The dorm didn’t have a lift. So life was a little terrible. 

And when I reached the bottom floor, I remembered something. 

‘Oh shit.’     

I forgot my proof of admission which I had to show at the auditorium before being permitted to enter for the opening ceremony in two hours. If I just had a Holo, this wouldn’t have happened: I wouldn’t have had to carry that shit. Shit, indeed.

***

The field of this school was very large and the green grass kept it well decorated. Although most of the people had powers, nobody seemed to use them for anything other than actual work or games. It seemed like a waste, really.

And here I was expecting people to fool around, injure each other, and conquer cities. I guess that stuff only went down in my family. A shiver went down my spine. I definitely didn’t want to think about my family. 

However, no matter where you went, there were always a few exceptions: more like, a few idiots. And I was staring at one.

Apparently, a girl was climbing a few hundred meter solid pole at a corner of the field without any equipment. I could see a monkey tail from below (just barely) but honestly she seemed more like a gorilla.

‘Why does this school have a pole?’ 

But more importantly, why was someone climbing a freaking pole? 

The pole was rather thin and could barely sustain her weight: swaying this way and then that way. It was rather slippery too, and quite shiny. If it were me, I wouldn’t have been able to climb a single meter, and I had no plans on trying.

The girl attracted a lot of crowd. Students glared in awe. I didn’t blame them. There were always these kinds of people everywhere. But what did worry me was the school disciplinary committee. Because wasn’t this climbing thing a bit dangerous? Shouldn’t somebody have stopped her?

I sighed. 

‘Not my problem.’

  I was about to leave the place when suddenly screams came from the top. 

I didn’t have a second to double-check.

With a sinking feeling I looked up and moments later found myself in utter pain. 

And yes, now it was my problem.

I groaned and moaned. This was probably the worst pain of my life. Probably not. “What the hell is wrong with you!” And all the pain bubbled up as pure rage.

“Sorry!” Apparently, a wild gorilla had fallen from the sky. “I’m really sorry. And thank you as well. If it weren’t for you…” Her voice betrayed her gorilla-like behavior.

What’s worse, she elbowed me on my left shoulder as she fell. Damn gorilla!

‘Is my arm even alive?’

I couldn’t move it much, but the pain indicated that it was still attached and very much alive.

How the hell did this work though? I was at a fair distance. Did she jump from the top and aim for me or something? Was I, her target all along!

She got off me and soon help came in the form of some students who looked more important than the rest. They had different uniforms and flashy badges: weird caps included. They were probably chosen elites of the school, who maintained discipline after hours when teachers weren’t around. The prefects perhaps? Or maybe the disciplinary committee?

The students, who were watching the fun, were still watching the fun. I really wanted to punch them but, it wasn’t an option.

I wasn’t all that hurt but since the prefects cared all that much about me, I thought I’d play along. Besides, if I just jumped up right away, a lot of people were going to say things like “Show off!”

I already had enough of these spectator’s shit, so I didn’t want to give them any excuses.

So, I didn’t waste time and let them carry me to the nurse’s office. I was being carried like a king, a king on a wheelchair, but oh well. I got all sorts of stares, again. But my grin didn’t disappear even for a second: the grin of despair that is. 

On the way, the prefects said stuff like, “It’s gonna be alright.” I didn’t pay much attention though. They left me in the nurse’s office and left: so much for checking whether I lived or died. It wasn’t anything grave, so I didn’t blame them. 

‘Maybe they have to put on a flashy display to make the school look good?’

There were a lot of parents at the school and this was the first day, so it was understandable and very plausible.

I sighed and looked around. The nurse’s office didn’t really have much in it. Four beds, some instruments and that’s it. 

***

The nurse checked my body. “I don’t see any external injuries, but are you okay?” She could tell I wasn’t hurt even without looking at me. I guess this was why there wasn’t much in here.

I didn’t have anything to hide from her. Besides, I didn’t like lying. That was why I kept my mouth shut till now, so I didn’t have to lie. “Mostly. I wanted to get out of that situation and this seemed most efficient, so-“

“SO you pretended. Well, you are a teenage boy. I suppose that’s what kids do at your age.” She was sorting through things.

“Do they?”

“Well, they used to.” She giggled. She applied some sort of gel on my shoulder. “Should be nothing but a bruise. You’re a tough boy, aren’t you?”

‘Was she this weak when I first came in?’ 

“I work out three days a week, nothing special.” I shrugged. It really wasn’t. “Anyway, I’d rest for a few minutes and then head back. Is that okay with you?”

It was more like I used to work out, nowadays I only did some exercises in the morning and that was basically it. 

“Three days a week before even high school? Yeesh!” She didn’t wait for my reply. “And of course, take your time. I’ll have to leave before five so don’t stay for too long. Oh wait, you’d have to leave before five too. “

I looked at the watch. It was a little over four. Time flew by like a missile. And she was right; I’d have to be at the auditorium by five. I still didn’t know where it was though.

I thought for some time. This school was one of the best in the world and it definitely had its issues. But issues aside, I could see myself achieving something here. If I could just make use of my talents and knowledge then I could very well get myself a decently paying job and stabilize my family. That’s what really mattered. And perhaps once I was settled, I could pursue my dreams of becoming an explorer. 

Or maybe I could get lucky and land on an explorer mission first thing after graduation. The possibilities were endless: probably not.

My abilities were good but my academics sucked. I never liked studying and though I went on and on about reading books, I never actually read much. And my family couldn’t actually afford the high-tech memory implants either. Mom was in too much debt already. 

Sigh. 

Life really was a drag. 

***

I left exactly at four-thirty. My body ached a little but it would take a lot more than just some random gorilla to hurt me bad. Besides, the gel worked pretty well. I didn’t feel much pain anymore and I could only assume it was some sort of anesthetic.

With a smile, I came outside of the room. The grin on my face was the sign that I succeeded. When I first started looking around the field, I was a little lost. So when I got elbowed from the top, it was a good thing for me. Not only did I escape from an unwanted situation, I also got free transport to the school nurse. I still didn’t know where this was. But at least I’d have one less thing to worry about.

As long as I could find my way out. 

I could have always gotten a map on a holo-bracelet. But the problem was that there was no bracelet. I couldn’t afford one. Everyone around me had one and it functioned like a computer with a holographic screen. It even worked like a phone and most importantly a GPS. I really wished I wasn’t so broke.

With a sigh, I exited. But just outside the door, someone waited for me. Someone I didn’t want to meet. 

“I-I’m really sorry!” she started.

‘Oh shoot.’