I do not own X Men or the characters! The only characters that are mine are Katie and Thomas. Katies powers are inspired to me by Gambit,who I do not own! I hope you like this story, please review :D
Chapter 1
"Poker Face"
Not knowing what time it was I leapt from the building ledge I was sleeping on and walked to the nearest store for food. Only having a few bucks on me I just bought a cereal bar and went on my way at seven AM. I got some weird stares from people asking what's with the scarf over my mouth? Am I hiding something? All I tell them is I am sick and I don't enjoy spreading disease. But really it's my secret, my business.
I was like every other homeless person. More or less. The only thing I have ever stolen was a few candy bars and some clothes. The way I make money is by poker. I've gained a lot more money then lost. I always win. In the same way I am different from the average homeless person. No one knows my differences. Most people just call me a freak and walk away.
The weather is very cool. My long strawberry blond hair fluttered in the breeze. It's always so calm out early in the morning.
"Hey Katie!" I sighed and turned around to a tall red headed teen as he ran to me.
"Your up early Thomas. What's up?"
"Well I know you're an early bird so I got up early to find you. You were challenged to a poker game tonight."
"Zeke again?" I've taken hundreds of dollars from that man. He never knows how to give up. He truly is a sad excuse for a man. He's just sad that he's in his mid thirties and a seventeen year old girl can beat him at his own game.
"Of course it is. The man doesn't know how to give up. You should wow him with your powers Katie. Then he'll leave you be." I glared at him. He's the only person that knows my secret. And I've regretted that everyday. I jabbed him in the chest and he winced at the pain.
"I'm so sorry, I forgot." He whimpered.
"It's fine, doesn't matter." Thomas isn't really a friend. He is more of an acquaintance or an assistant. But I can still trust him. After all I've told him my secret and he's still here. He really is just a goofy nineteen year old boy. He's never done anything wrong.
I like to practice poker under the bridge. I never really get much out of those matches because most of those people are homeless and they need to save their money.
"Hey its Katie." The homeless cheered as I came to practice. They're actually afraid of me, and I really don't blame them. Even they can see something's off with me. Bill challenges me to a game. I beat him in under ten minutes.
"I don't get you Katie. I don't get you one bit." He commented.
"What's not to get?"
"Well, your homeless and beautiful. You can beat men twice to three times your age at poker, and your ware that scarf over your face. What's that about? Are you hiding from the law?" I smirked at his comment. I looked at him.
"You could say that." I smiled under my scarf. My days always go by so quickly. Thomas stuck with me until about four. Then I took a nap in an ally. To most people that's gross, but to me it's normal. If Thomas didn't come to look for me at seven I would be late for my game. He started nudging me with his foot.
"Common Katie, up and at'em." I rolled over and glared at him.
"Eh, bite me."
"Common Katie, it's time to show Zeke you shouldn't be messed with." I growled at him but got up and went to the club I usually play at. A lot of people there I've already beaten, so I got a lot of rude stares. Zeke was already waiting.
"So, you did show!" Zeke is getting to old to try and be cool. I sat down and sighed deeply.
"Lets get this over with."
"You think your so good.!" he snapped. I rolled my eyes at him. Everyone who saw that broke down laughing.
"You little brat". he growled.
"Only children call each other names Zeke. That's why I keep my mouth shut." I told him. That remark got more laughs from the surrounding people and more glares from Zeke. Which never phases me. I took my cards out and started the game. He looked like he was going to pop about fifteen minutes into it. While to me it was child play. I've already won most of his money. As I said, child's play. He was starting to look badly stressed.
"Alright, time out. I have to go get more money. You better be here when I get back!" He scrambled off outside. Thomas bent down beside me.
"As always you're a pro Katie. You have him going now." I chuckled.
"Ya, but sadly I guess because he asked for a timeout that means he has more money. An upside I'm going to be rich and a downside is that I have to play him even longer. Can you go get me some water Tom?" I asked. He nodded and I gave him some money and he ran off for the bar. I'm just ready to leave. Since I was a kid large crowds have always made me nervous. With good reason. In the end someone always ends up getting hurt. Thomas came back with my water and sat down next to me.
"Are you ok?"
"Ya, the crowds just making me nervous." I lifted my scarf up and took a large swig of my water. Zeke was taking his ever loving sweet time to get back with more money. I should have just said no and taken his money. But sadly I'm to nice of a person so I gave him a chance.
"Good grief he is taking his time." commented Thomas.
"Your telling me." I was still very tense from the crowd and I was ready to leave already. I kept drinking my water hoping that would calm the panicking. Finally Zeke ran back in.
"Good, you waited. I have more money." He slapped down a check for five thousand dollars. Thomas's mouth dropped and my eyes almost rolled out of my head. Good lord, what is he playing at. He has never put that much money on the line, ever.
"What are you playing at Zeke? You've never put that much on the line before." He just smiled. But there was something in the smile. It was a deviant smile. He just started to chuckle.
"You'll see."
