Scarlett Inferno's Book of Utter Chaos

Knowing: A Vapor & Glacier Story

Vaporwave was unique. Her dads had told her that for as long as she could remember. Sometimes, she wished that she could spend one day not being unique. She loved her superspeed, but it was the other power that seemed to truly bother her. It seemed to become more concentrated as she grew older, and at thirteen it seemed to be a constant nuisance. Imagine knowing someone's emotions from a simple touch. With hormone-fueled mood swings, her power seemed to constantly give her migraines as she inadvertently bumped into other students in the crowded hallway. Vaporwave chose to avoid making friends, which wasn't hard for her. Most students found her power too weird to be around, so she silently walked through the hallway, hiding behind her long teal and purple hair. She turned the corner to enter a classroom.

She wasn't a fan of her Hero Ethics class, but she appreciated any class that didn't force her to use her powers. She sat at the back of the classroom in a usually empty row. She brushed against a girl's shoulder and instantly felt her anger. She wasn't quite sure what it was, but it seemed as if someone had strummed a guitar string and Vapor could feel it vibrate. She brushed away the feelings and took her seat. She could hear bits and pieces of the conversation towards the front of the room but tried to ignore it.

"I'm telling you guys, there's something about her that's just weird. I heard she could like read our thoughts or whatever." Bea told the students around her.

"Bea, what do you think she does with our thoughts?" Another student asked.

"I've told you guys, I go by Queen Bea now. I don't know, but it's probably something weird. That's why she totally avoids looking at us, she's probably writing down all of our secrets." Bea responded with a smirk. A boy who had his nose buried in a book groaned.

"Dear Celeste you guys are so annoying! She's a hero like the rest of us. Just because she spends time by herself doesn't mean she isn't a bad person." The boy shouted.

"It might not make her a bad person, but it definitely makes her a weirdo." Bea snickered. The boy slammed his book shut. At this point Vaporwave had buried her face in her long hair, trying not to look at the group. She could feel the stinging sensation as tears formed and blinked them back.

"Well, I would rather be a weirdo than a jerk." He grabbed his bag and stormed over to the back row. Vaporwave pulled her hoodie over her face and sunk lower into her seat. Bea stammered and then sat in her seat. Glacier ignored the malicious whispers as he settled in next to Vaporwave. The bell rang and the teacher walked into the classroom completely oblivious. He began his lesson and Glacier ripped off a piece of paper. He scribbled something and placed it on the corner of Vapor's desk.

Hey, sorry about all of that teasing. My name's Glacier, what's yours? Vaporwave wrote a quick reply and placed it on his desk. He brushed against her hand as he quickly grabbed it, and that was the first day Vaporwave enjoyed her power. She knew that he wanted to be friends, and she loved the warm feeling of kindness he radiated.
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"You know, I think it would be a lot easier if you just chopped your hair off." Glacier commented as he watched his friend try to stop her hair from moving around. They had decided to spend their free day outdoors, and Vaporwave hated when her long hair danced wildly in the wind. Their first year at the Academy of the Altruistically Powered had just begun, and they were enjoying the campus courtyard.

"Yeah right, I'll look so weird with short hair," Vaporwave replied while concentrating on pulling a strand behind her ear.

"I don't think you would look weird. I think you would look nice. When you're running you wouldn't have to put your hair into that tight bun you hate." Glacier said while absent-mindedly staring at the clouds.