Like a Hurricane

Jaina didn’t get a chance to answer any question through all the back-and-forth chatter between the other two girls. It was like a tennis match, Jaina’s head whipped from Cybil to Courtney and back again to see the shot right back towards the other girl. She was grinning, and Jaina felt a small spark of hope (at least, she was really gunning for it being hope and not her starting to spark up a storm,) within her–maybe the two girls would be her friends–maybe they’d even be best friends.

“We could explore,” she nodded enthusiastically. Jaina knew her way around, and she was eager to give her possible new friends the exclusive backstage tour around The Real Huxley Academy. “Girls, girls–I’ll show you things you wish you hadn’t seen. Coach Bertucci has these gross bunions–I’ve gotten good money from people wanting to see that freak show…”

Courtney made a face at Jaina’s comment. The last thing she needed to see was the gym teacher’s feet. “I think I’ll pass on that one.” She giggled, knowing that Jaina was mostly joking. “But let me know how it goes.”

With all the talk of exploring and looking around started to really excite Courtney that she almost couldn’t contain it.

“Lets go now! We don’t have much to do for the next hour or so, how about we look around?” She asked. She wanted to grab them and run around, but with how new they were with each other and how unpredictable their powers were, it could go very wrong. She started to bounce on the balls of her feet a bit, keeping herself as contained as she could.

#c: jaina #c: courtney #p: to powerfinity and beyond

Cybil’s eyes widened and she couldn’t keep from giggling, covering her mouth as she did so. “Bunions? You don’t say. I don’t know Jaina, that is such a... tempting offer.” She feigned a thinking face, “maybe we’ll another time.”

“Now? Right now- I mean” Cybil thought for a moment, finding no real reason on why they shouldn’t. She followed Courtney’s movements, bobbing her head up and down and she jumped. “Yeah! We should go now,” turning to Jaina, “No reaosn not to right?” She took a step behind Jaina, hesitating before putting a hand on her shoulder. “Alright Jaina, lead us to new discovery.”

Study Times, Buddy Times?

Their fingers brushed when she grasped the notebook and Henry froze himself for a good three seconds. He swallowed and took a breath and nodded carefully, agreeing to whatever it was that Cybil said–did it really matter? His sliver of a social life was already going to go to hell–and why was that? Well, he made a spectacle of himself. But who, really, was surprised?

“I’ll get it,” he muttered, standing up and grumbling as he walked into the back utility room of the library. It was wide and white, with off-shoot closets that held supplies free to student use. “Ms Caden?” He called out–no answer. Fine, he could look for things himself.

“Oh-okay, thanks.” She smiled sheepishly before her face dropped immediately into a frown as soon as his back was to her. She took a deep breath and sighed, taking the time to actually get some of the outline done.

She couldn’t help but notice how much louder (well, as loud as it could get) the library was today. It seemed as though it was much busier than usual, especially on a Saturday morning. Cybil would have found it odd but the timing seemed, their projects were due relatively soon.

Henry was taking an awfully long time, so Cybil decided tog o se eif he needed help, using it as an excuse to get up for a moment. She made a B- line for the supply room, taking note of how Ms. Caden was out in about and nowhere near the supply room. “Henry,” she called out, barely above a whisper once she reached the room. With no response, she kept probing “Do you need any help?”

Study Times, Buddy Times?

The end of the world wasn’t as bad as he thought it would be. Still, it was pretty damn terrible. Instead of fire and brimstone, there was embarrassment and a very high heartrate—but Henry was pretty sure that those were the same things. In the same moment, he made a list: first, no looking at Cybil. Second, no talking about anything other than the project. Third, do not embarrass yourself any more.

Funnily enough, he never thought he needed to tell himself that last bit.

Henry took a deep breath and calmed himself down, slowing his thoughts and his breathing and trying to look on the bright side, as his mother had tried to make him do so very often. Thankfully enough, Cybil was working to pretend nothing had happened, and Henry would only have to play along. “I’ll write the essay,” he said bluntly. “If you would like, you can give me some information. But I will write it.” It wasn’t really that he had no faith in Cybil, it was that he was certain that his work would do better.

Some people would call it hubris. Henry would call it confidence. “The layout should mirror the rubric. Just in that order would be fine, or the opposite, with the name large on the bottom or the top.” He took a pencil and began to sketch it out, trying to blink away any water that began to pool in his eyes. Everything was going fine.

Henry took some time to answer, but Cybil gave him all the time he needed, not wanting to bother him, especially since he seemed visibly upset. “Okay, fair enough. We can just do a brief outline, that way both the layouts can match without either of us having to do much tweaking.” Since he took responsibility of the essay, she decided to take on the rest.

Cybil leaned in for a better view of Henry’s sketch, but quickly caught herself before leaning back and simply waiting till he was done before pulling it over to her side. “Alright, simple enough. I’ll probably put it on the bottom.” Yeah, she would prefer it there. “I should be able to get started on that by the end of today actually,” all she needed to do was get it from the material room.

Study Times, Buddy Times?

Huh? Henry turned around to look at whatever Cybil was squinting at–“What is it?” He turned back to look at her, to properly receive the response, but was very startled to see that she was indeed very close to him, and well, that just wouldn’t do. “I–” he started, backing away once more, too quickly this time and it ended in a small disaster.

The chair tilted back, as he hadn’t lifted it completely from the carpet, and backwards he fell. Now, in Henry’s head, this all played out much worse than it actually did–but that was all that mattered, wasn’t it? Under his breath, he cursed every thing–Henry refused Cybil’s help, and rubbed at the back of his head as he tried to right the chair and sit once more. He wasn’t going to look into Cybil’s eyes–he was much more comfortable staring at the table and his papers. “We’re doing the art. That’s final,” he said, a bit of hostility still in his voice. “You can, choose whatever, I don’t really care.”

“Sorry!” she hissed a bit loudly, causing some of the other students in the library to turn int heir direction. She glanced around with an apologetic wave before turning back to Henry. Cybil offered him a hand to help him up, but he seemed bent on getting up without her aid. Her outstretched hand went ignored, so Cybil simply waited until Henry composed himself.

“You- alright?”Henry seemed to gloss over her concern for him, jumping straight back into the project. “I-okay, sure, I’ll-think of something.” Henry seemed to avoid her gaze but Cybil decided to pretend that was normal, she also pretended that Henry didn’t sound sour towards her. “Right, now where were we before that....” She tapped her chin, pondering for a second, “The poster, right.” She asked Henry on his thoughts about the layout, hoping to have more of his input.

“Huh? What–” the two other girls were asking too many questions for Jaina to keep up, but she sort of liked the attention. She, so far, had no friends. And sure, that was mostly–definitely–her own fault. But still! Jaina smirked licked her lips before finally answering the two blondes: “Uh, no I don’t got a roomie yet,” she told them. “Rooms of two, sometimes three depending…” She scrunched up her nose and held out a hand, counting off of her hand.

“If you wanna be an RA, you get to be by yourself, which I hear is pretty cool?” Jaina counted on her second finger, “Two roommates, bed on each side, unless you’re three, then its a bunk and a top bed whatever thing? Yeah.” Jaina paused. “Uhhh… Floor for each kinda age. General curfew thing… Uhm…” She’d never really been allowed to talk for so long she was a little freaked out by it.

Courtney nodded as Cybil spoke, thinking about how her questions were so great. This school was defiantly for the best and the brightest! Her head bounced back and forth as they talked. She hung on Jaina’s every word, soaking in the information about the school and rooming, despite to start soon. She hoped that one of these lovey ladies were going to be her roommate.

“Oh man, I’m so excited!” She almost started to jump up and down but had to take a breath and clam herself. “I mean, it’s going to be really nice here. After we actually settled in we should explore the school a bit.” She smiled, giving Jaina a light touch on the shoulder, “I know you’ve been here a while but you can pretend!”

#c: courtney #c: jaina #p: to powerfinity and beyond

Courtney nodded along as Jaina spoke, only ever interjecting with minor questions here and here,”There’s no age requirement to be RA?” well, if the dorms went floor equaled grade, Cybil figured no, but it didn’t hurt to ask- and it isn’t as if she would want o be either way, she would like to at least start with roommates. Cybil had more questions to ask, but there was no reason to start an interrogation with Jaina.

Cybil almost felt as though Courtney would bounce away, but her laughter was infectious and soon enough she was giggling too “Oh! That’s a great idea we totally should!” They had given us a tour, if that, earlier on in the week, but it would be much more fun to explore it on their own. “I thought I had seen a little area by the fountain, we could start there!” She turned to Jaina, “You know whats there? Oh wait- dont tell me, it should be a surprise, shouldn’t it?”

Study Times, Buddy Times?

Henry hummed in agreement–though he didn’t particularly like the idea of relaxing on the weekend. Why waste perfectly good time? There was no need to–”Oh, the… I’m not much of an artist, see, but if you take point on that…” Neither singing nor drawing was his forte, and he hadn’t exactly wanted to belt out in song in front of class. Truly, he would’ve rather had himself drowned–or fed to a tank of hungry sharks right after chum was dumped into the water. But either way, his mind was getting away from him again.

He cleared his throat as he was very rudely elbowed. Then, his cheeks went a little red. “Oh, it’s, ah, fine.” Henry gave her an uneasy smile and moved away from her. “There, more space,” conflict resolved. Things were running smoothly. “As for the art… I’m not very much into singing… But, we could come up with something else, of course. Since you want to do art. And you’re part of this team, this, uhm, partnership and we each get a say. And you say you want to do art.” Smooth one, Henry.

#c: river #p: study times buddy times #am i doing it right??

“Ah, you didn’t have to...” she trailed off as he moved away, deciding not to bother halfway through her sentence. “Thanks,” she smiled meekly before turning back the notes and poster template. Cybil wasn’t about to make Henry do something he’s uncomfortable with, even if it was in her best interest.

“You’re right Henry, since we’re both part of the team I want to hear your input as well. If you are more partial to culture that’s perfectly fine! We could do something we’re both comfortable with and it might end up being easier in the long run.” She turned towards him and shrugged, squinting her eyes at something behind him- something that appeared to have been someone looking at them- mm, must have imagined it

Life was wierd, like all the time, Jaina thought. Actually, she was pretty damn sure. Though she’d known that people like her and her classmates existed, it was a different thing to be pushed away from what she used to think was ‘normalcy’ and shoved into a school to learn to–learn to what, exactly? Jaina smiled at the girls beside her, “Not at all, really,” Jaina muttered lowly, just so the two blondes could hear her.

She stood up and dusted off her sweats, “Knowing you’re not alone, though,” she said, mostly to yourself. “Kiiiinda frickin’ sweet, though,” Jaina tucked a lock of her hair back behind her ear, and looked to the blondes. “You guys still in the big, room thing? No real rooms yet, right?” She felt as if her tone of voice was awkward–Jaina was not good at making friends, but everyone had to start somewhere, right?

Courtney smiled at the two girls she hoped to call her friends soon. They both seemed really nice and just as lost as she was. The brunet, Jaina, was right, Knowing she wasn’t alone in this big, scary fight to control this weird powers was comforting. Her parents had been very supportive but she still couldn’t help but feel like a freak around them. Here, everyone was a little freaky.

“Yeah, i wish they would just put us in a room already. I’m really excited to meet my roommate!” she said, trying not to get too excited, remembering what happened the last time she got too excited. “What about you?” She asked Jaina. She had recognized Cybil but Jaina was a new face.

#c: jaina #c: courtney #p: to powerfinity and beyond

Jaina and Courtney's presence were reinforcing what the latter was saying. Not being alone. That sounded lovely. “Yeah, we’re supposed to be getting room assignments later today I believe, and then moving in the rest of the week.” Cybil was already tired of the large room, this was already a big change for her and she didn’t want to keep moving around.

“It’s, what is it again? Rooms of two?” She was pretty sure it as two, but still made a point to sound inquisitive. “You’re already in your room assignment right?” She followed up Courtney’s question with one of her own.

Study Times, Buddy Times?

Henry was something of a slight worry-wart at times. There were just so many possibilities that were able to happen, so many different things that people could think–and though he could easily tap into such things, there were just too many chances to take. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and concentrated. This was only a project, and this was only Cybil. She was a girl, she was just a classmate of his. A person. With a brain. And hopefully a desire to get an A.

even in his concentration, the whispers of another mind slipped in and he tensed slightly. There was an emotion, a warmth to it, even a sound that was akin to music–soft. He opened his eyes and watched Cybil come into the room, and forced himself to relax. Cybil. A student, just like him. Maybe even eventually a friend.

“Good morning,” Henry echoed, the words stumbling out of his mouth as he shot up to stand and help Cybil into her seat. “No, not at all–just five minutes,” he lied, giving her an easy smirk. He spotted the notebook and moved closer to both it and her. Henry scanned the page, nodding and humming to himself as he read over the notes, shaking his head here and there (errors–but easy to fix.) “Alright. Here is what I have,” Henry said, pulling out his notebook and handing it to her. “I, ah, have a… Bit more than you.”

#c: river #p: study times buddy times #bumps that shit down #2 paras #say it like #2 terms

“Thank you,” Cybil shot him a smile as she sat. He seemed eager to say the least. After making herself comfortable she readily took his notebook as he spoke “Good! Hopefully we don’t have too much overlapping information,” She quickly scanned through it, it was very good if not overtly detailed, but it was a good starting point to say the least.

“I figured if we get a good portion of it done today we can relax a bit for the week.” Cybil believed that the week day was for school and the weekend was for relaxation, so she always tried finish most school work before hand- or after if she had to. “Would you rather to the cultural or art integration?” Naturally they would do the extra credit, considering it seemed fun to do either way. “I’m leaning towards art myself.” She reached into bag, searching for something they could figure out the layout of the poster on. As she pulled out she elbowed River, interupting whatever response he offered “Oh! Sorry.”

It was terrible how many cool powers were housed under one roof. Granted, the roof probably was insured for a million dollars, and the rest of the house? Had to be more. For a second, as she watched Courtney, she wondered how this place could exist, how such a haven could be real, when there was so much going against people like them out in the world.

She, much like Cybil and seemingly like Courtney too, couldn’t control her powers. They were a mystery to her, they were powerful, and she was scared of them—scared of herself. Scared f what she was going to become. But—she put those thoughts aside, pushed them away and watched Courtney phase through the target dummy.

Jaina gasped and let out an appreciative laugh, clapping her hands once, loudly, to show how impressed she was. “Holy crud,” she stage-whispered to Cybil. “Cool. As. Shit.” Jaina told her, turning to the other blonde. Jaina was literally surrounded by people who were amazing in so many other ways than she was, and it sucked a little, but it also ruled.

Courtney was getting looks and thumbs up and all these positive kudos. Part of her was loving the attention, but another part felt bad. She felt like a bit of a fraud, making it look like she knew what she was doing when in reality, she had no clue. She considered herself lucky for actually phasing.

As she sat back down one girl turned to her ans told her her powers were cool. She could feel her face getting really red and she giggled like an idiot. She remembered her. She was one of the first to go and she though her powers were amazing. “Not as cool as yours!” She spoke in the most quiet voice she could, but it was hard. She was nervous and excited. “I mean both of you are just so cool!” She looked back and forth between her and the blonde girl sitting next to her.

#c: courtney #c: jaina #p: to powerfinity and beyond

Cybil had simply nodded to Jaina’s statement, nodding as Courtney came and sat next to them. Cybil couldn’t help but be surprised at the compliment. “Oh! Thanks! I do think yours is pretty cool tho!” Really, it could in handy and it at least seemed more manageable.

The session was soon over that they were free to do as they please u[ until the next one started. Cybil, quick on not being alone, decided to stick with the girls she sat next to. Courtney and Jaina. “That was- not what I was expecting,” but then again, none of this was.

Study Times, Buddy Times?

It was 10AM sharp and Henry had already been waiting ten whole minutes for Cybil to arrive in the library. He recalled the memory perfectly, reciting it to himself silently: Tomorrow. Library. Study Room 2A. Cybil wouldn’t–she wouldn’t stand him up, right? There was no reason–he was admirably polite, and smart, too. There was no reason to–

He commanded his thoughts to stop and he took a breath. “She’ll come.” He hadn’t said an exact time to her anyway–just around 10. Cybil was a good person. She was very nice, very smiley, made Henry’s hands sweat sometimes–“Enough,” he muttered to himself, quietly wiping his palms on his pants.

Cybil had woken up bright and early thanks to her dear roommate, but that was okay, she felt more productive because of it. Once ten o’clock hit she made her way to the library, walking neither quickly nor slowly. She walked in, immediately spotting him towards the back of the library and making her way over/

She shot him a wide smile, “Good morning, “ she spoke quietly, they were still in a library. “I hope you weren’t waiting too long. “ She sat down, laying her bookbag down on the table. Cybil was partly excited, sure it was school work, but it was still interesting at the very least. She was still getting used to the school in general so this would be a good distraction from her thoughts.

Right, lets get to it. She had done a bit of research and outlined anything related to Cleopatra in the book. “Here, I found some interesting points we could mention in our presentation.” She scooted over her notebook for him to see.

Jaina gulped, watching Cybil carefully. All the people in that school— every at least, the majority— were present because of one main reason: their parents. Either they were afraid of them, they wanted them hidden away, or they just were sick of dealing with them. Which happened to Cybil, Jaina didn’t know— but she could imagine. “Seems like you’ve got a grab-bag there, then,” Jaina said in a small attempt at humor.

She looked at her, gnawing on her lips, and reached towards her in a half-hug, trying to jostle up a smile. “Probably not. Actually,” Jaina paused, “that’d make no sense, can’t make that much progress in a week, it’s like…” She shrugged, letting go of Cybil, “I’m just trying to make you feel better, hah—” she cut herself off as the instructor looked over, signalling Jaina that she needed to shut up.

After clicking her tongue and winking at the instructor (this was followed by her hands waving around in apology), Jaina sat down, her hands guiding Cybil down as well— just in case she was weak. “Listen,” she said in a whisper, “not being in control isn’t like, a big deal or whatever. That’s what, uh, we’re here for right?” She tried not to let her doubt into her voice— Jaina herself didn’t think she could control her own powers.

When Courtney first came to Huxly’s, she didn’t know what to expect. Her powers were pretty passive to say the least and there was this girl just how who could set things on fire and fly. If she wasn’t nervous before, she was now. She was completely and utterly dull compared to others.

Her name was called and she took a deep breath before standing up. Just like any other performance, she told herself. This wasn’t any different from a gymnastics meet, only she actually had to phase through something this time.

The problem was Courtney couldn’t do it by will. Only when she wasn’t thinking about it or paying attention it would happen. Her body would to it as a natural respond to danger. She wasn’t sure how well it would work if she were doing it on purpose and hoped what she was about to do wasn’t going to go bad.

She got up in front of everyone and faced the new dummy they set for her. She backed away a few feet to give herself room and closed her eyes. She started off into a trot and did a pretty symbol round off back hand spring ending in a full twist.

Once the move was landed, she looked behind her. The dummy was behind her but she wasn’t sure if she had phased through it. She looked at the other students and judging by the looks on their faces, she certainly had. She may have even heard a few “holy crap”s. Suddenly aware of her surroundings, Courtney did a little bow and quickly shuffled back to her seat

#we should name this mm #the year is 2011 yeh #p: to powerfinity and beyond

Cybil shot Jaina an apologetic smile. She felt bad for getting her in trouble, especially when all Jaina was doing was comforting her. What Jaina said did make sense, so it did help, if only a little. She turned back avoiding eye contact with the teacher, (as she could already feel her glare) focusing her attention on whoever was up next.

It was a girl, short and blonde and acrobatic it seemed. While her twirls were impressive on their own it was what she did to the dummy that was amazing. She seemed to just pass through it, without ever touching it. Cybil's mouth opened up in confusion before realizing what just happened.

Oh man, why couldn't Cybil do that, that seemed so much more useful, and it looked pretty cool to boost. Cybil held her head in her hands and pouted as the girl bowed and went back to her seat. She would probably have to get used to this feeling, the feeling of wanting someone else's power over her own. Hopefully she wasn't the only one.

Cybil gave the girl, Courtney, that was the name they call out, a thumbs up and a smile as she rushed back to her seat. She then turned to Jaina with a look of fascination before catching herself. Cumon Cybil, everyone's is here for a reason.

ms-moretz

Jaina had absolutely no idea what this girl was capable of. She was already able to destroy a lot, she was super charged and raring to get the hell outta class— because she didn’t control herself either. All her life she was told to keep it in, even though her father loved her, he had to, he had to righ— her power was destructive. And now, all of a sudden, they were supposed to just show everyone? It was more than nerve-wracking.

Cybil seemed more nervous than Jaina was when she went up. She watched her, watched the muscles in her body tighten and loosen, watched her breath— it was a little creepy, she thought, but eh— and she gasped when the doll caught fire.

So, fire, huh?

But the next moment, Cybil was in flight, dropping out of air in the next couple of seconds. Reflexively, Jaina stood up to go and help her, but with a look the instructor made it clear she wasn’t to move. Cybil walked back to her and Jaina welcomed her, patting the seat beside her and whispering, “Holy shit— you alright?”

#c: jaina #shorty shorts #p: to powerfinity and beyond

Cybil sat down slowly, keeping her hands close to her so as to not accidental do anything else. Maybe she wasn't dismissed but she didn't want to go any further. "Huh? What?" she just realized Jaina had said something to her. "No yeah, I'm fine, I'm good" she gave a weak smile.

"Just- not what I expected is all." she turned to look at the other students, seeing who would be next. "Really hoping this isn't a weekly thing" she said, mostly to herself but she was sure Jaina could hear.

She finally got the confidence to move again. lowering her hands onto her lap and letting out another sigh of relief. Calm down Cybil, nothing bad happened. This is what you're supposed to do, right?

tanto-f-az

Oh wow— [looks over to instructor calling out Cybil’s name]

Guess it’s your turn, then?…