The Library of Powers

Chapter 4 - Part 3

Heh, Jackson thought, if only she knew. He mused lightheartedly, right until the gravity of the situation set in. His power shouldn't be possible? He had thought it was just dumb luck, not some act of god. Jackson was verifiably freaking out. How did he get his power?

"Hey, are you okay?" Daniel asked him, leaning close. Jackson only then realized he was making a scene.

"Yea- Yeah, just had a strange flash migraine," Jackson stuttered, his lying skills improving on the fly. Was he becoming a pathological liar? Jackson certainly hoped not.

The conversation moved on, but Jackson wasn't paying close attention anymore. "Superpower Class" flowed naturally, the subjects brought up depending on what the class was curious about. It definitely wasn't dull Extraordinary Peoples History, he was sure he would have been engaged if not lost in worry. Jackson had come up with a dozen different ways his outburst could spell his demise before he was thrust back into the conversation when Ms. Forrester abruptly broke the glass ceiling. Literally.

It was stylistically similar to when she had created the podium, but removing the ceiling was much more impressive. Something about watching a shower of small sand-like particles siphon upwards was incredibly mesmerizing. Outside the room was a much larger enclosure, also made of the pale yellow goop. Their room was an ant in an aircraft hanger. This, Jackson thought, must be bigger than the Library.

"Absolute control. That's what separates a Planar from a Mind Palace. Of course, most of the time the super doesn't have the skill to manipulate in such large quantities, but years of experience and my power allow me some liberties," Ms. Forrester said, deciding to replace the roof to the classroom. "That reminds me, to practice expanding your Planar skills, you two," she added, pointing at Selina and Jackson, "Will have to host one class in your plane."

"What!" The two singled out said in unison. While Jackson appreciated her complimenting his sentiment, this was not as earth-shattering for Selina as it was for him. This wasn't something Jackson could lie his way out of. Once they were in the Library, they would know. "But I don't know if I can even bring people into my plane!" he retorted, gesturing wildly.

Ms. Forrester eyed him calmly and responded "Jackson, every Planar super can bring others into their plane. However, it is normally very difficult. Luckily we have an amazing resource at our disposal to help with that. Those desks you rode in on will make the process much smoother."

It was Selina who argued this time. "But Ms. Doil."

"That's Ms. Forrester to you, Selina. And sorry, but this is non-negotiable. Principal Gonners insisted both of you get practice for when you inevitably decide to major in heroism."

There were two things Jackson found incredibly wrong with what Ms. Forrester had said. First, Jackson would never in a million years apply for a major in heroism. That was a license to kill and a license to be killed. Secondly, Principal Gonners had put Ms. Forrester up to this, which probably meant he was on to Jackson. The fuse had been lit, and now Jackson had to decide between attempting to blow it out or running from the blast radius.

"That about wraps up my lesson today. Next Thursday Selina, be ready. Jackson, we'll do you after mid-winter break. The rest of you, you know what your homework is. See you on Tuesday, don't die before then." Ms. Forrester concluded, before walking through yet another invisible door without giving Jackson even a second to argue his case. Three weeks, he reminded himself. Three weeks to figure out a way around this.

Despite how harrowing it had seemed during the end, Jackson had quite enjoyed Superpower class. Now in the room with just his fellow students, he could see they had enjoyed it also. Selina might be pouting in her corner, but even she quickly turned around, probably looking forward to what the rest of her day had in store.

Connor was the first to leave, headed down the hallway Jackson had entered from with a heavy gait. Daniel was making small talk with Melanie, while she packed her bag slowly. Jackson caught her glancing at him once again, took the hint, but decided to leave before they confronted one another again. He wasn't sure yet if he was going to accept Melanie's apology. Anyways, he had a different student to find, the one whom the Writing Well was actually talking about. As Jackson pulled his backpack on and entered the exit hallway, Selina hustled to catch up with him.

"So what did you think?" she asked Jackson.

Jackson put a hand to his chin, feigning thought. "I liked it. Ms. Forrester is certainly... Interesting."

Selina's eyes lit up at Jackson's comment. "Yeah! Did you know she was a famous superhero back in the 80s?"

"What? Really?" Jackson questioned, this time put into true thought. It would explain why she had so much control over her plane. But if she had been a professional superhero, why was she teaching a high school class? "Is she in witness protection?" Jackson asked.

"That's my pet theory, at least. I'm surprised you figured it out so quickly," she complimented. "So, Jackson. Change of topic. What are you doing Friday night?"

Being thrown for a loop, Jackson could only answer a meek "Nothing, I guess."

Selina's brown eyes twinkled in anticipation. "Great, that means you can make it to the party I'm hosting. You have to be there. Get to know the other powered kids better. Get yourself out there."

"I don't really do parties"

"You do now. C'mon, it'll be fun! You don't have to like, drink or anything. Just show up and have fun."

As much as Jackson wanted to deny her invitation, it probably would be good for him. Jackson wanted to do things, he just suspected they would bite him in the ass later. Either paranoid or cautious, he didn't really care which. Jackson thought back to his scene at the mirror this morning. Thought back to going to Superpower Class in the first place. Some things were just out of his control by now, and others had been better then he expected. Why couldn't this be one of them?

"Yeah, sure." He told Selina, as they reached the end of the passage.

"Really? You aren't just, like, gonna bail on me last minute?"

"Don't make me change my mind."

"Great! My address is fifteen fifty-three Thunderbird Avenue Northwest. You can't miss it, it will be the one that's having a party," she said, dashing to one of the desks and sitting down. "See you th---"

Cut off by her desk, and therefore her, disappearing, Jackson allowed himself a light chuckle. Maybe he had finally made a friend. Even if she was a bit energetic, Selina was definitely nicer then anyone else he had the "pleasure" of interacting with this week. Noticing one of those people walking down the hallway towards him, Jackson took the opportunity to escape via the desks.

When Jackson arrived back in Takeshi High, he was alone. Which was just fine.