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

Chapter eight

                        Chapter eight

   The training room is by far my favourite place. I've never been the best fighter - but there's something about being able to slam my fists repeatedly into something that makes me feel a lot better about my situation.

   What is he thinking?

   Charles.

   Why does he want me here? He says he wants to help me, but I don't understand why! Nobody helps nobody, that's what I've learned through my life - through what I can remember of my life.

   Beyond a certain point, there is nothing but darkness. A vast emptiness that leaves me clawing at my skull in an attempt to free the strangled remains of my memories.

   All that I can remember of my life has been living on the streets, feeding however I can, trying to survive - and doing things I wish I could erase from my mind. Shame, humiliation and disgust fills me and threatens to overwhelm. Such self-loathing that I can feel it ready to burst free, explode over everything and seep through like acid.

   My fists hammer into the punching bag, over and over, faster and faster. I can't seem to stop myself, my anger and hatred - it's the only way to get it out, to not let it destroy me.

   "You might want to take it easy on that."

   The voice startles me and I swing round, a fist aimed at whoever it might be. Erik catches my failing fist with a slightly amused expression across his face. His hand wrapped around mine sends a jolt of something through me - I hate to be touched. I jerk backwards, scowling fiercely at him as he grins devilishly.

   "What do you want?" I mutter, noting how his little blue friend is missing from his side.

   "Slightly rude," he scoffs, his eyes mocking me.

   I shrug. I can't help but be short with him - he's barely spoken to me the few days I've been here, instead he's been sitting in the shadows, watching me and judging me - him and his little whatsherface. Raven. Creepy little thing that she is. Both of them, I can see the scorn and disgust in their eyes. I know what they think of me.

   I know he and Charles are friends - good friends, and have been for a few years now - and yet every opportunity Erik has had to have an argument with Charles, he has snatched it up. Normally it involves humans and Mutants. Normally I don't care enough to get involved.

   "You don't like me very much, do you?" He chuckles, his head cocked to the side slightly.

   I roll my shoulders and give a half-hearted shrug. "Something like that."

   "And why would that be?"

   "Call it instinct."

   "That's not a very good reason," he taunts lightly.

   I shrug for what feels like the millionth time, not wanting to start ranting at him and his stupid face about exactly how I feel about him.

   "Come on, speak up," he says sharply.

   His tone pushes me over the edge and I grind my teeth painfully as I turn towards him, eyes narrowed. "I see the way you look at me, at others. How you judge. You are a negative energy."

   He laughs, outright laughs. "Is that your special power?" He sneers. "You can sense if someone is positive or negative?"

   I bristle visibly, my body terse and tight as I struggle to control myself.

   "Besides, I'm no the only negative energy around here, am I?" He purrs softly, eyeing me up.

   "I know what I am," I snap, seeing through a red haze.

   He takes a dangerous step towards me. "I know what you are aswell."

   "And what's that?" I hiss, my hands tightening into fists.

    "You're nothing but vile, putrid scum, the lowest of the lowest," he whispers harshly, eyes dark.

   I leap at him without a noise or the slightest hint of attack - but he's faster than I ever could have anticipated. He darts out of the way, moving like liquid. I whirl around but before I can swing, pain explodes across my face as he deals a blow. I stumble back, shocked that he would actually hit me - sure, I would have hit him if I could catch him... but...

   Before I can react, a nearby door opens and Charles storms in.

   "Enough!" He barks sharply, his eyes narrowed and angry, unlike him to say the least.

   Still shocked from the hit, I blink rapidly. "But -"

   "Not you," he states simply, simmering with anger as he glares at Erik.

   Erik, who simply says nothing, but instead looks resentful and guilty - like a little boy caught doing something he shouldn't have been doing. 

   "Enough, stop it now," Charles says softly, clearly trying to control his temper.

   And right before my eyes, I watch as Erik changes. His skin melds and shifts, his clothing melts away to reveal vibrant red hair, glowing eyes and exotic blue skin.