Chapter 3
A smile crept across Skyler's face as she watch April and Bryce skip towards the entrance to the mall. Skyler wasn't sure why they liked the mall so much. Hell, she wasn't sure why anyone liked the mall at all. A mall consisted of stores full of stuff either you couldn't afford or crap you didn't need. Skyler had only been recently introduced to this concept of the mall. April and Bryce had recounted stories of the times they had spent at the mall. According to April the mall was a right of passage from pre-teen to adulthood.
"In America the mall is where teens go to get away from their parents." April explained to Skyler. "They can't go to the bar or night clubs and most can't drive. The mall is a place where you can hangout with your friends and annoy the mothers with strollers."
"Not to mention at the mall loitering is allowed." Bryce offered with a smile.
Right of passage or not, going to the mall wasn't her idea of a fun time. Maybe the reason she didn't care for these mundane ways of amusing oneself was because her childhood was an isolated one. April and Bryce often talked about the toys they had as a kid or places they visited. They came from different backgrounds, but they still had a connection. Growing up in the same generation and culture gave them that connection. Skyler lacked this connection. This fact did not go unnoticed by April or Bryce. They tried to get Skyler to open up, but Skyler had a wall between her and the rest of the world that not even a nuclear missile could penetrate.
"I say we hit the arcade first." Bryce said stopping in front of the entrance to the mall.
"I would be up for that." Skyler replied. She actually like arcades and was very good at first person shooter games.
"The arcade it is. Last one to find the arcade pays!" Bryce says as he runs through the door with April fast on his heels. Skyler on the other hand strolled casually into the mall. She already knew she would be paying and she was not in the mood to run.
Once inside the arcade Skyler split the money she had stolen from the motel three ways. Bryce and April made their way to the racing games while Skyler went to find her favorite game 'House of the Dead'. Skyler had been so enthralled in her game that she did not hear her friends sneak up on her.
"Wow! You are good at this game." April said in amazement.
Skyler jumped at the sound of April's voice. "You scared me."
"Wait. We scared you." Bryce sounded shocked. "That never happens. Your heighten sense always alerts you to our presence. April I think we should take this moment to do a little dance. For this moment will never happen again."
April and Bryce proceeded to do a highly choreographed dance that would make the writers of Will and Grace proud.
Skyler was so distracted by their dance that she didn't even notice that a zombie had killed her. When she turned her attention back to the game the screen read game over. "Thanks guys! I was on the final level!"
"Sorry. How much money do you have left?" April asked.
"I have about $7. How about you guys?"
"Nothing. We used it all." Bryce said as he put his hands into his pocket.
"Well, here take this." Skyler handed Bryce $2 in quarters. "I'll go to the change machine and cash in my $5."
"Ok, we'll be over at the air hockey table."
Skyler made her way to the cash machine and waited in line for her turn. In front of her was a young woman who appeared to be 16 or 17 years of age. The woman had a particular style. She had an Audrey Hepburn look to her, with her long black gloves that went just past her elbows. Actually, the girl was covered from head to toe, which was odd given that it was a fairly hot day. Suddenly, the girl stepped back into Skyler unaware of her presence.
"Oh, I'm sorry." She apologized
Skyler was taken aback when she saw the girl's hair. Her long brown hair was pulled back into a pony tail with two white strips of hair framing her face. Skyler had never seen such a hairstyle and she liked it. "That's ok. I have a tendency to sneak up on people."
She laughed at Skyler's comment and excused herself. The girl returned to a group of teens near the pinball machines. One of the boys in the group called her Rogue. Skyler assumed that Rogue was a nickname. Rogue can be defined in several ways such as: dishonest or unprincipled person, mischievous person, living apart from others, and some other unflattering definitions. Skyler couldn't help but wonder how she had gotten that nickname.
As she was about to put her $5 bill in the cash machine she heard a large crash. Instinctively, Skyler looked over in April and Bryce direction. Next to Bryce and April was a small hole that looked suspiciously like an air hockey puck. Bryce smiled sheepishly as he slowly moved away from the air hockey table. April also moved away from the air hockey table, embarrassed at the scene her and Bryce had made. 'So much for playing more games' Skyler thought. Bryce looked to Skyler and mouthed 'let's go to lunch.
The food court was ridiculously overcrowded and finding a table was looking impossible. The amount of people within the food court was to be expected given that it was a Saturday afternoon. As luck would have it, a group of people left their table just as April, Bryce, and Skyler walked by. Now that they had found a table deciding what they wanted to eat for lunch was the next task. After a lengthy negotiation process the group finally agreed on Chinese food. Skyler walked over to Panda Express and waited patiently for her turn.
Unfortunately, the line for Panda Express was very long. To pass the time Skyler people watched. In front of her was a 30 something couple who seemed to be genuinely enjoy each others company. The man was wearing sunglasses that looked very expensive. The sunglasses fit his face well and along with his clean cut he looked like an Abercrombie model. His girlfriend was elegant and very tall. She had beautiful short red hair and a model type body. 'Very cute couple' Skyler thought. 'A little too cute. Borderline sickening cute.'
Finally, it was Skyler's turn to order and she order 3 entrée plates. When it was time to pay Skyler worked her magic. She handed the employee a $5 bill and convinced the employee it was a $20 bill. As a result she received a dollar and something change back. Skyler smiled as she put her change away in her pocket, but as she looked up the redhead was next to her and staring straight at her.
'Shit! Did she see what happened?' The woman kept her gaze on Skyler as she picked up two straws from the dispenser. Once she had the two straws she walked away. 'That was close.'
Skyler mentally kicked herself for her careless actions. Normally, she would never use her powers in such a public place, but she had become so confident in her abilities. Well, that was the last time she would do that. Once Skyler dropped off the food at the table, April and Bryce immediately pounced on it like hungry wolves. While April and Bryce enjoyed their meal, Skyler sat anxiously at the table going over what just happened.
April and Bryce had insisted on going into Hot Topic before they left the mall to go back to the motel. Skyler was tired and chose to sit on a bench just outside the store. Looking over right shoulder she noticed the woman from the food court sitting on a bench directly behind her. Since she left the food court that woman had been following her. She was very conspicuous. Hell, Skyler knew the woman was following her from the moment she left the food court. She wasn't sure if the woman was following her because she stole food or because she knew she was a mutant. Whatever the reason Skyler did not like being followed.
Standing up Skyler faced the woman and stared straight at her. The woman immediately averted her gaze, but Skyler did not budge. Skyler intentions were simple. She was going to convey strength by this action. When most people walk they look at the ground to avoid looking into people's eyes. This is a sign of weakness. By looking into someone's eyes you show the person that you are confident and strong, not submissive. By staring this woman down she was sending her message not to mess with her. She may only be 15 years old, but she could hold her own and she wasn't going to let anyone push her around.
Skyler could tell that the woman was becoming uncomfortable and at that point she heard April and Bryce exiting Hot Topic. "Are we ready to go?" Skyler asks not taking her eyes off the woman.
"Yup." April and Bryce replied in unison.
"Ok, let's go." Skyler abandoned her gaze on the woman as she and her friends began to walk back to the motel.
Back at the motel April, Bryce and Skyler sat on their beds watching TV and eating pizza.
Bryce picked up a piece of pizza and pointed to the TV screen, "You know, after watching Roll Bounce I have the strangest urge to put on a polyester suit and hit the roller ring."
"Yeah, it has a way of romanticizing roller disco." April sat up and looked to both Bryce and Skyler. "Maybe we can hit a roller ring at the next city we visit. We could go to a thrift store, find some nice 70's clothes and make up a dance on the roller ring"
"Only if I get to be Sweetness." Bryce replied.
"Sweetness? He's a tool." Skyler said with a frown.
"He may be a tool, but he gets all the ladies" Bryce laughed.
Looking at Bryce, April pointed out the obvious. "I don't think the retro look will get ladies to notice you. Plus, you can't dance to save your life"
"What? Of course I can dance."
"Watching 'Dancing with the Stars' every once in awhile doesn't mean you can dance." Skyler said backing April's point.
"Oh, you guys think I can't dance."
Both April and Skyler nodded their heads
"Well, watch this ladies. Be prepared to be amazed." Bryce began to bounce to an imaginary beat, looking more goofy than cool. His dancing looked like if Danny Tanner from Full House tried to dance. April and Bryce began to laugh hysterically at this failed attempt to prove he can dance.
A knock on the door stopped the fun. They had already ordered a pizza and they weren't expecting anyone. Bryce walked over to the door and opened it. 'Stupid' Skyler thought. You always should look through the peephole to see who was at the door. Bryce could have unwittingly opened the door to a murder. A life living in suburbia Colorado made Bryce naive to the dangers in the world. As soon as the door opened Skyler heart skipped a beat. There in the doorway was the woman from the mall. By her side was another woman with long white hair and a dark complexion.
"Good evening. My name is Jean Grey and this is Ororo Monroe. We would like to talk to you guys about an excellent opportunity." The woman from the mall said.
"uh…don't take this the wrong way, but what?" Bryce said totally confused with the situation.
"How did you find us?" Skyler said looking intently at Jean Grey and her friend.
"Do you mind if we come in. We would like to discuss this in detail." Ororo said in an African accent. Where exactly she was from in Africa Skyler could not pinpoint.
"Actually, I do mind. You…" Skyler pointed to Jean. "Have been following me all afternoon and now you are at my motel room. How did you find us? Because I know you didn't follow us."
"I apologize if I scared you earlier today. I saw you use your powers at Panda Express. I was hoping to talk to you about attending our school, but after your stare down I must admit I was intimidated. We mean you no harm and want to offer you guys a place to live and learn. We work at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters."
Jean explanation had not convinced Skyler that their intentions were good. April on the other hand was more concerned about another issue.
"The school is for gifted youngsters? I'm not exactly an academic wiz." April looked at the two women, still confused by the situation.
Ororo smiled at April. "It's not that kind of school. This school is for mutants. Many mutants in our society face intolerance and given that their powers tend to first appear in adolescence many teens end up on the street because they have no where else to go. We provide a place for them to stay and provide an education so they can reenter society well educated young men and women who know how to control their powers."
"Okay, you guys still have not answered my question of how you found us. And now I want to know how you guys know that April and Bryce are mutants." Skyler was getting increasingly annoyed at these women.
Jean sensing Skyler's growing agitation quickly answered. "We work for a man named Xavier. He is a powerful telepath. We also have powers. I have telepathic and telekinetic abilities. Ororo can control the weather. Xavier designed a machine that enables him to locate mutants all over the world. That's how we found you guys. "
"Big Bother mutant style." Bryce said attempting to lighten the mood.
"So when can we visit your school to check it out" April asked looking more interested at every moment.
"You could leave with us now if you would like?" Ororo said to April.
"Woah! April and Bryce can I talk to you guys in the bathroom for a moment." Skyler walked towards the bathroom. April and Bryce followed her. Once in the bathroom Skyler shut the door. "We can't go with them."
"Why?" Bryce and April asked Skyler.
"Guys, we don't know these people. We don't know their true intentions." Skyler said exasperated.
"They look nice." April offered.
"Because bad people have pointy noses and gnarly teeth." Skyler said sarcastically.
"In my world, yes." Bryce replied.
"Well, this is the real world and I don't want to end up six feet under in some patch of forest."
Both April and Bryce stop to think about what Skyler was saying. She had a point. They didn't know these people and they had no way of knowing if they were lying.
"You guys really want to go don't you?" Skyler sighed. Both April and Bryce nodded. "Ok, how about a compromise. How about we ask them to leave their address and some money for a cab and we'll go visit the school tomorrow. That way it is on our own terms and if the place seems sketch we can leave."
"I like that Idea." April smiled at Skyler.
Skyler left the bathroom and was pleased to see both women still standing outside at the doorway. 'At least they didn't invite themselves in' Skyler thought. "We have an idea. My friends would like to see your school, but frankly I don't trust you enough to go with you tonight. Leave the schools address and some cab money and we will visit the school tomorrow."
Jean to took a deep breath and replied "That seems fair. May I come in to write down the directions?"
Skyler nodded and Jean entered the room. Using the stationary notes on the table Jean wrote down the address. "Ororo can you please give them some money for cab fair."
Ororo nodded and pulled out some money from one of her pocket and handed it to Skyler. Once Jean finished transcribing the address she turned to Skyler, April, and Bryce. "We look forward to seeing you tomorrow." With that Jean and Ororo left the motel.
It took awhile for everyone to settle down. Both Bryce and April were very excited about visiting the school tomorrow. Skyler entered the bathroom to remove her contacts. Staring back at her reflection with her blood red eyes, Skyler felt apprehensive about the next day. She had grown fond to her life on the street with Bryce and April and this school could threaten that life.
Chapter 4 will be up soon. I'm trying to keep up momentum so you guys don't have to wait so long for another Chapter. Do you like how it is progressing? The next chapter the gang will go to the school and more will be reveled about Skyler's past. Reviews are encouraged.