Spidergirl - New Origins

Chapter 12 - Midtown High

It's 7.45 am and I'm standing outside of Midtown High with Fury and Happy, discussing the mission. You cannot overhear the skateboards or fancy cars from spoiled children. The building looks okay, at least it's not crusty and 60 years old like my old school (okay but I admit they started rebuilding it last year).

"Okay, let's go over this one last time", Fury says. "What is your name and where are you from?"

I respond: "My name is Sarah Bennett and I come from Germany, where I have already graduated."

He does not seem satisfied with my response. "Okay, then why are you here?"

I explain further: "I need to do a volunteer year here so I can actually see if my knowledge is better or worse than the average american student. Plus, it is good for my CV."

"Good. What if you need anything?"

"I text you or talk through the invisible earplug." That sounds really stupid, but he needs the answers Sarah.

"And what else?"

"After every class I give you new information. The contact lenses are a high tech security system and record everything. Also, I must find friends and not act suspicious."

"That's it for now. Let's go inside." He points at the entrance with his head.

While I walk in I get these curious looks from almost every student, one of them being what I believe is the popular girl. I can see her smirking and giving her friends that look. What's wrong, haven't you seen a new student before? Oh, I get it, she must feel threatened by me because I could easily replace her. European kids are cool to Americans. Anyway, we knock on the staff rooms door.

A blonde lady with red lipstick and a black suit opens up. She looks about fifty. "Hello there, come in we are expecting you."

The room smells like fresh coffee and sanitizer. They have a lot of closets in there, must be important documents (or maybe weapons?). We take a seat as Fury starts talking.

"So, we've already talked about the important things yesterday."

The lady responds as she nods while keeping her eyes fixed on him. "Yes." Now she looks at me. "And you must be Sarah, right?"

"Yes M'am." I start to blush. I'm kinda nervous becasue I've never done this before. Not even the school is familiar to me.

"We're happy to have you. All the students already know that you are here and they're excited to finally meet you."

"Oh, is that so? Then I hope will I leave a good impression."

"Of course you will, they have tons of questions to ask you about Europe." She smiles. I smile back. "So this is your schedule, you don't need someone to show you around we have signs everywhere. Since your education system is harder that ours, you can decide if you want to do the homework or not. Oh and one more thing, only me and the head principal know about this so don't tell anyone about the situation."

"Got it." Right when she said situation, a teacher looks at us with squinted eyes. Happy spots him and he was scared enough to look away before they lock eyes. Suspicious...

Then Happy talks to me before this can get weird. "And I will be here in the staff room all the time if you need me."

After a moment Fury and I leave the room and I get to my first class.

In class

Everybody sits down as I stand and wait for the teacher to talk. "Hello class, as you heard we have a new student today." He looks at me. "Would you mind introducing yourself to us?"

I start saying everything I said to Fury earlier. "Hello, my name is Sarah Bennett. I am 15 years old and come from Germany, where I have already graduated. I want to do a volunteer year here so I can actually see if my knowledge is better or worse than the average american student. Plus, it is good for my CV."

"Thank you Sarah. I am Mr. Shade by the way."

The popular girl raises her hand.

Mr. Shade is happy that a studend is interested actually in me. "Yes, Amy."

She tilts her head and smirks at me while squinting her eyes. "Do you think you're better than us because you're European? I'm just asking because a lot of European kids think they're smarter than us and they're like soooo arrogant."

Okay? Is she actually trying to end me? I lift an eyebrow and shake my head. "I never said that. But it's a fact that the German school system is way harder than this one, so that's why a lot of kids have learn more things at one while Americans learn slower. But I don't mean to show off with it, since it is nothing special it just becomes harder to keep up with more pressure. I can actually offer my help when you don't understand something new, since I've had almost every topic."

I can see her jaw hardening as she bites her teeth, but tries to look calm. That's one point for me.

Mr. Shade tells me to sit down. Right then, a boy with brown hair raises his hand. "You can sit next to me if you want." He smiles and hopes I do so.

I smile back and say okay.

"Okay class, today's topic is human rights, I expect you all to pay attention, since this is test relevant."

The boy starts whispering to me as the Mr. Shade talks. "I'm Peter Parker by the way."

I'm scared to respond becasue I don't want the teacher to notice me, but it's not nice to ghost someone. "Hi Peter Parker." I laugh.

He continues: "Don't mind Amy, she is like that to everyone. I think she's jealous of you because you're cooler than her and might get all the attention away from her."

I let a smirk escape from my mouth. "You- you think I'm cool?"

"Yeah. You didn't let her bully you, normally the kids here let it slide." Wow, that is so sad.

"We'll it's about time someone shows her resistance. And yeah, I figured that earlier when she gave me a side eye and laughed at me."

Mr. Shade notices us chatting. "Ms. Bennett, since your knowledge is bigger than the others, could you please name us the five of the universal human rights?"

Oh shit. I start to blush again and look at my desk. You can do this Sarah, this topic is too easy for you remember?. "Uuuuhhhm.... the right to education, the right not to be discriminated, the right to express your opinion, the right to healthcare...uhmm...."

"You need one more."

"The freedom of sexuality?"

He nods. "Very good. And Mr. Parker, stop distracting your classmates please."

"Oh, sorry Mr. Shade."

I can see Amy's pissed face because I got away with chatting. I think I just made myself an enemy.