Peace and Grace

6. To Be a Hero

"It's too bad," I say to Layla the next day on our way to our first class.

"Yeah, but we'll still have some classes together, like gym and history, and we'll see each other at lunch, and on the bus," she reminds me.

"Yeah, that's true. Good luck, see you at lunch then."

"Thanks, you too."

"Thanks."

My first class of the day is 'Heroes and Politics'. Not one I'm really looking forward to, sounds kind of boring but, what can you do?

I'm following my map through the maze that is the school when my schedule is plucked from my hands. The tall, stretchy guy from yesterday walks up to me, holding my schedule in his hand. "Hey, you lost? You need directions?"

"I think I'm fine, but thanks-"

"Hey, we haven't officially met yet. I'm Lash."

"Uh, Nadia."

"So, how are you liking Sky High so far Nadia?"

"Good so far. Is your name really Lash?"

He chuckles. "Maybe, maybe not. Hey, I heard that you're related to Mastermind - is that true?"

Conveniently change the subject I see. "Yeah... He's my dad..."

"Really? That's awesome!"

"Yeah..."

"Well, here we are," he says as we arrive at the right classroom. "See you later, Nadia." With that he winks and heads off, purposefully bumping a freshman on his way by. Hmm, he might be a problem.

The room's pretty full already, and of course as soon as you step in the door everyone looks up at you.

Standing there awkwardly in the doorway I'm able to pick out a familiar face: Warren Peace. Well, better than not knowing anyone.

A girl slips past me and into the room, searching for a place to sit. There's a perfectly good seat next to Warren, in the middle, but she hurries right past it, quickening her pace and avoiding eye contact with him and goes to a squishy seat in the far back corner with everyone's heads in the way. Poor guy. Not only does everyone avoid him, but they're also not discrete about it.

I head inside and plunk myself in the seat next to him, taking my notebook and pen out of my bag before setting it at my feet. I'm fully aware of all the stares I'm getting, including from Warren, but I choose to ignore this.

I must have arrived pretty early cause it seems like I sit there for a while before class actually starts. I glance over at my neighbour to see that he's sketching in his notebook, scratching heavily with a pencil on the paper.

"So, what's your power?" I ask, thinking that's a good way to strike up a conversation.

He doesn't respond, only holds up his hand. His fingers ignite with fire - I can feel the heat from it on my face. But he doesn't say anything, or look up from his drawing.

I sit back, leaning away from that failed attempt, and begin to fiddle with my own powers. As energy swirls around my fingers I see that it's reverted back to its usual purple, with only a few traces of orange here and there now. I'm not as nervous, a good sign.

The second bell rings and as if on cue the teacher, Mr. Sparks, enters the room. He's a tall man in his early thirties who dresses formally in button-down shirts and dress pants. I see some of the girls swooning over him. Oh boy.

"Good morning everyone!" he says cheerfully. "I am Mr. Sparks, or you might know me as the Shocker-" He holds up his hand and snaps his fingers, a flicker of electricity crackling as he does so. "Welcome to 'Heroes and Politics'! Now I know what you're thinking: this sounds utterly boring. Perhaps it's not the most exciting material, but I promise you that it's very interesting. Now, first thing's first: attendance."

He picks up a class list off his desk and begins calling out names. I'm close to the start.

"Nadia Grace?"

I raise my ring-adorned hand. "Here."

Mr. Sparks looks back down at the list and then back at me. "You wouldn't happen to be related to-" Oh no. Here it comes.... "-Jenna Grace, would you?"

Oh. Wasn't expecting that. "Y-yeah," I answer with a smile, my dread gone. For once it's not about my dad. "She's my aunt."

"Really? Cool." He gives me a welcoming smile. "Welcome Nadia." Then he continues down the list. Eventually he comes to, "Warren Peace - I saw you." He ticks off Warren's name, the name bearer too busy twirling his pencil in his hand and glaring daggers at his desk to respond.

Once the attendance list has been reviewed top to bottom, Mr. Sparks begins with the course material. He's a great teacher, and I really like him so far.

We start by talking about the great responsibility of heroes - honestly its intimidating. So much pressure. Its not just having a cape or being strong and fast that makes you a hero, as is so often depicted it seems. I'm quickly realizing that being a hero is a lot more.

(Thanks so much for reading, hope you're enjoying so far! And thanks so much for the 100+ reads! :D)