Hello everyone! Welcome to my new X-Men fanfiction. Just so you know, the text in italics is Bonfire's thoughts. I really hope you're all gonna enjoy it! So, just read and review :D
DISCLAIMER: I do not own X-MEN!
Bonfire Heart
Slightly Burned
There is fire everywhere. Flickering on the dull grey carpet floor, burning holes into the soft velvet couch and licking at the heavy curtains. This is all my fault. There is no point denying it. I turn around desperate to find something to extinct the ravaging flames, but they only increase at my touch. My skin should have been burned and blistered from the heat, but it isn't. The fire doesn't hurt me. I don't even feel the heat.
How did I manage to set everything on fire this time? Because I'm a freaking idiot. Because I lost control. Like a bloody amateur. Because those idiots told me I was expelled and made me angry. Stupid people.
Suddenly there is screaming. Wild, frantic screaming, shrill and panicked. The screaming grows louder and louder, piercing my ears.
My eyes snap open. But I immediately squeeze them shut again. There is bluish white light everywhere. I'm not dead, am I? No. If I was my head wouldn't be hurting like hell. I sit up too quickly, making it worse. "What the… Where am I? Is this a plane?" I try to remember. Without success.
The walls are all steal and there's a ton of crazy-looking equipment up front in the cockpit. But what really catches my attention is the weird woman sitting on the cot right across from mine. Her skin is a soft and flawless like melted chocolate. Well, that's not what's weird about her. It's her hair that somewhat… surprises me. It's a snowy shade of white even though she seems to be quite young. Definitely weird.
"Who are ya?" My voice sounds rough and raspy when I speak. It might also have sounded rude, but manners never were my strong suit, so who cares.
She certainly doesn't. Smiling she says, "I am Storm, a teacher at Xavier's School for gifted youngsters."
My eyes widen in shock as the memory comes flooding back. They told me I was expelled, so I got angry and set fire to the school. With a swish of my hand. Now, I would probably have figured out then I was in trouble just then, even if those people hadn't showed up and told me. And even though I've got no idea as to why they would be helping me, they somehow managed to extinct the flames and get me out of the school before the cops started swarming 'round. No idea how.
My shock must have been very obvious on my face, because Storm gives me a sympathetic look and says, "Don't worry. You'll be safe there."
I frown, not remembering what exactly I need to be safe of. I feel like this is something I should be aware of, though. "Safe of what?" I ask, knitting my eyebrows.
A look of concern flickers over Storms face. "Of people who might want to harm you. We recently had some problems with a man doing experimentation on mutants. He's no longer operational but that doesn't mean there aren't others wishing to do the same." I nod. Seems legit.
"And you're a teacher at this… school?" I can't keep the disgust out of my voice. I'm not exactly fond of teachers. Or schools, for that matter.
"I am." Storm confirms my suspicions.
Though, thinking about it, she certainly doesn't look like a teacher. At least not like the ones I've had. She is too young, too pretty and nowhere near snobbish enough. Indeed, the only thing she seems to have common with a teacher is, that she seems to get annoyed with my asking questions, but that's not gonna stop me. Never has. "Where is this school you're talking about anyway?"
Storm sighs, "Westchester, New York." I stare. I've never even heard of Westchester, but I know New York is hella far away from away from Bakersfield, California; and that's where I live.
Then I figure, since we're on such a long journey, I should probably concentrate on more substantial matters. "So… what about food?" To my surprise it's not Storm who answers. Instead, I hear a loud grunt from the cockpit and turn to see a sheer mountain of muscle. "See, Storm! I told you she would be hungry! I told you we should have brought some of those coconut puffs Rogue made!" The man speaking looks like a bodybuilder – except hairier – and is porting VERY prominent sideburns.
Storm rolls her eyes at me. "And lucky I listened to you and packed some." My mood brightens instantly as she throws a bag at me. It is filled to the top with delicious, slightly burnt puffs. Not waiting for an invitation I dig in like I'd never see food again.
Between two especially delicious bites I find the time to ask, "Who's Rogue?"
Due to my full mouth it might have sounded more like "how rock?" but Storm seems to understand anyway. "She's a fellow mutant, about your age." I nod silently. About my age. People usually think that means sophomore, but in fact I'm almost 19. I'm just short, not young.
I zoned out at some point during the following conversation (Storm tells me about ALL the mutants and ALL their powers) and then I must have fallen asleep. Because the next thing I know is a squelching feeling in my gut. The plane is landing.
When we get off, I can hardly keep from gaping. That ivy-covered mansion is HUGE. At least twice as large as my old school. And the grounds around it are even bigger. The jet's pilot (whom Storm introduced as Logan/Wolverine) grins at me. "Nice, ain't it?" he says.
My awe fades away though as soon as we enter the building. All the walls are covered in wooden paneling. I gulp. If I lose control in here, this place's gonna burn like hell. Not exactly the best place to stay for a mutant who keeps accidently setting fire to her own charcoal hair.
After walking through a maze of corridors, we finally stop in front of a pair of large wooden doors. The brass sign next to them spells, PROFESSOR C. XAVIER, PRINCIPAL. I scowl, remembering my last meeting with a school official. But I guess, since I technically haven't been in yet, he can't really expel me already, now can he?
We enter a room that looks to me like a smaller version of Oval Office. A bald man in a pricy-looking suit is sitting in a wheelchair behind the desk. "Hello, Jessica," He has a deep, calming sort of voice, sounding kinda like Captain Picard from Star Trek. I still frown though. No one's called me Jessica for quite a while now. It feels sort of weird. "This is a school for mutants. You are welcome to stay here for as long as you like," It's not like I have a choice, I think, if I leave, I'll probably be charged for arson. Or murder, more likely. "You are free to leave at any time, but I would advise you to think about safety first. No one will harm you here, and you will be able to learn how to control your powers."
I flinch. The professor didn't even move his lips and yet I could clearly hear his voice. Inside my head. "I am telepathic, Jessica. No need to be afraid," His calming voice does little to quench my fear. I stare at him, eyes widened and nostrils flared. Even though I am very much freaked out, I am not going to back down. It's just not what I do. If you are then, stop calling me Jessica. My name is Bonfire! Everyone calls me that, I think. Xavier smiles, "Logan, Storm, I would like to tell you, that Jessica, here, would prefer to be called Bonfire,"
I am so taken aback by this pronouncement that I forget all my fear and simply stare at the man. "I take it that you are going to stay with us then," The professor smiles at me, "Storm will show you your room."