Lux (C.XavierXOC)

Chapter Five

Charles walked me to my room that night and kissed me on the cheek before heading to his own. It took me awhile to calm my frazzled nerves from the eventful evening. I learned that I am able to shoot beams of light from my hands, I just have to learn to control it now. I also had my first kiss and it was with the amazing man down the hall. What's more, is that I no longer wanted to push my feelings for him away. I wanted to explore... whatever this was... and I hope he wanted the same.

The next morning when I went down for breakfast, the chatter in the kitchen stopped when they all spotted me. I know why they stopped talking and I know why they stared. I walked into the kitchen without my gloves and my pearly white hands were on full display. I stomped down the uncomfortable feeling and sat down with a plate of eggs and bacon. Alex and Sean are the only ones who haven't seen them and were staring the most.

"Fallon, your hands are-" Sean started but was interrupted by Raven.

"Beautiful." She said with a proud smile.

"I think they're pretty wicked." Alex said, spooning some scrambled eggs into his mouth, "What did you say your codename was again?"

"I didn't." I said quietly and looked around at all the faces.

Alex and Sean looked impressed. Erik was smirking and Moira has a genuine smile. Hank, Raven, and Charles looked extremely proud at this huge step out of my comfort zone. I'd like to say I didn't know where the confidence came from but I did. After last night, something in me shifted and I just felt more relaxed, assured, and secure in my own skin. It wasn't just the kisses either, it was all of it.

"Well out with it! We all want to know." Sean said a little bit more exuberantly than I expected.

I cleared my throat and spoke a little louder than what they were used to from me, "Lux. I thought my codename could be Lux."

"Fitting." Erik said.

I felt the tension leave my shoulders as everyone went back to their previous conversations. That wasn't as bad as I expected it to be. I glanced across the table to Charles and sent a him a small smile to return the one he was giving me. I then went back to eating my breakfast as I listened to the happy chatter going on around me. Sean was very excited to start honing his own abilities today.

After breakfast I went to the gravel roadway with Charles and Hank. I left them to their own devices as I stretched and went for my run. I was running and stopping every few minutes just like yesterday. I always knew I was a slow runner as well but just about gave up when Hank flew by me, nearly knocking me over. I put my hands on my knees as I watched him quickly disappear around the corner of the castle. Who runs that fast?!

I began running again and lasted a few minutes more before returning to my room for a shower. True to Charles' word, I no longer had to go to the weight room. So I showered and put on my regular clothes before doing my hair.

I put on high-waisted, black, ankle pants. These pants had four golden buttons on the abdomen. I put on a black chiffon sleeveless blouse that tied tight around the waist but was looser around the bust. This blouse was styled so I could tie a bow around the neck as well. I put on my black flats and left my hair in black and white waves. I wanted to look particularly pretty today which is something I never put much thought in before.

I was ready by the time lunch rolled around. I wasn't all that hungry but I still wanted to be around the others. I went back to the kitchen, only no one was in there except Raven. She was pouring herself a glass of water and looked me up and down when she saw me.

"You've always been pretty but you really stepped up your game. And still no gloves? What's the occasion?" She teased, though it seemed forced.

I blushed and rubbed my left bicep with my right hand, "No occasion. I just wanted to look nice."