Teresa groaned internally as the afternoon sun streamed in, the sunlight striking her eyes. She squinted, but couldn't muster the energy to care, choosing instead to close her eyes, shielding herself from the harsh light. She had just finished her last class of the day and felt an overwhelming urge to collapse onto the living room couch. However, her classmates— who were just as worn out as she was, if not more —filled the room with incessant complaints.

Normally, Teresa would ignore their complaints, tuning out their voices with indifference. But that day, she found herself confused with her classmates. Instead of conserving their energy and allowing the weariness to pass, they seemed determined to voice their exhaustion loudly, their complaints bouncing off the walls, threatening to induce headaches— not only for themselves but for anyone within earshot.

Hailey stood beside Teresa, rubbing her eyes in exhaustion after a long day of lectures. Much to their surprise, they discovered that their schedules were almost identical, causing them to spend most of the day together. Despite this, they hadn't exchanged many words since their first conversation. Like Teresa, Hailey seemed to find comfort in silence, preferring to listen rather than speak— a trait Teresa didn't mind at all. She actually enjoyed the shared silence.

Throughout the day, Teresa noticed how Hailey grew increasingly quiet and seemed weighed down with guilt whenever their classmates complained about the earthquake that had disturbed their sleep the previous night. It wasn't just the usual silence that Teresa had come to appreciate in Hailey. This silence was filled with an anxiety that made her appear almost withdrawn. Teresa knew the reason behind Hailey's demeanor was because Hailey had been the cause of the tremor, though she herself was unaware that Teresa knew this truth.

When they moved from class to class, Teresa couldn't help but watch the subtle shifts in Hailey's behaviour. The way she flinched when someone mentioned the shaking, the way her eyes darted nervously as if searching for signs that someone might suspect her.

Teresa, however, didn't blame her. It had been an accident, something that could happen to anyone still learning to control their powers. Despite the small chaos it caused, Teresa saw it as a natural part of growth. This was a school, after all, a place where mutants were meant to learn and control their abilities. Losing control every now and then was inevitable, especially for someone as new to the environment as Hailey.

However, Teresa also understood that others might not see it the same way. Not everyone was as forgiving or understanding when it came to mishaps involving powers, especially those that could cause real damage. Fear and resentment often clouded their judgement. It wasn't the first time the school had reacted harshly toward a student for such incidents. Teresa recalled how, in the past, Jean Grey had faced similar scrutiny and fear from her peers after an accident that had led to significant destruction. The students had been frightened and judgmental, and the harsh response had only compounded Jean's struggles.

"I'm sorry, what were you saying?" Teresa furrowed her eyebrows, realizing she had been too preoccupied with her thoughts to listen to Hailey's words, finally opening her eyes.

"I asked if you mind if we recall our studies at your room," Hailey repeated, gesturing towards the crowded stairs, where students were noisily making their way to their own destinations. "My room is on the highest floor of the mansion and frankly, I don't think either of us can make it there right now with how drained we are." She continued to rub her eyes, trying to stave off the fatigue that was slowly overtaking her.

"That sounds good," Teresa agreed, appreciating Hailey's practical suggestion. Teresa's room was much closer to where they stood, and the thought of climbing several flights of stairs to Hailey's room was daunting. "But not before we get coffee first, or we'll be out cold halfway through our studies." She purposefully avoided mentioning the previous night's events, not wanting to bring up anything that might trigger Hailey's guilt. Hailey, still battling a yawn, nodded in agreement.

"Coffee sounds like a lifesaver right now," Hailey mumbled, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "I might need a few cups, especially after getting Hank's assignment about the evolution of mutants' rights. I understand why it's important, but four pages due on Monday? That's enough to make me want to murder someone."

"I'm pretty sure he ruined everyone's weekend after that," Teresa nodded, slightly amused. The essay definitely sounded like a pain in the neck for them, but nothing was more entertaining to Teresa and Peter than seeing the panicked faces of others as they worked on their assignments at the last minute. Teresa could already imagine the mountain of coffee cups and scattered papers surrounding Jean at that moment.

"Ruined yours too?" Hailey asked with a raised eyebrow, bemused. "I thought you would love these types of essays, or am I being too judgmental on our first day?"

Teresa refrained from chuckling at that, though she couldn't help but let out an amused smile. "I should be saying that about you too. You seemed a little too excited for an essay that, in your own words, 'is enough to make us want to murder,'" she pointed out, and Hailey chuckled in response.

"Guilty as charged," Hailey admitted with a playful shrug as they continued their way to the kitchen. "I'm usually more enthusiastic, as my sister often says, but I'm running on fumes today. Lack of sleep will do that to you, as I'm sure everyone else can bear witness to."

Ah, Teresa hadn't expected Hailey to head in that direction with her questions, but she was too curious to stop the conversation now. "You'll have to get used to it," Teresa began, her tone calm and matter-of-fact, "because Hank will keep the schedule as usual, regardless of what happens."

Hailey's interest was piqued by this. "What do you mean?" she asked, a hint of concern in her voice. "Do earthquakes like last night happen often? It seemed pretty intense and sudden."

Teresa gave a small shrug. "We've had incidents like this before, especially with Jean. So, I don't think the school should be too surprised when things like this happen," she said, her voice steady. "This is a school for mutants, after all. We're all here to learn how to control our abilities, and some of us have pretty powerful ones. It's not shocking if a few incidents like last night occur in the future."

Hailey frowned slightly, her thoughts drifting back to the chaos of the previous night. "Still, I didn't think the incidents would be quite... destructive," she admitted, her voice tinged with unease as she recalled the screams and the sound of shattering objects.

"Scott literally destroyed Charles's childhood tree the first time he came to the school," Teresa said, her tone as flat as ever. "And all he did was open his eyes."

Hailey blinked in disbelief. "He destroyed an entire tree just by looking at it?"

"Yes," Teresa confirmed. "It wasn't just any tree, either. It was Charles' favourite tree, grew up with it from his childhood. Scott was just trying to get a handle on his powers, but one wrong move and the tree was gone."

Hailey let out a low whistle. "That's intense."

Teresa nodded, her expression serious. "And Warren? The guy almost killed some of the team during a mission. His wings turned metallic, but don't ask him about that part. He's sensitive about it."

Hailey's brow furrowed in confusion. "Sensitive about almost killing his teammates?"

Teresa shook her head. "No, sensitive about his wings turning metallic. The 'almost killing' part doesn't bother him because it didn't actually happen, so he considers it no big deal. Those are his words, not mine."

Hailey chuckled again, her tension easing slightly. Teresa paused, allowing the moment to settle before she continued, "The point is, it can be scary, but it's all part of the learning process. Everyone here is trying to get better, and sometimes that means things go wrong. But that's why we're here— so when we're out in the real world, we've already made our mistakes and learned how to control them."

Hailey nodded thoughtfully, her gaze distant as she absorbed Teresa's words. "I guess it makes sense. It's just a lot to take in, especially knowing that one slip-up could lead to something serious."

Teresa gave her a reassuring look. "It is a lot, but no one is ever alone in this. Everyone here always starts with level zero, and we all get it. Mistakes happen, but that's why we've got to pick up the pieces and keep moving forward."

They didn't speak much after that, focusing instead on getting their coffee and treats from the kitchen before heading upstairs to Teresa's bedroom. The silence between them was comfortable, and Teresa could sense the tension that had been weighing on Hailey earlier had lifted. She could see how much more relaxed the girl had become after their conversation, her shoulders no longer as tense, and a faint sense of calm had settled over her.

"Are you expecting any deliveries?" Hailey's sudden question pulled Teresa from her thoughts. Teresa followed Hailey's gaze to the entrance mat, an item she had insisted on having, an extra cleanliness procedure Teresa enforced in which Scott doesn't mind. But at that moment, something unusual caught her eye— a single white rose lying delicately on the mat, accompanied by a small white envelope.

Teresa approached it cautiously, her curiosity piqued. Hailey remained silent, her eyes fixed on Teresa as she picked up the envelope. The rose was perfect, its petals untouched and pure, a stark contrast against the dark mat.

Carefully, Teresa opened the envelope and pulled out a small card. The handwriting immediately caught her eye— neat, elegant cursive that seemed far more refined than anything she'd seen, even from Hank or Charles.

Teresa's eyes scanned the delicate, cursive writing on the card, her brows furrowing slightly as she read the lines.

"As rare as a white rose in the mist,

You drift through shadows, where silence persists.

With a quiet allure, unseen yet near,

You bloom in the night, where few can peer."

The poem was mysterious, yet oddly captivating, like a riddle waiting to be solved. She flipped the card over, searching for any indication of who might have sent it, but there was nothing. No name, no signature, nothing to give away the sender's identity.

"Who could have sent this?" Hailey asked, her voice tinged with curiosity, as she stepped closer to get a better look at the card.

"I'm not sure," Teresa admitted, her tone thoughtful. "It's strange." She gently picked up the white rose, its petals soft and cool against her fingertips.

Hailey tilted her head, studying Teresa's expression. "Do you think it's from someone you know?"

"It would be odd if it's from someone I don't know," Teresa mused aloud, her mind already sifting through potential candidates. It wasn't unusual for people to be secretive around her, but this felt different. The note wasn't just some casual gesture. It had a personal touch, something more deliberate. "The poem speaks from within, almost as if the person knows you on a deeper level," Hailey observed, her voice thoughtful.

Teresa nodded slowly, considering her words. The poem had caught her attention, not because it was romantic, but because it felt unique, almost like a puzzle waiting to be solved. "It's not too sentimental or anything," Teresa began. "But it's definitely mysterious. It's like they know me well enough to write something that would intrigue me, especially with their choice of words."

Hailey leaned in slightly, her curiosity piqued. "Poems are usually more upfront, especially cheesy ones," she remarked. "But this one seems layered, like it's hiding something beneath the surface."

Teresa hummed in agreement. "Exactly. There are hidden implications, and the wording is intentional. It's not just a random note left behind by some stranger."

Hailey's brow furrowed in thought. "With Valentine's Day still far away, you might just have a secret admirer on your hands," she concluded, ticking off the possibility of it being a random act.

Teresa couldn't help but make a noise of disdain at the thought, causing Hailey to raise an eyebrow in amusement. "Not a fan of the idea?" Hailey asked, a teasing edge to her tone.

Teresa sighed. "I'm just not into the whole... high school love drama. It feels like a waste of time, personally. However, I am intrigued by the mystery behind all this."

Hailey clicked her tongue in amusement. "If the mystery involves your love life, you might find my sister's help invaluable. She can turn even the smallest hint of romance into a full-blown investigation. One minute she's chatting about the latest gossip, and the next, she's playing a professional matchmaker."

"That sounds a lot like Peter with me," Teresa grimaced. "He usually doesn't show much interest in it, but there are definitely a few guys he's keen on me spending more time with."

Hailey nodded, then hesitated before asking, "If you don't mind me asking, are you and Peter related?"

Teresa almost froze at her question, but her instincts quickly kicked in, preventing her from showing any surprise. "Not that I know of," she answered, "but people do sometimes mistake us for siblings because of how close we are." It was a partially truthful answer. While they were often seen as siblings due to their bond, no one knew that they actually shared the same blood.

Hailey looked thoughtful but accepted the answer with a nod. "That makes sense. Peter talked a bit about you too during the tour and he seemed quite fond of you."

Teresa merely let out a small smile in response as they made their way into her bedroom, carrying the card and rose with them. It was a common occurrence for people to question the nature of her relationship with Peter, given their close bond, but Hailey's inquiry had caught Teresa off guard. Despite only knowing Teresa for a day and Peter for a few days, Hailey had managed to perceive more about their relationship than many who had known them for much longer.

Teresa found it both surprising and impressive. While she knew she needed to be cautious around Hailey due to her keen observation skills, Teresa couldn't help but enjoy the challenge Hailey presented. It was clear that Hailey was not just another student but someone who saw beyond the surface, and Teresa appreciated the depth she brought to their conversations.

"We should get started on these papers soon before the day ends," Teresa suggested, pulling out several sheets of paper and laying them on the desk. Hailey sat on the chair beside Teresa's bed, nodding in agreement. "I'd like to finish at least a quarter of the essay before dinner," Teresa added as they both began sorting through their notes and textbooks, preparing for the task ahead.

The next few hours were spent in focused silence, the only sounds being the rustling of papers and the occasional scratching of pens on paper. Every now and then, they'd break the silence to ask each other a question or check on each other's progress, but otherwise, they were both absorbed in their work. The weight of the assignment pressed down on them, making the atmosphere in the room feel almost heavy with concentration.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow through Teresa's bedroom window, the peaceful silence was interrupted by a knock on the door. Teresa, who had been lying on her bed while working, glanced outside to see the sun dipping below the horizon. The golden light spilling into the room created a cozy ambiance that contrasted with the seriousness of their studies.

She wordlessly slid off her bed, smoothing down her shirt as she walked to the door. Hailey, who had been quietly observing Teresa's room, watched curiously from her chair. When Teresa opened the door, she was met with the sight of a strawberry blonde girl with striking blue-green eyes. There was an immediate sense of familiarity. This was the same girl Teresa had noticed after her classes the previous day, and now, up close, the resemblance between her and Hailey was undeniable.

With a cheerful smile on her face, the girl in front of her waved enthusiastically. "Hello! Sorry if I'm disturbing you, but is your name Teresa?"

Teresa raised an eyebrow, slightly taken aback by the girl's energy but nodded slowly. "Yes, that's me. And who might be asking?" she replied, gesturing for the girl to introduce herself.

It was obvious who she was, but Teresa asked out of politeness. The girl seemed more than happy to oblige, her grin widening as if she had been waiting for this moment. "Elizabeth Horan! Nice to meet you!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement as she reached out to shake Teresa's hand with surprising eagerness.