[center][h1][color=limegreen][u]Beth Carson[/u][/color][/h1][/center]

If there was one reaction from Michelle that Beth hadn’t expected when she revealed that she was actually fifteen years old, it was laughter.  And not just a quiet chuckle, but a deep, hearty laugh that drew the eye of more than a few of the people around them.  Her comment regarding the benefits of milk to a person’s growth was also quite surprising, more so because it indicated that Michelle didn’t understand that Beth was so short because she had a medical condition, though her misconception was understandable considering the fact that she towered above even tall people.

[color=limegreen]”They might have, but I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t have helped,”[/color] Beth said, cocking her head a little bit to the right while watching Michelle flex an arm that was thicker than she was at the shoulder.  Michelle was not someone that Beth wanted to make angry, that was for sure.  [color=limegreen]”See, my body doesn’t produce enough growth hormone, if it still does at all.  In other words, I’m a proportional dwarf.”[/color]

The idea of shaking Michelle’s hand elicited a small giggle out of Beth, though mainly because of the mental picture of Michelle’s hand completely engulfing her own hand and wrist.  [color=limegreen]”I don’t think that I’d even be able to shake one of your fingers, let alone the whole hand,”[/color] Beth replied, giggling slightly again in response to Michelle’s laugh, which was honestly a bit contagious.

Feeling full, Beth pushed her plate forward on the table a little, though there was a good bit of food still on it.  Unfortunately, that was the norm for her, as usual portion sizes were far too large for her to actually finish.  So, instead of grabbing another forkful of food like she wanted to do, Beth grabbed a napkin from the holder in the center of the table and wiped away the sauce that had managed to get on her mouth, setting it on the plate once she was done.

Apparently, Michelle had also gotten full, as her plates, which had been laden with significantly more food than Beth’s had, were pushed away from her and ignored.  She also seemed interested in continuing their conversation, turning to face Beth and crossing her arms before asking if there was anything that Beth was looking forward to.

[color=limegreen]”I’m not entirely sure,”[/color] Beth replied after taking a moment to think about it.  [color=limegreen]”I guess I’m looking forward to learning how to keep my powers in check, but I’m also looking forward to finishing high school.”[/color]  Having nothing but the flier, of which she couldn’t read more than a sentence here or there, and her uncle’s brief and limited explanations, Beth wasn’t entirely sure what all the Academy was about except for preparing Metahumans for public life.

[color=limegreen]”But what about you?”[/color] Beth asked politely, curious to know if the larger girl had any goals in attending the Academy that might shed some light on what they were all about without Beth having to expose her ignorance on the matter to Michelle. [color=limegreen]”Is there anything that the Academy offers that you’re particularly looking forward too?”[/color]