Author's Note: I know that most people don't like OC stories, but I would be grateful if some people do read it and do review. Constuctive critisism is fine, but NO flames. Flames will be used to roast my marshmallows.
Disclaimer: Don't own X-Men.
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PROFILE
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Name: Carmen Alvarez
Age: 15
Grade: Entering 10th
Powers: Turns into wolf when provoked
Why powers manifested: (Will be explained later)
Hair: Mid-back, very dark brown, red stripe on right side
Eyes: Dark brown
Skin: Tan brown
Race/Ethnic Group: Hispanic
Location: Florida
Strength: Peak human
Intelligence: Gifted
Energy Projection: None
Fighting Abilities: Experienced
Durability: Enhanced
Speed: Peak: 65 mph
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"What did Xavier say she was wearing?" Scott asked.
"A baggy white soccer tee-shirt and jeans," Jean replied promptly. "Why do you ask? You already saw the picture of her."
The two mutants were just entering the airport where the new student, Carmen Alvarez, had arrived.
"You know why, Jean," Scott said, an eyebrow rising from underneath his red-tinted glasses.
"Mystique wouldn't bother taking form of a new student. Even if she did, I could detect it," she said. "C'mon, we're already late."
When they arrived at the gate, the only person there was a girl in her mid-teens sitting on a plastic seat, reading a large book. She had her thick brown hair tied up in a tight ponytail. The red stripe showed vividly between the dark brown.
"Carmen?" Jean called. The girl's head shot up. She spotted the two and closed her book. She walked over to them, a look of friendliness with a hint of shyness in her chocolate eyes.
"You two must be Jean Grey and Scott Summers," Carmen said awkwardly in an oddly low voice. "I got an email that you two would be the ones who would meet me here."
"Yes, well...why don't we get your luggage?" Jean asked. Carmen nodded.
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Whenever I talk to adults I meet for the first time, or even boy that I'm somewhat attracted to, my voice goes down about half an octave.
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The three walked down the escalator to the baggage claim.
"Did you bring a backpack or anything with you?" Scott asked. At this, Carmen smirked.
"After fifteen years of traveling, I've realized it's a heck of a lot easier to just bring a book," she said, holding up her Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
"Smart," Jean said, grinning also.
There were only a few people at Carmen's baggage claim so they found her two bags (one large, one small) pretty quickly. Carmen insisted one rolling the large bag while Scott rolled the smaller one.
Scott was quite surprised on how polite the teenager was. But Jean wasn't so easily swayed. She could see, as Carmen rapidly got more comfortable around them, that she had a mischievous gleam in her eye, like a couple other students at the Institute.
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When the three loaded Carmen's bags into the car and they climbed into it (Scott driving, Jean in the passenger seat, Carmen in the back), they chatted.
"You two are teachers, right?" Carmen asked. "What do you teach?"
"For one thing," Scott said. "We teach all the students how to control their powers. Or else there would be chaos at the school."
"As if it could get any worse," Jean grinned. Carmen raised an eyebrow, amused.
"So, Carmen, when did you realize you could turn into a wolf?" Scott asked. Suddenly, Carmen's cheerful face shadowed. She took a deep breath.
"It's not a story I would like to repeat," she said stiffly. Jean turned around to look at Carmen. Jean nodded, as if understanding.
"Carmen," Jen said softly. "Many of the kids at the Institute have harmed loved ones without meaning to with their powers. That's why they are here...that's why you are here."
Carmen's eyes widened in surprise.
"How did you know that?" she asked quickly.
"I'm telepathic," Jean replied.
"You mean you read minds?" Carmen asked. Jean nodded. Carmen eyed her suspiciously, then sighed.
"Then I might as well tell Mr. Summers here the story," she said.
"I'm listening," Scott told her. Carmen was hesitant for a minute, then started.
"I was having another heated fight with my sister Nicole. She was being...pardon my language...a preppy little bitch. Nicole used to be sporty and fun to be around until she hit 11 and I was 13. She started to act like she was too good for me and started hanging out with girls that treated me like dirt. Around that time, I developed an impressive talent of growling like a dog. My friends liked it, but, of course, my sister did not. So it went on. My sister became a prep and I became more of a loner, except to my friends, who agreed with me. When I was 14, I finally got my own room, which helped with the fire that separated my sister and I.
"But just a few months ago, like I said, my sis and I had a big fight. She was accusing me of being a goth. She was right, but I argued with her nonetheless because she made it sound like an insult. It went back and forth until suddenly...I started to growl and then I just...I just...lost it." Pause. "You can guess things from there."
Carmen fell silent, contemplating. The car was also silent for a few minutes.
"Can you turn on some music?" she asked in a soft voice.
"Sure," Scott replied, turning on the radio. Carmen seemed to relax at hearing a familiar tune.
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As the car pulled up at the Institute, Carmen became restless in her seat.
Gazing at the huge building, she thought, Well, as they say in the movies (and everywhere else. Damn clichés)...this is it. Scott parked the car and they unloaded Carmen's bags. They walked into the door and into a large hallway with a huge staircase. At once, a girl with dark hair and white stripes in her hair framing her face skidded across the hall toward them. Her face fell.
"Oh. I thought it was Logan," she said. Carmen swore she heard a hint of a Southern accent. "He's still in Canada?"
"From what we last heard of him, yes," Scott said.
"Okay...who's this?" the girl asked, motioning toward Carmen with a gloved hand.
"Carmen Alvarez," Carmen told her. "From Florida."
"People call me Rogue," she replied. "Welcome to Mutant High."
Carmen half-grinned.
"Well, nice meeting you," Rogue said, walking off.
When she was out of sight, Carmen asked, "What powers does she have?"
"She extracts life energy by touch. And if it's a mutant, she gets their powers temporarily," Jean told her.
"That's what was with the summer gloves," Carmen said, understanding. "So...where are you taking me?"
"To Professor Xavier's office. He'll welcome you and tell you more about the school."
"Alright. Lead on."
The three walked to two large, oak double-doors.
"Come in," a voice said from inside, startling Carmen.
"My guess is that he's a telepathic, too?" Carmen said in a low voice.
"Correct," Jean replied, opening the doors. Carmen saw a bald, stately-looking man behind a desk. He looked kind enough, so she entered.
"Carmen Alvarez," he said, smiling. "I've been expecting you."
"Well, -ahem- I only hear that in horror films," Carmen answered, grinning somewhat nervously.
"I assure you, Miss Alvarez, this is not a horror film," Xavier told her good-naturedly.
"With my powers, it could be."
"And that's what we are here to talk about," Xavier said, leaning forward in his seat. "Miss Alvarez, you've seen all the anti-mutant protests in the news, am I correct?"
"Yes sir, although I don't watch CNN much," Carmen told him.
"Well, I'm sure you could pick up that it is dangerous nowadays for a mutant to be recognized," Xavier said. "That's why you are here. To be safe from persecution. You understand?"
"Perfectly," Carmen said, a sliver of fear in her eyes.
"Good. Now, about you schedule..." Xavier pulled out a drawer in his desk, retrieving a piece of paper. He handed it to her. "These are you classes. You'll be started on September first, two weeks from now. All your supplies will be in your room. And speaking of..."
Xavier was silent for a while. A minute later, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in, LaTonya," Xavier said. The door opened. A girl with short, spiky black hair opened the door.
"You called, Professor?" she asked.
"Yes. Carmen, this is your room mate, LaTonya Mathers. LaTonya, can you please show her to your room?"
"Yes sir. C'mon," she told Carmen in monotone.
Not exactly the friendly sort, is she? Carmen thought as she followed her out the office.
"Wait a sec, LaTonya...I need to get my bags..."
"Scott and Jean dropped them off," LaTonya said. "By the way, for future reference, call me Tonya. It's easier." Carmen nodded, resolving not to speak too much in front of Tonya.
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Author's note: Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease review!