Epics of Noche 2, DeathTech

EON CH 12

JUNE'S NEW STEPDAD.

1771.

Kids exploded out of the school the moment the bell rang. Windows were thrown open and kids jumped thirty feet to the ground – some took off flying like superheroes. Prismatic energy filled the air as one child made a slide of ice which he took all the way to the street. Everyone was in a rush to leave the high school except for one girl.

Despite the desert city's intense summer heat, June wore long clothes all over her body. Her feet dragged as she made her way back to her apartment complex. Mind racing between who she is and what she should do. Ask for help or run away. Find an adult or be an adult.

June believed she was old enough to make her own decisions – June was eleven.

Those thoughts vanished the instant she opened her door to her mother.

"June... We need to talk."

June groaned.

"Baby, your grades have been dropping drastically," her mom said. "I'm worried. You used to be a straight-A student. What's going on?"

"Nothing!"

"Come on June, don't tell me that," she said. "It may not seem like it, but high school is very important."

"No it's not! All they teach us is math, and history, and stuff!" June shouted. "None of it affects my daily life!"

June's eyes flickered to Albert's jacket on the couch – she got up and ran to her room.

"It's just a waste of time!"

"June! JUNE!"

She slammed her door and locked it. June fell to the floor and buried her face in her hoodie.

The next day, school was chaotic as always. The bell rang and kids flooded out of every available opening like a pack of monkeys. With the powers provided by Create, they literally fled in all directions like a firework. June's eyes followed someone who was swimming in the air with telekinesis.

"Wonder how it feels to float in the sky like that..." She mumbled. "I need more Drive."

"Hola Hune!"

Venny slammed into June's side – June flinched away.

"Todo bien?" Venny blinked.

"Yeah, I'm alright," she muttered.

Prismatic energy surrounded June; a small flame floated in the air before her. June reached into her pocket and pulled out a blunt. She stuck it in the flame, waited a moment, and put it into her mouth. Marijuana had been her life saver these last few days. June turned towards a shaded area of the sidewalk.

"Hey, sit with me for a moment?"

"... Sure," Venny said.

Ten minutes passed before June was done smoking.

"So, how's being thirteen?" she asked.

Venny shrugged. "Ehh, it's alright... I asked mom for a scorpion mutation, but she said not en mi casa."

June chuckled. "Scorpion?"

"SI! I'd have a badass tail! And I could sting bad guys! AND it'd help me deal with the desert heat!" She smiled. "Seriously, don't know how you wear long sleeves out here."

June's hands tightened on the thick sleeves.

"Please, with how easily scared you are, if you had a tail you'd only end up stinging yourself."