A week later, Lilith stood in front of a massive mansion in Westchester. The building looked like something out of a fairy tale – tall towers, expansive gardens, and the air filled with the scent of flowers and freshly cut grass. Lilith clutched a small bag of belongings that her mother had packed for her. Inside were books, a few photographs, and a letter she was supposed to open only when she felt lost.
"Ready?" Ororo asked, walking beside her.
"I don't know," Lilith admitted. "This is all... new."
"I know how it feels," Ororo said with a smile. "I was new once too. But I promise you'll find friends here."
The mansion's doors opened, and a group of teenagers poured out. They were different – one had blue skin, another had wings, and a girl with short hair seemed to glow with a soft light.
"Is that her?" the boy with blue skin asked, approaching. "Wow, you look like you're straight out of a comic!"
Lilith felt her cheeks grow warmer – though she wasn't sure if her symbiotic body could even blush. "Thanks... I guess?"
"I'm Kurt," the boy introduced himself, extending a three-fingered hand. "Welcome to Xavier's School!"
"Lilith," she replied, shaking his hand. She was surprised at how natural it felt.
"Come on, we'll show you your room!" the girl with the luminous aura called out. "I'm Jubilee, and this is Kitty, Rogue, and Bobby. You'll be on our team!"
Lilith allowed herself to be led inside, listening as her new friends bombarded her with questions. For the first time in her life, she felt she could be herself – and that the world was much bigger than she had thought.