And you are? (Nick)

[swayyahs2]

Now that the day's classes had come to an end, Paris made her way to the library to get in some studying. She had a history exam coming up and knew this instructer was a stickler for detail. It was made clear there was to be no multiple choice questions, all would be short-answer. Paris could handle it, afterall academics came naturally to her and she needn't cram information to get an "A".

She entered the quiet room and made a silent trek towards the back. The back provided a quiet spot and there weren't alot of peers sitting back there; perfect for her. Paris cleared a spot on a deserted desk that someone seemed to have left magazines behind on. She stacked them and set them to the side out of her way. She sat and brought out her history notes.

If she had been perfectly honest with herself, she had been slacking up on the amount of time spent on studying lately. She couldn't let her grades slip beyond a "B" though, her parents would flip! History wasn't her best subject and she had to really buckle down to memorize the notes.

Paris's eyes flickered over notes and she seem to settle in until a fly came and landed on her notes. She swatted it away only for it to land on her arm. She went to bring her hand down on top of it only to miss it entirely and swat herself on the arm.

She blacked out instantly....ZZZZ.

[Nicholas Kells]

Nick had been looking for more excuses to spend time around Hammel lately, but he still needed to work for his actual job at some point. Luckily no one seemed to mind him spending time there. Every once in a while some kid would wander by to annoy him for a bit. But he was always pleasant enough. After all, he never knew when a possibly recruit might be walking by.

He had his papers spread around the table. Most of them were work-related since he had a report due at the end of the week. But the one his eyes kept glancing back to was recent statistics on Hammel and the surrounding community. This was the place he needed to be if he was going to make a difference in the world. Especially a difference that he would approve of.

He noticed the young girl walk in, but didn’t take much notice of her at first. What he wouldn’t do to get his hands on some of the more confidential student files lying around this building…

But when she swatted herself and black out, he found a reason to be interested. He approached her a little cautiously. He was a little worried that she might have hurt herself, after all he was a father and he could care about young kids. Even if only for a brief moment before he reminded himself that she was sub-human. Not like his daughter. Not like him.

“Hey,” he said, sitting down in a chair at her table. “Hey kid. You okay?” He reached out his hand but wasn’t sure he should touch her. There was no knowing what she could do to him.

[swayyahs2]

Paris's eyes flickered open moments later and she sat up quickly. She noticed the man instantly sitting across from her, reaching toward her.

"Don't touch me!" She yelled, louder than she had meant to.

Oh crap! she'd done it again. This would make the fourth or fifth time since arriving at Hammel. Luckily for her she hadn't put any other students or teachers to sleep...yet. How could she'd been so stupid to swat herself. There's goes atleast three minutes of her study time. Her eyes went back to the man sitting across from her and she flashed an apologetic smile.

"Sorry" She apologized." I didn't mean to yell.I'm just...just...I..".

Her eyes went to the ceiling briefly as if trying to find an excuse up there to choose from. None clearly coming to mind, she'd try to change the subject.

"I'm Paris" She finally said.

Introducing herself was the first thing to come to mind and she hoped he wouldn't go back to what just happened.

[Nicholas Kells]

Nick jumped back, ready to defend himself when the girl woke up yelling at him. He didn’t like showing weakness. But these freaks, especially the young ones, were so unstable. He managed to hide his anger as he placed his hands on the edge of the table away from the girl. Don’t they teach these kids any sort of manners, or respect? he wondered.

Taking a deep breath, he managed to put a concerned smile on his face. “Okay,” he said. “I won’t touch you.” He glanced down to where his hands sat on the edge of the table, a safe distance away. “See?”

Things started to click in Nick’s head as the girl searched for the end of her sentence. She had knocked herself out, just with the touch of her hand? And apparently it worked on others as well if she was worried about him touching her. Something like that would be useful. Who needed a taiser if they had this girl in their back pocket?

“Nicholas Kells,” he said smiling to her. “Pleased to meet you.” He held out his hand to shake hers, even though he knew he couldn’t touch her. Smiling bashfully, he withdrew it after a second. “Sorry. You’ve got quite a talent there.”

[swayyahs2]

Watching where he placed his hands put her a little at ease. Good! atleast he wouldn't make an attempt to touch her. Apparently today her power wanted to have fun. She'd have to be very cautious the rest of the day atleast until she made it back to her dorm room.

Did he just say talent? Was he on to her already!?!

"Talent? I don't know what your talking about" Paris said, trying to save face but probably failed miserably.

She hated lying and didn't do it too often. She looked at the man sitting across from her and studied him. He seemed very confident that he knew something about her. She didn't know know whether to scowl or sigh in frustration. She should just fess up already, he didn't look like he was ready to let the subject drop.

"Okay dude. You got me" Paris said finally." but talent? Heck no! A talent is singing or dancing". She gestured to herself." I have an affliction".

Kind of harsh that she thought of herself that way but if we were being completely honest...it was the truth.

[Nicholas Kells]

Nick couldn’t believe his luck. This was the second time he’d had a real conversation with any of the students. And it was the second time he’d discovered a meta who hadn’t developed a big head, thinking they were better than everyone else for being freaks of nature.

He smiled when she tried lie to him. Not only because he sensed she was almost ashamed of being a meta, but also because she was so bad at it. Although Nick was proud of his own ability to lie well, he didn’t appreciate the talent in others as much.

“Affliction?” he asked. Deciding to ignore that she had called him ‘dude’ for the moment. “Is that what they teach you to call it here?” He shook his head in mock disappointment. “Some people would give a lot to have that sort of gift at their fingertips.”

He smiled as he leaned back in his chair to get comfortable. “But I guess it’s hard when you’re new to it,” he offered.

[swayyahs2]

"Dude. I call it an affliction. It's my opinion and I'll stand by it" Paris said and then frowned when he told her that others would love to have the powers the metas have." If I could, I'd gladly give those people my power, then my life could go back to the way it was. If it wasn't for that accident...".

Paris cut herself off. She's never told anybody about the accident that bought her a one way ticket here. She wasn't about to start now with some guy she just met.

She sighed and spoke again." Tell these people that want so badly to be a meta....that the grass isn't always green on the other side. We're looked at as freaks and all the above. Who'd want to live everyday knowing they weren't truly accepted by the world".

She grew quiet. It's the most she's ever shared her feelings with anyone other than her diary. Maybe it was the fact they didn't know each other that caused her to spill some of the contents of her heart. Whatever it was, she was done sharing.

She plastered on a smile and said." Damn dude, I'm sorry. I realize your not Dr. Phil or anything."

He's probably so weirded out now.

[Nicholas Kells]

Nick took a deep breath and forced himself to keep the smile on his face as she called him ‘dude’…again. Lack of respect is the reason the youth of today are falling apart, he thought to himself. I guess I shouldn’t expect them to have any.

At least she was stuck on an opinion that he didn’t feel the need to talk her out of. He wished he knew what the accident was that she mentioned, but decided to final it away for later use. He didn’t want to push her too much just yet.

Again, he thanked his lucky stars for her attitude towards being a meta. He could tell she was a little worried about venting so much towards him from her silence. Smiling he leaned back in his chair and shrugged. “I know I’m no Dr. Phil,” he said. “But I don’t mind. Really.” And he didn’t really. He didn’t want to be some old balding idiot on a TV show. And he didn’t mind the swearing either. But this dude thing…

“I have to admit, it does look nice from this side of the fence. But I’m not sure I’d want to wear your shoes.” He paused, watching her carefully to gage her reaction.

“And please, call me Mr. Kells. Or Nick.” Enough of this ‘dude’ crap.

[swayyahs2]

Paris looked at Nick and nodded but he'd have to understand she wouldn't be doing anymore venting around him; understanding or not.

"I'm sure you wouldn't want to wear my shoes either, I'm wearing heels" Paris said and ginned at her joke before becoming serious again." Well you can keep on thinking its nice on this side. Your entitled to your opinion even if it's wrong".

Paris smiled sheepishly at his correction of his name." Sorry Du- I mean...Nick".

Paris stretched and closed her history notes, didn't look like she would be finishing studying here afterall. This Nick guy was sort of a welcome distraction.

"Who are you anyway?" Paris questioned." Are you employed here?".

[Nicholas Kells]

Nick smiled politely at her joke, but paused before addressing the rest of her comment. His jaw tightened ever so slightly when Paris told him he was wrong, but it was doubtful she would notice. He was debated tell her that even if the view looked nice, he knew the reality. That metas were subhuman freaks. And he wouldn’t change his life for any one of theirs. Ever.

“It’s okay,” he said, forcing out a laugh. “I’m just too old to feel worthy of the ‘dude’ label.” Seeing that the papers she pushed away for history, Nick grinned a little. It still amazed him sometimes that this school taught the students normal subjects like math and science. As if these kids had much of a chance at a normal life.

“Not exactly,” Nick said. He knew at some point he would have to come up with a reasonable excuse for why he spent some much time around the school. “I work in town. For an organization closely linked to the school. I’m just around to check things out.”

Hopefully that would be enough.

[swayyahs2]

Paris giggled." The only way your not a dude is if you weren't a dude, if you catch my drift."

Paris raised an eyebrow as he attempted to explain himself. She knew he was leaving out info but unknowingly to him she was an inquisitive person, and inquisitive people tended to ask alot of questions.

"What's the name of the organization and what are you checking out? is it illegal? is it something I can go to the authorities about? Gee, I hope I won't have to turn you in because you seem like a nice guy even though I know looks can be deceiving" Paris spouted off.

She knew she was asking alot but it was her nature.

Paris continued." So please, do share. I promise not to snitch and it can stay between us".

For extra emphasis,even if it was childish, she presented her pinky to him." We don't have to touch pinkies, but I pinky promise".

[Nicholas Kells]

Nick smiled, but inside he was starting to wonder if chatting with this girl would be worth it. “I suppose you’re right about that.”

The questions didn’t really bother him. He had a daughter of his own, so he was used to curious children. Of course there was no way her would ever consider his daughter anything like these kids.

“Operation Patriot,” he said. “And don’t worry it’s a government organization, so you don’t have to worry about it being illegal.” He was sure there were some adults who would disagree with that statement. Hippies and such. No wonder there were so many problems with this country.

Pinky promise, he thought. So young and naive. So ripe for molding.

“How are you studies going here at Hammel?” he asked, gesturing towards the pile of papers on the table.

[swayyahs2]

Operation Patriot. She turned the name over in her mind. Sounds a bit rebellious if not scandelous.

"Sounds knd of dark and mysterious"Paris commented outloud." Hmm...I guess I can take your word for it."

"Studies?...OH!" Paris looked down at her history notes. She'd completely forgotten about them." I'm normally a straight "A" student, but I've been slipping since I got here. Just been distracted is all. Now I'm trying to get back on track before my Parents notice, though I'm not speaking to them much".

It was true. She was still a little peeved at her Parents for shipping her off without a fight.

"Dude, I mean Nick, I take my studies very seriously. It pisses me off when people are ignorant by choice".

[Nicholas Kells]

Nick raised an eyebrow question. How could a name like Operation Patriot sound dark? It had Patriot right in the title. Kids today, he thought. No trust in their own government.

Nick offered Paris a smile. For a moment he wondered about what kind of a parent would ship their children off to this school. Although he guessed they didn’t have much of a choice. He knew some families chose to make the move along with their children. But still, it had to be rough. No way he’d send Rachel off without a fight.

“Well, keeping up with your studies is important.” Nick said. “I know that sounds cliché, but it really is important. And I couldn’t agree more about ignorant people. It’s a poor refection on the rest of society.” Which was true. Ignorant people were pretty high up on Nick's list of hated people, under metas of course.

“If you don’t mind me asking, why are your fighting with your parents?” Nick asked. If she could be curious, then so could he.

[swayyahs2]

Paris agreed." Exactly! it is a poor reflection of society, but not just society, it's also a poor reflection of one's self. I've never been one to agree with the saying "Ignorance is Bliss". Truthfully it's not. Ignorance can cause serious problems. Luckily for me I understand that".

Then he asked about her Parents. She hadn't been thinking much about them lately. From the outside their issues could seem so trivial, but to Paris, her frustration over the turn of events was justified. They basically showed her they wouldn't always be on her side, and it angered her to no end. Maybe one day in the future they could hash out the problem between them but Paris wasn't ready to forgive and forget just yet.

She sighed and sort of shrugged." Just a big blow-up between us. Without going into major detail, they basically proved to me they wouldn't always have my back. It angers me everytime I think about it. Most parens would fight tooth and nail for their kids, mine didn't. No, I'm not ready to get over it. I much rather just not think about it or them. They're continuing with their lives and I'm trying to continue with mine. That's it".

In a nutshell, she was keeping herself distracted from thinking of them. Though, she did miss her little brother and sister. They have to be so confused. She wished she'd actually taken the time to sit them down and explain everything.