27: Back to School
by Kell Carpenter
barchettaboy@yahoo.com

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The alarm rang, and Kevin Masterson awoke. He rubbed his eyes and looked blearily at the red digital numbers floating in the haze in front of him...6:00 a.m. - and groaned. His head hit the pillow again, and he was on his way back to unconsciousness when the "snooze" feature alerted him that his nine minutes were indeed up.

Sitting up, he slammed his hand down on the cutoff button, then turned it off for good. Yawning, he said aloud to his room "So much for my life away from school..." He stood and made his way to the bathroom attached to his room in Avengers Mansion. He looked at himself in the mirror, shaking his head. In such a short time, his whole life had been turned on it head. His mother dead, his step-father in a coma*, and now he was also the hero known as Thunderstrike, training for combat with none other than Captain America**.

*(Thunderstrike #25 - Continuity Cop Kell)

**(Thunderstrike #26 - Keep Up With Me Kell)

"What else could go wrong with my life? Oh, yeah - a new school too! What did I do to deserve this?!?" He sighed loudly and shrugged before turning on the shower.

"Morning, Jarvis!" he said over his shoulder as he plopped into his usual seat at the head of the table in the breakfast nook.

Jarvis appeared through the kitchen door, a pitcher of freshly-squeezed orange juice in his hand. "Good morning to you, Master Kevin! I trust you slept well?"

Kevin laughed as Jarvis poured him a glass of the juice. "Well isn't the word for it, Jarvis. I was practically in hibernation - Captain America's one tough taskmaster!"

"Indeed he is! Why I can remember when Master Hawkeye was a fresh recruit - he never ceased in his complaints of the Captain's rigorous training schedule. He always carried on so..." Jarvis shook his head and chuckled to himself. "Enough of my stories. You'll need to eat, you mustn't be late for your first day in a new school!"

Kevin sighed aloud. "Jarvis, why do I have to go to school? Can't I get you to tutor me or something? I just don't know if I can handle another new school..."

Jarvis watched for a moment as Kevin played with the food on his plate. "Oh, I almost forgot!" He had blurted it out quickly enough to startle Kevin. "This note is for you..." The Avengers' butler handed Kevin a hand-written note on plain stationary.

Kevin unfolded it and read:

Kevin,

I know that things seem to be moving terribly quickly for you. I know that you think that starting a new school is another sign of the end of the world. Please don't despair. You've received much more than your fair share of pain and change in the fifteen years you've been alive, but you can handle it. After spending some time with you yesterday, I'm positive that you've got what it takes. You're every bit the hero your father was, and I'm sure he'd be proud you carry the name Thunderstrike.

Sincerely, Captain America

Kevin shook his head. Captain America. The Captain America. His eyes grew wider as he read it again. "Wow. Jarvis, did he really??"

"Yes, Master Kevin. He most certainly did. The Captain is very conscientious of the 'little things' as most people call them." Jarvis smiled warmly at Kevin. "We talked of your reluctance to attend your new school this morning, and he decided that a personal note from him might make you feel better." Putting a hand on Kevin's shoulder, he said "I can only assume that your smile means you're finished with your breakfast and ready for school..."

Kevin grinned even wider. "You bet, Jarvis!! Let me get my backpack and I'll be ready to go..." He jumped up and ran to his room.

Jarvis stood alone in the breakfast nook, a smile on his face. "You do have a way with words, Captain..."

Minutes later, Jarvis and Kevin were en route to the new school. Kevin's butterflies had returned, despite the reassuring words from Captain America.

"Are you sure I should be doing this, Jarvis...?" Kevin looked nervously out the window.

Jarvis touched Kevin's shoulder. "I am positive that this is the right thing to do. There are laws against truancy..." Kevin turned to look at Jarvis, smiling. "...and you have an outstanding academic record. I would hate to see such a scholarly young man leave behind the hallowed halls of academia..." Jarvis then allowed a large smile to spread across his face and did something that greatly surprised Kevin: he winked.

Smiling even wider, Kevin shook his head. "Jarvis, you're something else..."

Bobby had begun to have severe mood swings from the flow of memories. He grew more violent in his rages as he re-lived Marcy's cruel and brutal death. And the figure he'd seen before* was almost close enough to touch, it seemed.

*(Last issue - Reminiscing Kell)

Bobby tried to see who it was that was in his mind, but they seemed to be in perpetual shadow. He felt no danger, simply curiosity over who could be here with him. His attention soon turned back to the never-ending display of his life, and his anger and pain grew again to new levels.

The shadowy figure stood beside him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

The brain activity monitors registered a high-end spike of activity, then an almost flat line...

"Are you sure I have to go?" Kevin was gripping his bookbag tightly.

Jarvis placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Yes, Master Kevin, I'm afraid so. You are required to have schooling of some fashion and although I am many things to many people, I am not approved by the state of New York to school you at Avengers Mansion." Jarvis smiled sympathetically. "I am quite sure that you will conduct yourself well, Kevin. I shall be waiting here after school for you..."

With that, Kevin nodded, took a deep breath and left the car.

Angelo Memorial High School was busy. Kevin found the office, took a number and sat down, sinking into the soft couch provided. He watched as the other kids came and went. Looking around, he also saw those who were already waiting to see the principal on various matters of delinquency. Looking at his watch, he saw that the first bell was about to -

BBBBRRRRRRRIIIIIIINNNNNGGGG

Looking up, Kevin saw the teachers who had been in the office for one thing or another scurrying out the door, heading for their classrooms. Most of the delinquent students had been called into the principal or vice-principal's inner sanctum, and he was now almost alone in the office with the school's secretary.

Looking up, she saw him sitting patiently. "Oh, sorry hon - it's been nuts here today! Come on over and we'll get your schedule for you..."

Kevin sighed softly and went over to her desk. The plaque on her desk told him that her name was Ms. Holland. She chewed a piece of gum fiercely, the fragrance of Juicy Fruit assailing his nostrils as she entered his information into the student database. Moments later, she handed him his schedule for this semester.

"I'll just get someone to come show you to your homeroom, hon, okay?" She leaned over and spoke into the intercom system, asking Kevin's homeroom teacher to send a student to escort him to the classroom. "Whoever they send will go with you to your classes today, so you'll be able to find your way. While we're waiting for them, here's your locker number, the combination for the lock, and your temporary ID." She stood up and motioned for Kevin to follow her. "I'll just take your picture over here for your permanent ID. Toes on the white line; look right here; good, okay now don't move?"

FWASSSHHH

Kevin saw spots after the flash of the camera. Ms. Holland was moving back toward her desk, and he stumbled after her.

"You'll be getting your ID tomorrow or the next day. Check with me first thing tomorrow and I'll let you know if it's ready or not." She looked over a checklist, nodding and then clicked her tongue. "Almost forgot - here's your copy of the student handbook. Read it, know it, keep it handy for the next few days. It'll tell you about everything - dress code, attendance policy, grading scale, extra-curricular activities - and if you go by rules, everything will be fine. If not..." She inclined her head toward the principal's office. "Got it?"

Kevin nodded. "Don't worry. All I want to do is go to my classes and go home."

"Well, duh, we all want to do that - life just kinda gets in the way sometimes, y'know?"

Kevin and Ms. Holland turned to see who had spoken. A girl, about Kevin's age, was standing inside the office door. She had her arms crossed over her chest, and was tapping one foot.

"C'mon, let's go - homeroom's almost over and you don't wanna get Mr. Gansler mad at you on your first day. He 'never forgets a delinquent or tardy student'...so let's get a move on!"

Ms. Holland rolled her eyes and smiled. "Kevin Masterson, meet Hanna Vaughn. She's going to be your guide to Angelo Memorial for the day..."

Kevin sighed again. "Of course she will..." He picked up his bag and clipped on his ID. "Okay, Hanna, let's go..."

*****

The day went better than Kevin had expected. He was surprised to find that he had a lot in common with Hanna. They both loved English and hated Math and the sciences. She was also into computers, and belonged to the school's computer and drama clubs. He was mildly surprised to find out during lunch that she was also a cheerleader.

"A what?!? You? I'm sorry, but you just don't..." Hanna rolled her eyes and held up a hand.

"...don't look like the cheerleader type. Yeah, everyone makes the same comment. Don't ask me why, I just like to do it." She shrugged, and Kevin paused to take a good look at her.

Hanna wore her glossy black hair short, but full. She dressed in black jeans and a hunter green henley shirt, with a leather jacket. Hiking boots completed the outfit, and she looked like anything but a cheerleader.

Shaking his head, Kevin thought to himself "Could be worse, I guess. A cheerleader - weird..."

*****

At the end of the day, Kevin and Hanna were in the school library for a study hall. He was scanning through the student handbook when someone came up to their table. They looked up and a young woman of around 25 was standing in front of them.