A Year of High School To Remember

Chapter 1

"Oh Jackson! I can't believe you're a junior now! I'm going to miss you so much!" Mom exclaimed as we grabbed the last few boxes to load out of the car.

"Mom!! I told you if you ever miss me, just give me a call and we can plan to meet. I'll call you every Sunday don't worry!" I responded, assuring Mom that I would be ok.

We walked through the lobby with a box in each of our hands. Dad stayed in the car, fully convinced I could have brought the last boxes in myself. We didn't have the best relationship, but we made it work.

When I was younger, he coached almost all of my basketball teams. But once I reached middle school and found out I had powers, dad didn't want to coach or help me with anything. Now that my life is beginning, I feel like I'll need him more, yet he keeps getting farther away. In a couple years, I'll be moving far away for college.

Speaking of college, these next two years will really determine where I go in life. Any basketball game could get me a scholarship - anything to get me into college for less money from my parents would be great. Money has never been a problem, it's asking for it. To go to school, I have to promise to do things to earn his money. By his, I mean my dad. He's really over secure and like I mentioned earlier, we don't agree a lot.

"Well, I guess this is it. I will have to wait another school year to see you again." Mom stuttered as tears filled her eyes and I walked over to hug her.

"It's not like I'm falling off of the edge of the Earth forever you know," I whispered in her ear and as a response she chuckled and released my hug but grabbed my arms and looked at me for one last time.

She stared me down as if etching a memory of me into her brain before speaking. "I love you with all my heart Jackson. Please don't forget that. Go far in life. I will support you the whole way."

"But what about Dad's support?" I questioned, not to be rude but I was curious.

"As much as I love your father, his jealousy over your powers and achievements in life so far are pushing me too far. He can't just be happy for your ability and life style. He is upset because of his injury in the military that stopped most of his life. Just remember that no matter what happens at home, we, as in you and me, will always have each other to rely on. Don't be afraid to ask or tell me anything," Mom said. She looked really sad but I knew that she would be fine. She always was.

Before Mom could walk out of the room, I stopped her. We couldn't depart before I had a full explanation. "Mom wait. What do you mean by "no matter what happens at home"? Is there something I should know?"

She didn't turn around. She faced the door with her left hand on the doorknob. "I am not fully sure what it means, but whatever we have won't last to much longer." She paused and took a deep breathe, "Your father and I are coming to an end Jackson. I hope you understand but I can't allow him to have so much hate towards you. I also want to be able to fully support you as you start your life."

With that out of the way, I had one more question I needed an answer to. I caught her again before she left, "WAIT!!! One more thing!!!"

She turned around an answered lovingly, "yes?"

"I just need to know how I got my powers. Were they meant to help or hurt me?" I asked.

She looked at me concerned. "Have they hurt you?" she questioned. "We never quite understood how you got these powers. But what happened before your powers has made us curious..." She paused again and looked with a worry expression. Then after a moment of hesitation, she shook her head and began again, "I remember that winter day at the pond,... You were so happy to be skating around,... You had your "staff,"" she looked over at my staff and smiled. "You know, I don't think this is the right time to tell you about this. Maybe next month when we meet for coffee." She turned again and I knew not to stop her. She opened the door and before stepping out, she turned and said, "I'm sorry Jackson. I love you, and that was an accident. I should have been more careful."

And with that, Mom was out the door and I was left alone in a room full of boxes.