I am really sorry that it took so long to get this chapter up, but I had a bad case of writer's block, tons of homework, and was unmotivated. I knew what I wanted to write, but I couldn't think of how I was going to write it. Anyway, here's chapter 10!
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The blare of the music could be heard from the parking lot where they all dispersed. "Wow, this is going to be so cool! Can't wait to dance," exclaimed Kitty as she hopped out of the car and strolled to the gym's entrance.
Rogue eyed the gym, where hundreds of people were currently in, dancing, having fun. The myriad of colored lights could be seen through the darkness. She approached the front door, handing the person there a ticket and receiving a ticket stub in return. Cautiously, she crept in, unsure of how everyone would react to her new look. She felt uncomfortable without her makeup. It had always been her protection, warding off people, keeping them all at bay. But now, it was all gone, and she felt very vulnerable, despite the fact that she was invulnerable.
She was incredibly grateful that no one had really noticed her entrance. The less publicity, the better. Her attention was diverted when she heard a snicker, almost inaudible through the music. She turned to see Kurt, trying to hide a grin. "Listen," he said.
She listened. Nothing out of the ordinary. "What are ya tryin' ta get at, elf?" she asked.
"It's your band," he replied. Seeing that she had no idea what he was talking about, he said, "Ze Vhite Stripes, get it?" He pointed towards her hair.
She felt like she could have slapped her forehead. "My God, Kurt," she moaned, "Ah think that's probably one of the cheesiest things you've said."
"Ya," he said, still grinning, "I know. Excuse me, but I zhink I'm going to dance now." He stepped swiftly towards the dance floor.
So again, she was alone, standing by herself near the gym's exit. That is, until… "Bonne nuit, chere," said her date to the dance, "would y' like t' dance?" His hand was stretched into her direction, waiting for her hand to join his.
Might as well make the most of this night. "Sure," she said, a half smile creeping onto her face, "why not."
And so they danced, bodies swaying to the music, all eyes on them, people around, whispering, undoubtedly about them. But for this one time, Rogue didn't care. She didn't care that she was in the spotlight, or that people were looking at her in disbelief, or even that she had actually shown her face at an event other than school. For once in her life, she could care less. And yet, it confused her all the same.
The song ended, and the two looked at each other, eyes connecting for the first time since they arrived. But alas, they were separated by the swarm of girls that descended on Remy like a hungry pack of wolves, all wanting a chance to dance with him. He gave her a look that almost said, "can I"? She understood, and nodded. He can dance with whomever he pleases. I don't even know why he's asking me for permission. However, she did feel her heart drop a little bit when she saw him dance with the other girls.
Since she had nothing better to do at the moment, she began to wander around the gym, only slightly aware that there were some boys eyeing her. Again, she felt uncomfortable and vulnerable, remembering that she wasn't as covered up as usual. It was a sickening feeling to be an object to be lusted for. So just because I'm wearing something a little more revealing, a little tighter, they consider me of a little importance as opposed to none? Maybe that's another reason why I isolated myself: no idiotic, immature, delinquent boys with only hormones as guidance.
A long shadow cast over her, causing her to jerk her head. Her eyes met those of Brian, a junior whom she occasionally saw at school, but never talked to. I wonder what he wants with me? Her question was answered almost immediately. "Would you like to dance?" he asked, motioning towards the dance floor.
Rogue thought about it for a second. Her skin was pretty much covered up, Brian seemed like a nice guy, and she was sort of bored. In fact, she enjoyed dancing, especially after she absorbed Kitty and her psyche. Besides, she might as well have some fun, since this a one time thing, right? "Sure," and she headed in the direction of the groups of people, with him following closely behind.
The next song began to drum out slowly, allowing his arm to wrap around her waist, hands resting against the small of her back. Draping her arms around his neck, they rocked to the beat of music, like everyone around them.
However, there was just one thing that kept bugging her. Brian kept on pulling her closer and closer to him, leaving almost no space between them. What the hell…? Not only was it uncomfortable, but it was making her nervous. Suppose he accidentally touched her because they were so close?
Gently placing her elbows against his chest, she began to slowly push herself away from him. He, of course, noticed this, and asked, "Hey, what are you doing?"
"Sorry, but Ah'd actually lahk ta breathe while Ah dance." sway
"Come on," he said while he pulled her closer, "I thought you'd like it." His arms were wrapped securely around her body, with him staring intently at her.
"Would ya please let go of meh?" Her temper as well as her voice began to rise. As of right now, she wished that she wasn't at the stupid dance.
"Why should I? We can have so much fun…" His hands were no longer around her back, but traveling down…
Thud. Brian was thrown to the ground, with a furious and shaken Rogue standing above him. She grabbed him by the collar and lifted his head so that it was level with hers. "Ya sick bastard," she whispered harshly, "You're lucky Ah didn't beat the shit out of ya." Before he could get a word in, she pushed him back down on the ground and marched out of the gym, letting the tears that stung her eyes flow freely.
Getting away from the building, she leaned against the side the school, letting her back slide slowly down the wall. Her face was wet from her tears, which were still running out of her eyes. There was an aching pain around her chest, unlike anything she had ever felt. I actually thought I could get away from it all. I actually thought that I wasn't going to get hurt, like all the other times. God, I'm stupid. So, so stupid, a stupid, naïve little girl who doesn't know why the hell she's on the face of the earth. I hope I never have to relive anything like that ever again. She scoffed at herself. Who am I kidding? Something screwed up always happens whenever I go to a dance.
"Chere?"
Rogue closed her eyes, wishing she could be Kurt and teleport away. She refused to let anyone see her cry, or see her at this state, in any case. "What do ya want?" she asked dully, wiping at her eyes.
"I saw what he did t' y'," his voice was shaking, out of anger or out of nervousness, she didn't know. "He had no right t' do what he jus' did."
"It didn't stop him from doin' it."
"So y're jus' goin' t' sit dere an' wallow 'bout it?"
His reply got her off guard, since that was exactly what she wanted to do. She knew that she shouldn't let Brian get to her, since he was a mindless imbecile, but his actions just brought her past, the past she wanted to leave behind. Looking at the ground, she said softly, "Yeah, Ah am."
"Why are y' lettin' him get y' down?" He squatted down so that he could be at eye level with Rogue. "Are y' jus' going' t' let him run y' over like dat?"
His attempt at advice infuriated Rogue. "Ya don't understand," she said angrily, "No one evah understands."
"Enlighten m'."
Rogue tried to glare him down, but saw that his face showed true concern. Sighing, she began, "Evah since Ah was a kid, everyone would say that Ah was cute, pretty, beautiful that sorta thing. That's all anyone saw. They didn't care about meh, just how Ah looked. When Ah was in middle school, Ah couldn't stand it anymore, so Ah became a Goth, which worked. Everyone was either afraid of meh or didn't want ta talk ta meh because Ah was a freak.
"What Brian did ta meh just brought back everything Ah wanted to forget. Ah didn't want ta be a girl that everyone lahked or paid attention ta because she was pretty. Ah just want people to accept meh for who Ah am, that's all." Rogue gave Remy a sideways look. "Ah know what Ah just said sounded lahk a bunch of crap from some teeny bopper TV show, but that's just what Ah want.
"Ah know Ah shouldn't have run away from mah problems all the tahme, but it was so easy, and it worked, for a while, anyway…" she glanced at Remy again, "You think Ah'm pathetic, don't ya?"
A soft smile eased onto his face, comforting her slightly. "Non, I don't t'ink y' pathetic," he began, "jus' unsure o' y'self. Maybe even confused." He extended his hand towards her. "Y' wanna leave? I've got de feelin' y' don' wan' t' stick around."
Giving him a small smile in thanks, she grabbed his arm and pulled herself up, dusting her dress in the process. Remy slid his around her, creating a loop. Surprising to him, as well as her, she didn't push away, only tugging in a little more. "Hold on," Rogue said, while bending down to take off her shoes. Her feet were incredibly sore after wearing 3 inch heels for the past couple hours. She sighed as her bare feet met the coldness of the concrete and asphalt, cooling the throbbing pain she felt in her feet.
"Would y' like m' t' take dose, madame?" Remy asked, motioning towards her shoes.
"Well, if ya really want tah," she replied, a little uncertainly.
"Damn!" Remy was covering his nose when she handed over her shoes, "Y' shoes smell hella bad. Y' got some kind o' foot fungus?" he asked jokingly.
"Shut up!" she said, slapping his arm playfully, grinning at the same time.
He, too, couldn't help but smile as well. I think this is the first time I've seen her smile like that. Now, he didn't have to worry about whether or not she liked him, as a friend or whatever. He didn't even care if she did like him, which relieved him from thinking of ways to impress her. I can't believe I actually did all that crazy shit. What got into me?
"Thanks for this semi-enjoyable evening," and before he could squeeze in a 'you're welcome or no problem', she continued by saying, "It's probably going to be the last."
"What makes y' say dat?"
"Because Ah won't let mahself get into anything lahk that again."
"Jus' because o' what happened t'night?" Remy asked, shocked.
"Well, sort of…" she said, almost embarrassed.
"Y' can' let some dumb ass ruin y' life. Amier vie. Enjoy life. You've got plenty of time to be dead."
Rogue looked at him a little strangely. "Didn't know ya had a morbid sense of humor."
"Dat's 'cuz y' don' know m'. While I was here, y' did spend de whole time tryin' t' avoid m'."
"Yeah…well, Ah'm not avoiding ya. Not anymore…Let's just go back ta the institute."
Arm in arm, the two of them began to walk back, joking and laughing all the way, like old friends, despite having only truly known each other for the past 30 minutes. One had spent the whole time trying to be someone else while the other was desperately trying to stay uninterested. Inevitably, they wound up with each other, sneaking up on them just when they weren't paying attention. Both, however, were oblivious to the pair of yellow eyes, glowing in the background…
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I bet you guys saw that coming, huh? I'm just way too predictable. Just another mediocre chapter.
As many of you may agree, this story has gone on long enough. I'm going to try to limit this to under 15 chapters, give or take a chapter or two.