"Who do you think that is?" I hear my best friend, Tayler whisper as she points to a zooming figure to far to identify.

"I don't know, maybe a bird?" I grunt

Ever since paladin became common, people assume that every single thing that moves in the sky is a hero. And I'm kinda tired of it. Everywhere I go ads cover the walls selling a product that a certain paladin "uses" but we all know paladins don't actually use the "mighty plunger", But does that stop people like Tayler from buying it? No, it doesn't.

"I think I saw a red cape! Do you think it was Heatwave!" Tayler giggles like a little girl at a candy shop, wiggling around. I roll my eyes at her childish ways but still smile a little.

"Red? I saw white with two wings. 99% sure it was a seagull" I pointed out. "that other percent goes to an airplane."

"Such a Party pooper! So what's up with you?" She pulls out her phone as we get near the hell hole. Also known as school. Kids crowd around the parking lot, laughs can be heard around. Who's that happy in a place like this?

"Nada, basic stuff. Oh! I did do my math homework!" Which is a big thing for me, I don't like doing homework until the last period. I don't procrastinate, I just have better things to do like watching YouTube tutorials in how to get a 4.0 gpa.

Tayler walks in front of me, blocking my way from taking another step. "Guess who I saw!"

I shrug, stepping into the sidewalk curb and going into a hallway. The bad thing about my high school is that it's not an indoor school. The hallways have no roof, so when it rains we're all screwed..

"I think I saw Blue Lagoon. At least I think it was him." She taps on her chin, trying to figure out if she saw him or just a fan.

"You need to stop with the paladin stuff, there overrated." I point out, as the first bell rings to head to first period. Kids start heading towards their classroom. "Some aren't even paladins, they just have powers but don't actually use them for greater good"

We enter the juniors hallway and start walking to paladins study, which used to be called history class according to what my mom has told me, and take our seats.

"It's just amazing to think about being a paladin and there so hot. What if I'm a paladin?" Tayler nudges me as everyone starts filling the class.

"Hmm maybe." I pull out my notebook.

"It can happen! Don't just say hmm! Not all paladins have heroic parents."

We sit down next to each other in the middle row, and open up our notebooks.

There's two ways someone can become a paladins, either parents have powers, or by some sort of black magic they appear. When the first paladins were "discovered" (but really we all know they just came out from hiding) random people have started developing powers. But that was way back in the 2029's. Now, it rare that a person with no genes connected to a paladin has a power. But it can happen, for example Nick Jones. Fell into a puddle near a gas station, accidentally swallowed some dirty chemical water. Now he's best known as "PudGas". Which is a very unfortunate name.

"I never said it can't, I just rather waste my time thinking about Harry Potter  then thinking about getting some random powers that might never happen" I told Tayler, I see her head shake in disbelief

Once upon a time, I actually loved and "obsessed" over paladins and waited for my powers like a child waits for there Hogwarts letter. My Light brown hair with brown eyes isn't exactly paladin materiel. Once I figured that out at the age of 15, I gave up on becoming a paladin. But Tayler on other hand, can actually fit in as a paladin if she was one. With her pin straight blond locks and her brown/green eyes, I wouldn't be surprised if she was secretly this paladin named Waved, known for her blonde hair.

We walk into our class, Mr.Dunn already at his desk. Tayler shuffles her things. The late bell rings and a few late kids file in, giggling.

Mr. Dunn reaches for his marker and writes "Techstroke"  a famous hero that can control technology with her mind. Out of all the paladins, she's my least favorite. Something about doing school work as a power turns me off.

"Techstroke. The first female that can build a cellphone in milliseconds. Does anyone know her other powers?" Mr.Dunn asks the now quiet class.

20 hands go up at the same time, whispers all around naming her other powers. I keep my hand low and try to make myself as invisible as possible. I never study for this class so if I get picked, I'm in a pickle. Who even says that nowadays?

Mr. Dunn's eyes search the classroom and land on the geekiest person here. Like this school isn't even that cliche but this guy is the stereotypical geek.

"Cameron? What powers does she have?"

Cameron stands up, which I think is just to show off his brains and make sure everyone listens, which everyone does.

"Techstroke has the powers of controlling technology, X-ray vision, and super hearing. She cannot fly, but she has equipment to transport anywhere. She's 25 years old and was first discovered in 2009 when she won the science fair contest for a teleporting machine." Cameron sits down as if he just got handed the novel peace prize. A faint smirk is on his lips.

"Thank you Cameron but I just wanted to know the powers, not her wiki page." Mr.Dunn explains as the class erupts with laughter, I turn around to see Cameron's face turn red.

"Anyone wants to add anything in?" Mr. Dunn asks, "not that there's much else"

"Oh me!" Tayler yells as she flips through her notebook. "Her partner is Electro but has lately been working with Tecton as of February 25!" Tayler nods as she looks up from her paladins book, or as she calls it "Tayler's bible"

"Thank you Tayler, that's all for the class. Fill out your Techstorke research paper and you can have free time once you're done." Mr.Dunn sits on his chair as the class starts yelling out to their friends across the classroom.

"If I was a paladin, my name would be... hmm I actually don't know" Tayler taps me on the shoulder when she notices that I'm not commenting on her little situation. "Why aren't  you talking!"

"Sorry, I kinda just don't want to talk about paladins it's getting old." I scribble random words on my paper. Why can't this school teach me how to do taxes?

"I know, how about Tay-master" Tayler shouts

**
"Look who's coming" Tayler points her eyes towards a boy, maybe even the hottest boy.

"Act natural!" I shove Tayler  into the lockers as I pretend I dropped something. I searched the ground until I feel his gaze on me.

"Hey guys" West says, doing that little sup thing guys do.

"Um hi" I wave as he walks past us. Tayler starts giving me that ugly smile she does when she wants to say something she knows I won't like. "Zip it." I mumble

I hear Tayler giggling, I close my locker as I roll my eyes.

"I love you so much west! Don't leave me!" Tayler mocks me as we walk to the outside of the school.

"Stop, can we just go ho-"

"What up, what we doing right now?" Our other friend Grayson yells over me.

Grayson is less annoying than Tayler but less understanding than her too. So it's just a good mix to keep both of them around or else I would probably always have migraines.

"This butthead is being a downer, she hasn't said anything since paladins studies." Tayler explains to Grayson "all she does is make grunting noises"

"If you consider my talking "grunting" that's rude. And I've talked but since it's not about paladin, you never listen ." I whine as we get out of the school and into the parking lot.

"Ouch, but it's also fun to think about a different reality where we can all be paladin. I've been wanting to be invisible so I could go into the girls lock-" Taylor and I smack Grayson before he can finish the sentence.

"Ow! I was going to help them do braids! Don't girls like that" Grayson laughs as he opens his jeeps  door.

"Just let us in" I open the passenger door as Grayson turns on the car.

Tayler and I immediately go into our phones. I check my RedYah feed and all I see once again, the paladins update. This is why I'm annoyed. No news about world hunger, but oh yay! New article on what paladin would be your best friend based on your choice of garlic bread! Thanks buzzfeed.

"No wonder paladin wear mask, I wouldn't want this-" I point at my phone "to be my normal life"

"The paladins save our world! Without Them we would be fried chicken so they deserve the medias attention, Carter!" Tayler argues as the car stops at a light. I grumble some more and then turn off my phone, what's the point of being on it if I'm just going to get agitated.

"I agree with Tayler, paladins are the shit" Grayson swerves into a street, my house getting closer. I put my attention back on the road, might as well stare at people walking by if I don't want to be triggered again by the internet.

"I mean I guess" I mumble as the car goes still. "Thanks Grayson, bye tay" I yell as I walk towards my home sweet home.

No cars in the driveway, home alone once again. I skip to my front porch. Making sure I don't step in the grass. Mom would kill me.

I take out my key and open the door. No one is ever home. Mom is at work, dad is at work, and my little brother is at daycare. This is seriously my life. Alone and filled with paladins.

I rush up the stairs and into my room, throwing myself into my small twin bed.

"I missed you bed!" I smear my face into my pillow.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, a text?

I walk to my night stand and check but all I
see is an unknown number.

From: unknown
Is this Carter William?

I look around as to see if someone was watching me. What do I say? Do I answer?

I think about what my mom would tell me to do: don't answer and we'll go switch your number later.

"Hmm, I'm tired of playing it safe" I whisper to myself as I start typing back

To: unknown
Who's this?

I start walking toward my desk when I feel the buzz in my hand, dang this person texts quick! I look around making sure nobody is here. This is some horror movie scene type of thing.

From:Unknown
Your invitation to Kent high school

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Hope y'all liked this chapter, I really don't know where this is heading all I know is that I already live this story more than anyone

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I edited this out so if you see anymore mistakes please comment them. Ohh and I also changed a lot of things from this chapter so the rest of the chapters can go together more seamlessly.