Thank you for all the input guys! It was very helpful! I think I'll introduce the new name in the next chapter!
I couldn't help but bite my lip as I strutted into the dining hall. Everyone stopped eating and suddenly rose to their feet, chanting my name, and applauding. They must've heard of my new… status.
"Nadia! Our savior! Our glorious hero!" They screamed in unison. I laughed casually as one voice in the many began to call out, "Speech! Speech!"
"Oh well.." How embarrassing. I swung my wrist over my ear, brushing the stray hairs from my face.
"I'd like to start off by thanking… not a single one of you. You all kind of suck. Except you sweet thing keep it up-"
"Are you going in or out? You can't just stand here?" I blinked furiously before turning to a grinning Rogue. She struggled to keep a poker face as her cheek was sucked in and her shoulders slightly shaking.
"Hey what are you up to missy?" I smiled as she gave up the pretend act and laughed.
"You know me. Ms. Trouble."
"Oh boy do I know." I was about to turn back around to resume my daydream when I felt her tap lightly on my shoulder.
"Hey, Nadia. There's someone who asked to see you out in the courtyard."
"Wait what? Who?"
"They said not to say." I arched an eyebrow.
"What? Are they here to kill me or something?" I laughed nervously.
"I can't say!" She giggled and then walked away.
What the hell? I cautiously stepped out of the hall and approached the side hallway that connected to the back lot. Who would go through the trouble? Well whoever it is.. I'm sure I can take them. I popped my knuckles before wincing, damn that hurt.
It was dark out but I could make out a figure leaning against the pole sticking out next to the pavement of the court. I took in a deep breath and put on a brave face before pushing open the door.
"What do you want?" I called out deeply before clenching my fists. The figure began to run towards me.
Oh shit.
"Wait stop… I… I'm just a student!" I quickly lied.
Two arms wrapped around me tightly before a familiar squeal resonated in my ear.
"Miranda?"
"Who else?" She leaped back and smiled brightly, her black hair a blue tint under the light of the moon. "Do you typically meet other people here?" She giggled. "I missed you. And you never call." Her gaze fell slightly.
"Are you going to say anything?" She asked softly.
"Yeah. I'm just a little…"
"Shocked? I bet! Schools been hell without you!"
She sat on my bed, her striped knee high socks folded at her shins, as she laid back her hands towards the ceiling.
"Oh! It's so nice in here! This is not what I thought boarding school would be like! Can I stay here? Just lie for me! Say I have a mutation!" I laughed and slapped her thigh.
"Are you crazy Mira?"
"So… you like it here?" I paused and stared out the window.
"Yeah… I think so."
"Are there any… cute guys? You know…. Any interested in not so special regular girls?... by chance?" I grinned and looked back at her. Her face was turned towards me as she pursed her lips.
"hm… why do you ask Miranda?"
"A girls gotta ask. Everyone at Prantridge is either taken… or a student at Prantridge. In any case, both choices are less than ideal." I shrugged.
"I mean some of the seniors here I guess are okay. I haven't actually talked to any of them. I've been-"
"Hanging with the teachers!" She rolled over and rested her head on her palms, crossing her legs in the air behind her.
"So… How's that been going?" She asked, her eyes lighting up mischievously.
"Well I have a mortal enemy.." She groaned and dropped her hands. "Was Sadie not enough for you? Come on Nadia. Do you really need drama every waking moment of your life?"
"Asks the girl who just gave a theatre like collapse on my bed?"
"Fine. Well. Good luck with that. I don't want to hear about your little grudges."
"Oh come on! But this one's fun!" I giggled before poking her in the back. "Don't you want to hear?" A muffled "ugh" vibrated on the comforter.
"Fine." She pretended to look at a fake watch on her wrist. "You have five."
"Hours?"
"Seconds." She responded monotonously.
"Oh Mira! You know you wanna hear."
"Actually I really don't! I'd rather hear how things have been going good for you! Not the problems you've… created!"
"That's like asking me to just read the first and last pages of Lord of the Rings!"
"Okay do not compare your catfights to Frodo's trek to Mordor."
"Catfights? Geez Mira, I'm offended."
"Would you prefer another animal?"
"I'd prefer X-Men thank you." At this she paused and sat up.
"X-Men?" I straightened my back slightly.
"You're looking at the newest trainee."
"For what? X-Men? Is that like another branch of YMCA summer camp." I tossed a pillow at her forehead, eliciting a confused squeal.
"No! I'm basically a superhero now."
"Yeah sure."
"What? You don't believe me?"
"You're basically asking me to believe in a secret league of crime fighting tooth fairies. We live in the real world."
"So mutants aren't at all crazy to you for the real world?" I asked, slightly irritated.
"I mean we knew it would happen eventually. You can only mix Red bull and Mountain dew so many times before you come up with a glowing superhuman."
"I like red bull." I muttered.
"Nadia. You're still a person. Having a mutation doesn't make you that much different. You still should know your limitations and this band of Exes-"
"X-Men."
"That's what I said."
"No you said Exes."
"No I didn't."
"Ummm… Yeah you did."
"Whatever. This band of X-Men seems like it'll just get you into trouble. You're not a police officer or a superhero. You can't just go out there and take on the world."
"So what I'm getting from this is… You believe that I'm in the X-Men."
"I don't doubt that there are a group of people who believe that they can save the world or whatever… but I don't think it's realistic."
"Alright dream crusher."
"No. Nadia. I think you are a remarkable human being! But… Don't get involved in stuff that's over your head."
"Over my head?"
"All I'm saying is to be careful."
"You don't trust me?" I asked, unable to help the hurt from slipping into my tone.
"Of course I trust you." She leapt off the bed and gave me a quick hug. I couldn't breathe through her waterfall of black hair. "You're my best friend Nadia." She leaned back and smiled, "I just want you to be careful."
"Alright mom." At this she laughed and flopped back down on my bed.
"So I'll just sleep here then."
"What?"
"Do you expect me to go back home? At this hour?" I pursed my lips and narrowed my eyes.
"No…"
"Well okay then! Good night Nadia!"
"hmmm.."
"Be a dear and turn off the light would you." I sighed and flip the switch.
"I heard your friend came over last night."
"Yep."
"Did you have a nice time."
"Yeah. We did."
Storm smiled and yanked her leather jacket over her shoulder.
"That's good." I nodded and pulled my own jacket over my arms. It was a little too small, but Storm had said that was just because the last trainee quit halfway through and Professor X decided to keep the outfit.
A door slammed and Scott emerged. His eyebrows were furrowed but upon seeing us he plastered on a fake smile.
"Hey Scott. We're leaving in fifteen minutes." Storm called out.
"I'm already dressed." He huffed out, before shrugging off his sweatshirt exposing his perfectly fitted black shirt.
Hot damn.
"Nadia?" I heard distantly.
His hair was ruffled from ripping off the sweatshirt, and the muscles in his arms were straining against the fabric.
"Nadia!" Storm called out again.
"Yes!"
"Go get on the ship." I gazed back up at Scott to see a small smirk on his face.
Ah shit.
"Yeah. I will… I will go and do that.. right away."
And.. wipe the drool from my chin.