Author's Note: I'm sorry for the length of this chapter. There is a lot going on in this section of the plot, and this means a lot of scene switches, and I separate my chapters based upon the scene switches. So, it's not as long as some chapters. Blame Magneto, that's what I always do.
The bell rang for the second period, but three students were reluctant to go inside. John had discovered a leaf pile left conveniently on the grounds when he went outside to throw out his juice box after English, and as he had a free period, the orange haired Australian wanted to play. Evan Daniels watched him from the black top, the skater drinking some milk, and chuckling as the seventeen year old jumped up and down in delight.
"You know you look as though you're thirteen, right?" Evan called out.
In response, John grabbed a handful of leaves and threw them in the air. "By the papery representation of fire, I declare that I am closer to a lad of ten!"
Evan waved his hand. "Whatever, man. Hey, Kurt said that you were super good with stuff. I was wondering if you could help me with a history project."
John pursed his lips. History was not his thing, per se, but it was definitely cool to be asked for help. He wondered if this was how Rogue felt when she tutored people for English. "Sure thing, what's it about?" the boy asked, walking over.
"Um, the Star Wars Program—I mean, that's pretty chill that I get to studying the movie-making industry, but I don't think that I can write a paper on it, you know? That's why Kurt said come to you," Evan began.
John wracked his brains. He was certain that something other than the movie had been named Star Wars. Betsy had been giggling about something on the news to do with missile shields, and this all sounded familiar. However, before John voice his doubts, Pietro dashed past both boys.
"Woah," Evan followed his rival with his eyes, as Pietro rounded the corner. "Where do you think he's going?"
"Definitely not to class," John replied, curiosity stirring. "Wanna go see?"
The skateboard hit the asphalt, and Evan grinned. "Of course. Think you can catch up?"
John had to race after the skater, as he pushed of, and swung around the corner. It was completely unfair, but then again, unfair advantages were the best when they were used by the right people—such as John. It would be hypocritical not to allow Evan his head start, and then rub soup in his hair at a later point in revenge.
John rounded the corner, only to see Pietro reclining coolly against the wall, as though nothing stranger than Evan being a dork was occurring. "Hey, Daniels, Allerdyce, what's up?"
Evan managed a nonchalant shrug. "Nothing. We were just hanging out when you came through like a bat out of the depths of the Bat Cave. What's up?"
Pietro risked a look around the side of the school. He turned back to the two possible compatriots, feeling slightly more relaxed. "Just planning to ditch out on the rest of the day. Wanna join? I've got plans."
"What kind of plans, man?" Evan was rightfully suspicious. Pietro did not include him in activities unless forced by someone else.
However, the speedy athlete merely shrugged. "You know, stuff. I've got things to do. Haven't formalized anything yet, but hey, we'll see. Johnny-boy, are you in?"
John was trying to unobtrusively peer around the corner of the school. What had Pietro seen? The steps, flag pole, and Principal Darkholme's car in the parking lot were ruled out one-by-one. Maybe an ex-girlfriend had come to call? But no girls were in sight. Just an old man in a dark coat moving with purpose toward his car. None of this should have been enough to send Pietro into a dead run.
"Yo, Earth to John boy. Come in!" Pietro rapped his knuckles against Johnny's skull.
Startled, the Australian held up his backpack in defense. "What? Huh?"
The American just tapped his foot for a second, before realizing that it was easier to apologize than ask permission. "C'mon."
He started off, walking to the asphalt strip that represented the end of school grounds. John was following by the time Pietro left the pavement for the sidewalk opposite. In a whir of wheels, Evan caught up with both, although as soon as he drew level with John, he hopped off his skateboard.
"Hey, man, what do you think, you're doing, huh?"
John was not quite sure. "I dunno. Research on the American teen? This is my first time skipping here," he neglected to mention that at home he had gone off on his own quite a lot to burn homework and tests that he did not deem worthy of hims talent. This was different. Now he was bunking off with friends. Well, with Pietro, and skater kid, which was close enough, to his mind.
Pietro looked back at the two of them. "Hustle it up, will you? We've got places to be."
Evan trotted to catch up with the older boy. "Yeah? Like where?"
The white haired Pietro stuck his hands in his pockets, as he thought about the answer. "Look, my friend has been in whine mode all week. Maybe for legit reasons, but whatever. So, peace offering, seems like the best idea. Eh, I'll try it. I'm sick of dealing with it."
Evan stared at Pietro, wondering if he should shout "Pod person!" or not. This was the same self-centered jerkwad he had grown up with right? Then again, Pietro was friends with that raccoony goth girl. Maybe he'd just gotten some sort of talking to. Kurt's friend Kitty often managed to talk him into doing things he didn't want to.
John stuck his hands behind his head. "So what are we getting Lance, then? A soda, or something?"
Pietro smirked, kicking a cluster of leaves from his path. Small store fronts had popped up on every side as they got closer towards the small shopping strip that constituted the downtown area. "What are you people planning to do later tonight?"
"Homework?" John shrugged. "Kurt is probably going to talk Jean into making ice cream waffles once again."
Evan rolled his eyes. "My dad's having a barbecue."
Pietro waved his hand negligently. "Look, meet me here at eleven."
Evan looked around, seeing nothing more exciting than a bike repair shop, and an autobody store. Sleepy mom and pop shops did not fit with Pietro's personality as Evan knew it, and they certainly didn't mesh with hisl. There wasn't anywhere interesting to skate, just to start with.
John conducted a similar inspection, and could only come to one conclusion. "You want to steal a fire hydrant?"
Blue eyes rolled in exasperation. "Hardly. What's Lance always wanting, and never has the money for?"
John was hazy on his knowledge of car parts, but Lance always needed everything. "A decelerator? Um, we don't have the money for anything expensively car-like, either."
Maximoff chuckled, patronizingly ruffling John's hair. "You're so naïve, Johnny-boy. We don't need to pay for anything. Keigo's never locks its back door, and it's filled with anything Lance might want."
"Whoa, man," Evan said backing up.
Pietro was suddenly at his side, blue eyes calculating. "Whatsamatter, Daniels? Gonna back out now? John's already agreed."
"But I haven't," Evan replied, his skateboard becoming a shield.
Not precisely going to plan, Pietro grimaced. Still, Evan had the willpower of a turnip. "Whatever. Invitation's open, just don't snitch," Pietro prodded Evan's chest, glaring.
Turning around, he began to walk away. John looked at Evan. He wanted to—well, maybe he did not care if Pietro was stopped, per se, but this sounded just like a recipe for disaster. On the other hand, what was the reasonable response? Not show up? But then he'd know about it, and he was certain that Dr. MacTaggart could read his mind. Then he'd be an accomplice.
From Evan's expression, it looked as though he was struggling, too. If John had known the guy better, maybe he might have asked what Evan was thinking, and Evan would have replied that this sounded stupid, and maybe an intervention was in order. However, all John could managed was a weak: "So, you'll show me your paper when you've got a rough draft?"
"Yeah," Evan nodded, flipping his skateboard back to the ground. "Yeah. Um, see ya."
John nodded heading back towards the school. After a few yards, Evan caught up on his skateboard. This was going to be awkward.
Under his breath, Evan muttered: "Dude, you know this is crazy, even for Pietro."
John shrugged uncomfortably. "Maybe." It's not as though either of them had any better ideas. Oh well, they still had the hours between, well, now, and eleven, right? Admittedly, a brilliant plan that could not fail generally took several days to concoct. Maybe Rogue would have some ideas—not that John was going to see her for the rest of the day. Kurt, maybe? Yeah, Kurt could save the day. John hoped.
Okay, I'm not certain how two boys would handle this awkward situation. Neither of them is likely to tell anyone in authority, but they both know that the consequences are too high not to try to stop it. I hope that it came across realistically in John's doubts, and inability to voice them. Was this a realistic characterization, however? It would be helpful to know.
~ MF