X-Men: (Young)Xavier&OC (Just Another Mutant)

Chapter six

         Chapter six

   Thrown to the wolves. Interesting term - and accurate to how I feel now. I stare down hard at the shiny floor of the cafeteria I can almost feel the eyes burning into my head, making my thoughts incoherent. The noise is overwhelming, more than I would have thought possible.

   I line up, pile the food up high and make my way to the nearest table. I wonder if I should feel embarrassed for piling up the food so high - surely most girls would have only delicate sized portions?

   I almost scoff out loud. I'm not exactly like most girls... and I couldn't care less. I might have had breakfast not that long ago - but already I feel starved. Food seems to be right up at the top of my priority list at the moment.

   God the food here is amazing.

   I start off with the tuna sandwich, letting the flavour roll around my mouth before swallowing with a dreamy sigh.

   "Whoah, lot of food you got there!" A voice states suddenly.

   I continue to stare down at the food. I'd noticed the approaching shadow but had hoped it would surpass me. Unfortunately not. I twist my head in the direction of the girl as she takes a seat next to me.

   Short brown hair, lightly tanned skin and warm brown eyes. Her grinning lips seem overly stretched - meaning overly friendly.

   "Hey. You must be the new girl - I've heard whispers about you."

   I shrug and turn back to my food, feeling uncomfortable with her at my side. "I don't care much for rumors."

   "I'm Tanya. But everyone calls me Terrax - can you guess why?"

   "Because you control Earth as an element?" I guess around a mouthful of jacket potato.

   "Because... oh, yeah. How'd you..."

   "Know? Easy. Terra is Latin for Earth. Terrax seems to be derived from it." I shrug, pausing with my eating to take a glug of soda.

   "Nobody gets it that quick."

   I just shrug again.

   "You sure are hungry."

   I nod.

   "And you sure don't like talking."

   I look at her and realise I'm being rude. "Sorry, just not used to... this."

   "What? Conversation?" She laughs lightly.

   "Yes."

   "How come?"

   I knew this is what it would come down to. Questions, questions, questions - questions that I don't have the answers for. Not yet. Not until I can finally remember...

   "Just 'cause." I reply with a small sigh, shoveling more food into my mouth.

   "Oh, okay. Don't worry, I get it." She replies quietly.

   "Do you?" I narrow my eyes at the little green peas. I hate peas.

   "Yeah, I have a shady past too. I'm sure it'll come out eventually."

   I scoff. "Not likely. I don't like talking about my troubles."

   "Maybe not now. But when we get closer, maybe."

   "You seem awfully sure of yourself."

   "Maybe it's because I'm persistent." She pauses. "But you should give this place a chance. It really is great - and I'm sure you could have fun if you just... let it go."

   I want to burst out with a yell. Let it go?! Let it go?! I can never let it go. It's not just the patchy memories, the flakiness of my past - it's the things that I do remember. The pain. No, she doesn't understand. And it's likely she never will.

   I scrape the last of my food into my mouth and don't reply, quickly finishing off my soda in one refreshing gulp.

   "Thanks for the chit-chat, but I'm done."

   "See you around!" She calls brightly after me.

   "Sure, whatever." I mumble, dumping my plate at the kitchen cleaning section. Without another word I stalk out.