The persistent knocking on the door was beginning to drive Logan crazy. He had been sitting in the kitchen enjoying a refreshing beer that he had managed to smuggle into the school, even though he was pretty sure the Professor knew about it. But now the knocking was grating on his slowly cooling nerves. Was it too much to ask for a little piece and quiet in which to drown the sorrows of your heart? Apparently so as the knocking came once more, this time more urgently.
"Alright, I'm comin'." Logan growled, standing up slowly and stretching out the kinks in his back. Sometimes it was a real pain to have metal infused to your bones. He stalked towards the front door, growling low in his throat as he swung it open.
"What?" he barked.
A girl looked up at him with pleading eyes. There were bags beneath those beseeching eyes. Raw pain hit Logan full force and he stumbled back slightly.
"Please," the girl said, her voice soft and barely above a whisper, "please, I need help." Looking behind him, and seeing nobody there, Logan uncertainly stepped out of the way.
"Come on in kid." He said. Again his eyes swept the corridor. "Wait here." he ordered her as he shut the door, "I've gotta find the Professor."
Kylie wasn't sure what to make of the man that answered the door. His breath reeked of alcohol and he seemed slightly unsteady on his feet. He was tough looking, with muscular arms that were clearly displayed by his white wife beater, but his eyes told a different story. There was a sorrow there. A pain that could not be explained. He let her in then went off down the hall, looking for someone he called "Professor." Who that was Kylie did not know, she could only guess that it was the man people called Xavier, but she wasn't sure.
Alone in the hallway, Kylie took in her surroundings. The walls and floors were the same shade of dark mahogany, polished to a brilliant shine. Extravagant elegance was clearly the theme of the school/home.
Uncomfortable, and feeling as if invisible eyes were on her, studying her and judging her, Kylie shifted from foot to foot, impatiently waiting for the man to return.
He watched her from his perch at the top of the stairs. She stood there, her hands twisting together and her eyes shifting around as if she could sense his gaze on her. She wore a pale pink dress which swooped low in the neck, showing off a fair amount of smooth cleavage and came up just past her knees to show her well built legs. The spaghetti straps revealed her soft white shoulders. She was the picture of tortured elegance.
He could hear Logan approaching with Professor Xavier and he hurried back up the stairs before the Professor detected his presence. Surely he would have liked to stay and watch her for awhile longer, but he was certain he would be seeing her a lot more.
The man in the wheelchair seemed nice enough to Kylie, but she was slightly wary of him. An immense quantity of power surrounded him, covering him like a shroud. But there was something very fatherly about him. Something that helped to ease the fear that weighed Kylie's chest.
"I am Professor Charles Xavier," he said, pulling his wheelchair to a stop in front of her and holding out a strong hand. Kylie looked down at his hand uncertainly. Though her fear was slowly reducing, there was still reason to be cautious.
"No need to be scared Kylie," Xavier said with a soft chuckle. Her eyes snapped up to meet his. How did he know her name? He gave her a knowing smile. She liked his smile. It was easy and genuine, something that was seriously lacking among her old circle of friends. She drew in a deep breath and clasped his hand in hers.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Professor." She said with all the civility that her parents had taught her. Kylie felt her world shifting as she shook the Professor's hand, and she knew her life would never be the same again.
Following the black woman with long white hair, she remembered the Professor calling her Storm; Kylie felt the eyes of the other students on her. She looked at them out of the corner of her eye and could see their looks of curiosity at who this new student was. She wouldn't allow their stares to unnerve her though, she told herself over and over again till the words were a steady beat in her head. The woman came to a stop outside one of the many wood doors and knocked. Kylie waited with baited breath for the door to open. When it did, she wished it would close.
Right there in front of her stood one of the girls that had once been ridiculed by Kylie's "friends." She was of medium stature with dark hair that had a white streak going through it. She looked at Kylie with shining eyes and a smile. It was like she didn't even know who Kylie was! Like she didn't even know that Kylie had once been part of the crowd that had teased this girl mercilessly. She remembered that this particular girl was a favorite of cheerleaders. They often times made snide comments about what had driven the girl to do her hair with a single white strip.
"Rogue," Storm said to the young woman that stood in the doorway, "this is Kylie, your new roommate."
"Nice to meet you Kylie." Rouge said with genuine kindness.
"You too." Kylie replied slightly uneasily.
"Well don't just stand there," the other girl said stepping towards the side of the doorway, "Come on in." Looking uncertainly from Rogue to Storm, who nodded her head reassuringly, Kylie walked into the room.
"I'll leave you two to get acquainted." Storm said before walking away. Rogue shut the door and Kylie felt sudden homesickness and fear falling down on her. But why should she be scared and longing for home? Surely theses people would be more tolerant of her than her family.
"Did you bring any bags with you?" Rogue's question brought Kylie from her thoughts.
"What? Oh, no. I left home in kind of a...hurry." She replied.
"I understand." Rogue said with a sympathetic look on her face as she walked over the closet, "You can borrow some of my stuff for now." She held up a short, dress-like nightgown that was similar to the one she was wearing. "This should fit you." She handed it to Kylie who took it gratefully.
"Thanks." She said.
"No problem." Rogue replied.
Stripping out of her party dress, Kylie slid into the nightgown. It was soft and surprisingly warm. With a quick glance around the room she was able to figure out which bed Rogue had claimed as her own, and she quickly climbed into the opposite one.
A sudden tiredness filled Kylie and she fell into a deep sleep.
Sorry this chapter was so short. I just wasn't sure what exactly to write. I assure you that the next chapter will be, at least I'll try and make it, longer. Anyway, hope you all liked it and will review.
TheAlmightyMasterT-Chan: I'm prepared for the flames. I've got my fire retardent suit on and everything. lol. It's so awesome to know that you like my story and that you think I have talent. Thank you so much. Oh yeah, I love long reviews, so keep them up. It's so nice to know that some people take the time to give realy good constructive criticisim (I know that's not spelled right) that can better your story.
Ms. Vaughn, preciousbabyblue, and melodie568: Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing this story. It means a lot to me to know y'all like what I write.