A Hairy Situation

[Piper Goldburg]

Piper wandered into the training room. It was her first time since she arrived at Hammel. She was excited to start developing her skills. Piper felt she didn't need a trainer. With a power like hair manipulation, she thought could figure it out by herself. Piper took out her pony tail and shook out her hair. First, she would try making it stand up. Eyes closed, Piper pictures her goal in her mind and focused on making it into a reality. She felt her hair brush against her ears as it lifted up. Piper's hair knocked off her beanie and it fell to the wooden floor. Piper opened her eyes and her hair fell back in place.

Using her powers usually gave her a headache. Piper dug a water bottle and a Tylenol out of her bag. After taking it, she got right back to developing her powers. This time, she would make it grow. Piper closed her eyes once again. While her eyes were closed, she thought about what she could use her powers for. Piper imagined tying up someone's hands with their own hair. But, without realizing it, she did that to herself. Piper couldn't move her hands and her head hurt way to much to use her powers again.

"Help! Someone please!" She screamed. But she knew no one could here her.

[Maria Mason]

Maria was on her way to the training room. She stopped to get a bottle of water first. She wanted to see how far her powers went. She felt like she could do it without anyone around. What's the worse that could happen? Spilling water and turning it into ice. She snorted. 'Glad my power can't do to much damage. Well to me anyway' she though. She really thought she would be the only one there but she was wrong.

She walked into the room and quickly saw a girl with hair tied around her wrists. To say Maria was shocked would be an under statement. 'How in the world did that happen' thought Maria. She was brought out of her thought by the girl's screaming. She rushed over and said "What do you want me to do? Should I get a teacher or something?"

[Piper Goldburg]

It had been twenty minutes since she was trapped. Piper knew she couldn't do this by herself. She saw a figure walking towards the room. Piper knew help was on the way.

A girl rushed into the room. Piper wasn't sure if she should be relieved. Now she would have to use her non existant skill of social interaction. The day seemed to get worse and worse. Piper tried for the millionth time to free herself but her hair seemed to tighten every time she tried.

"Scissors. Get Scissors. I can always grow my hair back later." Piper pleaded. Her hands were slowly losing circulation and she had a lot of homework to do.

[Maria Mason]

Scissors. 'Of course Maria. Your an idiot' she thought. She ran back to her room somehow not getting lost and got scissors. Even through your not not to run with scissors Maria did the opposite. She didn't care at that point if she stabbed herself. A girl needed saving after all. Maria rushed back into the training room and began cutting the girl's hair. 'How did she manage to get like that in the first place. Never saw that before' thought Maria. She finally managed to get the girls wrists free. "Oh wow. How did you end up like that? Sorry I was just curious. I'm always told that I'm too nosy. My name's Maria by the way. What's yours? There goes my curiosity again" said Maria.

[Piper Goldburg]

At first, Piper planned that she wouldn't speak and just run away when she was cut loose. But the girl seemed nice and Piper was looking for a friend. After a minute of silence, Piper told her story. She then realized how stupid and embarrassing her little tale was.

"Hi I'm Piper. Are you new here too?" Piper didn't know what to say after that. Her mother once told her to ask about their interests to break the ice.

"Ummm... so, do you like music? I can play the ukulele." Piper hoped that Maria wouldn't make fun of her for playing such a silly instrument.

[Maria Mason]

Maria was waiting for her to rush out, embarrassed of what happened. Maria didn't really mind, it really just shocked her. She shocked her mom when she lowed her room temperature after all. She heard her say her name was Piper. 'That's one name I never heard before. Its a cool name' she thought. "I'm not exactly new. I been here since I was 12 so that was five years. I came here after my dad died actually. Well about a month later. Are you knew? I do like music actually. I think my cousin learned how to play the ukulele when he went to Hawaii. I wish I could have taken up the flute through" said Maria, thinking she made a friend. She could tell that Piper was uncomfortable about the whole ukulele thing. That's why she brought up her cousin. He would use that to get Maria to go to sleep.

[Piper Goldburg]

Piper thanked her for the compliment. She told Maria that she could pick up an instrument any time and that she started ukulele only last year. She was glad that Maria actually wanted to continue the conversation though. She knew that she couldn't really get far with the music thing so she asked a different question.

"What are your hobbies?" Hopefully she was into the arts. Being artsy and creative was definitely on her wish list for a friend. Piper played with now short and choppy hair. She closed her eyes and focused on growing out to its original length. Slowly it returned to its normal state and she opened her eyes.

"Sooo... what's your power?" Piper asked. She didn't realize before how much her curiosity was getting to her.

[Maria Mason]

Maria was glad that the conversation wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. She wanted to play the flute. 'Maybe my parents will let me' she thought idly. She heard Piper as her about her hobbies. Maria thought before answering. "Well I enjoy reading, which is why I have almost no friends here. I would say art but I'm horrible at that subject. That's more my mom's hobby. I enjoy any sport that you can take in winter. I love the cold. I like swimming too but the water has to be ice cold. My power is Cyokinesis. That means I can manipulate ice/cold. That's why when I swim I need the water ice cold. I'm really sensitive to heat. The most I can do yet through is change the temperature in a room slightly. I'm working to be able to freeze a room. At least change the temperature to my liking. Not the most flashy power but its pretty cool. I don't have to worry about getting frostbite. Anyway what are your hobbies and your power. Something to do with hair I'm guessing. Was it safe to attempt what you did" said Maria. Her curiosity was getting the best of her.

[Piper Goldburg]

"I love reading!" Piper said excitedly. There was finally something they had in common. "If you want, I can teach you how to draw. I have been in a few art showings so I know my stuff. My power is hair manipulation so you can come to me about any knots or split ends. I have really been improving. I just have to work on focusing." Piper smiled at Maria. Though she was older than her, she was extremely friendly and seemed like perfect friend material. Because of the age difference, she knew that they would definitely not become best friends but Piper was confident Maria would be happy to hang out or help her find her way around the school.

Piper didn't know what to talk about next. She was nearing the end of her list of conversation starters. But then she remembered how Maria enjoyed reading.

"What book are you reading. I just finished The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I am kind of taking a break on reading and focusing more on writing. But if you haven't already, definitely read John Green's books. He is a genius!"

[Maria Mason]

"Focusing on your power is important. Just remember it can take years to really master it through. I haven't read much lately. When I do its mostly the books from the library. I can't exactly remember the last book I read. Maybe I'll look into John Green" said Maria. She remembered her trying out her powers the first time. Luckily for her, nothing bad happened. The room just stayed cold. "After seeing what happened to you with your power, I'm glad I can control ice and cold. I'm sorry that happened to you" said Maria.