- - - - - -
That afternoon Nora ran herself into exhaustion and spent the night in a deep dreamless sleep. Was it unhealthy? Probably. But when she considered her options, physical exertion proved the only appropriate therapy.
The next day's classes were not unlike her sprints through the forest. Instead of testing her physical limits, they tested her mentally – both academically and socially. She was expected to pay attention and jot down a note or two, but also, she was expected to remain calm and reserved for hours at a time.
It was an act she became excellent at performing.
The teachers made the transition as easy as possible. The professors introduced her to the class without fanfare, excluding awkward questions concerning past schools or favorite things to do on the weekends.
She thought perhaps Miss Munroe had done it best.
The African woman had raised her voice and opened a hand. "We have a new student, Nora Blaize. If you have yet to introduce yourself, you'll have plenty of time to do so after this class. And Nora? If you have any introductions you'd like to make with the students, feel free to do so as well." She smiled slyly. "But consider yourself warned. They will most likely speak at a greater length than you would ever want them to."
The comment had earned a polite string of laughter, and for the first time in a long time, Nora had not felt at complete odds with her surroundings.
The classes continued much in that fashion throughout the day, and then throughout the week. Her schedule kept her occupied until around three in the afternoon, and from there, schoolwork and community dinner passed her time. The other school students spent some of their afternoons training in the downstairs section on the building. Though the offer had been made, Nora did not feel herself mentally or emotionally ready to experiment with her powers.
Nonetheless, the students and the display of their mutant powers sent a thrill through Nora, and their generally open candor put her at ease. She realized all too soon, that just by having been born a mutant she was accepted into their fold. Over the days, she witnessed what Professor Xavier had been alluding to when he referred to the school as a sanctuary. It was an asylum…a break from the dangers of the outside world, and in shifts Nora felt both comforted and consumed by it.
And she thought of Luke…constantly. She would be studying in class, or taking a bite of a sandwich, or staring off into the space, and he would hit, brutally and without warning. Nora kept control as best she could – badgering the teachers for answers, watching news broadcasts to the point of obsession, delving so deep into her mind trying to find a connection to her brother that she was surprised when her brain didn't burst from the strain.
Luke wasn't the only one on her mind. She thought of her parents… She thought of her old school classmates….She thought of neighbors, friends, and acquaintances, all whom she might never see again.
When she could take it, she continued on with her studies. When she couldn't, she took to the outside path, physically draining herself of the same strength that would have found her brother had it been able.
Her days soon led to the end of the first week, with few answers found and no news given. On Friday, the last day of classes, Nora sat in the recreation room as she had so many other times that week; her body slouched down into the sofa, and her eyes alert, glued to CNN. She was half hoping for a full report on the rescue of her brother…and half waiting for news of his death to appear on the screen.
- - - - - -
As Nora remained submerged in the 7 'o clock news, a student peeked in from the doorway. It wasn't the first time he had stopped to find himself staring…and he didn't expect it to be the last.
Convinced that she couldn't see him out of the corner of her eye, Trevor Avish heaved a long, discouraged sigh.
He had tried. He tried speaking to her in a language that vaguely resembled English. He tried staying in the same room as she was. He even tried approaching her once. His eyes clenched shut at the memory. Yeah, that might have worked, if that last step on the staircase hadn't sent him careening into the 6-foot potted plant in the dining hall.
The light from the television flickered off of Nora's face, her mouth set in a determined frown. Trevor knew she was watching for news of her brother. She never said it, but they all knew. His frown closely mirrored her own as he stood behind her. They hadn't found him yet. Trevor was starting to wonder if they would.
Frustration welled within him at the thought. Dammit, he could be right over there, getting to know her, putting her at ease, providing some form of comfort…
Instead, he remained Trevor the Amazing Speech-Impaired Wonder-Dork. Christ, Helen Keller would have an easier time communicating than he was! Why did it have to be so difficult?
"That's it."
The words spoken beside him made him jump.
Aimee tapped her foot, the power about her petite form as fierce as it was comical. Crossing her arms, she cast her strong glance at Trevor.
"I've watched this long enough," she declared.
"Which one of us?" he murmured.
She rolled her eyes. "Both of you." She traipsed into the rec-room, making it clear that Nora was her first concern that day.
Trevor opened his mouth to remind her again to put in a good word for him, but then stopped. Another frustrated sigh doubled over.
He stood rooted in place as she strode forward; envious of the way Aimee so naturally engaged with Nora, and yet hopeful that somehow her easy manner might comfort the girl in the ways he could not.
- - - - - -
Dan Rather took a deep breath. "A tragedy in Baltimore leaves one woman dead and another man missing after a disasterous boat accident at Inner Harbor-"
There was a click, and the TV screen went black.
Nora frowned and immediately began a search for the remote.
She found it, attached to a hand of a widely grinning girl who'd become quite familiar over the past week of school.
"Enough of the tube, couch potato," Aimee proclaimed. Without further fanfare, she motioned for Nora to follow. "C'mon. You and me. Time to celebrate."
Nora raised an eyebrow. "Celebrate what?"
"Hello? The completion of your first week of school! Duh!" She propped herself up against a wall and flicked the light on, causing Nora to squint. "Monday through Friday. Five days, 120 hours, 7,200 minutes, 432,000 secon-"
Nora put up her hand and rose from the couch. "Alright, alright. And just how are we going to celebrate?" She looked around the room and couldn't help but give a sideways smile. "Ping pong?"
DOOF!
The room momentarily went dark as a kamikaze pillow smacked Nora's face. When she pried the pillow out of her line of vision, Aimee stood in front of her.
"The only way two wonderful ladies of our good name and standing can celebrate." She grinned devilishly, snatching up the pillow and leading Nora away by the arm. "Slumber party!"
