"Can you please wear a wig? It feels wrong to see you bald."

"Lyla." Charles warned as the program shut down and I retracted my claws. "Do you like the Danger Room?"

"I can let out my anger in hypothetical scenarios basically whenever I want. What's not to love!?" I smiled and turned to see Charles holding a cupcake and candle. "I don't like celebrating my birthday."

"But everyone deserves to blow out their candles. You only turn seventeen once." He defended and I rolled my eyes. "Make a wish, Lyla. But you can't tell me or else it won't come true."

"Will you read my mind?"

"I promise I won't."

I smiled slightly and closed my eyes, blowing out the candle.

I wish for Dad to be home.

"Happy now?" I chuckled, splitting the cupcake in half and gave him one. "Thank you, Professor."

"Happy birthday, Lyla."

。✯ ＼ ｜ ／✯ 。

"Lyla, give me one fact about the Civil War since you seem more interested in your doodles instead."

"One-third of the soldiers who fought for the Union Army were immigrants, and nearly one in ten was African American. The Union Army was a diverse force, with soldiers from various countries, including Germany, Ireland, France, Italy, and Poland." I said, not looking up from my notebook. "Also, the Civil War saw the first successful submarine attack. The Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley became the first combat submarine to sink an enemy warship, the USS Housatonic, on exactly February 17, 1864. Unfortunately, the Hunley also sank shortly after the attack, resulting in the loss of its crew."

"And why did it sink?" The teacher asked and I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

"Unknown, but it was the 1800s for God's sake... There's a theory that the torpedo caused a shock wave that caused fatal injuries to the crew... Like I said, it was the 1800s."

"Now I know why everyone hates you." Scott whispered and I kicked his leg hard.

"Next time with less attitude, Howlett."

"Sure thing, sourpuss." I muttered under my breath just as the bell rang. "Saved by the bell before I get detention."

"You really hate history." Jean laughed and linked arms with me.

"I actually don't. I grew up with Dad telling me all kinds of stories... I just get mad when that bitch acts as if she was there and starts saying stuff that isn't true."

"With how old she is, she could've been around since the Revolutionary War." Scott added. "That woman practically coughs dust."

"She sucks the souls out of the young. I think that's why she gives us a ton of homework."

"Hey, guys." Hank waved and we all smiled. "Happy birthday, Lyla."

"It's your birthday!?" Jean exclaimed and I winced, holding my ears. "I've known you for years and how come I never knew!?"

"Don't scream right next to me!" I hissed. "Sensitive hearing and it's a quiet hallway."

"Answer my question."

"I don't like making a big deal out of it, okay? I'm used to the quiet." I shrugged and grabbed the new schedule Charles gave me this morning. "Awesome, I have art and then free period!"

"You're changing the subject."

"Yes, it's my birthday. No, I don't want you to make this a big deal. Treat this as if it's a normal day, which it is."

"Not even a cake?" Scott teased and I glared.

"The most I accepted was a cupcake the Professor gave me in the Danger Room."

"You logged today? At what time did you wake up?"

"Who said I slept?"

。✯ ＼ ｜ ／✯ 。

"You are my world, my darling... What a wonderful world I see... You are the song I'm singing... You're my beautiful melody."

Setting the paintbrush down, I bit back a smile when I heard footsteps approaching.

"I know you're there and lurking." I said, not turning to face my friends.

"You've been singing that a lot lately." Jean hummed.

"That is the only part I remember of the lullaby Dad used to sing to me."

"It's pretty."

"Are you all done stalling or are you gonna light the candles of the carrot cake I could smell from feet away?"

"Nothing gets past you, does it?" Ororo chuckled and I heard a lighter.

"No singing please. You all have horrible voices." I smirked, turning around and saw Scott holding the cake while Jean held a box. "I thought I said to not make a big deal."

"Birthdays are always a big deal, even if you don't want to." Kurt smiled.

"You gonna blow out the candles or do I have to continue to stand here and look like an idiot with a cake?" Scott teased and I rolled my eyes, walking up to blow out the candles. "Happy birthday, Lyla."

"Here." Jean grinned and handed me the box. "We all pitched in, even the Professor, Hank and Raven."

"A polaroid?" I asked once I opened a box and they all nodded. "I love it, but why would I-"

"I know you're sometimes scared of losing your memories somehow like your dad did. So, why rely on the mind the entire time when you can immortalize these memories?" She sheepishly shrugged and I looked away, blinking back the tears that were beginning to form.

"I never thought about-"

"Telepath, remember?"

"Thank you, all of you." I whispered and they all smiled.

"We forgot the plates." Kurt pointed out and they sprinted to the kitchen, leaving Scott behind.

"I like the painting." He said, gesturing to the canvas.

"I started this in class and can't seem to put it down... It's orchids, one of my favorite flowers."

"You should open an art gallery someday. You're really talented."

"Who would want to buy mutant paintings, Scott?"

"So don't tell them."

"Kinda hard to do so." I gestured to my teeth and ears and he scoffed.

"Then fuck them. Talent is talent, whether you have the X gene or not."

"Tell that to the people beyond this school, Scotty boy. You know that we're not exactly liked beyond the gates."

"Nah, you're getting a gallery at some point. Mutant or not." He waved it off and I rolled my eyes. "You don't believe me?"

"Nope. I'm used to disappointment and people lying to my face."

"You think I'm lying?"

"I know you are."

"Then I guess I'll just have to prove to you that I'm not."

"I'd like to see that."

"Someday you will."