Disclaimer: Ok, we all know that I don't own the X-men. If you don't, now
ya' do. I do, however, own Jaeger, Jasper (Char), Lonna, Van, Regan,
Steven, Kristen, Tino, Celeste, Skyler, Hanna and Spencer. I also own their
non-mutant friends. You'll learn Jaeger's story in the first few chapters.
The others pop up later. Basically this whole thing is just about the
adventures and lives of these mutant outcasts. Some join the X-men, some
side with the Brotherhood. Some switch between the two. I hate to ramble,
but there's a whole lot more than just the General hooplah in here. It has
Action/Adventure, Romance, Angst, and all sorts of crap popping up at any
time. Some of my characters will be paired off with X-men, some with a
'Brotherhoodian,' and some either get no one or end up with one of my other
characters. Anyway, one more thing. If any of you read my other fic that I
took down, sorry I guess. (If that is you liked it, and I can't blame you
if you didn't. It was shit, nuff said.) This one is better, my other one
sucked. For those of you who like Zoids, I wrote a Zoids fic called Zoids:
Warhorse. It features Jaeger. (heh, heh, heh, Jaeger's goin' places.) The X-
men don't show up in this chapter, but you can expect to hear from them
soon. Anyway, here's my story. Enjoy and remember to review when you're
done. (I'll accept flames, but praise is always appreciated.)
~*~
Ch. 1: Bayville
Jaeger
SWAPT!
My head jerked upward. I found myself looking into the piercing eyes of my math teacher, Mr. Davies. Not something I'd like to wake up to every morning.
Or would this be considered afternoon? I would've looked at the clock, but Davies' big head was in my way.
"Do you like naps, Ms. DeFalco?" the fat, bald Mr. Davies asked me, raising his hairy eyebrow.
Crap. Did I do it again? I have a tendency to fall asleep in math class. It's not my fault! If that fat bastard made it more interesting maybe I would stay awake! And it's not like I'm the only one falling asleep! I just get picked on for it cause I'm the "Mutant Girl!"
"Well?"
"Oh!" I said, jerking back to reality. Time to get sarcastic. Sarcasm flows in my veins like blood. I need it to survive. I'm addicted to it like junkies are addicted to heroin. "Yes sir. I do. They seem most enjoyable during Algebra."
I heard a few chuckles form other students. They may not like me, but at least they can laugh at my comments.
Mr. Davies, however, never could take a joke. Particularly not when I'm the one telling them. What can I say? I get special treatment is all. Just not in a friendly way.
"I don't want your sarcasm," he said. He didn't even try to hide his irritation, how rude. "I think a nice little vacation to Mrs. Tarsen can fix that."
"Yes sir," I answered him. "I like vacations. When do I leave?"
He pointed toward the door and the message got through. "Yessir!" I swaggered over to the door, picking up a hall pass on my out. I gave him a salute before taking my leave. "I'll send you a postcard." I blew a kiss and heard a few giggles from my fellow pupils as I left.
Easy as pie. All the kids and teachers think I'm a dumb ass. But I'm not, I just play the part. I might have blonde hair, but I'm no thicker than anyone else in this school.
"Hey Jag!"
Ah, Leena. I turned around to face the only friend I've ever had. Leena was my best-and only-friend.
"What up, Chick?" I asked her. Chick was her nickname, I don't know why, but I called her Chick once and the name stuck.
"Aye!" she called as she caught up with me. "Mrs. Tarsen again?"
I nodded. She punched my arm, hard. "Don' worry about it Kid," she told me. To her, I was either Jag, or I was Kid. But if she's pissed off, she calls me Git. "She don' bite."
I forced a smile. "Tomorrow's the big day," I reminded her. "Back to America."
"I'll be there to wish you farewell, Kid," she assured me. "Don' you ever forget your wonderful three years in London!"
"Course I won't." I didn't know how to feel about going back to the US of A. I lived in Louisiana all my life, up 'til I was 13, then my mom moved us to London, now we're moving to someplace in New York called Bayville. Now that I'm leaving London, the only friend I'll have with me is a good book.
I waved a farewell as I rounded the corner to Mrs. Tarsen's office.
~*~
I heaved the suitcase over my shoulder. Actually, it was more like a duffle bag. I don't have many personal possessions. I have my pencils and my sketchbook, and a small slip of paper with a number on it. A very special number on it. My dad's phone number. The one way to speak to the man I'd never met before. I haven't ever called him yet. I don't have the guts to.
As I walked outside I noticed two things. One, Leena didn't show. Big surprise. She forgets everything, but the thought she forgot about this made me want to cry. But I wouldn't, not in front of Mom. I hadn't cried since I was five and I was not gonna start now. The second thing I noticed was a young couple standing with my mom. They must be the ratty gits who stole my home from me.
"Oh," my mother called to me. She looked like Marilyn Monroe. Short, curly blonde hair, the make-up, everything. She looked like an old Forties movie star. "Jaeger, darling, come here!"
That's why I hate the lousy bitch. She acts all nice to me in front of other people, but as soon as we're alone she changes into a. Damn! Why? Why can't I ever say anything bad about her?
Because I hate her with a passion.
But I love her with all my heart.
I wish she felt the same about me. But she didn't. She hated me. Because I reminded her of Dad. She met Dad when she was 15 years old. She had me. Dad left as soon as he found out she was pregnant.
I ask myself way she kept me. I do all the time. I like to think it's because she loves me deep down, but I don't know for sure. It's hard to tell how she really feels because she's always so drunk. And when she's drunk. she does things that make me want to kill her. I think sometimes she wants to kill me too. What can I say? My mom's a pisshead and a bad mother.
But it's not her fault! She just can't handle herself without a fag and some alcohol! I like to think that someday she'll realize what she's been doing to me and stop because she really does love me.
But then I also know perfectly well that she'll never care. She never has, and she never will. I promised myself that once I to America I'd leg it to the nearest airport and find a way to get back to England. Then I'll live with Leena. Or, if that doesn't work I'll find the guts to call my dad and maybe I'll live with him.
"Come on," Mom urged. "The Rosemes are dying to meet you!"
So I went and met the gits who were stealing my home from me. They weren't too bad, actually. I got on with them pretty well considering I'd only known them for five minutes. Too bad I'm gonna have to make life hell for them.
Mom waved me to the car. "Come on dear! We don't want to be late!"
So I slipped in the front beside Mom. She started the car and sped away.
I figured I'd give the Rosemes a little housewarming party.
Like I said, I'm a mutant. Proud of it. Now here's what I do, I can blow up, break, shatter, or put fire to any inanimate object. They only restriction is. it can't be any bigger than a football. (No, not a soccer ball, I'm talking about a football as in Super Bowl.) I also have a really hard time controlling my power sometimes because when I get angry, frustrated, hurt, too excited, of if I get too competitive I just use it on accident. But, in cases like this. losing control is not something to whine about! So, I shattered their new windows, and blew up anything else I could manage. Heh, heh, heh. Oh yeah. They'll love it here.
But my mom saw me do it. She jerked the car to a stop, and slapped me hard across the face! "Don't you dare do that again!" She gave me a death glare.
I shuddered. Her death glares scare me to death. I think that's the whole point though. To kill me. Her death glares could scare Hitler into rethinking the Holocaust! In fact, that's an understatement! She really does look like she's gonna rip my throat out. I think that, given the opportunity, she would too. I tried to hold her gaze, but I ended up looking at the window. My mom hates everything about me. Even the way I talk. See, I use English slang terms (like git, sod, and scatty to name a few) but I have an American accent. It drives her bloody insane! But that's what she gets for dragging me halfway 'round the world. Sorry Mom.
I sat there for God knows how long when we pulled up to an airport. I lost track of time as we boarded the plane. And I went through four books on the ride to my new home. All of this crap without even an ounce of sleep! Jetlag's gonna be a pain, I assure you. That really sucks though cause my legs are already sore.
I've gotta admit, Bayville's a nice little place. We drove to our house in silence and I got a look at my school. Apparently everyone just got released because I saw huge crowds of kids and Mom had to drive at a slower speed limit. I didn't know any of them, but these two groups stuck out to me a bit. They were having some sort of argument, I wished I could hear it, but it's no business of mine. I was tempted to roll down the window and join in the fun, make friends and all that shit. But if I made myself known then my mom would also let the fact that I'm a mutant slip into the open. She has a nasty habit of spreading rumors. If only her brain were as big as her gob.
We passed up the place up and about half an hour later pulled into a driveway. I checked to clock. 4: 53. Wow, it feels much later! I can't wait to get some sleep. I might as well sleep soon as I get in, that way I'll be fit to leg it at night.
~*~
My duffle bag was full of food and clothes and God knows what else that I managed to score last night. It was too perfect, I got outa that shitty place, and I robbed her blind! No, really, I took all her cash and cards, I took enough Goldfish and other munchies to last me a week, and best of all.
I blew up the booze.
I did! I took what was there, took what was there outside, and blew up what was outside. Then I got outa that place fast as my legs could take me. The don't call me Jaeger for nothing, I'll tell you right now. I never felt so free.
Or so freakin' scared.
But there was no time to put it in reverse and go back. And if there was, I wouldn't do it cause Mom would have my head served on a silver platter while she sipped tea.
As it turned out, I hadn't been as tired as I lead myself to believe, so I wrote a letter to Mom telling her I left. I couldn't find the right words at first, but I got them after a while. Do you wanna know what it said? I bet you do.
Mom. Don't ever expect me to come back. Don't ever expect to see me again. In fact, don't expect a thing from me. No, I take that back, expect to never
see me again. As I'm almost sure you know, I'm not around anymore. As a little farewell, I've got something to say. I hate you. I always hated you, and you hated me too didn't you. I hope you drown in booze. Not that you have any at this
point, but when you get more, drown in it. I'll be watching. I'm doing you a favor Mom. I'm doing me a favor too. You never liked me; I always got in your hair and you in mine. Don't take this personally. though
it is all your fault.
Good-bye and Good riddance,
Yours truly, Jaeger
PS: I hope you have a job, cause you'll need one in order to get cash.
PSS: You can expect me ring you up on occasion, just to check in.
Ok, I was a little harsh. I just wish I could see her face! HA HA! She'll be steaming! But I think I missed the moment. It's 11: 47 in the morning. And I'm having trouble finding the airport. I should've brought a map. Or I should've waited until I was more familiar with the place. But it's Saturday at least, so people won't be suspicious if they see me walking around. Plus, I have time.
I was walking around in a lonely neighborhood. Not many people out at all, only the occasional jogger or man walking his dog. I hadn't seen a house in fifteen minutes.
Until now. I saw a small, three story building with a sign sticking outa the driveway that read:
Brotherhood Boarding House
The place was a wreck. Maybe I could squat here for a few nights, it looks about as empty as my mother's head.
Or not.
I had spoken too soon. I saw a young girl about my age roar the drive in a Jeep. The music was cranked up to a degree, and she was.
Passing me by. No big, I kept going.
I got about three strides when I saw the Jeep stop, and back up towards me. I was ready to make some noise if things got out of hand.
"Do I know you?" she yelled over the radio. She had blonde hair and a pink shirt on. Her make-up was a bit over done, but who was I to judge. I don't even wear make-up.
"I don't think so." I answered.
"What?" She apparently couldn't hear me because of the music. I gave a thumbs down sign and she nodded and turned it down. "Do I know you?" she repeated.
"Don't think so." I told her again.
She held her hand. "Tabitha," she goes. (A/N: I forgot her last name, any one wanna help out a fellow writer?) "You?"
I go, "Jaeger."
"Isn't that, like, some type of plane?"
"Chuck Jaeger was the first pilot to break the sound barrier," I told her.
"Cool," she nodded slowly, but I didn't think she was impressed. "I'm off to the mall, wanna ride?"
What have I got to lose? I ask you. I know I shouldn't. I don't know her. I don't even know if Tabitha's her real name. But hey, she was cool. "Sure," I said.
She pointed to my bag. "Throw it in the back," she said. "What's it for?"
I don't know why I told her. But I liked this girl and I was about to go to the mall, so I go, "I'm legging it. Running away."
She looked at me. "Whatever floats your boat." We tore off down the road, toward the mall.
The mall was huge! It was filled with people too, which really isn't that surprising considering the fact that it's Saturday. We slipped through the masses and went into any store we felt like going into. Tabitha tried on cloths and I told her which outfits looked better or worse. I didn't try on any myself, I've never really enjoyed shopping for cloths and shoes or make- up. I know, I'm a weird girl, but hey, I like what I like and vice-versa. We had the best time!
After we'd explored over half the mall, Tabitha got hungry. We made our to a food court and waited in a line that was a mile long! The two of us talked while we waited for our turn and eventually we got up to second place.
"Whadda you want?" she asked me, scanning the menu to choose her own meal.
"Oh," I said. I was hungry, but I didn't want her to spend money on me. "I'm not hungry."
My growling stomach gave me away.
"Don't spend your money on me. I have Mom's."
She smiled slyly. "It's not even my money! Now tell me what you want or I'll order for you."
I sighed. I figured she was one of those people who when their minds are made up you can't change. "Just get me the good stuff."
So we ended up sitting at a lunch table eating burgers and French fries and sipping cokes. I've never had so much fun! Maybe this Bayville place isn't so bad after all. I'll have to rethink that back-to-London bit.
Things were going great! I hadn't even used my power yet! Nothing could go wrong! Life's a party! I was getting really excited about hanging out in Bayville!
That was my first mistake.
I had been raving about how cool Bayville was to Tabs, stuffing fries in my mouth between sentences, and then.
SHWINGISH!
Oh my God! The windows!
The windows in the food court just shattered into an infinite amount of pieces! Oh my God! It was all my fault! Why did I let myself get so worked up over this?
I couldn't think of what to say. So I go, "Sorry," really quiet so only Tabs could hear me.
She looked at the windows, then at me, windows again, then back to me. "You did that?" she whispered really quiet.
I was ready to blow her burger if things got ugly. I nodded. "It was an accident."
She smiled. "Watch this." She blew into her hand and the next thing I know she's holding some glowing yellow ball. She flicked at a woman was staring at my handiwork. It rolled beside the woman's foot and.
SHOOBANG!
Awesome!!!
The poor old girl never had the chance to run! The little ball blew up and scared the shit out of her! Tabitha sat there laughing away like. like Tabitha I guess. I started laughing too, though I felt a bit sorry for Tabitha's victim. She was a mutant too!
But then she got all serious and business like. She leaned over the table and talked all quiet like. "So you blow up windows?"
I imitated her. "And anything else smaller than a football."
"I can make my own explosions, as you can see. I got an idea for you. Come on."
We left the food court and walked up to a crowd of people. She handed me a penny and gave instructions for a prank. She told me to roll the penny over to them, wait for someone to reach down and grab it, then blow it to bits in their faces!
I did. And oooooooooooh, boy. You should've seen their faces! HA HA! We played more tricks like that, and then Tabs told me about the place she lives at. Apparently she lives with a group of guys who are also mutants and they fight against these other mutants, the X-guys or something. She told me that since I was running away I could stay with them! Do you know what I said? I'll tell you what I said! I said, "Tabitha," I said. "I'm your mutant."
Then she grabbed me by the wrist, thrust my hand in the air and she screamed to the whole mall, "The Panzer!!! Whoa-hoo!!"
Well that freaked me out. My mom could be here! So I pulled my hand away and I asked what Panzer was. She goes, "Every mutant has a nickname. I'm Boom-Boom, you're Panzer."
"Panzer?"
"Yeah! It's tank or explosion or something in German. I saw it on an old war movie."
Wow. I was Panzer. It made me feel like I'd been accepted. I am the happiest kid alive!!!
_~*~_
Well? Whadda ya think? That's the end of this chapter. R&R, tell me good news, bad news, but tell me news! Thanks for taking the time to read this, I know it's kinda wordy. Like I said, "X-guys" pop up later. The next character I'm gonna introduce will be Van, but not for a few chapters. Van's cool, I hope you all like him.
See ya' when I see ya'! Bye!
~*~
Ch. 1: Bayville
Jaeger
SWAPT!
My head jerked upward. I found myself looking into the piercing eyes of my math teacher, Mr. Davies. Not something I'd like to wake up to every morning.
Or would this be considered afternoon? I would've looked at the clock, but Davies' big head was in my way.
"Do you like naps, Ms. DeFalco?" the fat, bald Mr. Davies asked me, raising his hairy eyebrow.
Crap. Did I do it again? I have a tendency to fall asleep in math class. It's not my fault! If that fat bastard made it more interesting maybe I would stay awake! And it's not like I'm the only one falling asleep! I just get picked on for it cause I'm the "Mutant Girl!"
"Well?"
"Oh!" I said, jerking back to reality. Time to get sarcastic. Sarcasm flows in my veins like blood. I need it to survive. I'm addicted to it like junkies are addicted to heroin. "Yes sir. I do. They seem most enjoyable during Algebra."
I heard a few chuckles form other students. They may not like me, but at least they can laugh at my comments.
Mr. Davies, however, never could take a joke. Particularly not when I'm the one telling them. What can I say? I get special treatment is all. Just not in a friendly way.
"I don't want your sarcasm," he said. He didn't even try to hide his irritation, how rude. "I think a nice little vacation to Mrs. Tarsen can fix that."
"Yes sir," I answered him. "I like vacations. When do I leave?"
He pointed toward the door and the message got through. "Yessir!" I swaggered over to the door, picking up a hall pass on my out. I gave him a salute before taking my leave. "I'll send you a postcard." I blew a kiss and heard a few giggles from my fellow pupils as I left.
Easy as pie. All the kids and teachers think I'm a dumb ass. But I'm not, I just play the part. I might have blonde hair, but I'm no thicker than anyone else in this school.
"Hey Jag!"
Ah, Leena. I turned around to face the only friend I've ever had. Leena was my best-and only-friend.
"What up, Chick?" I asked her. Chick was her nickname, I don't know why, but I called her Chick once and the name stuck.
"Aye!" she called as she caught up with me. "Mrs. Tarsen again?"
I nodded. She punched my arm, hard. "Don' worry about it Kid," she told me. To her, I was either Jag, or I was Kid. But if she's pissed off, she calls me Git. "She don' bite."
I forced a smile. "Tomorrow's the big day," I reminded her. "Back to America."
"I'll be there to wish you farewell, Kid," she assured me. "Don' you ever forget your wonderful three years in London!"
"Course I won't." I didn't know how to feel about going back to the US of A. I lived in Louisiana all my life, up 'til I was 13, then my mom moved us to London, now we're moving to someplace in New York called Bayville. Now that I'm leaving London, the only friend I'll have with me is a good book.
I waved a farewell as I rounded the corner to Mrs. Tarsen's office.
~*~
I heaved the suitcase over my shoulder. Actually, it was more like a duffle bag. I don't have many personal possessions. I have my pencils and my sketchbook, and a small slip of paper with a number on it. A very special number on it. My dad's phone number. The one way to speak to the man I'd never met before. I haven't ever called him yet. I don't have the guts to.
As I walked outside I noticed two things. One, Leena didn't show. Big surprise. She forgets everything, but the thought she forgot about this made me want to cry. But I wouldn't, not in front of Mom. I hadn't cried since I was five and I was not gonna start now. The second thing I noticed was a young couple standing with my mom. They must be the ratty gits who stole my home from me.
"Oh," my mother called to me. She looked like Marilyn Monroe. Short, curly blonde hair, the make-up, everything. She looked like an old Forties movie star. "Jaeger, darling, come here!"
That's why I hate the lousy bitch. She acts all nice to me in front of other people, but as soon as we're alone she changes into a. Damn! Why? Why can't I ever say anything bad about her?
Because I hate her with a passion.
But I love her with all my heart.
I wish she felt the same about me. But she didn't. She hated me. Because I reminded her of Dad. She met Dad when she was 15 years old. She had me. Dad left as soon as he found out she was pregnant.
I ask myself way she kept me. I do all the time. I like to think it's because she loves me deep down, but I don't know for sure. It's hard to tell how she really feels because she's always so drunk. And when she's drunk. she does things that make me want to kill her. I think sometimes she wants to kill me too. What can I say? My mom's a pisshead and a bad mother.
But it's not her fault! She just can't handle herself without a fag and some alcohol! I like to think that someday she'll realize what she's been doing to me and stop because she really does love me.
But then I also know perfectly well that she'll never care. She never has, and she never will. I promised myself that once I to America I'd leg it to the nearest airport and find a way to get back to England. Then I'll live with Leena. Or, if that doesn't work I'll find the guts to call my dad and maybe I'll live with him.
"Come on," Mom urged. "The Rosemes are dying to meet you!"
So I went and met the gits who were stealing my home from me. They weren't too bad, actually. I got on with them pretty well considering I'd only known them for five minutes. Too bad I'm gonna have to make life hell for them.
Mom waved me to the car. "Come on dear! We don't want to be late!"
So I slipped in the front beside Mom. She started the car and sped away.
I figured I'd give the Rosemes a little housewarming party.
Like I said, I'm a mutant. Proud of it. Now here's what I do, I can blow up, break, shatter, or put fire to any inanimate object. They only restriction is. it can't be any bigger than a football. (No, not a soccer ball, I'm talking about a football as in Super Bowl.) I also have a really hard time controlling my power sometimes because when I get angry, frustrated, hurt, too excited, of if I get too competitive I just use it on accident. But, in cases like this. losing control is not something to whine about! So, I shattered their new windows, and blew up anything else I could manage. Heh, heh, heh. Oh yeah. They'll love it here.
But my mom saw me do it. She jerked the car to a stop, and slapped me hard across the face! "Don't you dare do that again!" She gave me a death glare.
I shuddered. Her death glares scare me to death. I think that's the whole point though. To kill me. Her death glares could scare Hitler into rethinking the Holocaust! In fact, that's an understatement! She really does look like she's gonna rip my throat out. I think that, given the opportunity, she would too. I tried to hold her gaze, but I ended up looking at the window. My mom hates everything about me. Even the way I talk. See, I use English slang terms (like git, sod, and scatty to name a few) but I have an American accent. It drives her bloody insane! But that's what she gets for dragging me halfway 'round the world. Sorry Mom.
I sat there for God knows how long when we pulled up to an airport. I lost track of time as we boarded the plane. And I went through four books on the ride to my new home. All of this crap without even an ounce of sleep! Jetlag's gonna be a pain, I assure you. That really sucks though cause my legs are already sore.
I've gotta admit, Bayville's a nice little place. We drove to our house in silence and I got a look at my school. Apparently everyone just got released because I saw huge crowds of kids and Mom had to drive at a slower speed limit. I didn't know any of them, but these two groups stuck out to me a bit. They were having some sort of argument, I wished I could hear it, but it's no business of mine. I was tempted to roll down the window and join in the fun, make friends and all that shit. But if I made myself known then my mom would also let the fact that I'm a mutant slip into the open. She has a nasty habit of spreading rumors. If only her brain were as big as her gob.
We passed up the place up and about half an hour later pulled into a driveway. I checked to clock. 4: 53. Wow, it feels much later! I can't wait to get some sleep. I might as well sleep soon as I get in, that way I'll be fit to leg it at night.
~*~
My duffle bag was full of food and clothes and God knows what else that I managed to score last night. It was too perfect, I got outa that shitty place, and I robbed her blind! No, really, I took all her cash and cards, I took enough Goldfish and other munchies to last me a week, and best of all.
I blew up the booze.
I did! I took what was there, took what was there outside, and blew up what was outside. Then I got outa that place fast as my legs could take me. The don't call me Jaeger for nothing, I'll tell you right now. I never felt so free.
Or so freakin' scared.
But there was no time to put it in reverse and go back. And if there was, I wouldn't do it cause Mom would have my head served on a silver platter while she sipped tea.
As it turned out, I hadn't been as tired as I lead myself to believe, so I wrote a letter to Mom telling her I left. I couldn't find the right words at first, but I got them after a while. Do you wanna know what it said? I bet you do.
Mom. Don't ever expect me to come back. Don't ever expect to see me again. In fact, don't expect a thing from me. No, I take that back, expect to never
see me again. As I'm almost sure you know, I'm not around anymore. As a little farewell, I've got something to say. I hate you. I always hated you, and you hated me too didn't you. I hope you drown in booze. Not that you have any at this
point, but when you get more, drown in it. I'll be watching. I'm doing you a favor Mom. I'm doing me a favor too. You never liked me; I always got in your hair and you in mine. Don't take this personally. though
it is all your fault.
Good-bye and Good riddance,
Yours truly, Jaeger
PS: I hope you have a job, cause you'll need one in order to get cash.
PSS: You can expect me ring you up on occasion, just to check in.
Ok, I was a little harsh. I just wish I could see her face! HA HA! She'll be steaming! But I think I missed the moment. It's 11: 47 in the morning. And I'm having trouble finding the airport. I should've brought a map. Or I should've waited until I was more familiar with the place. But it's Saturday at least, so people won't be suspicious if they see me walking around. Plus, I have time.
I was walking around in a lonely neighborhood. Not many people out at all, only the occasional jogger or man walking his dog. I hadn't seen a house in fifteen minutes.
Until now. I saw a small, three story building with a sign sticking outa the driveway that read:
Brotherhood Boarding House
The place was a wreck. Maybe I could squat here for a few nights, it looks about as empty as my mother's head.
Or not.
I had spoken too soon. I saw a young girl about my age roar the drive in a Jeep. The music was cranked up to a degree, and she was.
Passing me by. No big, I kept going.
I got about three strides when I saw the Jeep stop, and back up towards me. I was ready to make some noise if things got out of hand.
"Do I know you?" she yelled over the radio. She had blonde hair and a pink shirt on. Her make-up was a bit over done, but who was I to judge. I don't even wear make-up.
"I don't think so." I answered.
"What?" She apparently couldn't hear me because of the music. I gave a thumbs down sign and she nodded and turned it down. "Do I know you?" she repeated.
"Don't think so." I told her again.
She held her hand. "Tabitha," she goes. (A/N: I forgot her last name, any one wanna help out a fellow writer?) "You?"
I go, "Jaeger."
"Isn't that, like, some type of plane?"
"Chuck Jaeger was the first pilot to break the sound barrier," I told her.
"Cool," she nodded slowly, but I didn't think she was impressed. "I'm off to the mall, wanna ride?"
What have I got to lose? I ask you. I know I shouldn't. I don't know her. I don't even know if Tabitha's her real name. But hey, she was cool. "Sure," I said.
She pointed to my bag. "Throw it in the back," she said. "What's it for?"
I don't know why I told her. But I liked this girl and I was about to go to the mall, so I go, "I'm legging it. Running away."
She looked at me. "Whatever floats your boat." We tore off down the road, toward the mall.
The mall was huge! It was filled with people too, which really isn't that surprising considering the fact that it's Saturday. We slipped through the masses and went into any store we felt like going into. Tabitha tried on cloths and I told her which outfits looked better or worse. I didn't try on any myself, I've never really enjoyed shopping for cloths and shoes or make- up. I know, I'm a weird girl, but hey, I like what I like and vice-versa. We had the best time!
After we'd explored over half the mall, Tabitha got hungry. We made our to a food court and waited in a line that was a mile long! The two of us talked while we waited for our turn and eventually we got up to second place.
"Whadda you want?" she asked me, scanning the menu to choose her own meal.
"Oh," I said. I was hungry, but I didn't want her to spend money on me. "I'm not hungry."
My growling stomach gave me away.
"Don't spend your money on me. I have Mom's."
She smiled slyly. "It's not even my money! Now tell me what you want or I'll order for you."
I sighed. I figured she was one of those people who when their minds are made up you can't change. "Just get me the good stuff."
So we ended up sitting at a lunch table eating burgers and French fries and sipping cokes. I've never had so much fun! Maybe this Bayville place isn't so bad after all. I'll have to rethink that back-to-London bit.
Things were going great! I hadn't even used my power yet! Nothing could go wrong! Life's a party! I was getting really excited about hanging out in Bayville!
That was my first mistake.
I had been raving about how cool Bayville was to Tabs, stuffing fries in my mouth between sentences, and then.
SHWINGISH!
Oh my God! The windows!
The windows in the food court just shattered into an infinite amount of pieces! Oh my God! It was all my fault! Why did I let myself get so worked up over this?
I couldn't think of what to say. So I go, "Sorry," really quiet so only Tabs could hear me.
She looked at the windows, then at me, windows again, then back to me. "You did that?" she whispered really quiet.
I was ready to blow her burger if things got ugly. I nodded. "It was an accident."
She smiled. "Watch this." She blew into her hand and the next thing I know she's holding some glowing yellow ball. She flicked at a woman was staring at my handiwork. It rolled beside the woman's foot and.
SHOOBANG!
Awesome!!!
The poor old girl never had the chance to run! The little ball blew up and scared the shit out of her! Tabitha sat there laughing away like. like Tabitha I guess. I started laughing too, though I felt a bit sorry for Tabitha's victim. She was a mutant too!
But then she got all serious and business like. She leaned over the table and talked all quiet like. "So you blow up windows?"
I imitated her. "And anything else smaller than a football."
"I can make my own explosions, as you can see. I got an idea for you. Come on."
We left the food court and walked up to a crowd of people. She handed me a penny and gave instructions for a prank. She told me to roll the penny over to them, wait for someone to reach down and grab it, then blow it to bits in their faces!
I did. And oooooooooooh, boy. You should've seen their faces! HA HA! We played more tricks like that, and then Tabs told me about the place she lives at. Apparently she lives with a group of guys who are also mutants and they fight against these other mutants, the X-guys or something. She told me that since I was running away I could stay with them! Do you know what I said? I'll tell you what I said! I said, "Tabitha," I said. "I'm your mutant."
Then she grabbed me by the wrist, thrust my hand in the air and she screamed to the whole mall, "The Panzer!!! Whoa-hoo!!"
Well that freaked me out. My mom could be here! So I pulled my hand away and I asked what Panzer was. She goes, "Every mutant has a nickname. I'm Boom-Boom, you're Panzer."
"Panzer?"
"Yeah! It's tank or explosion or something in German. I saw it on an old war movie."
Wow. I was Panzer. It made me feel like I'd been accepted. I am the happiest kid alive!!!
_~*~_
Well? Whadda ya think? That's the end of this chapter. R&R, tell me good news, bad news, but tell me news! Thanks for taking the time to read this, I know it's kinda wordy. Like I said, "X-guys" pop up later. The next character I'm gonna introduce will be Van, but not for a few chapters. Van's cool, I hope you all like him.
See ya' when I see ya'! Bye!