"…and then she had the nerve to tell me I was a hypocrite!" Peter frowned, huffing dramatically as swung dangerously on the two back legs of his chair.
You roll your eyes, only half paying attention to whatever dramatic story he's telling now. Honestly, it's a miracle anyone else can get a word in. The breeze whips your hair in your eyes and you flip it back irritably, eyes drifting across the courtyard.
"Maybe," Jean suggested, thin brows raised, "if you're actually nice to the girls you have a crush on, instead of just flirting and boasting someone might actually show interest."
You snort out a laugh, quickly hiding it by coughing loudly. You look down at your lunch, eyes downcast in fear of laughing if you look at Peter for even a second.
Suddenly there's a flash beside you, filling your vision with purple and nose with sulphur. You jerk back, a quick shriek escaping your lips as you're heart jumps into your throat. You grab for Scott, hands clenching around his arm. As your vision clears you let out a sigh of relief. Kurt. No one thought to tell you he can teleport.
"Hello!" he says brightly, but his brow creases as his red-gold eyes land on you. "Are you all right, [Y/N?]" His eyes widen a fraction as realisation dawns on his angular face.
You have to admit, with those wide eyes and the way his hand flutters to his mouth, he looks absolutely adorable.
"I didn't frighten you, did I?"
"Oh, no of course not!" you reply with a strained laugh, a hot blush slowly spreading across your cheeks. "I just uh, well, I didn't expect you to appear so suddenly. The smoke was a surprise too."
"Oh. Good, that's good. I mean, it's not good that I surprised you but it's good that - ah, I'm going to shut up now." Kurt settles down onto the seat across from you, glancing at you for a split second before quickly averting his gaze. He looks very much like a puppy who's just been given a row for destroying the sofa.
"Aw, how cute! I think Kurt has a crush," Jubilee whispers in your ear, a happy laugh in her voice, "and going by how red you're face is, you feel the same."
"Jubilee!" you cry, loud enough to make the entire table turn to stare at you. You're blush only deepens as you turn to Jubilee accusingly. "You can't just go saying things like that. Besides, there's no way Kurt has a crush on me. I'm not even saying that I have a crush on him, either, just so you know." You duck your head as Jubilee gives you a knowing smile, staring at the table. Hands fidget with the bottom of your t-shirt nervously. God, you're so obvious.
Throughout lunch you keep sneaking glances Kurt's way. There's so many cute little things you never noticed before - the way his nose crinkles when he laughs, the way his eyes change hues when the sunlight hits his face a certain way, the little twitch of his ears when he listens intently to whatever dumb story Peter's telling now.
"Damn, you have it bad," Jubilee says with a laugh, leaning over to ruffle your hair, "it's adorable, but you can't keep admiring from afar. Either ask him out, or so help me I'll do it for you."
You gasp, shaking your head furiously. "No way," you reply in a hushed whisper, "I've only just got here. I don't want to ruin possible friendships this early on." You sigh, casting one last glance Kurt's way.
Bright yellow eyes meet yours, widening slightly. Kurt opens his mouth as if to say something to you, then quickly closes it again and looks away.
"You all right?" Scott questions, glancing over, "Kurt?"
Kurt blushes and lowers his gaze, muttering a quiet "fine" before standing up and mumbling an excuse to leave.
You watch him go. His abrupt departure is your fault - you just don't know why. Guilt settles itself in your stomach as you watch him retreat quietly, shoulders hunched. He doesn't teleport; just keeps walking, bare, three-toed feet dragging the ground.
"I'll be back in a minute," you tell Jubilee, hopping to your feet. Jubilee opens her mouth to reply but you're away, jogging to close the distance between you and Kurt. He only has a few seconds head start but he's seriously tall.
"Kurt!" you call after him, falling into step beside him. "Hi."
"Hi," he replies cautiously, taking a step away from you as if he's scared to get too close. His brow furrows in confusion.
"You uh, left kind of suddenly. Everything okay?"
His frown deepens, blue skin creasing slightly between the brows. "I'm fine, yes."
Well, that's obviously untrue. Your heart wrenches at the sight of him; so clearly uncomfortable and… sad?
"If I did something wrong - offended you or something, please tell me." You reach out to put a hand on his shoulder - but Kurt flinches back, wide eyed.
He stares at you for a moment before finally relaxing - but he still won't look at you. "During lunch back there - you kept staring at me."
Oh. A deep blush settles over your already rosy cheeks as realisation dawns. "Oh," is all you can force out. Then, after a beat, "but I didn't mean it like that! I uh, didn't actually realise I was staring at all."
"It's okay, I understand. I am quite a sight, even here with so many other mutants." He smiles sadly, brushing his black fringe from his eyes.
You bite your lip, heart doing somersaults as you watch him inch away from you, hands stuffed in his pockets and head down. "No I…" you trail off. Taking a deep breath, you look him straight in the eyes. There's no point in denying it - you've fallen hard for this boy and it's breaking your heart to see him like this. "I'm so sorry if I hurt you - I didn't mean to and honestly the only reason I was staring at you is because… I think you're cute." You squeeze your eyes shut, a quick intake of breath the only other sound from your mouth.
There's a sound almost like an explosion, so loud in your ears you jump, eyes flying open. When you look around the courtyard the only remainder of Kurt is the wispy purple-blue smoke and faint smell of sulphur.