I think this is the longest chapter i written for you guys so far. I hope you enjoy and REVIEW!
Laura peeked her head from out under the covers as she saw a wisp of orange exit the room, leaving the door open. She listened intently as she heard a woman begin to talk to Julian. They were whispering but with Laura's advanced hearing she could make out everything they were saying.
"Oh my god Julian is that a woman under your covers?" The mysterious woman asked.
"No its a man…Im joking! Did you seriously believe that?" Laura could hear Julian laughing.
A noise resembling a slap could be heard. She assumed that the woman had playfully hit Julian. From what she was hearing, it sound like Julian and this woman were very comfortable with each other.
"So is it safe to say that your moving on from Sofia?"
"I don't know. I'm just going with the flow of things."
The direction of the conversation reminded Laura of when she saw Julian and Norika kiss, years ago. Feelings jealousy rise up within her and she begins to feel like an animal that needs to claim it's territory. Pushing her emotions aside, Laura got out of bed, composed herself, and headed out of the room.
"OH MY GOD! AHHH!"
Laura felt herself being pushed back by a tight embrace from what appeared to be a woman. She stood still, confused by what was going on. The woman pulled back smiling and allowing Laura to get a better look at her. The woman had fair rosy skin, light green eyes, and long red hair. She looked and smelled slightly familiar to Laura. However Laura couldn't identify her.
"Laura don't you recognize me! Its me Cess!" the girl said excitedly.
"Cess?" Laura asked disbelievingly. The woman in front of her didn't look anything like her old friend, Cessily Kincaid.
"Yea girl, I know I look a little different. Its this new trick I've learned.I can consciously recreate my human body" Cessily explained. Turning her head to Julian ,Cessily began to address him. "Julian how could you not tell me you found Laura? And what was she doing in you bed." From her facial expression it was obvious that Cessily believe that something occurred between Julian and Laura.
Julian quickly jumped in to clear up what happened. "Cess its not like that. Laura was over here late and then there was a sentinel situation and we both just thought it would be safer for her to spend the night over here."
"Ohh well Im glad you guys are okay. And i'm glad you here. I missed you." Cessily brought laugh in for another hug as she squealed in excitement. You have to tell me everything that you've been doing for the last four years. Oh my god we have to have breakfast and catch up." Cessily suggested to Laura.
"Ok" Laura agreed.
"Well I have to get to work but you guys can stay here, just lock up if you leave. See you later." Julian grabbed his coat, gave the girls a smile and headed out.
"Oh my gosh this is so exciting. I know this little diner that has the best food, or so I've been told. But first i have to find my I.D. I left it around here somewhere, once i find it we can leave." Cessily began ransacking the little apartment in hopes of finding her ID. Laura decided to start looking around and helping Cess.
"Here it is, I found it!" Cessily emerged from the kitchen with a little card in her hand. "Okay so you ready to go?"
"Yes" Getting up from a spot on the floor, Laura headed out the apartment with Cessily.
Laura and Cessily sat in a booth in a small diner with dark wood floors and green leather seats. As she and Cess waited for a waiter Laura looked around at the walls which where covered in photos of famous mutants. Many of the photos were of x-men.
"One thing I love most about this restaurant is the walls. I know Julian hates them, cause he hold some sort of anger towards the x-men. But I think it gives people hope for a better tomorrow. Whether or not we feel like the x-men helped us personally, they did help make it easier for the lives of mutants."
"Yes. I do think that if they had not disbanded mutants would be in a better place right now. Is that why you have hid you mutation? To try and make a better tomorrow for yourself?"
"I did it to fit in. You know, made myself look more human. It was hard when everything first happened, looking the way I did. Im not trying to say that i have it harder than other mutants. But I definitely think that it can be easier if you look normal."
"None of us are normal."
"Yes but I would like to look normal." As she said this the waiter came to take their order. "He was cute" Cess commented as the waited left. "And santo doesn't mind when I look."
"Santo?"
"Yup, I never thought it would happen especially with Santo of all people but I guess you really can't help who you fall in love with. Talking about about relations, are you with anyone?"
"No." Laura said uncomfortably. She had stopped cutting awhile ago but in this moment she felt the urge to pop her claws and slice her skin.
"Well Julian as been unsuccessful in that area of his life too." Cessily said with a hint a mischief in her eyes. "He's been with this one chick off and on but there no good for each other. Do you still like him?"
Laura wasn't sure how to describe the way she felt for Julian. "I have always viewed him as a friend. I don't know if we could ever be more."
"Well I always thought you guys would be cute together."
"Do you know of a woman named Sofia?" Laura quickly asked, wanting to get answers.
"Uhh yeah thats the girl Julian has been seeing off on on. I don't know if you remember her she used to go to the institute. But she left the institute shortly after you arrived. I think at the time she had some sort of family issues or something. After the X-men disbanded Julian moved here and it just happened Sofia was living here too. I remember how Julian use to talk about her and Evie."
"Her child?"
"Yea. Evie isn't actually hers, biologically anyway. She was born to a coworker of Sofia's. But the woman didn't want the baby so Sofia took her. Julian use to baby sit Evie all the time but once he and Sofia started breaking up every second. He kinda stepped back. He didn't want to be in and out of her life. So he just chose to be out. It no easy though, since they live so close."
"Why did they start breaking up?"
"Oh no particular reason." Cessily said. Laura felt as though Cessily was hiding something but she decided not to push the issue.
Laura had just separated from Cessily and found herself walking through the streets of District X. Her eyes scanned tall buildings of different colors and her boots clicked on brown cobblestone as she felt as energy flow through her. She could feel a genuine happiness that existed within this place. Yet there was something secret about everything like there was a little bit of danger on every corner. It was nice, Laura could see why someone would want to move here. As she moved through the streets she turned a corner and saw a large group circled around someone. She decided to head over and see what the commotion was about.
"It is NOT okay to destroy government property! Yes, sentinels were created to destroy the mutant race. However, the government now uses sentinels to protect you and everyone else. By destroying them you are just putting yourself in a negative light." The words came from a tall red and yellow robotic like figure, Iron Man.
People within the crowd began to scream out, they were angry. "This is bullshit! Those sentinels attacked us! How the hell are sentinels for our protection!" Tired of hearing the growing crowd Laura turned around and began to walk away.
"Laura wait! Wait up!"
Laura turned back around to see the man she spent the night with. "Hello Julian. I did not expect to see you here. I thought you were at work."
Julian put his arm around Laura and began to walk with her."Yeah I was. But you know, lunch break and then I heard all this stuff going on so I had to check it out. I told you someone would be mad." He chuckled.
Laura found amusement in Julian's words. "Yes, well I was just about to head back home, maybe take a nap and then get ready for work."
"Oh well I was wondering if I could take you out sometime, maybe tonight." Julian asked hopefully. Laura could tell that he was nervous, unsure of exactly what he wanted to say.
"I am working tonight Julian."Laura said, feeling a little bad that she had to turn him down.
"Well maybe after you get off from work."
"I get off after at two in the morning."
"Okay so two then?"
Laura could'nt help but smile at Julian's persistence. "Okay two then."
"Its a date." Julian said smiling back.
Laura walked out of the lounge looking both ways in search of Julian. She saw him leaning against a car and looking down at the ground. He looked cold and she wondered how long he had been waiting there.
She walked up to him since he had yet to notice her. "If you wanted you could of waited inside for me."
Julian looked up and gave Laura a smile. "Hey…yea…I umm didn't want to see…"
"I understand. Its okay. Its not for everybody." Laura said these words as she stared into Julian's ocean blue eyes.
Not able to hold her gaze Julian looked away and opened the car door for Laura. "Get in."Once Laura was in the car Julian headed into the other side and hopped in. "I borrowed this car for a buddy of mine. Im not that good at driving this it, you know being able to fly and all, so buckle up."
Strapping on her seat belt Laura looked at him. "Where are we going?"
"A little restaurant I know of. I think you'll like it."
After driving for a half an hour Julian pulled into the parking lot of IHOP.
"I remember how you liked pancake, so i thought theres no better place to bring you than the international house of pancakes."
"Thank you Julian. This was very thoughtful."
"That's me being . Com on lets go in."
The couple headed inside to eat. Being that it was two in the morning they ended up being the only customers. They sat down and ordered a plate of pancakes for both of them to share. Julian was surprised at how many Laura was able to they were both done the couple relaxed in their chair both feeling like they were unable to move.
"I will never eat another pancake again." Julian groaned out.
Julian and Laura couldn't help but laugh at each other and the stuffed state they both appeared to be in.
"Come on, time to get you home." Julian grabbed his keys and offered his hand to Laura which she happily took.
"Make a right at this light."
As he reached the light Julian made a right.
"Ok its that building." Laura pointed at a tall brown building that stood at the end of the block.
"Ok so here we are."
"Here we are." Laura said, repeating Julian's words. The couple sat in silence. Neither know what to say or do. Laura reached out grabbing Julian's hand to get his attention. Julian turned his head to Laura's direction "Thank you Julian. This was fun." Laura leaned forward and kissed JUlian at a slow, languid pace. She pulled back. However, Julian quickly captured her lips again. This time the kiss more was more passionate and when the couple pulled away they found themselves trying to catch their breath, both of them smiling.
"Julian would you like to come inside?"
"Yes."
