Mark sat pretty close to the front of the bus because he liked being close to the engine. Working on all sorts of vehicles with his father made him appreciate the sheer power the bus's engine had. Sure the bus sputtered a few times and the driver seemed to have some issues with the clutch and gear shift, but he figured the bus was old and had thousands, if not millions of miles put into it. However, even though he seemed comfortable and relaxed. He was both nervous and excited. 

He was going to be part of the Apprentice Program and learn to be a superhero. It was still all so overwhelming. He’d watched the superhero movies and cartoons as a kid, but never once did he imagine he could be a hero like them. It was exciting to see what his Quark could do when he mastered it, but also nerve-wracking to think of all the danger he'd probably be part of. Because of the two emotions collided with one another. Mark's right leg bounced up and down frantically as he thought more about it. However, he did come prepared should his nerves and excitement overwhelm him. He had his music player on and his right headphone over his ear while the left rested against his neck in case another person sat next to him. He didn’t want to look standoffish and liked company to talk with now and again. In his right hand was a combination ruby red wrench that he would fiddle with now and again. He’d place his finger through the box end and let it swing like a pendulum. He’d do this at home when he was nervous, excited, or just board. 

The wrench in question wasn’t made of his Liquid Metal. Instead, it was a normal combination wrench. Well normal to everyone else, but to Mark it was special. His father bought him his very first tool kit and inside was the wrench. It was the one tool he’d used so many times and because of that, it had dents, scratches, and the bottom part of the open-ended side of the wrench was broken off. However, even though he’d replaced it with a new combination wrench. He hadn’t thrown this wrench away. It was too special to him and wanted to keep it no matter how many pieces broke off. The bus bounced and he felt himself bounce up a few inches before coming back down on the seat. He heard the bus sputter as the driver shifted gears. 

“Gonna need to fix the transmission soon,” Mark said to himself. His leg that had been frantically bouncing up and down now seemed to bounce to the music as he let out a sigh, “Not long now I hope.” and went back to watch the wrench swung back and forth to calm his nerves.