AN: I apologize for any bad grammar in this chapter. I wrote the first half of the story in third person then decided to go back and write it all in first person. I also made a lot of the characters similar to the way they're portrayed in X-men: Evolution.

Chatty POV

I started to unpack the second I chased away Robin and Warren. It figured that Robin would find a crush on her first day. She is so romantic sometimes and can be very annoying about it. My roommate was chatting away about the schedule and her friends. I only half listened occasionally catching a useful fact nodding and smiling. After an hour or so, "Ali" told me it was time to go to lunch. I followed absentmindedly watching the others kids in the hallway. Some of them wore their abilities with great pride, but some seemed practically normal.

We arrived at the lunchroom and Ali immediately called out to a girl named Kitty. I thought it was just a stupid pet nickname at first, but the girl introduced herself as Kitty. Maybe her real name is Catherine or something. I just really hope that that isn't her X-men name. I smiled a little warily. The girl was pretty. Short, with light brown hair and a preppy look. I tried not to be judgmental because we're all mutants here but as a general rule I would prefer to stay away from preps. Just as we were all about to sit down, Ali freaked out and saying there was some project she had to finish ran out of the cafeteria. Kitty offered to give me the tour until Ali came back. I accepted deciding there was nothing better to do.

Kitty led me to a table with three other teenagers, two boys and one girl. Kitty happily introduced them all. A very big guy with short, dark hair was Peter. I couldn't help but notice Kitty giggling and smiling at him. Typical high school. The other boy was blond with bright blue eyes. He was holding the gloved hand of a girl with brown eyes and black hair with two white streaks framing her face. They introduced themselves as Bobby and Rogue. I noticed that Rouge was the only one of the teens she had met so far that went by her X-men name.

We ate chatting happily for the remainder of lunch. At first, the others bombarded me with questions, and I answered them (not truthfully, but 'm trying to be friendly, give me a break). Halfway through a kid came up to our table with my schedule. Luckily, I have all my classes with at least one person at this table.

At that point, Kitty had decided to ask me about my abilities. I answered rather reluctantly. I have trust issues especially regarding my abilities. "My power's pretty useless. It is really fun at parties though. A big blast", Rogue snorted.

"Trust me; it can't be any worse than mine. At least you can have fun with yours", she had a sweet southern accent.

I smiled at her and continued, "Let's just say, I can play the world's smallest violin." As I was saying this I raised my hand rubbing my forefinger and thumb together. For a few seconds nothing happened then the sound of a beautiful violin filled the air. The others laughed heartily. Peter seemed the most impressed with this. He started asking me everything I knew about sound. I was happy to talk to someone about my ability but something seemed off in this conversation.

The bell rung and all of the kids got up and started towards their classes. My next class was English. Both Bobby and Peter were in that class but Bobby wanted to walk Rogue to her next class. I followed Peter down a few hallways. When we passed a few windows showing a beautiful courtyard I spotted Robin. She was sitting on a stone bench. Next to her was that Warren guy from earlier. They were holding hands and whispering to each other. I couldn't stop the exasperated sigh that passed my lips. Peter looked at me questionably. I gestured to Robin. "We've been here all of two hours and she's already got a boyfriend."

Peter laughed, "Well that's normal. Things move pretty fast around here. One day you're walking a stranger down the hall the next thing you know. You're dating."

I looked up at him warily realizing what was going on. The boy was flirting with me for crying out loud. It's like I suddenly woke up in an alternate reality based off some bad soap opera. I didn't say anything just kept on walking pretending I hadn't noticed.

When we arrived at the room Bobby was already there sitting next to another boy. He had brown hair that was slicked back and hazel eyes. Peter sat next to Bobby and in an attempt to avoid him I sat next to Bobby's friend. He raised his eyebrow when I sat next to him. I rolled my eyes and shrugged. A large blue man walked into the room. At first I was slightly surprised but then I recognized him as Hank McCoy. He was some mutant representative in the government. What was he doing here teaching a bunch of kids how to read? He started the lesson immediately. "We are going to pick up where we left off in A Midsummer's Night Dream. Jubilation would you like to begin". A girl with short, dark, spiky hair began reading some scene in a bored monotone. I opened the book to the page 4 like everyone else. Did the teacher not even notice I was new? I recognized the play and the scene she was reading so I zoned out. I almost was asleep when I felt someone nudge me. The boy sitting next to me was pushing a paper over my book. I squinted at his large untidy handwriting. I'M JOHN YOU?

I briefly considered throwing the paper in his face, but I stopped myself. I scribbled the answer chatty what can you do?

I CAN MANIPULATE FIRE

I snorted. Everyone in this school is a pyromaniac. I tapped my pencil against the page briefly.

i can manipulate sound.

THAT'S COOL

Unable to think of anything to say I sat back in my chair. John leaned back as well. After a few minutes, he pulled out a Zippo lighter. He started clicking pen and shut in a steady beat. I leaned forward again tapping my pencil against the desk in time to John's tapping. When I started this, he chuckled and started tapping his lighter in a more specific beat. I started to beat my pencil to the same beat.

Dr. McCoy looked up from the playbook, "If you two can take a break from this little musical number, could you read this scene between Oberon and Tatiana? John looked at the book and found the scene. He gestured to me, "You first".

I glanced at the page. My eyes had barely been able to focus on John's absurdly large handwriting but this miniscule type was impossible to make out. I was having a hard time trying to even figure out what this scene was. I squinted hard at the page but it wasn't getting any better. Dr. McCoy looked up at me asking, "Is it too difficult for you to read, Miss?"

He said it in an almost sarcastic way. I dropped my pencil and replied, "Yeah it is. It's practically impossible. How does anyone read this?"

The teacher took off his glasses and looked at me, "Is that supposed to be a joke or do you need to get your glasses?".

"I don't have glasses, never really had the money. It's hard to get that kind of stuff when you're homeless and on the run", I snapped. I'm overreacting but this is a sensitive topic for me. I always have to read stuff like I'm sixty instead of sixteen.

McCoy didn't reply to that he just nodded and told another girl to read the part of the Queen Fairy. John looked at me and I glared back. He started to read the scene and I noticed that he had a strong Australian accent.

I spent the rest of class doodling. I was originally just scratching something on some loose-leaf but eventually I started to draw fire. John looked over at me and smiled. I smile back for some reason. Normally, I would have flicked him off. I guess this whole "we're one big family" atmosphere has gotten to me. At the end of class I was about to run out when McCoy called me to stay after class. The boys told me they'd wait outside and filtered out with everyone else. I waited for everyone else to leave before moving tentatively up to the front. I stopped in front of McCoy's desk. He leaned forward taking off his glasses again.

I leaned slightly on the front desk. The doctor started off hesitantly, "Normally, I would tell you that your behavior today was completely unacceptable, but under the circumstances I will let that slide. However, I will insist that you look into getting some glasses. You can't continue to spend my class unable to read. I will get you an appointment at a local eye doctor for this weekend".

This made me stand straight, "Look, that's very generous, but I can't afford to go to a doctor and I definitely can't pay for actually glasses. Unless there some crappy cheap one that you pick up at the grocery store or something. It's not that I don't want to be able to see. I just can't afford it." Great, now I'm babbling like Robin.

The doctor smiled warmly and a bit condescendingly, almost as if he saw me as a young ignorant child. "I know you're worried about cost, but I can assure you that this school will supply you with full medical insurance. If you're really worried then I'll promise you whatever they don't pay for I'll pay for myself".

"You can't do that. I mean I'd be happy to take your money. Normally, I wouldn't hesitate for a second before taking it honest, but that's really not what I want. I can just go to the grocery store and try on glasses until I can see properly if you want me to but that's really not necessary."

I continued to protest but he would hear a word of it. I would have continued arguing, but the late bell rang for my next class and Dr. McCoy had to write me a pass and I ran for it. Looking down at my schedule I saw that my next class was in the situation room. What the hell is the situation room? As I ran out of the room, I saw that Peter and John were both waiting outside. I rolled my eyes when I saw them. "You two are going to be late to class. You didn't have to wait this long".

Peter just smiled and explained, "We knew that you're next class was situation room and no one can find the situation room on their first time without getting lost. The teacher will understand that we had to escort the new girl to class".

I tried to pretend that I was flattered and happy to be escorted by him (without sounding like I was interested at all). I looked at John for an explanation. He was much more suave in his explanation. "It's not like I have anything better to do. I mean I'm always late for all my classes and this time I actually have a good reason. Don't feel too flattered, mate."

We walked down the hallway. I was stuck between the two boys. I noticed that john was almost exactly my height, while Peter was at least a foot taller than me. I don't know what that means but for some reason it bothers me. The two boys led me down a hallway and into a shiny elevator. We went down some strange corridors. They were futuristic and looked like they shouldn't even be attached to the rest of the building.

When we reached the Danger room the boys left for their changing room. I entered the room that said ladies changing room apprehensively. Rogue and Kitty were there. Kitty was happy to see and immediately grabbed me explain what the simulation for today was and giving me a spare uniform. She said the simulation was a defensive exercise with unknown enemies (which doesn't explain anything). As I put on the uniform I noticed that Kitty and Rogue already had theirs on. They were plain black with several Xs on the collars and sleeves. Kitty's had pink lining and Rogue's had white.

After I was done changing we left for the "simulation". When we first came out the room appeared to be white with plain boring walls. Storm walked out in street clothes and told us that we were going to be doing this exercise alone. I glanced over at the boys. They had all changed into their uniforms. I have to admit they look good. When storm left the room around us changed suddenly. We went form a bland prison room to a dead battlefield covered with large scraps of metal and dead half burnt trees. I had barely taken in my surroundings when the first explosion went off. Rogue grabbed me and dragged me under one of the metal structures. Bobby came and joined s quickly. The others had dispersed quickly. I sat next to Rogue trying to calm my panicked breaths. She turned to me with the sweet southern accent explaining, "Don't worry. It's pretty terrifying at first but remember. It's only a simulation."

I nodded getting my breath back. "I'm ok. I was just…surprised, that's all"

Suddenly, another explosion shattered the air. A fire stared burning along the ground coming toward us. I was about to turn and run, but Bobby merely touched the ground lightly with his finger tips and ice began to spread across the ground extinguishing the fire as it went. I was only surprised for a second. The power suited Bobby well.

Just as the fire had been put out the ground began to shake and a huge crack appeared separating me from the two more experience students. Something told me this wasn't a random event. I bet that Storm did that to see how I'd handle myself, and possibly this was a test to see if I was lying about my true abilities. I stayed cool getting up and walking over to the closest shelter I could find. It was only then that I noticed what had really happened. I was literally standing on a island of rock. There was a deep chasm at least two feet wide surrounding me. Wow, really subtle move there.

Peter was the first to find me. He headed toward my little island, but before he got to close a rocket came shooting at him. A ducked and rolled barely avoiding the missile. This didn't stop him from continuing to march forward. I yelled at him, "You ridiculous imbecile. You don't just ignore a freaking missile. What the heck are you doing?"

I knew I was overreacting. The missiles in this game were probably harmless, or nearly so. That didn't stop me from not wanting someone to get blown up because of me. However I was rather surprised to watch as Peter changed into metal. It spread quickly over his skin like water. I really shouldn't be surprised by this, but I am. It's just weird. As he continued forward, more missiles hit him. He didn't even acknowledge that he was hit. Whatever that metal is it must be indestructible or something remarkably close. I actually believed that he'd make it across until another earthquake shook the ground and he was sent flying back.

Kitty was the next to try. She just took a running start at the jump. I watched as she phased through any missile headed her way. She took the gap at a running leap but a strong gust of wind pushed her back. Bobby's attempt was similar in its failure. He spread ice so it appeared like a bridge across the gap. He continued to watch it spread as Rogue ran across it shakily. Again a strong gust of wind pushed them both back.

I was beginning to get bored with this. I felt like I was a prize that the others were supposed to get to instead of a useful member of the team. I almost sat down in protest, but I didn't want to seem lazy. I tried to think of anything useful I could do with sound. I closed my eyes and listened. This was only a simulation so most of the sounds you would normally hear were gone. No one would notice it unless they really paid attention. I heard an odd buzzing sound. I opened my eyes in time to see an explosion go off in the direction of the noise. I had an idea. I walked to the edge of the chasm where Bobby's ice bridge was slowly melting away. I closed my eyes and ran across it, feeling the ice crack and give way around me. The second I got back on the ground on the other side I heard a whistling to my right. I dove left and continued running. I opened my eyes up some, still concentrating on ever sound I heard. Again the whistling sound came on my left shoulder. I ducked falling on the ground to my right. I looked up and after two second the missile flew past happily. I leapt back to my feet and found cover. Under the twisted metal structure, I almost ran into John. He seemed surprised to see me there. "How did you get out? We were trying for ages and couldn't even get near you."

I explain quickly, "This room gives you audio clue on what's going to happen next. Impossible to hear with a normal ear, but that is my specialty. What are we supposed to be doing again?"

John shrugged, "How am I supposed to know? You made me late so I wasn't there when we got directions"

"Excuse me, I made you late. What happened to 'this is just an excuse be late'?"

"I changed my mind."

Out of the corner of my ear I heard the odd buzzing noise again right in front of us. I grabbed John's arm and pulled him away as fast as I could. The explosion lit up the field. We were both sent flying to the ground. I felt the heat of the flames come closer. John leapt to his feet and pulled all of the flame to him putting out most of it. In the end, all that was left was a small ball of flame he kept in his hand. He glanced at me, "Good call there".

At this point I was getting really annoyed. Kitty ran up to us to remind us that the goal of the simulation was to find the end switch and then it would be over. She started to go on about spreading out to look for it, but I wasn't listening. I knew exactly where the switch was. I started walking back toward the island.

Just an illusion.

A missile flew toward my face.

Just an illusion.

I created burst of sound and threw it at the missile. The missile disappeared.

Just an illusion.

I didn't stop walking.

Just an illusion.

When I reached the chasm I walked across the air. The chasm wasn't real the floor was there to save me.

Just an illusion.

I walked up the rock in the middle of the place.

It's all just an illusion. All you have to do is stop pretending.

I don't remember what happened next but the others said that the rock just exploded and the simulation ended. I just remember blacking out.

AN: Wow, this chapter is a lot longer than I originally planned. Next chapter is Robins first day