The Dreamweaver Chronicles -- Part VI

“So, wha do ya think of Bayville High?” Rogue asked as they left their history class.

Chloe shrugged. “It’s my first day. It’s kinda hard to make that decision so soon.”

“Well, ya get use to it after a while.”

The blonde paused as Principal Kelly walked down the hallway, giving the two girls, Chloe in particular, a searching glare. However, a commotion at the water fountain quickly drew his attention. Shaking her head, Chloe walked on.

“Principal Kelly really doesn’t people like us, does he?”

Rogue shrugged. “At least he’s wha he appears to be, unlike some principals we’ve had.”

“Huh?”

“Long story. I’ll tell ya later.”

Chloe grinned. “I’ll hold you to that.”

Suddenly, Rogue was slammed into a row of lockers. A group of jocks laughed. “Mutie freak,” one of them, a blonde, called.

Rogue surged forward. She shoved her sleeve up her arm, baring her dangerous skin. “You wanna try that again?”

Chloe quickly placed herself in front of Rogue, facing the boys. They continued to laugh. The blonde boy, the apparent leader, stepped away slightly from the group.

“I don’t care what you can do,” he declared. “I’m not scared of you.”

“Well, I ain’t scared of you either,” Rogue said.

Chloe stuck her arms out in a desperate bid to keep Rogue back. “If I was you, fella, I’d watch my step.”

The guy laughed. “I don’t think you can tell me to do anything, girl.”

He moved to toward them. However, he tripped on something unseen and fell to the floor. Glancing around him, the boy jumped back to his feet.

The air seemed to crackle around Chloe. The boy tried to back up but stopped as if he had suddenly hit an invisible wall. Then, as if the wall had given in, he stumbled backwards.

“Like I said, you’d better watch your step.” Chloe watched the boy and his friends walk away.

One of them cried “Freak!” over his shoulder. However, the group continued on down the hallway. With a weary sigh, Chloe dropped her arms and turned around.

“Ya shouldna done that,” Rogue said.

“Yeah?” Chloe asked absently, rubbing her forehead. “And what should I have done?”

“I coulda handle it.”

“Hey, ladies, vhat’s up?” Both girls glared at Kurt. “Vhat? Did I miss something?”

“Just a little welcome from the Bayville Mutant Welcoming Committee,” Chloe muttered.

“Oh, man, and on your first day, too,” Kurt said. “Tough break.”

“Yeah, tell me about it. So, does everyone know about you guys and the Institute?”

“It’s kinda hard to keep a low profile when ya make the national news,” Rogue explained. “While most people don’t make a big deal out of it, there are always some jerks.”

Once again, Chloe shook her head. “Well, so much for fitting in.”

* * * * *

Scott and Jean waved them over to a picnic table. However, Kurt spotted Amanda and left to join her. Laughing at his exuberance, Chloe sat down.

“So, Chloe, how’s your first day?” Scott asked.

“Just wonderful.”

Jean and Scott caught the sarcasm, glancing at each other. Chloe pointedly ignored the looks and focused on her sandwich. Rogue sighed as Scott looked at her.

“A few jerks tried to start something in hall,” she explained. “Everything’s fine, though, Scott. So don’t worry.”

“Well, welcome to Bayville, Chloe,” Scott said, letting the hall incident drop.

“Thanks,” she replied with a grin. “However, if I get much more welcomed, I’ll start hitchhiking back to Tennessee.”

Jean frowned. “It will get better, Chloe.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” She stopped, glancing away.

“Chloe, everything all right?”

“Huh?” The girl jerked back to attention. “Oh, yeah. Hey, I forgot something in my locker. I’ll see ya’ll later.”

Leaving her lunch largely untouched, she rose from the table and trotted back toward the school building. The others merely watched her hurried departure. Once she was back inside the building, they exchanged worried looks.

“Okay, that was weird,” Rogue stated.

“Well, maybe it’s like the professor said,” Scott offered. “It’s just going to take her some time to get adjust to everything.”

‘But what if it’s more than that?’ Jean asked herself. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she didn’t want to find out.


Fitting In “So, wha do ya think of Bayville High?” Rogue asked as they left their history class. Chloe shrugged. “It’s my first day. It’s kinda hard to make that decision so soon.” “Well, ya get use to it after a while.” The blonde paused as Principal Kelly walked down the hallway, giving the two girls, Chloe in particular, a searching glare. However, a commotion at the water fountain quickly drew his attention. Shaking her head, Chloe walked on. “Principal Kelly really doesn’t people like us, does he?” Rogue shrugged. “At least he’s wha he appears to be, unlike some principals we’ve had.” “Huh?” “Long story. I’ll tell ya later.” Chloe grinned. “I’ll hold you to that.” Suddenly, Rogue was slammed into a row of lockers. A group of jocks laughed. “Mutie freak,” one of them, a blonde, called. Rogue surged forward. She shoved her sleeve up her arm, baring her dangerous skin. “You wanna try that again?” Chloe quickly placed herself in front of Rogue, facing the boys. They continued to laugh. The blonde boy, the apparent leader, stepped away slightly from the group. “I don’t care what you can do,” he declared. “I’m not scared of you.” “Well, I ain’t scared of you either,” Rogue said. Chloe stuck her arms out in a desperate bid to keep Rogue back. “If I was you, fella, I’d watch my step.” The guy laughed. “I don’t think you can tell me to do anything, girl.” He moved to toward them. However, he tripped on something unseen and fell to the floor. Glancing around him, the boy jumped back to his feet. The air seemed to crackle around Chloe. The boy tried to back up but stopped as if he had suddenly hit an invisible wall. Then, as if the wall had given in, he stumbled backwards. “Like I said, you’d better watch your step.” Chloe watched the boy and his friends walk away. One of them cried “Freak!” over his shoulder. However, the group continued on down the hallway. With a weary sigh, Chloe dropped her arms and turned around. “Ya shouldna done that,” Rogue said. “Yeah?” Chloe asked absently, rubbing her forehead. “And what should I have done?” “I coulda handle it.” “Hey, ladies, vhat’s up?” Both girls glared at Kurt. “Vhat? Did I miss something?” “Just a little welcome from the Bayville Mutant Welcoming Committee,” Chloe muttered. “Oh, man, and on your first day, too,” Kurt said. “Tough break.” “Yeah, tell me about it. So, does everyone know about you guys and the Institute?” “It’s kinda hard to keep a low profile when ya make the national news,” Rogue explained. “While most people don’t make a big deal out of it, there are always some jerks.” Once again, Chloe shook her head. “Well, so much for fitting in.” * * * * * Scott and Jean waved them over to a picnic table. However, Kurt spotted Amanda and left to join her. Laughing at his exuberance, Chloe sat down. “So, Chloe, how’s your first day?” Scott asked. “Just wonderful.” Jean and Scott caught the sarcasm, glancing at each other. Chloe pointedly ignored the looks and focused on her sandwich. Rogue sighed as Scott looked at her. “A few jerks tried to start something in hall,” she explained. “Everything’s fine, though, Scott. So don’t worry.” “Well, welcome to Bayville, Chloe,” Scott said, letting the hall incident drop. “Thanks,” she replied with a grin. “However, if I get much more welcomed, I’ll start hitchhiking back to Tennessee.” Jean frowned. “It will get better, Chloe.” “I’ll take your word for it.” She stopped, glancing away. “Chloe, everything all right?” “Huh?” The girl jerked back to attention. “Oh, yeah. Hey, I forgot something in my locker. I’ll see ya’ll later.” Leaving her lunch largely untouched, she rose from the table and trotted back toward the school building. The others merely watched her hurried departure. Once she was back inside the building, they exchanged worried looks. “Okay, that was weird,” Rogue stated. “Well, maybe it’s like the professor said,” Scott offered. “It’s just going to take her some time to get adjust to everything.” ‘But what if it’s more than that?’ Jean asked herself. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she didn’t want to find out.


Part VII: Evaluations Back