Chapter 34: Friday's Child

Fridays. The day everyone loved because it signaled the start of the weekend. Weekend meant going out of the Mansion, to the mall, to a carnival, when the weather was nice; the beach. Friday's in the Mansion served as a free day, with most of the teachers giving into the students requests and playing a movie. It was better than doing work. Even though Emma wasn't aware of this "ritual" she still brought a movie with her to class. She didn't know what the kids would like, so she had to read their minds to find out. Emma walked into her classroom, turning the lights off before any of the kids arrived. She got up on a chair and began to fiddle with the TV.

"It's not plugged."

Emma slapped her hand over her chest, startled by the sudden voice. She looked to the back of the class room and spotted Alyce. She turned the page on her book and folded it, she closed it and looked up to Emma. "It's not plugged....."

"I heard you. You just startled me is all."Carefully, Emma got down from the chair and snatched the plug that was on the floor. She gave Alyce a sour look, but she was already back into reading. "What's the miracle you're in class? You do know what class is coming in, right?" Emma asked, plugging the cord into the wall and standing back up on the chair. She fiddled with the TV before looking back, waiting for Alyce's response.

"I'm fully aware of what class this is. I'm only here so you don't hurt my cousin anymore than what you have, already."

"Do you really think she cares if you still stick up for her or not?" Emma asked pushing the DVD into the slot on the TV. She got down from the chair and began to close the shades on the windows with her powers.

"It's not about that." Alyce murmured, turning a page in her book. "I'm giving in to your stupid demands because I care. If you so much as run your mouth off to me, I will retaliate."

Emma let out a loud laugh and looked over the DVD case in her hands. "It's nice to know we've come to terms. I'll play nice...."

"That means not calling my name on the roll." Alyce added. It felt weird to talk to Emma and have her actually comply without a problem. But Alyce was too nervous to face the team so suddenly, that if she could just sit in the back of the class and not have anyone notice, she would be happy. She scooted her chair, more, to the side of the wall and watched as Emma opened the door to the dark class room. The X-Team coming in.

Alyce tensed up in her seat, trying her best to keep her head down. Alyce Red was really scared. It took Alyce a moment to realize that she was using her power to form a shadow over her body so she wouldn't be seen. It was only when Remy sat in front of her, his cologne hitting her nose, that she wanted to leave. Everything felt like it could go back to normal, despite some team members missing and others joining. All she had to do was say hi, say hi to someone and things would revert back to the good ol' times. Would she dare try? Remy would definitely say hi back.

Alyce began to think. The only thing she ever did was skip a few classes and not talk to them for a few days. Was that so bad? Her eyes spotted as John entered the class, Bella following close behind; Pietro slung over her shoulder. Wait....what? Alyce smiled to herself. Pietro was easier at forgiving than she was. Maybe she should follow his example. But Bella still didn't understand that it wasn't really her who whispered in her ear. Maybe Alyce was just being stubborn. She did get it from her father.

Emma turned on the movie and the class grew silent, falling victim to the plot and characters.

*

*

Alyce slowly opened her eyes, the afternoon sun hitting her face and warming her cheeks. Her arm outstretched, using it as a pillow. She brought up her other hand to her face and pushed back the black hair that had fallen on her face. The sun felt so nice and warm, relaxing her nerves and calming her. Then she realized where she was. Still in the class. Had the movie ended already? It had to be if the shades were up. Alyce stood still, listening around her, not daring to pick up her head.

The quiet hushed conversations going on around her, were they about her? Or was she just imagining things? The seat in front of her, Remy's seat lay unoccupied. Where had he gone? Had they all left, not even bothering to say anything to her? Gathering up all the courage in her, Alyce slowly sat up in her seat, stretching out her arms and arching her back.

"Well, it's good to see you're awake..." Emma murmured from her desk. The rest of the class grew quiet and looked in Emma's direction, then shot a look to the back of the class. Alyce could feel they eyes on her, almost like they were burning holes into her skin. But with the sun still on her face, she felt warm, happy even and a small smile splayed on her face.

"I'd thought you might like to know---" Emma bit on the tip of her pen and cocked her head to the side. "---they're outside." She motioned her hand toward the window, causing Alyce to wipe the smile from her face. She got up from her seat and looked outside, her body going frozen.

The same people. From months back. The ones with the black suits. The ones who had almost kidnapped Bella. Alyce grips on the window sill, looking back to Emma who's putting on her white jacket. She flips her hair out of the collar and smiles.

"Why do you look so nervous, Alyce?" Emma asks innocently. Alyce looks back outside, speechless. She looks around the classroom, finding Bella and giving her a worried gaze. What could've been said in words, was said with their eyes. Alyce's apology to what she said, Bella's apology for what she did months ago with John. Everything, in that quick moment, was mended. Alyce had failed before to save Bella out of the Alkali Lake compound, what if it happened again?

Emma let out a smile and opened the door to the classroom. "You shouldn't look so worried....I'm only going out to take a look at the property I've bought. Those men outside are my contractors." Emma gave Alyce a coy look, knowing full well why the girl was so down right nervous. Was it so evil that Emma liked to have some fun? She liked messing with the girls head. When Alyce had been sleeping in the infirmary, after Emma knocked her out, her thoughts were springing around like crazy. All her deepest fears and wildest imaginations, Emma saw in that one instant when she connected with her. Now, she had more than she could imagine, things to use against Alyce. Make her jumpy. Emma said her goodbyes to the class and walked out of the class, still leaving Alyce in shock.

"Do you see now?" Bella asked, standing up in her seat. "Do you see now, how that woman is crazy?" Bella made her way toward Alyce and gripped at her arms, she shook her gently. "Look at me, Alyce."

"She's been using things against me." Alyce mumbled, looking at Bella with a mock smile. "You never really kissed John did you?" She whispered the last bit, not wanting anyone to hear. Bella shook her head.

"I did, but months ago. When you were gone, when you were at the Brotherhood."

Alyce looked at her cousin and brought her hands up to Bella's face. She cleaned away the tears with her thumbs as they fell from Bella's eyes. "I'm so sorry, Bella."

"It's ok....wait." Bella looked at her cousin with a stern look. "You're going to follow her, aren't you."

Alyce let out a soft chuckle, stammering back as Bella lunged into her arms. She patted Bella's blond hair and embraced her. "Are you sure you aren't a mutant?" Alyce asked, jokingly. Some how, Bella always knew when Alyce was going to do something reckless. Bella didn't answer, instead she dug her face into Alyce's shirt and clinged harder. Alyce's eyes scanned the room and she spotted John.

It felt weird for him to look at her. Sure it had been only three days, but it had felt like forever. Alyce looked different to his eyes. She looked tired and worn out, like she was always thinking or trying to. Whatever Emma was doing to her, she was doing it good. But her eyes still looked strong. Not knowing what to do, John shrugged, their eyes still locked. She let out a small chuckle and a sincere smile formed on her lips, catching him off guard. He picked up his hand and squeezed at the air. "Clawed-Thing is back?" The gesture spoke and he gave her wink. Alyce rolled her eyes.

Clawed Thing is back.