From zero to hero, hopefully.

[Zachary LaRousse]

Zac was given a black Moleskine® notebook by his father before he left for Hammel. While his dad is known for novel gifts, the notebook came completely unexpected. It wasn’t too tacky, but not too usual either. Completely baffled at the gift, Zac returned the notebook within minutes of receiving it. His father simply laughed and told him that one must accept every gift warmly. He could opt to throw it later, not in front of the giver.

Mr. LaRousse told his son that the he’d like Zac to use the Moleskine® as a journal, a diary, where Zac could write everything and anything under the sun. From something as trivial as what he ate for lunch to something more serious like his first kiss, Mr. LaRousse wants his son to chronicle his life as much as he can. He explained that Zac’s entering his teenage years, a very sensitive stage in a person’s growth, and he’ll need someone to share all these things with. Keeping them bottled up inside is very dangerous, and might somehow affect how his abilities manifest. Without him (Zac’s father) or Cedric beside Zac, he might not have anyone to share his intimate stuff with. So the journal’s there to serve as his outlet for

Also, he argued, writing might help him understand his abilities more. By carefully observing his training and writing stuff down, he could easily master his gifts. By jotting stuff down on paper, he could easily remember what went wrong, analyze what made it happen and try to find a solution.

Zac followed his dad’s advice and wrote down on his journal religiously during his first few days. But, like all teenagers, he slowly got out of routine. Though he claims to prefer typing that writing, he still writes down notes occasionally. He has quite a few entries already, but not enough to complete the journal yet. Whether or not he opts to buy a new one if he fills his old one completely still remains to be seen.

[Zachary LaRousse]

27 August 2006

I’m definitely more of a reader than a writer, but I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try, right? After all, Dad may be tacky and weird at times, but he knows what he’s doing. And, it’s a shame not to use this wonderful pen he’s given me to write with. Yes, I like pens, so sue me.

Yup, no roommies yet. Which is good, actually. At least I can adjust at my own pace. The pretty Miss Bree said that they’ll probably be here in a good three or four days. Not much, but at least I don’t have to be pressured to mingle immediately. Not that I don’t like the company, but it’s just a whole lot different here than in one of Dad’s social calls. I mean, people know me there even before I walk inside the room; here, despite the LaRousse family name and DuRei clan connections, I highly doubt they’d recognize me. Hrm hrm. I have to find a way to rise above the pile of misfits and be the top dog again. Yes, you heard that right; they’re a bunch of misfits. Heh.

Speaking of the pretty Miss Bree, have I told you how pretty she was? Yeah, she’s a real beauty. I can’t believe she’s already in her late 30s! She even looks younger than Cedric. Ohoho. Figures if you have enhanced metabolism; makes botox and face lifts like child’s play. Maybe I could do the same thing, since newts and reptiles have enhanced healing. But would that mean I have to be stuck with them forever? Not good. Hrm hrm hrm.

Hum de dum. I guess I’ve written enough for one day. My hand’s aching too. I still think typing would be a whole lot better. Bye for now, I guess.

- Zachary Drake LaRousse

P.S. Did I do the whole thing right? I do hope so. Well, as if Dad would read this, but still…

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[Zachary LaRousse]

30 August 2006

Day 3 in Hammel. Not much happened since I last wrote in this little notebook, and I think nothing much will happen in the next few days too. It’s not really a good thing, but it isn’t that bad either.

First of all, I’m bored. Like, extremely bored. There’s not much to do really. The cafeteria’s too noisy, the training room’s too damp and the courtyard’s too crowded. There’s a nearby town, but seeing that Hammel’s secluded as is, I doubt it’s got the latest trends and gadgets. Boohoo. I’m stuck here in my room, watching boring reruns and uncreative commercials just to entertain myself. Hoorah the Hammel life.

On other news, one of my roommates arrived just yesterday. Unfortunately, he’s a guy. Bah. Calls himself Justin, a fire-breather. And a talkative one to beat. Well, as long as he knows to stay away from my stuff, I think we’d get by fine. Try burning my clothes and I’ll make sure the rest of his stay in Hammel would be hell.

4 days before the start of classes. I can’t say I’m all excited, but if it’ll help me not to be all bored and unproductive, I’ll take it.

- Zachary Drake LaRousse

[Zachary LaRousse]

4 September 2006

So I’m not getting my lady roommies. Boohoo.

Yup. You heard that right. My lady roommies are so not arriving. Since school’s starting tomorrow, I decided to pay a little visit to Dr. Campbell to see if any new female teens have shown signs of meta-human-ness. He gave me a weak smile, told me my top’s faded by a few shades of red (for the record, it was meant to be faded!), then checked his computer. After a while he returned and told me that they’re expecting a few more to arrive within the next week, but most of them are going to all female dormitories. So yeah, I’m going to be stuck with Justin for a while. Or if I’m lucky, I’m going to have another male roommate. Hoorah.

On rather unrelated news, Justin’s been a total pain lately. I seriously thought he’s going to be ok, but his ‘out-going personality’ and talkativeness have gone too far. I mean really, can’t he take a hint? I am notinto the farm! I hate the outdoors. I don’t care how you were woken up in the middle of the night and dragged to the basement to hide from the coming tornado or the fact that you dressed your scarecrows with your old Halloween costumes thinking that it’ll scare the crows more effectively. I just don’t! Goodness. How I wish I could rewire his brain.

And yeah, I received my schedule today. (And boy, that receptionist is one grouchy b*tch lady). As with the expected powers training, I’ll have advance classes in mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics, as well as the required language and socials classes. Not too bad, I think I can somehow handle the pressure. And at least my elective’s nice: fashion design. I know, unorthodox, but fun nonetheless. I love it that Cedric knows what I want. (Yes, I made him arrange my schedule for me. Or choose my electives, if you prefer. So sue me for being lazy).

Gah. I can’t believe school starts tomorrow. I know I was wishing for it just a while back, but right now I want to take it all back. I know, fickle much. I really don’t care.

- Zachary Drake LaRousse

P.S. Time to see what to wear for tomorrow. Hopefully Justin hasn’t burned my closet down yet.

[Zachary LaRousse]

8 September 2006

Long time no entry, I know. Blame Hammel. They really live up to being a special school for children. >.<.

I mean, I know they’d have extra classes for powers training and all, but do they really have to be extra hard too when it comes to mainstream academics? We’ve already established that this here is a special school, no need to make subjects extra hard just to prove that point. Not all your students have excellent memory (like that weirdo Henry in Biology). I don’t know how long I can keep up with this. And if I fail, I’m sure those pesky clan leaders would have something to say again. Urgh I hate them. (I so need telepathy right now. I’d just pluck the answers right out of my classmates’ or even teacher’s mind. Betcha that’s what Cedric did so he graduated with honors).

And yes, Justin’s still a pain. Damn farmboy just scorched two of my H&M scarves and a pair of Armani pants I just had shipped from New York. Gosh. I don’t know what I’d do if this keeps up.

I’d head over the admin office tomorrow and see if I could get a room change or something. Oh please please please allow me to change roommates.

- Zachary Drake LaRousse

[Zachary LaRousse]

23 September 2006

Dear Journal, I really don’t feel like writing right now but I feel compelled to do it still. What is with you really? Did my dad hire someone to hex you or something?

Meh. But seriously, I don’t know what Dad did with this journal that it keeps me writing. I was never the writer back in home but now I’ve written like *scans pages* 9 entries for the past two weeks. That’s almost one entry per two days. Gosh. Maybe he hired someone to put a subliminal message on me or attached pheromones in these pages here or something. Hmm…

Anyway, on to my entry. School is a bummer as usual but at least I’m starting to get the hang of it. Henry’s still a pain and Justin, oh Justin. Where do I start? From his sneeze that made my rare steak well-done? Or his slip that burned my 5-page essay on evolution? Or maybe the fact that he set off the fire sprinkler again? (That makes it 8 times for the past two weeks already. He also made a record by setting off the sprinkler twice yesterday. One early morning, which woke me up, and another before I sleep, which cost me a few hours of my beauty sleep.) Oh I know, I know! Let’s start off with the hard truth that I can’t switch roommates. Like ever! >.<.

Yes. The administrative staff are just sadistic like that. Gosh. I’ve approached them five times already, no chance. Dad just shrugs off every accident that happens, laughing it off as part of ‘Hammel experience’. Cedric’s the one who shows me the most sympathy, and by that I mean he says, “That’s life.” So much for support.

Gawd. How I wish I had the ability to suppress Justin’s powers. My life would be so much better.

- Zachary Drake LaRousse

P.S. Yes. I did try to smile the event off as Dad suggested. But really, two accidental baths in one day? Gosh.

[Zachary LaRousse]

26 September 2006

WOOHOO! YEY! CASSIE SAID YES! SHE SAID YES! \/

Gosh. I look so pathetic right now, spazzing uncontrollably in my room. Hah. But yeah, you know Cassie? Cassandra? Cassandra White? The girl I met in Biology? The plant manipulator? Yeah, yeah her. Yeah.

Bah. I don’t know why I’m at such a loss for words right now. I mean, she’s just a girl right? Just an ordinary girl. Just an ordinary teenage girl who I am going to the fall dance with.

Deep breath in, deep breath out.

Now all I have to do is to ask Cedric (and maybe Dad too, but mostly Cedric) on what I have to do next. I don’t want to make such amateur mistakes after all. :’>.

I am going to the dance with Cassie! <3

- Zachary Drake LaRousse

I just have to make sure that Justin doesn’t get wind of this (me being giddy). I have a feeling I won’t hear the end of it if he does. >.<

[Zachary LaRousse]

7 October 2006

I hate Justin. I hate him, I hate him, I hate him! D;.

Gosh. If I could make him vanish from the face of the Earth already, I would. I knew he was such a pain but I didn’t know he would be that painful. You know what I mean? Gawd.

So Cedric arranged everything for me. From my attire, the bouquet, everything. He taught me a few pointers and gave me some tips on how to break the ice. He even flew here with my stylists to make sure everything was all right. And it would be, if it were not for the pest irritating pig no-good roommate unexpected wildcard: Justin.

First off, I was actually surprised that my dad (or Cedric) bought him a suit for the dance. According to Cedric, my dad found Justin very adorable (Justin shoved his big head in almost every Skype-time me and my dad had) and was very thankful that he became my roommie. Hence the suit. Justin was ecstatic as usual (he almost burned the shirt). And I thought, at least for the night, he’d show how thankful he was by leaving me alone. Apparently it was not the case.

He wouldn’t leave my side. Not for one second. He’s like my irritating and noisy shadow. I tried not to mind it at first, but he was just too much. Imagine, the moment I gave Cassie the flowers, he sneezes, burning the flowers to ashes. Gosh. She didn’t even had a chance to smell those expensive blossoms. And the “fun” didn’t stop there.

Wherever we went, he followed. To a table here, to a corner there. We spent half the time running away from the kid. I could see the slight irritation in Cassie’s eyes already; apparently she’s just too nice to tell the kid off. Unfortunately for Justin, I’m not. But despite my outward show of annoyance and hate, he just wouldn’t stop. Couldn’t he have bugged other people other than us? Than me? I thought he had a whole bunch of friends around the campus, why couldn’t he hang out with them? >.<.

There was a time though when we thought we’ve lost him. After the dinner part, where he went to the washroom and we went to the dance floor. I saw the relief in Cassie’s dazzling eyes. For a moment there, I saw her relaxed and happy. But that moment was not to last, apparently. In the middle of the dance, Señor Klut-zo suddenly appeared with two glasses of punch in his hand. And yes, the very cliché event happened: he slipped and spilled in on me. So my white shirt suddenly became purple. And that was not all. He tried to stand up by holding on to me; but being the magical klut-zo that he is he fell down on the puddle again, this time dragging him with me. Not only was my shirt stained, but my whole outfit is now drenched. To top it off, his cold erupted again, singing a leg of my pants. The only consolation I got is that my hair nor my face wasn’t destroyed.

I couldn’t see Cassie after that episode. As you’ve guessed, I ran out almost immediately. I feel bad for leaving Cassie there but I really couldn’t face her, not after that series of misfortunes. I didn’t see the night going like this, no, not one bit.

Justin, you are sooo getting it now. X(

- Zachary Drake LaRousse

[Zachary LaRousse]

23 October 2006

So I finally started with my powers training. Finally.

It’s about time Hammel gives me a trainer. I mean, I’ve been here for almost two months already. Gosh. Sure I’m not like those dumb kids who just like setting things on fire randomly *ehemJustinehem* but what’s the point of going to Hammel if I wasn’t gonna be trained? If that was the case, then I should’ve just gone to one of those private schools I keep seeing in brochures back in our house. D’:.

Anyway, back on topic. So I was notified earlier to go to the training rooms after class to meet my instructor. I would’ve forgotten all about it, if Justin wasn’t being his nosy self again and reminded me about the said appointment. (Apparently he still hasn’t gotten over his habit of reading the letters I leave in the common room. Gosh.).

My trainer calls himself Jude Wilde. He seems ok, if not a bit too jolly and lax for my taste. But I dunno, there’s something about him that’s just…magnetic. I can’t seem to be angry about him or anything. (And no, he’s not a pheromone controller or an empath, or anything along those lines). Even though I arrived like an hour late for the session, he actually said it’s ok and he’s sorry for the late start of the training session. Says the office had a hard time finding a possible trainer with similar abilities, and when they couldn’t find anyone, they debated whether to send Ms. Vasiliev or him. Meh. I guess it’s better to have the cheerful mimic than the suppressor who’ll eat me alive (despite looking so hot).

That being said, Jude (‘cause Mr. Wilde is just too formal for him) is actually quite good. Just a few seconds after he copied my power and he told me stuff I didn’t knew about it before. Not new new but more like telling me that there’s more than just bulls and kangaroos I can tap on. That there are platypuses and pandas and monkeys and gazelles too. Nice. And he didn’t go on a rampage. Well, he did grunt and growl and run himself to the wall, but other than that, he gained control pretty easily. Guess it comes with the job.

Overall, the session went on pretty good. Tiring, but fulfilling. We practiced some animal abilities and all. He said meditation would come later. And not to use my abilities too much, as they (the administration) needs to learn more about it first (side effects thing). Meh. I’ve never been one to listen to them really.

- Zachary Drake LaRousse

P.S. And yes, Justin and I are still not in speaking terms. Nothing he’ll do will make me think otherwise. Nothing.