The bell rang at Bayville High school, signaling the start of morning classes. That meant another boring morning of gym for Tabitha Smith.
She grimaced at the thought as she dragged her feet to the girl's change room. She opened the door and was immediately approached by a group of girls.
"Tabby! Sugar, how ya been?" The short redhead in the front of the group said to Tabitha.
"Fine – up until now. I hate Phys. Ed." She replied, rolling her eyes.
"I hear ya, girl. Hey, why don't ya come with me an' the girls to smoke it up?"
"Uh…" Tabitha didn't smoke, but she didn't want to deal with her bitchy gym teacher.
"C'mon. You don't have to smoke. Although I just bought a few more grams of weed…" the girl said.
"Oh, what the hell, sure Mary."
"Great! Oh, by the way, I want to introduce you to a new friend. Her name's Severin. C'mere Sevvy!" Mary pulled at the sleeve of another girl.
Severin wasn't much taller that Mary, reaching 5'4" at best. She was round- faced with green, messy hair and pouty lips.
"Hi." Her voice was soft.
"Hey." Tabitha smiled.
"So, are we goin' or what?" Mary chuckled and lead the way out.
It was after school and Tabitha saw Severin sitting on the front steps of the school. With her were several suitcases. Tabitha walked up to Severin and sat down next to her.
"You waitin' for someone?" Tabitha asked.
"Umm…" Severin seemed to tense up, she look away nervously, "…Yeah."
Just then a tall brunette man approached the two girls.
"Scott! What's up?" Tabitha waved to him.
"Tabitha, I didn't know you knew Severin." Scott said, mildly surprised.
"You know her?"
Severin looked at the two, a bit confused.
"Yes, yes I do. She's a new recruit and the professor asked me to pick her up." Scott said.
"Wow! So you're a mutant, too!" Tabitha said to Severin, excited.
"Umm… yes…" Severin smiled nervously.
"Well while you're here, help take Severin's things to my car." Scott said, grabbing a couple of suitcases.
Tabitha nodded and grabbed a bag. Severin took the last few and they went to Scott's car.
"Packed enough?" Tabitha grunted as she threw the suitcase into Scott's trunk.
"Er… sorry. I have a lot of clothes." Severin smiled apologetically.
"Figures." Tabitha said, referring to Severin's elaborate style of clothing.
"Get in, you two." Scott said, feeling a bit impatient.
Severin entered the large institution. She was feeling especially self-concious now. Tabitha went to go and hang out with the other students at the institute. She silently followed Scott to the professor's office.
"Hello," A tall teenaged girl greeted her, "I'm Jean Grey."
Severin couldn't help but stare for a minute, Jean Grey's red hair framed a brilliant face. Severin thought she was beautiful.
"I'm- um-" Severin stuttered.
"…Severin Winchcombe, I know." Jean smiled.
"Uh, yeah."
Then someone else came in, he was bald and sat on an oddly-built wheelchair.
"Severin, welcome to The Institute. I am Professor Charles Xavier." He said.
"Hi." Severin said quite shyly.
"Jean, why don't you take Severin's things to her room while I explain a few things to Severin here?"
Jean nodded and left.
"So, Severin. You appear a bit apprehensive." Professor X noted.
Sevvy smiled a bit.
"Not to worry, most students are like that on their first day." He smiled warmly.