I wake up to the sound of the blaring radio alarm in the guest room
SNIKT,

Poor radio we hardly knew yea,


It's 6: 30 am, Later than I usually get up, but nicer too. I open the window and revel in the fresh smell of early morning, feeling the cool winters wind on my face, I bring my head back in through the window, and try to remember what's important about today. Suddenly it dawns on me…

IT'S CHRISTMAS!

Which mean the Christmas prom, groan, which means I need a date, groan, which means I have to get off my butt and do something about letting bobby know how I feel about him…

Ok maybe that last one's not such a bad thing!

Even though I know that no one will have gotten me a present, and that I haven't had time to get anyone one, except I managed to pick a silly tie that said "overworked under paid" up for bobby when the girls were dragging me round the mall. I also managed to pick up some normal decent clothing as well as the dress, which is winking at me insolently from the cupboard. Daring me to put it on again and feel the soft fabric beneath my skin, to be a lady for an instant instead of a Tomboy who doesn't even know the meaning of the word and spent as long as she could remember (and probably before that too) In combat pants.

I ignore the dress for the moment, slipping on vest a top, and a soft red sweater that I now actually OWN and is THE RIGHT SIZE for me, woohoo! Not. Clothes aren't that important to me, but I can't deny the sweater is nice and soft, it's cashmere, expensive and comfortable, I rub my cheek on it's shoulder, loving the feel of it against my skin. I debate the jeans kitty leant me then told me to keep, the ones with the torn midriff, a skirt the girls persuaded me I needed catches my eye two, it's a thick fleecy material, it's long and it's white. I sigh; white and red is far more Christmassy than jeans and a red sweater. I give in and wear the skirt, but I'm not gonna wear tights damnit, those things are so uncomfortable, I tried them on yesterday and refused to buy them, I'd rather get cold legs!


I look at my hair tangled in a mess, I brush it, smooth black locks forming under my working hands, I debate putting it in a ponytail again, but decide against it, I'll leave it down, I haven't got time.

Why am I up so early? Because I want to get down before everyone else, I know that all the x-men are going to be opening their Christmas presents in one of the lower level rooms, their all under a huge Christmas tree, I bet you storm put on the star, either than or Jean floated it up telepathically, I'm damn sure no one climbed up to put it on! That's not what I'm interested in however, what I'm interested in is the mistletoe hanging over the only door to the room, It's the perfect excuse for what I want to do, no one else will think anything of it when I kiss him, except for Jean, maybe.


I go down to the hall and wait there, sure enough I'm practically the first one their, but storm and forge are over by the Christmas tree, talking softly, he's even got his arm round her shoulder, those two! They don't notice me, and I stand by the door, waiting.

I don't have to wait long, He comes through the door looking cute as always, he's wearing Khaki coloured clacks and a white creamy sweater. (S'now or never) I think steeling my nerve as he walks under the mistletoe. He smiles when he sees me, and I step forward, giving him no time to react. I reach up with my unclawed hand and bend his head to mine, pressing my lips to his and kissing him, he winds his arms around me without thinking and I relax pulling back into them "Merry Christmas bobby" I smile "I'm yours if you still want me"

"Ebs…" He says, looking completely stunned. Suddenly my heart sinks to my boots. Maybe he only cares for me as a friend, maybe I was wrong, I've embarrassed myself.

"Forget it" I whisper, removing my hand from round his neck, and pulling out of his grasp, I turn to walk over to go sit with Ororo and forge, Ororo just noticed me, and raises an eyebrow at the events I walk away from Bobby, towards her, but I feel his hand on my arm. My left arm the one with the claws, no one's ever touched me there before while I was here…

ever.

"Wait" He says, louder than he intended, as both adults swivel their heads to looka at us intently, I turn towards him, not knowing what to expect,

I certainly didn't expect him to kiss me.