BECOMING SUPRA

Chapter 11

RAË

I sat on Flag Green, following the form of Æsh, from the locker rooms to the tennis courts and across again. Now I know his war, I know what's eating at him. He hasn't forgiven himself for his mother's death, even though it was a freak accident. It is a heavy burden to bear. I'd be scarred by it too, it would gnaw at me just like it does him.

He's scarred beneath his clothes. Like I am too.

My wounds are a mark of my stupidity. I thought I could frolic with a shark, the apex predator of the ocean. I remember the chomp of the bite and the small tug that followed, then so much blood, cape-cod blue turned lacy red. I made it up to the boat just in time from bleeding to death. It's a miracle I survived, something I've been repeatedly told.

His scars are long but neat, almost adding character to his body. Mine is ugly. The skin on my thigh dents at the train of stitches, my leg looks bitten at, it looks mutilated. I don't know how he can be so brazen, exhibiting his scars to all at camp weekend. He must have been teased, there are always a handful waiting to pick at your wounds. For this reason, I haven't worn a bathing suit since the incident. He is courageous. He is bold.

He said he feels like he's in a play he didn't audition for. That's a tough one swallow. I, on the other hand love the play I'm in. I not only auditioned for it, I've also written the script. I am exactly where I want to be. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

There's Syrah, cornering him like a tigress ambushing game. She shows up at all his sports events and cheers for him the loudest. I didn't know she had it in her to be so loud. She had flipped from centripetal to centrifugal.

I remember Æsh being on a winning streak that day. He was shooting goal after goal, his legs cutting the field, his t-shirt fluttering behind him.

He smells fresh after a game, I've intersected him several over. When he sweats the licks of hair at the back of his neck stick together like cursive.

Wait. 5:30 already? I've missed my appointment with Principal Cheyo!

I jog to his office. Hoping he can still squeeze me in a spot.

I knock and peep in. His secretary, Rosa glares at me with raised eyebrows.

"You are a full thirty minutes late," she says, disapprovingly. "Wait here. I have to check if he's still able to meet you."

The secretary dials his line. "Okay," she nods. "You can go in now, Raë."

I walk in with a ready apology. "I'm sorry, Principal Cheyo. I'm such a stickler for time, I don't know ... what happened to me today."

"It's okay, Raë. Have a seat."

I sit facing him, dropping my bag to the floor.

"How is the course going with Bose?"

"Thanks for goading me into it. His demonstration were incredible, we were hoping for more but he's performed only one so far. He keeps reminding us that anybody can achieve what he can. And that's all it's taking to keep me inspired. Did Bose perform one of his magic tricks for you?"

"I wouldn't call it magic. It was more ... a coming into his own. Tapping into his power."

"What did he do? Bullet through the body? Or something even more fantastic?"

"No, none of that. We were once in a tight tangle, a life and death situation ... he got us out alive. It wasn't a performance, it was doing everything in his power to save our lives."

"He's extraordinary like that, but ordinary at the same time. One could never tell he's a supra being."

"One day, people might say the same of you."

I laughed, not sure I entirely believed him. If at all, it was a far way off.

"Are you here to ask permission for weekend practice?"

"Weekend practice at Anahata? Is that allowed?"

"Now it is. Æsh put in a request."

"No, I'm here for Lab permission. I was wondering if I could get access to it at night, after study-hall and homework is done? It's to practice for the Deathonator finals, the competition is taking place over the Christmas holidays. If I want to win, I need to put in my time."

"A gamer in the making?"

"And a developer."

"I see."

"It's not about winning ... though, I'm aiming for that. It's about a lot more. By attending I'll get an opportunity to interact with other gamers and recruiters. I have to make the cut."

"You have my permission, Raë." He got up and shook my hand. "In effect immediately," he said. "I'll tell Rosa to arrange a set of keys."

"Thank you, Principal Cheyo." I get my own set of keys! He's always been generous with me. "Can I use it now?

"Yes, you can." He dialled Rosa and gave her the instructions.