The next time Alex emerged from her room was the next morning, for she had fallen asleep and missed dinner. Her presence didn't go unnoticed by Storm and Warren, who was slightly disappointed. It was a perfect day in Alex's eyes. It was sunny, warm and dry- perfect for a tour.
Alex awoke at around eight o'clock and was ready to make her entrance by half eight. As she walked down the halls she was a little confused, for there was no one about. When she finally reached the kitchen she could finally hear the voices of numerous people. She followed the sounds until she came to a door she recognised, the door to the dining room.
When she pushed open the doors she was greeted by about three dozen pupils staring at her. All the girls began to talk and point at her clothes. But the most unusual thing was that most of the girls were wearing versions of the outfit she had on yesterday. Are they copying my style? she wondered to herself, but quickly shook it off when she spotted an empty seat across from Rogue. "Hi, nice outfit," Rogue said as she sat down and smiled. "Thanks, you're Rogue, right. I'm Alex".
Alex's outfit was certainly different from anyone else's in the room, but suited her tall, thin figure. She wore a long black, fitted; wide neck t-shirt, which had band logos all over it. Her skirt, that was only half visible, was also black and came down to mid thigh. It was rough and ripped at the bottom and showed of her fishnet tights and cloth boots. Her make up that was only on the eyes was dark, enchanting their colour.
"Yeah, are you going to start teaching on Monday?"
"Well I hope so, that is if Storm lets me," she replied with a laugh while looking up to the top of the table, where Storm sat.
"I'm not sure, considering what you were like as a pupil. But I'm short staffed and you're here, so yes you probably will start on Monday, " Storm replied in a mock serious voice.
"Why what was she like as a pupil?" asked Warren who had been quietly observing Alex, but now felt the need to know her. "I was a very good pupil, she is lying, trust me," Alex defended, feeling suddenly conscience of what Warren thought of her.
"What was she like? Tell us!" rang a chorus of over excited children.
"Well…she and a group of friends always set traps for the teachers, most of which I managed to avoid luckily…they were horrible trust me. She was always out to around three in the morning and filling the swimming pool with washing-up liquid. But the most memorable was at her seventh birthday party. She had decided to have a costume party, but of course she had to go a step with her outfit. She came as one of the old teachers, it was scary how similar the mask was to the really thing. She scared half the children and teachers to death when she made her entrance…screaming at everyone, in the perfect voice."
By this stage Alex was half way down her chair in embarrassment. Warren on the other hand found it very funny, along with the rest of the students and they all began to laugh. "I was young, I have wised up quite a lot since then…. well mostly," she tried to defend herself but laughed as well.
"Well I'd like to think so. Sorry for embarrassing you on your first full day," Storm said apologetically with a small smile. "It's ok, I'm sure the students won't hold it against you". With that all the students started talking about her and her past.
"Actually, it will probably help her out when it comes to their tricks," commented Warren who was staring at her from down the table. Alex locked eyes with him and gave him a grateful smile, as his words had brought a hush over the table. "Thank you," she mouthed in his direction before turning to answer another question.
Warren didn't know what came over him, he didn't usually speak out in public (much to his fathers annoyance). He just felt this need to protect and defend her. He'd never felt this way about anyone before. His only problem was that he wanted her to like him for him, not for his money. He was sick of being prejudged because of his father and his so called 'cure'.
After breakfast and a long interrogation from all the pupils Alex managed to get away for a while. She went to the only place she knew the pupils would only go to if forced, the library. It was where she always went to think and relax.
When she opened the door the cool air of the room hit her. She smiled suddenly remembered how hot it was in the rest of school. She walked over to the shelves and pulled down one of her favourite books from when she was younger. She turned the corner to where the seats were, to be met with the back of someone head.
At first she was slightly shocked that someone else was in here. But she recognised the hair colour and knew it was Warren. He however had not heard anyone enter, so when she spoke he jumped a little.
"Hi, do you mind if a sit with you?" she asked pointing to an empty chair across from him. She couldn't help but think how sweet he looked when he was surprised. "Please," he replied pointing to the same chair. She walked over and sat down with her legs on the armrest. He sat and stared at her for a minute before she became aware of his eyes on her.
"Why are you staring at me?" she asked in barely a whisper. He made her feel very unsure of herself and she didn't know what to do about it.
"I'm just trying to work out why such a troublesome person, such as yourself is in a library with me, instead of outside with them," he stated only half seriously, tilting his head towards the small window. He wasn't sure why he said that, but he couldn't think straight with her around.
She wasn't sure what he meant, but answered in the best way she could. "The same reason you're here, to escape the madness and relax with a good book, unless you have another reason". When he turned round to see her laughing, making him laughed to and she continued with,"like all the woman, just dying to get to know you."
"Yeh, they don't want to get to know the really me," he commented more to himself more than to her. Realising what he just said he changed the subject immediately, "You have what a very big impression so far. All the girls are trying to copy your style!"
"Yeh, I noticed that myself," she was feeling very embarrassed," it's weird, I mean they have no reason to." she finished a little quieter than she started. "And all the boys wanting to date you," he said, loving how cute she was when she was nervous. "Stop it…. now you just making fun of me," she defended.
"I'm really not I heard a group of guys talking," he smiled as she pouted at him, "Where did you say you've been for the last few years?"
They stayed in the library until diner time, discussing where Alex had been for the last few years. When she was eighteen she went to Africa, to help out with a few charities and she'd spend last years in India. So she had only heard of the 'cure' through the news.
Dinner was uneventful and after everyone had spilt up Alex took the opportunity to set up for her classes the next day. Storm had asked to teach art to older students, including Rogue, Bobby and Kitty, so she would know a few of the faces.
When Warren reached his room after dinner, he collapsed on the bed. He hadn't stopped thinking about Alex all through dinner, but he didn't want to stop thinking about her. She was perfect and he felt that they had grown really close in the few days she's been at the school. Of course he had girlfriends, he was rich and famous, but they hadn't meant anything to him. He felt a connection with Alex and it was nice for someone just to like you for your personality, and not your money. He just couldn't wait until tomorrow; he would sit in on one of her art classes and see how she interacted with the pupils. He had also heard a thing or two about her talent at drawing and wanted to see if it was true. Yes tomorrow was going to be an excellent day. With that final thought he drifted off into a peaceful sleep.