X-Men: Mutant Academy: Part 30 poster: cammogirl date: 29 August 2002, 12:45am EST I was in a big honking ferris wheel, with my arms about the coolest girl ever, and a very large yellow stuffed llama. I mentally dared life to get better than it already was now. She snuggled to me, sighing softly, shuddering a little in the night air. I pulled her a little closer to me and she smiled up at me. Gosh her eyes were pretty. A warm deep brown that I couldn't help getting lost in. I was so distracted by them, I didn't notice how high we were getting, or the view around us, or even that it was cold. A stiff breeze gusted past us, and Annie's hair blustered in her face. Her arms were wrapped up in bags and me, so, slowly so she had a chance to move away if need be, I pulled her hair from her face with the free hand around her shoulders. She smiled, perhaps a little shyly, and said, "This wind has rendered my hair tie completely useless." I shrugged, fingers still lingering in her soft green hair, and smiled back at her. "It's all pretty like that. Fly-away, like in a picture or something." "Pfft. In a picture nothing's moving, so you can actually see." "Hmm," I tilted my head, and pulled her hair aside gently, sort of cradling her face. "What if I do that till the ride is over? So you can see the view?" Not that I was noticing the view. "Um, yes, all the little people, not to mention bright shiny lights..." I nodded, smiling, still gazing at her eyes, the sweep of her cheek, the curl of her lips. I knew I shouldn't make her uncomfortable, but she didn't look too unhappy by the attention, and I was too gone to stop. I found myself leaning forward, lips aching to touch hers, but a sudden jerk made me launch forward, my stomach nearly cut in half by the bar of the carriage. "Careful, Roy!" called out the ticket guy, waiting at the rope. The guy at the controls of the Ferris wheel, obviously named Roy, grunted and didn't even look vaguely contrite. A splash of disappointment fell through me as Annie and I filed off the wheel, but it soon drained away as her hand was back in mine again. I smiled to her brightly. "Milkshake?" She nodded and smiled. "Sure!" We both got milkshakes, I got chocolate, she got vanilla, and we both nibbled on fairy-floss that we bought in the bags. They call it candy-floss or something weird over here. Cotton-candy, that's it. Anyways, when I said Fairy-floss, she said something about them not having fairy-dentists over here. Ha ha. After that last burst of sugar, and with enough sugar supplies (lollipops, 'grab' bags full of chocolate and cheap toys and assorted samples, candy) to last both of us till the next century (But only enough to last Jubilee roughly a week), we decided to go. The walk to Annie's car was strangely quiet, but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. We arrived at the mansion in good time, and when we walked through to the corridor leading to the dorms, we were rather amused to see a handful of students lazing around the wide-screen tv in the lounge watching the end of The Mummy Returns. Her hand was still in mine when we reached her room, and my heart started pounding in my ears as we stopped. "I think that was the best payout for a bet that I've ever had," I said with a slightly blushing smile. "Well, it was the best bet I ever lost, I didn't have to eat any bugs," she smiled back. I smiled wider, a little quieter then, lifting my hand that was in hers, looking at her knuckles. Wordlessly, I brought them to my lips, drifting them over the skin there with a light kiss, meeting her eyes intently. Her eyes were wide, and I could barely see her breathing... if she was at all. I pulled her hand forward, laying it behind me, on my back, never losing eye contact, and I tilted my head, an affectionate smile on my face. I pressed my lips over hers, so gently, just feeling them sit there for a moment on the silky, soft flesh before securing some of it between my lips and suckling very softly. I could hear her breath a little franticly underneath me, as if she forgot to and only now realised she needed lots of air. Her hand at my back clasped my shirt for a moment, and I moved my lips a little deeper, pursing my lips tightly around hers before pulling away slowly. I wanted it to be perfect, this moment, and sweet God was it perfecct. I was tingling from head to toe, and I ran my fingers through the loose hair by her cheeks briefly before nuzzling her nose with mine. "Thank you for the best night I've ever had." One last brief kiss to those irresistable lips, and stepped back, winking at her before loping off to my own room, huge yellow llama under my arm, a decided bounce in my steps. poster: Amezri date: 30 August 2002, 2:36am EST She had dreaded this moment from the second Logan had tracked her down. She knew he would come for her; she just wished it wasn't when she was finally getting a good night's sleep. "Hello, Kurt." /I missed you./ He stepped out from the dark corner. "Is that all you have to say to me, zauberin?" "It's 3am," she said passively. "Why don't you come back later. Like when the sun's up." /I don't have the strength./ "Cassie... why did you leave?" "I mean it Kurt. Get out." /Because I can't do this now./ "No! You owe me that much, don't you?" he hissed. He took a deep breath to regain his composure. "Why, Cassie? You left without a word. We didn't know what happened to you or where you went. If you were okay. Why did you leave?" Cassandrea looked away. A few days ago her answer would have been an easy truth. She wanted to learn to use her powers to their full extent. But she wasn't so sure now. Emma Frost seemed to have other plans for her, though she couldn't figure out what. "I couldn't stay there. The training--" "The training we recieve at the Institute is more than enough!" he argued. Tears stung at her eyes. "Enough? All those years of training and I couldn't even protect myself from one sick, mutant stalker!" "This isn't the place to learn," Kurt said softly. "You're wrong. This is exactly where I should be." This was the decision she had made and she clung to it fiercely, as if it were all she had left. "Ms. Frost has taught me more about using my powers and spellcraft than I ever learned at Xavier's. There are things he wouldn't ever teach me." "Like killing?" Kurt growled. She sat wordlessly under his glare. "Have you forgotten what the Hellions were trained to do? How they were all slaughtered on their final training mission? How they killed some of our own?" "I haven't forgotten." /I was there./ "But if she is the only one who will teach me, then this is where I will stay." /This is ridiculous. Why am I even arguing?/ Kurt thought. "You're not staying here, Cassie. You're coming back with me." He reached for her, but was throw back by a jolt of energy. "I cannot allow that to happen." Kurt quickly got back on his feet. "Cassie..." "She has made her decision." The flat, cold voice came from Cassandrea but the words did not - the White Queen was in control now. "I told her that she would not be removed against her will." Cassandrea's eyes seemed to glow with psychic energy. "Though I'm not sure I would let her leave if she wanted to," she added off-handedly. Cassandrea was merely a puppet in this play, unaware of what she was doing and saying. She wouldn't even remember that Kurt had come for her. Emma would make sure of that. "Let her go, Frost," Kurt snarled, stepping cautiously towards her. "She doesn't belong here. You don't need her for your little army." "You underestimate her value, Elf," she said smuggly. "With the proper instruction, she could be the most powerful mutant the world has ever seen." "I won't let you destroy her like you destroyed the Hellions. Like you are destroying those other girls!" He rushed her, not exactly sure what he was going to do once he got his hands on her. With a thought, Emma froze him in place. "The Hellions were... not properly prepared," she said, almost sadly. "The New Hellions will not make the same mistakes." She paused, considering her next move. She released her hold on him. "You have the option of quite literally leaving under your own power or being sent back to New York in a bag." Seizing the opportunity, Kurt teleported close so he could grab Cassie and teleport out of the mansion, hoping that distance would break the link. {I wouldn't do that,} Emma's voice sounded in his head. {It's very possible she could become comatose from the forced break. Then again, she might not.} Kurt hesitated. "You're lying." If there was even a chance he could hurt Cassie... "Am I?" she said cooly. He weighed the choices carefully. If there was any chance of getting Cassie out of there unharmed, he was going to need major backup. Spitting a German curse, he teleported as far away from the Hellfire Mansion as he could. Cassandrea's mouth twisted into a smug grin. "Domino." Emma called using Cassie's voice. The woman with paper white skin stepped into the room. "Everything is going to plan, I take it?" "Of course. The girls are ready." Domino shrugged. "As ready as they can be. Is another confrontation with Xavier's people really wise?" With another smug grin, Emma walked Cassie to her bed. As she felt the girl drifting back to sleep, the White Queen released her hold over her mind. {It has never been wise for Charles to question my abilities.} poster: nacey date: 31 August 2002, 12:03am EST The movie wasn't particularly spell-binding, not with Sarah fussing next to me and looking like she needed to get out of there. Plus she was smelling so good, and the scene of two scantily clad Egyptian women fighting to the death just made me want to ravage Sarah on the spot. So I leant to her and whispered. "Wanna get out of here?" with a slight growl to my voice. She inhaled sharply and I felt the slight shudder run through her. "Depends." She gave me this sly look. "Are you going to deal with the popcorn crumbs?" I met her eyes with a feral look, then ticked a brow suggestively. She grabbed my hand and pulled me off the couch in a heartbeat. We were out of there so fast we barely heard Jubes muttering, "Have fun you guys." We were just turning the corner of the dormitory corridor when we saw Cameron strolling the other way to the X-Men rooms, a long lazy smile on his face and a huge goofy looking yellow stuffed llama in his arms. Sarah blinked as if she couldn't believe her eyes. "Is that a llama?" I laughed quietly. "Look's like. What I wanna know is if that's an 'I got lucky' smile..." "Lucky, or he got his hands on some good drugs." I chuckled and rose my brows at Cammo expectantly as he came close. "You look like the cat that ate the canary." Cameron grinned blissfully. "The date was awesome, mate. Fucking awesome!" I grinned. "All right! I'd ask for gory details but Sarah would hit me." "Sarah'll hit you if you don't!" she said, punching my arm. Cameron chuckled. "It's okay - we kissed at the end." He seemed to do this thrilled little dance on the spot at that, and the llama's head bobbed around oddly. "And we went on the ferris wheel, and ate fairy-floss and she won me Algernon." He shook the llama, and it's head bobbed again. He grinned like an idiot. "What is it with you people naming inanimate objects?" Sarah wrinkled her nose. Cameron wrapped his arms around the llama. "It's not inanimate. It moves, see?" Another llama jiggle. "Uh right." Sarah looked to me, to the llama, to Cameron, and back to me. "Yellow suits you." "Don't tell Jubilee," he said with a grin. "She's got rights on that colour you know." Sarah chuckled. "My lips are sealed, but you'd better hide the evidence." "On that, I'm off," Cameron said, winking to us. "I can see you're both busting to get on your own. Night!" We bid him goodnight and I grinned as Sarah led the way to my room. poster: Allison date: 31 August 2002, 12:50am EST I’m thinking God knew what he was doing when I got stuck with the mutanty genes. If it weren’t for the mutant parts, I would not be standing here, staring at the wall feeling all tingly and floaty. What’s that saying? “Making out, well a few billion teenagers can’t be wrong.” Definitely understand that, even after one little kiss, one really nice, really tingly kiss. I know it’s pathetic, but was my first kiss. You know one where you feel drunk afterwards, not before. And what’s more, Cammo is the one who kissed me. My friend Cammo, who is sweet, kind, funny, not to mention dead sexy. Hot damn, this mutant thing really is working out nicely. Somehow I managed to turn myself and open up my door and to my surprise the light was on in the bathroom. Angelica was one of those early to bed, early to rise, freaks so any sign of life at this time was rare. Since she was awake I didn’t worry about being quiet as I changed. Half way between my dresser and the hamper I realized I was humming. “I could’ve danced all night, I could’ve danced all night and something some thing something…” I sang softly in my head as I twirled across the floor. It was from some movie my mom loved, she loved the old musicals and in pockets of girlie-ness I would sit and watch them with her. She’d usually bust out a home video afterwards, one with me twirling around the room with my elephant while some Disney movie played in the background. Angelica then stepped out of the bathroom, catching me mid twirl, mid flashback and humming loudly. Even her snooty glare couldn’t wipe the smile off my face, “Hello.” “Do you know what time it is?” she asked. “Not really,” I answered bouncing back to my bed. “Why are you grinning like some Lewis Carroll creation?” she demanded. “A lady should never kiss and tell,” I said turning away from her. I heard her mumble something that sounded distinctly like “You’re no lady,” but I didn’t particularly care. My stomach had gone all fluttery again as I thought about the kiss, and I could feel another grin threatening to tear apart my face. I burrowed my face into my pillow, the one that had spent the night in Cammo’s room, I didn’t know if I could actually smell him faintly or if I was just imagining. I pulled up the blankets and curled myself into a ball; my eyes were lazily drifting shut when Angelica’s voice cut in once more. “Do you expect me to sleep with the light on?” I didn’t even bother swearing at her, I just stretched my arm over to the light plate and flicked the switch, and then made my arm recede to its normal length. “Good night, Angelica,” I said, before resting my arm back on the bed. I looked over to the door and smiled, right outside that door is where Cammo kissed me. I could definitely count on sweet dreams tonight. poster: Amezri date: 4 September 2002, 7:18am EST "Elf," Logan called warily. He had smelled the kid's stink near the mansion a short time ago. With Cassie's current situtation, he couldn't blame Kurt for coming - he'd have done the same thing if it were Marie. Hell, he probably would have shown up sooner. Kurt stepped forward, running a hand through his dark hair. "We have to get her out of there." "Yeah, I know," Logan sighed. "What happened in there?" "You don't want to know," Kurt growled, his yellow eyes glowing in rage. "That's what I thought," Logan grunted. "Frost has Cass pretty well brainwashed; same shit that bitch pulled last round. You remember that. We lost some good people the day she sent the Hellions out, and I don't just mean X-Men. Lot'a those kids she had her claws in were good people." Kurt stood silently, staring at the moon. He recalled the times he and Cassie would sit in the branches of a large tree on the grounds and just watch the sky. He missed that. He missed *her.* "The White Queen said Cassie's powers were greater than that of any other mutant on Earth. She won't let her go easily." "S'why we're calling in back up, kid." poster: Jen date: 4 September 2002, 10:37pm EST I disentangled myself from Max and the bed-sheets and started the hunt for my clothes. It never ceases to amaze me how I always manage to lose at least one item; today it’s my bra. No big deal. I’ll get it later. I quietly dressed in what I could find and hurried back to my room to shower and change. Max doesn’t seem to mind waking up alone. If he does, he hasn’t said anything. I think he understands that once I’m up – I’m up and need to go do something. I wish I could stay and sleep in, but I can’t. Not that it was ever allowed. Even here, where no one’s blasting revelry, I can’t sleep past sunup unless I’m totally exhausted. Which I’m not, but what I am is running late. I hope they didn’t leave for church without me. Sam and Paige were waiting down in the garage, but no Rogue. We went on without her. There must be big X-Men doings going on this morning as none of the adults seem to be about. Wonder if it has anything to do with Cassie. She sounded fine in last night’s e-mail. Even invited me to come visit her. Wonder if that might get me out of meeting Max’s parents… hmm… No. It would, but then Max would be upset. Another weekend perhaps. We chatted briefly about the sermon on the way back, but Sam quickly excused himself when I offered to make coffee. I do not know what everyone’s problem is with my coffee. I make very good coffee. I was enjoying my first cup when Annie came stumbling into the kitchen, half asleep and stumbled over her slippers. Having been given the barest details of her date with Cameron last night, I knew I had to dig for some more. I think Cameron edited severely for my benefit. Like anything those two did would offend my virgin sensibilities. "Sweet dreams?" A smile was sort of leaking out as she rummaged for cereal. "Mmm hmm." “So articulate in the morning. Would coffee help?” I asked, holding up the pot as I poured myself another cup. She shook her head and reached in to the freezer for some frozen waffles, "Bah! Cold..." “Bet you weren’t feeling the cold last night.” "Was but then..." Another big grin. “Then…” I asked, my own grin spreading. “I’m wondering how a llama got involved in all of this.” "I won him, in the squirty game... How'd you know about Algernon?" she asked with a yawn. What a name. “Max and I ran into Cammo bouncing down the hall last night.” "Oh?" she answered, trying to fight back a huge smile. “Yes. Bouncing and grinning like an idiot. Care to share the reason?” I just had to hear her version, especially if I was going to have to start asking her for a schedule. "He kissed me, with the lips on the lips and.. yeah." “I would hope he used his lips. Does this mean we’re past ‘we’re just friends’?” "We're still friends, only now with kissing and going places." “Uh huh.” Poor clueless girl. “From where I’m from, friends plus kissing and going places is called dating or boyfriend. And,” I added, “Things rarely stop with kissing.” "Kissing is good for now. And yes Sarah, I have heard of sex, inserts Tab A into Slot B.. or C.. or D. Just because I haven't done it doesn't mean I need you to explain to me about birds and the bees," Her grin was lost on me. I don’t know why that statement pissed me off, but it did. “I wasn’t planning on it. I was just trying to give you a friendly warning, but if you want to be clueless, that’s your business.” "It's not that I don't appreciate it or anything, its just a bit early, we've been on half a date." I raised an eyebrow. “Max and I have never managed a whole date.” "Oh I don't know about that. Just because you leave early to go back to his room doesn't mean the date is over." “Very funny. No. Our one attempt at food and a movie ended in near-death experiences for both of us. We haven’t made a second attempt.” "You haven't even gone out to grab some food, or had a 'romantic' evening here?" I shrugged and stared into my coffee cup. Going out was such a disaster last time; I don’t blame him for not trying again. "Max always struck me as one of those flowers and chocolates kind of guys too..." I shrugged again. I would have thought so too, but apparently not. I know Max loves me. I don’t need to go places or have him buy me things to know that. I don’t. Going out on dates or doing romantic ‘just us’ stuff wasn’t important. It shouldn’t be important “It’s not important,” I muttered, realizing that this conversation had just completely ruined what had been looking to be a good day. That stuff shouldn’t be important to me, but now that Annie’s looking at me like she pities me, it suddenly it is. “How did we get on the topic of my non-dates anyway? We were discussing you willful ignorance of the expectations of dating.” "I've never been one to do what people expect me to. I'll do what I want when I want to, not because it is expected of me." “Hope that works for you,” I replied, dumping out my coffee and stalking out of the kitchen. poster: nacey date: 5 August 2002, 11:49am EST It took me a while to wake up, but my darling dear-heart had kinda worn me out the day before. I was used to her sneaking off in the morning, cause I knew it was nothing personal. She was just like that. I had a shower, and got changed, and then loped out to the kitchen to get something to eat. After making short work of a plate of toast, I wondered where Sarah was. I figured her room would be the best place to try first, so I went there, and whaddaya know? There she was. I knocked on the door. "Hey babe, can I come in?" "It's open." She called slamming a closet door. I walked in, and smiling warmly I loped over to her, reaching forward to nuzzle the side of her face in one of my standard kitty 'hello's. And was suprised when she just stood there, not returning the nuzzle the way she'd started to over the last few weeks. I frowned, tilting my head a little. "Hey... you okay?" "Why wouldn't I be?" I narrowed my eyes in a little smile. "Because happy Sarah's don't give Max's the cold shoulder. Or cheek. Whatever." She just shrugged and sat down on the edge of her bed to put her boots on. Okay. Now I was reaching exasperation. This was weird. Everything was perfect this morning. I sat down on the floor in front of her, stretching to try to make eye contact. "Is there something that I've done wrong?" She shrugged again. "Not really. I'm just... bored. I never get to go anywhere and now it'll be months before I get to go out again - even just to the woods." I sighed, leaning my head on my hand. "Oh. Bugger. I hadn't thought of that." I sighed again, running my fingers through my hair. "I'm sorry, babe. Uhm... " My eyes lit up and I grinned at her. "I have the perfect idea! We'll have a special night tonight, okay? You gotta put something nice on, and I'll get all dressed up too." She frowned. "And do what? We're still stuck here." I grinned at her still, grabbing her hands and kissing the knuckles. "That's a special surprise, and if I tell you, it won't be a surprise anymore!" For a moment, she eyed me warily, but then a faint smile started to shine though. "Ok. As long as it doen't involve llama's." I leapt forward, kissing her briefly, then looking into her eyes. "I promise you, it'll be llama free. I gotta go." "I'm holding you to that llama bit." I winked at her before I left, and running out the door, I called, "It's a promise!" I had to organise things now, so that I didn't have a panic later on. I went searching for Storm, and for one moment I was terrified she was out on patrol or something. Thankfully she was in her room, reading an old book. She welcomed me in with one of her regular warm smiles, and I felt suddenly bashful. "Hi Storm. Uhm... can I ask you a really huge favour?" "Of course," she said. "I can't guarantee that I'll grant it though." She looked pleased with her joke, and I sighed. "Okay, uhm, see, the thing is. Sarah can't go out on the town with me for a few months, because of her cold-bloodedness, right?" "Right," nodded Storm, looking like she was wondering where *she* came into this. "Right, well. You have that really awesome greenhouse on the roof, with the tropical flowers and stuff in it. And it has that nice little table in it with the chairs where you can have tea and-" "You were wondering if you could treat Sarah to a dinner there, am I guessing correctly?" I blushed and nodded. "Yeah." Storm regarded me for a long moment, a lax smile on her face. Inside, I was churning and burning. "Sure," she said, obviously taking great glee in my discomfort of the conversation. "Just leave it as you found it, and don't crush any of my flowers in any sudden fits of passion, understood?" "Absolutely!" I grinned, and I ran over and hugged her. "You're the best!" "I know," she smiled. I raced from the room, knowing there was one more person I had to find, and that I would be paying back *this* favour for months yet. It being a Sunday morning, I found Remy just where I expected him. Inside Jubilee's bedroom. Yeesh. I knocked on the door. There was a very deep growl. "Unless you have a very good reason to be here, go 'way!" "Uhm, it's Max." "Mazzie-poos," moaned Jubilee, sounding *very* tired, "I love you, but what the hell do you want at this time of day on a Sunday?!" "It's eleven-thirty." "Oh geezus... go away and come back when we've woken up." I sighed, twisting my clawed fingers in my hands. "But it's an emergency."' There was another growl. "I promise! It'll only take two seconds." After yet another growl, there was a stomping to the door. It swung open, and there in the doorway was Remy LeBeau, dressed only in Jubilee's yellow satin pyjama pants. I glaced at them, trying to keep the laugh in, as it would have totally ruined my chances of getting him to agree to my plan. "Make it good, mon chat," Remy said, looking like he wanted to break my neck. "Okay," I winced and threw up my hands. "See, it's like this. Sarah, see, she is like a reptile right?" Remy didn't move. "Right! And so, she can't go out with me onto the town like everyone else can. She's basically stuck here where there's central heating. Anyways, she really deserves a bit of a treat, you know? And I wanted to have a nice little candle-lit dinner in Storm's roof-top green-house... cause you know, it's all climate-controlled and everything, and-" "Remy is wondering what dis all 'ave to do wit' him." OHhh shit. "Yeah well, that's the thing you see. I've already cooked Sarah the best dish I can make - and that's schnitzels. And I heard..." I blanched at Remy's unimpressed expression. "I heard you could cook." Remy tilted his head, leaning on the doorway. "An' you think bargin' into Remy's girlfrien's room on de one mornin' he have some time to himself is gonna endear yourse'f to 'im, hmm?" I probably got even paler, and I sighed. "Well, I understand if you dont wanna-" Then, there was a sudden shrill cry from inside the room. "He's doing it!" Remy spun about. "What?! What makes you think that-" "Remy. Shut it. You're doing it." Wow. Take mental note - remember to kiss Jubilee's feet later. The both of them burst into a heated discussion, and Remy glanced to me, grabbing the door. "You owe me, homme!" He slammed it in my face. Well. Remy hates my guts now, but he's making me dinner tonight. Hmmm... should employ some taste testers to make sure it's all good. Then again, Jubilee is obviously holding sex for ransom, so I don't know if he'd really wanna misbehave... Ah well. One last stop to Jean Grey's room to get some nice classical music on CD, and hopefully everything for tonight will be set. poster: Allison date: 7 September 2002, 7:33am EST After Sarah had gone stomping out of the kitchen, I swore to myself that I would never talk to her again unless all my brain cells were focused on the conversation. It seemed as though that was the only way we could have a conversation without her getting all pissy at me. And I have absolutely no idea where her need for a sex talk came from. I am aware of the fact that there are twelve year olds who have gone farther than I have, but she seemed to think that because Cam and I kissed, we’re going to hop into bed together. I will never understand how her mind works. I finished my waffles and walked into the rec room, and flopped on the couch besides Sam Guthrie. I’d only met him a couple of Sundays ago when he joined me and Rogue in watching NASCAR. He was pretty cool, save his choice in drivers, considering he had that annoying little sister. “Did I miss anything?” I asked, watching the cars circling around the track. “Buckshot Jones is back, but he hasn’t crashed anything yet, and everyone has just started pitting,” he responded. I grinned; we were guaranteed a few accidents now. Sure enough less than an hour later, Sam was grumbling as the announcer reeled off the information from the heads of the pit crews. “Apparently Jeff Gordon will not be returning to the race, after the first accident with Kyle Petty he was able to return, but that is not the case after his collision with Buckshot.” I poked Sam, “Looks like the Rainbow Warrior isn’t so great after all.” “He’s still ahead of your boy in the rankings,” he shot back. “For now,” was my only reply. “Try, forever.” I just scoffed and turned my attention back to the TV; Dale Earnheardt Jr. was in sixth and attempting to pass Sterling Marlin. Normally my full attention would be on my boy moving into the top five, but something caught the corner of my eye. Cameron had walked past the rec room, looking like he was headed for the kitchen. The back of his tee shirt looked a bit damp from his wet hair. Simple curiosity had me standing up, I turned to Sam, “I’m gonna get something to drink.” He didn’t pay much attention as I walked quickly from the room. I paused outside the kitchen; I could here him puttering around and suddenly I became very aware of the knot forming in my stomach. I had absolutely no idea what I was going to say. What do you say after your friend kisses you? He kissed me, that’s right, he kissed me. That little mantra playing in my head I finally walked into the kitchen, I had chosen my next words carefully. “Hey.” He looked over at me and smiled, I could feel that pesky knot just sort of melt away. poster: cammogirl date: 8 September 2002, 5:21am EST I was making myself some breakfast when I heard someone stroll into the kitchen. A big stupid grin broke on my face when I heard her say, "Hey." I turned, trying to wipe it off my face and totally failing. I winked at her. "Hey you, what you up to this fine morning?" "Watching the race." I couldn't help but look confused. "Which race?" "NASCAR, fourty three cars driving around a track at two hundred miles an hour. Things go boom," she explained, gesturing with her hands. She then loped over to the fridge, opening it and surveying the contents inside. "Wow, sounds fun," I replied, eyeing the sandwich I was making myself. "I didn't pick you for a pyro." She grinned, "One county over from us fireworks were leagle, every 4th of July we'd be out there." "Interesting," I replied, and smiled as she closed the fridge and walked over next to me. "No fireworks allowed in Australia. Though my uncle had this home made bazooka thing made out of a big 4 inch wide PVC pip... he'd stuff our Gran's lemons in one end and shoot them off over the fence." I cracked up at the memory. "Used to drive my aunt *mad*!" She laughed, "I'd imagine so." I looked at her a moment. She was watching me fill my sandwich with assorted bits and pieces of left-over food and salad. I don't know why, but I asked softly, "Did you have a good time last night?" She blinked a couple of times, "Uh huh." I gave a cheeky smile. "Good. That means I guess you wouldn't mind a repeat performance? Somewhere else of course... uhm... you know what I mean." I blushed. "Not in the kitchen becuase anyone could.." she stopped and cringed, "Right going out somewhere else, not..erm sounds good." I couldn't help it. I had to giggle. "Yeah, I meant..." I smiled, and shook my head. "Don't worry about it, I was being vague." She gave a little laugh, "Yeah. So what have you been up to?" I turned, folded my arms and smiled at her. "For the first time in a year, I've been swimming. Really swimming. I did a good two miles of swimming today." I nudged her chin with my knuckle. "I haven't felt like it until last night." She choked on her drink, "Two miles? I'm sorry." I frowned. "Sorry for what?" "Two miles is only a little bit far." "Nah," I said, shaking my head. "I'm working up to four. The champions do four every day." She smiled. "Ah, so you want to be on a Wheaties box." She unwittingly hit a sore spot. I shrugged, looking down to my bare feet. "Uhm... I wanted to. Before I uh..." I lifted my hand and wiggled it. "Found out I was a mutant." "Because then you wanted to be a vigilante," Annie nodded. I gazed at her a long moment, and I tried not to let tears get in my eyes. This was the first time I'd talked about this to anybody. I never spoke of it, not to Cyke, not to anyone. Not even my family. "I didn't," I said. "They don't let mutants into the Olympics, and I'd been training for it since I realised I loved swimming. I was ten years old. Ten." I shrugged. "No use trying to hide my mutation, or fight what you can't change. I guess... I guess being a vigilante was all I thought I was good for." I'd barely finished speaking when Annie wound her arms about my neck, hugging me tightly. I sighed, leaning on her shoulder, wondering what I did to get this lucky. I leant back, stroking her cheek gently. "Thanks, I... I guess there's no point bitching about it. Life deals, and you take your hand, you know?" I nodded. "I feel like swimming again though... that's gotta be a good thing." "Yup, and if we weren't mutants you'd be in Australia and I'd be back in Arizona.. It all works out I suppose." I grinned. She knew exactly what to say. I leant forward, pressing a kiss to her cheek and muttering, "Thank you," in her ear. She grinned a little, "Your welcome." I grabbed my finished sandwich, bit into it and wiggled my brows at her. "So whatcha upto today?" "Dunno, was watching the race with Sam and I'm suppose see Hank around three," she shrugged. "Hmm, that's about three hours then," I said, glancing to my watch. "Let's see... what trouble can you and I get into in such a tiny window of opportunity?" "I don't know, do you have any ideas?" I shrugged and sighed. "Well, we could find Angelica and watch her get infuriated at us acting normally." Annie shook her head, "You do not want to go in there, she's acting really strange and pulling out all sorts of scary things." I widened my eyes at her, chewing on my sandwich. "Ooer, gossip! Like what?" "She had a ballgown type thing out at ten thirty in the morning, and asked if she could borrow my mascara since she was out. I had to explain to her that my mascara was blue, she wasn't too pleased," Annie grinned. "Sounds like someone has a date," I said. "Question is, who on earth would she go out with that she would deem worthy enough for her?" She frowned at me with a hint of amusement. "And since when did you drop your 'Up with Angelica and classical music' attutide?" "Pfft. I was being polite." I frowned at her. "I thought you'd give me more credit than that. Like I couldn't see through her sugary-sweet act a mile off." I shrugged and looked sheepish. "Besides, she gave me this snarky look this morning after I mentioned you on the way to the pool. Figured maybe she wasn't so nice after all." "I don't think she likes anyone unless they can recite every famous violin solo in history...," she paused, "Are there any famous violin solos?" I smiled. "Yeah but they're only famous amongst other violinists." "Exactly, and why anyone would want to play violin is beyond me. I always wanted to play gutair, you know one that's not made of air, unfortunately I'm tone deaf." I frowned a little. "Hey, I like classical music, and I like violins, I just don't like..." I pulled a face. "Classical music snoots." Annie giggled, "Ah yes, snoots, is that their scietific classification?" "Nah, that's some big long latin word I forget," I smirked. "Anyway - wanna come for a walk with me after I've finished this sambo?" "I should probably put on shoes," she said, glancing down at her bare feet. "Me too," I said, wiggling my toes. I'll meet you by the back door in..." I checked my watch. "Five?" "Sure," Annie said turning to the door. After taking a step she paused and turned around, walking back towards him, quickly she kissed him on the lips. "See you in a few." I grinned, probably from ear to ear. "Cool. I'll be here." poster: Jen date: 9 September 2002, 9:12pm EST I puttered around in my room a while, straightening up Cassie’s stuff, debating boxing up some of her personal items and sending them to her. She hasn’t asked me to send anything off, which is strange. I’d want my stuff. I think she’d want her stuff too, but if I keep it all here, maybe she’ll come back for a visit. I’m trying to keep busy and avoid speculating on what Max has in mind for tonight. I can’t imagine what he could come up with that would be fun and different while we were still stuck in this building, but he seemed so excited about whatever it was though so I guess I’ll wait and see. But ‘wear something nice’? He should know better than to use those words in relation to my closet. There is that fuzzy blue angora sweater I picked up last week. Jubes said it would look good with those black pants, but that means I’ll have to do laundry. On a Sunday. When it’s crowded. Crap. I was making my way down to the laundry room when I scented Cameron in the kitchen. I figured I should take this opportunity to make sure he and I were on the same page since Annie wasn’t taking this seriously at all. I sat my laundry bag on the floor. “I need to talk to you.” There. Reasonably pleasant for what else I have to say. He blinked, and shrugged, "Sure. What's up?" “Annie. You try to make her do anything she doesn’t want to, I will make you wish you were dead,” I gave him my most ‘charming’ smile, “And then, when you heal, I’ll do it again. Do we understand each other?” He looked like he was going to choke. "Dude..." He held up his hands, shaking his head. "Nup, forget it. I'm not going to talk about this with you, particularly since I've done nothing to warrant the warning. Thanks for the vote of confidence anyway." Nothing to warrant the warning my ass. You’re going out with my friend. That’s enough right there. I shrugged. “Doesn’t matter if you talk to me or not.” It certainly won’t change the results if you do something stupid. "Great, then I can leave." I let him stomp off and gathered my laundry back up. I said my peace. Even if it cost me passing geometry this time around, he needed to know Annie wasn’t without some protection. I passed Ms. Munroe on my way to the laundry. She got the weirdest smile on her face when she saw me and wished me a pleasant evening. I think being left here alone with all of us today has gotten to her. I ignored the looks from the other students as I ironed and folded my stuff. I still ironed everything. I could bend on some things, but others were non-negotiable. And ironing was soothing. Mindless… repetitive… rhythmic... A tug on my sleeve and a soft voice calling my name broke me from my reverie. “Can you iron this for me?” Jamie asked, thrusting a wadded up dress at me. I cringed. All those ruffles… I put down the iron, looked at her expectant little face and sighed. “No, but I’ll teach you how to do it.” The ironing lesson took most of the afternoon, that dress had a shitload of ruffles. Where she intends to wear the frilly party dress I don’t know, but I enjoyed helping her. It’ll be nice to have at least one other student who irons around here. I was starting to get a complex. I checked my watch and yelped. I needed to go get ready for my surprise. { Back }{ Next } { Home }{ Updates }{ Archive }{ Characters }{ Gallery }{ Other } The Golden Nox is part of The Ethereal's Den & Dungeon message forum. Owned and operated by Amezri, © 2001-2004 Astrumignis Productions.