Unlikely

Chapter Eight: Of Worriers and Warriors

As each day passed Mia wondered which day it would be.  She was becoming anxious. Which day would the world come crashing down for her and her sister?  When would she be sent back to the orphanage, which day would she be abandoned once more, despite her warnings?

"Mia, like, aren't you coming down to dinner?"  Kitty asked as she poked her head through the doors.

She was feeling uneasy and jumped when Kitty's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Huh?  Oh, yeah."  She said distractedly.  "Have you seen Maggie recently?"

"She went with Scott, Amara, and Jean, to go get a burger for dinner.  Like, Mia, are you feeling okay?  You look, I dunno, like, pale."

Mia stood and smiled over at Kitty.  "Yeah I'm fine.  Just thinking was all.  I wanted to finish writing this essay.  It was do yesterday.  I'll be right down, though."

Kitty smiled and disappeared back through the doors.  Mia sighed out jadedly.

She had lied; she had finished the essay and turned it in already.  She was worrying over nothing.  Maggie would be safe, especially with Jean and Scott, plus she got along real well with Amara, so they wouldn't let anything happen to her.

Yet she wasn't hungry.

A bit absently, Mia noticed her reflection in the mirror.  It had only been three days since she had come to live at the Xavier Institution for Gifted Youngsters, and Kitty had been right, she was looking pale, and thinner than her usually wiry figure.  Her silver hair was looking healthier, having been recently washed, dried, and groomed, and now lay about her shoulders casually, but her pale violet eyes were still as hollow as they had ever been.

Maggie might be younger, but she was stronger and braver – Mia thought silently.  While she was up here, hiding and worrying, Maggie was out there enjoying herself, unaware of what others would call her disability.  The differences could be seen in their eyes – Mia realized.  Her eyes were hollow, devoid of emotions, even when she smirked or smiled, but Maggie's eyes always seemed to be smiling and happy, even when she frowned.  It was like sadness didn't effect her younger sister, and for that, Maggie was like a warrior.

Mia went to the door of her bedroom and walked out then headed for the stairs.  She would eat dinner and then go for a walk.  It was Friday night, after all; she had to do something – anything – other than sit up in her room and feel piteous.

Author's note:  Y'know, I like this chapter.  Short but sweet.  So far Maggie is my favorite character.

Preview of Chapter Nine: Pride and Prejudice

Anyone that could take his mind off of that stupid girl would be better than the crickets.

He didn't even know why it bugged him so much.  Usually he didn't mind fantasizing, but there was something about that girl… He couldn't get her image out of his head.

For three days since she had come to the school now he had been avoiding another possible confrontation with her in any of the halls. He had even ditched a few of classes that he had learned she was in the same hour as; just to make sure he wouldn't see her.  But her stupid image wouldn't get out of his head.  He didn't even know her name!

She wasn't even that pretty!

Disclaimer: I don't own X-Men: Evolution™.  I only own my original characters.