Chapter 3
As the car pulled through the ornate gates, Elsa peered out the tinted window at the mansion that loomed over the grounds. She was also curious about all the other people she saw milling around and engaged in various activities.
Scott parked the car outside, turned it off, and got out of the vehicle. Bobby quickly jumped out and ran over to Elsa's door and opened it for her. Alvís, who had been reaching for the door handle, was surprised, but let him do it.
Scott led the way up a wide set of stone steps to the front door and into a spacious, elegant foyer. Elsa turned, trying to take in the wood paneling, and the many doors and halls, but had to scurry to keep up with Mr. Summers, Bobby, and Alvís. Bobby slowed a little so that she didn't fall behind.
"Don't worry," he said, noticing her glances backward, "you'll have plenty of time to explore here.
They continued up the stairs and down a hall to a large set of doors near the far end. Scott knocked, then apparently receiving an answer, opened the door and ushered everyone inside the room.
Elsa's attention was immediately drawn to the old man in the wheelchair. His gaze was both kindly and piercing. It singled her out among the rest of the group.
"This is Professor Charles Xavier." She heard Mr. Summers saying.
"And you," the Professor said, "must be the young lady I've heard about." He addressed Elsa directly.
Elsa nodded shyly. Her eyes were mostly fixed on the floor, but she glanced up under her pale lashes to look at the Professor. The look she saw on his face pulled her face up from the floor to his eyes.
They were gentle and knowing. Like they understood her. It was the first time she had seen a look like that from someone other than her parents, and even then they didn't fully understand. But the Professor…he looked like he did.
Professor Xavier spared a moment in the conversation with Summers and Alvís to smile back at Elsa again. Under their guiding hands — and a good deal of Bobby's tutelage — he was sure they would be able to help her.