Part One
The Beginning
Chapter 1
An Off Day
I don't know why, but today something felt wrong. The air felt thick, tense, and I just wanted to stay in bed. Sadly, my parents would never let me skip class. Being scientists, they were all about my education.
I reluctantly sat up, looking at my reflection in the mirror across the room. My long black hair was surprisingly controlled today, possible from the dense winter air outside. My hazel eyes were edged with red from sleep, my normal pale skin, marred with shadows under my eyes. I really needed to get my make-up out.
Reluctantly, I pushed the blanket off of me, static sparking off of my flannel pajama bottoms, the same shade of rose-pink as my t-shirt. My mom, despite having dragged me all over the world, to learn how to fight, liked when I seemed feminine. So, vibrant colors were common in my wardrobe.
I slipped off of my bed and went to the closet to the right of my bed. I grabbed a pair of well-fitting blue jeans, then walked to my dresser and pulled out a light blue, low cut, long-sleeve shirt.
Glancing at my alarm clock, I could estimate that I had 10 minutes to get ready and 15 more for the breakfast that my mom enjoyed making each morning.
My parents had been well-known scientists, before having me. Once I was on the way, they found a large house along the city streets of New York. Tore down the walls of the third floor, making it into two reinforced rooms, setup a lab and an experiment room. They demanded that I do anything to remain healthy and strong for the future.
Now, since they're scientists, you would think they'd be logical and realistic. But, really, they were kind of crazy. With December 21st in a week, my parents were on a rampage, preparing for zombies or aliens. No matter how unlikely those scenarios were. If the world was going to end, I was sure it would be natural disasters from our destruction of the environment.
I got changed, leaving my pj's on my bed for tonight, and went to the bathroom across the hall. The second floor held my room, my parents room and private bathroom, and my bathroom. Even having those expensive steam showers. The bathroom downstairs had just a white porcelain toilet, with a black cushion cover, and a matching sink.
I watched my reflection as I applied my foundation, light blush, eye-liner, mascara and pale pink lip-gloss. I liked looking pretty, but made sure not to go too far. I would never let myself look like one of those girls who only wanted attention from the opposite sex.
I hesitated, looking to see if, maybe, I could find what was of in the mirror, but everything looked normal. Sighing, I left the bathroom and walked down the stairs. My mom and dad were sitting at the table, my dad mixing chemicals despite my mom's repeated protests.
My moms dark hair was pulled into a long pony-tail, her hazel eyes matching mine. Aside from my black hair, I took after her. Petite and curvy, with a thin layer of muscles that blended right in. Her loose baby-blue t-shirt and blue jeans looked completely perfect on her. My dad was paler, with messy black hair and blue eyes, bloodshot from another all-nighter. He was still was wearing his white, button-up shirt and black jeans from the previous day. His white lab coat had stains from the chemicals he'd used through the night.
He looked up as I entered the room.
"Kimmy! Great timing. I just finished the formula for a special antibody. It will make you immune to any virus that enters your system."
I stepped back, knowing that look in his eyes. He looked confused by my hesitation.
"I...I think I'll just eat at school"
I booked it to the door, grabbing my backpack from the couch.
"Kim?!" my dad called, then a crashing sound told me that my dad had tripped.
I slipped into my black sneakers and black and red winter jacket, and called "See you guys later!"
My dad rounded the doorway right as the door closed. I knew he wouldn't follow me outside, so I let out a sigh of relief. My parents were sure to only get worse until the world was supposedly going to end. December 21st was probably just going to leave a lot of people disappointed.
I made it halfway to the corner of the block, moving carefully through the snow, when I heard someone call my name. I tensed for a second, half ready to run if it was my dad, then turned around. The person who had called my name was my friend Jake.
Jake had been my friend for as long as I could remember. He was my best friend. He was about as tall as me, being being 5'7". His blond hair just barely above me. He liked his hair short and his pale skin made his green eyes show more. Just by looking at him, you couldn't tell what kind of person he was. One day he'd look goth, even using eyeliner, and the next day he'd look like he'd been pimped by MTV. Honestly, though, he was a big nerd. I believe the term was otaku. Anime, comics, games, you name it. He was obsessed. No-one else seemed to understand him, not that I really understood the fascination. I had once made the mistake of telling him my opinion. The tortured look he had, felt like I'd been punched in the guy. Guilt tore me up and I swore to always do what I could to support his hobbies.
Today he was wearing plain clothes, like what you would expect from your average 16-year-old. Blue jeans fitting perfectly on his thin frame, a yellow t-shirt underneath a blue coat, and his default black, biker boots.
"Why did you leave before I got there?" He asked, his voice a few octaves above being masculine
"Sorry Jake, I had to run away. My dad wanted to test his new chemically created antibody." I apologized.
Jake looked at me sympathetically, knowing exactly how my parents could be.
Then he gave me his quirky smile "I guess I'll forgive you. I probably would have run for it too."
He started walking ahead of me and I let out a soft laugh. He may have said that he would run, but I knew he would never leave me behind. Everyone who knew him, knew exactly how he felt. He had an obvious crush on me, but he didn't think that anyone else knew it. I figured it was safest for both of us if I didn't ever bring it up. I didn't want to hurt him, but I couldn't return his feelings. I had a crush on my friend Leo.
Leo was probably the most popular, non-jock student in our school. The complete, nonchalant, bad boy, easily the target of teacher punishments. But I knew that he was actually really smart and caring.
I walked up next to Jake, vaguely hearing him go one about some anime he's been watching until 1 AM. I mostly just focused on not slipping in the slush. Ice and snow were fine, but slush was slippery and gross. Half of the people walking the streets looked like dressed up, half-asleep, zombies, while the other half were messing with their phones or their iPods that came out only 2 months before. I had gotten one for my birthday on December 1st,, but I wasn't absorbed in it like the rest of humanity.
"So, Hiro used the blade he got from the goddess. He was, like, swinging wildly at first, 'cause he'd never used a sword before." Jake ranted.
"So the heroes name is hero?" I feigned interest.
He brightened with excitement "Not the English word 'hero'. The Japanese name Hiro, H-I-R-O. It means broad or widespread. And he was chosen by the goddess to fight her sister and her demon army.
"I see" I nodded along absently.
We arrived at the school in what felt like forever. I generally liked spending time with Jake, it just wasn't always easy.
Students surrounded the stairs to the 2 story building, built from worn brown stone. A group of girls I called the barbie-wannabes were laughing about something that involved someone else getting hurt. 5 jocks were checking out passing girl, two wearing football jackets. 2 brunettes in skimpy clothes and showing enough cleavage to start a strip show, were looking in our direction and giggling. They'd approached me several times to join the cheer-squad and be part of their gathering of mindless clones. They had made their disapproval of my friendship with Jake clear, and I gave the leader of the group, Kirsten, a nice red hand-print on her cheek. She didn't report me, but she also refused to acknowledge my rejection.
At the top of the steps was Leo and his groupies. His full name was Leonard William Lewis. He was a year younger than me, but a couple inches taller than me. His dyed black hair was held back in a black bandanna and normally reached to his shoulders. He wore black jeans, a black t-shirt with a gray skull over his heart, and a black leather jacket. A chain connected to a left belt loop, leading to something in his pants pocket. A silver skull ring on his right middle finger reflected red from the stones in the eyes, and a simple silver ring on his right thumb, he wore in honor of his grandfather. He had 2 leather bands on his right wrist and 3 rubber bands on his left, and his black Frye Tyler boots were laced with gray laces that glowed blue when the class went dark. He may as well have been a celebrity with his handsome build and face structure.
Jake saw Leo and sighed, he didn't understand Leo's appeal. He had no clue how I felt, and I didn't actually plan on acting on my feelings. It was a simple crush after all, and with my plans to go to a college for science and literature. The pay may not be the best, but I wanted to be a teacher. I couldn't stand the idea of starting a relationship to leave that person behind. Though that didn't stop the feelings.
I waved at him as Jake and I entered the school, but he didn't notice.
"I wonder what I should get for breakfast today" I thought aloud, covering my disappointment.
Jake didn't respond, a look on his face of deep thought. It was generally a bad thing when he thought too hard, since he was prone to bumping into things and people.
We reached the cafeteria, where dozens of students crowded the doorway. Some looking annoyed, others looking confused.
"What's going on?" I asked a girl toward the back of the gathering.
"Apparently the cafeteria is out of food" she answered blandly.
"Damn it" Someone in the crowd cursed.
"Aren't they supposed to stock up on food?" Someone else groaned.
I sighed, resting my hand on my stomach as hunger started setting in.
"Here" hake snapped out of his daze, reached into his backpack and pulled out a granola bar.
I smiled at his kindness "thanks."
He smirked "Do you see why packed lunches are the best?"
"This is breakfast. There's a difference" I teased lightly.
He laughed and started walking down the hallway.
I ripped open the wrapper and followed him. At our first hour classroom, we sat with our backs against the lockers. I ate the bar while Jake reviewed his homework.
"Hey Kim" Leo walked by and winked at me.
"Hey" I responded as calmly as possible.
Those years of working on my emotional control payed off in situations like this. I couldn't really tell you how I'd react in a real crisis, but I could hand small situations.
Jake looked up from his papers once Leo had passed.
"I don't get it. Why is everyone so fascinated with him?"
"Girls love a bad boy" I answered smoothly.
"Then why aren't you all over him?" He asked.
I thought for a second, then said "bad boys are meant to be in control in the relationship. I don't plan on giving up my control."
I raised my right fist in a tough pose, faking my defiance. I'd never admit it aloud, but I actually hated having to be in control all of the time.
"Yeah, I can't see you becoming one of those girls who depends completely on the guy."
I bit back a sigh, seeing the image that all of my training and studying had created. It made me skip the teenager phase of my life, right to being an adult.
Silence fell back over us as Jake resumed looking through his homework and I watched the students who passed by. There were many styles. Preppy, goth, modern gangster, colored hair, piercings. Everyone coexisted while having little to do with anyone outside of their clique. I was one of the only couple of students who could really get along with almost anyone.
The bell rang and Jake packed up his papers. I stood and waited for him, and we walked into the classroom. He was seated to the left of the room and I was seated in the 3rd seat back, second from the right. A large chalkboard was on the wall between the class and the hall and Mr. Monroe sat at his desk, to the right of the room, watching the last of the students rushing in as the final bell rang. I sometimes thought the rushing students amused him.
Mr. Monroe looked young enough to be in high school and be popular. He was only 19, but he was a genius. Graduating from high school at 15, then going to college to study history and foreign cultures. He was totally wasted as a teacher, but he seemed to enjoy it. His medium length brown hair was styled in a mess that showed his youthful attitude, and was only slightly darker than his brown eyes. He wore a red turtle-neck and blue jeans over his lightly tanned skin, and black tennis-shoes.
"Alright, everyone, how was your weekend?" He asked brightly.
Some kids murmured a response, though most stayed quiet. He looked around, not losing any enthusiasm.
Mr. Monroe was probably my favorite teacher. I wasn't the best in history, but he taught it in a way that was easy to understand. And he was easy to relate to, with his positive and friendly mentality.
"How many of you did the reading this weekend?"
Groans spread across the room and Mr. Monroe gave a knowing look.
"How about this, I'll write a question on the board, and those who answer it correctly get extra credit."
I loved when he challenged the class. As he wrote the question, a girl 2seats to my left shot her hand up.
"Ms. Webber, I like your enthusiasm, but I'd like you to write out your answer." Mr. Monroe smiled.
Several kids giggled as her face flushed. I could understand her quick response, most of the girls wanted Mr. Monroe's attention and praise. With his handsome face and slight show of muscles, he was the girls, good boy dream come true.
Moments passed with the sound of pencils scratching along paper, phone buttons clicking and yawns. A typical Monday that still felt off. Then there was a cracking sound and a girl screamed.