The Adventures of Adam Arcwave

High School?

I look at my uncle. 
"Are you serious?"
"Absolutely." He says
"You realize the knowledge we gain in the Realm far exceeds anything I could possible learn in a mundane public school?"
He looks at me with a schooling tone to his voice. "Look, don't get cocky with me. We don't know when your family is going to come and gather you and your friends. You all need to blend in until then. Having a bunch of teenagers running around outside of class is not blending in, got it?!"
I roll my eyes.
My uncle continues. "In this world you are all under the age of 16, there is no excusing children that young outside of classes."
"We're not children uncle Sam." I say exasperated.
I'm the top acolyte in my age range, far more advanced that most of the others. In the Realms my friends and I haven't been considered children since we were 12. I almost feel insulted.
"This world sees you as children. It's going to be hard enough finding excuses of how 7 children just popped into the neighbourhoods. There's no way I can find an excuse of you not being in class."
I flop in the chair. I'm definitely not going to win this argument. 
"It's settled then. " Says my uncle. "Monday morning, you and your friends show up for the first day of class. I'll get the message to everyone, but you," he points to me, " are going to make sure that everyone one complies. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes sir." I say, trying to hide my sarcasm. 

Monday morning, I stand on the sidewalk facing my new school. Watching students talk excitedly about the new school year, catching up on what they did this summer. Everyone seems to know everyone else - except me. I sigh, and prepare to face the inevitable boredom that is going to be my first day of class. In the corner of my eye, I catch Morgan and Simeon coming down the sidewalk, talking with each other. They seem close. 
I smile and feel some comfort that at least I'm going to have some friends to face this new awkward adventure into mundane life.
The first day of class can't go by fast enough, I meet Morgan and Simeon at lunch. We speak about our day so far, find out what classes we have together in the afternoon. I only have three classes in common with both of them. So we agree to meet at my house after school for some 'proper' studying. Even though we are trapped here, we shouldn't let out budding magical talents wain.  

The week passes uneventfully, and the seven of us are gathered at my house. We've agreed to use my place in Glimmerbrook as a base of operations, being the closest location to the portal. We've still heard nothing from the Realm, I'm worried, but try not to show my concern. 
We discover that, while most of us are probably above average compared to most students in our classes, we do lack a fair bit of knowledge in mundane History and Social Studies. We all agree to form a study group for to catch up on what most students would have learned in their primary years. 
Due to our ages, we're scattered across three different class grades. It makes it easier to blend in when we're only a couple of new students per class, instead of all together as one group.

It's been a month now, still no word from the Realm. I go to the portal on occasion, but the stone arch is cold and silent. There's not even a hint of magical resonance left in it, which troubles me. I don't voice my findings with our group, I don't want to freak them out. 
Our teachers at school have heard about our 'study group', and ask Morgan and I if we can actually make it an after-school study program for struggling students. I see this as a perfect opportunity to see how Potions of Nimble Mind work on mundane students. First introducing the drink as a focus aid, and giving it to them in small doses, we see significant progress after a week, and the students taking the potions just see it as some sort of power drink, like Gatoraid with a kick. I'm not going to tell them really what's in it, and keep the distribution limited to study period. I don't want anyone getting suspicious.
Last week our football team's lead Linebacker called it Adam-aid, and the name catches on. I've learned to dilute the potions in Gatoraid bottles with a 3:1 ratio. Next thing I know the entire team wants 'Adam-aid' on a regular basis. As the potion wears out after an hour or two with no side effects, I see no problem in increasing the potion distribution. 
The coach asks me my secret, I just tell him it's a special recipe from back home. My parents were naturalists, and learned herbalism. He turns away and shakes his head, grumbling.
"Great, my team is hooked on hippy drinks."
Game time I hand out blue bottles of diluted Potions of Plentiful Needs - to keep the team at top form and energized. The potions metabolize immediately in the system, and leave no residue - seeing as it's really just spell-infused apple cider. No drug tests show any foul play, and game officials are constantly amazed by our team's stamina during games. 

Three months now. Still no word from home. Everyone in school is getting ready for HarvestFest, the big celebration of the fall's harvest. I'm now our team's mascot. Our team's Linebacker Greg has invited me to his parents' house for harvest dinner. He wants to introduce me to his parents as the one who's turned him from dumb jock to star athlete. He's gone from a struggling brute to one of the smartest players on the team. I have to admit, I may have Greg's dosage a little higher than the others, as he really needed help with his studies. 
Greg's been a great friend. I've gone from our quiet group to being one of the popular guys in class. Getting involved with school sports has really helped us blend in. Who I'm not friendly with, he makes sure it's clear that I'm not to be bullied.. ever. No one messes with Greg, he's a good ally to have. 
Morgan has joined the cheer squad, with Simeon helping on the sidelines. He's actually quite good at basketball, and starts to play as a forward on the school team. We try to keep in proximity of one another, to make sure we protect one another. Because we all sit together at lunch, we've been drawn into the school's popular crowd. We're not just quietly passing our time, we've all built-up some good friendships.
Harvestfest Dance, Simoen takes Morgan as his date. I try to tell him it's hopeless, she doesn't see him that way, but he's determined to win her over with his charms. I go the dance alone, and man the concession table. Partly to make sure that none of my newfound athletic friends try to spike the punch, partly to make sure Simoen doesn't make a total fool of himself. 
When I see Simeon is working up the courage to make his move, I cut in and ask for a dance. I Tell him to go cool off and have some punch. Morgan waits till he's far enough, and chuckles,  thanking me for the save, she doesn't want to be the first girl to break his heart. As we dance, I ask if there's any girls on the cheer squad that might be better candidates. She suggests her friend Emily has a bit of crush on Simeon ever since he helped her with Math. I suggest we try to hook them up, and she agrees. 

Winterfest is coming as the snow starts to fly, we've almost given up hope of seeing our families this year. I try to keep our group's spirits up by focusing on our magical studies. The Adam-aid business is really taking off, and I can't make all these potions myself, so we all work at keeping supply on hand. Simeon and Emily are quite the item now, and he won't stop talking about her. He's so smitten, and I think she's feeling the same. I hope he won't have to break her heart when we finally get summoned to go back home.
We set up a tree and have a grand feast at my house, exchanging gifts. The seven of us have all become like family. We sing songs, drink 'nog, and enjoy each other's company. These aren't just my friends or classmates anymore, they are my brothers and sisters. 

Winter wains and spring approaches. Three of us are now in pretty serious relationships, so the Love Festival becomes a big event for our little family. Luke invents Adam-aid red, adding a potion of Alluring Aura to the mix. I tell him it's a bad idea, last thing we need is a bunch of love-sick teens during the Love Festival. I suggest we should make a Adam-aid green with a Potion of Good Fortune instead. He says that the colour doesn't match the event, and I roll my eyes. I tell him I won't be responsible for a lot of angry customers if this doesn't work out.
Morgan and I have decided to stay out of relationships for the time being. It would be awkward when the time comes to leave. That's a hardship neither of us want to face.
Speaking of leaving, we still haven't heard anything from our families in the Realm I share my worry with Morgan, but not with the others. I think she's the only one that can deal with the possibility that none of us are going home this year. 

School ends for the year. I think it's time that I break it to our family that I don't think we're going to go home anytime soon. Though some have felt it, none wanted to admit to it. And we all stand in a circle and hug to comfort one another. I encourage everyone to get out and acquire summer jobs, no point in struggling financially if can avoid it. Some of us have been seeing what wealth we brought with us getting dangerously low. Not all can afford to live another year on our savings.