Chapter 2 - deal
He sat there on the bench listening to the "deal" she was making with him. He kept going over the details in his head. He had no family; so instead of living on the street she wanted him to live with her…. Not only that, she was going to make him go to school as well. But why? He wondered. Yea that would be great to have a home, but does she know how I'm treated? There is no way she understands what she would be getting herself into. Why would she want to take me in? Where's the catch?
"I want you to stay with me, Alex, so I can show the world that mutants aren't dangerous." said Angela. "I want them to know that you're a person, and you're just a kid at that. I want them to know that there is nothing to worry about and that you shouldn't be discriminated against."
"You think that I'm going to be able to prove that?" he asked. "We're not allowed to use our power in public. We're not allowed to show people unless they ask. Oh, and the real kicker we have to show them if they ask. Those are all thanks to the new laws our fabulous Supreme courts passed recently. Oh and I imagine your government has the same deal. Am I right?"
She just nodded.
"You think I'm going to change that?"
"We are moving to get those revoked but first they want proof that you can control your power."
"Is that all? They just want proof? Well I can give them proof." he said angrily.
"I hope that when they go home they find out that their lovely little teenage daughter is a mutant and she's caught the house on fire because she had been practicing in secret…. That's the proof I hope they find."
Angela sat there in silence looking at Alex. I can help him. I know I can. She thought."If you come live with me you can go to school and the government has given me a permit for you; so you can use your power in public, as well. If you don't come with me though…"
"What? What are they going to do?"
"They'll register you and make sure you follow all of the mutant regulations here."
There was a long silence as he thought this over for a while looking at the small room. "I don't know." he said "what if I don't like it?"
"Then you can leave." she replied. "And it will be as if we've never met."
"Ugh…" Maybe I should just go… It's worth it and plus I can leave if it's completely stupid. He thought. "What would I have to do?" he asked.
"Well you would have to maintain a certain grade point average and be able to get along with other students. If they find that you are able to go to school and control your power then they are willing to drop some restrictions and allow mutants to attend school." she replied. "Also you would help me in understanding how the transformation affects people."
"Fine" he whispered.
"What?"
"Yea, I'll do it." he said speaking louder now.
"Good. Come on lets get you some clothes. You look like a homeless man." she said as she got up and headed towards the door.
"I kind of am" he said laughingly as he followed her. "You know that you hardly know me, and you've just invited me to live with you in your house for God knows how long."
"I'm aware of this, however, I think you're genuinely a good person and you won't let me down. Now will you?" she said as she laid her hand on the door knob.
"Ha. I guess not." he said looking at her.
"Alright then we have a deal." she said while holding her hand out to shake.
"A deal" he said taking her hand.
Alex was given a blue T-shirt and black and white addidas shoes. They were on their way to the car now so they could make their way to the airport.
"Do you need to pick up anything, from someone's house or something?" asked Angela.
"No I'm good; I don't really have anything." he said with a laugh.
"Because we won't be coming back. So you're sure?"
"Yea I'm sure." he replied. "Hey you know I never did ask you; where exactly do you live?" They were on the sidewalk now, heading for Angela's rental Mazda. She walked over to the driver's side door and motioned to the passenger's side for Alex. "I mean I know we'll be going O.S. but where exactly?" he said
"O.S. ?"
"Overseas"
"Oh… yea. Well I live in Jasper, Alabama, in the United States."
"I new you were from the U.S. but I've never heard of Jasper, Alabama?" he said curiously.
"Ha. Not many people have." She said while starting to drive. "How did you know I was American?"
"You have an accent." He said while looking out the window.
"I have an accent?" she said laughingly.
"Well to me you do. It's got sort of a twang to it." he replied.
She just laughed and continued driving.
"So do you have any family?" asked Alex.
"Yes, I have a daughter. Her name is Naima but most people just call her Naim. She's your same age. So you'll be going to school with her."
"That ace, I guess. I'll know someone at least." he said. "Do you have a husband?"
Angela paused for a minute. "No he passed away when Naima was three." she said quietly.
"I'm sorry." said Alex.
"It's ok."
Silence filled the car.
This will be interesting. Angela thought.A mutant boy with an Australian accent walking around Jasper. Nice. "Alright here's the airport." she said as she drove into the parking deck.