Chapter 2-the school

A day just like this, the weather cool with low sunshine and humid sea breeze, was just what nicholi needed. His muscles ached from the events of yesterday and his not- so- soft bed wasn't making things easier for him.

He shot a quick glance at his watch and groaned. Once again, he was late for supernatural training at Kendrick's. He was so screwed.

Forcing himself off the bed, he moved quickly to the en suite bathroom in his room. A quick washing of his mouth and face later, he stood in front of his wardrobe, forcing a shirt down his body. He made a mental note to buy shirts his size and rushed off to the door. Donning his workout trousers and boots, he picked up his briefcase and walked to the kitchen. His sister stood at the stove, making breakfast.

"You're a life saver", he said, taking a piece of toast into his mouth. He gulped down a glass of water, adjusted his trousers and ran to the front door.

"You forgot your trench coat. Again", Ariana yelled after him, halting his steps.

He returned to the kitchen and picked up his coat. "What will I ever do without you?", he asked rhetorically, kissing her cheek.

"Don't forget to lock the door on your way out. I'll be home before noon and maybe we could go get icecream", he said with a smile.

"Promise?", she asked in her cute thirteen year old voice.

"Promise", he said and walked out, leaving her smiling as she continued with her meal.

Nicholi ran towards Stanford train station , bumping into people on his way and apologising profusely. He glanced at his wristwatch twice, cursing as he realized the bus would leave soon. Thankfully, he made it to the bus stop and boarded before the heavy set doors closed with finality.

On the train, he looked around, bored. He smiled when he saw a red head, wearing the same coat as he. He made his way to her.

"I thought I was the only one that was screwed", he said with a smirk.

"Not as screwed as you will be soon", she replied with a cheeky smile as she embraced him.

"You know, I kind of got in trouble", he said.

"What could Mr perfect possibly do wrong?", Nessa asked, waiting for a response.

"Well, I..I uhh... I couldn't finish off a vamp from yesterday", he stuttered, ashamed of himself.

"Ohhh, you are in huge trouble. Sir Vladimir and the x class are gonna be pissed", she said, biting her inner cheek.

"I know", he groaned tiredly. "I won...."

"Wonder why you didn't finish selka", she completed his statement.

He looked at her in surprise. "How did you know it was her?", he asked.

"I don't know what you did but Frederick was pretty pissed at you. He basically spread the news. Don't worry though, only fools listen to Frederick." She said in an attempt to make her friend feel better.

"Here we are", Nessa said and nicholi looked up and out the train window. From here, he could see Kendrick's clearly, the tall and elegant building almost reaching the sky.kendrick's had regal brick buildings ,accented with dozens of beautiful fountains,statues and sculptures.He saw a poster that read 'welcome to saint Dominica' just before the train made its stop.

"Let's get moving", he said, rushing out the door with his briefcase, nessa on his heels. They raced through the crowd on the street, stopping only when they reached the huge gates of Kendrick's.

"NEPO", Nicholi said and the magical gates opened. He turned to Nessa.

"See you later?", he asked.

"Yeah. Now get going. You're already late as it is", she said, shooing him off.

He raced into the building, drawing attention to himself. However, a voice came from behind that made him halt in his tracks.

"You're late", Mr Vladimir said, his voice sending chills down his spine.

"I'm sorry sir. I..." He began.

"Come with me", Mr Vladimir said, turning around and walking off. He followed after him, trying to keep up with his teacher's quick pace.

"Sir, about yesterday...".

"What about it?".

"I know I messed up".

"Yes you did, without a solid reason", he said and nicholi could hear the disappointment in his voice. He watched as Mr Vladimir rubbed his handkerchief across his forehead and scoffed.

"I spoke to the x-class on your behalf. It almost cost me my job. You need to stop this Nicholi. You can't keep getting your emotions mixed with these creatures", he said in an angry tone.

Nicholi felt disappointed with himself and tried apologising but the right words refused to come out.

"Well that's that. We have more pressing issues to attend to. Follow me", Vladimir said, picking up speed and Nicholi followed suit.

They got to his office and Vladimir looked at him. "Put on your coat and behave", he instructed and sprung the door open wide.

Good morning ladies and gents", he greeted, walking towards his desk. He sat down, a pair of parents returning the greeting. "Welcome to Kendrick's. You came to the right place". He said, smiling when they nodded in agreement.

The woman spoke up. "My name is Nancy Yeager. Nice to meet you". Nicholi looked at her, keeping mute. He certainly wasn't going to mess this up.

"Lovely meeting you Nancy. I welcome you to your new home and would love for you to get along nicely with everyone", Vladimir said pleasantly.

"Headmaster, she is of the water nature", Nancy's mother, Mrs Yeager said. "Her father died when she was still young and we are all each other have. Please, take good care of my daughter", she explained, adjusting her scarf around her neck.

She turned to her daughter. Nancy, remember what we discussed. Be well behaved. Don't do anything you can't okay? I love you", she said and they embraced tightly. Nancy waved goodbye and her mother stood up and left the office.

Vladimir looked at Nancy. "Nancy, I'll like you to meet Nicholi. He will show you around", he explained, pointing at him. Nancy looked at Nicholi who was speechless and she smiled. He reluctantly returned the smile.

"Nicholi, please don't get her lost", Vladimir said and showed them both out of the office, motioning in the next set of parents.

Nicholi looked over at her suitcases. "Do you need help with that?", he asked.

"Sure. Thanks", she said. Picking up her suitcases, they walked out of the building. The sun was already at its peak, the heat unbearable. They took off their coats and began surveying the school.

"So, what are the people like here?", she asked, striking up conversation.

"You will meet different types of people", he said with a laugh. "Example, there are weird people like Scott over there", he said.

"Hey", Scott yelled.

Nicholi ignored him. "Then there are those girls, famous for their water techniques", he said pointing at the fountain. A crowd were gathered around a group of girls who were displaying some really cool moves with water.

"If you ever meet a guy named Frederick, I really advise you to keep your distance", he said seriously.

"Why do you say that?", she asked confused.

In the distance, they watched some boys pour a cup of what looked like lemonade over a girl. The leader laughed, ignoring the girl's scream and walked off with his friends.

"Who is that douchebag?", Nancy asked, angry and at the same time feeling sorry for the girl.

"That's Frederick. Like I said, avoid him". He replied drily.

"Where have you been?", Nessa appeared in front of them, pulling on Nicholi's arm. She looked at the new girl. "Um, hi".

"Nessa, this is Nancy. Nancy, my friend Vanessa. Nessa for short", he made the introductions. "Nessa, Nancy is new here. She is water nature".

"Cool. She's one of us now", nessa said enthusiastically. Both girls shook hands and smiled at each other.

"So what elemental nature are you?", Nancy asked Nicholi.

"Fire", he replied with pride.

"That's so cool. I wish I could be fire", she

said.

Nessa excused herself and the duo walked on. He showed her the classrooms, training rooms, the garden and the cafeteria. They made it back to her dorm.

"Thanks. I really enjoyed the tour", she said, her arms crossed at her waist. They looked at each other for a moment too long and nicholi broke the stare.

"Yeah, it's nothing. If you ever find your way around those enormous gates...", he trailed off and they laughed.

"It's really big. Feels like we are prisoners", she sighed. She adjusted her hair and smiled.

"Yeah. I work at the coffee shop at Stanford. You know, if you want to drop by", he said.

" I'll keep that in mind ", she said. They waved at each other and she disappeared behind the towering gates.

He looked at his watch. He still had a couple of hours to spare before heading home to his sister who he was sure was awaiting his return.