First Impressions (Part Seven)

I wasn't as smooth as I thought I was. When I got to where I was headed that day, Emma Frost was waiting for me. Now, I'd never seen her in-person before, as our last encounter hadn't been face-to-face. When I first saw her, I wondered who the lady in the white bustier and cape was, until I heard her speak.

"Ah, Mr. Marcher. You wouldn't happen to know why Mister Keller was flying around the school asking about you, would you?"

Her voice rang familiar in my head, and quickly linked up with all of the other nifty info I'd been getting lately. My blood went cold and the smile was quickly wiped off of my face.

I figured I'd have had at least an hour before I got into trouble.

Whatever. She didn't have anything on me, as long as I played it cool I'd be fine, "Didn't even know he knew who I was," Which was true. Julian didn't know who I was, at least not when we confronted each other. He never said my name once, even when he was rampaging about in search of me.

Miss Frost raised an eyebrow, but otherwise didn't show that she knew anything more than I was saying, "So you didn't, oh… blast him and Mister Vaccarro in the face in the courtyard about ten minutes ago?"

"Sure didn't."

It wasn't in the face. It was in the chest, and it was a baby tap. I more or less shoved him down with my powers. Get it straight if you're going to accuse me of something.

"Don't be a smart-aleck, Mr. Marcher."

Oh, yeah. Telepath. Duh. She can read my mind and all of that good stuff.

"That's right, I am. I'm glad you remember."

Well, it's not like I lied to you. Everything I said was the truth.

"Withholding information is almost the exact same thing."

I stared at her long and hard, the only other verbal thought in my head at the moment being a pronounced, 'Really?' until I finally said something else, "…You know what? I think I'll just start saying whatever comes to mind around you. You're gonna read it anyway, so what does it matter?"

"And what are you thinking about saying right now?"

"That yes, I blew Julian and Santo away, and I'm not sorry," I started answering with no filter, "Those two wanted trouble. They got two barrels full."

"You realize that you're in quite a bit of trouble, don't you?"

"I was expecting to be in the middle of something else by the time anyone who cared found out."

"Yes, well 'best laid plans' and all that," Miss Frost said, sizing me up for whatever reason, "Seeing as how you have an appointment with Hank today, this will be all for now. Rest assured though, Mister Marcher, we will be having words about this later."

I was smart enough to keep my mouth shut and my thoughts limited to a simple, 'alright'. Seemingly pleased for the time being, she departed the room and left me alone.

"Oh, good afternoon, Emma."

"Hank, darling."

Dr. McCoy soon entered in her wake and fixed me with a pitying glance, "Oh, I was wondering what had her looking so miffed."

I let out a sigh. It seemed my luck was still running true with new people when it came to the headmistress of the entire school, "Oh, you know me, doctor. I'm just so great at those first impressions."