It was dark and a storm was brewing in the cloudy sky above us. Night was just falling upon the forbidding campus as my father drove through the opening gates. I looked out of the window in wonder at the enormous building. We stopped in the large driveway and my dad turned off the ignition, stepping out of the car and grabbing my bag. I still sat in the car, reluctant to go inside of my new prison. He knocked on the door with a smile, breaking my thoughts. "Come on." He opened the door and let me out.
"I don't know about this dad... what if they don't like me? What if they think I'm weird?" I panicked.
"Don't worry." He put his hand on my shoulder and led me up to the doors. "Professor Xavier is a very kind, understanding man. He's helped with my problems as well." His consolation helped a little, but not by much. I swallowed heavily as my father rung the doorbell. Seconds afterwards a woman with long, stark-white hair answered.
"Doctor Banner?" She asked.
"Yes, with Kristen." He put his arm around my shoulders comfortingly. I managed a meek smile.
"Ah. Nice to meet you!" She smiled, bending over to my height. She held out her hand to shake and I trembled.
"Perhaps another time." My father explained. "She's a little tense."
"Understandable." She stood back to full height. "Right this way." We were led into a huge entry hall where a bald man in a wheelchair waited for us.
"Professor Xavier." My father grinned. "A pleasure to see you again."
"Ah, same here old friend." He returned the kind gesture and wheeled up to us. "This is Kristen?"
"Yes." My father nodded.
"A pleasure." The professor continued. "I'm sure you will enjoy your time at my institute."
"Thank you sir." I bowed slightly.
"Shall I show you and your father to your new dorm?" He asked.
"That would be lovely." I lied. I just wanted to go back home... but that wasn't an option anymore. The military was getting more and more persistent in trying to find my father, and with me weighing him down, they were almost sure to succeed. He had told me it was for my safety, but I knew better. He was always a bad liar.
We arrived at a door labeled "57". The white-haired lady opened the door and let us inside. Two beds with a table between them and a dresser on the opposite side where the only furniture. A mirror hung over the dresser and a large window was on the opposite wall.
"Come on Kristen, let's unpack." My father led my to the bed nearest to the window. He unzipped the large bag we had brought and helped me place all of my clothing in the three left-hand, empty drawers. I stuffed all of my CDs, books, comics, computer, games and Walkman into the bottom drawer of the night stand. My father lifted my stuffed kitten "Soot" out of the bag and handed her to me. I held her close, trembling in fear. I had never been away from my father since we had first met, and this was going to be harder than I had initially thought to adjust to.
"Doctor Banner, if you would like to come with me to discuss her enrollment further with Doctor Xavier downstairs in his office." The white-haired lady offered. My father only nodded, turning from me to follow her. I walked with them down the hallway but stopped at the top of the stairs, sitting down once they disappeared into another room. I felt myself curl up, feeling completely abandoned. I stroked my stuffed animal gently.
"It's okay Soot, he'll come back for us, I promise." I comforted her.
"Who will come back for you?" A german-accented voice erupted from behind me. The sudden shock made me accidentally let out a small charge through the floor, making the intruder jump slightly. "Ow!" He exclaimed, rubbing his feet.
"I'm so sorry!" I apologized, standing up. "I can't help it."
"It's quite alright, I understand completely. I used to have trouble with my powers until I came here." His brown eyes and black hair were so sleek and his charming features only added to the fact he was so handsome. I began to blush. "My name is Kurt Wagner." He held out his hand to shake.
"I'm Kris Banner, and I don't think you want to shake my hand right now. Whenever I'm nervous I let out a little electrical charge." I rubbed the back of my head in embarrassment, my gaze falling to the floor.
"Who is that?" Kurt pointed to my stuffed cat. I was still clutching her to my chest protectively. He was obviously trying to change the awkward subject, and I appreciated the attempt.
"This is Soot. My mom gave her to me when I was first adopted." I informed, holding her out. "She's very friendly." I joked. "If you listen closely she purrs sometimes too!" Kurt laughed and I giggled along with him. I was glad there was at least one nice person here. I just hoped he wouldn't ignore me after the excitement of a new student had settled.
"Kristen?" My father called form downstairs. I turned away from Kurt and ran to him.
"When are you going to be back?" I asked him, already tearing up.
"Once you're done with college. Professor Xavier says he has extensive knowledge and many teachers here. You'll be happy." He replied.
"College?" I began to sob. "That's eight years!"
"I'll come to visit, I promise! Twice a year." He hugged me. A slight static shock made him twitch but he was fine.
"Okay daddy." I wiped my tears. He put his hand on my head.
"I'll write you every chance I get." He grinned.
"You better." I smirked. "If you don't I'll come find you myself!"
"That's my girl." He took me into another hug.
"Now you promise me to give yourself a chance here, alright?" He was holding onto my shoulders, looking into my eyes as sincerely as possible. I nodded wordlessly.
"I promise." I finally croaked.
"Good." He swallowed. "Goodbye." He waved as he went out of the door. When it closed behind him, I fell to my knees, shaking my head.
"Are you alright?" The white-haired lady came up behind me. I looked up at her with teary eyes.
"Y-yeah..." I lied again. "I just need to get my mind off of things..."