Let's talk about something else

[summersspawn]

Sound of shuffling paper

"Let's start this session out with some 'getting to know you' questions. Is that ok with you, Sara?"

"Fine with me, Doc. As long as I don't have to write an essay."

"No essays. But I would like to ask you about school."

"Ok. What about it? I'm glad I'm going to be graduating this year..."

"You don't like school?"

"No, it's ok. I'm just ready to be done with it."

"I see here that you spent a semester in public school while you were staying with your grandparents..."

"Yeah. Xavier's was way better."

"You didn't enjoy the change of scenery? The chance to meet a new group of kids?"

"Not particularly." Audible sigh "And I suppose you want me to tell you why. Ok. First off, it sucks being the new kid. Everyone stares at you, and asks a lot of questions. I really don't like talking about myself that much, you know?"

Chuckle "Go on."

"Plus, I really couldn't tell them that much. I don't like lying to people."

"You felt you had to lie?"

"Of course. I'm not ashamed of being a mutant, and I don't care who knows. But I didn't want to cause any problems for Grandma and Grandpa Grey. All their real friends know... about Mom, and Dad, and me and Ray and Nate, but people... humans... can get weird about that. I didn't want to be responsible for some jerk spray painting the garage, or sticking up a big, burning 'X' on the lawn, or poisoning their dog, or... worse."

"I see. And I understand that."

"Besides. Xavier's is way more fun. Like, instead of just reading about Africa or watching a film, we hopped in the Blackbird and went to visit Aunt 'Ro and see Kilimanjaro up close. You don't get to see a herd of live giraffes or lions outside of a cage in regular schools."

"No, I suppose you don't. So, you enjoyed growing up at Xavier's?"

"Dad told you to ask me that, didn't he? Yeah, of course I did. Xavier's is awesome. I know Dad has this guilt thing, and Mom does too, they think they weren't around enough, they think I didn't have a 'normal' childhood. I wouldn't have had it any other way."

"It's very important to you, that they not worry about you, isn't it? We talked about that last session."

"Well, yeah. They've got plenty to worry about that isn't me."

Long pause

"I'm fine. I'm Sara. I look out for other people."

Long pause

"Let's talk about something else."