Mark was at the far back of the group, and thoughts raced through his head at triple speed. He watched his classmates chatter and walk around in slow motion.

[i]What on earth am I supposed to be doing? Am I just watching people use their powers? Am I going to have to go up and show mine off too? But, there's not much to show off. Especially if I go along and call it 'advanced learning'. Well, I suppose if I did, I could show off the one-inch-punch, but there isn't that much else. It's not flashy at all. Gah, I'm going to get stigma for this. I'm going to be that one guy who has the lame power because it is so damn subtle. Grr..

Alright, you know what, I need to decide now whether I'm going to come clean. Should I speak up and say 'advanced learning' was a cover for my.. whatever on earth you'd call it.. Thats a point, I've never really came up with a name for it. Hmm... hows about reflex manipulator? No that could mean a whole bunch of other things.. Perception manipulator? Nope. Same issue. Hmm... Time perception manipulator? Good enough, I'll take it. But I'm not going to come clean. I don't want that potentially negative attention. And I certainly don't want people to know I have a statistically certain death within the next 20 years...

Or maybe I do? No, no, don't be ridiculous. Thats not something you want to burden anyone else with. Worst case scenario, they won't even care. Best case scenario, they won't even know. The instructors will. Thats their business to know. Ah, but then again, this particular power has never really been documented. Its just been described. Maybe they wouldn't know. Hmm.. Alright, screw it, I'm coming clean. Tuition will definitely be easier when they know what they're trying to teach me to use. Yup. Mind is made up. I'm coming clean.[/i]

Mark didn't move a muscle. He stayed at the back of the group with his arms folded, and with a stare that could reach China.

[i]..When I get called up of course. No need to be pushy.[/i]

He slightly nodded his head as if to convince himself that was his reason for not going up. It failed, but the young man still didn't move.