Rapture: Exordia

By Werner Johansson

The coolest kind of disability. That was how you had to consider magic. At least, it made it bearable in this time and age. All the devices and such were just not for the average wizard, as it were. It was even worse if you, up until the beginning of the summer, had planned on working with computers. It was almost as bad as to move to Alpena, whose biggest claim to fame was the snow that didnt arrive in time for Die Hard 2. What could possibly happen in a sleepy town like that?

Life is complicated enough with a twin, divorced parents, and once again, a new city. The best thing to do is to be stealthy. Avoid attention with friends who have the same agenda. If everything just would be simple, that would make for two easy years. Getting a job, some education, and then leave for some real education, learn about the other side of your life, magic. That and the rest of the world that no one talks of; its the big secret, after all.
But if things were simple and straightforward, it wouldnt be life. Whom do you love?

Magic. On paper it was powerful, mysterious, and possibly cool. In reality, it was about much of a problem as a pissed-off twin sister. The reality of it had dawned on Morgan the moment he sat down and thought about it. Never mind moving to a new town and high school. New friends dont grow on trees, so any is good, especially if they want to escape the town as badly as you do. Rose, the cute Ice Queen, seems like the perfect partner until her past surfaces.
Who knew the troubles you can get into by a kiss you werent prepared for?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Dec 20, 2013
• ISBN: 9781493138760

Werner Johansson

Werner Johansson, programmer, author, and possibly wizard at something. He works as a systems developer for the largest consultancy firm in Sweden. All time not spent at work, however, is neatly divided between writing books and playing fantasy computer games.

Book preview

Moving Back In

I rolled back in on Mum’s driveway in Carisle’s truck. A very old truck, brought back from the sixties. It was a nice enough truck as trucks go, but none of us had turned on the radio. We both knew what it would do if we dared to. One wizard in a truck was bad enough, two would be the effect quadrupled. Especially since I was a new wizard, less trained than Carisle. Far less.

Carisle was my uncle, who had just turned his two hundred fifty-second birthday. It was rather funny considering he only looked like he was in his forties, possibly early fifties. I had moved to Mum’s place with my sister, twin sister, to finish my two last years in high school. It had taken one nightmare to be sent to Carisle. Mum had been adamant about the visit to him, telling me that it would do me good. Once there, it had become obvious as to why she wanted me out of the house.

On my second night there, I nearly blew the cottage to pieces in one of my nightmares. He never asked what it was about and I never did tell him either, mainly because I didn’t remember much more than being chased by someone. I stayed the whole summer at Carisle’s place to learn whatever I possibly could, mainly controlling and dampening my influence so I could go back to a semi-normal life. I guess the normal response to being a wizard would different, but magic and electronics don’t mix too well—a huge disadvantage for someone who is a computer nerd.

Okay, we are here Morgan, Carisle grunted as he pulled the parking brake. He peered out through the windshield into the early summer evening. The sun was just hinting it would go away in an hour or so, coloring the world in a warm reddish hue.

Your mum isn’t here, but I guess she will be soon. Let’s get your stuff set up inside, out of her reach. Your mum never did learn to control her field very well.

I nodded and got out. It brought a whole new range of reasons for her not to enter my room. Legitimate ones; I couldn’t help smiling at the irony. I grabbed my clothes as Carisle got my computer. He had better control anyway. I quickly made my way to the garage loft I had been promised to have as my room. It wasn’t the best part of the house to be certain, but at least it would provide privacy which, when I requested it, had been for other reasons—to be able to play video games, code, and generally be up really late without being caught. Mum had just smiled and nodded and with that, let it pass. She probably guessed at my reasons.

She and Dad had fought long and hard about our custody when we were kids. Dad had won out since he had a job and a house. Officially at least. The fact that he liked to move around hadn’t come up in court. He had the better lawyer in the end. After Charlie and I turned eight, we spent two weeks each summer wherever Mum was living at that moment. She moved to Alpena when we were thirteen and settled down as a nurse.

The house didn’t have much to offer, but it was quiet, restful, and for me at least, a place to relax for a few weeks. Alpena had a beach and a few landmarks and so on but nothing that really grabbed me. Probably because Mum made me go to all of them, repeatedly, in an attempt to make me like the town.

Now Charlie and I had grown more than a little weary with Dad’s constant moving about as his job changed. Computer consultants can have such exciting lives, when they work for different companies every year at least. But it did bring in money, so at least we didn’t lack clothes, food, or a place to live. Just a dad and a real home. Dad hadn’t actually argued it with us. He had tried his best; Charlie hadn’t said as much, but I had when we left for Mum’s place. He had smiled a little when I said it, wishing me luck in life. He had sent the first check to Mum before we even touched down. At least he didn’t shirk that part; he just wasn’t good at being a dad in the practical way.

The loft looked just like I remembered it—sparse. The same wide bed, a small desk by the window, and a drawer for my clothes. The white IKEA wardrobe was still standing in the corner, door slightly ajar. It was okay. I would never invite anyone in here anyway in all likelihood. My only luxury would be the computer. Once a nerd, always a nerd. I put down my box on the bed as Carisle entered behind me. He put down the box with the computer and all the peripherals to it in the far corner, by the window. He quickly started to put it together; the screen came up to the side of the window and the keyboard and mouse were on long cords so I wouldn’t fry the hard drive by proximity. A new hazard around a computer, frying it by proximity.

Not the fanciest room I have ever been in. Mind you, could be a whole lot worse, he grunted as he jacked in the power cord. I merely nodded, looking at the power button on the front of the computer. That would be tricky to use. He followed my gaze and smiled.

Use a broom handle for that, he grinned as he realized what I was thinking. Carisle, ever the practical man, he never did anything fancy that I could tell. Always had the simplest solution to any problem that needed solving.

Thanks, I grinned. It was a solution. It could have been a whole lot worse, I had to admit. We went downstairs and fetched the rest of the boxes. There weren’t that many, two quick trips. As he helped with me the last, sorting out where things went, I heard people coming into the house. Carisle walked out my room, simply leaving me with my boxes. I wanted to know as well who was coming, even though it was an easy guess. I followed him downstairs. As we got to the bottom of the stairs, I saw that I was right.

About time you got home! Mum almost screamed to me. Her face was lit up like a billboard on Times Square. Charlie just waved noncommittally at me. So much for missing me. For being twins we weren’t that much in tune on anything except our taste in music and our distaste of each other. We aren’t identical; I just had bad luck as I saw it.

We simply nodded in the doorway and got on with it. Too much fuss about us being twins had made us wish for us not being twins. It isn’t all wonderful. She’s like any other sister ever described to me, mean and inconsiderate at best.

Sure we were both brains, but while I was a classic nerd, she used hers to be, well, popular. Didn’t help that she looked a lot better than me—seventeen, described as cute and very athletic, while I was not that. Well, I had been. Living with Carisle had changed that over the summer. I was no hunk but was not that chubby as I had been.

Mum, of course, had to rush over and hug me and Carisle. She was all smiles and questions about how I was and how I felt being back. Carisle excused himself quickly enough by saying that all was as, well, expected. He grunted a few affirmatives as Mum asked how things were with him at his place. Despite Mum’s offerings, he excused himself, rather skillfully I thought, from the dinner invite. Charlie had slipped away during all the pleasantries, and Mum took advantage of her absence.

So, not too unhappy about it? she asked curiously, a frown creasing her forehead. I frowned, thinking that it was good and bad. It was a moot question anyway.

Don’t get a choice, do I? I muttered as I sat down at the dinner table.

No, not really, said Mum, nodding as she sat down opposite me. It could be worse, you know. Some people only get the bad points, you know.

She was smiling as she said it. Like I had lucked out somehow. I wasn’t so sure; so far, bad points were all it had offered.

What bad points?

The technology interference, the bad dreams of things that might come but not clear enough. Those kinds of things, she noted with a wry smile. Your sister seems to have gotten those. Luckily, not too often.

It was something in her tone that tingled my mind. I could almost sense the train rushing toward me. In the tunnel. Tight, tight tunnel. I sighed and looked up at Mum.

You haven’t told her?

How would you explain it to her? Mum asked me, her eyes growing sadder by the moment. And she had a valid point. I nodded. So sorry your brother and mother are wizards, but not you. You only got the bad dreams. Mum could see it my face, I guess. She nodded and continued, Did you learn enough from Carisle this summer to attend school?

Got my computer in the room. Far corner but I can use it at least. I smiled at her, proud of that fact. I felt that it was something to be proud of. Almost normal, again. Mum smiled a wry smile at that but nodded encouragingly.

Good. Work on it because I think you’ll want to be able to go into a whole room of them before the week ends.

I shuddered at that. I had forgotten the classes I had requested. It was exhausting to control it now; it was bearable with one computer. A whole room of them would take some effort, to say the least.

Thanks, Mum. Couldn’t have picked another place to live? I said half sarcastically, half jokingly. The pain in her eyes was obvious before I had finished talking. She had missed us all these years; I knew that. She had traveled a lot before settling down here, hoping we would join her.

I hoped that you wouldn’t be affected. This isn’t what I hoped for, you know, not for you two to be like me. She wrung her hands a little as she said it. I could tell she both meant it and maybe not; she only did it when she didn’t know which was the right thing. It wasn’t often she was like that. I felt about the same, cool I got magic. Shit, I got magic. It was like a cool disability, if there ever was one that would be it. It helped to think like that. Trying to make it seem good. It worked for a while at least.

I know. Carisle told me you’ve never truly liked it. He seems to like it, though, I replied with a wry grin. Maybe I will too, at least when I can be computers again.

Mum smiled at me, her dark green eyes sparkling a little in the evening light with the dark humor it came out of. One way to stay sane at least.

Maybe you’ll be able to if you learn to control it well enough. It’s good to learn control all the same, I guess.

Mum! When is dinner? Erica wants to meet up to see a movie tonight! Charlie yelled from top of the stairs. I grinned at Mum. Nothing ever changed Charlie, not really. Mum just sighed and answered that it would be soon.

Tell me when, going to put everything away for tomorrow, I sighed, wishing I could magic it away. Mum just nodded and went into the kitchen. I walked up the stairs; it was somehow steeper now. Charlie’s door was open and some music was playing, some generic R’n’B, our only difference in music. I never had the patience for it as she never had any patience for my blues music.

Hey, you, I said without looking in; she hated it when people did. What should I wear tomorrow? You know, to avoid looking like a complete retard?

I could trust her on this at least. As her brother I could not embarrass her tomorrow. First day in a new school, my appearance would reflect on her as well. At least according to her.

Whatever you want as long as you don’t come as a clown, she laughed from inside the room.

Alien vampire wizard? I replied with a straight face.

Okay, fine. Well, chinos and a T-shirt, she replied with a sigh. Makes you a nerd, but hey, what else is new?

I nodded. Neutral, not standing out. I probably could slip past everyone, be a ghost. I liked the prospects. And she hadn’t blown up. That was a nice turn of events. Maybe she had calmed down over the summer?

Okay if I skip the pocket protector and calculator? I added as a joke. Who would use that?

You’d better! she hissed at me with a glare as she peeked out of the room. Don’t you dare make me look like a dweeb. Even by association.

I couldn’t help but grin her in the face. I was nice to get rise out of someone. Carisle had taken everything even-tempered which had been frustrating; it had almost driven me mad. Bar a few very scary exceptions. Charlie continued glared at me.

Not funny, Morgan. Ouch.

Sorry. Ever spent any time with Carisle?

You know I haven’t. Was it dull?

I shook my head; awful wasn’t it exactly. He hadn’t been pissed about anything. Not even when I almost wrecked his car trying to learn how to drive the damned thing.

Never gets even irritated. It’s like being in a vacuum, you know, I replied with a sigh. It wasn’t exactly true; he had been irritated once or twice. Mainly because I had argued with him. Charlie pursed her lips, probably trying to imagine it.

Doesn’t sound all bad. Mum flies off the handle all the time. Try dating around her, she snorted derisively. I frowned. I could tell my forehead was wrinkled. Like I wanted to know. But I really didn’t. She wanted to tell, and it was easier to tell her. The odds for me were less than nil when it came to dating. She saw my expression and smiled at me. She always liked it when she made me uncomfortable in some way.

Maybe she’ll help you instead! she said and quickly closed the door before I could punch her on the shoulder. Simmering with rage and loathing at the idea of having Mum set me up, I slammed my door closed. Mum setting me up with dates, it could hardly get worse than that.

Damn, broom handle.

I turned around and walked down to find one. I looked around for the cleaning supplies until I found them in a small closet by the kitchen. Two old brooms, perfect.

Mum, can I take one of the brooms? I need the handle, I called out to her, already pulling out the one looking worse for wear. Mum poked out from the kitchen and looked at me.

Sure, munchkin, she replied with a grin. She knew what I thought of that moniker now. Going to fly off like Potter or were you going for something more subtle?

Got it. Act normal even around here.

Just want to get a cobweb up in one of the corners. I don’t like them, I replied, grimacing at her less-than-subtle reminder.

Sure, don’t kill the spiders, though. We don’t need any more rain this year.

It was going to be two long years, I decided, before I could escape from this place. I guess I had gotten used to Carisle’s place, where I didn’t have to worry about things like this. I went back up and poked my computer to life. I sat down across the desk from the screen and pulled the keyboard to me. At least this worked. The screen flickered a little more than usual, but I kept the best control I could. At least the computer fan whirred away as it should. That hadn’t been the case the last time I had tried.

A whole summer without a computer. I felt almost sad as the usual gecko came up on screen and then straight to desktop. It was nice just to get it running. Carisle seemed to have installed the usual programs, basics. My music was there, however. I fired up a terminal and started to play a tune. The speakers worked; well, the one close to me crackled a little, but it was all good. It was just a foot away after all.

I left it playing and went back to my clothes, sorting and putting them into the dresser and wardrobe. It had to be done, and now was as good a time as any. I finished as the album did. I went over and checked my mail. It wasn’t a lot apart from the spam. Three mails were from Dad; he had given up after two weeks of no replies. Mum probably hadn’t told him until he called. I wrote a quick reply, explaining and that from now on I would reply.

I looked at the clock in the corner and noticed it was getting late. I went down for a sandwich, planning to go to bed after that. Mum was in the kitchen already putting on the spread. I sat down in silence and got one. Mum hadn’t called out dinner. Probably to avoid Charlie going ballistic as usual when she hadn’t fixed dinner as promised.

So tomorrow, do you want to borrow the car, or will you take the bus? Mum asked. I nodded; the Volvo was all right. It was an older model, the boxy kind. I liked it though. Not much in it that could wrong even if I was the one driving it.

Thanks, Mum. I guess we’ll need to find a car on our own.

She looked relieved. Guess the buses around here were really bad for some reason. Long walks were involved probably if she looked that anxious for us to get another car.

Maybe some extra work somewhere to pay for the gas. I think your father could spring for the actual car, Mum noted dryly. He had missed to pay up once again this summer. Anyway, so job, where? It wasn’t like you’d find a job in this dink of a town easily.

Mum, know anywhere we… well, where I could find work?

That was a dangerous question to ask. She probably already had jobs planned for me. Mum was bad and good that way, planning ahead for just about everything. Sometimes too far ahead, it felt like.

Yes, I do. We’ll take that tomorrow. You’d better get to sleep. It’s ten thirty, early call tomorrow.

One of Many First Days

O n waking up, the room wasn’t familiar at all; nothing was where it thought it should be. I realized that I was home after a minute of looking around.

Super.

Well, at least Mum would make breakfast. I got up, got my things, and went to the bathroom. Apparently, I was the first one out of bed since the toilet wasn’t locked.

Small and sparse, Charlie had taken over every inch of space where you could put anything. No surprise there, really. There was a hook at least to hang my stuff on, and that was it. I would have to get one of those gluey kind of things and put up a small holder for my things during the week. Or ask Mum to buy one. I would have asked before the summer, but I guess living with Carisle had changed me a little.

"If you want it done properly, do it yourself, boy."

Wise sentiment, possibly, however maddening it had been when he first said it. I got in the shower and took it like a man—too cold first and then too hot. Mum never got the new kind of faucets controls. She liked the old school too much. Anything before the seventies was too modern for her taste by the looks of it.

A quick shower and then back to my room. I heard Charlie open her door, and I quickly escaped through mine. She wasn’t a morning person; I bet she was in a foul mood. It was a sure bet.

I got dressed in a hurry; having something ready to put in her mouth would halt the worst of any outburst to come. Usually at least. Dad and I had devised the tactic a long time ago.

I grunted as I pulled on a pair of black chinos followed by a T-shirt and a bluish shirt. I felt overdressed, which in itself was a good indication that I probably was. I pulled along a hoody and went downstairs. Giving Charlie a fashion question was another way of shutting her up. It felt silly, but if experience had taught me anything, it was to shut her up quickly.

Mum was already in the kitchen frying eggs and bacon. The porridge was in a pot by the side. There was always some kind of oatmeal with breakfast, but still, it was something to eat. I got a bowl of it and some milk and jam. It was fine by me, now. Carisle hadn’t offered any alternatives, so I had gotten used to it.

Morning to you too, sunshine, Mum smiled at me as I sat down to eat. I swallowed down the porridge. It was just, dull.

Morning. Hurricane warning, it will arrive in twenty minutes. I grinned at her, Welcome to the morning ritual with brother in the house.

Mum just rolled her eyes and got herself a helping of coffee and a plate with egg sandwiches.

I think it will be no different than usual, she replied with a tired sigh. Apparently, temper tantrum wasn’t a new thing here. I merely nodded and finished off my bowl of porridge in silence. I got up to get a glass of juice and a sandwich, and by the time I sat down again, I could clearly hear stomping in the stairs. I wasn’t surprised; it was like a Scotsman playing bagpipes, fear-inducing before the battle. Mum looked down in her coffee.

Charlie rounded the corner and stopped. It was obvious she had somehow forgotten that I was here. She didn’t look pissed or happy, more like annoyed, frowning at me. Like when you had forgotten something. I decided to take advantage of that.

This shirt or the hoody? I pointed to the one I had brought down and tossed over a chair. She looked at me and then at the hoody; she grimaced and just pointed to the hoody. Apparently, dressing up was bad; I had guessed it correctly earlier.

Charlie banged around a little in the kitchen and came out with her own bowl. We finished breakfast quickly and left without another word. Charlie looked like she was contemplating murder. A lovely morning mood indeed.

I went up and changed and got my bag. It had been for my laptop, but now it would serve as a book-bag. Practical reuse at least. I could fit in a few books, pencils, and other essentials. Plus, it looked kind of cool, I thought. I knew Charlie would take a while, so I looked over my book collection; it wasn’t impressive. The light flickered as I sighed, losing control again. I’d got one of Carisle’s books.

Magic, a Practical Guide. It was really his, handwritten and bound in leather covers. Small enough to be confused with a Filofax, one could hope.

I had to learn to control it if I wanted to last here without being a complete recluse that no one wanted to talk to for fear of their electrical devices getting fried. It was clearly not a good thing to be that. Carisle had been adamant about under which conditions I was to return back to him. Finish high school. Spend a few years learning from him, and then I was on my own, college, work or whatever else I felt like. I flipped it open and began to read.

I sighed as I heard Charlie banging on the door, calling me out. Time to go and get educated. I opened the door and stepped out and closed my door. Charlie called out from the below.

Mum, keys! Morgan, get a move on. I won’t be late because of you!

It was going to be that kind of day. I felt sorry for her classmates-to-be. I would survive two more years; I had managed sixteen before this. I got down as quickly as I could to avoid the ire. Mum gave me the keys as I passed her in the hall. She pulled on a bicycle helmet and walked out behind me, locking the door.

I’ll be back by five. If you are hungry, you can make dinner yourself, she smiled as she got on her bicycle. I tossed the keys to Charlie; it would be easier on the ears at least. I got in the car on the passenger side and buckled in. Safety first, especially with sisters driving.

Thanks, bro, she smiled and reversed out of the driveway, not checking her mirrors more than once. I shuddered and wrapped my field hard around me. It wasn’t really that hard anymore, just tiring to remember it all the time. Like holding in your stomach.

Charlie drove in silence, and she did look before she accelerated the car across crossings. She knew where we were going at least. We were on time; we had a few minutes to spare in fact. I got out the map that was in the envelope the school had sent. First class was on the other side, of course.

Well, my first class is over there, Charlie pointed out to a building. See you at lunch I guess. She smiled and tossed me the keys and ran away. She obviously was happy about something.

Sure, I said to myself. I got my bag from the seat and locked my side. I walked around and locked hers as well. Definitely, something was making her happy. It wasn’t me. That much was for sure, probably someone in school.

I walked away toward my classroom. First class was English with a Mr. Gareth. Not my favorite subject but it could be worse. I finally found it and went to the back of the room, better to avoid catching Gareth’s eye if possible. Being new was always a risk. People made so many snap decisions about you that stuck. Changing schools a lot helped with making the first one good. Or at least not too memorable most of the time.

The room filled up rather quickly; I had been almost the first in, so everyone had gotten an eyeful of the newcomer anyway. Mr. Gareth was almost last in and looked as dour as you’d expect. I got out a notebook and pen. It was better to be prepared for the worst when the teacher looked as grumpy as he did.

As you all have noted by now, we have a few new students as usual this year, Gareth noted dryly as he looked around the room. Would you mind standing up and introducing yourself?

I got up alongside with two the other apparently new students. The girl behind me calmly introduced herself.

Rose Rathforde.

Her voice was bored. She looked bored, like she had already done it too many times already, just like I had due to Dad’s constant moving around. Her face drew me in, however—green, like my own. Her face was pale, framed by her platinum white hair. She glanced at me for a brief second before looking away.

Morgan Raines, new arrival from Ohio, I said, slumping back into my seat with a sigh of relief. I hated that part. It let everyone know who the new kid was, the new target.

Irina Chavez, moved here New Mexico, the tanned girl said, her voice chipper. She looked bright, almost eager to be here. The sun was shining in through the window hitting, every place except Rose and her white skin. She didn’t look like she was an albino but still, she was odd. Irina seemed to attract it though, her skin positively glowing in the sunlight. The whole of her was, well, warm.

Apparently that was enough of us, and Mr. Gareth quickly started handing out sheets of the work to be completed this year in his class. It was the classical year apparently; Shakespeare, Chaucer, and Jonathan Swift were on the list among others. It would be a breeze since that was all Carisle bothered to keep around his place aside his books on magic. Research material he had called them.

I looked around quickly and saw that Rose smiled a little as she eyed the list. Apparently she liked them or had already read them as well. Most of the others seemed to be groaning on the inside on seeing the list, and in two cases, on the outside. It was like an unwelcome aunt come to visit on your fifteenth birthday. You knew them well enough to avoid them, but sometimes there was no way around the awkward hug.

The class got under way and Shakespeare was first up. We had a brief history of his works and life. The hour went past mercifully quickly, and I dug out my map as I exited the room. Not paying attention got me in trouble. I bumped into Rose at the door, trying to walk out as she did. Her face told me all I needed to know. She now disliked me. Clumsy fool was probably the nicest she’d call me for a while. I winced at the thought. She might be as cool as ice, but she sure was a sight.

When I got out into the hallway, I leaned against the wall to avoid being in the way. Next class was around the corner, biology. I walked around there quickly and, of course, got in last it seemed. There was a slew of students already there and only one place open. Lucky me, it was next to Irina. I smiled as I sat down next to her. She smiled back with some warmth.

Morgan, right? she asked, trying to memorize names and faces. I nodded.

And you are Irina.

I didn’t ask really, just making a statement. She smiled at me and nodded, apparently happy to be remembered. New school and she probably wanted to fit in and get friends. I smiled back; why not make one friend at least? She was cute, and she seemed to be genuinely nice by first impression, if a little too perky.

Mrs. Kilroy entered, clearly a grumpy lady in her sixties, couldn’t get any worse for me. The worst combo of teacher to subject. She certainly didn’t waste any time to prove it either. She handed out the papers and told us all to take a copy and pass them on. It was on amphibians. I groaned internally at this. I knew there had to be that but why?

Oh was Irina’s only comment reading through this. Apparently this was a bad thing for her too, I hoped at least.

Oh? I whispered to her. I immediately wished I hadn’t. Kilroy looked at me as did Irina, one frowning and the other one smiling.

I’ve already done this. Good for you, yeah? she smiled warmly. Obviously, she had noticed my take on the paper. I nodded and smiled. That would certainly make things easier for me. The class got under way with books being passed out. Then followed a long lecture on amphibians. Kilroy finished her last sentence; the bell rang. Perfectly timed to the second. I knew I would come to loathe her, this teacher that had it down so perfectly. No mistakes would be overlooked. That was for certain.

Irina and I made our way to the cafeteria, getting the basics over, name, original place, and what we thought of the color on the walls. Well, she was at least chatting about her old home and friends; I listened politely. I got our food on one tray. Cheap trick but she was pleasant in her own ditsy way, well worth to try to make friends with her.

She looked around and, of course, found her table. Not the one I would have expected, however. She dropped down with the geeks, and not just any geeks. The role-playing crowd. I looked them over as I walked over after Irina and saw that Rose was there as well as a number of other guys and another girl were sitting there. Rose was sitting at the far side thankfully, sitting slightly outside the circle but still clearly with them. The leader of the group seemed to be the guy in a shirt and a vest. He did have a calculator in one of the pockets. On the table among the trays were also what had marked them as role-players, the rule books for a game. I recognized it actually—vampire game.

I had played it with my friends back in Ohio. Never really got the grasp of the concept, but I was good at the rules at least. I had played a few times before Dad had pulled up stakes again. I nodded and saw that there were new rules, mages, and werewolves. Cute.

The rest of the guys looked up and offered a bit of space for me and Irina without really being asked. A cute girl can do that I guess. We sat down, and Irina being her, introduced us and got their names in return. Mike was the leader, and Maurice and Gene were his wingmen by the looks of it. Ashley was the other girl and with her came Rolf. Rose didn’t offer her name, but Mike introduced her, quite possessively at that. I nodded and asked if she had been in our English class. She merely nodded, and that was it. I didn’t really care that much; a cold shoulder was a cold shoulder after all. At least she hadn’t bit my head off.

I talked with Mike instead, inquiring about the game. It was a safe topic, and maybe I could play normal here. Irina tried to talk with Ashley; it was a quiet conversation, and I missed it completely. I always felt like a creep when I listened in without being invited into the conversation anyway. As lunch drew to a close, I checked my schedule and saw the next class was math. The map I got directed me toward the building Charlie had been going to this morning.

As everyone else got up, I did too, looking to Irina, half wishing she’d had that as well but apparently she and Ashley had Spanish together. Sucked to be me.

Mike seemed pleased I wasn’t looking at Rose at least. I made my way over to the classroom only to find the same as in biology, expect now the Ice Princess was alone, of course. I sat down next to her and took out my pad for notes. She didn’t even look to me. I didn’t know what to do, introduce myself again? Apologize? Probably would get my head ripped off or worse, fall flat on my face. I decided to merely nod at her and look to the blackboard.

She didn’t even acknowledge that little gesture. Obviously, she had decided to ignore me. The teacher didn’t even look up as he entered, but instead, he started to pass out books from the trolley that he had with him. There was a paper as well to sign. Rose signed before me; her neat signature, her perfect lettering made me self-conscious. It was oddly silent in this classroom I noticed, like no one dared to make a sound. Once he got the paper back with the right amount of signatures, he wrote his name on the blackboard.

Mr. Sturgeon.

He looked over the signatures and noted the new names, I guessed, but he made no remark of me and Rose. Seemed to be the norm here somehow. I opened the book to the page he wrote on the blackboard. It was basic trig which I had aced last semester, the only subject aside computer-programming. He went through the explanations and the use of them in some places. He wasn’t really dull; he just had a boring subject, and being right after lunch, it wasn’t optimal, everyone rushing from sugar or tired dealing with it.

Not once did she look at me, took any notes, or even seemed to move. It was eerie, and I understood why she had been sitting alone. It was unnerving how she just sat there, seemingly recording all things around her.

The quiz at the end was quick, and thankfully, I got my questions right. Rose answered hers as well; she spent almost no time answering them. Intimidating. That was what she was. Not a terminator but she sure could have fooled me.

I sat behind and looked at my map as the class was dismissed. It was computer science now, my former favorite subject. Now it was my most dreaded. The light flickered above me, reminding me of why. I was the last one out; only Mr. Sturgeon was left, and he smiled and let me walk out first.

So, what’s the next class? he asked politely as we exited the room. Friendly even.

Computer science, I noted with some trepidation, trying to make out where I was on the map.

Second floor in this building. He pointed out as well to the stairs leading up down the hallway. I thanked him and moved on quickly down the hall—definitely a nicer man than expected. I made my way up to the computer labs, concentrating hard on keeping my field as close as possible. It wouldn’t be a good thing to be known as the dork who shut off computers with his mere presence. I walked into the room that was written on the paper.

It was a slightly darkened room, monitors and computers buzzing away, and once again I was the last in. The bearded teacher, of course, looked up and smiled. He gave me a few papers with today’s assignment. Login, set up your account, and find a lab-partner. Then some coding in C probably.

Well, you got here last, so you don’t get to choose, I guess, he said as I looked around the room.

Ms. Rathforde, however, has no partner yet. He smiled in an apologetic way. It seemed like he dreaded that as much as I did. I walked over and sat down next to her in the corner, pushing myself way back from the computer itself. We had one to share, which was better actually; the one in front of my place was gone. I could sit back and let her do the typing.

Hello again, I muttered. Sorry, certainly don’t mean to stalk you today.

I meant it. It wasn’t even my intention, but I sure was sorry. She was cold as ice. I wondered what Mike saw in her, aside the gorgeous face. She just nodded once in my direction, while she was already typing in her password and starting up the editor we were to use.

I looked in the notes and saw the same old tired exercises again, write tic-tac-toe, a sorter of arrays, and so on. It was almost depressing. I had written these years ago on my own, but it was free credit at least. For once, I could help someone else out. Even the balance of things a bit. Although, offering Rose help would probably be interesting.

Rose was already typing it in however. Her solution wasn’t elegant, but it would work just fine. I cleared my throat. She stopped and looked at me as if I had interrupted her getting this done quickly. Her eyes were flat green as her stare bored into me.

If you use a single array, it’s easier to determine when there is a win was all I could get out, almost choking on the last word. She frowned; the rest of her cute little face, however, was mad. Being corrected wasn’t something she enjoyed. Who did?

Apparently the new kid did not get to say a word. He was to sit and be quiet. She just pushed herself back to let me have the keyboard; clearly, she wasn’t going to type anything anymore. Not a word. I quickly got the keyboard and put it in my lap and pulled back a little and started to type down the solution. It was one thing I had learned from Dad, programming. It was almost too simple now.

The monitor flickered a little now and then; it was hard typing, concentrating on my field and the solution at the same time, but I did it and the damned program compiled and ran at once. She’d probably hate my guts now; being a know-it-all got you that. I felt good though, showing I knew a thing or two of my own. It wasn’t like I would make friends with her in a hurry anyway.

Okay, a better a solution, she said in a flat voice. I looked at her sideways, and I could swear she had a bottle to her lips, drinking, despite the rules. She put it away and smiled a tart smile, like she knew she’d get away with it. I couldn’t really care less about it as long as she didn’t dump it on the keyboard.

Want to show me the second assignment? Her voice was all sweetness and sunshine. It was the same tone Charlie used, usually when she was setting me up. Oh yes, I had made an enemy today.

Sure, I said, resigning myself to the fact. I started to type in the simplest form of bubble-sort to finish this quickly and hand it over to her. I wouldn’t say a thing, I promised myself. She viewed it critically as I typed in, looking for faults for sure.

You made the comparison the wrong way, she smiled when she spotted the reversed logic. I’d just sorted it the wrong way around, like the assignment was intended. Just not right away. Apparently she hadn’t read it carefully enough or figured that it was a trap. It could be, I had to admit, to catch those reading the books or the net too carefully.

I’ll fix it later. Just getting the algorithm down, I replied instead of telling her. She probably thought I was a jackass, but she let it go.

I had it down and compiled it. Of course, I had forgotten a few things and fixed them; then it ran. It did the assignment to specification. Rose just nodded as she looked at me. I handed over the keyboard and pushed even farther back in the corner. No need to push my luck.

What, don’t want to show off how you will solve the last one? she said with a frosty voice. I shook my head, my mouth dry enough to make the Sahara look like a sea. I had to focus on my field, contain it. She looked down in her papers and read them again.

She started off writing and did she write fast, her fingers almost a blur as she wrote down the solution. She had indented everything perfectly. It was borderline surreal how it came down, and then she compiled it. It ran flawlessly, of course. She had been playing silly buggers earlier, letting me know I sure wasn’t the best here.

Very nice, uhm. Done this before, haven’t you? I asked, looking at the screen to avoid looking at her. I almost forgot my field; the monitor fizzled a little. I quickly got it back and took a deep breath as well, so close. She frowned at the screen, reaching out to touch it to see what was wrong with it.

Should we show the teach this to get out of here early? I asked quickly to avoid more investigation of the screen. She nodded and got up and fetched him, her demeanor that of queen calling a servant to task. He quickly reviewed our work and nodded his approval.

Nice work, Ms. Rathforde. You could have let Raines do some work, he sighed as he checked us off the list.

He did the first and second assignment, she said with a slightly derisive tone. He probably didn’t pick up on it. He just nodded and smiled at me. He seemed to enjoy that someone had been seated with her and been able to keep up. Or at least been the receiver of her ill temper. I wondered what had made her the way she was.

Good. Well, you are done then. I have a few things to pass out at the end when everyone else has finished, he said and went back to a couple at the top of the room, who apparently didn’t get the gist of it. I nodded and resigned from reality a bit. Just sit it out.

I woke up with a sudden jerk when a cold hand touched mine. I looked into Rose’s eyes, green. Greenish, her face was, however, still cold, almost hostile. It was just for an instant, seeing just her eyes in her cute little face. I blinked as she opened her mouth.

Wake up, dreamy head. Trying to talk to you here. She frowned at me. I nodded and shrugged slightly. Damned cold hand, but then most girls were like that—cold hands.

Sorry, I was thinking on something. What did you want? I said in a gruff voice. It was hard to be nice to her, however cute she was. She frowned at me and shrugged and turned away. I blinked; apparently, she had been trying to be nice and make up or at least trying to smooth over things as we were now stuck with each other for this semester at least.

Sorry. Just not liking first days very much, I said as a form of apology. It was weak, and I knew it as it left my lips. Rose merely nodded. No hint of a smile there.

Okay. I’m not used to being second to other people, she noted dryly. Clearly competition freak. But she had said she was second to me. Except I knew I wasn’t; she had made that point clear as well. I hoped it was a good thing but probably not in the long run.

"Sorry, just good