Disclaimer: I don't own anything you might recognize, which at this point
is hopefully nothing since Alex is mine, and the X-Men aren't in the
picture...yet
Author's Note: This is a reposting of my original chapter because the story has evolved from the random musings of a bored student to a story with a plot (yay!) Because of this, I have changed a few things, hence the reposting.
..........................
"Alexander Albright McAllister, IV, get down here now!"
I knew why he was calling, so I took my time coming down. My father no doubt wanted to discuss the fact that I had been sent to the headmistress three times today for wearing sunglasses in class. In past weeks, I had been able to remove them if a teacher asked, but it was getting progressively worse, and now removing them meant being blinded by so much as a candle.
By "it" I mean what could only be a mutation. My eyes were, well, disappearing. Ever since midterms, my pupils were essentially taking over- at first I thought they were just dilated, but then the iris disappeared and the white part was almost gone. My eyes were now nothing but pupil and consequently let in way more light than they ever should-hence the sunglasses. To be honest, even the protective gear didn't always cut it in a bright room or sunny day.
"Alex?"
I had taken a little too long. Alexander Albright McAllister, III was standing in my doorway, and I knew little good could come of it.
"Alex, why is it so dark in here? For God's sake, turn on a light." He flicked on the overhead light and thankfully didn't notice how I winced at its brightness. I said nothing as he sat next to me on my bed. "You know, I'm getting a little worried about you. You're not doing track this season, you spend all of your time in your room, and I got a call from the headmistress, who tells me that you're defying both her and your teachers for a stupid fashion statement. Not only that, but I got your report card today and you're slipping in all of your classes. You used to be a straight-A student, Alex, and now you have a B in chemistry and a C+ in math. Even your orchestra grade dropped. Honestly, I'm up to my ears in work with the Mutant Registration Act and you've got to start thinking about college applications. The last thing either of us need is your current behavior."
Well, it was actually more than I expected. At least he was more worried about my grades than my glasses. After a short silence while I stared at my lap, I figured it was time for a reply. "Look, Dad, I'm sorry. It's just that I've been under a lot of stress lately." I paused to let that sink in while I made up reasons for being stressed. "Classes got a lot harder this quarter, and Clarissa and I have, uh, been having some problems lately. I know you have a lot of work what with the MRA gaining support, so I'll just try harder and concentrate more so you don't have to worry."
I figured that would quiet him, particularly the part that reminded him of his work. It did, and after a few more, "well, get to work and make me proud"-type-comments he left me alone. I immediately turned out my light and attempted to start my homework.
.............................
I must admit I didn't get very far. Every time I picked up, my mind kept wandering. I couldn't help but think about my eyes. In many ways, my mutation was as fascinating as it was frightening. I could see in the dark, which I must admit was pretty cool. At least I didn't have to worry about running into furniture as I tried to go to the bathroom at night. On the other hand, I was now afraid of the light, I was crippled without my glasses, and I looked like a freak because my eyes were an expanse of black. Not that anyone could actually see my eyes.
What concerned me more was my father. He was a House Representative, and his big bill in Congress was the MRA. He was practically leading the movement to register mutants, under the argument that they might be dangerous. While the bill wasn't even close to getting out of committee, I was still worried. Even worse, it was an election year and Dad would be working to please voters in his very anti-mutant district. It disturbed me that so many of the people he was working for hated people like me. I feared that if Dad discovered what I was, I would be kicked out. If anyone else found out, God only knows what would happen.
Unfortunately, God decided to share his little secret way too soon for my liking.
...........
Voila! Chapter One. Chapter 2 will be posted shortly I promise.
Author's Note: This is a reposting of my original chapter because the story has evolved from the random musings of a bored student to a story with a plot (yay!) Because of this, I have changed a few things, hence the reposting.
..........................
"Alexander Albright McAllister, IV, get down here now!"
I knew why he was calling, so I took my time coming down. My father no doubt wanted to discuss the fact that I had been sent to the headmistress three times today for wearing sunglasses in class. In past weeks, I had been able to remove them if a teacher asked, but it was getting progressively worse, and now removing them meant being blinded by so much as a candle.
By "it" I mean what could only be a mutation. My eyes were, well, disappearing. Ever since midterms, my pupils were essentially taking over- at first I thought they were just dilated, but then the iris disappeared and the white part was almost gone. My eyes were now nothing but pupil and consequently let in way more light than they ever should-hence the sunglasses. To be honest, even the protective gear didn't always cut it in a bright room or sunny day.
"Alex?"
I had taken a little too long. Alexander Albright McAllister, III was standing in my doorway, and I knew little good could come of it.
"Alex, why is it so dark in here? For God's sake, turn on a light." He flicked on the overhead light and thankfully didn't notice how I winced at its brightness. I said nothing as he sat next to me on my bed. "You know, I'm getting a little worried about you. You're not doing track this season, you spend all of your time in your room, and I got a call from the headmistress, who tells me that you're defying both her and your teachers for a stupid fashion statement. Not only that, but I got your report card today and you're slipping in all of your classes. You used to be a straight-A student, Alex, and now you have a B in chemistry and a C+ in math. Even your orchestra grade dropped. Honestly, I'm up to my ears in work with the Mutant Registration Act and you've got to start thinking about college applications. The last thing either of us need is your current behavior."
Well, it was actually more than I expected. At least he was more worried about my grades than my glasses. After a short silence while I stared at my lap, I figured it was time for a reply. "Look, Dad, I'm sorry. It's just that I've been under a lot of stress lately." I paused to let that sink in while I made up reasons for being stressed. "Classes got a lot harder this quarter, and Clarissa and I have, uh, been having some problems lately. I know you have a lot of work what with the MRA gaining support, so I'll just try harder and concentrate more so you don't have to worry."
I figured that would quiet him, particularly the part that reminded him of his work. It did, and after a few more, "well, get to work and make me proud"-type-comments he left me alone. I immediately turned out my light and attempted to start my homework.
.............................
I must admit I didn't get very far. Every time I picked up, my mind kept wandering. I couldn't help but think about my eyes. In many ways, my mutation was as fascinating as it was frightening. I could see in the dark, which I must admit was pretty cool. At least I didn't have to worry about running into furniture as I tried to go to the bathroom at night. On the other hand, I was now afraid of the light, I was crippled without my glasses, and I looked like a freak because my eyes were an expanse of black. Not that anyone could actually see my eyes.
What concerned me more was my father. He was a House Representative, and his big bill in Congress was the MRA. He was practically leading the movement to register mutants, under the argument that they might be dangerous. While the bill wasn't even close to getting out of committee, I was still worried. Even worse, it was an election year and Dad would be working to please voters in his very anti-mutant district. It disturbed me that so many of the people he was working for hated people like me. I feared that if Dad discovered what I was, I would be kicked out. If anyone else found out, God only knows what would happen.
Unfortunately, God decided to share his little secret way too soon for my liking.
...........
Voila! Chapter One. Chapter 2 will be posted shortly I promise.