Thunder and Lightning

Chapter 1

"College student Alexander King was found dead late Friday night, suffering severe burns--"

The news caster is cut off as the TV is muted. Morgan Steele glances up from her rice bubbles. Her aunt, Charlotte, standing in the living room, hand on one hip and TV remote in the other.

"Charlotte, I was listening to that," Morgan sighed, setting down her spoon.

"I don't need to hear about that poor boy. Murdered by a mutant, they're saying," She took a seat at the kitchen table across from Morgan, leaning on her elbows and sighing.

"Mutants are nothing but trouble, I keep telling you people this," Morgan sat back in her chair, glancing over at the sliding glass doors, through which a New York sunrise was pouring in through open blinds.

"They're people, just like we are."

"Yeah, and they're also nuclear bombs in human flesh." Morgan rolled her eyes, running a hand through her close-cut black hair. She checked the clock. "I should get going, I'll see you this afternoon." She stood from her seat, placing her empty bowl in the kitchen sink and pressing a brief kiss on her Aunt's cheek before she snatched up her backpack from one of the empty seats, heading for the door of their apartment.

"Have a nice day, love!" She heard her Aunt call behind her, as Morgan closed the door behind herself and made her way from the apartment and out into the bustling street beyond.

Morgan had a bittersweet relationship with New York. On one hand, its was the most gross place she'd ever stepped foot in. But it was also home, and that was hard to pass up, despite the rather major downsides it possessed.

She met her friend on the corner of her block.

Hey. Helia Kamez signed.

What's up? Morgan replied. 

Helia was a bouncing ball of wit and blazing red hair, curly and wild, done up in a low ponytail. She wore a second-hand varsity jacket passed down from her brother, and a wild-- but not unkind-- smile on her freckled face.

We gonna get going? 

Yeah, wouldn't want to be late to economics, Morgan replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes. Morgan chuckled as they crossed the road, avoiding the constant stream of cars that forever patrolled the streets of New York, even in it's smaller neighbourhoods.

From their corner-- where they had been meeting every day since they were freshmen-- it took only fifteen minutes to walk to Northsea Highschool.

Upon arrival, Morgan furrowed her brow, noting the increased buzz of activity surrounding the front entrance. 

What's going on? She signed to Helia, her friend simply shrugging.

I don't know, I can't make it out.

The two decided to approach, and soon realised that the mass of gathered students had swarmed something. No, not something, someone.

Is that who I think it is? Helia spared a glance at Morgan, who was on the balls of her feet, trying to see over the heads of their fellow students to the centre of the crowd.

Damnit, I forgot about that. Morgan groaned. 

I thought it was just a prank. 

Morgan shook her head with a sigh. Nope, we've got a mutant in our midst, Apollo Eneide, in the flesh.

-

When Morgan and Helia walked into first period, they were met instantly with a tidal wave of chatter about none other than one Apollo Eneide.

God, do these people have nothing better to talk about?

Helia gave Morgan a look. Let them be excited Morgan, it is pretty cool that Omen himself is coming to our school.

Morgan huffed, setting out her laptop and trying to drown out the obnoxious chatter that surrounded her. Absorbing herself in checking her emails, she almost missed Helia's insistent poking of her upper arm. Morgan turned to her friend.

What's--

She cut herself off half way through the sign. Apollo Eneide, in all his glory, stepped through the doors into AP Economics. The mutant surveyed the room carefully; his dark blue eyes seemed to know something she did not, and Morgan felt a frown tug at her lips.

His piercing gaze met hers. She felt her face grow warm and noted the smirk on his lips as he winked at her. Morgan averted her gaze. Helia chuckled beside her, giving her friend a knowing look. Morgan rolled her eyes.

What a smug bastard. 

Even so, Morgan fidgeted uncomfortably in her seat, trailing a hand through her hair self-consciously. He took the empty seat in front of them, dropping his bag to his feet and setting down his laptop. He slouched in his chair, doc martin boots up on the desk. He was immediately swarmed by his closest neighbours.

Morgan rolled her eyes, but felt herself watching him anyway. Helia was engrossed in her text book, and everyone else was either enamoured by the new kid or messing around on their phones, surely their would be no harm? 

He was handsome, she had to admit. Clean face, angular features, sharp jawline and messy brown hair that he tied back in a small ponytail. He was every dream-boy stereotype rolled into one. Morgan could imagine that he wouldn't look out of place in a boyband. He had is left helix pierced, two sleek silver rings wrapping around his ear, and wore a Olympian shirt in the style of a varsity jacket. Jesus, he even wore his own merch. 

Like what you see?

Morgan hardly registered the flash of sign language as Apollo turned to face her.

Fuck off,  Morgan replied, rolling her eyes. 

"Ooh, he knows sign language too." Morgan heard someone mutter as she restrained herself from rolling her eyes.

You were the one staring at me, love.

Don't call me that.

Apollo smirked. Well, stop staring.

Morgan felt her face redden, immediately dropping her eyes and burying her face in her laptop.

How's the eye candy? Rapid signing beside her caught Morgan's eye.

I hate you. Morgan huffed, ignoring any further attempts at signing from Helia, who rolled her eyes light-heartedly.

The entrance of Mr Freeman quashed any further attempts at conversation, the class beginning without a further word.

-

The rest of the day passed rather unceremoniously.

The only topic of conversation, however, seemed to be Apollo Eneide. A conversation which, while Helia happily partook in, Morgan did not find as appealing.

Turns out I have French with him, he's literally even more hot in person. Morgan and Helia had taken seats in the cafeteria with their usual group of friends, who, much like the rest of Northsea Highschool, were not exempt from the thrill of having a famous mutant join their ranks. I heard he's already been invited to Jamie's party on the weekend. 

Sabrina Carter, Josie Ingles, and Helia chatted idly. Morgan watched with mild disgust as Sabrina signed with much vigour about how much she wanted to Eneide to step on her.

Keep it in your pants, Sabrina, Helia replied, the three sharing a laugh. 

I really don't get the appeal, Morgan interjected.

What? He's hot, he's famous, and he's a superhero. What more could you want, Morgan. Josie chuckled.

Dude, he's such an asshole, Morgan replied, rolling her eyes. Just because he's hot, doesn't mean he's a good person.

Yes it absolutely does. Sabrina grinned, earning laughs from the other two girls and an irritated sigh from Morgan, who promptly returned to her nachos.

Oh my god. Morgan looked up. 

What? Sabrina glanced over Morgan's head.

He's coming this way.

Morgan furrowed her brow, turning her head and following her friends' gazes, instantly locking eyes with none other than Apollo Eneide.