Chapter Two

Algebra was next, and Andrew couldn’t wait. When Andrew walked into the classroom, the teacher showed him his seat. Sixth row from the windows, forth seat back. The teacher, Mr. Moore, also handed Andrew the class math book.

“Books out and paper for notes,” instructed Mr. Moore, not bothering to introduce Andrew.

Andrew sat down and pulled out some paper. He would have to get used to using paper and pencils instead of scrolls and brushes.

Andrew turned to the girl sitting to his left and asked; “Excuse me, what page are we on?”

She looked up from writing and answered; “Page twenty.”

“Thanks.” As Andrew turned to flip through his book, the girl seemed to do a double take. Andrew pretended not to notice. The girl turned around and started whispering with the boy sitting behind her. Andrew picked up every little bit of it.

“Did you see his eyes?” she asked.

“Why, is there something different about them?”

“Yeah, there are no pupils,” she replied.

“No pupils? You ok? Not smokin’ anything are you?” joked the boy.

“Yasmine, Alex! Quiet!” interrupted Mr. Moore.

Andrew smiled to himself in amusement. There were no more interruptions or talk of missing pupils for the rest of the period.

••••••

“Freedom!” exclaimed Alex as the bell rang, releasing them to lunch. Mr. Moore just rolled his eyes and scowled.

Andrew navigated his way through the halls back to his locker. Opening his locker, Andrew placed his math and English book within.

“Boo!” said Bo when Andrew closed the locker door. “Scare ya’?”

“Nope.”

“Dang,” huffed Bo. “Want to join me for lunch?”

“Sure.”

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A forty-minute lunch was all that was given to the students of Marcus High School. Even if waiting in lunch lines for up to twenty minutes for food wasn’t enough. The teachers expected students to take time from their precious eating time, to visit their lockers. So it was no wonder that the teachers expressed their dislike when students asked to go to their lockers to obtain things like books or binders.

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Andrew followed Bo through the hallways to the commons, located towards the middle of the school. The whole school was connected as one, all except for the gyms and auditorium. Andrew was still trying to get used to the whole idea of being in school for most of the day, instead of going or being on missions, or even training.

“Are you just going to stand there, or are you gonna’ get some lunch?” Bo’s question broke Andrew’s thought process.

“What? Oh, I must’ve left it in my locker.” Andrew turned around and started back towards his locker.

As soon as Andrew was out of sight, he bolted for the nearest door, drawing stares from other students. Hoping that the room in front of him was empty, Andrew opened it and walked through, using his shadow to jump into his kitchen at home.

“You’re home early,” said Mark.

“I forgot to make a lunch,” replied Andrew.

“Better hurry and finish.”

Ten minutes later, Andrew turned the corner and came into Bo’s view.

“What took you so long?” she asked.

“I got a little lost.” Andrew nervously laughed.