ᵒᵖᵖᵒˢⁱᵗᵉˢ ᵃᵗᵗʳᵃᶜᵗ

╭────────── ༄.° ─╮
❝ last first day. ❞
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𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞. Lips turning in a slight grown, you sighed thinking of how your little brother was in complete disarray trying to activate his powers, to which you had repeatedly told him to at least settle down.

He was scrawny enough as it was, but no normal 15-year-old could bench 100kg weights. 

Sighing, you finished the make-up you decided for the day, standing up and brushing off your skirt. For your first day back, you had settled on a white and black button up collared shirt, pairing it with a black denim mini skirt and matching pumps.

Opening your door, you began your descent downstairs, greeting your father along the way. 

"There's my little superhero," he grinned, and you returned it with gusto, wrapping your arms around him as he hugged you. "You ready for your last first day?"

"I'm ecstatic," you exhaled, "I'm so done with school."

"I know, hon, but hey? Look how far you've come."

The pride was clear as day in his tone, and you pursed your lips in a tiny smile before continuing your walk down the stairs. "Thanks, dad."

As your father made his way towards Will, you entered the kitchen, immediately being addressed by your squealing mother. She dashed towards you, brushing her hands over your styled hair and cheeks, grazing against your arms before holding them softly.

"Good morning," she smiled, tilting her head. "Are you excited?"

"Totally," you bemused, taking a seat at the dining table where your mother placed a plate of crispy bacon and scrambled eggs. You thanked her with a smile as she sat down, watching you. "I just want to get out there, you know? I mean, I have all of the qualifications and I'm the highest ranking superhero in training."

"And as proud of you as I am, as your mother, I must encourage you to continue your schooling," she chuckled, reaching over and brushing her hand over your own.

"I know, I know," you shrugged off before plastering a smile on your face. "I'm excited for Will."

"No, you're not."

"And you think I'm lying because...?"

"When it comes to your brother and your share of kindness, those two don't tend to brush well, my love."

Your mother understood that siblings didn't get along, and although you were quite the stone-cold older sister you were to Will, she knew you would protect and help him during his first year at Sky High.

Both of your attention was drawn to the roof when you heard a sick crunch, but it was soon pulled away at the sound of the backdoor opening.

"Good morning, Mrs. Stronghold. Morning, Y/N."

Looking over, you found Layla entering the house, the girl sweetly waving at you when she came to sit down. 

"Morning," your mother greeted with a smile.

"I noticed you had some recyclables in the trash. I took the liberty of moving them for you," she said.

"Thank you, Layla. Are you hungry? I've got plenty of eggs, bacon."

"No thanks. You know how my mum can communicate with animals? Apparently they don't like being eaten."

"Who would've thought," you hummed, the girl looking over at you just as you ate a piece of bacon. 

Layla deadpanned at you whilst your mother tried to save face, "How about some juice?"

"Great."

Your father soon entered the kitchen, muttering to his wife in passing, "He's on his way. Oh, hi Layla."

"Good morning, Commander," she returned his smile.

"Commander, huh?" Layla made a gesture to his face, wiping something theoretically off from under her eye and he quickly realised, casting her a grin. "Oh. Thanks, Layla."

He sat down, grabbing his glasses and pinching your arm with a smile as Josie started speaking,  "I can't believe you and Will are starting high school. It seems like just yesterday you two were swimming naked in the kiddie pool."

"Mum!" Will entered right at the worst moment, looking at her in pained embarrassment as you barely hid a chuckle. "Hi, Layla."

The girl thanked Josie who placed a cup of orange juice on the table before she dashed off to her phone which was ringing. As she flipped it open, Steve spoke, "Josie, it's... the other one." She closed it just as he opened the bright red one, "Go... Mhm...I see. Thank you Mayor." Turning to face his wife, he explained, "There's trouble downtown. Big trouble. Downtown."

"I think she got that part," you smiled.

"Oh, shoot, and I really wanted to see Will and Y/N drive off." A memory was jogged and she was quick to grin at Layla sweetly. "I remember his first day of preschool, he wouldn't let go of my leg."

"Mum!" he groaned again, sending her a pointed look.

She pressed a large kiss to his cheek before repeating the action to you as your father started, "Oh, Will, a reminder. A lot of the kids at Sky High will only have one superhero parent, not two, so take it easy on them, huh? No showing off. That goes for you too, honey."

"Oh, dad, not to worry, I'll keep it low key," Will agreed with a nod.

"Like there's anything to show off," you mumbled before clearing your throat as your brother spun in his chair to glare at you.

As your mother called out for Steve, your father was gone in a hurry, and Will was quick to speak. "Seriously? Can I live in this house without you snarking something?"

"Hmm... No," you shrugged, and he lulled his head back with an annoyed sigh as you sprung up from your seat.

"Hmm, no," he repeated in a high pitched voice, running his thin-lipped mouth.

You pinched your face in annoyance, scrunching your features before scoffing and taking a sip of your orange juice. "Alright, I'm off," you declared.

Picking up your satchel bag, you strolled out of the kitchen and into the main hallway. You picked up the bedazzled pink car keys from the tray, ready to move towards the garage.

"Ahem."

You turned slowly at the sound of your brother clearing his throat, finding the younger boy standing at the end of the hallway with his arms crossed and a confused frown on his face.

"Yes?" you questioned in a drawl, glaring at him.

"Aren't you gonna wait for me?" Will wondered.

"And why would I do that?"

"... Aren't you driving me?"

A loud laugh escaped you a second later, and you shook your head, lifting the keys and hooking it on your forefinger, the keychains jingling against each other. "In your dreams, jackass. You're gonna experience your first day of Sky High just like I did."

"What do you mean?"

"Say hello to the Sky Bus."

A moment later, you were outside with Will and Layla, the pair watching you hop into your car. It was a gift for your sixteenth birthday because you had aced the sophomore super testing exam with the highest rank in the whole grade. 

"Why can't you drive us?" Will asked as he watched you reverse perfectly onto the road.

"Because I don't want to," you simplified, Layla letting out a chuckle at the bluntness of your statement. "And besides, why can't you go on the bus like every other kid?"

"Well, you don't have too!"

"Because I earned this car," you stated defensively. "Now, until you pass a test with more then a C, you're not getting a ride from me anytime soon. Except you, Layla."

She smiled, and had actually stepped forward slightly before Will placed a hand on her arm. "We'll get the bus, won't we, Layla?"

"Uh... sure," she sighed, waving at you as you pulled out of the driveway. 

You slipped a pair of sunglasses across your eyes, and by the way your eyebrows pulled together, Will could tell you were glaring at him from the drivers seat. You pressed a button, and suddenly, the wheels and car parts shifted, accomodating to its flying style which would help you get the school. 

"Later, loser," you sung out, and suddenly, you and the car had disappeared from sight, the only mention of your whereabouts being the hot air abruptly flowing out from where your car originally sat. 

Will and Layla watched the hot air move, the sound of the vehicle flying through the air. The girl sighed, shaking her head with a wistful emotion whilst Will simply huffed in his spot.

"Your sister is awesome," she murmured.

"Don't feed her ego," Will scowled.

"She's not even here."

"Somehow, she'll still be able to hear you!"

The flight to Sky High was smooth and easy as it usually was. You skilfully parked the car in the senior parking area of the school, quickly stepping out and locking the doors with a double beep! of your keys.

You were greeted by nearly all of the all the student body, and you shared their sweet sentiments whenever they spoke to you. You were easily one of the most well-liked people in Sky High, but you tended to lie low when you could. 

Ariella called out your name, and you looked over, frowning in confusion at the sight of two sophomore boys frozen just behind her. "They buzzed my skirt again!" she huffed, taking it upon herself to answer the look on your face. 

"Let's add a little more then," you smirked, lifting your hand. On cue, through the ice, you started to conjure the water from the ice and seep into their pants, the water looking unmistakably like pee. "Oh, lookie here! The toilets are literally around the corner, you guys!"

Your shouting caught the attention of other students, and just like that, a large group of teenagers had gathered around the pair caught in ice. You shared a smile with Ariella, both of you walking on the lawn towards the steps that lead up to the entrance.

"...Okay, guys, very funny. I'll take over from here," you heard in the distance. Looking over, you saw one of your friends, Gwen Grayson, introducing herself to a couple of kids. A closer look confirmed it was your brother and Layla, along with the new freshman students. "I know you're all going to love it here at Sky High. I know I have..."

You paused in your walking, Ariella pausing and frowning in confusion, before following your gaze. It was trained on your brother, and the way hearts theoretically overcame his eyes as he stared at the Student Body Vice President. 

"Oh, and here's our Study Body President!"

Snapping back, you found Gwen and the entire freshmen class suddenly looking at you. Pasting on an easy smile, you traipsed over, smirking evilly at your brother when you came to a stop beside Gwen. She smiled sweetly at you, linking arms with your own as you spoke, "As Gwen so kindly stated, if you follow the main rules, I'm sure you guys won't fall off the face of Sky High."

The freshmen chuckled, and you and the seniors of the group turned around, the vice president glancing over her shoulder at the younger students. "Now, it's time for orientation. Let's go!"

"Wait, wait, what rules?"

"Weren't you paying attention?" Layla questioned the nervous brunette. "Just ask Y/N."

"Yeah, right, like I'm gonna ask her to clarify," Will muttered, casting a glare at the back of your head. "She'll skin me alive."

You and Gwen opened the gym doors, offering words of encouragement to every student that came by. Layla and Will were last, and you were quick to grab him by the strap of his backpack, the boy yelping in surprise at the sudden jerk.

"Hey!" he huffed, shrugging you off when you pulled him to the side. "What was that?"

"You're screwed," you simply answered.

"What are you talking about?" Will frowned.

"Orientation," you clarified. "Do you know what happens during orientation here?" The confusion on his face was clear as day, and you sighed in annoyance. "You're going through the Power Placement."

"Power Placement?"

"You're getting your powers analysed and rated. And in your case, I don't think you have much for them to examine."

"Oh, my God." Pure nausea overtook his features, his face paling within seconds as the severity of the situation dawned on him. "What do I do?! I am screwed! They're gonna see I have no powers, and boot me off this stupid floating island for the entire world to see!" His eyes widened, his voice shaking. "And... Mum and Dad are finally gonna figure out I don't have any powers!"

You watched your brother, frowning softly at the panic pulsing off of his body in waves. You twisted your fingers together, regrettably feeling a twinge of sympathy for him. 

The sigh that escaped you had Will looking up from the ground at you, the words coming out of your mouth shocking him;

"I'll help you."

Will's eyes widened, his jaw slacking in shock. "You're- You're gonna help me?"

"Okay, you don't have to act that surprised," you scowled.

"Uh, yes I can. You never help me with anything!"

"And maybe I won't help you with this!" you snapped lowly, the comment making his mouth shut. Leaning in close, you began to whisper, "I had a class with Mrs. Streak about my water enhancing. I've been able to turn my water completely clear without any figure of it being visible if I can channel it correctly."

"...So?"

"So," you groaned, rolling your eyes. "If my water is invisible, maybe I can help you.

"How is water going to help me do anything?" Will questioned. "I mean, what's it gonna do? Help me fly? Lift a car?" You raised your eyebrows, the silent look you sent him answering his questions. His mouth slacked as he cooed, "Ooooooooohh."

You nodded with a slight smile. "Exactly. Somehow, I can manipulate my water to lift you into the air. If it's invisible, it'll look like you're flying, just like mum. Or, I can use the water to help lift whatever Coach Boomer throws at you, like dad's super-strength."

A smile danced across Will's lips as he looked at you, before it faded into a soft frown. "Why are you helping me?"

You blinked at the question, yourself not understanding why you wanted to help your little brother so much. He was a pain in your ass, that was for sure, but as derogatory as the sidekick-hero scaling placement was, being a sidekick was not the best look. It guaranteed bullying and a difference in treatment among both students and faculty. 

"Because your life is gonna be so much harder if you're not put into the hero placement," you answered honestly. "As much as I make this school out to be easy, it's really not. On top of classes and studying, you also have to physically exert yourself. You don't want to add stolen lunch money and wedgies to the mix."

Will gulped at the simplicity of your statement, before he nodded, determination in his gaze. "Thank you," he said earnestly. "I'll try to make this look as natural as possible."

An uneasy sigh left your glossed lips as you muttered, "I'm the one doing all the work. You just have to act like you actually do have powers." Turning to him, you offered the slightest smirk. "So, what'll it be? Flight or super-strength?"