Regrowing Fins (Isaac Marcotte)

[Angela Chambers]

Angie had always loved swimming. It was freeing in a way. When she was younger, she’d often imagine she was a mermaid in the sea and swim far, far away. That is until she came to the realization that mermaids were simply the imagination of child’s play. Then she had pretended she was any sort of underwater creature. Usually a dolphin or a fish. But she often got the most looks when she had pretended to be an octopus or squid, because she’d flail her arms and legs around under the clear water.

But it didn’t matter what she pretended she was. It always led to her imagining a world away from her family. Or rather her parents and their hatred for all things. A hate that she had never expected to be turned toward her. But then again, she wasn’t exactly surprised that it had happened either. That didn’t make it hurt any less though.

Sitting at the edge of the pool, Angie allowed her feet to dangle in the cool water. She had the towel very tightly secured around her, directly underneath her arms. The young girl remembered the very last time she’d gone for a swim. The last time her mother had taken her and her siblings to the pool during the awfully hot and sticky summer back home.

She hadn’t thought Hammel would have a pool. So she didn’t bring her suit with her. Plus… She didn’t want people seeing the scars along her back. But the pool was empty. It was night anyway. How many people would be looking for a late night swim anyway?

With a deep breath, she let go of her towel and lowered herself into the pool. Angie was sure to be careful though, keeping her back against the wall of the pool as her feet kicked to keep her afloat.

[Isaac Marcotte]

Isaac strolled through his new campus trying not to look as scared and confused as he was. The last thing he wanted was for the local bullies to realize he was a weak new kid. Isaac had never had first hand experience of such bullying, and he did not plan to.

To avoid being picked out as the weakest of the herd, Isaac had spent his first day learning how to imitate the students' body language; how they walk, talk, sit etc. He spent half an hour practicing holding his head the correct height. His natural instinct was to hang his head as much as possible, and pray no one noticed him. But he knew this would be interpreted as a sign of weakness.

He had to concentrate on keeping his shoulders strait as he entered the Hammel Gym. Left to their own devices his shoulders would hunch so much his back would end up permanently bent. Isaac felt so alone. He was nearly a thousand miles from home with no friends or even acquaintances. All he wanted to do was curl into a ball and die.

To take his mind off his morose thoughts he concentrated on keeping his strides long and determined. He had to make it look as if he were going somewhere. Otherwise some one was bound to question him. In truth Isaac had been completely turned around. He had no idea where he was or how in the world he would get back to his dorm room. But he wouldn't let any one know that.

A small group of giggling girls were going the opposite way through the hall. Isaac forced himself to make eye contact for a brief moment before looking forward again. As the girls passed a fresh wave of giggling erupted. Isaac was sure that the girls were giggling at him. They must have realized how weak and alone he was. In his mind's eye he saw the girls turning around after they passed him; pointing, staring, laughing at his cloths.

Isaac couldn't stand the thought. He had to get away. He quickly turned and purposefully opened the first door he saw. Acting as if this were his entire reason for entering the gym he walked through it. Only after he stepped in did he think that he might have entered a closet, or worse a girl's locker room. He hoped to god it wasn't a locker room.

His prayer was answered. He was in a pool room. A very nice one in fact. And what was better was that he seemed to be very much alone. He climbed up onto the bleachers and stared up at the peaceful ripples of light on the dancing ceiling.

[Angela Chambers]

Ok, this wasn't so bad. The entire place was empty. Nobody to see her. Nobody to talk to her. It was nice. Relaxing. And the water was comforting. Like an old friend she hadn't seen in a while. Not that she knew what that was like. She'd never had friends before. And she imagined if she went any extended length of time without seeing that she wouldn't be hesitant about seeing him. So maybe comparing the water to an old friend wasn't quite the perfect analogy she had thought it might have been.

But it was nice all the same. Though she was a little uneasy. Despite the fact that he back was against the side of the pool, she was still afraid. Bell did often make it a habit of his of hiding and taking pictures at the most... unfortunate times. And she doubted that her friend, her only and best friend, would let her get away without finally telling him about her past. It was a conversation she was hoping to put off for as long as possible though. But not talking about it often leave her with a gnawing feeling.

She'd been perfectly content. Floating there and wallowing in self-pity. And she heard the door open. Using her hands against the wall of the pool, she lowered herself as much as she could while still leaving her mouth and nose about to be able to breath. Listening carefully, she paid attention to the person's footsteps. And they weren't heading to the locker room, which she took to mean she wouldn't have a companion in the pool. Which she delighted in. But she did hear the climb of steps up the metal bleachers.

'Oh thank god.' she thought and tried to relax a bit more. Now the question was whether or not to engage them. Surely he or she wouldn't be here that long, right? But what if they were? She couldn't stay in the pool, turning water until this person decided to leave. And how weird would it be it sit in a completely silent area, an area you thought you had all to yourself, until somebody crawled out of the pool.

With her mind now made up, the girl squeezed her eyes shut. Yes, simply saying hi to a stranger was somewhat a hurtle for her. And it did take a moment of talking herself up to be able to find her voice though. But eventually she did it. "Hello?" she called quietly into out into the room. So quiet she wasn't entirely sure they'd be able to hear. "Is somebody there?" She called louder. It was an inane question, since she knew the answer. But it would be enough to break the ice... Right?

[Isaac Marcotte]

Isaac stared at the light on the ceiling. It bounced back and forth according to the whims of the water below. The room was completely silent except for the occasional splash and its echos. The peacefulness of the room was almost hypnotic, in fact Isaac was almost falling asleep when he heard a very small, scared, almost sad “hello.” The sort of hello that dreads the compulsory response that is sure to come from the other person. The sort that shudders at the thought of having to converse with another person. Isaac nearly fell out of the bleachers in shock. He had been so sure that he was alone.

Then, slightly louder, but still very small, "Is somebody there?" The speaker sounded like a little girl who had just seen a monster in her closet.

Well OBVIOUSLY, Yes, Someone IS here, Isaac wanted to say. If there were one thing Isaac hated it was those idiotic questions that stupid people insist on asking. In this situation Isaac could not think of a more useless comment to make than “Is somebody there?” Unless she was deaf in one ear, and somehow missed seeing him walk all the way from the door to the bleachers (highly unlikely) she knew he was there.

Isaac felt so much better after venting his anger toward this unknown girl. He stood up, and after spotting the girl, waved in her direction. “O hi!” he said in what he hoped to be a very cheery friendly voice, “sorry to disturb you I was just enjoying the peacefulness of the pool room” Isaac flashed her a smile. People like smiles, even fake smiles,...Isaac could never figure out why.

Isaac felt so much better once he put on a mask of friendliness. Reality was being very unkind to him, but he was free of reality now. He was whomever he wanted to be right now. His current circumstances had no effect on him. “This room is great. The way the light dances on the ceiling is almost hypnotic. Don't you think? The echos are great too. I come down here every chance I get.” Isaac flashed her a second smile.

[Angela Chambers]

When she heard the response, a small whine came from her. She’d been hoping very badly that she’d been wrong. That nobody had come into the pool area. Perhaps she was hearing things. Maybe even going crazy? Yes, for somebody like Angie going crazy was much more preferable than interacting with somebody. Somebody roughly her own age anyway. Kids her age… Well they tended to be very different than she was. And different in a way that she didn’t particularly enjoy.

“Hi.” She said back to him, following his voice up to where he was in the bleachers. His voice may have been lively and bright, her own voice was still meek. If voices brought imagines to mind, the imagine Angie’s would bring about would be of a frail, older woman. Weak-kneed and perhaps with a hint of suffering. And her voice portrayed all one needed to know who she was as a person.

She took note of his smile, yes. People did generally like smiles. It was something she tried to do more often once coming to Hammel. And she tried it now too. But her forced smiles weren’t nearly as natural looking as his. Hers was stiff and strained. Very similar to how a person might use a mirror to check for food in his or her teeth if nobody else were around. “Oh you aren’t disturbing me. It is very peaceful in here.” Or at least it had been, she thought to herself.

Listening as he spoke, Angie simply watched him. It was one of her more favorite things to do, watch people. But she suspected that was because she was getting better at drawing people. Eyes were still a bit of a challenge. She found it difficult to convey the life somebody’s eyes had onto a piece of paper. Perhaps she’d sketch this boy too when she went back to her room. He’d become one in a large collection of students she’d drawn in her sketchbook.

“The light?” Looking up at the ceiling, it perplexed her as to why somebody might come to the pool to stare at the ceiling. But she watched for a moment and supposed it was a bit hypnotic. “Oh.. I uh guess you’re right. I’ve never been in here. Well before. Because obviously I am now.” Another smile? This time, she kept her lips pressed together and only raised the corners slightly. It wasn’t nearly as awful looking as the first. But that didn’t say much.

Still treading water, Angie leaned her head against the pool wall behind her in exasperation. It was just another reason why she didn’t like conversing with others. For whatever reason, she ended up sounding like a bumbling idiot. “Angie. That’s my name.” She couldn’t help but roll her eyes at herself. “I’m a freshman. I’ve only been here since December.” In normal conversations, this would lead to him sharing similar information. Right? Because to be honest, she wasn’t sure.

[Isaac Marcotte]

The girl was obviously not very pleased that her solitude had been infringed upon. That much was apparent. Also apparent was the sadness in her voice. There was something extremely pitiful in the way she said “You aren’t disturbing me.” Something had happened to the girl. Something big had caused that well of sadness, and Isaac wasn’t sure he wanted to know what it was.

Less evident but far more interesting was the way she looked at him after she spoke. Isaac felt as if he were being looked through; as if the girl were a scientist looking at an intriguing microbe. Though the girl talked like a weak old lady the way she looked at him was very methodical. It was almost disturbing. Isaac survived by never letting anyone see who he was, but this girl was looking at his sole. Very quickly Isaac’s imagination took control; he imagined that this girl actually did see who he was. That she some how saw through his masks. Isaac calmed himself. He was imagining things. She was just looking at him; that was all.

Yes you are here right now. Is today state the obvious day or something? Because if it is, you don't have any food stuck in your teeth, but I think you might have a stomach ache. You look better now but a second ago you looked like hell. Isaac was itching to say this and more, but he refrained. No point in getting on her bad side so soon.

“Angie. That's my name.” Isaac couldn't believe that she had just said that. Is there a more idiotic way to state one's name. How hard is it really to just say “My name is Angie.” it is exactly the same number of words. Unless you count the contraction as two, or one and a half words...it probably should be considered one and a half words... So that just means my point is even more valid.

As Isaac was debating the overall value of a contraction verses the actual two words Angie said something. Isaac didn't quite know what but he heard the word freshman...or at least he though he did. She was looking at him again. The same sort of piercing look; as if she were seeing his essence. Isaac shuddered. He should probably say something.

“I'm new here. I just found out about my power a week ago.” the words had left his mouth before he even thought about them. For the entire conversation so far he had had the upper hand. Now she knew that he was on the bottom of the social ladder; the newest of the new kids. Even she a freshman had social dominance over him. He decided that the best coarse of action was to change the topic as fast as possible. “So what's your power?” he asked. “I can duplicate myself.” Isaac had no idea that this topic might be considered taboo, especially for people who had just met each other.

[Angela Chambers]

It was good that Isaac didn’t want to know the cause of sadness in Angie’s voice, that he didn’t question her about it. If he had, her reaction wouldn’t have been a pleasant one. She had yet to talk to anybody about what exactly had caused it. Not Officer Ryans, not Dr. Neville, and certainly not Bell. But she thought about it constantly. Always saw her parents’ anger at her for something she had no control over. Saw their faces. But at moments when she interacted with others, for a moment they, those thoughts and images, were gone. And to ask would only bring them back again.

When she looked so intensely at him, it wasn’t because she saw him as an experiment or was trying to see his soul. But the explanation was much more simply. Details. She was looking for little details about him to add to her drawing. The way he held himself. The way his hair fell. Or even the way his shirt and pants fit him. But eyes were given her the hardest time. And it was that reason she was looking directly into his eyes. Much longer than what was considered socially acceptable. Though, the girl knew little about what was acceptable or not in the social world. She was attempting to mesmerize the shape of his eye and their color. Color was probably the most difficult. She could never get a person’s eye color exactly right and it was maddening. Eyes said so much about a person all.

Angie’s for example, they were never quite opened entirely. Unless Bell said something that was entirely inappropriate that was related to… certain physical acts. And she thought the corners kind of drooped a tad. But she thoroughly liked their color. Nearly emerald green. And she particularly liked them set against her pale skin. But she could’ve done without the almost constant light purple-bluish bags underneath them. Purely from lack of sleep.

It was perplexing to the girl when he didn’t share his name. She’d have enough interaction with people to know that it was customary for him to have done so. Maybe he had a silly name that he didn’t particularly like? Parents did that sometimes. There had been a boy in her class whose middle name was Hulk. She’d always felt a little ounce of pity for him.

Snapping back to attention, she heard him say he was new here. “Oh… Well… Um… It’s nice enough here. People are…” Why had she said that? She didn’t know what the people were like. She didn’t talk to them. Shrugging, she finished lamely. “They’re nice enough I suppose.” But honestly, she judged that based on the fact that she wasn’t pointed and laughed at. They could’ve been talking about her, saying nasty and horrible things behind her back, and she wouldn’t know.

Angie knew neither of what was socially acceptable among Metas. So whether or not he was being rude, didn’t occur to her. But she did think of her power as generally… stupid. It was a worthless ability. “Well… It’s not as interesting as duplication. And it’s kinda gross if you think about it. If you’re squeamish at least.” After shrugging her slender shoulders, she added, “Anatomic separation. I can detach and reattach body parts.”

“So what’s your name?” She tried again, hoping that he wouldn’t be upset if it were a silly name that he was embarrassed by.

[Isaac Marcotte]

“Oh… Well… Um… It’s nice enough here. People are…They’re nice enough I suppose.” that wasn't exactly a stunning review. What does that mean any way? “Nice enough”? Seemed so vague almost anything could fit under the category. Was “nice enough” really the best she could say about the people here? That is not a good sign. Then again this was the girl who preferred to use sentences like “Angie, that's my name.” instead of logical phrasing. Perhaps she just didn't have the linguistic ability to express herself. Isaac could hope...

“Well… It’s not as interesting as duplication.” well that's a good sign. Isaac might be a freak but at lest he ranks as a interesting freak. Isaac had not decided how he felt about his power. To him the power was scary, painful, and to be avoided at all costs. He had never considered whether or not he liked his power or thought it was interesting.

“I can detach and reattach body parts.” Come again? You can cut off you arm and put it back? That IS gross. Isaac had always thought of Metta powers as like superhero powers. Super speed, flying, etc. Stuff you use to fight crime and what not. Anatomic separation is completely useless. If anything it sounds annoying. “excuse me I seem to have misplaced my pinky.” That would be an awkward conversation.

“That sounds really cool! It isn't gross at all.” Isaac said. He was try his best to sound enthusiastic and genuine; he personally thought he was doing quite well. “Does it hurt when you separate or when you reattach? I'm sure it must feel quite strange. I think it is just as interesting as duplication” Isaac was laying it on a little thick, but every one likes to be complemented. Especially sad girls.

“So what’s your name?” Had Isaac really forgotten to say his name. Stupid. But it did not seem to be too much of a mistake. “My name is Isaac Marcotte” Isaac said cheerfully, but in his head he was saying “Hi! I know how to use complete sentences”

[Angela Chambers]

Angie couldn’t help but snort at him. He was trying to be polite, telling her power was cool. She’d heard before. But she knew, it was actually really gross. It had repulsed her at first to be frank. Well, it still did actually. “Yeah… It’s about as cool as a grotesque, hairy mole.” The way she said it made her sound resentful. And she was.

The young girl didn’t have a problem with anybody, except for one girl she’d met at Hammel. And she didn’t have a problem with Metas in general. But that didn’t mean she wanted to be one. Some might have seen it as an overreaction, since she couldn’t actually help what it was. Though she felt as if her life had been a lie. She’d known for thirteen long years that she was human. And a few months ago, she’d learned differently. Now, she considered herself an alien. A freak.

“Don’t worry about hurting my feelings. It’s weird. I know. And I’m not easily offended.” The last part was a blatant lie. But, she didn’t allow people to witness if she were offended. Angie and Isaac’s thinking about Metas was quite similar. Before discovering she was one, she’d always thought of them as superheroes. Flying, speed, strength. She’d never known one, as far as she knew, before Hammel, but she imagined they were able to save the world from destruction. So on top of not wanting to be a Meta in the first place, she had a useless power to go with it.

“Not really. I mean, yeah it uncomfortable and weird when your ear falls off.” She didn’t find the need to tell him that when it first happened, it took a while before her ear actually went back to its rightful place. She had held it in place for a while, crying because she thought it would never go back. “But it doesn’t actually hurt though. Just really odd. But I’m still learning how to make it work exactly. They don’t… attach right away usually.”

Of course, if Angie were the kind of person to play tricks, a person like Bell, she would show him right then. Remove a finger or ear perhaps and just lay it on the edge of the pool. But she found no need in that. “Does your duplication bother you? I mean physically, of course.” She in no way wanted to know if this boy had the same issues she did with being Meta or his power in general. Her issues were enough to carry.

Feeling more comfort in knowing his name, Angie used her legs to push herself from the wall her back was against to the one across from her. Yes, she was closer to Isaac, but her back was still away from him. He wouldn’t be able to see the scars. And at this late hour, what were the chances of another joining them? “It’s nice to meet you Isaac.”

Of course, there was another reason to make the move. Angie could get a closer look at him. Being better able to see his gestures and facial expressions. She might have been looking at him too intently, but things like that never occurred to her. Her mind was to wrapped up in breaking down his appearance, almost dissecting him. "Where are you from?" This also had to do with the idea of drawing him later. Perhaps she'd add in some kind of landmark.

[Isaac Marcotte]

“Yeah… It’s about as cool as a grotesque, hairy mole.”Ok so maybe Isaac wasn't as good at lying as he thought he was...but that doesn't mean that she had to rub it in his face like that. She could have at least pretended that her power wasn't repulsive. Instead she had to bluntly state the obvious. How as Isaac supposed to react to that? Isaac could choose to agree with her blunt statement, and he risks her wrath, (Woman are weird like that. They say something then expect you to disagree.) or he could disagree with her and risks looking like a suck up (or just like an idiot).

If there was one thing that Isaac hated it was looking like an idiot. Being a suckup isn't that bad, but looking like an idiot should be avoided at all costs. Isaac decided that the best course of action would be to give an agreeable sort of grunt “Mmmhmm”

“Don’t worry about hurting my feelings. It’s weird. I know. And I’m not easily offended.” If you think Isaac believed that see previous comments about the female sex. “Not really. I mean, yeah it uncomfortable and weird when your ear falls off.”Angela seemed to decide that Isaac didn't fully appreciate the grotesqueness of her power so she decided to continue, “But it doesn’t actually hurt though. Just really odd. But I’m still learning how to make it work exactly. They don’t… attach right away usually.” Ok, thank you, I believe you have made your point fully and completely. Isaac had the stomach of a six year old girl. He couldn't stand anything that involved dismemberment or even blood. He was itching to change the topic. Anything would be better than fingers that refuse to attach.

“Does your duplication bother you? I mean physically, of course.” Well Isaac got his wish, but like usual there is nothing worse than getting what you want. Isaac only used his power once and it resulted in a psychotic breakdown. And there was the hypothermia from getting lost outside. There were also major gaps in his memory. He could only assume what might have happened during those gaps.

But on the other hand her question was “Does Duplication bother you [physically]?” To that he could truthfully answer that it was only fatiguing. Technically all other symptoms of his power were psychological or indirectly caused by the psychological side effects. “It isn't too bad” Isaac said (that was an outright lie), “ the only physical side affect is fatigue, but I guess that should be expected. It takes twice as much energy to be two different people.” (That was actually the truth.)

“It’s nice to meet you Isaac.” She was staring at him again. As if she were searching deep within his soul; searching for secrets. Isaac couldn't resist the urge to look away. She was less than ten feet from him, and her gaze was unwavering. Isaac decided to stare at the ceiling again. The water was still sending waves of light upward.

Isaac tried to give a name to the way she looked at him. It was not staring; that is usually associated with blankness. But it was not glaring either. Isaac went over words in his head: not watch, leer, scrutinize, or gawk. Observe was almost correct. Inspect was closer the mark. Then Isaac fell on the word he was looking for, Study. He felt as if she were a scientist and he were an interesting specimen.

"Where are you from?" Angela might have had perfectly innocent intentions, but to Isaac the question made him feel more like a bug in a jar. Prity soon she will pull out a note pad and start writing this down, Isaac thought. Name:Isaac, Species: Homo inermis,Native to South eastern North America.

If Isaac hadn't caught himself this madness might have continued, but thankfully he did. Jumping back to reality Isaac realized he hadn't yet answered the question. “O, a small town in the south. What about you, where do you come from?”

[Angela Chambers]

Oh Isaac’s ability to lie was perfectly fine. In fact, if Angie herself weren’t repulsed by her own power, she would’ve believed him. But the fact of the matter was that Angie was repulsed by it. And horrified at being Meta in general. Not that they were bad. But the young girl had never wanted to be one. And if their interactions are going to continue, I’m sure Isaac would quickly learn that Angie is not like most woman. Well girls really, since she’s a tad young to be considered a woman yet.

But, she hadn’t thought of what he had been doing as lying. She simply thought he was trying to be nice and offer her comfort. Oh if only she knew what was really going on inside of Isaac’s head. Alas, she does not.

That was one thing Isaac could take comfort in about Angie. He didn’t know it yet, but if they became friends (I use the term loosely considering both of their personalities and preferences), the young boy would quickly discover that Angie wasn’t much a fan of having to deal with emotions. Her own or anybody else’s. She got enough of that from Dr. Neville and she certainly didn’t need any of it from somebody else. The blonde girl would probably rather pull off her own nails rather than have to talk to somebody about their emotional state. She barely had enough energy to try and deal with her own, privately of course. No way was she willing to take on this random boy’s as well.

“I wouldn’t have thought about it that way, using twice as much energy. But it makes perfect sense really. So that means you have to drink and eat twice as much, when duplicated, right?” It made sense too, right? If he were putting out twice as fast, then he’d need to be taking in twice as much as well.

A bug in a jar was probably an accurate. Angie liked knowing about people. Not things that were emotional granted, incase you didn’t already get that. But things that didn’t make speak to a person’s true identity. Such as, she could tell just by looking at him, that he was a boy. His hair was brown. His name was Isaac. And similar bits of information.

Of course, there were people who said those kinds of things did have some kind of weight in the kind of person you became. Did parents think long and hard about names? Weren’t certain people treated or looked upon differently because of their hair? But Angie didn’t buy into that kind of stuff.

However… She did find herself embarrassed of her hometown when asked. “Oh… Uh, I’m from a small town in the south too.” There was plenty to be embarrassed by. One of which was, “Its called Gum Neck.”

After he’d taken that in, Angie let herself slip underneath the water only for a moment. She found it surprising that she’d been enjoying having somebody to talk to. Ok, maybe not enjoying. But it wasn’t terrifying, like she’d always imagined. All this time the young girl feared talking to people, because she hadn’t realized they wouldn’t simply point and laugh.

Once she came back up for air, she only allowed her head about the surface, the rest of her body looking morphed because of the water. “So what’s your favorite part about Hammel so far?” Angie asked this as she retreated back to the wall she’d been at originally. But she did so without turning her back to him. Only stopping, when she very lightly collided into the other side of the pool.

[Isaac Marcotte]

((Sry about how epically long it took me to write this))
Isaac probably never in his entire life met whom he did not find emotionally and intellectually shallow. Where he grew up there had seemed to be some sort of unspoken agreement that girls should not use their brains. No one ever actually said girls couldn't be smart, but the message got across. Girls should only concern themselves with gossip. Now here is a girl who actively avoids emotions; both her's and others. As Isaac continues to interact with and learn about Angie he will find her refreshing, and more than a bit strange.

“Well this is all still theory. I have not gained any control over my power yet so I haven't been able to do any experiments.” Truthfully Isaac didn't want to do any experimenting with his power. He didn't want to ever again experience the pain of going from two separate people back to one. (Surprisingly becoming two people isn't nearly as bad as one might imagine. It is the going back to normal where the strangeness happens.)

But he didn't mind talking over the specifics of the power. In fact he loved trying to understand it; there was just so much to understand. “Well not exactly. When I am duplicated I don't need to worry about eating twice as much because when both of me are fulfilling my physical needs. Both of me get hungry and eat. There is no real problem in that.” Isaac paused trying to find the correct words. “But if I un-duplicate before they eat dinner I will have to eat twice as much. In effect I would be eating for two people.”

Isaac looked at Angie trying to see if what he said had confused her. The ideas behind his power made sense to him, but he couldn't find the words to describe it. Isaac understood that, when the two hims became one, the one had to deal with what the two had done. But could she?

Isaac smiled at the name Gum Neck. Not because he found amusement in her embarrassment, but because he understood how she felt. He too had to deal with the connotations attached to being from middle-of-no-where deep south. Isaac was avoiding eye contact as much as possible with this girl. She wouldn't stop staring at him and it was giving him the creeps. He wished she would learn some manners; rude girl.

Thankfully, she chose that moment to slip under the water. All in all this girl wasn't half bad (she had her faults it is true. Especially the way she kept staring at him). But she wasn't nearly as bad as the typical idiotic, overly extroverted, Hammel student. In fact, she might be the first teen Isaac had met at Hammel who he would actually want to see again. Both of his roommates where complete morons, (each in their own way of course). The girl from his drama class was terrible. Isaac would avoid her at all costs! But not Angie, she seemed at least mostly sane. It was nice for Isaac to know sane people exist even this far north.

“Ha” the exclamation escaped him before he could restrain it. Favorite part of Hammel? Isaac hadn't found anything he liked much less something he could call his favorite. He hated being so far from home. He hated the people he had to be surrounded by. He hated being a mutant. Or Meta or whatever they call themselves. The idea that he was genetically abnormal was disgusting to him.

Instead, Isaac continued by saying “I love the freedom. I get to do what ever I want when ever I want. No one to tell me what to do.” It wasn't a complete lie. Isaac did enjoy being completely unaccountable. But he was also alone. Back home all the important people were the ones that made rules: parents, teachers, sometimes older siblings. Now they were all gone.

Isaac rolled his head on his shoulders. How long had he been sitting on the bleachers. His entire body was getting stiff. Isaac stood up and walked around the pool; peeking in the doors. It wasn't like he was curious what the janitor kept in the closet. He just needed something to do. “you know I do not like it much here.” Isaac didn't know why he was being truthful, but he decided to keep going. “It's just that this place is so different from home. I just can't imagine living here. You know?” Isaac was embarrassed that he had resorted to such a silly phrase as “you know” but he couldn't find the words to describe how he felt.

[Angela Chambers]

That town sounded familiar. Much like the one Angie had grown up in. Nothing was expected of the girls. Except to stay quite, become mothers, take care of their husbands, and be catty. The young girl often suspected that perhaps that was why she had no interest in joining in the games she considered to be ‘childish’. Of course, there’d been other reasons as well. Finding most kids her age to be… Cumbersome, wasn’t the sole reason she spent her lunches and recesses with the teacher, cleaning around the room while they graded work.

Experiment? Something about the way he said made them sound like lab rats to her. Subjects to be poked and prodded for no reason. At least he was only referring to himself that way. “Ah.” was all she said. She found his power to be interesting, she did. But not so interesting that she wanted to continue asking him questions. That would encourage him to ask questions of her. And that was the last thing she wanted.

But he offered more, which she enjoyed. Not that her face showed it. She simply watched him as he spoke, as she’d be doing the whole time. “That’s really interesting.” Now figured because he’d shared, it was ok to ask about his power. Dr. Neville had said that was ok, asking if somebody shared. “So do you have any control over your duplicates? Or is it as if they’re their own person with their own thoughts and actions?” Notice how she left out feelings? Exactly.

When he looked at her, she stared back at him. She wasn’t quite done. It may seem as if she were being thorough. And she was. When drawing, she’d settle for nothing less than perfection. If one mistake were to be made, she wouldn’t simply erase it. She hated erasing. Often, it felt weird marks on the page. So she preferred starting over.

Thinking that his smile was in fact at her expense, Isaac got what he wanted. She looked away. And the only tell that she thought she was being laughed at was the way the corners of her lips turned down very slightly. However, she turned her face away from him so that he wouldn’t see. Above else, she refused to awful this boy see her ‘frown’, if you could even call it that. “Yeah, and trust me, the name is easily the best part about it.” She offered in the same even voice she’d been speaking in the whole time.

After resurfacing from under the water, the not-a-frown-frown was gone. Instead, it was the same, mildly interested expression that had been on her first since their interact first began. Though a very little smirk did play on her lips when his sarcastic answer managed to escape the unusually composed boy.

So, he didn’t like it here either? “It’s alright. I’m not a huge fan of it here either.” Unsurprisingly enough for similar reasons. Angie didn’t like being a Meta. She had no issues with others whatsoever. But she herself didn’t want to be one; she would still be at home. Certain events wouldn’t have happened. And she would know her little sister and brother were both alright. In her eyes, being Meta was what caused everything. And she resented what she was.

He got to do whatever he wanted? Well, excuse her thinking such, but Angie didn’t particularly think of him as the type to go out and do anything. Anything bad at least. He seemed rather… What’s another word for straight-laced? Well whatever it is, he seemed it. Or did he harbor a secret love for partying? She couldn’t really picture it. But she wasn’t going to ask. She didn’t actually want to know.

When the boy began moving around, a slight panic filled Angie. Being polite meant facing him as he spoke. But… She still didn’t want him seeing. So while he peeked into the closet, Angie darted to another wall so she could better face him while keeping her back hidden. She only hoped he didn’t catch a glimpse. Though, she doubted he would ask. He didn’t seem the type.

“It’s very different.” She said, watching him carefully again to try to figure out whether or not he’d seen. “I don’t like it.” Whether she was referring to being Meta or the school… Well, take your pick. “But, I’m slowly beginning to… dislike it less.” She wasn’t about to say she liked it or was beginning to like it. Because it wasn’t true.