Let Downs and Great Expectations

JEAN

I was riding high after Scott agreed to be my date. The next day, I couldn't hold it in and immediately told Ororo. She was so happy for me and glad I took the initiative. So who could bring down my day? The man who brought it up to begin with!

Ororo and I were in the library and Scott walked in and said hi to us. Me and Ororo were giving each other that look and were all giggles and smiles as Scott was fetching a a book. So I casually ask him what color dress I should get. And do you know what he responds with, "I don't know." I tell him so we could match and he responds with.. "For what? It's just a dress. Why are you asking me, Ororo is right here. She could probably help you out more than I could." And he got his stupid book and left.

Ororo turned to me, almost bewildered. "Umm.. Jean dear, are you sure you asked him out or was it another one of your fantasies?"

"Shut up, of course I did."

"You sure?"

"You know how shy he can be.. just cuz you were here Ro, daymit."

"Jean, I don't know, the party is tomorrow and do we really need to go out today and get you a new dress if.."

"No daymit, we're going to the mall and I'm getting a dress and after that I will kill Scott Summers."

SCOTT

I was lying on my bed, reading the book I got from the library earlier when Warren walked in. He sat at the foot of my bed and he just looked at me. At first I tried to ignore him but he just kept looking at me with some silly grin on his face.

"Umm.. is there something I can do for you Warren?"

"No, I'm just waiting for you to tell me."

"Umm.. tell you what?"

Warren took a pillow and threw it at me. "Don't play coy with me you dog you."

"Don't throw my pillows around and what're you talking about."

"Jean!"

My heart sank. "What about her?" I said trying to act clueless.

"I overheard through the grapevine that you two are going together tomorrow night."

"Umm, I'm going tomorrow as is she .. so we are going if that's what you mean."

"Hhaha don't play dumb with me. From what I overheard from Ororo, it sounded more like a date."

"A date? Warren please." Everyone knew Warren liked Jean. It was one of the reasons it made it so hard to like Jean in the first place. As much as all of us fight a lot, we're like family, especially the four of us, me, Hank, Bobby and Warren. We were the first ones here and then Jean came and turned everything around. What was it Bobby said before, "Bro's over hoes."

"You know Scott it is ok if you are going with her."

"Even if I was her date, which I'm not, why are you so happy? And as I recall didn't you want to go with her?"

"Well, yeah I did.. I do but hey you can't blame a guy for trying right? If she went out with some random guy, I'd be concerned, but hey it's just you."

"Just me? Thanks."

"Yeah you.. I always had a feeling you had a thing for Jean.. and now I know."

"You know nothing. I think you've been spending too much time with Bobby and his fantasies."

"Don't play dumb with me Summers. I know you and I know you like her. The thing is, what are you going to do about it at the prom?"

"First off, it's not a prom, it's a charity function I don't know where people got that and secondly there's nothing for me to do.. I'm only going because Jean stressed on about how I was going to miss out since I was the only one who would not go.. so there I agreed .. I'm not her date."

"Uh hu, yeah sure bud.. tell me this, didn't I ask you to go?"

"Yeah."

"And Hank?"

"Yeah."

"And Bobby?"

"Yes and Ro too ...which you were going to ask next !"

"yep.. and what did you all tell us."

"…"

"EXACTLY ! .. and what did you tell Jean? … yep I thought so..have you even thought of the possiblity that she might actually like you?"

"Me?"

"Yeah, as weird as it may sound. You never know? But I know you like her, that's all that matters."

"I don't know how many times I have totell you, I don't.." First step is denial, second step is acceptance and third step is denial to your friends. But before I could finish my sentence Warren cut me off.

"Look Scott, call it what you will.. a date not a date .. a prom a party.. either way we're all getting dressed up and doll'ed up and since all of us all have dates.. that leaves just you two to 'hang out' .. if I were you I would take advantage of that... in fact I wish I was you ..well no.. hehe..but I do wish I was in your situtation.. think about it Scott.. think looong and hard." And with that he left the room with a huge grin on his face.

Freaken Warren. Thanks to him I thought nothing about this stupid party and it bugged me all afternoon and into the next day. I thought about it long and hard just as Warren saidand daymit he wwas right. Even if we weren't a date, we would still be together while everyone was hanging out with their own dates. This was my chance. Oh my God, who am I fooling. I'm scared sh. I could run battle simulations in the danger room but give me this stupid party and I'm off like a coward. No, I shouldn't worry so much.. I'll just put myself out there and when she rejects me, it'll be ok because then I could finally put this behind me and I could move on. Oh God, I don't know what to do.

Before I knew it, it was already getting late and I realized I had absolutely nothing to wear for tonight. I cursed myself endlessly and Warren for this. I got the car keys and made a dash for the mall. Along the way, I bumped into Jean and Ororo. I told Jean I had to make a quick stop at the mall and to wait for me so we could drive to the party together. I left with out giving her much time to say anything except an "OK." I didn't need her to tell me that she was going to go ahead with the others. For once I was actually thinking straight. At least alone in the car, I cantry to get a reading on her without the embarrassment of having everyone there. She did turn down Warren, oh who am I kidding, I'm screwed.

JEAN

"OK" were the only words that was able to come out from my mouth and just like that Scott was off. For a moment I paused and then turned to Ro.

"Haha.. you heard that right Ro?"

"Actually I did."

"See we are going together… oh this is great, we're going to drive there together.. oh this is better than I thought." I quickly grabbed Ro's arm and raced upstairs.

"Jean what's the rush, we still have a few hours before the party?"

"Are you kidding me, I still have to shower and you have to do my hair!"

To Be Continued..

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