Disclaimer: I don't own the x-men evo characters. Also my original character was inspired by the parody "That's the spirit." Apparently there is a character in the comics called Belladonna. My character is not related to her in any way. I only used the name because it came from the play "That's the Spirit" (along with the sock).

Thoughts are italicized

Chapter 2

Principal Kelly pushed back the chair from his desk and sighed. Xavier was enrolling a new student in the school and this one might be trouble. Most of the major problems he had dealt with since the beginning of the year had been in some way related to Xavier's students. He looked now at the professor who sat opposite him. "You must understand Professor Xavier that if Bella is going to walk through the halls with a sock on her hand it will cause quite a bit of trouble. The children will undoubtedly taunt her and if she is as…as unstable as you have said, I'm sure the taunting would be detrimental."

The professor's argument came back immediately as if he had already thought of this problem himself. "I'm sure that as far as taunts go Bella is no doubt used to them and able to take care of herself. She has been on the streets and in orphanages. She has probably already encountered worse there than she will receive in high school."

"It is not at all possible to force her to remove it?"

"Bella stayed recently at an orphanage where the head was determined to get rid of the puppet. Once it had been taken from her, Bella refused to eat. She nearly starved herself. Finally the lady gave in and returned Chester to her. Perhaps she feared that it would be taken away again, for she somehow found the strength to run away that night." Xavier finished his story seeing the look of wonder in principal's face about how someone whom hadn't had a bite to eat in a few days could make it far enough to disappear. Xavier hadn't lied, he just didn't mention that she had used her powers to steal energy from the other children to make it out that night. It was the first time Bella used her powers since the incident when she was six.

"I see, well in that case, I will tell the teachers they have to tolerate the sock. Send Bella to the office Monday morning to pick up her class schedule. "

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While Xavier spoke with the principal Bella sat in one of the couches by the front door reading a book. Chester was on her left hand with its eyes tilted toward the book. Today the sock was wearing a tan skirt with a white top. As Bella had told the students at breakfast, Chester had a full wardrobe although it always wore skirts for the obvious reason that in pants it would not fit on Bella's hand. Bella was so immersed in the book that she didn't notice Scott sit down next to her.

"Interesting book?" he asked trying to sound casual.

She jumped. "Oh, sorry I didn't notice you."

"What's it about?" Scott asked sounding stupid even in his head.

"It's about a girl who sees visions of fire. Everyone thinks she insane but I think she's perfectly normal," Bella responded straight-faced. Scott tactfully avoided saying all of the comebacks that came to mind.

"I…I…I was wondering if um…"  "Ask her you idiot," his voice rang in his head.

"You wanted to know if I would absorb you power again so you could see the world in color," Chester snapped. "It means nothing to you that last time I did Bella almost died. Your just risk her life so that you can see you precious colors." Both the sock and its owner stared at Scott.

After the lecture Scott couldn't make himself ask her. Instead he nervously said "Actually I just wanted to make sure that you were comfortable here and welcome you to the team."

"Thanks, Scott," she responded happily. "You know you're the first one that's said anything like that to me. Everyone else had avoided me. Oh, don't mind Chester it can be really nasty but it's just trying to protect me. Chester's the only one who cares about me."

"That's not true," Scott quickly responded. "I care about you." Bella looked at him admiringly. Scott realized for the first time that she had a really pretty smile.

Abruptly the mansion doors opened ruining the moment. In walked Jean, Kitty, and Rogue carrying shopping bags. Both Rogue and Jean were not happy with the scene on the couch: Bella and Scott were sitting too close together for either girl's liking. Jean decided to read Bella thoughts to see if anything was going on. She heard "I wonder if…" this was caught off as a new voice entered her mind it was Bella saying coldly "what did I tell you about staying out of my head! " Taken aback that Bella knew she had been reading thoughts Jean picked up her shopping bags and left.

"I'd better let you get back to your book," Scott said as he left. Rogue narrowed her eyes at Bella trying to tell she now had more competition than just Jean. Bella eyes had returned to her book and it looked as though she was completely lost in it again. Rogue had been staring for a moment when Chester's eyes left the book. The socks eyes focused directly at Rogue.

Rogue took a step back feely as if someone or something was seeing her soul. Because Rogue had never shown her soul to anyone and didn't feel like starting, she quickly left. Chester's head turned back to the book. Maybe it was just the way the sock folded or maybe Bella had done it on purpose but had anyone been watching they would have noticed that the Chester had a definite smile on its face.

Author's Notes: Is Chester just a sock or something more? You'll find out eventually.   Someone PLEASE review. 3 chapters and 0 reviews! Not to bribe you but I would probably update faster if I knew that someone was reading this. REVIEW