Alpha And The Phoenix

Stephen's return

 "Stephen," Frank turned towards me as I looked at him.

"Where are we going dad?" I asked as he smiled then looked forward to the pilot.

"You will know when we get there, but let me give you a little tip," he continued as he brought out a map then touched a small point. "You see this," he said as I nodded slightly. "This is an island, and that is where we are going, I have an important business to take care of there," he replied as the weather began to get moist and rainy.

"What is going on dad?" I asked as a strong east wind blew against the helicopter, we looked forward as we saw the pilot dead.

"No this can't be possible," Frank said as he tried to get to the pilot but a lightning struck the gas tank which led to a fire outbreak as the helicopter fell, drastically crashing into the ocean. 

"Stephen," Frank called as I awoke from my adventures dream. 

I looked up at the gigantic clock hanging on the wall of my room.

“Seven am, ” I exclaimed  as I sat up quickly from the bed which I laid for the past ten hours.

'I’m really late For school.' I thought to myself as I wiped my face with my right hand then I walked towards the wardrobe and opened it.

I looked and found the black jean I bought not quite long ago, so I took out the jean and a white top, then walked towards my room table as I took up my black wrist watch which was my favorite since it was the last gift I received from my Father. 

I knew that my mother Karen would certainly be awake by now because she often leaves early for work. It is obvious that being an officer is a stressful Job.

I hurried to the bathroom as my mind drifted to Martin who told me he would check up on me. “Mom, did Martin come looking for me?” I said aloud while turning on the shower.

“He came by earlier but I told him you were still asleep.” Karen replied as she took up her wristwatch that was on the table of the sitting room. “Stephen I’m leaving for work, and I kept some hand burgers in the fridge in case you’re hungry.” She said as she left the house.

Few minutes later I came out of the bathroom then hurried to my room as I quickly dressed up, I wore my sneakers and left the house. 

I came outside and saw Martin checking on the wheels of his bike as I was surprised he wasn’t yet at school, because based on the information Karen gave, I was running late and Martin was a punctual type, at least that was how I knew him since childhood, I never knew if he still kept that as a habit or he changed while I was away.

"Martin," I called as he turned towards me. "Is there a problem with your bike?" I asked as he stood up.

"No, notten serious, I was only examining it again," he replied as he got on his bike. 

“Karen said you left earlier, so how come you're still here.” I replied gently getting on my bike as I looked forward with my eyebrows a little furrowed.

“It is obvious she said so to make you hurry up.” He continued as we both rode off. 

Well I think Karen was really smart to put out a thing as such. 'How could I possibly forget?' I thought to myself with my eyes fixed on the road.

“She toiled with me, I wasn’t even late, whereas our class today starts at nine am but she told me it was seven am. How can I be this Stupid?"

“You can be lost sometimes but one thing I know you’re not, is stupid.” He replied with a wide grin on his face 

“Thanks, I wasn’t expecting you to say that.” I smirked. 

“Gosh you’re so funny Stephen, you should know how parents act by now.” he replied.

We arrived at school that morning, the air was cool and the weather favourable, since it was not sunny.

I could feel the soft breeze blow across my face and skin, as I shifted my eyes towards the school building. The environment was a pretty large one with a high population as I could see the number of motorcycles, cars and bikes packed, with more cars riding in. 

'This is my amazing moment' I thought to myself knowing fully well that first days at college is one time in someone’s life that can barely be forgotten. 

"Hello," A young man approached me and Tyler as he stretched out his hand to us for a handshake. We gladly received him without hesitating. “My name is Mike.” He introduced himself then withdrew his hand stocking it into his side pocket. “You are Karen and Frank's boy aren't you?” he asked me.

"Yes I am," I replied as I could see the cheerful expression on his face but what I wasn’t sure about was how he knew the names of my parents, and his approach was like that of someone who knew them pretty well. “How do you know my parent's?” I asked curiously. 

“Your dad and I worked together some years ago in our early twenties, he was a good and intelligent man,” He replied, intensely looking at me. “I have heard a lot about you." He paused, then looked at his wristwatch. "Well I think you both will have to follow me,” He said, turning towards the building as he led the way.

We followed him to the principal's office but I watched him closely and from the look of all I saw, he was a well respected teacher and obviously loved by the students. 

We arrived at the door as he gently opened it and walked inside. The office was quite stunning, I could see a large wallpaper pasted at the right side of the office, and some paintings which were finely designed. At the side of the office was a large bookshelf with different types of books stocked properly in them. 

'He must be quite the reader?' I thought to myself as we sat down on the three chairs opposite he's. 

He never said a word until he finished signing the papers before him and arranged them properly on a side of his table,

I observed him closely as I noticed he was a serious type and very dedicated, at first I thought of him being a strict one, but not until he lifted his face and apologized for the delay.

“What is your name, young man?” I saw him look at Martin, as he lightly touched his transparent eye glass. He wasn’t old enough to put on medicated glasses, but I guessed he has an eye problem..

“My name is Martin Lewis.” Martin replied.

"You are welcome to our school Martin," Robert the principal turned again towards me. “And what about you?”

“I am Stephen Michaels.” I said then saw the surprised look on his face as he gently relaxed on his chair. 

'Why the constant gaze?' I thought then shifted my eyes at a painting hung on the wall behind him, as I heard him exhale sharply.

“It is good to have you here Stephen, how is Karen doing?” He asked, taking up a pen which was on the table.

“She Is doing just fine.” I shifted my eyes back at him, but this time his eyes were no longer on me but at Mike.

“Can I please have their files?” He said as Mike handed them over to him. He stared into the records for sometime then lifted his eyes at Martin. "What course would you be studying?”  

“I would be studying medicine and surgery,” Martin replied.

I hated being around people who knew much about me when I know nothing about them, it just makes me uncomfortable. 

“Well that is a nice course to study. What about you Stephen, what would you like to study?” I could see how interested he was, maybe he guessed I would say, I wanted to be an officer or a businessman like Karen and Frank. 

Certainly I knew he would be disappointed by my reply. “I would like to be a marine biologist sir.” I replied.

As expected he was amazed at my words, I saw his eyebrows lifted as he stared once more into my files. “And why would you want to study that course?” 

Such a question was no big deal for me because I knew my facts, scarcely did my parents ask me about my course choice. “Well I have always loved the ocean since I was young, including the animals, studying what you like doing isn’t such a bad idea sir.” 

“No, it isn't Stephen," he said, still looking at the files as he moved them aside. "It's just that I thought you would like to study something related to what either of your parents do, but that is nice," he looked up at me.  "I like it when students are specific and work towards their dreams.” He told me then exhaled deeply. “Okay the both of you are free to go now, I will take it from here.” He said as I and Martin left the office.