The Dreamweaver Chronicles -- Part V

With a sigh, Chloe opened another moving box. She had been unpacking steadily. The once barren spare room was taken on some homey touches.

Sandra had finally left a few hours ago with several assurances from both Chloe and the professor that the teen would actually be all right. She had promised not to tell Chloe’s father the true nature of the Institute, and Chloe had promised to call once a week. It was a good compromise for both of them.

She organized an armful books on the shelves above her desk. Opening more boxes, she found her alarm clock, her lamp, and the rest of her desk stuff. She then moved on to the duffle bags and began moving her clothes and shoes into the closet.

“Want some help unpacking?”

Chloe turned and smiled at her visitor. “I think I can handle it, Jean, but thanks for the offer.”

“Sure,” she replied with a shrug. “Remember that dinner will be in about an hour.”

“Thanks.”

The redhead moved on, leaving Chloe alone in her room. It was depressing to be in moving into her second new home and about to start her second new school in a month. However, she determined to make it work here.

The hour went by quickly as she emptied the moving boxes. Chloe sat a final picture on top of the dresser, glancing at the familiar faces. ‘Familiar but distant faces,’ she mused.

Her eyes fell on one particular photo. It had been taken after one of the home football games back in the fall. They had won, and everyone had been celebrating.

‘Oh, Xander.’ She traced the edge of his face with of her fingernail. ‘We had no idea that things would end up like this, did we?’

“Chloe, are you in here?”

Startled, the blonde slammed the framed picture back on the dresser. She turned to the door, only to be surprised again. The smiling face of Kitty Pride was in her room but the rest of the girl was still on the other side of the door.

“You didn’t answer when I knocked,” Kitty explained, phasing through the door completely. “It’s time for dinner. And believe me, you definitely want to get there before Kurt has a chance to eat everything.”

Chloe made herself smile. “I’ll try to remember that.”

“Cool, pictures. Do you mind?” However, before Chloe could even give a reply, Kitty was peering at the photographs. “Hey, who’s this? He’s like totally gorgeous.”

It was the same picture that Chloe had been studying. Not wanting to talk about Xander, Chloe took the picture from Kitty and placed it back on the dresser. “He’s just a guy I use to know.”

“Look, I didn’t mean to pry,” Kitty said hurriedly. “Hey, we’d better get downstairs or the professor will send another search party.”

She grabbed Chloe’s hands and phased them both through the floor to the dining room.

* * * * *

Dinner went well as everyone tried their best to make Chloe feel welcome. She appreciated the effort and tried to appear cheerful. Yet, she was still reeling from all the changes that were happening.

‘Take your time, Chloe,’ the professor said, speaking directly into her head. ‘You have every right to feel a little overwhelmed.’

She smiled gratefully at him. After excusing herself, she rose from the table, carrying her plate into the kitchen. Thankfully alone, she ran upstairs to her room to retrieve something before heading to the backyard.

“Did we do something, professor?” Scott asked, noting the girl’s hasty exit.

“No, of course not,” he replied. “Chloe’s been asked to made a lot of changes very quickly. She’s going to need a little time and space.”

Jean smiled sadly. “We have been crowding her. It seemed like one of us was always with her at school today.”

The professor debated how much to reveal from what he had gathered from Chloe’s mind. While the thoughts laid on the surface, they were still her thoughts. She had clearly intended them to be private.

“I think she wouldn’t mind the company at school. However, you all must be aware of her opinions and feelings. If she indicates she wants space, give it to her.”

“We will,” Scott said, speaking for the group.

“I’m sure you will. Now, let’s finish dinner. I know that more than one of you still have homework to complete.”

There were several groans as the students resumed eating.

* * * * *

The flute’s melody drifted on the breeze, seeming to blend in with the growing twilight. Sighing peacefully, Jean shifted closer to Scott. He had definitely noticed and glared at anyone who was tempted to say something.

However, Nightcrawler merely gazed off in the distance, his tail swishing in time to the music. “She’s really good, isn’t she?”

“She must be,” Kitty said. “She had like all these trophies and ribbons and stuff in her room.”

She huffed when she noticed the suspicious looks. “I notice when I went to get her for dinner.”

“Seems like she’s full of surprises,” Rogue drawled. She rose from her chair and went back into the mansion. She barely responded as the others wished her good night.

“If all her surprises are like this, you won’t hear me complain,” Scott said.

Jean frowned, feeling something tugging in her mind. Something about Chloe and surprises. “I hope you’re right, Scott.”

The group fell back into silence and listened to the music.


Settling In With a sigh, Chloe opened another moving box. She had been unpacking steadily. The once barren spare room was taken on some homey touches. Sandra had finally left a few hours ago with several assurances from both Chloe and the professor that the teen would actually be all right. She had promised not to tell Chloe’s father the true nature of the Institute, and Chloe had promised to call once a week. It was a good compromise for both of them. She organized an armful books on the shelves above her desk. Opening more boxes, she found her alarm clock, her lamp, and the rest of her desk stuff. She then moved on to the duffle bags and began moving her clothes and shoes into the closet. “Want some help unpacking?” Chloe turned and smiled at her visitor. “I think I can handle it, Jean, but thanks for the offer.” “Sure,” she replied with a shrug. “Remember that dinner will be in about an hour.” “Thanks.” The redhead moved on, leaving Chloe alone in her room. It was depressing to be in moving into her second new home and about to start her second new school in a month. However, she determined to make it work here. The hour went by quickly as she emptied the moving boxes. Chloe sat a final picture on top of the dresser, glancing at the familiar faces. ‘Familiar but distant faces,’ she mused. Her eyes fell on one particular photo. It had been taken after one of the home football games back in the fall. They had won, and everyone had been celebrating. ‘Oh, Xander.’ She traced the edge of his face with of her fingernail. ‘We had no idea that things would end up like this, did we?’ “Chloe, are you in here?” Startled, the blonde slammed the framed picture back on the dresser. She turned to the door, only to be surprised again. The smiling face of Kitty Pride was in her room but the rest of the girl was still on the other side of the door. “You didn’t answer when I knocked,” Kitty explained, phasing through the door completely. “It’s time for dinner. And believe me, you definitely want to get there before Kurt has a chance to eat everything.” Chloe made herself smile. “I’ll try to remember that.” “Cool, pictures. Do you mind?” However, before Chloe could even give a reply, Kitty was peering at the photographs. “Hey, who’s this? He’s like totally gorgeous.” It was the same picture that Chloe had been studying. Not wanting to talk about Xander, Chloe took the picture from Kitty and placed it back on the dresser. “He’s just a guy I use to know.” “Look, I didn’t mean to pry,” Kitty said hurriedly. “Hey, we’d better get downstairs or the professor will send another search party.” She grabbed Chloe’s hands and phased them both through the floor to the dining room. * * * * * Dinner went well as everyone tried their best to make Chloe feel welcome. She appreciated the effort and tried to appear cheerful. Yet, she was still reeling from all the changes that were happening. ‘Take your time, Chloe,’ the professor said, speaking directly into her head. ‘You have every right to feel a little overwhelmed.’ She smiled gratefully at him. After excusing herself, she rose from the table, carrying her plate into the kitchen. Thankfully alone, she ran upstairs to her room to retrieve something before heading to the backyard. “Did we do something, professor?” Scott asked, noting the girl’s hasty exit. “No, of course not,” he replied. “Chloe’s been asked to made a lot of changes very quickly. She’s going to need a little time and space.” Jean smiled sadly. “We have been crowding her. It seemed like one of us was always with her at school today.” The professor debated how much to reveal from what he had gathered from Chloe’s mind. While the thoughts laid on the surface, they were still her thoughts. She had clearly intended them to be private. “I think she wouldn’t mind the company at school. However, you all must be aware of her opinions and feelings. If she indicates she wants space, give it to her.” “We will,” Scott said, speaking for the group. “I’m sure you will. Now, let’s finish dinner. I know that more than one of you still have homework to complete.” There were several groans as the students resumed eating. * * * * * The flute’s melody drifted on the breeze, seeming to blend in with the growing twilight. Sighing peacefully, Jean shifted closer to Scott. He had definitely noticed and glared at anyone who was tempted to say something. However, Nightcrawler merely gazed off in the distance, his tail swishing in time to the music. “She’s really good, isn’t she?” “She must be,” Kitty said. “She had like all these trophies and ribbons and stuff in her room.” She huffed when she noticed the suspicious looks. “I notice when I went to get her for dinner.” “Seems like she’s full of surprises,” Rogue drawled. She rose from her chair and went back into the mansion. She barely responded as the others wished her good night. “If all her surprises are like this, you won’t hear me complain,” Scott said. Jean frowned, feeling something tugging in her mind. Something about Chloe and surprises. “I hope you’re right, Scott.” The group fell back into silence and listened to the music.


Part VI: Evaluations Back