Chapter 07: Rage and Regrets
Standing up to the Wolverine is not something anyone should undertake lightly. However, the same should be said of ticking off the six and a half ton superpredator, whose jaws are big enough to swallow most people whole. This hairy guy, with an attitude, and is NOT my Dad, is deliberately trying to scare away the guy that I have feelings for. Now. I. Am. Ticked. Off. Royally!
Standing up, as Ray moved away from both me and Wolverine. Jamie has a suspiciously smug smile on his face. I'll deal with my little stalker later. Turning to face Wolverine, my face already said plenty. It took a few moments for the hairy little jerk to even notice me, as he was busy trying to terrify my Ray! The look of Wolverine's face when he did finally note, was priceless. I was still human and yet the rage on my face was there for all to see. Wolverine actually stopped in mid-threat as he saw my face. Stepping into Wolverine's personal space sounds like a bad idea, but I did not want Ray to see me with this expression on my face. The other reason to get this close to the infamous Wolverine? I needed to be there. In. His. Face.
I jabbed a finger into a very suprised Wolverine's chest, as I began my tirade of doom-to-the-jerk! "Hold it right there, mister! Just what the heck are you doing? Are you seriously bothering us because I asked for help with sunscreen? And just who made YOU the sunscreen police? Don't EVEN bother to answer that! I am new here, but I'll be DAMNED if I let myself be bullied by YOU! Just back off, jerk! If I need your help, I'll ask for it! Instructor or not, adult or not, I am not going to be bullied by you! Do. You. Understand. Me?" I obviously had my full Bitch on.
There was several seconds of total silence as everyone else there was stunned. I get the impression that NOBODY EVER talked to him that way. I didn't care. I was trying to keep myself control enough to NOT change here and now. A battle I was in danger of losing. After a few moments Wolverine started to get that angry/I'm-in-charge look that I know so well. My Dad is a cop. Therefore I have met, and watched plenty of cops and witnessed their rants. Intimidation displays. So much testosterone, so little effect on me. I stopped him again, this time with a more calm voice. "Just. Back. Off. Simple as that, mister. I have never been deliberately humiliated like that before. EVER. I will not tolerate such childish displays from anybody. I am going to lay down. Ray is INVITED, though not required, to continue helping me. You are going to do something other than intimidate him. And don't even think about trying to intimidate me, buster! I'm still really ticked off at you!" I turned to a very, very, very shocked Ray (and the others there as well), and sweetly asked "Ray? Would you please finish helping me? My lower back was missed and my legs aren't done yet either. Please?" Ray, being shocked, just nodded.
I did in fact lay back down. I heard Ray move back into position, then stop. I looked at Ray, but he was watching that jerk. Turning my head towards Wolverine, I politely offered the following "I am going to get a bit of tanning in today. If you think that I overstepped my right to stand up for myself, go get the Professor. I'll listen to an adult that acts like an adult. You were acting inappropriately. I stood up to a bully. Don't agree with me? Then take it to the Professor. Otherwise, please kindly leave us be." I could see Wolverine trying to think his way back into being in control of the situation, when I simply asked "Did you REALLY think that I am such a base, and total slut that I'd have SEX right here in front of the pool? With everyone watching? Are you really going to blatantly insult me like that?" No guy with an ounce of decency and self-respect likes being rightly called on such things and thus will likely back down. Wolverine did, but muttered something about having Storm talk to me. I agreed by saying "Good idea." Then I went back to looking at Ray "Ray? My lower back? Please?" Ray looked upon me with an expression of awe and maybe hero-worship. I was hoping for something more romantic, but it is a start. I'm pragmatic enough to take what I can get for now.
A few minutes later, Ray announced that he had finished. For a moment I had to figure out what he meant. A moment after that, I heard Storm nearby asking "Child? Did you really yell at Wolverine?" I answered with the truth 'Yes, I did. He was humiliating me in front of all these boys here. He implied that I was a loose girl because I had asked Ray here-Thank you again, Ray-too put sunscreen on my back. I am NOT a telekinetic, so somebody else has to put it on for me. It was a small miracle that I did NOT go full She-Rex on him ! I really was THAT angry and that humiliated! Dammit! That is NOT how to prevent teenage pregnancy! I am the female, therefore I KNOW who would carry a baby for nine whole months! Me. If he needed to remind us about such possibilities, then he merely had to say something like 'Watch those hands.' I would have been fine with that! But to threaten the guy implies that he had ALREADY done something DIRTY with me, right there IN PUBLIC! That is an insult. A bullying, and deliberate insult!"
I noticed that Ray had stuck around, sitting only a few chairs away, while the others had left entirely. Storm said "My dear, I am afraid that speaking to an adult like that is not appropriate. Still, as a woman, I can see your point. *sigh* I will speak with both Wolverine and the Professor about this. In the mean time, I suggest that you and Ray stay clear of each other, for now." I looked at Ray and said "Ray? I know that YOU did nothing wrong. I do like you and want to see you again, but understand that I am NOT a good-time girl. I happen to be a one-guy kind of girl. Understand that and we can see each other. In that mean time, I suggest that you go hide from Wolverine. I'll see you later, OK?" Ray went somewhere else. I am guessing to his room. Storm asked me "Now that we are alone. I need to ask you; Are you really alright?" I smiled at Storm, as lady she has a good sense of tact. "Yes. And am sure. I really like Ray, but I am not anywhere near stupid enough to get 'in a family way' at fifteen. I do appreciate you asking though. Hug?" Storm gave me a hug, and I smirked at her quietly saying "Good thing he backed down. I was only a moment away from devouring him whole. Seriously. Glad that I didn't have too. All that hair in my food would be icky!" Storm smiled at me, and walked over to the chair that Ray had sat upon, and said "Can you get MY back, please?" I laughed and helped out. We sunned ourselves for a while.
Ten minutes after I got out of the shower, I heard the Telepathic summons from the Professor 'Megan? Please come to my study' I thought back, as I had been trained too 'OK, Professor. I'm on my way.' Upon my arrival there, I saw both Wolverine on one side of the room, leaning against the bookcase, like some of the cops I've known, trying to look both cool and tough. I know that act, and while he does it better than ANYBODY I've ever seen, I willed myself to ignore it, while politely acknowledge the man with a nod. Storm was seated elegantly (Does she ever do something that wasn't elegant?) nearest to the door. I smiled at the Professor and he nodded back "Megan, please take a seat." I did so, sitting on the couch with Storm, but in the middle, so as to not give Wolverine any reason to get in Storm's face later for 'Taking the Kid's Side' or somesuch nonsense. The Professor waited a moment to give everyone a chance to catch their breath, so to speak.
The Professor spoke first "Megan. I'm sure that you know why you're here. I wanted to say, first, that this Institution is intended as a safe haven for young mutants, like yourself. If you ever feel unsafe, please come to me, of other adult. Do you understand?" I agreed readily with an "Of course, Professor." The Professor continued with "Megan, I realise that there are times when you feel that an adult is being unfair. This is a normal part of life. I do understand that you were very upset. I could hardly ignore your feelings as me Telepathic abilities 'heard' your emotional equivalent of shouting. That said, Megan, If you do have a problem with any adult, please do not confront them directly. Instead, I want you to bring your concerns to me. Alright?" I was actually a bit emotional at this point, and tried to avoid crying. I REFUSED to cry in from of that bully, Wolverine! My eyes may have been wet, but I did not cry. Instead I asked "May I talk to Storm, you know, if you're not here, or something-if Storm doesn't mind?" Storm gently took my hand in hers, just like my Mom does, and answered "Of course you, may, child. That's what I am here for. To help you." It took a lot of my willpower not to cry then. Don't ask me why. Too complicated even for me.
Professor Xavier waited until he had my full attention again, before continuing "As Storm has said, of course you may go to her as you need. Just understand that by confronting Logan the way you did, undermined his authority in front of other students. That is not acceptable, Megan. I have spoken to Logan about his own behavior. That matter is closed, Megan. I will need your cooperation in this matter if we are to continue to provide the best guidance and assistance to young people like yourself. Do you understand this, Megan?" I nodded, because I really did understand. After all, I am the daughter of a career police officer. I understand these things well. The Professor nodded and said "As both parties made mistakes, both parties need to make amends. Logan will start, then you, Megan will tender you apologies to Mr. Logan. Is this clear to everyone?"
Logan growled something that sounded suspiciously like "Fine, Chuck." Then he stood away from the bookcase and stood in the middle of the room, looking down at the rug before looking me in the eyes and made himself say "I, uh, apologize for treatin' ya like that. I wasn't thinkin' o' how it'd affect you, just about stoppin' the kid from goin' too far." I was not surprised at this. I've seen plenty of people called to the principal's office and had to say they were sorry. I stood up, and stepped in front of him, at a respectful distance, and offered my hand, thus making myself look even more mature in doing so, and said "I overreacted. I am sorry, Sir. If I ever have a dispute with you rulings or actions again, I will wait to bring it to another adult, Sir." The 'Sir's' weren't even a conscious choice on my part. Again, cop's daughter. Still, I think this avoided any extra punishment by restating the problem, and the solution to show that I did understand. The Sir's were just gravy, but authority figures eat that up when used, or they just notice the absence when they aren't used. Again, cop's daughter. I learned this stuff by osmosis at an early age. I had just one more thing to do. I turned to the Professor and asked "Sir? Is Ray in trouble because of this? Of me?" Professor Xavier shook his head and said "No. He's fine. He has already been spoken to, but as he has done nothing wrong, he certainly is in no trouble. You will probably find him in the Gymnasium. Beast is there, as well. They, and a few others are working out. Megan, try to remember that you are a person who can change her form into a dinosaur, merely not a dinosaur. Still, good job on keeping yourself from transforming."
