Jean Grey

Standing in her house was a woman unlike any she had seen in person before. She had luxurious flowing red hair, and the kind of makeup that the popular girls in her school had always overshot. As the woman's green eyes turned on Ashley, her red lips curled into a smile that made the younger girl tremble a little. Her outfit was casual, a shirt and pants, but she wore it like a fashion model. She seemed almost too beautiful somehow, unnerving Ashley.

"There you are!" Mrs. Ballard said, noticing Ashley, "What are you doing, hurry up and come over here. Sorry, Ms. Grey, she's quite shy, and has some communication issues, but she's a very bright girl." Ashley stepped down the last few steps, and stood at the foot of the hated when her mom talked like that, like she wasn't in the room, but of course, she never said anything.

"Don't worry, it won't be a problem for me, Mrs. Ballard. Now, I need to speak to your daughter alone."

"Of course, Ms. Grey." Ashley watched as her mother walked away, not even stopping to explain who this woman was.

"Hello, Ashley." Ms. Grey said with another smile, "My name is Jean, and I'm here to help you. But first, I should explain." Ashley waited for the explanation, but none seemed forthcoming. Then, the woman held out her purse, and let it go. She drew her hand back, and Ashley stared. The purse hadn't fallen, it was just floating in the air. The woman waved her hand and the purse floated over to Ashley, and she checked it over, trying to find a trick.

"I'm a mutant, Ashley, just like you. I've come to invite you to the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters. A school for people like us. A place we can learn to use our powers, and be safe."

It sounded good, at least at first. Then again, maybe her life would be worse, if everyone there knew what she could actually do.

"Do you know what I can do?" she asked

"No," Jean said, "After observing you for a while, we never saw you use your ability. I have to admit, I'm curious."

Ashley wondered if Jean would believe it if she said that she didn't know. Of course, then she'd have to justify her silence. What if she just said she didn't want to say? Would she accept that? What if Jean was lying about not knowing her power, and this was some kind of test? She had no idea how she'd found her or knew what she was.