SuperNova: Heroes of Arcania

by Liz Long

  “I’ll move my office up here. Turn your room into the guest room. I can have everything on the first floor, avoid the pain on my knees.”

  He meant so none of us had to go up there ever again. No longer than to change the guest bed sheets and show said guest their room. Never open Starling’s bedroom door to see her things exactly as she left them that day. Would we freeze her memory there forever, until I moved away and they sold it or died? Her dolls lying in a mixture of unicorn ponies, the bed made by enthusiastic nine-year-old hands, colorful drawings of rainbows and stick figure families…we would never let her go.

  I nodded, a mark that made our silent agreement to enshrine my little sister’s life. It was a sign from Dad for sure, to offer moving his entire office (no easy task) upstairs to offer me the entire floor. Maybe they had expected me to eventually make this request. Or maybe they wanted to give me more freedom, even suspected I would want to sneak out to find Fortune. My mom probably just wanted me to have friends over and break this funk surrounding Starling’s death.

  After dinner, true to their word, Dad helped me move—I could’ve easily carried the heavy desk up myself, but needed help with navigating corners. Mom even pitched in and helped move clothes down to the giant walk-in closet. When she grabbed my hamper, I worried she’d see the ripped black shirt. Luckily, it’d been stuffed down to the bottom.

  As I looked around at the new space that was now mine, I looked at my father’s office. I could make it my new study room, or even better, a space with which to dedicate my new secret life. My dad never used the weights or treadmill down here anymore; I could move them to that room and train. Or at the very least, do some yoga and push-ups or get one of those giant boxing buddies to practice my swing.

  Over the next few days, I helped Dad move his office out, quickly taking over with my own things. In went the treadmill and weights, my notebooks and pens. I watched hours of online videos depicting how to throw punches and defend myself. I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning, printing out and tacking papers up to a bulletin board. I highlighted points of interest, circled possible locations on a city map, and jammed them onto the cork. Any newspaper or blog articles, any hint of Fortune went up on that board. I snagged my dad’s giant flip board he used for trials. My neat handwriting filled nearly every inch of space. I brooded over it each night, adding my own notes and theories to the small pile of information.

  There was no rhyme, no reason. Fortune seemed to attack at random, the banks having no connection other than the fact they were banks. Cameras were off and witnesses gave little information. He didn’t even attack on the same days or times, each one scattered throughout the calendar. There was no way to plan for him, no chance to warn others of his arrival.

  No way to win either, it seemed.

  A few days later, I stared up at my high school’s front doors. The sprawling two-story building loomed overhead, kids rushing up the stairs to get to their classrooms. Knots formed in my stomach at the idea of walking back inside.

  “It’s going to be fine,” I muttered. “There’s nothing to be worried about.”

  “What are you mumbling?” Henry asked.

  He stood next to me, adjusting his backpack straps while looking around for other students we knew. He nudged me and I shuffled along next to him. We’d officially stepped back on campus, which meant senior year had begun. I only wanted to get through the day without throwing up from sheer nerves.

  I didn’t know what to expect. I’d heard from a handful of friends over the summer, mostly offers for afternoon movies or lunches at our local deli. Even my close friend Amber and I had lost touch once she got busy with her activities and internship. The way I figured, after last spring, no one thought I’d take up party invitations, so I didn’t get one. I didn’t blame them—I doubted I’d be much fun anyways.

  “Hello? Nova? I thought you were off the happy pills?” Henry asked, waving his hand in front of my face.

  I snapped out of my daze to look around. Our classmates rushed around, loudly catching up about vacations and summer jobs. Teachers chatted from their doorways, waved to passing students. I winced at a particularly loud locker slam and saw Henry still waiting on my answer.

  “Sorry. Yeah, I’m off the happy pills. I’m telling myself to gut through it. Today, I mean.”

  “Why the pep talk?”

  “You know how much everyone gossips.”

  “It’s been what, six months? No way they’re still talking about you,” he said, giving a pretty brunette girl a broad smile. She blushed and his grin stayed on as we continued down the hallway.

  “What was that about?” I asked incredulously.

  He gave an exaggerated shrug, his tone mocking. “We’re seniors now. I know the ins and outs of this place and its people. I’m a big fish in a small pond.”

  My nose wrinkled. “Henry, that’s really unbecoming. You better enjoy the next year of school because after that, you get to start over. See, I’m biding my time. College is when I’ll really hit the scene of excitement and personality.”

  “Shut up, you’ve got plenty of personality.” Henry dodged a gaggle of freshmen eyeing him from their lockers. “Let’s get to first period.”

  “Hey, yeah, at least we have three classes together this semester. That’s pretty great.” I made sure to sound enthusiastic, because I really was glad I’d automatically have a partner if need be. Henry was happy because he knew I’d help him with his homework.

  “You heard that Andy Vicker dumped Mandy last week, right?” Henry asked me as we slid into our desk chairs for homeroom. I grabbed a notebook and pencil out of my messenger bag on the floor.

  “I don’t think I knew they were dating.” I began doodling mask ideas on paper, considering different shapes and fits. Nothing tight over the nose, I need to breathe.

  “Back at the start of the summer.”

  I snorted. “Mandy and Andy. Adorable.”

  “Rumor is she hooked up with a lifeguard at the country club,” Henry said, as though confiding a secret. I felt his eyes on me and looked up. He shrugged, but it felt like he was fishing for something. The extended pause confirmed it.

  I raised both eyebrows at him. “And? What’s on your mind?”

  “I’m just telling you what I know,” he said. “You had a thing for him. He had a thing for you. Now he’s single. You’re single. You’re bad at math, but I know you can figure it out.”

  “Yeah, sure,” I said with a tight smile.

  It was true Andy Vicker once made butterflies leap in my stomach. How could he not? We’d been so close to dating, too; the day of Starling’s murder, Amber told me Andy was going to ask me to prom. But then my life imploded. Despite Henry’s obvious hints to get things started back up with Andy, getting a boyfriend wasn’t high on my list of concerns right now. I want to beat guys up, not date them. The teacher called for attention and I breathed a sigh of relief as our talk came to a halt.

  An English and Spanish class later, I realized I had the wrong book for my next class. I had plenty of time so I ran back to my locker to grab the textbook. With the same locker for all four years of my high school career, it was easy for Henry to find me.

  “There’s the person I’m looking for,” he said slyly, sidling up next to me.

  I shut my locker and gave him the side eye. “Why?”

  He gestured behind me. “Nova, I’d like you to meet our two new students, the Warners. This is Penelope, a junior, and her brother Cole, who’s a senior.”

  I turned around to find two of the prettiest people I’d ever seen in person. Both blond and golden-eyed, they politely smiled at me with identically beautiful, straight teeth. I restrained sarcastically lifting my hand to my eyes to shield against the brightness of them. Henry would laugh, but they’d probably find it rude.

  Penelope had long, wavy hair, almost fluffy; it fell past her shoulder blades, and her eyes, a shade lighter than her brother’s, didn’t linger on one spot or
person for too long. Shorter than me, tiny and cute, I knew it wouldn’t only be cheerleaders clamoring for her attention. I could already tell Henry wanted to make a move.

  Cole, on the other hand, seemed quite opposite from her despite their appearance. His thin face had sharp angles, like he was cut from stone. He kept his hair shaggy on top, but still relatively short, and he smiled more than his sister. His golden brown eyes were still brilliant, but a touch more normal than hers, and his friendlier demeanor put me at ease.

  Cole held out a hand and I took it, hoping to every god possible that my hand wasn’t too clammy or gross. We shook and Cole kept his eyes on me as he spoke.

  “So you’re Nova,” he said. “Henry kept saying we had to meet you.”

  “He’s always encouraging me to meet people,” I replied ruefully. I took my hand back, adjusted my messenger bag strap on my shoulder. He stuffed his hands back in his pockets.

  Cole grinned at me and I knew instantly he could be a distraction. I’d have to be careful around him. I mean, I noticed that the corners of his eyes crinkled when he smiled. And it made me feel all swoony. He looked a little like one of those hot CW actors, which did not suck on the eyes.

  “You’re the Nova everyone’s talking about?” Penelope asked, snapping me out of my daze. Her gaze finally rested on me in surprise. Her big eyes unnerved me, like she was reading me as easily as my textbook. I didn’t want her attention on me for too long.

  I nodded a little, glanced down the hallways at the students rushing into their classes.

  “Sorry about what happened to your sister,” she said bluntly. Cole winced and Henry stiffened next to me, his body leaning forward into mine.

  Old Nova might have fallen apart, but I—new Nova—wouldn’t let that happen. New Nova kept her emotions under control. Instead, I gave a sharp nod in thanks at her statement.

  “They’re still talking about that, huh?” I asked. I kept my voice casual and shot Henry an I told you so glance. Penelope gave a disinterested shrug.

  “Better get to class,” Henry said. He acted like he was taking note of our frantic classmates, but I knew he was trying to change the subject. Plus the bell was due to ring any second. “They’re on the same lunch schedule.”

  “Maybe we can join your table?” Cole said with a hopeful smile.

  “Sure. See you after class,” I said as nonchalantly as possible. I quickly spun on my heel and took off for history class, slipping through the doorway as the bell rang.

  God knows what the teacher discussed that period. To my own surprise, I didn’t think about the new kids or getting Andy’s attention. I contemplated the best way to throw Fortune off a very tall building. My thoughts were no longer boys and parties; I wanted Fortune’s blood on my hands. It was all that truly mattered.

  As promised, Cole and Penelope followed Henry to our lunch table where I already sat. Henry immediately hit journalism mode—he wanted to know everything about everyone. Thank god he thought he already knew everything about me.

  “So what brings you to Arcania?”

  “Our dad got a new job,” Cole said. “He works for Arcania Bank now.”

  I paused, gave him a stare that was probably angrier than it should’ve been. My voice came out with too much bite. “New head of security?”

  “Yeah, actually,” Cole said, clearly not getting my question. “They had someone working there for a bit, but he didn’t want the job permanently.”

  “Don’t see why not,” I mumbled. “Not like that particular bank would get attacked again.”

  Henry grimaced; Cole looked uncomfortable, putting two and two together. A twinge of guilt went through me; I shouldn’t be snapping at the new kid. Penelope’s gaze floated around the cafeteria, not seeming to take a word of our conversation in. I met Henry’s eyes and the look on his face was clear: could I please play nice for thirty minutes?

  I sighed. “Sorry, Cole.”

  He shook his head. “No, I am. Really, I’m sorry. I didn’t think…”

  “It’s okay,” I said firmly. “I can’t go taking out my frustration on everyone who mentions it or gives me a strange look.” I’d half-directed that comment at Penelope, who still hadn’t so much as looked at me. She continued to ignore me.

  “Anyway, he got the new job and we moved here about a month ago,” Cole said.

  I noticed Cole had a tendency to keep his hands to himself. Not like my own wild motions that occasionally clotheslined passersby.

  “Technically, we had to move, since I got kicked out of our last school,” Penelope tossed in, looking as though it were no big deal.

  Henry’s eyebrows shot up, the right side of his mouth pulling up in an interested smile. “For what?”

  “Her attitude,” Cole answered before she could, giving his little sister what could only be described as a warning look. Before Henry could question it, Cole laughed good-naturedly, changing the subject. “I’m glad school finally started since we needed to meet some people. We had to help Dad with housework and I was about to lose my mind.”

  Henry pushed his glasses up on his nose and I could see him fighting not to ask about Penelope’s past. “Do either of you have any hobbies? Any plans to try out or join any extracurriculars?”

  “Geez, Henry,” I said with a laugh. “Let them eat.”

  “I know, I know,” he said. “But these are things people want to know.”

  “We don’t usually get involved at our schools.”

  “How come?” I asked.

  “Not enough time,” Penelope tossed in while she stared at someone several tables over. Her snide grin at some personal joke made me all the more curious.

  Cole bit his lip and I felt like maybe this time I’d overstepped my bounds. “Um, we move around a lot. I kind of thought since this was my senior year, I should try something different. Do you do anything, Nova?”

  “I’m on yearbook,” I answered, following his change of subject. “And if you couldn’t tell, Lois Lane over here is on the school newspaper, so be careful if you want anything off the record.”

  Penelope laughed, a short, high-pitched sound like tinkling bells. “I think I’ll shop around. I’m more of an observer. I participate when necessary.”

  My friend Amber stopped by the table. I stood up and we gave each other a big hug. We’d been close over the last two years, but after Starling died and I retreated into my own personal bubble, Amber and I didn’t talk as much. To her credit, she really did try to keep our friendship as it had always been. We’d had a couple lunches after school ended, but it died off as she got busier with extracurriculars and I fell deeper into my pit.

  “I’m so sorry we haven’t talked in forever, my summer internship was brutal,” she said as though reading my mind.

  “It’s okay, I was pretty boring all summer anyway. You look great,” I said, taking in her new outfit. Her pretty brown skin was tanner than usual. “Big fan of the curls!”

  Amber self-consciously touched her hair, scrunching up a coil with a smile. “Thanks, I was tired of the braids.”

  “Makes you look older,” I said with a grin.

  She laughed, making a blatant point not to glance at Henry. “How are you?”

  What she really meant was, are you finally normal again, so I tried to sound chipper. “Things have gotten better, thanks.”

  Sympathy shone in her eyes and I felt a spark of annoyance in my chest. Henry must’ve noticed my twitch.

  “And tell us, did you finally end the age-old question of how many cheerleaders it takes to screw in a lightbulb?” Henry asked.

  Amber’s glare should’ve caught her ex-boyfriend on fire. They’d dated for a few months last year, breaking up sometime over the course of my depression. Henry would never admit it, but I knew there were hurt feelings on both sides. I winced, hoping we could avoid the fireworks that usually went off when the two of them were in the same room now. I breathed a sigh of relief when she ignored his smirk, her chin going up in defia
nce.

  “I was thinking, Nova,” Amber said, not waiting for my reply, “you should rejoin the party planning committee.”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” I said, shifting in my chair. It had been fun last year, but I didn’t want to commit my nights to anyone but myself. I’d much rather be out hunting Fortune than sitting in the school gym making glittery signs.

  “There’s a party planning committee?” Penelope asked, her wide gold eyes on Amber. “Forget shopping around, I want to do that!”

  “Yes, you should help, too! We plan homecoming and prom. Since I’m in charge of it this year, I’ll make sure you get in.” Amber nodded encouragingly at Penelope, then suddenly brightened as she got a better look at Cole. I barely contained my eye roll.

  “Of course spots are going fast,” Henry said in a sarcastic tone. Amber’s face dropped as he spoke. “Everyone’s dying to plan the parties.”

  “You should be grateful, Henry,” Amber replied scathingly. “I’m sure you need some stories to write for your little paper. Students love pieces about upcoming events like dances. I believe you were supposed to write a piece about homecoming next month and you decided you were too good for it.”

  Henry loved to write for the paper, but I sort of agreed with her there. He tended to obsess over getting only serious and inspiring pieces for the student body. He wanted controversy, true reporting, something that would shake the school newspaper system to its core. He believed we needed to be educated, wanting to include nothing but school board agendas and cafeteria food company contracts.

  I often chided him on thinking himself too good for the fun, mindless pieces that saved us from reality. He always responded by shrugging and saying they had plenty of other reporters for things like that. As an editor, however, he probably wouldn’t let a lot of those stories get on the assignment board.

  In any case, it meant an even poorer relationship between Henry and Amber. She wanted to plan parties and read gossip or shopping pieces. Since Amber was often in charge of school events, they didn’t see eye to eye. It also didn’t help that Henry had dumped her last spring when he got promoted to editor. In all fairness, he’d had to take on more responsibility, but I also knew her personality. I didn’t recall much about the breakup (after the incident), but when I saw the glare she gave him, I remembered her tendency to hold grudges.