Chapter One

Blackness approached as the door ahead seemed to become warped, bending away from me. It was entirely too daunting. The door seemed to taunt me, mock me. Telling me that I would never have the courage to open it, never even have the courage to knock upon the wood. I was beginning to hate the color black.

I stood on the porch, my bag in hand. The black door looked so ominous, staring me down as I breathed in deeply. I set my luggage down at my side, slipping my hand into my pocket to retrieve my new house key. The silver weighed heavily in my palm, taunting me as much as the door had.

With another sigh I slid the key into the lock, flinching at the ominous clicking sound it made as the door unlocked and fell open. The house was empty, the rooms sparse with only white walls to greet me. I turned back to the door, hooking my foot behind my bag before I kicked it inside the house, watching as it slid across the dark wooden floors.

"I need to go shopping," I muttered looking around my new home. I'd do that this weekend and get it all set up. But at that moment I needed to get moving or I was going to be late to my first day at my new school. As it was already nearing nine, I realized I wasn't going to be there until at least third period anyway. But that wasn't my fault.

Taking another look around the house I went out to the car grabbing two more bags that I tossed into the house along with my other bag. I had to make three trips to get all my luggage in the house. Almost the exact moment I finished dragging my stuff into the house another car pulled up outside, honking at me.

The principal of my new school, some lady called Mrs. Powers, was supposed to pick me up thanks to a favor from my father. I would have been fine just catching a bus but father dearest thought this was better. And even with the principal picking me up I wasn't going to be to school on time. But that was on her, not me. Apparently she didn't arrive to work until third period so today I wouldn't be either.

Mrs. Powers was seated in the driver's seat, a slight frown on her face as she looked at me. She looked pointedly at the hem of my black sweater, ending just an inch or so below my butt, my legs covered by black leggings that fell to mid-calf. My outfit was completed with black flats and my lace fingerless gloves. I was happy with my clothing choices but clearly my new principal was not as pleased.

I sighed again, I seemed to be doing that a lot lately, and turned back to the house, rummaging in my luggage until I found my black messenger bag, my school things already inside. Heaving the bag onto my shoulder I meandered out to the car, ignoring Mrs. Powers annoyed look as I slid into the passenger's seat.

Neither of us said anything on the ride to school, the only noise in the car heard the entire ride was my little squeak of shock when she drove off the edge of an unfinished bridge. As you can assume I was a little shocked when the car suddenly started flying but I tried to hide my surprise by making no other sounds minus that first shriek.

It was fairly odd flying through the sky in a car but I assumed that it was normal in super-being society. At least it seemed so as when we approached my new school, which was hovering in the air thousands of feet about the city, no one gave us a second look. In fact there were even a few other cars parked behind the school that I assumed also flew. I mean, how else would someone's car get up there?

Mrs. Powers gracefully exited her car, her heels clipping on the concrete as she walked away from me, not even bothering to see if I was following. An annoyed scowl covered my face I nearly ran after her, her bright white suit making her easy to find in the growing crowds as we walked through the school.

I followed behind her diligently, glaring at those students who got in my way. It was clear to most of them that I was the new kid and they were all staring openly at me in curiosity. Thankfully when the bell to class rang the hallways cleared leaving only me and Mrs. Powers. Unfortunately that meant that the only sound in the hall was the click click click of Mrs. Powers' heels on the linoleum.

The moment we entered Mrs. Powers' office I dropped my bag on the floor, slumping into a seat. The older woman just raised an eyebrow at me but said nothing as she moved to sit behind her desk.

Mrs. Powers looked at me, her lips pursed, "Ms. Lancaster," I nearly groaned, sliding down into my seat. It was going to be one of those conversations, "You know why you're here," I nodded. I was a freak. That much was clear. Mrs. Powers frowned, her dislike for me becoming clearer at her next words, "You should also know that I don't want you here. It's thanks to… let's say higher powers… that you were even accepted here."

A lump formed in my throat as I swallowed the bile that built up. It was one thing to know that people like me, people with powers like mine, people with families like mine, weren't welcome here or anywhere. But it was another thing to have it stated so bluntly that I was not wanted at this school. Weren't the teachers supposed to make students feel welcome and safe? Not point out that no one wanted them?

Apparently Mrs. Powers was waiting for me to reply as she just sat there staring at me, lips pursed, fingers pressed together, "Yes, 'mam," I muttered.

Mrs. Powers nodded at me, moving on as if the conversation we'd just had had never occurred, "I talked to Coach Boomer and we've decided to place you directly into Hero Class. No need for Power Placement. You're also exempt from any sort of P.E. activities that require the use of powers. You'll mostly be running laps and lifting weights," She rummaged through some papers on her desk, smiling triumphantly when she found what she was looking for, "Here is your schedule," She said handing me the piece of paper.

I looked it over. I had Mad Science for my first two periods, then Calculus for third. Lunch was next, followed by P.E. which also had the words 'Save the Citizen' next to it. No idea what that meant. And for my last two periods of the day I had a general class just named Hero 101. It was… do-able I supposed.

"Thanks."

I was about to get up and leave when Mrs. Powers stopped me, "Ms. Lancaster, if you will," She motioned back to the chair I had just vacated. With a confused look I sat back down. Mrs. Powers gestured towards the door, giving the signal for someone to enter, "Mr. Kent, if you would be so kind as to show Ms. Lancaster to her classes. And would you and your group please keep an eye on her? I think you all will be a good influence on her," She said, acting as if I was no longer in the room.

Turning around I nearly groaned in annoyance. Standing behind me was one of my childhood 'friends' from my father's circle of business relations. Michael Kent, son of Clark Kent aka Superman and Lois Lane, grinned at me, showing off his incredibly white teeth which stood out against his faintly tanned skin. His dark wavy hair fell into his blue eyes, eyes that were regarding me with a look of superiority.

"Kent," I mumbled, standing slowly as I ignored the hand up he offered me.

"Lancaster," He grinned again, I could see that was a habit of his that he had never grown out of. And it was going to annoy the hell out of me.

"Well, let's get this day of hell over with," Mike laughed as I stood up, practically shoving past him to get out of Mrs. Powers office. Taking another look at my schedule I glanced around the hall, turning right before beginning to briskly walk away. It was nearly the end of third period so I was headed towards lunch. I could hear Mike chuckling behind me but I didn't bother to wait for him. He could catch up on his own.

"Talk to Tony lately?"

I snorted, "No one's talked to Tony lately," I rolled my eyes. Mike knew that was a stupid question, most likely he was just trying to create small talk. I could deal with that I supposed. Not like we'd ever been especially close. Despite his lovely parents Mike was a bit arrogant, one of those guys who thought the world of himself. So not my type, friend or other.

"Why not?"

"Disappeared again."

"Talk to Junior then?"

Again I snorted, "Junior disappeared too. Probably off with his dad. Pepper was beside herself last I heard. She's so tired of them going off together without telling anyone. It's one thing for Tony to do it, but for him to drag their son along?" I shook my head.

Mike shrugged, "Knowing Junior, it was probably his idea."

I smiled slightly, the first time I'd done so in a while, and it was thanks to Kent. How ironic. But his statement was true, "But it's not like Tony would object much. You know how Tony is. It's all just fun and games to him. He doesn't take anything seriously."

Nodding Mike tapped me on the shoulder, pointing down a hallway I'd just passed, "Lunch room is this way," He stated.

I nodded stalking off the hallway he'd just pointed at. Just before we entered the cafeteria Mike stopped me with a hand on my arm. A very tight hand on my arm leaving me to wonder if he knew he was using his power on me or not.

"Just one thing before we get there Blaire," I gave Mike a blank look, "I have a reputation to uphold at this school. You will behave, you will fit in, and above all," Mike tightened his hold on my arm as I suppressed the need to hurt him, "You will listen to me this time."

I yanked my arm out of his grasp, my fists clenching, "Whatever you say, Kent," I bit out.

Mike just smiled as if nothing had happened and placed his hand on my back leading me into the already filling cafeteria. I could just tell this year was going to be hell.