The Loner

  Aiden Cross Academy Outcast:

  Book One—The Loner

  By

  Alex Villavasso

  Copyright 2019, Alex Villavasso

  All rights reserved

  This novel is a work of fiction and is a product of the author’s imagination.

  All events, places, and characters are either fictitious or portrayed in a fictitious manner. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form except by an authorized retailer or once written permission from the author is received.

  For inquires, contact the author at AlexVillavasso.com

  Please support the author and do not encourage or participate in distributing this work through illegal means.

  Thank you.

  Cover Illustration by Jesse Gerbrandt

  Special thanks to Judi S. and the rest of the street team!

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Aiden Cross Academy Outcast: Book One—The Loner (Aiden Cross: Academy Outcast, #1)

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  A Note to the Reader

  Other Series by Alex Villavasso

  About the Author

  Sign up for Alex’s New Release and Promotions Newsletter and receive Mr. Hoover’s Exclusive Analysis of the top students in the freshman class.

  To access the offer right now, click here.

  Chapter 1

  Once the bell rings, I’m at it again—the mad dash to make it to my next class without being pummeled into a pulp. Last week, they tried to give me a swirly, and most recently, they’ve been trying to gang up on me in between classes. It’s annoying, and I’m helpless when it comes to fighting back. Believe me, if I could I would. Hell, I want to. I just don’t know how. It’s one of the many cons that comes with being in an accelerated class without powers of your own. But then again, I guess that’s not a completely accurate statement. I do have powers. It’s just that I can’t seem to access them. Besides, the last time that I did, something horrible happened.

  “Excuse me. Pardon me. Sorry.”

  I move through the throng of other students at the academy, carefully shrinking myself to be as small a target as possible as I navigate through the halls. All I have to do is make it to my next class before they catch me.

  I turn the corner in a hurry, and something catches my foot—something hot. The pain causes me to lurch forward and plummet to the ground, my leg blistering from the flash extreme temperature.

  Tristen caught me, and there was nothing I could do about it.

  The hall fills with laughter, all at my expense. My hand tightens into a fist. Not to swing, but on the off chance that something would manifest this time around—the dark purple flame that earned me a spot at the academy in the first place. I wouldn’t hurt them too bad...just enough so that they’d stop making my life a living hell and give me some space. Being the brunt of this kind of joke isn’t nearly as entertaining for me as it is for them.

  “Watch your step, buddy,” Tristen calls out as he towers over my downed body. I know he can see my clenched fist, but I’m like a docile fricken’ puppy when it comes to him and his goons. Before I can get up, Blaine sweeps my books across the floor, causing even more of a mess.

  “You should really be more careful, Aiden. You don’t want people to think you’re a klutz. You’ll never make it around here at this rate.” Darren, another one of Tristen’s goons, is farther up the hall. He didn’t do anything other than keep watch, but the damage was already done. Kaci had already seen my blunder. I wanted to do something brave to make up for it, but of course, I couldn’t. Tristen and his goons are stronger than me, and they can use their powers at will.

  “Is there a problem here?” Mr. Clint says after walking into the center of the hall, arms folded across his chest.

  “No, sir. I just fell,” I answer. Tristen helps me up, but he keeps his hands on me. He’s a psycho, but I try my best not to make a scene. Mr. Clint glares at both of us, skepticism in his eyes. Not surprising since we weren’t very convincing.

  “Okay, but if I see anything else going on, you’re both going straight to the warden’s office, understand?”

  “Yes, sir,” Tristen answers for the both of us. Even though my eyes are still on Mr. Clint, I can feel Tristen’s goons staring a hole in my skull from within the gathered crowd.

  “Get to class.” Mr. Clint points his finger down the hall. “Both of you.” I nod with a neutral expression, keeping a straight face despite Tristen beginning to channel his ability against my wrist. Fire...he knows how to make it burn just enough for it to cause pain but not leave sear my skin. I rip my wrist away from him once the teacher turns his back and flash Tristen a scowl. All he does in response is grin cockily. He knows that there’s nothing I can do to avenge my burned wrist or scorched ankle. One day...

  “I’ll be seeing you,” he says as he backpedals. He gestures his fingers like a gun and a puff of fire flickers in the air. Tristen’s goons follow suit, fading into the crowd while everyone else walks away. I manage to catch Kaci’s eyes, but she quickly averts her gaze and heads off to class. Life would be so much better if I could actually do something with my abilities.

  That’s the reason I’m here, right? It’s also the reason that I’m an outcast.

  Here at the academy, one of the only requirements is that you have to be gifted in the use of supernatural abilities. Exceptionally so, and pass the entrance exam. It wasn’t long ago when I thought that all this stuff was fake. Powers. Exceptional people. Even shapeshifters.

  When I first found out about my abilities, I thought I was alone. It was a dark time—a darker time—but at least now I know I’m not completely alone. Even though our stories differ, we’re not quite alone. You’d think that would form some sort of comradery with the students, and for the most part, it does. There are exceptions though, clearly. Me, for one. I’m not like the other students here at the academy. They all come from prominent families...not necessarily through a means of wealth, but power. The way that Uncle Erwin explained it to me is that families with abilities often unlock them through the power passed down through their bloodline. And while certain bloodlines are more accustomed to manifesting certain abilities, any ability is up for grabs. The more traditional side of the supernatural exists, too. And to be honest, I had a harder time accepting that than the ability to sling fireballs or fly. Vampires, werewolves, and everything in between walk among us, and they’ve been doing it for centuries. Although they differ from the legends, they’re still common knowledge to the other students at the academy; well, except for me, of course. I was adopted, so all of this is new to me.

  I was a dumpster baby. I hate the term, but as horrible as it sounds, it’s what happened, so it’s the truth. My parents left me to die in a dumpster, and I was found when someone heard me crying and brought me to the nearest police station. From there, I was taken into social services, and that’s how I came to meet my parents, Albert and Monica Cross. They gave me a good life, one I couldn’t complain about. They were wealthy, hardworking people who couldn’t have a child of their own, so I became their son. I got everything I ever had from them except for my name, that and a crippled sense of self-worth. I mean, who the hell would leave their son in a dumpster? Being dropped off at a police station or in front of a hospital would have been loads better if they wanted me to survive. They obviously didn’t, hence
the leaving a newborn in a cesspool of filth and waste scenario. Sad story aside, I was fortunate I was adopted. The Cross’s loved me. Everything was perfect. But then they died. Gunned down.

  My dad died protecting my mom, and of course, she risked her life trying to protect me. They didn’t care about how much she loved me. It meant nothing to a bullet. After she died, they were trying to abduct me. They didn’t kill me on the spot, but I had no clue about what they wanted with me, and that’s when it happened. My powers manifested.

  In a fit of rage, a black and purple flame shot out from my palms and I incinerated them both, leaving nothing but ash, if that. I fled the scene of the crime and called Uncle Erwin. I didn’t know anything about people with gifts. My parents were normal people, I lived a normal life. When I called uncle Erwin, he rushed over and took care of everything. He knew exactly what to do, whether it was talking to the police or keeping my secret safe. He was also the one who took me in after everything had transpired.

  When I told him about what I could do, he didn’t freak out. In fact, he believed me. I wasn’t able to replicate my ability, but he believed me because he had a gift, too. Ice. He was able to create ice at will. It was through him and his connections that he was able to get me enrolled in the academy. Uncle Erwin knew everything about the world that exists around us, and he tried to teach me as much as he could before I left to start my first semester. I learned some of the basics, but I knew the history of all of this was bigger than how he depicted it. He always told me that my professors would explain the rest to me, and they have been. It just sucks that I’m in a school for people with abilities, and I can’t use mine. Uncle Erwin promised that it’d be the best place for me to learn about my powers, to grow, and be safe, and I know he’s right.

  I just wish I didn’t have to go through these growing pains to get there.

  I passed all of my exams to get here. I’m smart. I deserve to be enrolled just like any other kid, academically at least. Being on a campus like this without powers is what makes me feel like an outsider. The mystery surrounding my parents’ deaths doesn’t help either. At one point, I could have sworn I heard some kids trying to imply that I was the one who killed them. It’s bad enough that I’m not over their deaths...I don’t think I’ll ever be. But to be blamed for it? It stings. Believe me, if I could hurt some of these guys, I would.

  As the day moves on, I spend most of my time during class thinking of ways to deal with Tristen and the inevitable confrontation I was owed. He thinks he’s some kind of kingpin because his powers developed early, but all the teachers have stated numerous times that having powers is only the first step. It’s all about control. Tristen never told me directly, but I’ve heard a rumor floating around that his powers manifested during a house fire—one that he caused. It was in that same scenario that he was able to quell it. It wasn’t a fluke, either. He had the basics down soon after that, if what I heard is true. Which means, bias aside, Tristen is somewhat of a prodigy when it comes to his abilities. He does well in everything he sets out to do.

  It’d be stereotypical to think that because he’s a pyro that he’s hotheaded. No, he’s just a jerk and enjoys toying with me because he thinks it’s fun. At first, I thought it was because he feared me...that he was afraid that I’d grow into my powers and put him in his place, but that pipedream was shattered long ago when I realized that there are at least a dozen other students like me with underdeveloped abilities. I’m not that different from them, but I am the only one who’s enrolled in the accelerated course. Even those who come from greatness encounter a dud if they don’t hit the genetic lottery. Hell, his goons only follow him around because he’s Tristen, and I’m sure that deep down they know that if they weren’t on his side, they’d run the risk of being a potential target for his douchery, just like me.

  “Okay, class...that’s enough for today.”

  The bell rings like clockwork, seconds after the teacher concludes his lesson. Class is dismissed, and I’m snapped from my train of thought. Mr. Rider urgently reminds us about an assignment that’s due the next time we see him, but I really don’t care. It’s chemistry. It’s easy. Instead I turn my focus on leaving as quickly as possible and making it to my room. With all the students here, it’s easy to feel invisible sometimes. Everyone knows everyone in a way, but the uniforms make it easy for you to blend in if you’re among the right crowds. I’ve only been here for two weeks, and I’m finally starting to get the hang of it. It’s just like any other school, except for the population of students here that can do something extraordinary.

  “Yo, Tyler. What’s good?” I say after slinging open the door to my dorm and throwing my bag onto the couch in the common area of our dorm. Uncle Erwin was able to hook me up, thankfully. Rather than dealing with someone twenty-four-seven. We share a common area, a kitchen, and a bathroom, which is fine as long as I can close my bedroom door. Tyler’s cool people. He’s in his own world, which is a plus around here. It seems like the best people always are.

  “Same old, same old. Grinding.”

  “Yeah?” I peek into his room and see him exactly where I expected him to be—grinding it out to get a higher rank in Guild of the Miserables. It’s like some online fighting game where you battle with teams of three and you run around on this map and...uh...battle...I guess. He tried to get me into it on my first weekend here, but I wasn’t having it. Not my style. From what I understand, he’s pretty good. Before his powers activated, he legit wanted to go pro and game competitively. I mean, I think he still does, but his studies are more or less in the mix with his schedule. “Did you rank up yet?”

  “Yeah, I’m in Emerald-Three, now. Only like a dozen more wins and I’ll be in Obsidian.”

  “Lit,” I answer nonchalantly. He tried to explain the rank system to me, but it got lost in transition when I was already being bombarded with coming to terms with everything else, like a secret school filled with students and teachers who can do things that you can only see in the movies. It’s all still pretty new to me, but some of the shock value’s waned, for sure. The school. Not the game. “You went to class today, man?” I ask while searching the fridge out of pure reflex.

  “Yeah...nah...” he answers while juggling his vision between the game and me. “Shit.” I step away from the fridge, apple in hand, to see Tyler surrounded by textbooks, scattered uniforms, and plates. Over all of the clutter, I see the screen of his desktop grayed-out with his character sprawled out on the ground. “I hate this game. I hate my team. I hate everything.”

  “Yeah.” I smirk and take a bite into my apple. “Join the club.”

  “Whatever, I’m over this.” Tyler strips the headset from his head and tosses it on his desk, leans back into his chair, and sighs while running his hands down his face. “How did class go for you?” Apparently, classes get easier the higher you progress. After you get your preliminaries out of the way, the teachers aren’t as bad. All that matters is that you get your work done and perform to the best of your ability—the pros of being a sophomore, I guess.

  “It was okay, I guess. Chemistry was whatever.” I shrug halfheartedly. “Gym’s in a bit. Just wanted to stop here and change really quick. I hate changing in front of people. I know, I’m weird.”

  “It’s not because of those assholes givin’ you trouble again, right? Tristen was his name, right? Gym,” he says while making air quotes, “is just the place to give him a decent ass whupping.”

  “Nah, it’s not that. People around here look at me enough already because of being here without my powers kicking and getting a full ride. You know those other students—the other late bloomers, they have to pay. Scholarships don’t get handed out unless you’re the shit.”

  “Well, I guess they think I can knock it out of the park when the times comes.”

  “Yup, and that’s probably why Tristen hates your guts so much,” Tyler quips.

  “What?”

  “Come on, man. Don’t be modest. You’re
definitely an enigma, and that says a lot being that we’re a school full of what outsiders would consider magic.”

  “I...guess,” I mutter.

  “You just joined the school, you have no powers, and you’re in the accelerated courses. Play it to your advantage, man. Guys envy you and girls want to know more about you. You’ve been here for like, what? Two weeks? Anything going on with the ladies? Surely you’ve been making progress.”

  “What? No, it’s not like that. Really...I...I’m just focusing on my studies.”

  “No luck with Kaci then, huh?” Tyler teases.

  Ugh. I almost regret telling Tyler about my feelings for Kaci. He brings her up just about every day, like I even have a shot with her. She’s one of the top students in my class and super pretty, too. Beautiful if I were being honest. She’s a telekinetic, so her abilities are highly valued, as well. The perfect package. With everything going on in her life, I doubt she even has time to notice me. I think that she’s amazing, but I’m probably not even a blip on her radar.

  “No.” I sigh. “I mean, I see her in the halls every now and then, but she’s busy. I don’t want to be like one of those guys who try to get at her at every second of every day. That’s just weird.”

  “Yeah, but you have to shoot your shot. You think she’s going to come up to you? You gotta make the first move if you’re interested, bro. Girls like Kaci get swept up like that.” Tyler snaps his fingers, accentuating his point. I hate the way he said it, but he’s right, which makes it that much more like a dagger to the heart. I really should talk to her instead of just gawking from afar. She caught me once last week, I think. She said something funny in class and I overheard it, so I smiled and kind of just, I don’t know...stared. It was a conversation with one of her friends, and I had no business even reacting to what she said, but I did. When she felt my eyes on her, she looked my way, and I averted my gaze. She gets that a lot, I’m sure. The way she laughs is just—everything about her is beautiful. I really do need to at least try.