Strangers

3. Welcome to the new era ineed

 Ember's schedule is identical to mine, so taking her to class isn't a problem. The problem is everyone whispering around us. Talking about the Alasworvians. Talking about how all the people passed out in the gym this morning. I really just want to disappear and leave Ember by herself, but she's glued herself to me. Even when I try to go to the bathroom she tries to follow me.

"Ember, you can't come in here," I say. She gives a look that says watch me. I feel like she isn't told no very often. Suddenly, she's pushing past me into the men's rooms. It's full of guys during passing time. That first no one notices that she's entered. The second someone reasies it though all hell breaks loose. There's a mad dash to finish or at least get covered. One guy just stuffs it and zips up mid stream. Ember isn't phased. She just leans up against the wall, comfortable almost. I don't even try to get her out. I just lock myself into a stall to avoid her staring at me.

When washing my hands a guy named Cory comes up next to me. He's a smart kid. The kind that knows more science about the female body than they know females in general. Cory has positioned himself so he can be looking at me and keeping an eye on Ember.

"Noah, I see you have a new friend. I don't think you explained rules well enough though. She's in our bathroom," Cory jokes, "she's hot though. I wouldn't mind her just staying in here, you know." I roll my eyes and try to pretend that he isn't talking to me. "Come on man, you can't tell me you aren't going to try to take her. She hasn't left your side all day." My fist is clenched. He says one more word I'm going to knock him out. "If you don't I will man." I swing at Cory and he falls hitting his head on the sink. I grab Ember's hand and pull her behind me.

"Why did you hit him?" she says genuinely concerned. I pull her around the corner, and look her over. I see what Cory was getting at. If Ember had more human colors to her hair and eyes, she would be one of the hottest girls in our school. To be honest, even with the Alasworvian touches, she's pretty attractive. She's just staring at me, waiting for an answer.

"He was being disrespectful to you, so I hit him. You can't go into the men's room anymore. I don't know what it's like on your planet but here women and men have separate bathrooms in public places. You have to use the women's bathroom." I let go of her hand, looking for understanding.

"How do you know I'm a female, Noah?" she laughs. Grabbing she shoulders I press her up against the locker. I see a flash of fear fall over her face.

"I'm serious Ember. People are waiting for you guys to mess up or get in trouble. Doing things like that will get you in trouble or get you hurt. Do you understand?" Ember swallows hard, like this is hard for her to hear. Finally she nods and I release her shoulders. She adjusts her bag on her shoulder, gives me a fake smile, and we leave for our next class.

Fury and Tuck are in our history class along with the pink haired girl. Our teacher doesn't even stop to introduce them she just starts class a mile a minute. We are talking about the Civil War time period and Lincoln. I can see it all over the others' faces that they know nothing of any of this. Fury has given up on listening. She is more interested in blowing bubbles with her gum. Tuck has a box of pencils, over half of them are busted. If I had to guess, the strength thing is getting in the way of his trying to take notes on everything the teacher says. Pink haired girl is stressed out by the information being shoved at her. She's got her hair down on her desk, and I'm pretty sure she's sleeping. Ember seems to be the only one who has live under control in anyway. Even she however, is bugeyed. I'm about to reach over and make sure they are alright when the bell rings.

"You guys finding your ways alright?" I ask as everyone leaves the room. For a second I'm being given the evil eye. They are all pissed that I left with Ember before. "Hey, I'm sorry for leaving you guys before," I try to cover my actions, "let me see your schedules." Tuck and pink hair hand them over willingly. Fury just keeps snapping her gum.

"I'm doing fine without you. I made a friend," she huffs pushing me out of her way. Tuck and Pink hair both have lunch with Ember and me next. Ember doesn't seem to like having the other joining the group, but I'm glad to have other people to talk to.

"After you guys left, everyone started waking. No one got in trouble thankfully," Tuck explains. All he has for lunch is something that looks like jello. It's just one big bowl of blue jello. Ember has Reese's Pieces, and Pink hair has no food. It's a relief to know that everyone is ok out of both parties. I try to offer pink hair some of my chips, but she turns them down.

"Are you not hungry?" She shakes her head. I think I see her move her lips, but the cafeteria is too loud for me to hear her. "What your name by the way?" She smiles and leans forward close to my ear.

"It's Zoya," she loudly whispers in my ear. She's smiling when she leans back. I have a hard time believing she's seventeen. Zoya is by far the smallest of the group. She acts so innocent to even be an average teenager. Even now she just sits quietly taking in her surroundings. Out the three at our table she's the closest to blending in. Although her hair is bright pink, it's solidly pink unlike Tuck's or Ember's. Her eyes are also almost normal. They are a dark purple, almost black. High school is going to eat her up.

"So Noah, what kind of stuff are you into?" Tuck says shoving a spork full of jello like substance. I want to say not people. I don't of course.

"Um, music I guess. I play piano sometimes," I finally say. Tuck nods his head. He looks more like someone who would beat the snot out of me. Tuck is a big guy, easily a football kind of guy. "What about you guys?" They kind of just look between themselves.

"I like litting, I guess." Tuck keeps his eyes down. Zoya looks like she's prepared an answer.

"I like making people feel better," she giggles like a child. Ember seems satisfied with both of these answers. I'm not though.

I look between the three of them and say, "you guys have other interests and likes. Come on be honest with yourselves." Tuck and Zoya look to Ember. "Guys why are you looking to her for what you like?" Ember clears her throat.

"Back off Noah," she scowels. I think she's still annoyed with what I did earlier. With that she gets up to throw away her trash. I look at the others again. Zoya looks like she could cry, and Tuck has bent his spork. He's debating.

"We are supposed to be fitting in. Not drawing attention to us and the race," Tuck says without looking up. I laugh at that. I don't laugh normally, but I laugh out loud for real. Tuck is about to lose his cool. Zoya is tearing up.

"Guys you aren't going to fit in. I'm sorry, but you aren't. You guys are unique and if you're afraid that Ember is going to like punish you or something, don't worry about it. Be yourselves." Both are speechless. Slowly Tuck goes from angry to beyond chill. Zoya is still almost in tears, but she's almost smiling now, which I take as a win.

We finish up the last of our lunch and leave to find Ember. When we walk out of the cafeteria, I catch a glimpse of neon orange hair. There on the benches just outside the door is Fury is making out with Cory. Neither of them realise that we are standing here. I almost feel the need to cover Zoya's innocent eyes. Tuck tip-toes up beside them and whispers something in Fury's ear. Both Cory and Fury jump. She's got fire eyes again, and not just that, her hands are seemingly burning. Cory is holding his mouth. If I had to guess, Fury bit him.

"What the heck, Tuck?" Fury growels. Tuck looks ready to run, but he's enjoying this. Fury spits out a bunch of Alasworvia. By the look on Zoya's face, I'm assuming it's nasty langue. "I'm going to kill you," she squeals, running at Tuck, and straight into Ember. Ember must have been around to have appeared so fast. Ember is furious at her. She yells at her in Alasworvian and grabs her coal of a hand. I wince seeing the smoke coming from Ember's hand. I lean down and ask Zoya what Ember said to her.

"Um, my mom says I'm not aloud to say those things, but she was telling her to stop being stupid," Zoya says following them. Tuck laughs and raps an arm around my shoulder.

"I think I'm going to like it here," he says. He leads me down the hall to where the girls have gone. Zoya is tending to Ember's hand. I watch as severe burns turn to nothing but fresh skin. "Zoya is a healer." Tuck explains. Fury is running her hands in the drinking fountain. I can't tell how mad she actually is or isn't. Tuck is smiling the biggest I've seen him smile all day. "Yes, I'm going to like it here." At that, Fury throws a hand full of boiling water towards Tuck, which Ember stops mid air.

"Welcome to the new era indeed," I whisper to myself.