Bobby and Piotr were playing a Super Smash Bros. match to determine the ultimate champion. Bobby played as Link and Piotr as Captain Falcon. Both were determined to win. As the beads of sweat began forming at the top of their foreheads they were cooled down a puff of blue smoke that surrounded the room. Out of the smoke came the mutant Nightcrawler, also known as Kurt Wagner.
"Hey guys! Miss your favorite pal much?"
"Aw come on Kurt! Get out of the way! I'm just about to beat Piotr if I can just-" Before Bobby could finish his sentence he saw that Link was being blasted out of the screen. "Damn. That doesn't count yah know!"
Piotr recalled from the previous game that interferences were nothing to whine about and of course still counted. "But, you said-"
"Oh forget what I said Piotr. It's not fair."
"Fine play your stupid games and pay no attention to your friend that has been gone for practically three months."
Getting up, Bobby replied, "Hey it is good to see you. Where's your girl?" He grabbed his hand and brought him in for a hug.
"Blink? She's upstairs. Taking a nap."
"So how was your vacation?" Piotr asked as he shook his hand.
"Oh it was awesome! We went all over the place. Eh, but I'll tell you guys everything after I talk to my sister. Do you guys know where she's at?"
"I think her and the girls are out at the pool."
"Thanks Bobby. I'll catch you guys later!" Another puff of smoke and Kurt disappeared.
…
"Can you believe the summer is almost over? Pass the sun block over here."
Handing the bottle of SPF 45 to Kitty, Anna replied: "I know… tomorrow is our first day of school. Summer went by so fast."
"I'm kinda excited… then kinda not."
"I still can't believe you and Piotr are still together." Anna stated.
"I can't either. It's like the apocalypse or something." Lorna said as she entered the pool scene.
"And I can't believe you're wearing a bikini." Kitty said as she noticed Lorna's body in a small pink two-piece.
"Eh, something outside the box."
"Dang Lorna. Ever since Amanda's party like a month ago you've been more like… me!"
The blue smoke returned and Kurt was drawn out. "Hey! How's my favorite sister and her gorgeous friends?"
"Ahhhh! Kurt!" Anna got up from the pool chair and ran up to her older brother. She wrapped her arms around him squeezing him tight. "I'm so glad your back! Cuttin' it a lil close here don't you think? Our first day back to school is tomorrow!"
"Eh…" He shrugged and then smiled as he headed toward Lorna's direction. "And you! I barely recognize you Lorna! This is Lorna, right?"
"Yes, Kurt. It's me."
"You," He grabbed her hand and twirled her around. "…are looking fabulous!"
"Oh stop it!" She playfully slapped his shoulder.
Kitty demanded attention: "Um, hello?"
For a moment, Kurt couldn't take his eyes off Lorna. Soon he regained his composure and gave Kitty his attention. "Kitty Kat! Catching up on your tan?"
"Yes." She smiled sweetly and ran over for a hug.
…
"So where'd you two go first?"
"Yeah Kurt! Tell us all the details!"
"Well we really just went country hopping. We went to Italy, France, Egypt, man there's a list!"
"Which place was your favorite?" Lorna asked.
"Probably… oh gosh… ahh! I don't know… we went to so many places. They were all pretty cool in their own way."
Adjusting her bathing suit top Kitty asked, "So you had fun then?"
"Yeah me and Blink had a great time."
"Alright then. Well you'll have to tell me all the details a little later. I have to go plan out my outfit for tomorrow so if I don't see you later on today I'll see you tomorrow at school. Love yah!" She kissed Kurt on the cheek and began walking back to the mansion.
"Yeah, it's getting dark. I'm a little chilly so I am gonna head inside. I'll catch you guys tomorrow."
"Bye Lorna." As she left for the mansion Kurt got up to follow, but was stopped by Anna. "She's with Bobby you know. An' what about Blink huh?"
"What are you implying little sister?"
"You can't still be crushin' on Lorna. You asked Blink out to prom last year remember? Not Lorna. Blink."
"I know… I know."
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Welcome to the new school year students!" The auditorium was booming with clapping and screams. "For all you freshman that don't know, I'm Principal Murray and for all you seniors that are finally getting rid of me this year I'm your worst nightmare." She burst out in laughter, as did the rest of the students and faculty in the auditorium. "I'd like to have our senior class vice president to introduce this year's first assembly. Please welcome Lorna Dane."
Lorna entered the auditorium in a beautiful black dress. In black heels with a pink trim and her hair loosely down, Lorna looked stunning. "Oh my gosh! Doesn't she look amazing?" Blink asked aloud.
"Yeah she does!" Anna noticed Kurt, who was sitting between them, with his jaw dropped. "Stop droolin'." Anna nudged his rib with her elbow. Boys…
"Okay, so unfortunately Nicole Sampson couldn't be here. She's still on summer vacation, but will be back to school on Monday. So hope you guys will be okay with me instead. Um, so okay! I'd like to introduce you to this year's varsity cheer with captain Katharine "Kitty" Pryde." In came the cheer squad in their red and black uniforms doing flips and spins of all kind.
…
"Hey Kat!" Anna said as Kitty came up to the group of friends.
"Hey!"
"You did great! You were in the air half the time!" Piotr wrapped his muscular arms around her and kissed her gently on her forehead.
"Aw, thanks!" She gave him a peck on the cheek and turned to Anna. "Hey bestest friend in the world… I need a favor."
"What is it?"
"Okay so our whole routine went fine during the assembly, but when we were in the locker room, Jessica tripped and sprained her ankle."
"Oh is she okay?"
"Yeah…but now for cheer competition tomorrow we're a girl missing!"
"And…?"
"And it's the routine that you helped me practice and you're the only one that knows the routine so I need you to come with me on the red eye to California tonight!"
Kurt laughed, "My sister? A cheerleader?" He erupted into laughter.
"What you think I can't do it?"
He regained composure long enough to reply, "No, I don't think you could do it."
"Fine Kitty I'll help you."
…
"Hey!" Anna said as she entered Remy's room.
"Gawd damn I missed yah!"
She ran up to him and jumped on top of him. "Did you really?"
He dropped her on the bed, "Yeah really!" He showered her with kisses on her cheek, then her neck, and then his lips kept dropping lower and lower.
"Remy! I can't stay long!" He took off her turquoise tank top and began unbuttoning her jeans. "Rem! I'm serious! I can't-hey don't! That tickles! Rem! Stop!"
"You really know how to kill a mood don't ya?"
"I'm leavin'. I just came to say goodbye before I go on a plane to California." She got up, buttoning her jeans.
"Why you headin' to California?"
She stepped on the bed frame to grab her tank top that was thrown onto the fan above then Anna answered, "You're gonna think this is the most stupidest thing on the planet, but whatever."
"I doubt it'll be that stupid."
She hopped down then straddled Remy who was sitting on the bed. "A cheer competition… Don't laugh!"
"Wow, that is just about the stupidest thing ever, but I bet you look pretty cute in that uniform."
"It's just a short skirt and a tiny shirt that shows my stomach."
"So even if it is completely ugly bet you make it look good. Wish I could be there to see it."
"Hmmm…" She kissed his rugged chin and drew his hand to the back of his neck. His brown hair was getting longer and she didn't mind. "Maybe you can come with?"
"What do you mean?"
"We need a chaperone and if you ask Logan… you could come."
"Think he'll go for it?"
"You just mention it an' then Logan will get all mad 'cuz he's super busy an' then you offer to go an' keep an eye out for us."
"I don't know chere."
"Remy… come on… we'll be at a hotel right on the beach." Knowing his weak spot, she nibbled on his ear. "It'll be…"
"Romantic?"
"You said it, not me."
"Alright. I'll go. Let me go an' work our plan on Wolfie."
…
Before leaving Kurt and Anna made a bet: if Bayville cheer places and brings home a trophy then Kurt would pay her fifty bucks. But if they lost, she had to be his personal slave for a month. By the time she got to California, Anna had forgotten all about the bet. Driving to the hotel located on the shores of Newport Beach, Anna could smell the salty sea that the breeze brought into the van. Although the van was crowded with seventeen-year-old girls, the waves brought silence to her mind.
They got to the hotel and filed into their rooms. Anna dropped her bags in her room and before she could get some shuteye Kitty made her try on the uniform.
"Anna your boobs are too big." Kitty said as she adjusted the uniform around her chest.
"Well gah! Please excuse my C-cup."
"I think it'll be alright. I just need to make an adjustment on your skirt. Jess was a size six… an' have you lost weight? You look like a size four now. Must be all the sex your getting."
"Excuse me?"
"Anna don't even play! I know there's a Flamingo Guy. You don't have to lie to me about it."
"There's no Flamingo Guy."
"But there is someone?"
"No-" Kitty unzipped Anna's skirt and it came down to her ankles. Just then Remy walked in the door.
"Oh, um-" He put his hand over his eyes to cover the sight of Anna's underwear. "I just needed to talk to Anna for a second, but I can see dat you filles are busy. So… I'll be goin' …now." He left the room and the door shut behind him.
Anna and Kitty began giggling hysterically. "Do you still like him Ann?"
She pictured his ruggedness, his chiseled abs, his sweet interior, and his gorgeous red eyes. Mmm, those eyes… "You mean does he still drive me completely crazy?"
"Anna! You are in total crush mode! You've fallen head over heels for that guy and you don't even know him!"
Kitty's right… I don't know him. I don't even know his whole name or favorite food. We're never gonna hold hands down a street or spend an evening at home cozying up to a movie on HBO. We're never gonna do any of that… She whispered to herself: "But he loves me." But why won't he just tell me. Five months we've been together and nothings changed really…
"You think I don't hear you leaving in the middle of the night? Just 'cuz I can walk through walls doesn't mean I'm invisible."
"There's no one. Ever thought that I could just be goin' to the bathroom or getting' a glass of water?"
"Oh please. So I'm with Piotr every night, that doesn't mean I don't realize you're not asleep in the bed next to me when I get back. An' just because I'm with Piotr every night that doesn't mean we're havin' sex every night."
Changing the subject Anna asked, "How are you an' Piotr? It's been three months for you guys. Is it getting serious?"
"I don't know what serious even means."
"Are you head over heels for him?"
"I… I don't know… maybe. Our three-month anniversary is on Monday. Wow, three months! I didn't even realize it… three months is a long time, right?"
"For you? Definitely."
…
It was early in the morning when Anna woke up from too short of a slumber. She had only been asleep for no more than an hour. She figured it was about five o'clock from the coldness and the sun's light that begun to shine on her eyes. She eased out of bed, careful not to wake Kitty who was now sprawled across the large mattress.
From her balcony she could see Newport Beach. Anna slid the glass door open and stood outside to feel the crisp breeze against her thighs. The mild salt from the sea wrapped around her nostrils. Oh if only… she thought. If only she could live in a place like this to wake up and see the ocean from her backyard. At this moment she thought of Remy. Anna pictured him sprawled across her bed instead of Kitty. She pictured this lavish hotel as their home. A home that Remy and her would live quietly in. A home that they would spend the rest of their lives together.
She was confused at how much she felt for him. She had never been this wrapped in a relationship before, not even with John. Anna did know that she liked this confusion; it made her feel good, just like he made her feel. But why (or how) could he make her head spin, her knees weak. Their relationship was only on a physical level. Sex, sex, sex, but Anna was determined to change that.
"What are you doing up this early?" Anna asked as she entered the room.
"I could ask you the same."
"I couldn't sleep." She walked up to the bed where Remy was propped up against three pillows. "An' you?"
"Couldn't sleep either." He motioned for her. Anna came on the bed and leaned against him.
"You know when I came back from the JL space station everything stayed the same. That trip wasn't just so I could cool down an' take a break. I'm still upset you know. When I came back we just picked up where we left off."
"Anna what do you want chere? Huh? What'd you need? What can I say Anna?"
"I can't just tell you what to say."
"Why not? It'll make it a lot easier for de both of us."
"What's my favorite color?"
"Green."
"My favorite number?"
"Four."
"You think you're so smart don't yah?"
"See fille I know you better den you think."
"When's my birthday?"
"Now how am I suppose know dat one chere? You've never told me."
"So you're not such a smart ass after all. It's in May."
"May what?"
"The twenty-seventh."
"Yeah well when's my birthday? What's my favorite color? My favorite number?"
"You've never told me."
"Why did you get so mad after the danger room practice?"
She was silent for a moment. "Do you even know what my mutant power is? Or what is was?"
"No."
"Basically if I touch anyone they die. I can thank my parents for that one."
"Well that would have taken the past five months to de dust."
"My dad used me as some killing machine. I did all his dirty work while he cashed in. Him an' my mom both."
"Who's this bastard of a father?"
"Eric Lehnsherr. Raven Darkholme."
"As in Magneto? An' Mystique?"
"Yup."
"Well, well, well. I sure did pick a lucky one. You're daddy gonna beat my brains eh?"
"I haven't talked to him in four years. He helped me get rid of my powers. I guess that was kind of goodbye. I usually don't like people to know about my past, but when you didn't have any idea how upset I was I got even more upset."
"Well chere, whatever you what to tell me I'll listen. An' all the skeletons you wanna keep buried is fine with me."
She wrapped her body around his. "What about you Remy?"
"What about me?"
"Your parents. You got parents don't yah?"
"I wouldn't know. I was adopted."
"Well don't you consider your adopted parents your parents?"
"I did until my dad used me as a killing machine."
"Are you makin' fun of me?"
"No. You're not the only person with a dark past Anna."
"I think being the daughter of the founders of the Brotherhood and the top mutant terrorists in the world is as dark as it gets."
"You know we're not dat different me an' you."
"I suppose we're not."
"Hey get up."
She got off him and looked skeptically. "Why?"
"We're goin' somewhere. Go get dressed." He headed to his black gym bag and grabbed a shirt.
"Where we goin'."
"Well do you wanna go?"
"Depends on where we're goin'." She placed here hands on her hips in defiance.
He walked up to her and held her close. After the long embrace he asked, "Don't you trust me?"
"No."
"Please? Come on. Can't a guy take his girl out for a day out on the town? It's California! How often do you come here?"
"Fine."
Her reluctant attitude changed as soon as she dipped her toes in the water. Remy had taken her to the sandy beach. There was a chill in the air that surrounded them at the beach, but neither of them minded much. Both were glad that they could walk the beach holding each other with the cold being their excuse. It was funny how their relationship still seemed new. Five months had been a long time, yet they still felt awkward and shy. It was as if every night they spent together had been their first time. But today was a day of firsts. It was the first day that they spent holding hands and kissing with out fears of someone walking by. Remy had no idea where he was going. They just walked the shores leading each other.
Their fun ended when both realized about the cheer contest. Even though it was ridiculous Anna knew she had to do it for Kitty. Kitty has been the best best friend a girl could have. Doing a few twirls and spins was the least she could do.
Remy took Anna back to the hotel to get her uniform on and as he guessed she did look amazingly sexy in that uniform. But, unfortunately seeing her in that uniform reminded him of the age difference. True, four years wasn't much for married couples, but for a Remy and Anna… he knew it would seem too much for anyone else. He didn't even want to think about what Logan would do if he knew. Logan, being Rogue's legal guardian, would probably press charges and kill him before the trial. Remy's always gotta get himself into a mess don't yah?
"Up next is Bayville cheer!"
"Shit, shit, shit! Where's Anna!" Kitty looked around in nervousness. She saw Anna coming back stage. "Where the hell have you been?"
"I-"
"Okay I don't care where you've been! Just go!" Kitty pushed her out on to the stage and Anna did as they practiced doing cartwheels across the firm blue mats.
Bayville cheer ending up placing second. The girls were ecstatic. Anna was just happy for the fifty bucks her brother would owe her. She couldn't imagine what he'd have he do if they lost. The electricity flowing from the girls faded once in the van. The all nodded off for their much-deserved rest.
With all their bags in the van they headed to the Los Angeles Airport. Within thirty minutes they arrived, got their tickets, went through security, and were on their way back home to New York. The plane ride was quiet due to the un-rested girls. The next day, Sunday, they got back to the mansion. Kitty, Anna, and Remy filed into the living room to see a young woman women with stunning features talking to Beast. The child playing with the globe near by was assumed as hers.
Kitty examined her briefly, noticing her blue eyes, long blond hair, and six-foot model figure. After assuming the size of her bra and the measurements of her rear, Kitty had found her new role model.
The blonde turned to see who was entering. She looked at Anna and Kitty for a moment, then to Remy. The woman began to remember his handsome features, when she shouted, "Remy!" She ran up to him and hugged him tight. "Thought I'd never see you again!"
Kitty perked up. "And who might you be?"
"Oh, yeah I'm sorry. My name is Bella Donna Boudreaux."
"What a pretty name."
Anna interjected, "And you know Remy…how?" At her question Remy put his head down. "I'm his wonderful fiancé from Louisiana." A shining smile rose on her face as she showed her exquisite diamond ring to Kitty and Anna.
