Let’s Make Some Waves (Jared, Kevin)

[Aaron Walker]

After AJ’s failed experiments with using his power to fly, he decided to turn his attention elsewhere for the moment. He wasn’t sure exactly how the idea had occurred to him, although it might have had something to do with falling asleep in the lounge while someone was watching Deadliest Catch.

Maybe he could use sound waves to make actual waves.

The next day, he’d pulled on a pair of shorts he hardly wore because the pockets were starting to get holes in them and prepared for his next adventure. He stopped by Jared’s room on the way to stick his head in long enough to demand that his friend follow him if he didn’t want to miss out on something totally epic. He hardly waited for the other boy to reply before he took off running towards the pool.

“Just watch,” he said to his pal, standing at the edge of the pool. He didn’t bother to explain what he was about to try before he jumped into the pool. Not being the best of swimmers, he stuck to where he could stand. He had decided earlier that it would probably work best if he submerged himself. So holding his breath he got on his knees underwater with his hands out in front of him.

Anyone who could see his face underwater might have laughed at the size of the grin on his face as he let out a sound wave towards the direction of the deep end.

The result wasn’t quite as epic as the young boy had hoped. Instead of created a huge tsunami looking wave, the force of the sound turned the pool into a sort of whirlpool for a few seconds before finally working out itself out.

Bobbing back to the surface, AJ clung to the side of the pool beaming at his friend. “How was that?” he said as he started to pull himself out. As he did something caught his eye in the water. “Oh man…I think there’s someone down there,” he said pointing towards the deep end.

[Jared Park]

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Jared just couldn’t believe his luck. Seriously, with the things that have been happening to him lately, it wouldn’t really surprise him if someone suddenly comes up to him and tells him that he never really had mechanical imperceptibility but instead had probability manipulation, and the wonky brand at that. First it was with his skateboard and that kind lady he crashed into. A few hours after that, he spilled an ice cream scoop on himself when he walked into AJ. The next day his bag’s zipper broke. He also burnt some of his hair while using the flat iron (thank goodness it wasn’t too noticeable; he could swear his hair still smells singed though). And there were a whole lot more.

Unfortunately for him, he still can’t see himself when his webcam’s on, so he really had no one to blame for his misfortunes but himself.

He was in the middle of coatingrepairing his broken kite with duct tape when AJ suddenly barged in and dragged him to god knows where. “You couldn’t tell me we’re going to the pool? I could’ve changed fast you know,” he grumbled as AJ readied himself and jumped to the pool. While he wasn’t really in the mood to get wet, it’s so much better than sitting on the benches and watching from afar.

“WOAH!” the boy said once AJ’s little experiment was over, handing a towel to the boy as he went out of the pool, “That was amaziiiing. I swear that whirpool’s the best.”’ Since he wasn’t really wearing his contacts (no time to get ready and all; he’s still in his pajamas actually), he didn’t really see anyone. “What are you talking about? You saw someone?” He quickly took a step closer to AJ, clutching to his arm. “Don’t scare me. You know I can’t stand ghosts.”

[Kevin Bailey]

After Amber had shown him around a bit, Kevin was super stoked to find out that Hammel had a pool. That meant he could swim! His favorite activity! He supposed practicing his powers was also important, but mostly he was just as excited to swim.

Kevin was keen on making new friends, he just didn’t think that he would meet them this way. There he was, just minding his own business, sitting at the bottom of the deep end of the pool, when someone else jumped in. Kevin smiled a bit, thinking it would be a good idea to go and introduce himself, when suddenly, an awful noise filled his ear canals. He raised his hands to cover his ears, the vortex of water sucking his in.

Panicking, Kevin tried to swim away from it, but was caught up in the current. He wasn’t sure what was going on, wasn’t sure what kind of powers the other guy possessed. Was everyone at Hammel going to torture him while he was here? Feeling very dizzy, Kevin just closed his eyes, and waited for the water to stop spinning him around.

The whirling subsided, but the nausea didn’t. Kevin bobbed to the surface, and then just floated there on his back. His eyes were closed, but he was just trying to calm down. Any sudden movements, and he’s gonna throw up.

[Aaron Walker]

It hadn’t even occurred to AJ that Jared might have liked to change into swim trucks as well. Or perhaps put in his contacts. When he got excited about something he tended to have a one track mind.

He beamed at his firend’s amazement at his new trick. Although it hadn’t worked exactly like he had planned, it was nice to see Jared’s reation. Maybe next time he could make an actual wave.

But the feeling was washed away the moment AJ had noticed someone else in the pool. “Ghosts?” AJ asked, the color draining from his face. “I killed them?” He watched the other boy bob to the surface, checking for signs of life. “Awh man. I wish I was a lifeguard.”

But after a few seconds of the boy just floating on the surface, AJ decided his swimming skills (or lack there of) didn’t really matter. “Don’t worry,” he yelled as he doggy paddled towards the floating boy. “I’ll save you! Jared throw me something!”

[Jared Park]

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Whatever qualms the Asian teen had about not being able to swim and being relegated to the sidelines was completely overcome by his awe with what his friend just did. It was just too amazing for words, at least in his book. (He would’ve used the word ‘surreal’ to describe it, but he barely knows what it means, much less how to spell it). It was probably for the best that he wasn’t in the pool anyway; while he knows how to swim, he’s not sure he can keep afloat during that whirlpool. He loves AJ (in a completely platonic way), but he doesn’t trust that the boy could save him should he drown.

Still, how he wishes his power would allow him to create such amazing displays.

“What? Ghosts are already dead!” You can only suck them into a can and throw them back to the phantom zone, but never kill them. (Blame Danny Phantom. Jared loves that show). “WAIT HE’S A GUY?!”

Cue panic.

Almost instantly did he push AJ down the pool while he ran to the benches to try and find any life-saving device. “Would these work?” He threw three life jackets towards the pool. “Or these?” Now kickboards. “Or these?” Swimming noodle rain hooray. “Is he dead? What’re we going to do now? I’m too young to go to jail.”

[Kevin Bailey]

Kevin frowned, trying to make his head and stomach stop spinning. Why were people yelling? He peeked through his half closed eyelids at the boy who was apparently going to try and save him. Kevin smiled broadly, and then frowned again at the feeling at the pit of his gut.

He raised his hand into the air to signal he was alright, but they just kept coming. And they were throwing things at him now. Kevin’s ears were under water and he sighed. Were they trying to save him or drown him, he wasn’t sure.

“What are you guys doing?” He asked finally, eyes still closed. “I swear I’m gonna puke...” He groaned before grinning. “Awesome whirlpool though.”

[Aaron Walker]

He was starting to wish that he had listened more during the swimming lessons at his uncle’s camp. Grabbing onto one of the many kickboards that Jared had tossed into the water he swam up beside the boy. “We’re trying to save you, can’t you tell?” AJ asked grinning broadly. He had almost forgotten that he was the reason that the other boy needed saving in the first place.

“Dude, don’t puke in the water. I saw a kid do that a camp once,” he said, feeling a little sick himself at the thought. “It was awful. Can I help ya to the side? We can go slow.”

“Hey Jared,” AJ shouted to his friend. “We didn’t kill him.” He knew his friend would be glad of that. He could picture Jared lying awake at night expecting to be haunted by their classmate if they had. Or course AJ would probably have done the same thing.

“You liked it?” AJ asked, beaming with pride. “It was my first ever. Guess I should let ya know if I try it again.”

[Jared Park]

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Unreasonable as it might sound, Jared’s somehow already confined himself to the fact that he’s been involved in some kind of murder, accidental as it might be. After all, AJ’s whirlpool was just that powerful to him, it should’ve been enough to drown someone. (And let’s be honest, Kevin doesn’t seem like much anyway, so he figured that even half the power of the whirlpool would be enough to kill the boy).

So when Kevin raised his hand to get their attention, he just went ballistic. “ZOMBIE! OHMYGOD AJ GET OUT OF THERE HE’S A ZOMBIE!!!” he yelled to the top of his lungs, throwing everything he can get hold of (i.e. more kickboards, life jackets, etc.). He reasons that if meta-humans like him and his friend can exist, what’s stopping werewolves, vampires and witches from doing the same? “OF COURSE WE DID! HE’S THE UNDEAD NOW! GET AWAY FROM THE POOL BEFORE YOU BECOME ONE TOO!”

Then the boy spoke. He didn’t sound anything like those zombies in the games he’s played before. (Jared was expecting some guttural, otherworldly growl). “Oh,” he said, awkwardly smiling and dropping the noodle he has in his hand. “My bad. Too much TV, I guess.”

[Kevin Bailey]

“I wasn’t sure,” Kevin said, looking hesitantly at all the things floating around him in the water now. He had been in the water to start, obviously if he couldn’t swim he wouldn’t just jump into the deep end without someone to teach him.

Kevin’s stomach rumbled and he closed his eyes again. He couldn’t promise not puking. He grabbed one of the pink noodles and slid it under his arms. “That was insane,” he said with a half grin. He took a woozy glance at the other boy, Jared. He laughed a bit. “I wish I were a zombie, that would be so awesome.”

“It’ll take more than that to kill me, come on, I’m meta.” He swam his way to the edge of the pool, lifted himself over the side and lay flat on his back. “I guess I’m done training for today.” He groaned.

[Aaron Walker]

“Zombies?” AJ yelled back at Jared, looking frantically around the pool. But all he could see was the other boy holding onto a noodle. “Where?” Even after Jared calmed down he still kept his eye on the water. Zombies were freaky. And he’d like to keep his brain free of bite marks.

“You’re a meta too?” AJ asked as he pulled himself out of the pool and sat next to the boy. But after a few seconds it dawned on him where he was. Of course the kid was a meta. After all this was Hammel. “Um..nevermind.”

“I was training too,” AJ said, grinning once again. “Well sorta. Can’t say my trainer told me to go jump in the pool but they never come up with any fun ideas.” Mostly their ideas were too safe to be fun. There was no adventure without a bit of risk. “So what’s you’re power? Super…buoyancy?”

“This is my pal Jared. He’s cool, even though he’s scared of ghost stories.” he said, proud of himself for remembering introductions. “Oh and I’m AJ.”

[Jared Park]

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Despite Kevin’s consecutive coherent and complete sentences, Jared wasn’t entirely convinced that the boy wasn’t a zombie. Maybe just 75% convinced at the moment. The Asian teen says he needs more proof.

So when Kevin went out of the pool and sprawled on the ground, Jared cautiously approached the boy, trying his best to be as stealthy as he can (which probably means not at all). He slowly crouched down when he’s at arm’s length from the water breather and poked the boy’s shoulder with a finger, as if testing to see if he’d twitch or not.

And again. And again. And again.

“Ok. You’re really not a zombie,” grinned Jared, letting out a satisfied huff as he moved a little closer and sat down. “Wish I could train like that.” Such a statement bore no ill will against the two though. It’s more like an off-handed wishful thought than anything else. “Trainers are boring. Like I thought they’d be more like XMen people, but they’re not. Especially Mr. Thornton. He’s always grouchy. Thank goodness I didn’t get him.” He almost did. But he got switched to a different one last minute. And he’s so happy for it.

He gave AJ a little punch when he said that he’s scared of ghost stories. “I’m scared of ghosts, not of ghost stories. Different thing.” Jared logic. Never said it made sense. “And seriously, what’s not to be scared about? They can fly, go through objects and possess you. And they’re invisible unless they want to be seen!”

[Kevin Bailey]

Kevin nodded a couple times. Yes he was meta, no it wasn’t a stupid question. “S’alright, I’m still getting used to the whole thing.” Being a meta, that wasn’t something that happened to everyone. Everyone here was special, and had a lot of work ahead of them in order to control their powers. Kevin was intent on doing just that. And hopefully he’d make a few friends along the way.

“Who’s your trainer?” Kevin asked. He had landed a very stern woman, whose name he couldn’t remember. “The one I got, well, she’s sorta mean.” He laughed and shook his head no, swatting at Jared’s pokes. “No, I can breathe underwater,” and then he smirked like the dickens. He was so proud of what he could do, and hopefully what he’d be able to do soon. With a bit of training. “What do you guys do? I mean, obviously you know how to have fun, but, what’s your powers?”

He sighed. “Kevin,” he said, waving at them a couple times. He just didn’t want to get up for a while. “Just warn me next time you guys do something crazy.” He lolled his head over to the side, spotting Jared. “Why aren’t you wearing swim shorts?” And what was with all the talk about ghosts?

[Aaron Walker]

“Jared,” AJ said with a sigh as he tried to stop his friend from continually poking Kevin. “He’s not a zombie…cuz no zombie would claim that they weren’t a zombie.” Then again, he wasn’t exactly sure about that. He paused for a moment, wondering if a zombie would rather claim that they were a vampire…or perhaps some sort of lagoon creature?

“Um…” AJ said, concentrating hard on trying to remember the man’s name. “The one with the dog? I forget what he calls himself…but I’ve had a couple ones…I think.” Truthfully AJ never paid as much attention as he should during his training. He felt he did a better job training himself.

“Wait, ghosts are invisible?” AJ asked. “Maybe my roommate’s a ghost then?” he shrugged at the idea, not really worried about it. Jordan and AJ tended to stick to themselves. So if he was a ghost, he wasn’t really worried about it.

[Jared Park]

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Jared hated training with a passion. First off, it wasn’t really how he imagined it to be. Growing up with the X-Men and the Teen Titans, he was expecting training to be held in secret underground rooms with high-tech machinery allowing for complicated combat simulations, a far far cry from what he came to experience. Also, there’s the fact that his power isn’t doesn’t really lend itself to extremely exciting scenarios. Most of his sessions were of him sitting in a room, trying to meditate. And with an overactive imagination such as his, he’d probably find flying to the moon a whole lot easier than clearing his mind of everything.

“I’m getting a new one this week I think. Her name’s Ms. Saymers? Seyard? Seymour? I don’t remember.” He’d remember her when he meets her, he thinks. “I got Mr. Jackeroe Cor-whatshisname before. He’s fun. Pretty quirky. But I think I enjoyed our sessions too much and didn’t really learn anything.” It’s a shame that he took a leave so Jared had to switch trainers. Hopefully he’d be back soon.

The Asian teen beamed when Kevin told them his power. “Oh is that why you’re floating weirdly when we saw you? You’re like Aquaman! Do you grow gills when you’re underwater? Like on your cheek or on your neck?” Jared happily stopped prodding Kevin, only to lean in closer and examine his neck. So much for personal space. “Can you talk to fish and whales too?”

“I dance. And almost always beat this boy’s ass when it comes to video games,” grinned Jared, grabbing AJ by the shoulder and completely missing what Kevin was asking. “I was still sleeping when AJ dragged me here. And no, Jordan’s no ghost. He’s a jerk.” Jared hated that boy with a passion. I don’t think they’ll ever be friends.

[Kevin Bailey]

“Yeah dude, I’m not a zombie,” he said, grinning. Okay, Jared was just confused, Kevin could forgive him. Thinking someone was a zombie was an innocent mistake.

“I can’t remember the lady’s name that I got,” he said, but it wasn’t really that important. He was just curious. “You guys seem to have better ways of training anyway, I didn’t think we were allowed to train without supervision.” He glanced between the two of them. “Are we allowed to train off of the campus too?” No, he had not taken the time to read the regulations and rule book the office had given him. Really, who read those things anyways?

“I don’t float weird,” Kevin said, but for all he knew, maybe he did. He shook his head no. “I don’t grow gills, I think they’re on the inside of my body,” he said, unsure of the mechanics of his power. He seemed rather normal, staying under the water for many minutes at a time. “I don’t know, I’ve never met a whale before,” Kevin admitted, but he was sure he could if given the chance. It’d be just like his favorite movie Finding Nemo. He gave Jared a wary look. “Is he always like this?” He asked AJ with a grin.

“Videogames? They have those here too?” Kevin smiled, maybe he could show them how good at video games he was. Which in reality, wasn’t, but hey, he thought he was decent and that’s all that counted. He didn’t know who Jordan was, so he didn’t agree or disagree. “Wait, are there ghosts here?” He wasn’t sure he wanted to be in a place where there was ghosts.