What Life Was Like

Isla's parents were among the top ten Heroes in America; her mom being number 3, her dad being number 4. Instead of signing on with the many Hero Agencies across the country, they decided to stay in New York; devoting their time to teaching students aspiring to be Heroes as well. Isla was enrolled at one of the many private schools, but let's be clear. She was not on the track to becoming a Hero herself. She couldn't even if she wanted to. Even though both her parents have very strong, developed powers; what the rest of society calls quirks; Isla is in the minority. Usually preschool-aged children develop their powers, no later than 5 years old. By Isla's 6th birthday, when she showed no signs of either one of her parent's quirks or a combination of them, she was brought to their primary doctor. After running some tests, everything came back pointing to the fact that Isla lacked a certain joint growth in her pinky toe; indicating that she would never develop powers.

When most of the kids started to show their quirks, Isla wasn't really all that concerned. Sure, she felt a little left out, but nearly every single kid would say that they were going to be a Hero with whatever power they had. That wasn't one of Isla's goals. She loved reading and words. She'd much rather read about the history of Heroes than be one.

As Isla grew with her classmates and the development of their powers, she started to stick out. While they were running around playing games that required the use of their powers, she tried. Tried her best to play with them. But they would only shut her out. "You can't play with us, Isla. You'll get hurt." "You can't play with us, Isla. You don't have a quirk. "You can't play with us, Isla. This game is only for kids with powers." She'd end up sitting on the sidelines watching everyone play. Reading a book. Playing nurse and putting Band-Aids on the kids who got cuts and scrapes. She didn't mind; at least it meant her classmates were including her.

Friends, though. That was another story.

Isla had a couple select people she considered friends. It helped that they lived in the same neighborhood as her. When the other kids were being particularly mean, Laura and Amy would play games with Isla using their powers.

Laura could animate inanimate objects; toys being the most fun to bring to life. Especially when the three girls were kids. Laura would bring their dolls and animal figurines to life and they would walk around with their own personality; talking and interacting with the girls and whatever other toys Laura animated.

Amy had the power of precipitation. Basically, she could make it rain, snow, hail, sleet ... whatever fell from the sky, Amy could do it. During the hot, humid New York summer seasons, Amy, Laura and Isla were often making their own snow mountains and skating rinks to cool themselves down. Plenty of snow for building a snowman and sledding, too.

Isla was very thankful for Amy and Laura. They made her feel less of an outcast and more of a person. She was a good student and never caused any trouble for her teachers. Never got into tiffs or arguments with her other classmates. There were the usual cliques and groups of people she avoided; especially once middle school started. You know the groups. The mean girls. The jocks. The nerds. If you're not "part of the group", you avoid them. It keeps you out of trouble and saves you a whole lot of unnecessary conflict.

As their first year of high school was coming to an end, Laura, Amy and Isla were discussing what they wanted their career paths to be. Now was the time when those students with quirks had to apply to get into whatever school was going to propel them to their goals. For some, it was applying, testing and eventually enrolling in one of the Hero schools across the country. Obviously, not just America. These schools were all over the world.

"I think I want to open my own daycare someday," Laura was saying. "My quirk would be so much fun with a bunch of little kids, don't you think?"

"That would really be perfect for you," Isla replied, a smile on her face. "You would literally be the best teacher ever!"

"I'd put my kids in your school!" Amy exclaimed. "I think I'm going to specialize in environmental studies. You know. See how varying types of precipitation, or lack thereof affects different ecosystems."

Isla gawked at her friend. "Amy that's so cool! Your quirk can really help the environment! That's so smart of you to think of studying something like that!"

Laura's smile began to fade. "You know what this means though, right? We won't be going to the same schools next year. The closest environmental school is 2 hours away from here. And the school that specializes in educational studies is 4 hours away."

Isla never thought of a day that she wouldn't be with Laura and Amy. But when you are part of the minority, there are very few options out there. She could easily enroll in a general studies course at either school her friends would attend, but that would still mean the three of them would be split up. Either way. This was going to be their last summer together. "Well then we have to make the next 3 months count!"

Laura and Amy smiled "Right!" they said in unison; the girls ready to plan their summer vacation down to the very last day they'd be together.

Bur first, they had to study for the entrance exams to their respective schools and then pass them to get accepted to the programs. Isla was with her friends every step of the way; helping them study in whatever way possible. Her parents even allowed her to skip school a few days to tag along to each school exam. She was there when Laura got her acceptance notice. And when Amy got hers. Each girl passing with flying colors; unequivocally suited for their career choice.

The last bell of the last day of school that year was absolutely insane. Students throwing papers in the hallway, cheering and hollering for the next 3 months of freedom. The students moving on to Hero schools were especially wild; using their quirks to show off "what the next Pro is going to look like". Some groups brought silly string to school and covered the walls and lockers. Isla felt bad for the teachers and custodial staff that was going to have to clean the mess up. She was too busy to be a goody two shoes, though. Especially when she had epic summer planning to do with her best friends.

The girls lived within walking distance of their school and wasted no time. "Okay, so!" Laura began. "We're getting the lake house ready for the season tomorrow! You two in to help us get things cleaned up? My parents promised we can use the hot tub as much we want!"

Isla and Amy didn't need to be told twice as soon as the hot tub was mentioned. "I'll take the toilets apart and clean them for that hot tub," Amy exclaimed.

Isla giggled. "Okay, Amy. You take the toilets. I'll dust off all the furniture."

Amy's expression immediately regretted her choice of cleaning project, when there were obviously easier projects to take on. Laura and Isla burst out laughing, Laura reassuring that the toilets didn't need to be cleaned that well. Amy clearly relieved when mopping the floors became available for her to do.

The girls arrived at their housing development, all three of their houses being on the same cul-de-sac. "Meet my house, 7am sharp!" Laura declared.

"7 AM?!" Amy whined. "Laura. Come on! It's summer vacation! Can't we at least meet after our first class would normally start?"

"We could ..." Laura replied, letting the response hang in the air. "But then you'd miss out on our coffee stop on the way..."

"Julia's Java?!" Amy exclaimed. "Well. I mean. I guess 7am is worth it for a mocha glacier."

All three girls burst out into hysterical laughter before saying goodbye for the evening. Isla practically skipped up the driveway to her house. It was going to be sad not having her best friends with her for the rest of high school; but her parents already promised visits, not to mention the most amazing summer they're going to have!