Dusty and I talked for a while, mostly about nothing, avoiding the subject of everything that had happened. The thing that bothered me the most was that the next time I saw him in person, no matter when that was, he'd have that giant scar to remind me of what was my fault. And it was a big scar too.
Well, when my dad poked his head in to tell me I had to leave.
"Well…see ya Dusty…"
He smiled, motioning for me to get closer. Then, he kissed my cheek. I went a little red, knowing Dad was watching.
"See ya Shay. Hoe you have fun at your school. And remember, no one can tell you you're not human. If you're a mutant, than that's that. I love ya."
"I love you too Dusty. Well, bye."
"Bye Shay."
Walking out of the hospital, I felt my Dad's eyes on me.
"So, you and Dustin-"
"Yeah."
"Since when?" he asked. He didn't seem upset, but curious.
"Last night, but I've liked him for a long time, and so has he."
Dad stayed quiet, smiling to himself. He put his arm around my shoulders, like he was happy for me. I smiled too, leaning against him. My dad was the best.
We went back with the Professor and Jean to my house, pulling in front and my Dad and I got out.
"When does Shay leave professor?" Dad asked him.
"We can leave now, if that is what Shay wishes."
Dad looked sad when I realized I'd be leaving him home by himself. I wanted to go to this institute, but I didn't want Dad to be alone. I was the only person in his life since he worked from home.
"Dad, I promise I'll keep in touch. I won't ever forget to write or email or anything! I…I don't want you to feel alone…"
Jean and Professor Xavier were getting into the car, when Dad pulled me aside.
"Shay, I just wanted you to know…No matter how your powers affect you, even if something like last night happens, you'll never be anyone other than my Shay."
I felt a little embarrassed when he said that. Dad looked sad, but kept on his big grin for me.
"It's okay Shay. I've always got those runway models that come while you're at school. Not to mention the mail lady's pretty hot."
I laughed and hugged him, not really wanting to let him go just yet. Plus that mail lady was hideous…ugh…I shudder at the thought of her…
I was all packed and putting my things into the professor's car, hugging Dad goodbye.
"You be good Shay."
"I will."
"Shay?"
I turned, and behind Dad and I were Dusty's parents.
"Shay, we heard from Dusty that you were leaving." said his Mom.
"We wanted to see you off for him." his Dad told us. "And Lucille baked you some cookies for the trip."
She handed me a plate with saran wrap over it, cookies inside. The plate was warm.
"It's just our way of thanking you, for being Dusty's best friend, and for staying by his side until the ambulance came. And we're sorry about your house. Gas explosions are very destructive."
I felt confused. Who told them that it was a gas explosion?
That was my doing Shay. I'll explain later on.
I didn't look at him, but kept my focus on Dusty's parents.
"Thanks you two. I'll be sure to keep in touch with Dusty." I said.
"Oh but dear, the hospital won't appreciate all those long-distance calls all the time. You e-mail the hospital dear, and we'll set him up with a computer."
It would be pretty expensive to call all the time, but where would they buy a computer they could afford? They must really be serious about it. I wasn't going to dabble in it, it was none of my business.
"Well, thanks again Mr. and Mrs. Conner. I have to be going now."
Mr. Conner patted my shoulder, and Mrs. Conner hugged me really tight. I could only do my best to hug her back and keep myself from feeling like crying, as well as shield the cookies in between us. I moved to Dad and hugged him too, as tightly as I could.
"Bye Dad."
"Bye Baby…"
I got in the car, not wanting to see the look on his face. We drove off and I felt like crying, but I pulled myself together. I was going to be alright. I could make it on my own, no problem. But I wouldn't really be alone. I'd make new friends with the other students.
Jean kept glancing back at me, waiting for a reaction from me. I couldn't really give her one. I really didn't know how to feel. I wanted to call Dad and Dusty as soon as I got there, but how long could it take to get to New York from North Dakota?
"We're not taking this car all the way there, are we?" I asked. Xavier chuckled under his breath.
"No, we will be taking the Blackbird, as soon as we reach it."
Wondering what he meant, I sat back in my seat. What was a blackbird? Well, obviously not a bird, but a car maybe? I didn't really know about cars, and the titles of them only confused me more. Plus, it was a loooonng way to New York, and I doubted a car could get us all the way there.
"You guys want a cookie?"
We stopped at a large clearing a little ways away from the main part of town, not a soul in sight. The area was masked from the rest of the world by large lush trees and all in all, pretty secluded and uneventful.
"What's with the field?" I asked. We all got out of the car and I grabbed my luggage from the trunk.
"You'll see." He chuckled again. The Professor finished his cookie. I didn't know what to think about what he said. Sure enough, it was an empty field.
"I'm…not sure what I'm seeing here Professor. Looks like a field." I told him, feeling very sarcastic and confused.
"Oh, that's just the all-over camouflage." He said, taking out what looked like a car's remote starter. Pressing a button, a giant black jet-looking thing appeared right before my eyes. My slack-jawed expression must've been pretty funny because Jean came up to my side, smiling.
"Telepaths, institutes, jets…is there anything you guys don't have?" I asked stupidly.
"We're a little low on diet soda in there." Jean laughed. I nodded in amazement and stepped aboard behind her and the Professor, sitting in one of the many seats and my luggage to my side, but more towards the front. I'd never been on a plane before, much less a tricked out one for mutants. I wanted to sit somewhere that I could see out of the window.
Well, it turns out when you're at Mach 5 and about 40,000 feet in the air, you don't see much. In my boredom and disappointment, I must have fallen asleep, because we were there in no time and Jean was waking me up. Mach 5 does wonders to flight time.
"C'mon." she said, helping me up. "Everyone will want to meet you soon."
I took her hand, standing up and yawning. Then I thought, 'Did she just say everybody?' How many people lived at this…institute? How many people would I be meeting? I started to feel uneasy.
"Don't feel nervous." Jean assured me. "Everyone here is really nice!"
Could she tell I was nervous or was she reading my mind? Or was I putting out some kind of signal or aura? This was confusing.
Well, we landed through a tennis court and into a hanger inside the school and were greeted by a man. He had dark hair and broad shoulders, and I saw some stubble on his chin. He looked angry for some reason.
"Is…that guy mad at me?" I asked Jean. She looked out to see him and laughed.
"No, that's just Logan. He's always like that."
Always like what? Pissed? He just kind of stood there while the Professor and Jean got off the jet.
"Logan, good to see you." I heard the Professor say to someone. "We have a new student joining us. Could you please get her luggage from the Blackbird?"
I looked out to see a man. He had bluish-blackish hair and side burns, along with some stubble on his chin. He had a scowl on his face and piercing eyes. My nervousness peaked and I guess he could tell, because he looked right at me. I jumped a little.
"What's her power? I need to set up a training program soon." he grunted in a voice, almost sounding like he was growling.
"We're going to be working on that, but I suspect matter manipulation."
Manipulation. There was that word again. I observed this Logan guy, noticing that he was staring, no, glaring at me. Who put a bee up his ass?
'Okay Shay,' I thought to myself. 'calm down. You're just upset. Be polite, and make no enemies.' Then, not only was he glaring, but his nostrils flared out and in. Was…he smelling me?
"Welcome aboard Tiny. Hope to see you in the danger room soon."
Was that a good thing? This "Danger room"?
Jean looked at me apologetically.
"He's nice too, once he gets used to you." She told me. I nodded as this Logan guy walked past me into the get, grabbing my stuff. I felt a chill and walked out of the jet. Was I really that short? Short enough to be nicknamed "Tiny"? Oh, who was I kidding? I was.
Logan grabbed my stuff and we all went inside. I sat down on the couch, a little wobbly from the ride.
"Jean, show Shay to her room. It'll be the one next to Evan."
"Okay Professor."
She took me up the stairs, Logan close behind us with my luggage. I heard someone coming around the corner, talking with someone.
"Hey! Jean!"
She turned and I looked, to see a tall boy with red sunglasses. Behind him was a black boy with banana blonde hair and a skateboard tucked under his arm.
"Hey Scott. Hey Evan." she greeted them.
"Glad you're back. Is this the new girl?" The sunglasses guy asked. "Hey, I'm Scott." he said, waving.
"Hey man, name's Evan!" the other boy laughed. I lowered my head, feeling a little shy around these new people. I waved a little, and Jean introduced me.
"This is Shay. She's going to be rooming next to you Evan. She came from North Dakota. Shay, these are two of the students here at the institute."
"Hi." I said. "N-nice to meet-"
"Come on, let's get going! I'm not lugging this around while you kids chat." Logan growled. I nodded fiercely and Jean waved goodbye to the two boys and we kept walking.
"Well, here's your room Shay."
It was a lot bigger than my room at home. It had a giant bed and a computer desk next to it, with a flat screened computer on it and a printer/scanner. That was cool by the way. An expensive-looking vanity sat against the wall with a little chair. Next to that was a tall dresser. All of it made me feel a little overwhelmed. There was even a balcony across the room from me.
"Well, do you like it?" Jean asked me.
"It's…it's beautiful." I told her. "It's so big though…"
"You get used to it." She told me. " The Professor puts a lot of work into every room in the institute. Oh, and before I forget, I'll be showing you around Bayville high on your first day."
"But, I thought this was an institute." I said.
"Well, we study our mutant powers here, and do regular school over at the high school. We keep our powers a secret outside the institute. But, you'll get used to it soon enough."
I nodded, taking in the information.
"There." Logan put my suitcases on my bed and turned to me. "I'll take my tip later."
Jean grinned, and I laughed softly. But Logan looked serious. He walked out of the room with his hands in his pockets, his face looking as sour as before.
"Well, I'll let you unpack. Come downstairs later for lunch, 'kay?"
I nodded and she left, and I flopped down beside my suitcase. I felt so tired…
"Oh! I better e-mail Dad."
I opened up the computer and went to my e-mail. I started to type the draft.
Hey Dad!
I have arrived here, and it doesn't seem so bad. Everyone is really nice so far, and I could see myself being friends with a lot of them. The teachers seem nice, and I hope to learn how to control my…"mutant powers."
The fact that everyone here is a mutant is a little weird, but I can't see any of them being strange. It only makes me wonder more about what everyone here can do! But I know I can trust you not to tell anyone about what I tell you here.
Dad, I know you must be worried about me already, but I want you to know that I love you and that everything will be fine.
I haven't met many of the other students yet, but I'll write you as soon as I do, okay? I hope that that'll keep you occupied until I write next time, okay?
I love you,
Shay.
P.S.-I love you some more!
P.P.S.-REPLY SOON LAZY BONES!!!
P.P.P.S.-Be sure to keep those runway models offa ya and get the mail lady. The wart on her nose is just what you like in a lady.
I sent the letter after re-reading it a few times, then turned off the computer. I wanted Dad to feel like he wasn't alone at home. Ever since Mom left us, it was always just him and me. I still keep in touch with her from time to time, but I would have to write her about all of this later. I was sure that Dad hadn't seeing as he probably forgot her number, if not on purpose.
I opened my suitcase and began to unpack. I brought a lot of my clothes, but I didn't own that much to start with. I put them in the dresser. That whole thing not taking too long, I went back downstairs and found my way to the kitchen for lunch like Jean said.
The Professor was there at the head of the table. Jean was there, sitting next to the Scott boy, laughing. Evan was at the fridge, looking for something to eat. Jean spotted me and waved, pointing to the seat across from her. I felt kind of happy. Usually at my school, a girl like Jean wouldn't want anything to do with me. I moved to the table and sat down.
"So, you're the new kid around here huh? Well, don't be to nervous, we're all friends here. Jean tells me you're a little shy though."
I nodded, letting my shyness slip a little.
"So, what's your power?" Evan asked, sliding into the chair next to me. He surprised me a little.
"Well…P-professor Xavier says I have…uh…"
"Matter manipulation." he finished.
"Right…" I said, thanking him. "When my emotions are…strong, or something, I make stuff's matter change."
"Well, that doesn't sound too bad." Evan said. I felt a little depressed at that.
"It's pretty dangerous…people get really hurt…"
No one spoke for a second. Jean looked at Evan with a look that said, "Make up for that one."
"B-but-uh-…You'll get it under control soon here. I used to shoot spikes out of my skin when I sneezed. But now, it's cool."
"You still do that man." Scott said.
"Yeah…but not all the time."
"You…shoot spikes?" I asked, wondering how that could be possible.
"Yeah. It comes in handy sometimes. And it's not just shooting them, they come out of my skin and protect me."
He raised him arm, and big wooden bone-looking things poked out of his skin. I squeaked a little, the sight of it making me uneasy. He laughed a little, and Scott pushed him a little from across the table.
"Sorry, Evan's just kidding you. At least he doesn't shoot lasers from his eyes."
"Lasers…huh."
All these kids are like me…They all have problems. They're all away from their families…None of them treat me different because of what part of town I'm from, or that I'm not pretty…
"Professor?"
He looked at me, his fork clinking gently on his plate. I took a deep breath.
"I think…I'll…like it here…"