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I'm working as a day camp counselor for three weeks, starting tomorrow. I'm not sure how much this will affect my posting (seeing as how I'm already a horribly slow poster), but kids can be exhausting. Just a warning that I'll probably be too exhausted to post some of the time.

Alice remained smiling throughout the entire interaction, mostly through a force of habit and a genuine jubilation in meeting new people. She was always open to forging new friendships, even with mysterious boys who hid behind sunglasses. Which, she realized, was odd for her neighbor (introduced as Aiden) to be doing indoors. Not that she would question it. She had been at Xavier's long enough to know to never question those sort of quirks. More often then not, the explanations were mutation-based and quite uncomfortable. She would not be repeating another social faux pas like that, no matter how curious she was.

The young mutant could feel her grin sag a bit when the older boy seemed to reciprocate none of the enthusiasm she was demonstrating. In fact, he seemed like he would rather not hang around her at all, though clearly he had the option of leaving the little nook any time he wanted. The fifteen-year-old furrowed her brows a bit, confused by his demeanor.

Boys were weird.

Aiden's sigh seemed to fill up the entire section of the library they were in. There were so many unspoken feelings contained in the sigh that she almost felt like bolting right then and there. Alice did not like feeling disliked or unwanted, even if from a stranger. But before she could awkwardly escape the situation, the older boy shook her hand and even answered her question about his book.

Again, boys were weird.

Perhaps all was not lost, then. Maybe he was having a bad day and inadvertently taking some of it out on her. She could deal with that. Especially if he was going to introduce her to a new book, something she could always appreciate.

"Fire Bringer. Cool beans. What's it about?" she asked, taking a sip of her chai tea. The cover of Aiden's book entailed some sort of nature theme, but she knew that covers could be misleading.

Rufus was absurdly adorable and quite possibly the friendliest dog Alice had ever met. The way he reacted to her affectionate attention made her grin like mad and giggle with every doggy kiss he gave. She could pet him all day, if he was going to be so wonderful about it.

>> “He actually not my dog. He’s a professional stray, ran away from home a while back and has since worked out a regular system of hand-outs. I just like hanging out with him a lot.”

"Oh wow," the fifteen-year-old responded, giving the German Shepherd even more scritches, "How did you find him?"

Learning that he was homeless certainly led her to examine him much closer, discovering what was perhaps a thinner build than other domesticated dogs and matted fur in the areas of longer growth. However, considering how long he had lived as a stray, Rufus did not quite resemble one. He seemed to be doing well on handouts and care from from kind people like Elizabeth.

"I wish I could take you home with me," Alice chirped to the lovable creature. But she knew she could never take care of him. He would be better off with a few people caring for him than one neglectful, busy teenager. (And plus, she didn't even know if big dogs were allowed at Xavier's.)

>> “Oh, he also loves to play f-e-t-c-h."

The fifteen-year-old giggled as Elizabeth slyly attempted to alert her to Rufus' favorite pastime. It seemed the playful fellow had already figured out what was going on, tail wagging a mile a minute in excitement.

"Then I guess it's time to play!" Alice hopped off the bench and raced towards the nearby grass, scouring between the blades for a stick.

Um. Alice will take part in this. I don't think I have to explain why.

Alice glanced at the boy for a moment more, taking in his features. He looked older than her and not the least bit comfortable. The way he had spoken was sullen and gloomy, and not just in a typical moody teenage way. There was more veracity behind his tone, an indication that his behavior wasn't just an act.

For a second, she pondered if she should join him. He didn't look like he desired any company...but then again, it was her beloved spot. And he did say she could sit, however reluctantly. And who knew? Maybe he was actually just lonely, and having someone around would improve his mood.

"Thanks!" she chirped before happily claiming the adjacent beanbag. She placed the hot mug of tea down and slid down the seat a bit, squiggling around to find a comfortable position. She knocked shoulders and elbows a few times with the boy but hoped he didn't mind. After all, he did agree to share the little alcove. Surely he knew to expect some physical contact.

After some more jostling, she finally settled down, her shoulders lightly brushing his. The fifteen-year-old let out a contented sigh.

"Hey, what's your name?" she whispered, belatedly remembering that that part of the library demanded quiet. Depending on who was on librarian duty, she could really get chewed out if she wasn't careful. "I'm Alice." The young mutant offered a hand to the long-haired boy, partly in jest because of their close proximity. She wasn't so much extending her arm as contracting it to make room.

"Whatcha reading, by the way?"

Today was a book-reading, tea-sipping kind of day, a day to relax in the mansion's library with a good ol' novel and quiet atmosphere. The three story section of the school was an immense blessing to all of the bookworms of Xavier's, and Alice Tyler was intent on spending her entire afternoon there. Summertime meant more time for devouring books she wanted to read and not ones she was forced to for academic purposes. (Getting tested on the action of a novel or play always sucked the fun out of reading it, in her opinion.)

And the best part of the library was that there were certain closed-off sections where no talking was allowed, for the students who wanted to pore over their selected texts in silence. Of course, teenagers being who they are, there was still some whispering here and there, but it was a nice contrast to the chaotic noise of the rest of the mansion. While Alice was no mute wallflower, she could appreciate a nice break from the hustle and bustle every once in a while.

Especially when accompanied by a worn copy of Peter Pan (yes, she was reading it again) and a nice, steaming mug of chai tea.

Though she had spent much time away from Xavier's, she still remembered the way to her favorite spot, walking almost mechanically to the secret alcove hidden behind a particularly large bookshelf. There was a stash of comfy beanbag chairs calling her name--

--except there was someone already sitting on that stash.

"Hey, that's my spot," she said petulantly. Whoops. She immediately regretted the childish words--thinking before speaking was not her forte--but it was too late (and impossible) to unspeak them.

"Uh...I mean. Hi. Do you want to share the spot or...?" There was room for two, if the boy didn't mind the invasion of his personal space.

Thankfully, Elizabeth's reaction was equally as positive, and after some name fumbling, she greeted Alice with a warm smile and compliment. The fifteen-year-old's grin only widened as the exchange continued. Though much time had flown by, to Alice it felt like the two had only seen each other yesterday. The experience they had shared was very memorable, at least.

>> "How’ve you been?"

She took a moment to ponder how to answer the question. She was not sure if honesty would be best in that moment, especially during such a delightful, fluffy reunion. She didn't want to dampen the mood with her self-absorbed teenage angst. But she was also an awful liar...

"I've been...good," she said, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible (and probably failing at it), a placid smile on her face, "Especially since it's summer break!" The last exclamation she made with genuine glee, face brightening at the prospect of three months with no boring lessons and obligations.

>> "Meet any more unsavory individuals?"

The question made her giggle, and she shook her head no. "Nope! But I'm not going to take any chances." She promptly knocked on the wooden bench to jokingly stress her point.

"But anyways, what have you been up to?" Alice asked, scooting a little bit closer to her reunited companion, "Oh, and cool sunglasses."