Chapter 1 - Rise and shine

It's been six months since I've come to my new fancy school as first-year junior high school. Since im a guy who always gets in a trouble, of course my suspension had been also into a whole new level. not that I'm obsess to get in to a fight. I didn't have to. At my seizures of headaches not to mention; occurs on really bad timings for sure, it will always found me. Those bullies will pick on you until you're pissed for their nasty pranks. For them, im vulnerable as just a disabled kid can be, though Im used to this kind of life, but not the people who cared about me...

It was around six of morning and the sound of the alarm clock was an irritating intrusion into the comfortable haze of sleep that wrapped its arms around me. I dragged my hand out from beneath the warm cocoon of blankets to hit the snooze button. I kept my eyes closed; trying to let the haze reclaim me, but the damage had already been done. I was awake now.

I was about to prepare myself when flashes of memories surfed my head —for the three past days I was suspended for starting a fight for the second time this month. Because of it I had argue with mom for the past three days. Neither good or bad, there are limits of my temper taking those pranks which is nasty as you can imagine. But I hate it the most when they gang up on someone weaker (such people like me) and make them helpless. Which always make me want to jump on them even Im weak or having a headache, though definitely not a good idea in the first place.

So basically I was Lying from my bed for days due to suspension for commencing a fight; beating a senior bully from my school three days ago for the second time this month.

Fretting myself. "What happened was done, fuzzing over it is pointless and time to wake up."

But after all my prattle. I crawled again over my dingy bed, scooch under the drab covers, and close my eyes like nothing happened. "I just need five more minutes to gear up."

Few moments later until I hear my mom's voice that echoes around my bedroom.

"Hey Mark. Time to wake up! You don't want to be late for school, do you sweetie?"

I heard her clearly. *Mondays are pits.* I thought

I rolled my eyes "of course I want to be late for school"

Raising my head, I open my mouth just to say that, and decide againts it.

I bite my lip, yank the pillow over my head and tried to nap again.

"Mark —You're trying to sleep again aren't you" Mom said.

Her footstep echoes down the hall and pauses outside my room.

"You'll be suspended again at this rate. What do you think about that?"

I peep from under my pillow. She looms in my doorway, her fist is set on her hip while gaving me her strange smile. So she resembles a curvey figure, white-skin, dark-brown eyes, and straight hair stretching halfway down her back. Long story short, she's my mom and her name is Celia Ashe. In her mid-thirties mom still look young and gorgeous...long enough to be sexy, but short enough to remind you that she was probably smarter than you.

I fluff the pillow under my noggin.

*Being suspended means no school, no school means no trouble.* I thought.

I wag my eybrows and said. "A suspension would be bad for me because?"

"I would make it that way."

I pushed off my covers "Fine. This is me, getting up."

"Good." Mom stomps away.

I showered, pull on some sweats and sleepwalk into the kitchen, seing the familliar appliances. Everything look so peaceful and quiet. Another typical monday morning before another average day at school. But because im lucky, my average day is going home with a bruises. if not; a detention class.

I sat quietly beside mom, was on her magazine reading silently about one of the greatest scientific discoveries on earth -The Espers, humans created by a goverment corporation, they manifest psychic abilities, and were recently discovered a month ago, become trending in news, magazines and social media's. At first I was shocked about it, everyone did. Many don't believe unless they seen it actually in a footage of news coverage. Few Espers are uploading their video about how their abilities occured, but then for some reason it was deleted and banned days ago.

The foreign governments and experts—despise and sees them as an anomaly, mutants, and a threat to our society. There are 26 currently known espers that are being captivated at the U.S Government Army. A few Espers escaped the lab and refused to surrender. Espers that needed to be captivated are called "Exiles". At the time being Exiles are being hunted by the law and the order is simple—fire at will. Which is not surprising to us because they can pose a threat to a normal human.

Later on, Mom dropped the magazine in the table and took a sip of cofee before glancing over me.

"So, how are things in school?" Her eyes studied me closely.

I swallowed "It was probably doing fine."

**I guess.** I thought

"Guess being suspended for three days is fine?" Mom pouted, making great effort to hide her anger.

"Wait…Haven't we had this conversation?" Remembering the last topic didnt go well smooth, so we both fell silent knowing the conversation is pointless. Mom exhaled, trying to keep her cool.

"I suppose, We'll talk something else." she took a sip of cofee to change the mood and asked again.

"Have you made any new friends?"

I started pouring my milk and cereal as I replied

"Are we really talking about this?"

Mom nodded "of course, I want to know if you're hitting a beautiful girl lately."

I shrugged disappointingly "Sorry mom. I only have best friend since first grade."

There's only one person old enough to be remembered as a friend: Claire Howland.

I touched my chin and joked "Your good-looking son has no one to introuduce for you."

Mom looked partially comforted and gulp down her steaming coffee until it's empty "If that how it is, what can I say."

"Do you feel well?" Mom asked.

I nodded. "Healthy as a horse."

"Did you sleep well?"

"Not even a bug bite..." I replied.

"How's your headache?"

"Getting better..."

"Did you study last night?" she asked.

I nodded my head. "Yup, just a bit..."

"Is that so? You'll have troubles catching up your studies."

"I'll hit the books again later..." I replied.

"hmm…Really?, I highly doubt that." She asked again. "Any troubles?"

"Nah.Im good, I'll tell you when I have one..."

Mom can't hide the discomfort in her face, she knew the rest of my answers was a lie but she can't anything about it. So she started cleaning the dishes. after a few moments, I finished my breakfast which consist of milk, cereal, and waffles.

"Hurry up you'll be late for school, drink your medicated medicines, make sure you don't forget anything before you leave, and by the way..." This time, mom can't hide the fret in her face.

"Right now, everyone is on the edge… after that recent news about the Exiles," Mom looked troubled. "Then I heard rumors —around 4 of them are hiding in the city."

I hurriedly finished my breakfast, drinked my medicines on the table and stood to kiss my mom.

"I'll be safe, don't worry too much mom."

Mom kissed back "Bye, sweetie. You should get home before six or I'll get worried, and please no troubles okay?"

I began collecting my things and headed to the door.

"By the way, the school bus wont come to pick you up today." Mom said.

**What?!…. A good way to start a day, huh?** I thought.

I sighed exaustedly "Thanks for telling me. Bye, mom." I waved and left.

Mrs.Ashe was smiling as she watch her son exit the house.