"What!" X-23 and I both exclaimed at once.
"Everyday before school, this is non negotiable." Scott stated before turning to leave. "Start tomorrow."
I stared in disbelief as he walked away. Well that was ... Unexpected. I turned to look at X-23 and didn't fail to notice the small scowl on her face. "So umm, how's it going new training buddy?" I asked lamely. Hey, don't you roll you eyes at me, just be glad I wasn't getting all flustered and clumsy like I usually do around girls that I like...
"F-fine" she replied carefully, seemingly surprised at the question. We headed in the direction of the showers. Hmm... A monosyllabic answer, did that mean she didn't want to talk, or that she was so swept up in my good looks that she was too distracted to respond properly. My instincts told me that it was probably the former, but since when had I ever let that ruin my self confidence? Never, that's right! It was due to this fact, and maybe possibly the fact that I liked awkward silences even less than I liked awkward conversations that I decided to press on.
"Well that's cool... So I've been meaning to ask you, your name's not really X-23 is it?" I said, not really sure what to say. Well... to be perfectly honest, I'm never really sure what to say, it's usually the first thing that comes to my mind. Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, that's a really stupid way to go about life. Damn, maybe I should stop speaking, take a vow of silence or something and become a monk... A good plan, except for all the awkward silences that would follow whenever some asked me why I was being so quiet... Hmm...
"It was originally." X-23 stated, breaking my slightly derailed train of thought. Heheh, me a monk... I motioned for her to go on and she gave me a quizzical look.
"I feel as if there's a 'but' hanging around somewhere..." I said, being incredibly subtle with my prying. Hey, I'm curious, you don't just drop some mysterious comment like 'I was originally' and not expect someone to be curious right? It's not fair to us inquisitive folk.
"Why do you want to know?" She asked in a tone that sounded genuinely confused.
"Well I was just thinking it would sound a little weird if I said 'Hey X-23' every time I passed you at school. I mean, it's just an unusual name..." Hey, since when did I decide I was going to do that Mr. Subconscious Thoughts? Don't give me that blank look, I can tell when you're playing dumb...
"Speaking to me at school would not be a good plan if you did not want to look weird. The people there do not respect me and have labeled me a freak" She said in a very matter of fact tone. "The other X-men would also be concerned. It is unusual for them to talk to me and they would think that you are strange for doing so too."
"Right..." I replied, a little taken aback. Man, did she not have any friends? I thought the X-men were supposed to support each other... Jerks "So you do have a proper name?"
She sighed, "It is Laura" and gave me an unreadable expression. "You really shouldn't talk to me at school though..." she finished, frowning that cute scowl of hers.
I gave her a quick smile, pleased with my success although a little annoyed that no one talked to her outside of training sessions. Sure, she could be scary, but that didn't mean that they should treat her like some volatile chemical substance. "Thanks for the concern, but I try not to let other people's opinions about me dictate who I can and can't talk to... That seems a little shallow." I thought about the other X-men and wondered why they were so cold to her, maybe because of my indestructibility my perception of danger had been warped...
"You are correct, it is." she said before entering the female shower room without another word.
"Umm, see you at school." I called out afterwards and headed to get change for school. Well this was going to be an interesting day...