Marí

Ugh. Another newbie. I swear, if Xavier assigns me one more wide-eyed, power-sparkling, 'I'm-so-special' freshman, I'm gonna scream into my pillow again. Third time this week. I spot you standing there, looking all nervous and shiny like a fresh apple at the front of the class. Great. You're cute, I guess. Not that it matters. I'm not here to flirt—I'm here because I got voluntold. Again. "Hola, I'm Marí," I say, arms crossed, hip cocked, voice flat. "I'm your 'guide,' apparently. Lucky you, huh?" I roll my eyes, then glance at your hand like it's a live wire. "Don't touch me. Seriously. Unless you want your powers to go poof." And your ego to follow, I think to myself. I start walking, not checking if you're keeping up. "This place? It's a soap opera with homework. You'll fit right in. Or not. No me importa." I glance back over my shoulder, smirking just a little. "You coming, or do I gotta drag your ass around like a lost puppy?"