“We’re going back to B-213? Don’t we have to move classrooms?” I asked once I caught up to my friends.

  “That might be how they do things in other schools, but not here. Since there aren’t enough students for multiple classes in each grade, we stay in the same room, and the teachers switch,” Amelia explained. “I guess it’s easier that way.”

  “And it keeps students from running around all the time, and increasing the chances that a Rupture could open out in the atrium,” Olivia muttered.

  Amelia paused for a moment, “That too.”

  As we approached the classroom, I noticed our classmates slowly gathering out front and slowly filing in. Although most of them ignored us, there was one boy who turned our way and immediately began snickering. The tiny girl behind him immediately slapped him in the back of the head, whispering furiously at him until he winced and turned away from us.

  “What was that about?” Olivia muttered.

  “Those are the twins, Kyle and Kira,” Amelia grumbled. “They have some of the strongest powers of anyone in the class. He’s a flame projector, and she’s a cryo manifester. Kyle has a real attitude problem and thinks he’s better than most of the class. Or he did, until someone showed they were stronger and put him in his place.”

  “Who was that?” I asked.

  “Me,” Amelia smirked. “Kira’s the complete opposite of her brother, shy and humble. The only person she ever seems to get mad at is Kyle.”

  I glanced at the pair. Kyle didn’t stand out much; he was average height, had messy black hair, wore jeans, and a faded t-shirt with the logo for some band I’d never heard of. I probably wouldn’t have even noticed him if he hadn’t brought attention to himself.

  His sister, on the other hand, was very unique. She was several inches shorter than her brother, had long black hair which covered her face, and wore a neat grey dress. She reminded me of Wednesday Adams, or the girl from the ring.

  When she saw me looking at her, she smiled gently, before immediately going back to berating her brother.

  The three of us waited patiently for everyone else to file into the room before slipping in and retaking our seats. Hairy managed to slip in after us and roamed around the classroom, checking out the decor and occasionally stopping to stare at my classmates.

  I ignored him the best I could. If the pace of the morning classes was anything to go by, I wasn’t going to have time to deal with him anyway. According to the tracker, our next class was math, so I dug out a new notebook.

  “Hey Amelia, what are your powers, if you don’t mind me asking?” Olivia asked casually.

  “I don’t mind,” Amelia replied, “and even if I did, you’d see them in a couple of hours anyway. I can manipulate force.”

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  I frowned and looked over at her. “What’s that mean?”

  “Well… I can either amplify or nullify forces, making my punches stronger, or protecting myself from attacks,” Amelia explained.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean your powers. Although they’re fascinating, I was actually talking about the other part. Why would we see them in a coupleof hours?” I asked.

  “Oh! We have a self-defence class this afternoon,” Amelia explained. “For those without powers that aren’t useful in combat, it’s like Physical Education, with more emphasis on movement and evasion skills. Those of us with offensive or defensive powers will be given a chance to practice with our powers, so we’ll be able to defend ourselves.”

  “Is that safe?” Olivia asked. “Having a bunch of untrained students throw their powers around?”

  Amelia shrugged. “How else are we supposed to learn to use our powers?”

  “I don’t know… I figured training would happen down in the clinic,” Olivia muttered. “Why else would they have all those reinforced rooms?”

  “From my experience, most of them are used to test how strong your powers are during examinations, or as holding cells for people who can’t control their powers. The school tries to give you the tools to survive, but it doesn’t hold your hand,” Amelia said.

  “It sounds like I get to run laps, while you two get to do something fun,” Olivia grumbled.

  “I’ll probably be right there with you,” I muttered. “Unless Hairy and the others suddenly develop the ability to interact with the real world.”

  “I wouldn’t put it past them, with all the different surprises you’ve experienced today,” Olivia said.

  “I’ve had my fill of surprises for today,” I replied. “Besides… I’m not sure giving Hairy the ability to interact with the real world would be a good thing.”

  I glanced back at the oversized Ox, who seemed to be busy challenging one of my male classmates to a staring contest. I don’t even know if he was aware that the boy could see right through him.

  “Eyes up front, please, class is about to begin,” a stern voice announced. I spun back towards the front and found a slightly older, portly woman in a green dress. “Since we have a few new faces today, let me introduce myself. I’m Mrs Rand, and I’ll be your math teacher. Let me be clear, I don’t tolerate any disruptive behaviour in my class. I expect you to pay attention and behave. Am I making myself clear?”

  I couldn’t help but notice her eyes were locked on my position.

  “Yes?” I replied tentatively.

  “Good. Then let’s begin today’s lesson.”

  Mrs Rand immediately turned to the board and began reviewing her slides. Although she appeared to be very strict, she taught at a manageable pace and actually stopped to answer the occasional question. You know, like a real teacher would. I found that I had no problem keeping up with the material, even after copying the slides' content.

  The class still flew by, and before I knew it, the bell rang.

  “Take your bags, we won’t be coming back here today,” Amelia said as she shoved her notebook into her already bulging backpack.

  I had no problem slipping my books into my nearly empty bag before zipping it up and throwing it over my shoulder. Both Olivia and I were ready before Amelia, who was struggling with hers.

  “What do you have in there anyway?” Olivia asked.

  “Only the essentials, workout gear and the like,” Amelia replied. She strained, pulling against the zipper until the bag finally closed. She smiled triumphantly as she threw the bag over her shoulder. “Shall we go?”

  “Should Olivia and I have brought workout gear?” I asked, glancing around. “It doesn’t look like anyone else has any.”

  “That’s because you’re expected to attend self-defence class in your casual clothes,” Amelia explained.

  “What? That’s crazy. We’ll get all sweaty if we do that,” Olivia exclaimed.

  “I said the same thing the first time I attended self-defence,” Amelia nodded. “You know what they told me? Extra-dimensional invaders aren’t going to give you time to change, so why should we? If you find it too hard to defend yourself in your civies, then you should think about wearing something a little less constrictive so you don’t end up dead when a Rupture happens nearby.”

  “The teacher said that?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “I think Mr Flores might actually be an active military drill instructor, with the way he acts,” Amilia said as she swept past us and started heading towards the door.

  “I have a feeling I’m going to hate this next class,” Olivia moaned.

  “Don’t worry,” I said, gently patting her on the back. “I’ll be right there with you.”

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