Disclaimer: I don't claim anybody, ok?
All of the talk around the school was now about how Kitty had saved everyone, and no one really remembered what had happened just the day before. That is except for those it happened to. Sure everyone was trying to just bask in the glow of now being x-men, but for Rogue there was something that she just couldn't forget. Rogue and Toad had been avoiding each other as much as possible since the "kiss" happened.
"Rogue, I'm just being honest. I think you need to confront him about it." Rogue and kitty had been arguing for about the past ten minutes. "I know, but why should I?" Rogue threw her hands in the air. "Because, you know he won't." Kitty explained. "Well see, if he doesn't care, and I don't care, then it's not a big deal." Rogue finally made a full circle and was back to her original argument. "But it should be. You can't tell me that you don't want to know what was behind it." Kitty stood directly in front of Rogue who was now leaning on the wall of their small bedroom. "Of course I do, but I don't think there was anything behind it to begin with. What am I supposed to do, walk up to him and asked 'Hey, why'd you kiss me the other day'?" Rogue said sounding a little frustrated. "If that's all you can come up with, but I would do in private and not quite so up-front." Kitty smiled. "Alright, I'll talk to him, if it'll get you off my back about it." Rogue gave in, and gave her friend a hug.
When Rogue reached the boys' room there was music coming out of the door, someone was playing on their guitar. She quietly opened the door, and wasn't surprised to see that it was Toad playing, but she was surprised that he was singing along, and it sounded good. "There is a secret that we keep; I won't sleep if you won't sleep. Because tonight may be the last chance we are given. We are compelled to do what we have to; we are compelled to do what we have been forbidden. Cause you will be somebody's girl, and you will keep each other warm. But tonight I am feeling cold." (The Secret is in the Telling, by Dashboard Confessional) "Not bad." Rogue stepped all the way into the room causing Toad to snap up immediately and set down the instrument. "Yeah, well, not that it matters." Toad was still trying to bring himself up to speed. "Anyways, we need to talk. "Rogue started. "Do we?" Toad said as though he were surprised. "And what do we need to talk about?" Toad continued to play dumb. "You know what I'm talking about." Rogue snapped. "Fine, what do you want me to say? That it was a mistake?" Toad jumped up onto his feet and got up in Rogue's face. "Was it?" Rogue asked trying to hide the slight hurt in her voice. "How about we just agree that it shouldn't have happened, forget it did, and be friends." Toad suggested in a cocky tone. "Fine." Rogue turned around and walked back through the door. "Jackass." She mumbled to herself, knowing full and well that Toad heard her."
"What was that about?" Bobby asked as he and John came from up the hall and walked back into their room. "Nothing, we had a 'talk'". Toad said and smirked. "Talk about what?" Bobby asked. "The other day." "What did she say?" John inquired. "Virtually nothing. We just agreed that it shouldn't have happened and decided to forger about and be friends." Toad finished. "Friends?" Bobby and John asked in unison. "Friends." Toad repeated. "Friends?" Kitty asked and Rogue finished explaining. "Friends." Rogue repeated.
"You guys have a lot of issues." John shook his head in disbelief. "It's obvious that you like her." Bobby continued. "Well that doesn't really matter, because she doesn't." Toad sighed. "You don't know that" John stated blankly. "Do you?" Toad snapped back. "No, but I've never asked her. You'd have to ask Kitty, but Kitty wouldn't tell you if she knew anything anyways." John responded. "Honestly, I think if she didn't like you a little bit, she probably would have hit you, because she does that." Bobby also responded. "Maybe." Toad left the room and when he got outside the door was confronted by Caitlynn. "If you like you should tell her." Caitlynn said innocently. "It's not that easy." Toad explained. "But I saw the way you looked at each other that day, that's why I gave her the present." Caitlynn said with sad eyes. "but we don't know what it is." Toad explained again. Caitlynn waved Toad to lean closer and she whispered in his ear. After Caitlynn had walked off, John poked his head out of the door. "Hey, you ready for the show tonight?" Toad nodded and He, john, and Bobby made way for the stage. "Hey can you do me a favor?" Toad asked John as they were about to begin. "What is it?" Toad whispered his idea to John. "yeah, no problem."
"Alright everyone thanks for coming tonight, we have a great show for you!" Kitty spoke joyfully into the microphone. The audience cheered and clapped in response. Bobby started on the drums and then John and Toad came in with the guitars. After about five songs, the music dropped to just a soft beat from Bobby. "Alright, tonight we have a dedication song." John started. All of the girls watching looked at each other and at their boyfriends who all shook their heads. "This song is for our Rogue." John smiled and pointed back at Rogue who was standing on the side behind a microphone stand. Rogue half smiled and waved in acknowledgement, almost a little embarrassed.
The music started again and John stood with the mic.
"I heard you're doing ok
But I want you to know
I'm a dick
I'm addicted to you
I can't pretend I don't care
When you don't think about me
Do you think I deserve this?
I tried to make you happy but you left anyway
I'm trying to forget that
I'm addicted to you
But I want it and I need it
I'm addicted to you
Now it's over
Can't forget what you said
And I never wanna do this again
Heartbreaker
Heartbreaker
Heartbreaker"
No one had to tell Rogue who the song was from. They had decided to forget that it had happened and to just be friends. What was he getting at? She tried to make eye contact with Rogue but he never even looked up from playing.
"Since the day I met you
And after all we've been through
I'm still a dick
I'm addicted to you
I think you know that it's true
I'd run a thousand miles to get you
Do you think I deserve this?
I tried to make you happy
I did all that I could
Just to keep you
But you left anyway
I'm trying to forget that
I'm addicted to you
But I want it and I need it
I'm addicted to you
Now it's over
Can't forget what you said
And I never wanna do this again
Heartbreaker
Heartbreaker
How long will I be waiting?
Until the end of time
I don't know why I'm still waiting
I can't make you mine
I'm trying to forget that
I'm addicted to you
But I want it and I need it
I'm addicted to you
I'm trying to forget that
I'm addicted to you
But I want it and I need it
I'm addicted to you
Now it's over
Can't forget what you said
And I never wanna do this again
Heartbreaker
Heartbreaker
I'm addicted to you
Heartbreaker
I'm addicted to you
Heartbreaker
I'm addicted to you
Heartbreaker
I'm addicted to you
Heartbreaker"
After the song was over, Rogue walked up to the main mic.. "Alright, I hope that y'all are enjoying the show so far. We're gonna take a five minute break, then we'll be back." The group looked around each other, they never took breaks. "I need to talk to you." Rogue said to toad with out stopping on her way off stage. Toad followed obediently. Kitty looked at john and Bobby and they nodded and quietly followed also. John switched on the radio as he walked off with everyone else.
"The dawn is breaking
A light shining through
You're barely waking
And I'm tangled up in you
Yeah
But I'm open, you're closed
Where I follow, you'll go
I worry I won't see your face
Light up again
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the wrong words seem to rhyme
Out of the doubt that fills my mind
I somehow find, you and I collide"
" What was that about? And don't pretend like that wasn't from you!" Rogue started. "I wasn't going to." Toad said smartly. "I thought we agreed that we were just gonna be friends." "What if I don't want to be friends?" Toad half shouted.
"I'm quiet, you know
You make a first impression
I've found I'm scared to know
I'm always on your mind
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the stars refuse to shine
Out of the back you fall in time
You somehow find, you and I collide"
"We can't do this." Rogue spoke as if it hurt to say the words. "Why because of you "power"? I don't care about that." Toad said stepping closer to Rogue. "But I do!" I don't want to put anyone at risk." "I'm willing to take that risk!"
"Don't stop here
I've lost my place
I'm close behind
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the wrong words seem to rhyme
Out of the doubt that fills your mind
You finally find, you and I collide"
"You're just being scared.
" Toad continued. "Of course I'm scared!" Rogue said with a tear falling down her face. "I can't get close to those I love, and even if their willing to chance it, it still comes back to me if they get hurt! I can't deal with that!" "You don't have to, not anymore." Toad pulled Rogue closer and gave her the kiss that he had been waiting to give her since the first one. After a couple seconds of fear Rogue realized that her power wasn't taking effect and just enjoyed the kiss.
"You finally find
You and I collide
You finally find
You and I collide"
The rest of the group looked amongst themselves and quietly cheered and smiled. It was about time.
A/N: Alright yay. You'll find out why he can do that in the next chapter, but for right now, doesn't it make you happy? They're together! Anyways, the songs are not mine, of course. The first one is "Addicted" by Simple Plan, and the second song is "Collide" by Howie Day.
-Shitaka