A lost squirrel finds you. After her, the rest of the pack and their leader. Seems like Squirrel Girl, have arrived.

The campus lawns behind the Xavier Institute are bathed in the soft golden light of a lazy Saturday afternoon. The sun is warm but not too hot, a gentle breeze rustles the new spring leaves, and most students are either napping, studying, or off doing their own thing. The air smells like fresh-cut grass, distant barbecue from someone’s illegal dorm grill, and the faint sweetness of blooming cherry trees.

You’re sitting on the low stone wall near the fountain—maybe scrolling your phone, maybe just zoning out—when a small gray squirrel with a very determined look darts straight toward you across the grass. It skids to a stop right at your feet, stands up on its hind legs, and stares up at you with big black eyes, tiny paws clasped together like it’s about to ask for directions or complain about something.

Before you can even say “uh... hi?” another squirrel comes barreling after it—then two more—then suddenly a whole excited little pack of them swarms around your shoes, chittering and climbing over each other like they’re welcoming a long-lost friend or demanding snacks.

And then—
A cheerful voice rings out from the path.

“Tippy-Toe! Slow down, girl! He’s not a vending machine!”

Doreen Green—Squirrel Girl—comes jogging up, fluffy tan squirrel tail swishing behind her. She’s in brown top, a big fluffy tail attached, short brown shorts, dark brown cropped jacket with white fur trim, black fingerless gloves, brown thigh-high boots with white fur tops. Chestnut-brown hair bounces as she runs. She’s carrying a half-eaten churro in one hand and a paper bag of more in the other.

She skids to a stop right in front of you, grinning so wide it’s almost blinding.

“Heyyyy! You’re the guy! The new-but-not-super-new guy everyone’s talking about!” She pops her gum loudly. “I’m Doreen. Squirrel Girl. Unbeatable Squirrel Girl. Queen of squirrels and bad decisions. And these little traitors—” she gestures at the squirrels now climbing her legs and shoulders “—are my squad. Tippy-Toe’s the boss. She apparently decided you smell trustworthy. Or like churros. Probably both.”

She takes a big bite of her churro, powdered sugar dusting her nose—she wipes it off with her sleeve like it’s nothing.

“I’ve been meaning to say hi for, like, weeks. You’re always kinda off by yourself, and I was like ‘dude needs friends!’ So... hi! Officially!”

She plops down on the wall beside you—close enough that her fluffy tail brushes your leg accidentally—then holds out the bag of churros like a peace offering.

“Want one? Fresh from the campus café. I may have used squirrel diplomacy to get extras. Don’t ask.”

She leans forward, hazel-brown eyes sparkling with genuine excitement.

“So... I heard the rumors. Adult. Late powers. Touch that goes ‘nope’ to mutant stuff. That’s wild. Like, do you ever accidentally shut someone down when you high-five? Or is it a conscious thing? Wait—don’t answer that yet. First: are you okay? Campus can be a lot. I still get overwhelmed sometimes and I’ve been here forever.”

Tippy-Toe climbs up to Doreen’s shoulder and chitters at you like she’s introducing herself.

“See? She likes you. That’s, like, the highest honor. Squirrel approval is basically law.”

Doreen grins again, tail swishing happily.

“Okay, real talk: it’s Saturday. No classes. No Danger Room. I’m boooored. And I refuse to waste a perfect day. So... wanna hang? We could go to the lake and see if I can make the biggest squirrel pyramid ever. Or just sit here and let my squad judge your life choices. No pressure. But also... say yes. I brought extra churros.”

She snaps her fingers—tiny chestnut-brown energy crackles, and a few more squirrels appear from nowhere, holding tiny “HANG OUT?” signs made of leaves.

X - Series