The Teen of Steel (Supergirl Fanfic)

Chapter 5

The teacher droned on and on as I sat in the biology class, feeling like my brain was slowly melting. The monotony of English had already drained my energy, and now I was stuck in a room with an old guy who seemed to think every word he said was a punchline.

The classroom was typical—bright fluorescent lights flickering overhead, and the walls adorned with outdated posters of the human body and its functions. The desks were old, some with scratched initials and doodles etched into the wood. The smell of chalk dust and old paper mingled in the air, creating an almost nostalgic but unpleasant scent.

The teacher, Mr. Higgins, was droning on about human cells. "All of you have human cells like these," he said, pulling up a picture on the projector. The image displayed a colorful diagram of cell structures, each part labeled with a confusing array of letters and numbers.

I had to stifle a laugh. I was the only one in this room without human cells. If Mr. Higgins got a hold of one of mine, he'd probably have a field day—or a nervous breakdown. The thought was almost amusing.

To keep my mind from wandering too far, I pulled out my fidget spinner and started spinning it under the desk. The soft, rhythmic whirring sound was a small comfort, a way to channel my restlessness. The sensation of the spinner between my fingers was soothing, a distraction from the tedium of sitting still.

Back on Krypton, our education was different. We weren't confined to a hot room with a bunch of other kids. Instead, we learned directly from our parents and mentors in a much more engaging environment. The droning voice of Mr. Higgins was a stark contrast to the dynamic learning I was used to.

I laid my head on the desk, my gaze fixed on the clock. The seconds seemed to drag on, each tick echoing in my ears. Finally, the bell rang, and I practically leaped out of my seat. I bolted towards the door, relieved to be done with the class. The cool rush of air from the hallway was a welcome change from the stuffy classroom.

I was grateful for the bracelet on my wrist, a gift from my Earth parents when I was little. It was like Kara's glasses—only instead of just enhancing her vision, it kept me from using my powers. It was more than a fashion statement; it prevented me from accidentally burning things or, you know, barbecuing people. It contained a bit of kryptonite, just enough to weaken me so that I could blend in more easily.

With the bracelet keeping me grounded, I walked down the hallway towards my next class—math. The corridor was crowded with students chatting and laughing, their voices a chaotic blend of excitement and chatter. I dodged a group of kids playing with a football, narrowly avoiding a collision.

I had never been a fan of math. The tiny symbols and equations felt like a foreign language, and I couldn't see how they'd be relevant to my dream of becoming a journalist. Geometry proofs seemed pointless when I was more interested in finding the next big scoop.

As I was checking Instagram on my phone, lost in the endless scroll of photos, I collided with a wall of muscle. I stumbled backward, falling to the floor with my books scattering around me.

The impact was jarring, but not painful. My heart raced as I looked up at the figure who had caused the collision. A tall, muscular guy was crouched beside me, his face a picture of concern and embarrassment.

"I'm so sorry!" he said, his voice a deep, apologetic rumble. He dropped down to help me pick up my books.

If it weren't for the bracelet, he probably wouldn't have been able to knock me down. The kryptonite in it made me weaker than usual, enough to get knocked flat on my butt.

"That's okay, no harm done," I said, standing up and brushing dust off my pants. I looked up at him and was struck by how handsome he was. He had brown hair, forest green eyes, and stood about 6'1", towering over my 5'2". His lean, muscular build reminded me of a soccer player, and his face was flushed with embarrassment.

He fumbled as he handed me my books, his hands shaking slightly. "Hi, I—I'm Toby," he stuttered, his face still red.

I couldn't help but grin at his awkwardness. "Nice to meet you, I'm Jess," I replied warmly. "I've never seen you here before."

"Yeah, I just moved here yesterday," I said, nodding.

"Where's your next class?" he asked, looking genuinely curious.

I pulled my schedule out of my jacket pocket and handed it to him. He took it and scanned it quickly. "Geometry with Jackson. That's where I'm headed too. Follow me," he said, handing the schedule back.

I followed him down the hall to another crowded classroom. The room was decorated with tacky posters proclaiming "Math is Fun" and other similar slogans. The desks were arranged in neat rows, and the hum of the air conditioner was a constant background noise.

I took a seat in the back, and Toby sat to my right. Just then, another girl in front of me turned around, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Already hogging the new girl, Toby?" she teased, a smirk playing on her lips.

Toby's face turned tomato red again. "I was just showing her the way, Sam. Don't make it a thing," he replied, though his flushed face betrayed him.

Sam, with her long black hair streaked with dark purple, wore a Calvin Klein leather jacket over a black Veil Brides concert t-shirt. Her heavy eyeliner and black eyeshadow made her look like she was ready for a rave. She looked me up and down, her expression friendly but scrutinizing.

"Hi, I'm Sam Callaway, and you're my new best friend. And this is my step-brother Toby Martin," she said with a smirk.

I laughed softly, appreciating her boldness. "I'm Jess Danvers."

"Where did you move from?" Sam asked, curiosity evident in her voice.

"I lived with my mom in Midvale, but now I'm living with my older sister here," I explained.

"Why aren't you living with your mom?" Sam asked, her curiosity bordering on intrusive.

Toby shot her an annoyed look. "Sam, it's rude to pry."

Sam stuck her tongue out at him, unbothered.

I shook my head, trying to keep things light. "No, it's okay. My sister works as Cat Grant's assistant, and she got me an internship with her."

Sam's jaw dropped. "You're interning for Cat Grant?" Her voice was filled with shock and awe.

I nodded, and she squealed, which was totally out of character given her edgy appearance. "That is so cool! You've got to tell me everything that happens!"

I laughed. "Sure, I start today."

Just then, the teacher came in and instructed everyone to quiet down as class was about to begin. I settled into my seat, feeling a small but genuine smile tugging at my lips. It was my first day, and I'd already made two new friends. Maybe this school wouldn't be so bad after all.