Luthor's New World Order

Chapter 3: Midvale Middle

With Kara officially conducted into the Danvers family, the next step was to enroll her in school.

"Welcome to Midvale Middle," Alex said with a dry smile as she led her new younger sister up the stairs and into the old stone building. Kara's expression was unreadable. On the one hand, she looked moderately excited. On the other, though, she looked a little less than impressed with the school.

"If you had it better back home, just keep in mind that this is a small-town school, so of course it isn't going to be the world's best," Alex said, noting that look of discontent in Kara's eyes. Kara, embarrassed that she had been so easy to read, ducked her head with a sheepish smile.

"Don't worry," she said. "I'm sure it'll be fine."

By the end of that first day, Kara wouldn't really be sure whether or not she agreed with her own statement or not. Earth school certainly was a spectacle...

First class had been English, which Kara had done decently well in. She still needed to perfect her knowledge of the English language, but she wasn't miserably behind everyone else. She could read and write fairly well, all things considered, and since it was only the first day of class, nothing too complicated had started yet. It was mostly just introductions and whatnot. The real tough stuff would come later when they started actually diving into more complicated literature.

"But don't worry about that either," Alex snickered darkly. "Everyone knows English is a slack-off class. Even the hardest books are easy and half the students don't even bother to read them because you can just find everything online! You don't even need to be a good reader or writer, you just need to know how to say what the teachers want you to say, and then you'll pass! It's an Easy A!"

And Kara wasn't sure if this idea relieved or concerned her. On the one hand, she was grateful to know that this class was one so simple even an idiot not paying attention could pass, but on the other, she did find it a tad insulting to think that this class was so easy that people could afford to do nothing and still pass.

Language was far nobler and complex than what this class made it out to be and Kara wasn't sure how she felt about that. Kryptonian classes had been much more intense and in-depth. It sounded like, by comparison, all anyone on Earth needed in order to complete English class was to show up physically, but they didn't even need to come mentally prepared. It seemed wrong somehow, and Kara almost found herself longing for the rigorous days back on Krypton, where language was properly respected and treated almost like an art form. Oh well, at least this class would be an Easy A...

Her next class had been math, which had confounded her deeply. She was just glad to realize that she was not the only one in class confused by the subject. Only Alex and a handful of others seemed even halfway confident in their abilities.

"Don't worry, Kara," Alex again promised. "It'll get easier with time!" and Kara cheered up slightly.

"No it won't," someone behind them muttered darkly. Alex shot the person a glare while Kara felt her face droop again. Math was hard! She didn't think she liked this class very much.

Then came history. This was the class Kara was most excited for.

"It'll be interesting to see the history of your planet," Kara whispered to Alex, but Alex hurriedly shushed her.

"It's not nearly as exciting as you think, and I would be cautious of how you word things because if anyone hears you say something like "your planet" they'll be confused and suspicious!"

"Ah, you're right," Kara inwardly kicked herself. The Danvers had all thoroughly impressed upon her the dangers of being alien in a human world. Although quite a few humans accepted aliens easily and willingly, a few held dark feelings and thoughts towards outsiders and for Kara's own safety, it was wisest to blend in. Kara quickly realized that Alex had a point and made a mental note not just to try and learn Earth's languages and history, but also its peoples' languages and history so that she could more easily hide away in a crowd.