Breathe in the Embers

Part 29

As Mr. Ludo had promised, the formalities were short indeed once he put in a good word. Apparently the Principle, herself a renowned hero named Phoenix, was most eager to have someone with powers as unique as Martin’s attending Azimuth. Their hero program evidently needed a boost, and Martin fit the bill nicely.

The first day of school had been approaching rapidly before, but now it was like Martin blinked and it was there. Azimuth Academy. The first name in powered education, both chronologically and based on reputation. The only predecessor had been Sunspire, and the disastrous first semester there, a plot by villains, didn’t really count.

So before he knew it, Martin was walking in the front door of the most prestigious and reputable school for powered individuals, and he had packed for a semester at his first boarding school. Just three bags contained the next 4 months of his life.

Kevin and Sue dropped him off of course. All the parents were crowding in the parking lot, August 10th being the only day scheduled for moving in. They’d hugged him goodbye, wished him luck, and asked for the hundredth time if he needed help. He’d declined. He was a high schooler now, and while he appreciated the offer, he wanted to be seen doing things on his own from the start here. Independence was an intoxicating concept, and he was about to get his first taste.

Inside the front doors, Martin gave his name to an older student wearing a shirt that said ‘WELCOME TO AZIMUTH!!!’ on it. She somehow contrived to look both bored and hassled at the same time. He received his room assignment and was directed upstairs. The whole experience thus far was depressingly mundane, until he reached the dorm level. That would have blown him away if he hadn’t taken the tour already.

Two long hallways lined with solid steel doors, sliding panels at eye height to allow those within to peer out. Martin wondered why they’d decided to retrofit the doors so thoroughly, allowing them to open and lock from inside instead of out, but then kept the asylum aesthetic. It had been a wildly controversial decision back in the day, when powered individuals were often shunned. Now though, it was just awesome.

Quickly locating room 62, which was no difficult feat since they were in numerical order, Martin tossed his stuff in. He had only brought enough clothes for a week since they’d be getting uniforms. He could do laundry every seven days, no problem. Otherwise, his gaming laptop fit in his backpack along with his school supplies. Other necessities, such as pillows, blanket, sheets, and so one, were in his other duffel bag. He was quite weighed down. Three months prior he wouldn’t have managed it all. Now, it was simple, and Martin caught quite a few impressed glances as he walked in. He couldn’t help but smile. More than a few of those looks had come from girls.

“Lithuega was right, I guess the difference really is noticeable.” he muttered, beginning to unpack his clothing. Less than a minute had passed before a loud bang sounded from his metal door. Oh no. He hoped none of the juvenile individuals in the building got it into their heads to clang anything against those in the dead of night. It would be deafening, and is also the kind of childish prank others his age seemed to think constituted a sense of humor.

Martin slid open the metal window, hardly at all surprised to find Margaret outside in the hall. Of course, her parents stood behind her, relegating their usual banter to something more appropriate. “Heya Marty! Guess who got a room right down the hall.”

“Zack Effron.” Martin guessed drily, picking a name out of thin air. He had no idea who the person he named was, he’d just heard it on TV or drifting around social media.

“No, he’s like, old now. Open the door already! We’re practically neighbors you know, maybe I need a cup of sugar.”

“Considering how bitter you are,” Martin retorted, opening the door and grinning, “I’d say you’ll need way more than one cup to sweeten up.”

Margaret snorted. “That’d be funny if it made any sense. I’m delightful.”

“Hey Martin.” Mr. Kane greeted with a wave, genuinely happy to see him as always. Margaret’s dad had always liked the two of them being friends, probably because Martin was such a hard worker, and very polite. He often joked about the two of them being a good couple, much to Margaret’s chagrin. “Glad to see Margy will have at least one friend here already! Quite a move for both of you, eh?”

“Yes it is.” Martin nodded, shaking the proffered hand. He made sure his grip was firm but not tight, just like Kevin had taught him.

“We hope the two of you will help each other out. Keep an eye out for each other.” Mrs. Kane added, glaring at several boys who were talking to every single unaccompanied girl who walked down the hall.

“Dear…”

“What? I don’t like this co-ed dorm situation.”

“They’re in different rooms. With steel doors, standard locks, sliding bolts, and an actual bar to pull across in case a… I dunno, maybe an elephant, is trying to force it open. No one is getting inside unless the occupant wants them inside.”

“Yeah, because nothing else could happen like…”

“Mom! Dad! I’m not an idiot. You’ve given me the talk like a hundred times. I’ll be careful, and Martin will look out for me too. You don’t need to worry.”

“Of course not honey.”

“Yeah.” Mr. Kane admitted, glancing at Martin. “You’ve really bulked up over the summer, son. You hitting the gym or are the hormones hitting you?”

“Dear!”

“What? It’s a valid question!”

Margaret rubbed a hand down her face.

Martin grinned.

Well, school definitely wasn’t going to be dull. Margaret was here, and that alone was enough. He hadn’t even met any of the others, or told them about his power. There was no way Azimuth was going to be as boring as St. Martin’s!