Ally

When we first got to the camp, there was one other girl in the class. She– Doe was different, to say the least. One time, I remember quite clearly, the way she finished the exercises quickly just so she could sit off to the side for the rest of the morning. It was pretty funny, actually, how she acted like she didn’t want to be there, when we were all clearly going to use the experience to apply for hero work. It’s hard to believe that it was only a couple of years ago that Doe and I met for the first time. 

The day my parents dropped me off, I was in awe of how large, how luxurious the training building seemed to be. I couldn’t believe it– I mean, that was where I was going to be for the next two months! Yeah, I was nervous, but who wouldn’t be, if put in my place? I was so happy just to even see the building where my favourite heroes had learned and trained how to be the role models they are today.

My mom and my dad carried my luggage for me into the entrance of the building. I was so excited! I had only experienced my ability for the first time a month ago, and now, I had the opportunity to become a hero! There was already someone else waiting inside, but my parents were walking over to the front desk to sign me in. I followed quickly behind them, but we all quickly realised there was no one at the front desk. They looked at me worriedly, but I assured them I would be able to check in when someone eventually came back. They had an appointment, so they couldn’t stay with me while I waited. I hugged them goodbye, I would miss them. I practically skipped over to the other kid who seemed to be waiting to check in as well. I was going to be polite to everyone, we were going to be stuck together for two months, after all.

“Hey…!” I said to him cheerfully. I couldn’t stop smiling, and even when he smiled back, I just continued to talk. “My name’s Ally. Are you here for the hero camp too?”

He continued to look at me, a half asleep look on his face, his long blonde hair making him look like some sort of hippie out of an old 70’s movie.  He opened his mouth. 

“Yeah,” he said slowly, still looking up at me from where he was sitting. “I’m Toby, nice to meet you.”

I was about to say something back to him, when the front door opened, and some people walked inside. It was another boy, this one with his parents, and they were all carrying what seemed to be gaming consoles, along with his luggage, of course. The parents seemed super excited to get rid of the boy, and he walked slowly behind them, looking down at his phone. 

They, almost exactly like my family had done, walked up to the front desk, and when they realised no one was there, walked over to where me and Toby were sitting.

“Are you two here for the Youth Hero Instructional Camp too?” the boy’s mom asked us, her long, brown hair bouncing around her. 

“Yes,” I answered, “we’re waiting for someone to come back.”

The mom sighed, and put the boy’s things down on the chair next to me. She motioned for the boy to sit down as well, and when he didn’t move, she grabbed the sleeve of his shirt, and dragged him into a chair. Even as she did this, the boy didn’t look up from his phone. He must’ve been used to it, I guess, because his mom seemed more annoyed at him than she did before. 

I looked around the entrance, because I was still in awe. This place was famous! It looked exactly how it was described in all of those hero interviews…! Everyone dreamed about being here!

After a few minutes, the boy's parents seemed agitated, they didn’t want to wait any longer. His mom took a step toward the front desk, and, of course, there was still no one there. Finally, she said something.

“Orion,” she said in a fake cheerful tone, “your dad and I are leaving, so go to the front desk when someone gets back.”

The boy simply nodded, and continued to stare at his phone. He didn’t seem to care that he wouldn’t be able to see his parents for the next two months. In fact, it almost seemed like he was glad they finally left him alone. I couldn’t tell. I was pretty sure his mom had called him Orion, but I was kind of scared to talk to him after I saw how his parents acted around him. I hoped another girl would come and ease me from this strangely comfortable silence. 

I had no idea how many people were enrolled in this camp, and I was kind of nervous thinking about it. I hoped I wasn’t the only girl, but at the same time, I didn’t want to have to make a bunch of phony girl friends either. 

Hopefully someone would hurry up and come to the front desk, and I could finally live my dream, even just for the summer, of using my ability like a hero.