Nick receives a message from his friend, Samuel.

  “Yo Nick, you heard about the London trip? We gotta go.” As Nick read the message.

  Nick replied back, “It’s too expensive man, how the hell can I afford to pay this?”

  Sam replied back, “We’ll talk more in school tomorrow, I gotta go.”

  Nick, put his phone on the table, and stared back into the window.

  “I really do want to go, but how can I get the money to pay it off? Mom is already working 2 jobs, and barely paying rent.” Nick says, as he puts his hand on the window. “I’m already 16. I guess it's time for me to find a job then.”

  The scene shifts to the morning, where Nick prepares to head off to school.

  As soon as he reaches the front door, he receives a text message from his mother, “Good morning Nicholas, I won't be home all day. There are leftovers for you to eat when you get back”

  Nick let out an exhaustive sigh, “Another one of those days.”

  Nick went out of the apartment, and began walking to school.

  The early morning doze, with the peaceful hums of the busy streets passing by. Oddly unusual as it is mostly busy during this time. Nick felt relaxed, as if he was on the beach.

  As he began walking the street, a familiar voice called out to Nick, “Hey Nick!!! Wait up!”

  Nick turned around, and saw his friend Samuel, energetic as always.

  “Morning Sam” Nick replied, yawning.

  “Hombre, this is amazing. We actually get to leave the country now! Even if it is for 2 weeks.” Sam replied eagerly, wrapping his arm around Nick’s head.

  “Don’t you worry about that man, I got an idea.” Sam replied, in a creepy tone.

  “I don’t like the sound of that.” Nick said in a disapproving tone.

  As the boys continued to talk, they arrived at the school, Nostradamus Academia. The top 10 best schools in the country, The American Union. The school has 12 floors, each floor dedicated for a certain program.

  “Ah school, love and hate relationship” Samuel replied in an eerily tone.

  “I find it pretty calming, and interesting. So much effort for a building like that.” Nick said in an intriguing tone.

  Some of the students began to walk inside the building, others chilled at the front entrance talking with their friends.

  Nick looked back at Sam, and said, “Listen Sam, we can’t be doing another business idea. What idea do you even have that’d be successful enough to pay off for the trip?”

  Sam sighed, “It doesn’t have to be a business, just something interesting, and unique.”

  “Well let me know if you have any ideas.” Nick replied in an annoying tone. “Now let's get to homeroom before we’re late.”

  The boys entered the school, and went off to their homeroom. As they continued to talk, they came across the path of a girl. As soon as they went their separate ways, Nick felt uneasy. Sweating profusely, as if needles hit his enter body.

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  Nick turned around only to find the girl gone. “Who the hell was she? This is the same presence I felt back in my room last night.” Nick thought to himself, confused, and a bit scared.

  “I didn’t get a good look on her face, I was too distracted by our conversation.” Nick thought as he was looking around.

  “Hey Nick, is everything good?” Sam said in a concerning tone.

  Nick turned around, and began to slowly walk to their homeroom and said, “Yeah…I’m good…”

  As the boys entered the classroom, Nick wiped off the sweat from his head.

  “Ah, just in time, Samuel, and Nicholas!” The teacher said enthusiastically.

  “Yeah just in time, Mr. A, heh…” Nicholas awkwardly said.

  “You’re very lucky, I was about to call your names.” Mr. Ackerman said, marking down on his sheet. “Now go sit down boys, important news.”

  The boys sat in their seats, and the teacher began to read off important announcements.

  “As you all know, there is an upcoming trip in December to go to London. You guys can thank the student union for that. They really put up a fight for you Juniors.”

  Nicholas thought to himself, “Oh shit here we go.”

  “Now I want every single one of you to go, if you can. This trip is a trip NOT worth to skip.” Mr. A, said in a serious tone. “Since this is a private school, and that funds are handled directly under our sponsors, or more specifically under James Hunter.” Mr. A said in a reluctant tone.

  “James Hunter, one of the world’s richest men. So rich and powerful he could buy countries. I wonder out of all the schools, why does he choose to fund this school?” Nicholas thought with a curious look.

  “Psst Nick, What say we ask James to fund the trip for us?” Sam whispered to Nick, followed by giggles from both boys.

  “Ahem boys, if you don’t mind.” Mr. A said as he gave a serious look.

  “Sorry!” Both boys said in a comedic sorry look.

  “Students, I won't lie to you, given the recent troubling news of our neighboring countries. It is dangerous to travel, but I know you all need it, since exams, SAT, and even College essays are coming up. You shouldn’t have to deal with all the stress life has been giving you. The administration will try to talk things out with James Hunter, if he could help fund the trip.”

  The whole class looked surprised.

  “James Hunter funding for our trip?” A student said, confused.

  “It could possibly work, considering he is also a big fan of our football team” Nicholas thought to himself as the class mumbled.

  “Ah shit, I guess I didn’t need my idea after all.” Samuel replied to Nick in a disappointed tone.

  “What even was your idea Sam?” Nick replied, intrigued by what Sam thought of. “It better not be one of those influencer type pranks or anything related.

  “Well…Not really…” Sam said as he pushed his head back a bit. “It's…more so of us pulling girls and giving out dating advice.”

  “You’re kidding right…” Nick said as he face palmed himself. “Whatever man”

  The bell rang, homeroom was over. The students began to walk out the classrooms, talking amongst themselves about the trip.

  As the boys began to pack up, Mr. A called up for Nick, to discuss privately.

  “Nick, I’ll see you after school man!” Sam said as he walked out.

  Nick, in a nonchalant tone, said “Yeah I’ll see you later man.”

  The scene shifts towards Rionel, walking down the street in the Rockbird District

  Rionel, slightly tipsy, thought to himself, “Dammit, where are you rapture? Don’t tell me you've been…”

  “Well…I’ll be damned.” An unknown figure in a robotic voice said. “If it isn’t the great Rionel…Pathetic as always.”

  Rionel stopped in his tract, clenched his staff tighter than ever before, replied, “Hello Drex…How are you handling your new body? After all, I thought those burn scars would never go away.”

  Drex trembling in anger, slightly ever to crash out, then a voice came behind from Rionel, “Shhh Drex don’t let him get to you…He wouldn’t dare have an all out battle on a day like this.” The mysterious man said, as he had his arm around Rionel.

  “Finn…Been a while hasn’t it.” Rionel said, chuckling, but on the defensive.

  “Damn, he is right. There are too many people all over us. I cannot afford to unleash my power onto them.” Rionel thought to himself as he closed his eyes and followed around the energy and movement of people around them.

  Finn, who had his naginata under his coat sleeve, pointing towards Rionel, said, “No sudden movements, let's go somewhere to talk, nice and easy…”

  “Dam…They really got to me…” Rionel thought to himself as a single sweat dropped from his face.

  “Fine, let’s talk…” Rionel said in a reluctant tone.