Downstairs

Kara stepped off the elevator on the lobby level. She wandered around, hoping to come upon the kitchen or dining hall or whatever they ate in. She happened upon a room with the lights on inside. She heard noises coming from inside. Slowly, she she walked close enough to peak into the room. She held her breath; inside, it was only the lady she identified as Jean. Kara decided to walk inside and thank her for letting her borrow her clothes.

She slowly walked into the room, and when she was halfway in the room, Jean turned around. Kara said, "Uhhmm, well, uh, thanks for letting me have your clothes, I mean borrow them. Thank you for letting me borrow your clothes," she babbled stupidly. She blushed in embarassment.

"You're welcome. Do they fit you well?" Jean asked.

Kara sighed. "Yes, ma'am," she replied. She walked over to where Jean was standing. At least she found herself the kitchen. Jean was at the stove cooking something in the oven. "Uhm, what are you cooking?" she asked.

Jean shut the open oven door and said, "Lasagna with meat and cheese sauce," and wiped her hands on a hand towel.

Kara's mouth automatically began to water. "Sound real good," she said. She hadn't had a meal that's anywhere near normal since her mother was alive. Before she was forced from her house, she made her own meals. She was ok at cooking, but most of the time what she tried to make for herself didn't turn out right and didn't taste any good. She she ran from home, she basically worked for food. Sometimes went hungry. Having the thought she may have a good hot meal was comforting.

"Do you want some when it's ready?" Jean asked her. "It's for a special dinner the professer is having for the X-Men tonight. I don't mind if you eat some of it if you're really hungry," she said with a smile.

Dang, this lady reads my thoughts.

"Sure, I would like some when it's ready," Kara said. Jean stood there and looked at Kara,still smiling. Kara had on an uncomfortable, false smile.

These peoople are WAY too happy. Everyone's always smiling. What's the deal?

Jean stopped and walked back to the ovn and checked it. She stodd back up straight and asked, "Have you seen Professor Xavier yet?"

"No. Do I need to?" Kara asked.

"Yes, he asked me to escort you to him when you are well enough, and I guess you are now. So when you're ready, I'll show you to his office," Jean said and again walked over to the oven. This time, she pulled out the lasagna. It was a big lasagna. She laid the pan on a wired rack to cool. "Done. Right now it'll have to cool, so you could go to see the professor now, then we'd come back and have lasagna," she said.

"Sure, why not," Kara said. Jean took off her oven mitts and walked out the door; Kara followed. They walked down this hall, which rooms looked like classrooms.

This must be that school she talked about.

They walked and got to a door that had a nameplate that said 'Professor Charles Xavier' on it. Jean knocked on the door. Then she walked in. Then Kara heard, "Good evening, Jean. Have you met with Kara yet?"

Oh my god, this guy knows my name. Well surely Jean or someone had already told him.

"Yes, she's right here," Jean replied, and put her head outside the room. "Come on," she mouthed and motioned with her hand. Kara slowly walked into the room, starting to feel very self conscious. That was unusual because Kara never cared what people thought of her.

Oh, man, I knew I shouldn't had worn this jacket. It makes me look poor, compoared to all thes other kids. I kinda hope this guy doesn't make me leave cause I think I might want to stay. Oh man; oh god. Come on Kara, chill out, you're okay. What if he doesn't want a bunch of mutants like me in his school. I think Kurt lives here but what aboout everyone else? Surely he doesn't know Kurt lives here or maybe he's just a guy who works here. I hope he doesn't find out I'm a mutant. Oh, god.

Kara kept thinking everything over and over, panicking in her mind. Unknown to her, Xavier heard every word she thought(cuz duh he's a psycic!).

"Good evening, Kara. I am pleased to see you are doing better," the professer said, Kara's mind still was roaming wild. Then she heard, "It's okay. Calm down, Kara," in a voice other than the her own in her head.

"I'm fine," she said aloud. not really knowing it was a voice in her head.

Then she heard again, We're all mutants. You will be safe here. Don't worry. Listening to the voice she was staring straight at the professer. The voice sounded like his, but his mouth was not moving. Kara stood there with wide eyes.

Oh god... where am I?

"You're at my school for gifted children. A school for mutants. I'm Professer Charles Xavier. You do not need to worry. You will be safe here," Professer Xavier said.

OK, curretly surrounded by freaks.

"Safe from what?" she asked conspicuously.

"Humans; Magneto; anyone who would hurt you," Jean replied for the professer.

"Quite right," Professer Xavier said, "The school at ground level is our public face, but downstairs, it's a whole different story." Then Kara heard knocking on the door. Professer said, "Come in." In walked Ororo and some tall guy who wore thick glasses. Something made Kara want to laugh.

Can we say four-eyes?

She stopped. They stood behind the chair she sat. She stood up.

"Kara, this is Scott Summers, also known as Cyclops, and I see you've already met Storm," Xavier said. Ororo smiled. Scott held out his hand. Kara was taken aback. Unsure if she should shake his hand or not, she took his hand and they shook hands.

Okay, weird. What's the deal witht the code names here.

She uneasily smiled. "Uhh,... nice to meet you," she said. Scott nodded.

"Kara," Xavier said, and Kara faced him. "I now all this is very strange to you, but I believe you will enjoy staying here. You can stay in the same room where you are currently lodging, if you'd like. There are several students your age. I am sure you will find friends."

She stood there abut ten seconds, "I think I'd like to stay here," she said with a soft voice.

"Wonderful. I do beleive you'd be able to make yourself comfortable. And tomrorrow, you can start school," Xavier said.

"School?" Kara said in a voice that says that she wasn't expecting that.

"Yes, all the children that stay here must attend the school. Jean and Ororo will be two of your teachers. You will learn the usual subjects; and in addiction you will learn how to control and strengthen your special mutant abilities," Xavier said. Kara didn't say anything.

"I think it would be a good idea to let Kara participate in one of the X-Men's practice sessions in the danger room," Jean said to the Professer, "We could watch her and find out all she's capable of."

"Yes, later, tomorrow, take her to the danger room,when the X-Men start their training sessions. You, Storm, and Cyclops can explain to her about its sequences and practice levels," Xavier replied.

"Yes, professer," she replied. There was silence for a minute.

"Charles, could Id speak to you about something?" Storm said.

"Sure Ororo," he replied. There was a silence. "Kara, if you are hungry, you are welcome to anything in the kitchen."

Jean gestured her to the door,"Go on to the kitchen and I'll be there in a couple of minutes."

"Uhhm,... ok,.." Kara said, just a little confused and she walked outside the office.