I don't know how I got back into the dormitory without being caught. It must have been luck because I know it wasn't skill. I felt so embarrassed, alone and scared. Everyone knew now. Those who didn't would soon hear from the rest of the senior class by the morning.
They knew I didn't belong with them.
And the way that Eric looked at me…like I had committed the worst sin possible by not being a mutant, like him.
I couldn't go back to my room, knowing that Taren and Alex could still be awake, waiting to hear how the night went. So I did what any teenager facing a crisis at three in the morning did; I took a shower.
I entered the senior girls' shower. While each room had its own powder room, we had to share a shower room. The cold blue and white tiles echoed my footsteps. I took my time undressing and getting into the stream of hot water. My skin prickled as the water flowed over me and I let out the breath I had been holding since I left the clearing.
The breath soon turned into a sob, and the next thing I knew I was sitting on the shower floor crying.
Why am I so upset about this? I thought miserably, trying to control myself. I knew I never belonged here! I had just been kidding myself this whole time. What, making friends with Taren, Alex and the others? How stupid was that. You can't really be friends with people you're lying to.
Mutants and humans were never going to live together, and it was no different in my case.
But is it? A little nagging voice said in my head. I'm supposed to be some prophecy poster child that can supposedly bring peace to the human and mutant race. What if I'm just obsessing about nothing and that the others won't even care that I'm human?
Eric's face floated into my mind once more and I kicked myself for even humouring myself for a moment.
Suddenly there were quick, hard steps echoing around the room. I wondered who in their right mind would be in the girls' showers at almost four in the morning. I had just stepped out of the shower and got a towel wrapped around me when a dark blue hand grabbed the curtain and pulled it open.
"Hey!" I yelped. I quickly made sure my towel was covering all the parts that needed to be covered. I looked up to see a face I really didn't want to see. "Don, what the Hell do you think you're doing?"
His blue face was pained. "I really needed to talk to you."
I fought to restrain myself. I knew how much the guy was hurting, but I couldn't help but feel annoyed. "Don, its four A.M and this is the girls' showers. I'll talk to you later."
I tried to pass him but he stepped into my way.
"I need help and you're the only one who can help me." Don said in a desperate (and kind of scary) voice.
"Really, this isn't the best time." I sighed. "Listen, we can talk in the morning, the actually morning, about whatever's wrong, okay? I just really have to go to get dressed and go to sleep right now."
I once again attempted to pass him but this time he was more aggressive. His blue hand wrapped around my throat and he shoved me into the white tiled wall.
"Uah!" I gasped for air, scratching at the hand that dug into my throat.
His eyes were red and he was breathing hard. All I could think was 'this is the second time I'm getting my ass handed to me in the past couple of hours!'. That probably wasn't the best mental response but it was four in the morning, and I was naked and being strangled.
"You don't understand, I haven't slept in a week." Don snarled. "All because you ruined my life! You changed Carissa and now she's gone forever!"
Thinking quickly, I dropped my towel. It distracted him long enough for me to pull myself away and kick him, sending him into the wall. I grabbed my towel and put distance between us. I had let my guard down once, and I was sure not to let it happen again.
"I'm sorry, Don, but not for saving Carissa's life. You know it was the only way that she could make it." I said sternly. "If you really care about her, you'd accept that and be happy that she's no longer in pain."
Don looked at me in shock, then slowly slid down the wall. He pulled his knees in and wept openly. He looked so pathetic and broken, I felt my heart break for him. Which proved how messed up I currently was because ten seconds ago he was choking me.
"I-I know. I didn't want her to die, but, I lost her either way." He cried. He quickly wiped his eyes before looking up at me. "Please, you have to make me human too."
That took me back.
"Oh, uh…"
"Please, it's the only way we can be together." Don said desperately, his eyes pleading. "Just look at me, do you really think she'd ever want to be with me now that she has a normal life?"
"Don," I said slowly, trying to think of what to say. "You, um, being a mutant is a part of who you are. You wouldn't be happy if you lost that."
Wow, I sound like a complete tool.
Don's eyes flashed. "The only thing that could possibly make me unhappy is losing Carissa. I never wanted to be some blue and gold freak, and the only way I was able to live like this is because of her. If she was able to accept me, then so could I. But now…I just want to be normal."
"But, you're power, you can heal people." I said weakly. "You can help so many people-"
"I rather be happy and useless than be miserable and fix a few scrapes and bruises." Don said coldly. "Now are you going to help me or not?"
"I-I…I'll think about it." I answered, turning and hurrying out of the shower.
From behind me, I heard him call. "Either you help me, or I'll tell everyone about what you can do."
And there goes any possible chance I had of sleeping tonight.
xXx
I slept in until ten. And then I hid in my room for another hour, to avoid people. But I was starving and Alex's not so secret stash of Oreos was empty. Again. Just as I was about to climb out my window and take Dad's bike to the closest diner, the door opened. I paled as Taren and Alex entered.
Oh dear.
"Hey Leah, I think we should talk." Taren said gently.
Here it comes. They don't feel comfortable with a human as a roommate and they are kicking me out. No one else will want to share a room with me and all the single rooms will be taken so they'll make me sleep out in the stables with the horses. If I'm lucky.
I clenched my fists, tense.
"I guess you guys heard about last night." I said coolly.
"Like anyone hasn't heard about what happened." Alex blurted out.
"Is it true Leah? Are you really a, a human?" Taren asked, her brow scrunched together.
What's the point of even trying to deny it now? "Yeah, I am."
The girls sat on their bed, their eyes wide and staring at me.
"The daughter of Storm and Wolverine a human," Alex mused under her breath. "Weird."
I felt my throat start to hurt. That awful feeling like someone is choking you, when you feel so upset you can hardly breathe.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Alex demanded.
"Would you have told?" I demanded back.
"Hey, if I was a human, I wouldn't be here." Alex replied reasonably. "But I thought you considered us your friends, Leah, you should have told us."
I looked down, "I was just scared. Nobody wants to be the freak and alone. Everyone would treat me differently if they knew. Plus like you said, the daughter of two superheroes a powerless human? Its weird."
"Nobody's would have treated you-" Alex began to say, but Taren stopped her.
"You can't say that Lex. Not now." Taren's face was dark. "All you can say is that we're not going to treat her any differently."
Taren met my eyes and I knew she meant it.
"You're still not off the hook for lying to us," Alex said sternly. "But we get it."
All I could do was run to the other side of the room to them and hug the girls. I don't have Mum or Dad here, and all my friends back home probably think I'm dead, but I still have friends here. And maybe, if Taren and Alex could get past the whole species difference, then so could some other people.
"Now come on, let's go get some lunch. You can't hide up here forever." Taren said practically.
Alex winked and slugged my arm. "Don't worry, we got yo back, jack!"
xXx
The moment I entered the cafeteria, I knew others weren't going to be as easy with this as Taren and Alex were. The room quieted as people nudged their friends and indicated in my direction.
The human has arrived.
"You know, I had a dream like this once." Alex whispered to me. "I entered the room, people went quiet, and then they all turned into zombies and ate me."
"Ignore them." Taren said coolly. "Come on, let's get in line."
The food looked and smelled good as usual, but I suddenly lost my appetite. I wish I had stayed in my room and starved. Taren loaded up a tray for me, filling it with Cesar salad and two chicken burgers. I tried to be brave and hold my head high as we went to find a table, but it was hard.
"Maybe we should go, before they form a mob and come at me with torches and pitchforks." I muttered, making Alex snort.
"Its okay, just ignore them." Taren said again.
Its hard to ignore a whole room staring at you, I thought miserably.
I felt a hand on my shoulder. When I looked up, Lana was standing at my side. She gave a weak smile.
"Hey Leah, how you doing?" She said in a forced, but cheerful voice. "We haven't talked in forever!"
I gave her a confused look, and in response she gave me a reassuring squeeze.
"I've been doing…good. How about you?" I replied.
"Ah, I can't complain! Nice room, good food, hot boysss." Lana replied with a fake laugh. She looked around quickly to make sure people were looking. "Lisssten, I never did thank you for sssaving my life."
Lana raised her voice at the last bit. Now I understood what she was doing. She was trying to help me get back into the good grace of the other students. Everyone liked Lana, and if she could show that we were friends or at least she approved of me, things could be better again. It was a nice gesture, but I doubted anyone would buy it.
"Uh-"
"Yup, you sssaved me from ssschool, offered me a home in your garage, and then beat up a huge killer robot that was attempting to fry me." Lana smiled. "Ssso thanksss!"
I couldn't help but smile back, "No problem Lana, you would have done the same for me."
"Of courssse I would! Because you are sssuch a great person!" Lana winked. "I'd better get back to my food, but we totally have to hang out later. Sssee yah later!"
When Lana was back at her table, Alex leaned over and asked me "What the Hell was that?"
"She was just trying to show the others that I'm not an evil human." I answered in hushed tones.
I had almost mustered the appetite to take a bite of my salad when Eric pasted by me with his friends, and I felt my throat tighten once more.
"Eric, can we tal-" I asked in a quiet voice, but stopped myself when he didn't look back at me. He paused for a moment, shook his head, and then kept walking.
Why does it feel like someone stomped in my heart?
There was no point even attempting to eat now. I said a quick goodbye to Taren and Alec and hurried out the door. I was just out the door when Cyclops cut me off.
"Leah, can you come with me please?" Summers asked, taking a hold of my arm and began to lead me away. "The Professor would like a word."
Aw shit.
xXx
By the time I left the Professor's office, I was fuming. He didn't kick me out like I was expecting him to, he did it in his own unique, kind fashion. He explained that though I could always consider the school my home, he thought it would be better if I moved into the school's guest house down by the shore, though still on the school grounds, until things cooled off here. He was concerned about possible fights and my safety, but I'm sure it was also because he didn't want his precious mutant students feeling afraid because there was a human around. He made it clear that this was just a possibility and that it was my choice whether I wanted to stay in the school or go to the guest house for awhile.
Summers strongly suggested I leave, even offering to help me pack my stuff.
What a jerk.
Instead of replying to his suggestion, I said the first thing that came to my mind.
"Have you guys found my parents yet?" I blurted.
Professor Xavier and Summers raised their eyebrows in surprise. Apparently they weren't expecting that response.
"I mean, its been kind of a ridiculously long time," I said slowly, knowing I was stepping on toes. "and we have no idea what those MRD guys are doing to them. What if they're being tortured, or experimented on, or brainwashed, or-"
"Leah, that really isn't your concern." Summers said stiffly.
"My parents' welfare isn't my concern? Are you serious?" I asked shrilly.
"What I meant is that we are already doing everything we can to find them, so you shouldn't worry." Summers replied coolly.
"What are you doing? You're just standing around here." I sassed, crossing my arms.
Summers snorted. "What do you expect us to do, Miss Logan? Go around night and day, flying in the jet to look for them? Put up posters?"
"I expect you to do something." I said, knowing how lame I sounded.
"And what would that something be? If you're so knowledgeable about hunting down secret government bases, maybe you could make a few suggestions." Summers said sarcastically, and I was sure he was rolling his eyes behind his lame glasses. "You must have so many good ideas, being a civilian high schooler with no prior knowledge of such things."
I was about to tell him something that I knew he wouldn't like, but Xavier got to him first.
"Scott, that is enough. Leah, we are doing all we can, and I hope you will believe me. We have no leads at the moment. We have deployed the X-men to two bases we tracked down so far, but there was no sign of your parents." Xavier said calmly.
"So unless you feel like going out and looking, stop complaining about how we're doing things." Summers said superiorly.
I wondered if I could kick him in the groin without him blasting me with his laser eyes. From the way that Professor Xavier covered his smile, I think I thought that too loud.
I couldn't stand the way Summers was smirking at me anymore, so I spun on my heel and left the room.
"Worst superheroes ever." I muttered under my breath.
But maybe he was right. Instead of sitting around here, twiddling my thumbs while my parents were in the hands of evil, I should be doing something.
I'm going to save them.