Book 1: Beckham Institute for Prodigies

Chapter 5: A Reason to Stay

Suzan woke up to the sounds of Bonnie Rupp singing. It was a weird sensation, as if every cell in her body awoke and was ready to start the day. She grabbed her clothes and looked on at the crowded student center, trying to see the bathroom.

All freshman students slept in the student center for the first week–boys in the upstairs lounge and the girls in the downstairs commons. It was a way for the students to get to know each other and find roommates before they were given room assignments.

Suzan didn’t appreciate this at all. She was hoping to get some time to herself, but it was virtually impossible. Even in the bathroom stall, Suzan could barely breath and that was partially because one of the girls smelled like digested tacos; no, it wasn’t just the bathroom.

The rest of the previous day was uneventful. She, Sadie, and Tabatha went back to finish their tests while Whitney explored the campus. That evening only the three met for dinner. That was ok with Suzan because she didn’t particularly like Whitney, but she had to admit the way she saved that girl yesterday was impressive and inspiring.

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Book 1: Beckham Institute for Prodigies

Chapter 3: First Perceptions

Today was the day that Suzan and Sadie would leave for school. Professor Schumacher would arrive at 9 to pick them up and they would learn everything there was to know about being a prodigy in their very own school. All in 7 hours from now…

Suzan couldn’t sleep. She lay awake thinking about the interview that she and Sadie had with the Professor a week ago…

*****

“Now I want you to know that the interview is mostly just a formality,” said Professor Schumacher, “But it is my favorite part. You will most likely be admitted but there are exceptions.”

He handed both of them a pamphlet which described the school’s objectives and even had a map on the back.

‘To pursue excellence in mind, body and soul,’ Suzan read to herself.

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Book 1: Beckham Institute for Prodigies

Chapter 2: Special Day

Beckham City, 9:00 am August 10, 20XX… The sun rose and intruded into the girl’s dormitory of the Silverstone Orphanage for Prodigies. The hard, wood floor reflected the rays brightly upon the dressers and bunks, except for a corner top bunk that remained in the shadows.

Little Suzan Halden, though not so little now, had slept in that bunk for nine years. It was her little nook inside this large home where she could read and write–she preferred it to any other place. It was private and yet it was amongst the chaos that was the orphanage. Living with nineteen other girls and twenty two boys can be crazy, but Suzan loved it… well most of it.

Gradually, the sun reached Suzan’s corner; the light warming her eyelids and she immediately became aware of the reds and yellows inside of her skull. It was time to get up and start the day, but Suzan was hanging on to that space between asleep and awake, desperately wanting to stay just a bit longer. But just as the sun had snuck up on her, so had another. She felt it nearing the edge of her bed.

It was what set Suzan apart, aside from the dark purple hair and eyes. Being a prodigy meant having super abilities, but it also meant learning new ones. Some of the other kids at the orphanage could lift buses. Others could outrun race cars.

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Book 1: Beckham Institute for Prodigies

Chapter 1: One of Them

There was a ringing on the rooftop. On the tallest building in Beckham City, Takashi Momotari was standing, looking over the building’s ledge. His cell phone was ringing but he didn’t notice it.

He was preoccupied with the streets below: people stumbling around, leaning against each other for support as they walked to their cars; red and blue lights turning on and off racing down the city streets; and criminals feeling up strangers in dark, abandoned alleyways. It was home, but not really. There were important pieces missing… He finally heard his phone.

It was a cold day in December and the wind rustled his long coat around his knees while his long, white hair wrapped around his face. He took a hair tie out of his coat pocket and pulled his hair back revealing his red-lens glasses.

“Mooshi mooshi,” Takashi answered into his headset, “I’m… unoccupied… 432 and Lincoln? I see. I’ll be there soon.” He hung up the phone and stared down the building. It was like any other building; steel, glass, cement, all working together to stand erect. He stepped up onto the ledge and began to walk down the side towards the alley below.

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