My nap was short-lived as I was awoken by Melanie who was pinching and pulling on my cheek, presumably as a way to wake me up. Well, it worked. Because I was wide awake now as my eyes flitted back and forth between the two she-devils. "Hi." I said.
Melanie was clearly enjoying herself too much, but was also nearby leaning against the door frame. She smiled back. "Hi" She replied casually, like this was all natural. I frowned, not bothering to stop Melanie as I pointed to her. "Is she possessed? Or does she just get off on touching peoples faces."
Melanie stepped away, smirking as she watched me and replied to my question. "Well sorry, Grumpy, but I think you have a nice face. What's the harm in touching it a little?" I couldn't help but smile as I focused on Leslie and questioned. "What time is it?"
I got up slowly, stretching as she replied. Melanie was staring awkwardly at me now for some reason as Leslie spoke. "Around 6:30, but that isn't why we woke you. Melanie paid her father a visit while you were out and now he's here to see how you're doing. You might want to get dressed." I thought on it for a moment, then nodded. If he was here to talk, he must've had a good reason. The man might've been a little googoo, but he usually had his head on straight.
Melanie stepped out after Leslie and for a moment that longed for peace was restored. I used that time to get ready, putting my clothes on and checking the mirror to assure myself I didn't look too crazy before going for the door.
As I entered the main room I spotted Mister Subaru sitting on my couch flipping through the channels. I don't know why, but I felt extremely nervous. I slowly approached and sat down on the secondary couch, greeting the new home invader. "I see you've made yourself at home, Sir. You wanted to talk to me?"
The Headmaster replied quick-like. "I did! I didn't think things would settle down so quickly, but Melly made suggestions to me that I should let you rejoin the scheduled lunch. I thought, though, that if we were bringing you back to the cafeteria we might as well just allow you to come back into the fold all together. What do you think, James?" Mister Subaru seemed to be in a good mood, though he wouldn't stop changing the channels.
I looked around as I responded. "I'm not finding anymore peace than I would in public company, Sir. I think it might be helpful. Does that mean I'll be rejoining classes?" I fixed my eyes on Mister Subaru carefully.
The Headmaster nodded back at me, and I noticed his finger had finally stopped on a choice show that I wasn't familiar with. "We'll need to continue to keep at eye on you, but yes. Though I'll be honest with you, Pierce. We're going to be pulling you out quite a bit for training. If you rejoin the curriculum, I expect you'll have a lot of homework. Or, uhm ... Dormwork?" The headmaster paused on the thought for a moment, turning his attention to the TV for a moment. "If there's such a word. Anyway, James. You'll be very busy."
I shook my head at the thought as I tried to stay focused with his television show playing in front of me. The volume wasn't all that loud, but I'd always had problems with background noise. "I don't mind, Sir. Busy is better than idle until I find time to buy some distractions." It took a few moments before I realized that Mister Subaru hadn't heard me. I gave him another moment before speaking up. "Sir?" I asked, hoping to get his attention.
He turned to me, blinking, and for a moment I could have sworn his eyes were glowing. It wouldn't surprise me too much if they were, I thought. I just hadn't seen too many other examples of Renco super powers since arriving other than Thomas and a few acquaintances from class when my power had run amuck. The headmaster blinked, and any leftover trace of the phenomenon was gone. His eyes once again their usual color. "I apologize, James. I was lost in thought. Yes, you'll have time to go shopping sometime soon. We've barely had a chance to induct you into our academy as a student, what with all the unusual interruptions. Once you settle into routine we'll arrange something. Maybe you can take my darling daughter on a date?"
I flushed immediately at the thought, trying to shake the idea out of my mind. Subaru burst into laughter and slapped his hand down on my left leg nearest to him. "Relax, James! I was joking. Oh, the joy you bring to that girl, though. My daughter doesn't stop talking about you when we're alone."
I spoke up, feeling uncomfortable. "Sir, I'm sure she wouldn't want you telling me all this. Those are probably private thoughts." I gently lifted his hand off my leg as I tried to calm myself. I felt as hot as an oven.
Calming himself, the Headmaster sighed and got up, looking over to me. "Ah ... well, I guess you're right. How about we go and settle this up in my office? Leslie always tells me that things are better done in the moment, and I quite agree. Better now than never, yes?" I nodded, and got up. Waiting on my feet as Mister Subaru joined me.
We immediately made our way to the door, and as Mister Subaru was opening it I asked, stepping into the hallway with him right behind me. "How long until I rejoin classes, Sir? I might need some time to prepare." I'd been cooped up in my dorm for the better part of a month, I thought. Though a good portion of that I'd spent asleep.
Mister Subaru shut the door and turned toward me as I heard the lock click, and the Headmaster took the lead toward the elevator. "You don't have to worry, James. We'll give you some time to acclimate. It's just school, though. I can't imagine you'll need too much time, so I don't see it being a problem."
I sighed, relieved. I shouldn't have been surprised, I thought. This school was already more than a little different than any I'd known. Not to mention weird. Though I wasn't complaining. We reached the elevator and headed up, the headmaster holding the door open for me. I stepped inside and after Mister Subaru had joined me, we ascended towards the top floor.
It wasn't more than two minutes before the elevator dinged and we stepped out. Leslie was missing from her desk, so I had to assume she was still downstairs in my dorm room. My attention refocused on the headmaster as he spoke, making a beeline for his office room. "After we get your schedule restarted, I'll send you to meet my daughter in the cafeteria. Leslie requested she be permitted to join you two so you'll see her down there too, James."
The headmaster reached for his office chair, plopping down into it and jumping straight to work as I stood there awkwardly looking relatively useless. I began to examine the room while he worked. The back wall was almost nonexistent as it consisted of mostly glass overlooking the city. To both the right and left if the room there were paintings and an assortment of furniture including desks supporting picture frames and lamps. The carpet was a bright tan that ended at the glass doors exiting the room, and the headmasters desk was curved around the chair shaded in chocolate brown. My eyes fell back on the headmaster as he worked. The future was here, but Mister Subaru still fancied the past.
I was still zoned out, so when the Headmaster called to me I jumped. "I need you to sign your signature here, James." The headmaster slid me a paper document and pointed to the line. I signed, feeling like all this was unnecessary. Mister Subaru continued as I slid the paper back to him. "That's it. We're all done."
"So I just head down to the cafeteria then, Sir?" I asked. The cafeteria, I thought. It'll be nice to have some actual company after so long in my dorm. Mister Subaru nodded, slipping the paper into his desk as he looked at me. "Go enjoy yourself while you can, James. And remember. Just because you've rejoined the curriculum doesn't mean we aren't still on a deadline."
"Right." I replied, feeling the pressure pile on again. I turned around and made my way to the elevator. Back in school after almost three weeks. I wonder how my classmates would react? It was a scary thought.