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

Chapter twelve

              Chapter twelve

   My body is asleep but my brain remains awake. I feel suffocated, swimming in a darkness that I can't fight. Whispers slither through my mind, disturb me and make my skin crawl - but I am literally paralyzed, unable to do a thing. I scream, but my lips don't even move. I try to whine or whimper, but not even a squeak comes from my mouth.

   Just as I feel the shadows beginning to circle, like vultures over their prey, suddenly I rip myself away from it, jerking upright. My breath catches in my throat as I try to calm my sudden racing pulse.

   I push back the covers, clambering to my feet with a heavy sigh. My bare feet on the cold surface of the ground is a sweet release. I run a hand through my bedraggled hair, a shiver trickling down my spine. I haven't suffered from sleep paralysis in a long time, it must be the stress.

   I walk out the room without hesitation, I'm too hot to change into something more than the shorts and vest I wear, just needing to get away from the tiny room and the walls that feel like they're closing in.

   The hallways seem to stretch on forever. I kind of hope to bump into Max again, but after a few twists and turns I realise it's unlikely. 

   The darkened hallways make me feel uncomfortable but I keep walking, keeping going, trying to clear my buzzing head.

   I walk straight into someone, stumbling back suddenly and almost lose my balance. My eyes meet Charles, to see worry lurking within those eyes of his.

   "Ash..." he trails off.

   "What?" I mutter, shifting awkwardly.

   "Your restlessness disturbed me."

    I scowl. "I told you to stay out of my head."

   He sighs, rolling his eyes dramatically. "At night, I tend to relax the walls I build to block out everyone's thoughts. I know people do not feel comfortable with my abilities, so I tend to give as much privacy as I can... but at night, it's more difficult. You were calling out with your mind - the distress you were feeling was so strong, I couldn't ignore it. I was on my way to check on you."

   "I'm fine," I growl.

   He reaches out and hesitantly places a hand on my shoulder. I resist the urge to shove him away, fighting every fibre in my body. I swallow, feeling slightly out of place, the warmth of his skin against the coolness of my own.

   "Ash, don't shut me out," he murmurs.

   His eyes on mine. God. I blink rapidly, trying to sort my head out. I reach my hand up, remove his hand from my shoulder and look down at the ground, crossing my arms over my chest.

   "You have class early," he sighs, straightening slightly. "You should go back to your room."

   "I can't sleep," I whisper.

   "Why not?"

   I peek at him from beneath my lashes and watch as his eyes soften, when he sees something in my own.

   "Talk to me!" He demands softly.

   "Sleep paralysis," I shrug nonchalantly, as if it's nothing. "I suffer from it when I'm stressed."

   He purses his lips briefly, looking as if struggling to decide on something. I refuse to meet his eye again, feeling awkward and wanting nothing more than to be able to sleep, sleep a soundless, undisturbed sleep. I don't want to be near Charles anymore, something about him leaves me unsettled, out of sorts.