THE MOMENT
"Ms. Bureiko Sakura, welcome to Sharp High," the heavyset gentleman in a white blazer smiled at the teen across his desk. She was a newly registered student, wearing a black work shirt with red-dyed hair, and he was going to get her oriented. "I'm Mr. Statler Whitewick, but the students call me 'Statick', if you prefer," he said.
"I'm 'Brucie', please," she nodded.
"Is that something you'd prefer across the board, or just because we're going to be such good friends?" he asked the question with a sincere tone, and she nodded again. She was used to being independent, and she enrolled herself in the school with no issue at all. Every person she'd met had been kind and attentive, and somehow, Statick still made her feel even more welcome. She'd already begun to think of him by his nickname instead of the formal, 'Mr. Statler Whitewick' nameplate on his desk. He exuded friendliness from the moment she walked in and sat down.
"I'd prefer it," she said.
"Oh, that's fine," he nodded and clicked a white pen as he opened her red file folder. He'd already gone through it moments before he invited her into his office, and he easily wrote in her name. "Not a problem, Brucie. Before we start putting together your goals and class list, I'd like to ask about how you found us, if you don't mind. Sharp High isn't overly public by nature. Most of the students are generational, and it's rather rare to admit new students were weren't anticipating."
"Oh, I can totally understand that," Brucie nodded with a smile. "Just this meeting alone is something that would've never happened at my old high school. And, not to mention all the Super and Magical powered kids running around. The question makes sense," she added. "This is no ordinary school."
"Oh goodness, my goodness," Statick chuckled and shook his head. "Brucie, you are %100 right about that. This isn't an ordinary school at all, is it?" he laughed some more. His mirth was contagious, and Brucie found herself giggling too, without knowing why exactly.
"You know, I've been a counselor at this school for so long, it's easy to forget what normal is," he said. "The Earth I grew up on was full of magic and more. Getting the position here wasn't all that different for me, but that's not your experience, huh?" he asked.
"There were only humans on my Earth. My parents gave me a crappy name, then ignored me, then died. I tried to get a few acquaintances to start using 'Brucie', but that was when I realized they weren't actually friends. Finally, on a dark and stormy night, I met an Estrella named Britt, and she recommended Sharp High as one of the places I should check out."
"Oh, Britt Matthews?" Statick asked, and Brucie nodded. "She's enrolled as a student as well. Actually, it is noteworthy that she recommended you as a student. Has she talked to you about Rollerderby at all?"
"She helped me make my character, and even asked if I wanted to join her team," Brucie nodded.
"Ah, then that explains it," he nodded. "She is forming a new team, and one of the requirements is that her team be comprised of students from here at Sharp High. She can be enthusiastic..., and occasionally petty," he chuckled. "But, Britt's overall understanding. Don't feel pressured to join her team if you find another group you click with better. And, by that same token, don't feel pressured to join any team. "
"Thank you," Brucie nodded. She appreciated the advice even if she was planning to join the team. Britt was the first person to show Brucie genuine kindness, and she wasn't going to forget it any time soon.
"So then, let's discuss your options at this ordinary school," Statick replied. He gave Brucie an awkward grin at the same time, and it made his joke so obvious that she was compelled to play into it.
"Didn't you just find out that this is no ordinary school?" Brucie asked.
"That's right," he nodded. "I found out that that's your perspective. But let me tell you. Give it time, and soon you'll think it's as ordinary as breathing."