Flare (xmen)

Chapter 11: "I don't care"

 Ali woke up with her neck completely stiff. Grumbling, she lifted her head and rubbed her neck gently. She slipped when trying to get up and fell on the ground, wincing. She bent down and saw the blood on her hands had dried, and was now a dark red color. She grumbled and trudged to her bathroom. She turned on the water, and dropped her hands in, ignoring the sting from the wounds. She looked up at the mirror and stared for a few minutes. Caramel-colored skin, dark brown eyes with silver flecks, sharp nose and thin lips. She felt so tired, like she was going to drop off, despite the fact that she slept for about 16 hours.

She grumbled and opened her door. She probably smelled awful, but right now she was tired and probably needed coffee. She tripped and fell over a small bag.. Cursing, she got up and grabbed the bag. It was a black one and pinned to it was a note that read To Ali in loopy handwriting. She looked around, and walked back into the room. When she sat on the bed and opened the bag, neatly packed clothes spilled out. She pulled a pair of clothes and changed and showered.

When she came out, drying her dripping hair, she noticed the tossed aside note on the floor. She picked it up and began reading.

Ali,

Thought you might need these. I don't think we get to go to the mall, so this is the best I can do at the moment. About what happened between us, can we talk tonight? My room, after dinner?

Bye, Raven

Jesus, this girl. Ali smiled at the note and placed it on the table. She walked out of the room, ignoring the tired feeling in her head. She made a few turns and wound up at the room where she and Alex had practiced her shields. She took a breath and opened the door with a click.

Raven looked up and noticed her outfit. She smiled softly and pointed to a seat. "Come sit down."

Ali allowed herself to sit down and took a plate. She put one piece of toast and drank from a water glass. "How are you doing?"

"Good. You?" Raven was cordial.

"Okay, I guess." Ali shrugged before taking another sip. When she placed it down, Alex grabbed her suddenly free hand. "What the hell?!"

Alex pointed to her bruised knuckles. She forgot about that. Her knuckles had thin scar tissue over them and they were turning purple. "What happened to your hands?"

"I fell." Ali mumbled. No one bought it though.

"You know something, Charles," Erik interrupted. "I believe that I saw a broken bag in one of the rooms." Ali froze up. She began to slowly calm herself down by breathing. Just breathe. "Curious, isn't it?" Erik stared at her in his admit it glare. Well, not today Lehnsherr.

"Curious indeed." Ali replied coolly. She got up and put her plate in the communal sink.

"How are you done already?" Sean spoke through his mouthful of eggs. "You ate like a slice."

"I'm not hungry." Ali snapped. She sat back down at the table and stared at her hands quietly.

"Well, I believe that we should begin training soon. Alex, Ali, can you both follow me?" Charles explained simply, and walked out of the room. Alex shrugged and walked out. Ali followed and covered her knuckles in an effort to hide the injuries. No one bought her shit, but at least they wouldn't bother her about it anymore.

"When I worked with you individually, I noticed a pairing of sorts with your abilities." Charles explained in the bunker. "Alex, you can create blasts." He then turned to face her. "And you can create shields. Now, I want to try something. Alex, you're going to fire on Alison, who will form a shield to protect herself."