Steam follows me like a personal cloud as I stride down the hallway, feeling better than I have in years. My muscles ache in that satisfying way that means I've pushed myself, and for once, the pain isn't from someone trying to hurt me.
With just a towel wrapped around my waist, water droplets still racing down my chest, I round the corner toward my room, and nearly collide with Jubilee.
"Hey," I say with an easy smile, running a hand through my wet hair.
Her eyes go wide, mouth dropping open slightly as her gaze locks onto my bare chest. She stares at me like I'm committing a felony right in front of her, her eyes tracing the contours of my torso with an intensity that makes my skin tingle.
"Oh... uh... hey..." she stammers, a flush creeping up her neck. She makes a valiant but failed attempt to meet my eyes, her gaze repeatedly magnetizing back to my chest like it's physically impossible for her to look elsewhere.
"What's up, Jubee?" I ask, trying not to smile too wide at her obvious discomfort.
"Jubee..." she repeats, her face lighting up despite her nervousness. "I love it." She lets out a laugh that's half-delight, half-anxiety, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.
"I just wanted to see if you were around..." she continues, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her yellow coat. "Maybe we could hang out or something?"
I adjust my grip on the towel, making sure it's secure. "I can hang out after I get changed. Just give me a…"
A high-pitched gasp cuts through the air, making us both jump. Gene Grey materializes at the end of the hallway, his face a mask of pure horror. He rushes toward us, auburn hair flowing dramatically behind him, and physically wedges himself between Jubilee and me like he's breaking up a fight.
"What the hell are you doing?" he demands, his emerald eyes burning with indignation. "You can't walk around topless in the dorm, Jack! Are you insane?"
"Shit!" The realization hits me like a bucket of ice water. "I completely forgot."
My face burns with embarrassment as I remember Charlene's patient explanation about men's modesty in this world, a conversation that clearly didn't stick. Gene's look of disapproval makes me want to sink through the floor.
"I'm so sorry," I stammer, clutching my towel tighter. "I wasn't thinking."
Gene doesn't wait for further explanation. He places his hand on my shoulder and practically marches me toward my bedroom door, opening it and guiding me inside with surprising gentleness despite his obvious agitation.
"Get dressed," he instructs firmly. "Immediately."
The door closes behind me with a soft click. Through the wood, I can hear Gene's voice, low but authoritative, sending Jubilee away. Her protests fade down the hallway as I scramble to find clothes, yanking on a t-shirt and jeans with record speed.
My heart's still racing when a gentle knock sounds at my door a few minutes later.
"Come in," I call, running nervous fingers through my damp hair.
Gene slips inside, closing the door behind him. His earlier anger seems to have faded, replaced by something that looks almost like concern. He leans against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, studying me with those intense emerald eyes.
"I apologize for yelling," he says, his voice softer now. "I just..." He pauses, choosing his words carefully. "I imagine this must be quite jarring for you, adjusting to our social norms."
"Yeah," I admit, sinking onto the edge of my bed. "Where I'm from, guys can walk around shirtless pretty much anywhere except formal settings. I'm not used to hiding my body at all." I let out a bitter laugh. "Well, except from teachers who might notice bruises."
Gene blinks rapidly, his perfect composure faltering for a split second. "That's... tragic for an entirely different reason," he says quietly.
The sympathy in his voice makes me uncomfortable. I shrug, trying to downplay it. "It was what it was."
Gene pushes himself away from the wall, taking a few steps closer. "I just want to ensure you're safe here, Jack. Even from the other students."
"Safe from Jubilee?" I can't help the skepticism that creeps into my tone.
Gene lets out a light chuckle, shaking his head. "I'm just concerned about your reputation around here. I don't want the students thinking you're..." he trails off, searching for the right word.
"Easy?" I offer. "Or slutty, maybe?"
"Yes," Gene sighs, looking slightly uncomfortable with my bluntness. "Exactly that."
I shrug, leaning back on my elbows. "I'm a virgin anyway, so it's fine."
His eyebrows shoot up, but he quickly schools his expression back to neutral. "I see…" He takes a breath. "I heard you met Morgan today."
My face lights up at the mention of her name. "Yeah! She was incredibly helpful. Taught me so much about how my powers work." I gesture excitedly with my hands. "Also, she's way shorter than I expected. In the movie with her, she's played by this guy named…"
Gene cuts me off with an amused smile. "So the X-Women really are a movie franchise where you're from?"
"Yeah," I nod enthusiastically. "Though I don't really remember it that well. The other heroes were a bigger deal." I pause, reconsidering. "Well, except for Wolverine and Deadpool. They both got a lot of movies."
Gene looks genuinely surprised. "Deadpool? Really?"
"Yeah, Deadpool is awesome," I say with conviction. "Super funny, lots of action."
He sighs, his perfect features arranging themselves into a skeptical expression. "Deadpool is... a lot to handle, but I guess I could see her appeal... maybe?" He doesn't sound convinced by his own words.
"Trust me, the movies are awesome," I insist, then catch myself. "Well, in my world they were. I guess I shouldn't assume she's the same here."
Gene's expression softens slightly. "Morgan mentioned you have quite an interesting power set. The wound transfer ability is particularly unique."
"Yeah, it's pretty cool," I admit, still riding the high from discovering what I can do. "Though I'm still figuring out how to control it properly."
Gene's eyes narrow slightly, giving me a more appraising look than before. "And I heard you're quite the capable fighter as well," he says, his tone shifting to something more evaluative. "Scotty was rather impressed with your performance today."
"Yeah," I reply with a small shrug, trying not to sound boastful. "Fighting is pretty much all my parents gave me, to be honest."
Gene's expression softens, a flicker of genuine sympathy crossing his perfect features. He steps closer, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. The weight of it feels strangely comforting.
"Well," he says quietly, "if things continue to go well, Jack, you really might end up on the X-Women's team. Your combination of healing, wound transfer, and combat skills could be extremely valuable in the field."
My heart skips a beat, and I can't keep the excitement from spreading across my face. "I would love to be a part of something like that," I say, the words rushing out before I can temper my enthusiasm. "To be a part of a team."
Gene gives me a small smile, squeezing my shoulder once before letting his hand fall away. The possibility hangs in the air between us, a future I never dared to imagine for myself, a chance to belong to something bigger than my pain.
"I'm rooting for you, kid."