Fire & Ice

Ron Wilson, Bus Driver

Issy froze the alarm clock that blared annoyingly from the table next to her. The ice making the clock shut up...permanently. Issy rolled over pulling a pillow over her head, the first day of school was bad enough, but the first day of high school...why does summer end so fast? Well, at least she knew she would do well at their new school. Her twin on the other hand...she wouldn't want to be in her big brother's shoes. She would never betray his trust, but she couldn't understand how her parents hadn't figured out he didn't have any powers yet.

Right on time her mom was knocking on her door. "Up and at em', Is. Can't be late the first day." She threw the pillow off her face. "You can come in, mom." Her mom entered her room looking beautiful, already dressed and ready for the day at 7 a.m. She didn't understand how she could have been born to a family of morning people. Her mom went to the window throwing her curtains open. Issy made a sound of pain as the bright lights hit her newly opened eyes.

Opening one eye she slowly adjusted to the new light. "Good morning, honey." Her mom said as she went around the room re-straightening things. Issy smiled at her dad as he paused in her door on the way to wake up her brother. "Morning, princess." "Morning, dad." He continued on his way to Will's room, she heard suspicious bangs coming from down the hall. Must be Will continuing his strong man act. Having no powers as the son of the strongest man in the world was hard work.

Isolde sat up against her headboard rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "Aright, how you feeling today, baby? You want braces or crutches or both?" Swinging her legs over the side of the bed.  She thought about what she would need to do today. "Better go with both to be safe, mom. Don't want to make a spectacle on my first day." She said with a sigh. Her mom handed her the leg hard plastic braces that she took off at night. "I've got it from here, mom. I'll be down stairs in 20." She had thankfully saved time by taking her shower the night before so she could have that extra time to sleep.

"Alright, honey, I better go check on the guys and start breakfast." With that her mom took her leave heading back downstairs. Ally looked down at her legs, "Ok guys, today is a big day. If you could just get through today without issue, I would be very grateful." She heard a chuckle from the door. There her brother stood in all his patriotic glory, the need to wear red, white, and blue only had skipped her thank goodness. "Talking to your legs, sis? That's new even for you." She ruefully shook her head, "Ya, it's not like they listen anyway. Since you're here come make yourself useful. You might not have super strength but you're still stronger than me." She giggled.

Will gave a slight laugh, it was a sore subject for him. But how can he complain when his sister had to deal with all she did. He made a show of hauling himself over to her and lifting her leg like he was fitting her with a glass slipper. Slipping her heel into the bottom he started strapping her leg in to place. Looking at his work he commented, "Just the right fit." Isolde rolled her eyes, "Ya, but no glass slippers here." She sighed. "You doing ok, Issy?" Will asked worried about the tone his sister was using. She usually played along with his terrible jokes. She gave a slight smile, "Ya, sorry Will. I'm just tired and haven't taken my medicine yet." He made an "oh" sound and quickly finished the second brace so his sister could get on with her routine.

"All set. I'll see you down stairs, little sister." "It was 5 minutes, William!" she rebutted. "Ya, but I'm still older." he called back going down the stairs. Isolde stood up heading to her private bath to get ready for a day she was sure would be awful. She might have a genius IQ, but no one liked school. She imagined being the "sick" Stronghold wouldn't help her out today either. She flipped on the light as she walked in and sat at her vanity. Grabbing her pill organizer, she popped open the Monday tab. Her OCD having her check them again before taking them. One for pain, one for muscle relax, one for depression, and one for anxiety...They should just put her in the nut house and be done with it, she thought.