Roberto had never before believed that his heart had so much capacity for unhappiness and misery. Lectures in university dwindled to a boring drag which he attended only because he didn't want to miss out too much. It was such a pity, he thought to himself, that he couldn't somehow remain in his room alone in the Institution and still hear the lectures. What wouldn't he give to have the Professor's telepathy!
"Roberto de Costa! Are you alright? Have you gone deaf?"
"No, no. Pardon me. My mind was elsewhere."
"I guessed as much," Tyler replied dryly. Tall, muscular and fair-haired, he had quickly become Roberto's closest friend, being the same type as the Brazilian. "So, what's up with you? You look ready to turn into some black thundercloud any second!"
Roberto sighed. "It's nothing. What I'm undergoing is typical for most boys my age anyhow."
Tyler grinned. "Right then. Lemme hazard a guess. Some girl you love has abandoned you, maybe?"
Roberto froze.
"Just joking," Tyler hurriedly put in, seeing the look on Roberto's face.
Unfortunately, he's not far from the truth at all!
Aloud, Roberto spoke, "Just do me a favour and pretend nothing's going on."
"If you wish," Tyler replied, arching his fair eyebrows. "Ah, there he is! Excuse me, I'd better catch Mr. Brown before he vanishes again. I'll see you around, Rob."
"See you." Roberto turned and headed to the entrance.
"Roberto! There you are!"
Uh-oh! Not good! I'd know that voice anywhere!
Anna came running up, face flushing a pale pink. Roberto felt ready to smack his forehead, though he knew his manners. Stretching his lips into a forced smile, he made himself turn round to face her.
Something about her seemed different, though Roberto couldn't quite put a finger on it. Her eyes, her hair, her features were all the same, but somehow, her mannerism seemed…a little peculiar. Almost frightening. Not that Roberto had just realized it, but as he looked into her eyes, he saw a light there that made him shiver.
"I'm busy," he said bluntly, making to run to the exit. "I've got an appointment with someone. Please excuse me…"
"Oh, come on!" she protested girlishly, laying a white hand on his tanned arm. "Do you always have to say that everytime we meet? You can't forever be running off like that! Why can't you just stay and have a little chat with me?"
Though she didn't tighten her grip, Roberto found himself facing a little difficulty in removing his arm from her hand. On her face was an odd look of frightening intensity now, like a hungry animal ready to strike. Roberto liked it even less than her old flirtatious expression.
This girl's more danger than you imagine! Come on, Roberto! Move! Haven't you been listening to the Professor at all?
"Roberto…"
Mustering up all his willpower, Roberto snatched his arm away, heart pounding, and backed away.
"Don't do this, Roberto!" Anna hissed, looking positively scary now. "Don't! You can't run away forever!"
Roberto promptly fled, and never stopped running till he was back in his room at the Institute.
Hey Mr. Robert, you ever had of the word 'overreacting'?
Doesn't seem like an overreaction this time! Surely you saw that look in her eyes, like a wild animal poised to strike any moment?
Hah! Very funny! More likely your poor old mind is making things up!
Don't forget she's a mutant.
His mind wrestle went on for some time, ceasing only when Ray knocked on the door, calling Roberto to a brief training session.
"Coming." Pushing Anna out of his tormented thoughts, and deciding that he was indeed imagining things, Roberto left his room, and, without a word, headed to the garden with Ray.
Hey guys!! My apologies for taking so long; I fear this will be a regular thing until the end of the year. A big fat thanks anyway to all my reviewers, for all your kind, lurvely reviews. Please continue to do so; it'll definitely keep me motivated!! I'll try my best to update again ASAP!
Anna, in answer to your question, Anna Whitestar is an original character which I invented just for this story.
