The chime of my alarm would rip me from that awful series of events. I'd sat up so fast that could feel my brain jiggle a bit. Trust me it isn't a good feeling. The first thing I'd see was the time laid out for me in large blue holographic numerals.

"Good Morning Soran Xenthos. It is currently 5:49 am and today's date is May 14th, 3999. Please take some time this morning to prepare yourself for class at Albion Academy. Your suspension ended as of 49 minutes ago."

I could feel my eye twitch as my Dorm A.I. mentioned my suspension. Another crap thing to think about in the morning. Instead of moaning and groaning about it, I might as well get up for school.

The light of the Ark hadn't been fully present through the skyline of Neo Arcadia just yet and even now I just realized my alarm has been going off for a while I'm pretty sure it started nearly 20 minutes ago. Swinging my legs off of my bed I hopped down and trudged my way into my bathroom. Dragging out my step stool from underneath the counter I stepped up to it and looked at myself in the mirror. My hair looked kinda wily like always when I have that stupid nightmare so I just combed it a little bit so no one at school would say anything. After a quick brush of my teeth and a nice shower, I hopped out of the bathroom ready to get dressed.

I'd miss the hoodie and sweatpants I'd usually wear since I'd been pretty much under house arrest for the past two weeks. But at least I'd get to wear my school jacket once again. Fishing out the black jacket from my closet I laid it on the bed with a white T-shirt and some combat fatigues. Though when I looked out of my closet I could see the giant poster hanging on my wall.

Erratic Code: Requiem of Roland. It was one of my favorite anime shows from Earth. It was also the only mecha show I'd watch that could top Mobile Weapon Chungdai any day of the week. Since it would be my first day back I might as well have worn something I liked. I fished an Erratic Code t-shirt from my closet. The shirt depicted Nautilus and Roland in an epic pose. I'd probably get in trouble for violating a few regulations but it was whatever.

"Soran. You appear to have two guests awaiting you at your door. Shall I let them in?"

"Nah I got it," I shrugged. There could only be two people at my doorstep this early in the morning. If I let my A.I. let them in then a certain blonde meathead would probably hit on her again.

It didn't take long for me to slip into my uniform. The article of clothing that took the longest to put on was my boots which weren't military. The Neo Arcadian Fire Department gave them to me after a few too many incidents during Esper training.

I briskly entered my living room which needed a bit of cleaning to be fair. There were chip bags, soda cans, and even video games all over the floor. Since the disposal box was next to the door I could at least pick up the trash. So picking up what my two hands could carry I rushed to the door and tossed all of it. With a quick brush of my clothes, I reached for the handle.

As the door opened I'd be greeted by the presence of two guys. One of them was an average-sized blond with hazel-colored eyes and freckles all over his face. His Eurasian features blended so well that it was almost infuriating to look at him at times. The smugness in his grin matched with his princely look made him such a chick magnet I might as well be one of his backup dancers.

"Yo Snow-white," he waved. "It seems you made it out of bed this morning. I was worried I'd have to pull out a carrot and wave it for you."

"Again with the rabbit jokes? What is it with you humans and comparing me to one of your little earth creatures."

"Don't look at me," he shrugged. "The girls seem to think it's a cute thing."

"I'd rather a girl think I look good than cute. But I don't want any reassurance from a playboy like yourself. No wonder Minerva rejects you."

He pulled me by my collar and as the two of us exchanged glares an ominous presence loomed overhead.

"Andrew... Picking a fight with Soran isn't the reason we came here," the other boy said. "Put him down and cool off."

Andrew let go of my collar and the two of us backed a couple of inches away from each other. There was no beating our larger friend when it came to our little fights. Not only did he look more adult than anyone in our class he'd even intimidated other adults with his size. This burly fellow came equipped with some muscle too. More than either Andrew or I had.

"As much as I'd like to keep poking fun at our little rabbit, you're right man. We're actually here to get you to school a little earlier than usual."

"A sparring match?" I said. While I didn't want to go along with his meathead's idea the sound of much-needed payback had been more enticing. "Fine, we'll do this your way. But only because I want a rematch for last time."

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"Sounds like to me you want another "L" for your record."

"Knock it off," Clarke butted in.

As I exited my dorm the automated security system chimed. The hallway was clear given that many of the other students wouldn't be up this early in the morning. Classes didn't even begin for another two hours. Reaching the lift on the other side of the hall, Clarke pressed the ground floor key and the lift began descending gradually.

"So guys. How're your folks?"

"My Dad is still getting his physical therapy for the implants in his legs," said Andrew. "He asks about you a lot. I guess he heard about your little incident a couple of weeks ago."

"I'm as fine as I'm going to be. What about your Mom?"

Andrew slipped his hands into his pockets and remained silent but only for a few moments. "She called. We talked about my grades. That's about it..."

"Well... What about you Clarke? How's Claire?"

"Claire's fine. When I spoke to her last we talked about you. She was a bit upset you'd even pick a fight with that guy again anyway. But I understand that sometimes we cannot quell our emotions as tensions arise."

Folding my arms I leaned against the wall of the lift. "I wouldn't have had to fight him if he'd just backed off already."

Shaking his head, Clarke placed his hand on my shoulder. I'm glad I was used to such a thing otherwise I would've thought he was trying to pick me up.

"Listen Soran, the more adverse the circumstances surrounding you are..."

"The more your inner power will manifest," I finished. "I get that man but I just can't stand that overgrown lizard. Besides, if he hadn't messed with me that girl wouldn't have gotten hurt."

Andrew and Clarke looked as though they wanted to deny what I said until the lift slowed down. Coming to a halt on the fourth floor the doors opened revealing the lift's caller on the other side. She'd been seated in an automated wheelchair and while her uniform was a more feminine version of ours though she wore a much longer skirt than usual. Her more defining features had been the black scales that protected her neck and jawline coupled with the pair of horns upon her head. Other than that and the tail that was swaying from side to side you could barely tell she wasn't human. A set of dark and gloomy eyes hid behind some glasses which rested on her face. She was certainly pretty too and a bit too mature in certain areas. As our eyes met it didn't even take us a second to recognize each other. Sensing the impending awkwardness, Andrew and Clarke stepped in between us with Clarke bowing to her graciously.

"Sorry Shiranui-San," said Andrew. "But we don't have enough room to squeeze you in. Clarke is too much muscle for one guy. He barely keeps them in his uniform."

"N-No, don't mind me. It is I who has troubled you. Please continue onward. I'll find the next lift." She lowered her head to us and her chair slowly backed away. Andrew let out a nervous chuckle before pressing the ground floor button once again to get the lift moving.

Like an Idiot, I looked through the gap between my two friends. I could see Shiranui-san before the doors closed. I'd seen her many times before the incident but we never really talked to each other. From what I was told she hadn't blamed me for her injuries in the fight and even wanted to visit me a couple of times, but I was too chicken to even consider it. How could I after what happened? She wouldn't have been in that chair if she hadn't tried to stick up for me. If only I was stronger or at least a little more confident in myself.

In my rambling thoughts, I hadn't noticed the flit finally stopping on the ground floor. I almost got caught by the door by the time I could scurry out of there. Clarke and Andrew did wait for me although both wanted to comment on my absentmindedness. Instead, I'd get something else featuring the blonde pretty boy.

"You know you'll never get a girlfriend if you keep brooding like a vampire in one of those teen sitcoms." He placed his hands over his heart and looked skyward. "Oh woe is me, I've done terrible things and I don't deserve to be loved."

"I'm not trying to be loved by her," I said, "I mean, I admit she's pretty but that doesn't change that I hurt her."

"Well that doesn't mean you are irredeemable," Clarke said turning to me, "When all is lost there is still hope. You must remember what I taught you in regard to advancing in life." Even though Clarke put it in a better way I even hated it when he was right. It felt more like I was getting scolded by my Dad more than him.

I guess I didn't look too convinced because Clarke held out both of his hands in front of me. Two small green cubes were generated in the palms of his hands and they began to move around in a circle. Clarke inhaled deeply then exhaled. I knew he wouldn't stop until I followed along so I did. Holding my hands out two small sparks of flame flickered to life in my hands. They danced around in a circle and I began my breathing exercise as well. Andrew joined in as well though he couldn't create anything as we could, he just breathed in and out.

As I inhaled and exhaled I could feel the tiny sparks of flame grow and shrink. My flames always responded to me like they were a part of me. After a couple of minutes passed we finished the exercise and I felt myself relaxing. I hadn't even realized how tense I was, being so blinded by my past failures.

"Well since you kinda killed a bit of our time with your brooding. You might as well drive." For the first time this morning, I actually didn't mind Andrew's snarkiness. Brushing past the two I headed straight for the dorm's parking garage where many of the student's vehicles were stored. I did give time for Andrew and Clarke to catch up and we took another lift to the top level.

There weren't that many vehicles up here since they were reserved for Aeromobiles, vehicles that could fly using anti-gravity generators. In the center of the lot sat a small black Aeromobile. It was a crossover model with features that one could've mistaken for a muscle car. My excitement got the better of me as I made a b-line to my ride. As I touched the door it beeped twice and the door opened. The phrase "Your door has been unlocked" appeared in bright blue letters in my line of sight. I didn't need an A.U.D. to tell me that. As I climbed into the driver's seat I sank into the leather. Brushing my fingers over the wheel it almost brought a tear to my eye. Even though I hadn't been away that long it felt like an eternity since I last drove.

Andrew took the shotgun seat while Clarke rode in the back. "Come on dude," Andrew said. "You can admire her all you want when we're in the air."

Waving my hand over the ignition sensor the engine roared to life.