It was Kyle who’d tossed the can on the first day of school, and he’d ended up getting a lecture from Dr. Bisbee about when it was acceptable to use his powers. Now that I knew his sister, I was sure she’d put him up to it, and more likely than not, she’d escaped the lecture completely.
I was laughing loudly at the soccer team, who were all taking snowball shots at a bunch of students who were probably like me and had more passive powers, the kind the school called endothermic. Kaylee and Kyle, definitely defenders of the underdog, caused an avalanche of snow to slide from the roof of the nearby building and all but bury the team. Luckily, they crawled out, and everyone was laughing at their antics.
I felt rather than saw my darkling standing behind me. I’d resolved to avoid him.Damn, I thought,That wouldn’t be possible now. I slowly turned around, my heartbeat picking up speed.
He was standing so close I had to look up into his face. He was scowling at me. I wasn’t sure why, but his angry expression didn’t scare me, not like I’d been scared by bullies in high school. Instead, his expression sent a tingle up my spine, and I swallowed hard.
“You think it’s funny that those kids are being picked on?” he asked.
I had to think for a moment. What was he talking about? Of course, in my defense, being this close to him, being able to feel his power radiating off him, not to mention being able to smell his scent—soap mixed with pure testosterone—it was no surprise my brain wasn’t working.
“Huh?” I asked.
He pointed angrily out the window. “You’re laughing at a bunch of kids being beaten up with snow?”
I looked back out the window behind me, and seeing Kaylee and Kyle laughing along with the entire group, I shook my head. “No.”
I turned around to explain they were all having fun, but he’d disappeared. The absence of his energy left me feeling strange, weird, and deserted. The man confused me, but unlike the first time I’d seen him, I wasn’t afraid. No, I was drawn to him.
I tried to see where he’d gone, and although I couldn’t see him any longer, I knew he’d headed back toward the dorms. I thought about following him, but there was no purpose. What was I going to do, force him to like me?
I laughed. I wouldn’t be forcing anyone to do anything. The one thing I’d learned in the week since school started was that I was probably the weakest student here. My powers did nothing other than slow someone down. I could only absorb the smallest fragments of power.
Luckily, exothermic students like Kaylee and Kyle were cool and let me hang with them. If it wasn’t for them and other kids like them, I was sure my days at the college would be numbered.
Chapter seven
Kaden
Dr.Aynesworthhadreluctantlylet me move about without the guards, but only because Dr. Grace Bisbee had pleaded my case. I wasn’t sure why she’d taken an interest in me, but luckily she had.
The guards remained on duty at the college, and if I gave “even an inkling of trouble,” I’d be put back under guard.
I still didn’t understand why I was the bad guy. Oh well, at least I had one advocate, which was significantly more than I’d ever had before. I went to Dr. Bisbee’s office after the meeting where I’d been freed from the guards, and she explained that she had been the reason I’d been brought to the school.
“I want you to have a chance to learn the same as any other student, Kaden, but I need to know you won’t go off the rails. So, if you have any issues while you’re here, you’re to come to me directly. Do you agree?” she asked. I nodded. “Good. Since I’ve decided to be your student advocate, let’s talk about your classes.”
As she went through each of the classes I’d have this semester explaining why she’d chosen them for me, I felt a strange sensation like someone was tickling my brain. I quickly dismissed it. I must be getting frustrated with everything going on and all the people who seemed to be controlling my life.
“Mostly, I think it’s imperative you learn to control your power. You’ll still have to do your 101 classes. Those are required, of course, but you’ll also take my Practicum class. That’s usually not offered until your sophomore year, but…” she sighed heavily, “…you’ve got to be able to control things before you blow us all up.”
When I looked shocked, she chuckled. “What, you thought I’d mince words? You’ll have to get over that. I don’t beat around the bush. You have to get full control over your powers, and since none of us can seem to remove them from you, you’re going to have to do it on your own.”
I nodded, but didn’t respond. I didn’t trust the woman, or anyone, if I was being honest. But when someone was nice to me, that usually meant they wanted something. So, until I knew what she wanted, I’d be watching Dr. Bisbee closely.
“Oh, since you’re going to be my biggest job while you’re here, you can call me Grace. We can dispense with the formalities.”
That shocked me even more since she clearly valued her power and control. I nodded, although it put my back up even more.
Upon leaving her office, I went back to my room. The snow had accumulated quickly while I was meeting with Dr. Aynesworth and then Dr. Bisbee. Several students were gathering outside, and I could tell a snowball fight was about to start.
I was still unsure about Dr. Grace, and my mind was trying to find her angle as well as avoid the inevitable snowball fight. I quickly dashed into the student lounge, knowing I could go through there to get to the dorm without getting involved.
I hadn’t been here without the guards, and my moment of freedom seemed to take control of me, so I dashed to the cafeteria and ordered a hot chocolate.
I knew people didn’t get me. Even before I had any powers, I was an outsider. I’d been tossed from home to home before being taken, and I never had any of the creature comforts other kids took for granted.
So, having the chance to enjoy a hot cocoa, well, that was special. Strange and special.
