A day in school

At 7:00 a.m., Theo was getting ready for school.

Mrs. Krizma: Hey, Hakim, what school do you go to?

Hakim: Umm...

Theo: He takes online classes. He’ll be in his room all day.

Hakim: I’ll take my breakfast upstairs, and I’d appreciate it if you don’t disturb me.

Mrs. Krizma: Okay. Theo, let’s go.

Theo: Okay.

7:20 a.m. – In front of Theo’s school

Mrs. Krizma: Have a great day at school. Bye. (She drove away.)

Theo: Bye. (He made his way to his class but was cornered by Max, James, and Casey.)

James: We meet again, twerp.

Max: That’s right. Our conversation got interrupted last time, but this time will be different. (They began to push and poke him.)

Anna: Look at that kid getting easily bullied by those guys. Pathetic. (One of Kira’s friends walked by with her.)

Kira: Yeah—pathetic. (When they could no longer see them.)

Kira: You go on ahead. I have something to take care of. (She ran back.)

Kira: Hey, leave the kid alone. (She walked towards them.)

Casey: Who are you supposed to be? His mom?

Theo: She’s not my mom.

Casey: Shut it, twerp.

James: You know—if you weren’t so pretty, I would have shoved your face in the dirt. (He put his hand on her shoulder. Kira looked at his hand, then at him, and out of immense anger, twisted his wrist and flipped him.)

Kira: Shove that in the dirt.

James: Ugh… guys, let’s get out of here. (Holding his wrist.)

Max: You’re lucky you had your mom to protect you.

Theo: Thanks for the help. Hey, want to grab lunch together later, you know, as friends?

Kira: Whoa, slow your horses, Cringe Master. Just because we’re teammates—wait, no—just because I’m your leader doesn’t make us friends. So don’t talk to me, look at me, or even think about me when we’re not on a mission.

Theo (looking sad): Okay.

Kira: Look, I get it—you’re a nerd, you’ve never been associated with someone as cool as me. I’ve got to get to class. (She left.)

Theo: I guess I should also go to class.

Five hours later – During lunch in Kira’s class

Jake: Duuude, did you see the news report yesterday? Something about supes.

Luke: Yeah, those super suits were so cool.

Zoe: Ugh, superheroes are so overrated—always running around in their underwear and unfashionable capes. (She spoke to Kira and Anna after overhearing the boys.)

Anna: But these wore super suits.

Zoe: Still overrated. What do you think, Kira?

Kira: I slept in yesterday, so I didn’t see the report.

Devin: Hey, ladies, we’re going to the movies later today. Wanna come?

Kira: As if we’d go out with someone who can’t even use a toothbrush right. Let’s go, girls. (The three walked past.)

Devin: What? (He smelled his breath.)

Devin: Oh… that’s ripe. Did you know about this?

Alex: I mean, yeah.

Devin: And you didn’t tell me? Not cool, bro. Not cool. (He stormed away.)

In Theo’s class

Mikey: Those supes were so tight, especially the one in the crystal hoodie.

Rose: Right, he was so jacked. (Chewing gum.)

Theo: I also saw those heroes. (He approached.)

Mikey: Who asked you? Go play with your imaginary friend.

Rose: That’s right—take your nerdy butt and get out of here. (Theo left the class and went to the cafeteria. He grabbed his lunch and spotted Kira talking to her friends.)

Theo (to himself): I’ll just walk past them. How will she know that I walked that way? Because they were there, it could be for multiple reasons. Alright, I’m doing it. (When he was close, he began overthinking—how he looked, dressed, walked, smelled. Distracted, he tripped and spilled food on Anna.)

Anna: Eww, gross! What the heck? You spilled food on me!

Zoe: What do you have to say for yourself?

Theo: I-I’m sorry.

Zoe: Sorry?! Sorry won’t cut it. We need to teach you a lesson. I think we’ll pelt him with paintballs.

Anna: Yeah.

Kira: Wait, I’ll deal with him. You get Anna cleaned up.

Zoe: Okay, but make it a good one. (They pretended to leave but hid behind a corner, watching, though they couldn’t hear anything.)

Kira: What the hell, kid?!

Theo: I-it was a mistake, I tripped…

Kira (interrupting): I don’t care! From now on, stay at least 15 feet away from me. Now get out of here!

Zoe: What are you doing? You let him go.

Kira: Not without a strict warning.

Zoe: Really? What?

Kira: I told him that if he comes within 15 feet, we’ll make his life a living nightmare—pranks, antics, you name it.

Zoe: That’s my girl.

Anna: Umm… still covered in food here.

Zoe: Oh yeah, let’s go.

Three hours later – End of school (Kira and her friends walked home while Theo waited for his mom.)

Guardian (telepathically): There’s an out-of-control train headed for the station. If you don’t stop it, it’ll crash.

Kira (to herself): Can’t Hakim do it?

Guardian: He can’t—since someone forgot to give him his Galaxom.

Kira: Yeah, that’s on me.

Guardian: You and Theo must stop that train.

Kira: Oh, my phone’s vibrating—someone’s calling me. (She faked a phone call.)

Kira: Hello… okay, Mom… see you soon then. Sorry, I have to run home. See you tomorrow.

Zoe: Later. (Kira ran ahead, turned right, and when out of sight, called Theo.)

Kira: I need you to—

Theo: I thought you said I shouldn’t talk to you.

Kira: I meant when we’re off super duty. Now go to an empty room, open a portal, and go to the Guardian’s Chamber.

Theo: Fine. (He ended the transmission.)

Kira: Kids—always so emotional. (She opened a portal and walked in.)

In the Guardian’s Chamber; Theo met Kira there, and they both activated their super suits.

Kira: We’re stopping a train from crashing into the station. Are you ready?

Theo (unenthusiastically): Yeah.

At the top of the train

Molecular Girl: The train is about 20 km away from the station. You stay here; I’ll check with the conductor.

Cartoon Kid: (silent) (Kira punched him in the gut.)

Cartoon Kid: W-what was that for?!

Molecular Girl: To wake you up. We’re on a mission—put your emotions aside and focus! Now stay here and wait.

Cartoon Kid: Y-yes, ma’am. (She jumped from car to car until she reached the conductor’s cabin.)

Conductor: Y-you’re Mol—

Molecular Girl (interrupting): Yes, I’m Molecular Girl. What’s the problem?

Conductor: The brake broke off.

Molecular Girl: Isn’t there an emergency brake?

Conductor: There is, but for some reason, it’s also not working.

Molecular Girl: If we can’t use the brake, we’ll use force. (She returned to Theo.)

Molecular Girl: We need a strong hero to stop this train.

Cartoon Kid: On it—Sensei Baa! (Sensei Baa appeared but vanished a second later.)

Cartoon Kid: Oh no, I forgot to charge him after yesterday’s battle.

Molecular Girl: Don’t you have any other strong heroes?

Cartoon Kid: Let’s try… Reptilian Hero! (A beam shot up, and Reptilian appeared in a cloud of yellow smoke. It jumped to the last car, grabbed the railing with its tail, and pulled—but only slowed the train.)

Molecular Girl: Let me help. (She jumped behind Reptilian and used her molecular kinesis to pull the train. Together, they stopped it just in time. Theo released Reptilian, and they went to the conductor’s cabin.)

Theo: Bulbe, can you fix both brakes?

Bulbe: Technooo fix!

Conductor: Can I get a selfie with you two and the floating robot?

Kira: Sure. (After the selfie, they returned to the Guardian’s Chamber through a portal.)

Theo: I guess that’s that. (He was about to leave.)

Kira: Wait—sorry for saying you can’t talk to me. I just need my own space. But we can train together every day after school.

Theo: I guess I’m also sorry for crossing the line.

Kira: You didn’t cross the line—you migrated over it. Seriously, you spilled food on my friend.

Theo: I thought we were letting bygones be bygones.

Kira: Whatever. Before I forget, give Hakim this Galaxom so he can teleport here.

Theo: Sure thing. (He walked through the portal.)