Before Shaun were the broad doors of Clortho, with its unchanged sign that hung above in its dilapidated state. He turned around to take one last look at his bro, but he had long vanished. It made sense he would rush away since his bus left at 9:30 am sharp. It was now when he had gone that the true reality of the situation sunk in for Shaun. Jamie was more than a brother, he was a parent and now he would see him only once or twice a month. He knew he would miss their bonding moments.
Alas in order to pursue his dreams this was the only means forward. With that in mind, he pushed the doors of Clortho open. A line was formed as two men with metal detectors in security uniforms searched everyone who entered. There was even a stand with a conveyer belt that each backpack had to be sent through to be properly scanned.
'Just a stepping stone, Shaun', he reaffirmed to himself while taking in a deep breath waiting patiently for his turn. Around him, there was a lot of chatter as friends from the older years reunited, only students who were first-year like himself were by their lonesome. Yet he didn't mind this one bit, he was always a loner and didn't need many friends.
Soon it was his turn. "Place your backpack on the table for scanning. Do you have anything on the list of banned items?" The old security asked as he pointed to a list on the walls which had, in bold letters, prohibited. There were knives, machetes, drugs, and guns. This place must be a warzone if they thought it necessary to place such warnings.
Shaun replied, "No, sir I don't" When asked but in his mind, he thought, even if he had any of these banned items would he be foolish enough to say, yes? His reply garnered a startled stare from the security. "You're not from around here are you kid? Can't remember the last time I was called sir", the old security laughed. It was a simple phrase used by Shaun but it did brighten the man's day as he became reminiscent, "Twenty years ago, there was never a time I wasn't greeted in such a manner, but sadly Clortho has changed and the standards dropped. But you can decide if it changes you kid".
To Shaun it was merely a simple courtesy from back home to respect your elders, he didn't expect that he would lift the elder's spirit. After leaving the security checkpoint, next up for Shaun was to find his assigned locker. He drifted through the noise-filled corridors in search until finally, he found it. It was sprayed in graffiti and by the writing apparently, its last owner 'sucked ass'.
He sighed but paid it no mind, some silver paint and it would look all new. Today he would not let anything bring down his spirits. It was then that he heard a voice that was oh so familiar. But surely it couldn't be?
Posed up against a locker he saw a teen with blonde hair, slender stature twirling a set of car keys with the emblem of one of the most sought-after rides. It was a Corvette. Against the locker was a beauty in a mini skirt dolled in makeup, looking quite sexy.
With confidence in his voice, a forced city accent and slang, he attempted to persuade the young woman, "Yeah, my father is kind of a big deal. I don't like to brag or anything. I'm just saying, be with me and see how quickly your lifestyle changes".
It was then that a mischievous grin grew on Shaun's face as he made his way over. Fully intent on being the third wheel.
"If isn't one of my best pals, Nick Reiss", when he spoke he saw the youth's face instantly become pale. It was as though he had seen a ghost. It was Nick, the Major's spoilt son, which the town had placed all their hopes on. He was the last person that Shaun thought he would see at Clortho. After his bragging, saying he had gotten pre-approval to enter a super academy. With Clortos's 'astute' standards, how could they possibly turn down such a 'prized' candidate?
"Shaun!? What are you doing here?" He stuttered along after being thrown off guard by Shaun's sudden arrival. Shaun was enjoying every moment of it while Nick began to sweat profusely. He then replied without missing a beat, "Me? I just rose this morning and said, 'what the heck, let me try this hero thing', but I think the pressing question that comes to mind is what are you doing here?"
Like a deer in the headlights, Nick froze. Shaun however expected this reaction and fully intended to stretch his torment.
"Hi, I'm Shaun", he introduced himself to the girl. "Nomi", she replied with a smile drawn to Shaun's confidence that now dwarfed Nick's.
"Nomi? Japanese origin if I'm not mistaken. Meaning both beautiful and pleasant. Now that I most certainly agree with", Shaun winked as he spoke causing Nomi to blush. But Nick fumed as right before his very eyes Shaun sought to charm the beauty from his grasp.
"You're funny, with an interesting accent. Where are you from?" She curiously inquired when hearing Shaun's country accent. When she asked the question it was then that Shaun saw Nick's pleading look from the sides of his eyes but of course, he ignored it.
"I'm from a small town you have probably never heard of. That brings me to how I know this awesome fellow right here. You see…" Right as he was about to blow Nick's cover he heard him whisper in his ear, "$1000 cash". Which prompted a raised eyebrow of approval. So quickly Shaun's story changed, "His father, who is a saint of a man, owns a few oil rigs and made a huge investment in my brother's small business. And it was all because of Nick who has a nonprofit organization that seeks to help small businesses like my brother's that aren't given the opportunities of others. He is an awesome fellow with what can be described as a heart filled with gold"
When Shaun was finished speaking even Nick was convinced he was some well-to-do philanthropist, he was quite impressed. He could only imagine how Nomi now thought of him. Shaun bid his farewell to the two but not before brushing past Nick and whispering, "3 o'clock sharp, Mr Heart of gold". Nick gulped before nodding in agreement.
When back to his locker he could hear Nick's quick addition to his story, "Yeah, I can't help myself when I see those in need". Acting the role of the saint Shaun so generously provided. He had Nomi playing in her hair, seemingly liking what she heard. Shaun ignored the two, he was quite happy with the $1000 coming his way. It seems he could put off his job search for a while. This day was going far better than he could have ever imagined. He then placed the old rented books into the locker, only grabbing two for his day's lesson.
Clortho in his first year would be just like any other school. Being that all the students were at the bottom of the barrel in terms of talent, most didn't develop powers until 17-19 years of age. So all the first year's curriculum was essentially theory. Thus he made his way to his first class, "History & Evolution of the Supergene".
When entering the class it was hot, there was no cool air coming through the vents causing the windows to be open. Yet outside was still so there wasn't any form of breeze entering the classroom. There were about twenty others in the room with another twenty seats left empty. When he entered a few of his classmates took glances at him before looking away in disinterest. He then took a seat at the back of the classroom near one of the only available windows. At Frankfield High he was never one to sit at the front and he had no intentions of changing this habit.
Since the teacher hadn't arrived he simply looked outside the window in boredom wondering if Jamie had caught the 9:30 bus. It was then that he was awakened from his stupor by one of his classmates.
"Pssst, yow.., you interested?" He saw a backpack open near his feet. Inside a textbook was hollowed out, seen were tiny poly bags with white powder and crystals taking the space of the pages. Being as well informed as he was, how Shaun could not tell was before him?
"Get lost, I don't want any of that crap", he dismissed the lanky teen before once more turning to the window. Who didn't seem dissuaded by Shaun's refusal, if anything he persisted. He continued by shifting the books showing a variety of knives of all sizes. Heaven knows how he could smuggle all of that stuff through security.
"Trust me yo…, everyone needs a little protection. Been in my first year for three years now and I've seen it all. Guys get shived for just looking at a person funny. Something in this bag might just save you".
But even when he advised, Shaun ignored him, persisting to look out the window. Finally, he got the message, stood up but not before leaving a parting message, "You'll soon learn that around here a big ego gets you killed, 'Country'. And there aren't any heroes to protect you". Still, there was no reaction from Shaun who completely ignored him. He would just mind his own business and not let his trouble-making tendencies from Frankfield reemerge.