The Next Generation

Chapter Eight

Wanda Maximoff POV:
Watching Karah fight with Stark from a distance taught me one thing about her. She was quiet - but only when she wanted to be. Rose talked for her but only because Karah was okay with that. She could have good leadership qualities if she really wanted to. However, she can't talk to a teacher like that and expect to get away with it. Stark wouldn't forget this, I could tell.
I somehow managed to find all of my students and get them back to their dorms. I had to count heads at least three times before I was sure I wasn't going to leave anyone behind.
"I will come and get you soon, one by one, to set up your schedules. Try to think about what electives you want!" I tried to sound optimistic but Karah's obvious hatred still lingered in my mind.
I went through students fairly quickly, there was just a few students who had obviously not given anything any thought. They took much longer and I could already tell the students were regretting their decisions. I don't know them enough to be able to tell what fascinates them the most.
    Karah was in the E's and I was semi-glad to be able to finally discuss the... conversation she had with Stark. As soon as she stepped inside my office, I could tell she knew that we would talk about more than her schedule. She sat uncomfortably on the seat I provided and waited.
    I sighed, I hate these type of conversations but they had to be done by someone. "Can you tell me what you said to Stark that made him so upset?" I tried to be quiet and undemanding but the uncomfortableness stayed in Karah's eyes.
    "I told him he couldn't be a judge of my personality because who was he? And..." Karah shifted in her seat, avoiding my eye. "And he told me that maybe he could because he was Iron Man and I..." Karah met my eye but their was no confidence in her expression, only stubbornness and maybe... just maybe a hint of regret. "I asked him why that was impressive."
    Ah. Stark would take that alone as a challenge but I knew there was something more. The anger on both of their faces had said so. "Continue..." Karah blanched and replied, "There's-theres nothing more-" I tried to give her a knowing glance and that seemed to make her stop lying and continue, however grudgingly. 
    "I-I told him that he only ever 'saved the world' because he was forced to..." Karah didn't try to defend herself and I struggled to hide my surprise.
I was able to say, "Can you... expand?" Karah's expression became hooded once more. "I'm not a fan of the whole Avengers Initiative. There are a lot more battles we can never fight than ones that include aliens and robots."
"I agree." Karah's whole mask melted to show her bewilderment, "Wha-What?" I continued, "That's a conversation we've had many times and continue to have. I understand what you're saying - I've seen desolation and anguish and I know there are ways we could help." "And yet you still hide away?" "In the end, it's not just our decision. There are many different people and organizations who hold a vote for something as big as that. They... they thought it best we do nothing in case we make things worse. We would be doing the same thing the police are doing but with powers."
Karah's anger returned but she spoke quietly, "Can we please just do my schedule?" I spoke softly, "Karah, if there's something you want to talk about, I'm here. Even if you think it will offend me, please say something. You can't keep everything inside forever." Her expression didn't change and she didn't say a word.
I sighed and turned to the computer. "Do you have any idea of what electives you would like to take..."
Karah's POV:
I cursed myself inwardly for continuing the conversation more than it could have gone. Wanda probably thinks I'm crazy and won't want to see me any more than she has to. The Avengers think they're doing the right thing but, once more, who am I to disagree. I came here to get an education and that's what I'll do.
Rose had refused to tell me what electives she picked. It was an 'opportunity to meet new people.' Whatever. I knew Rose would pick Mythology at least so I chose that. Other than that, though... I have no idea. I finally ended up with Technology since Mr. Lang seemed funny enough and I was interested in doing more digital things and tampering with how things worked.
     Wanda was supporting but quiet after our exchange. She handed my schedule and I folded it neatly into my pocket. "Thank you." I turned to leave, them hesitated and asked, "Do you have any idea of what class you're helping?" Wanda nodded and said, "On most days I'll be helping Scott with Technology since I'm decent in that field." Relief and a bit of happiness swelled up in my chest.
    "It'll be nice to have you as one of my teachers." Wanda smiles and understood the deeper meaning: I liked her and thought I could get along with her well as long as we stayed away from the earlier topic. "It will be nice having you as a student." Wanda replied. I smiled back and went to find my room.
    Rose and I compared schedules. Groaning, I saw that my very first class was math with Mr. Stark. Math alone is too much for me to handle so soon in the morning but with him thrown in... yikes. I had been correct about Rose picking mythology and we shared that class along with most of our core classes, all except for science but I could handle that alone. However, she had picked a language with Vision instead of Technology.
     Maybe I can survive this year...