who was stern Mrs. Bard.

"Nice of you to come late, Wren." Mrs Bard sneered. Her cheeks turned red as she found a seat.
Mrs. Bard then went on about history. The entire class was bored out of their minds. She continued to go on
"Wren you have after school detention." Mrs Bard announced to the whole class as they left. Some snickered. Wren shook her head in disbelief.
On the first day? She wrote and showed Mrs. Bard
"Yes. Now move along I don't have time for you."

She had let her dad know by text that she got detention so she would be late. He wrote back a short ok.

The rest of the day had gone by smoother, she went to her physical training class and finally her specialization class. That would train everyone 'special powers' some called it.
She didn't care, getting in and out what her only concern.  She walked into the library where detention was being held.

A few people were there. Apparently some students pulled a prank involving fire.
"The freak in detention? No way!" One boy called out.
Freak, she hated that name. But she viewed herself as one.
"Mrs. Bard go home to your family I can watch detention." Mr Rutherford told her. She smiled and left.
Mr Rutherford sat down next to Wren.
"So Wren? How am I supposed to communicate with one of my favourite students?"
Like this I guess. Although I probably won't need much help this year.  His eyes quickly scanned it and he smirked
"Okay Miss I don't need help. By the way how did you end up in detention?"
Dumb Mrs. Bard, I was given this notepad and was late and then she called me out. It was ridiculous.
"Ridiculous huh? I also don't think you should call you teacher dumb. I guess I can keep my mouth shut."

She rolled her eyes at him, he was such a child sometimes.
"I will personally double your detention with how much you roll your eyes at me." He laughed and told the kids they could leave. " It's the first day just go home, if I have to watch any of you again. I will make your training living hell."

Wren grabbed her bag and shoved some work away.
Thanks for letting us go early, I don't know how much longer I would have lasted. She gave the paper to Mr Rutherford and walked away.
"You're ridiculous I was trying to be funny. Bye Wren."

It had begun to rain as she walked home. She didn't mind the rain, if she was dressed for it instead her jeans stuck to her legs, and her hair was plastered in her face. She didn't like being driven anywhere much and would walk as much as she could.

It was nearing five by the time she had gotten home. Her step mother, Roxanne was making dinner.

"Hi Wren? How was your day?"
She shrugged and went to change before Roxanne stepped in her way.
" I think it would be good for you if you even said 'it was good' please,"
Wren shook her head, Roxanne was nice but she really didn't understand. How hard it was when memoires of awful days were accompanied by words.
"Just something small," Roxanne pleaded. Again Wren shook her head. Today was a headache enough she did need this.
"Rox. How about you let Wren change. She quite wet."
Roxanne and her dad moved out of the way. She could see the disappointing look her dad had on his face

Wren put her bag out and headed back into the rain. Her dad tried to get her back inside. She couldn't take anymore disappointment today, it was crushing her.

She went to a small store and found a full face mask and black paint. The person at the counter looked confused but rang her through without a question. She paid and left. Making her way back to her house.
Even more wet than before she went inside. Ignoring the questioning from Roxanne and her dad, she went to her room. Painting a large smile across the mask.

Now no one could see how she was feeling. She tried on the mask tying the string in a knot to hold it up. Now all that could be seen was her green eyes and a big smile.

================================================================================Edit: In case it wasn't clear the italics writing (this) is Wren writing/ talking