Secret Powers

Chapter 13

"Hey, so I know that it's a little weird to ask now," Kevin scratched his head while he talked. "but what was with those people the other day?"
The whole class turned to them and Cindy shifted in her chair. What was she to say? Did she have to tell the whole truth or could she make something up that they would buy?
"It's complicated." Bruno spoke up entering the conversation. "Because of certain stuff going on with Cindy and her family, she is a target of some kidnappers." The group weren't that satisfied with the answer, but when Bruno narrowed his eyes, they went on without inquiring anymore.
"Thanks." Cindy whispered to Bruno hoping she wasn't catching any unwanted attention.
"No biggy." He smirked a little, causing alarm for Cindy. What was he up to?
The next class was starting when the principal walked in with a huge smile.
"Class, I'm introducing you to a new teacher who will be doing this class from now on." She was a very cheering lady, a little shorter than most woman, but very thin. "It's nice to have another teacher here instead of the few we have had for so long. Please treat him kindly."
With that, a man in his early twenties walked in with a serious expression. He was about 6"2' and had blue eyes and brown hair which was combed back and out of his face.
"Hello." He spoke loudly for everyone to hear. "I'm Mr. Ace Adams. I'm going to be doing math."
The students went back and forth from him and each other, not too sure of the newcomer.
"Alrighty!" Mrs. Principal clapped her hands and patted Mr. Adams' back. "Have fun with your first class. So exciting!" She waved at the class then exited to leave Mr. Adams to it.
"Now then." He placed both hands on his desk and leaned forward. "Which one of you is the smartest here?" He asked surprising them, but nonetheless, they all pointed to Cindy who sat staring blankly.
"You?" He scanned her suspiciously. "YOU are the smartest kid here?"
Cindy gulped and glanced over to Bruno who sat quietly with his head down, probably sleeping. "Um, with all do respect," Her eyes went back to the front. "I don't like being called a kid." Adams straightened up at her speech. "You know, because baby goats are called kids."
"Oh!" He crossed his arms. "They think you're smart because you know little tid-bits similar to that?"
"No!" Kevin interjected. "We know she's smart, she actually listens during lessons and understands the words that the teacher swears up and down are not in another language."
"Well." Ace looked over the class and his eyes landed an the, presumably, unconscious Bruno. "I'll put two of the same question up on the board and have you and him try to answer it. The first to do so is the smartest." He picked up the papers on his desk and flipped through them till he found what he was searching for. "Bruno Matchitehew." With the mention of his name, Bruno lifted his head to see who call it.
Ace quickly jotted down a question twice and had both of them come up. Bruno stared at the equation only a moment before writing down something as Cindy read the question over and over again. It didn't make sense. Where did she start?
"Done." Bruno called out and placed down the chalk in his hand as he turned to go back to his desk.
"I know you were the smartest." Ace spoke as some of the other boys started to laugh. Confused at the snickering, Ace turned to read what Bruno wrote. "That's not the answer." Ace jerked to Bruno angrily. "What are you thinking!?"
Cindy turned to Bruno's question and read the words. 'no body cares about or knows how to answer it, weirdo' She couldn't help but giggle. It wasn't exactly what she expected of him, however it wasn't that far away from his personality.
Mr. Adams was now seething with rage. "Why you-"
"Mr. Adams." Cindy patted his shoulder and he turned to her with a glare. "You wrote the question wrong." She pointed at an 'a' written on the board. "You were supposed to write a 'b'. That's the only way to actually get an answer."
He stared at the board for a second. "You're right. Good job." He grabbed the eraser. "I guess you are the smartest."
"Thank you." She smiled and went back to her seat. Once there, she muttered over to Bruno. "Thanks for the hint." She grinned as he turned to her.
"I didn't give any hint." He whispered shrugging. "I only wrote whatever I wanted to."
"You wrote that no one know how to answer it." She nudged him with her elbow. "You are smart, probably smarter than me too."
"No." He laid his head back down on his desk. "I'm just your everyday student who doesn't listen to the teacher."
"Right." She giggled and Mr. Ace glanced over at her.
Ace slowly turned his head around and placed the chalk on the board. "The target is in my sights."