Thank you for those who read and reviewed! Here's the next chapter. I'm still getting a feel for the characters, so I hope I'm portraying them all all right. I'm glad that there are other ppl who like Freddy too. I have to admit, though, he's probably the hardest to write because I'm trying to make sure that I portray him compassionately and with more dimension but not take him complete out of character from the Fred we see on the show. I'm also trying to add a side story involving some of our favorite X-men. Anyway, comments and constructive criticism, is again, welcome. Thank for reading!
Disclaimer: I only own Crystal as well as Tim, Jenny, Roucher and Mrs. Gibson, although I guess they're not as important...LOL!
In homeroom 10-D, Crystal awkwardly stumbled in a few moments after the bell - it had took her quite awhile to find the classroom in the unfamiliar setting-and quickly took a desk by the door which was the first desk in a row of five lined up against the wall. Lowering her head, she was grateful to see that her tardiness had gone unnoticed, her new peers too busy buzzing with chatter. Yet she couldn't help but feel awfully out of place.
Soon, though, the homeroom teacher cleared her throat, calling them to attention. She was scanning over a memo as she began to address the class; "Attention children. IT seems as if we have a new student." She then looked up and studied the teenagers, looking for the stranger amongst them. The feeling of dread from earlier that morning instantaneously swept over Crystal, panic overwhelming her. Maybe she won't notice me, she thought desperately, as if praying.
"Ah, there," the bubbly middle-aged teacher spotted her. With a quick glance down at the memo, she asked "Crystal, right?"
"Yes," she nervously replied, lump in her throat and she averted her eyes to the desk. However, the teacher continued on merrily.
"Well, stand up, dear." She gestured, smiling encouragingly. "Come on, dear." Reluctantly, Crystal obeyed, standing uneasily and gawkily. Instinctively, she stared down at her feet. "Class," the cheery teacher beamed for no real reason Crystal could see accept perhaps the delight of seeing the new student in utter humiliation, although she doubted this was the case, "This is Crystal Waters."
Snickers emerged from the students, many who had been whispering and chatting the entire time. "Crystal Water? Is it Poland Spring? I only drink Poland Spring?" a boy chortled, followed by laughter.
"Looks like the No Frills kind if you ask me," chimed another boy in a mutter and more laughter transpired.
Crystal's face grew hot, her cheeks turning as red as her pale complexion would allow, which was a light tinge of pink. The teacher, nevertheless, didn't seem to notice Crystal's embarrassment, saying with a stupid grin "Well, then, Crystal. Welcome to Bayville High. I'm Mrs. Gibson. You many take your seat now." Crystal smiled weakly and immediately obeyed, slumping in her seat and starring at her desk once more, the giggles ringing in her ears as the classroom of students went back to talking and gossiping again.
At that moment, Crystal remembered how much she hated her name. One time, after a similar incident had occurred, she had asked her Aunt Helen why her parents had chosen to name her "Crystal," especially when her last name was already "Waters." At this, a kind of disgusted long overtook her aunt's face, her nose wriggling up at the thought. Then, she curtly answered, speaking flatly, "Because you're father was a-hippie." And that was that.
It was apparent Aunt Helen has disapproved of her sister's marriage to Crystal's father. At the same time, she didn't really approve of her younger sister's "hippie"-as she put it-tendencies. However, Crystal didn't really know her parents to make a valid judgment; the married couple had died in a fire when she was only 4 and then she went to live with her Aunt Helen, who had just lost her husband to cancer. For the last four years she had lived with her, and although her Aunt was strict, she was glad she was there she was there for her.
The bell rung, signaling the end of homeroom, which Crystal, grateful, swiftly rushed out of into the now crowded corridor. She squinted down at her schedule, backpack slung across her left shoulder, and tried desperately to figure out where she was supposed to be going.
Meanwhile, Kitty Pride and Kurt Wagner filed out of homeroom 10-D, as well, busily talking with one another. "I can't believe it. The winter formal is in three weeks! How am I going to find a date by then?" Kurt was exclaiming. Kitty laughed.
"Don't worry, Kurt. I'm sure you'll find someone. I'm sure there's, like, a dozen girls who want to go with you."
"Easy for you to say. You already know who you're going with." Kitty blushed slightly.
"No, I don't," she quickly said.
"Come on, Kitty! Lance has to ask you."
"Like, he doesn't have to," She replied, blushing wildly now and having difficulty controlling her giddy excitement. Unable to resist, she added, "But I hope he does!"
"Yeah, well-oh, hey there's Evan. I'll see you at lunch. Bye, Kitty!" Kurt told her, beginning to head in the opposite direction.
"Bye, Kurt!" Kitty waved goodbye to her friend. She could hear Kurt calling out to Evan "Hey, Evan! Wait up! Three more weeks!" as she began heading down the hall. Suddenly, she noticed the new girl from homeroom walking slowly and clumsily, eyes buried in the small piece of paper in her hand, looking absolutely clueless.
Quickening her pace, Kitty brushed passed to seniors to reach her and greeted her warmly, "Hi."
"Huh?" Glancing up and looking around, Crystal was taken back to see Kitty beside her. "Oh, hello," she stammered.
"Crystal, right?"
"Ye-Yeah," she stuttered, finding herself having trouble forming coherent sentences, "But, uh, Crys - Crys is fine."
Kitty smiled genially. "I'm Kitty Pryde. Do you need help? Maybe I can help. Like, what class do you have now?"
"Oh, uh…" Crystal went back to studying her schedule. "…Ch-chemistry."
"I know where that is. Come on, I'll show you." The two began walking, Kitty quickly pursuing a conversation. "The school's, like, not as big as it looks. After a few days, you'll have, like, no problem. I promise." Soon, they reached another hallway, a staircase to their right, and Kitty came to a halt. "Well, here you go. I have, like, Calculus now, but Chemistry's just down this hall on the left. I took it last year and it's not that bad. Mr. Brendon makes up, like, all the tests from the notes he gives in class, so just make sure get them, 'kay?"
"Okay. Thanks." Crystal was having a hard time not staring at her feet, only intermittently glancing up at her new acquaintance.
"Hey, like, maybe we have some other classes together. What's your schedule like?"
"Oh, uh, here-" With unsteady hands, she clumsily handed her schedule to Kitty. Kitty skimmed over it, frowning slightly.
"Hmm…it doesn't really look like-hey wait!" Kitty's face brightened, "We have, like, gym together!"
"We-we do?"
"Yeah! I'm, like, way bad at sports but it'll be fun. See ya later!" Kitty then waved good bye, proceeding up the stairs to where the math classrooms were.
"B-Bye!" Crystal managed to choke out, but a slow relief was beginning to fill her stomach, feeling slightly better that somebody had befriended her and she hadn't made a complete moron of herself. Then again, she thought as she headed to her new chemistry class, I didn't really say anything…maybe I should try doing that more often. And at least now I know somebody, but oh no! I'm going to make a complete idiot of myself in gym. I hate gym! Her face grimaced at the thought of her last physical education class and she sighed, feeling deeply depressed again.
Meanwhile, in his first period gym class, Fred was feeling rather depressed himself. With him was his good friend, Todd, the two sitting on the gym room floor waiting for their teacher to begin warm-ups. Kurt and Evan were coming out of the boy's locker room while Duncan, Tim, and a few other jocks and cheerleaders were sitting on the bleachers. Soon, Tabitha came strolling out of the girl's locker room, smirking slightly as she came up to Todd and Fred.
"Hiya, guys. Looks like we're starting hockey, huh?" she stated, noting the goal nets placed at each end of the gym. "Well, there's nothing like kicking people's asses with sticks."
"Yeah…" Fred grumbled, unable to prevent himself from glaring at his cousin with envy and timidity.
"Hey, what's bugging him, Toad?" Tabby immediately asked, noticing the preoccupied look upon Fred's round face, "He's looking more absent-minded than usual."
"Hey!" Todd declared, rising to his feet, "Show a little compassion. Can't you see the guy is hurting?"
"Hmm?" Tabitha turned to study Fred more closely and placed her hands on her hips, "What's the problem, Freddie?"
"Nothing!" Fred quickly defended himself, turning away with a huff and crossing his arms. However, Tabby had already caught on.
"Oh, I see." She said, glancing over to where Fred is staring moments before, "Having family issues I take it."
"No, I'm just…just, ok?" He mumbled, but his eyes began to wander back to his cousin. This time, though, Duncan noticed him staring enviously and a haughty expression formed on his face.
"What you staring at, fatty?" he call out, scornfully , a harsh laugh escaping his throat and glaring at him pompously. The group laughed too, including Tim, but his laughter immediately stopped when his eyes met that of the deeply hurt Fred. Face growing intensely crimson, Fred was off the gym floor and on his feet and grew instinctively defensive.
"I wasn't staring! Stop laughing at me! I said stop! I swear to God, I'm going pound your face into the floor!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the gym. It looked like he was going to march right across the gym toward Duncan and his friends, and Evan and Kurt both stared at each other if trying to decide how to handle the situation. However, it was Tabby who quickly stood in front of her Brotherhood companion, placing her hands on his belly.
"Cool it, Freddie!" she cautioned. Eyes still filled with pained rage, Fred's tense body eventually calmed slightly, and he relaxed, muttering to himself as he sat down. Duncan, who had gone completely white during the incident, relaxed as well, shrugging it off with cocky but nervous laugh. Tabby, though, turned to the popular crowd and gave them a sneering look, as if warning them to lay off, and they obeyed, beginning a new conversation. Rolling her eyes, Tabitha plopped on the floor next to Todd and Fred. Frowning upon seeing Fred's still dejected expression, Tabby spoke, "Hey, Freddie, don't let those jerks bother you, okay?"
"I never said they-" He interrupted himself, as most of the gym did, when Taren came running in.
"Guess what?" she exclaimed to the cluster of jocks and cheerleaders, "They've announced the nominees for Winter Formal King and Queen!" Duncan was at once eager, but stayed composed in front of his friends.
"Oh, really?" he replied, coolly.
"Yes! And I'm a nominee!"
"Congratulations," Tim praised her.
"Who else?" Duncan questioned curtly, his anxiety getting the best of him.
"You! And Tim, too!" At this, Duncan gave his friend a quick glare who in response gave a weak smile and a shrug. Taren continued on, without regard to this exchange, her announcement being listened to by the entire gym. "Tori's running against you two, as well." Duncan raised an eyebrow.
"Tori? That brain actually got nominated?"
Tim also frowned, "He wants to run?"
"I don't know!" Taren declared, obviously irritated, "Anyway, isn't this exciting?"
"I suppose so," said Tim.
"Suppose so?" spoke up another basketball player, Edward Roucher, "That's great, man!"
"No big deal," Duncan swiftly brushed it aside, although a sly, cocky smirk had slipped across his face. "But, who else was nominated for Queen?"
"Oh," Taren's face dropped, a sort of disgusted look appearing on her face. "Oh. Well, Jenny." She gestured toward a pretty petite blonde cheerleader sitting next to Roucher.
Without hesitation, Jenny squealed, delighted, "Really? Wow! Really? Wow!"
"Yes," Taren tried her best to keep a smile. Then she quickly muttered, "And Jean."
"Jean?" Duncan questioned, the pompous smirk growing wider.
"Yes, Jean." Taren stated, flatly.
"Really? You don't say?" Duncan's mind was already stirring with thoughts of taking Jean to the Formal and him and her-which he knew it inevitably was going to come down to-would be crowned King and Queen.
Instantaneously, Kurt and Evan turned to each other. "Oh no!" Kurt uttered, "If Duncan and Jean were both nominated for King and Queen…"
"That would mean Duncan's going to ask Jean to the Formal…" Evan continued the thought.
"And Scott's not going to get the chance to!" Kurt concluded. Evan shook his head.
"This is not good, man."
Meanwhile, Fred gritted his teeth, trying to control his jealously as he looked on. Why does Tim get everything? Why did he have to be nominated? It's not enough he's already perfect…and what do I get? Just a bunch of jokes and extra pounds…
Fred sighed, and stared down at his plump belly. Look at me! I'm a stupid, fat slob. I've always been a stupid fat slob. I hate being a stupid fat slob.
"Hey, Freddie, something wrong?" Todd asked, concerned. "Well, er, except, uh…well, you know…Tim and all-" Tabby hit him hard against the arm, giving him a look to tell him to shut up.
"I said I didn't care!" Fred grew defensive again, turning away and focusing on a spot on the wall as to make sure he wasn't staring at anybody anymore. The anger in him began to melt, leaving behind a bitter pain within him.
Disclaimer: I only own Crystal as well as Tim, Jenny, Roucher and Mrs. Gibson, although I guess they're not as important...LOL!
In homeroom 10-D, Crystal awkwardly stumbled in a few moments after the bell - it had took her quite awhile to find the classroom in the unfamiliar setting-and quickly took a desk by the door which was the first desk in a row of five lined up against the wall. Lowering her head, she was grateful to see that her tardiness had gone unnoticed, her new peers too busy buzzing with chatter. Yet she couldn't help but feel awfully out of place.
Soon, though, the homeroom teacher cleared her throat, calling them to attention. She was scanning over a memo as she began to address the class; "Attention children. IT seems as if we have a new student." She then looked up and studied the teenagers, looking for the stranger amongst them. The feeling of dread from earlier that morning instantaneously swept over Crystal, panic overwhelming her. Maybe she won't notice me, she thought desperately, as if praying.
"Ah, there," the bubbly middle-aged teacher spotted her. With a quick glance down at the memo, she asked "Crystal, right?"
"Yes," she nervously replied, lump in her throat and she averted her eyes to the desk. However, the teacher continued on merrily.
"Well, stand up, dear." She gestured, smiling encouragingly. "Come on, dear." Reluctantly, Crystal obeyed, standing uneasily and gawkily. Instinctively, she stared down at her feet. "Class," the cheery teacher beamed for no real reason Crystal could see accept perhaps the delight of seeing the new student in utter humiliation, although she doubted this was the case, "This is Crystal Waters."
Snickers emerged from the students, many who had been whispering and chatting the entire time. "Crystal Water? Is it Poland Spring? I only drink Poland Spring?" a boy chortled, followed by laughter.
"Looks like the No Frills kind if you ask me," chimed another boy in a mutter and more laughter transpired.
Crystal's face grew hot, her cheeks turning as red as her pale complexion would allow, which was a light tinge of pink. The teacher, nevertheless, didn't seem to notice Crystal's embarrassment, saying with a stupid grin "Well, then, Crystal. Welcome to Bayville High. I'm Mrs. Gibson. You many take your seat now." Crystal smiled weakly and immediately obeyed, slumping in her seat and starring at her desk once more, the giggles ringing in her ears as the classroom of students went back to talking and gossiping again.
At that moment, Crystal remembered how much she hated her name. One time, after a similar incident had occurred, she had asked her Aunt Helen why her parents had chosen to name her "Crystal," especially when her last name was already "Waters." At this, a kind of disgusted long overtook her aunt's face, her nose wriggling up at the thought. Then, she curtly answered, speaking flatly, "Because you're father was a-hippie." And that was that.
It was apparent Aunt Helen has disapproved of her sister's marriage to Crystal's father. At the same time, she didn't really approve of her younger sister's "hippie"-as she put it-tendencies. However, Crystal didn't really know her parents to make a valid judgment; the married couple had died in a fire when she was only 4 and then she went to live with her Aunt Helen, who had just lost her husband to cancer. For the last four years she had lived with her, and although her Aunt was strict, she was glad she was there she was there for her.
The bell rung, signaling the end of homeroom, which Crystal, grateful, swiftly rushed out of into the now crowded corridor. She squinted down at her schedule, backpack slung across her left shoulder, and tried desperately to figure out where she was supposed to be going.
Meanwhile, Kitty Pride and Kurt Wagner filed out of homeroom 10-D, as well, busily talking with one another. "I can't believe it. The winter formal is in three weeks! How am I going to find a date by then?" Kurt was exclaiming. Kitty laughed.
"Don't worry, Kurt. I'm sure you'll find someone. I'm sure there's, like, a dozen girls who want to go with you."
"Easy for you to say. You already know who you're going with." Kitty blushed slightly.
"No, I don't," she quickly said.
"Come on, Kitty! Lance has to ask you."
"Like, he doesn't have to," She replied, blushing wildly now and having difficulty controlling her giddy excitement. Unable to resist, she added, "But I hope he does!"
"Yeah, well-oh, hey there's Evan. I'll see you at lunch. Bye, Kitty!" Kurt told her, beginning to head in the opposite direction.
"Bye, Kurt!" Kitty waved goodbye to her friend. She could hear Kurt calling out to Evan "Hey, Evan! Wait up! Three more weeks!" as she began heading down the hall. Suddenly, she noticed the new girl from homeroom walking slowly and clumsily, eyes buried in the small piece of paper in her hand, looking absolutely clueless.
Quickening her pace, Kitty brushed passed to seniors to reach her and greeted her warmly, "Hi."
"Huh?" Glancing up and looking around, Crystal was taken back to see Kitty beside her. "Oh, hello," she stammered.
"Crystal, right?"
"Ye-Yeah," she stuttered, finding herself having trouble forming coherent sentences, "But, uh, Crys - Crys is fine."
Kitty smiled genially. "I'm Kitty Pryde. Do you need help? Maybe I can help. Like, what class do you have now?"
"Oh, uh…" Crystal went back to studying her schedule. "…Ch-chemistry."
"I know where that is. Come on, I'll show you." The two began walking, Kitty quickly pursuing a conversation. "The school's, like, not as big as it looks. After a few days, you'll have, like, no problem. I promise." Soon, they reached another hallway, a staircase to their right, and Kitty came to a halt. "Well, here you go. I have, like, Calculus now, but Chemistry's just down this hall on the left. I took it last year and it's not that bad. Mr. Brendon makes up, like, all the tests from the notes he gives in class, so just make sure get them, 'kay?"
"Okay. Thanks." Crystal was having a hard time not staring at her feet, only intermittently glancing up at her new acquaintance.
"Hey, like, maybe we have some other classes together. What's your schedule like?"
"Oh, uh, here-" With unsteady hands, she clumsily handed her schedule to Kitty. Kitty skimmed over it, frowning slightly.
"Hmm…it doesn't really look like-hey wait!" Kitty's face brightened, "We have, like, gym together!"
"We-we do?"
"Yeah! I'm, like, way bad at sports but it'll be fun. See ya later!" Kitty then waved good bye, proceeding up the stairs to where the math classrooms were.
"B-Bye!" Crystal managed to choke out, but a slow relief was beginning to fill her stomach, feeling slightly better that somebody had befriended her and she hadn't made a complete moron of herself. Then again, she thought as she headed to her new chemistry class, I didn't really say anything…maybe I should try doing that more often. And at least now I know somebody, but oh no! I'm going to make a complete idiot of myself in gym. I hate gym! Her face grimaced at the thought of her last physical education class and she sighed, feeling deeply depressed again.
Meanwhile, in his first period gym class, Fred was feeling rather depressed himself. With him was his good friend, Todd, the two sitting on the gym room floor waiting for their teacher to begin warm-ups. Kurt and Evan were coming out of the boy's locker room while Duncan, Tim, and a few other jocks and cheerleaders were sitting on the bleachers. Soon, Tabitha came strolling out of the girl's locker room, smirking slightly as she came up to Todd and Fred.
"Hiya, guys. Looks like we're starting hockey, huh?" she stated, noting the goal nets placed at each end of the gym. "Well, there's nothing like kicking people's asses with sticks."
"Yeah…" Fred grumbled, unable to prevent himself from glaring at his cousin with envy and timidity.
"Hey, what's bugging him, Toad?" Tabby immediately asked, noticing the preoccupied look upon Fred's round face, "He's looking more absent-minded than usual."
"Hey!" Todd declared, rising to his feet, "Show a little compassion. Can't you see the guy is hurting?"
"Hmm?" Tabitha turned to study Fred more closely and placed her hands on her hips, "What's the problem, Freddie?"
"Nothing!" Fred quickly defended himself, turning away with a huff and crossing his arms. However, Tabby had already caught on.
"Oh, I see." She said, glancing over to where Fred is staring moments before, "Having family issues I take it."
"No, I'm just…just, ok?" He mumbled, but his eyes began to wander back to his cousin. This time, though, Duncan noticed him staring enviously and a haughty expression formed on his face.
"What you staring at, fatty?" he call out, scornfully , a harsh laugh escaping his throat and glaring at him pompously. The group laughed too, including Tim, but his laughter immediately stopped when his eyes met that of the deeply hurt Fred. Face growing intensely crimson, Fred was off the gym floor and on his feet and grew instinctively defensive.
"I wasn't staring! Stop laughing at me! I said stop! I swear to God, I'm going pound your face into the floor!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the gym. It looked like he was going to march right across the gym toward Duncan and his friends, and Evan and Kurt both stared at each other if trying to decide how to handle the situation. However, it was Tabby who quickly stood in front of her Brotherhood companion, placing her hands on his belly.
"Cool it, Freddie!" she cautioned. Eyes still filled with pained rage, Fred's tense body eventually calmed slightly, and he relaxed, muttering to himself as he sat down. Duncan, who had gone completely white during the incident, relaxed as well, shrugging it off with cocky but nervous laugh. Tabby, though, turned to the popular crowd and gave them a sneering look, as if warning them to lay off, and they obeyed, beginning a new conversation. Rolling her eyes, Tabitha plopped on the floor next to Todd and Fred. Frowning upon seeing Fred's still dejected expression, Tabby spoke, "Hey, Freddie, don't let those jerks bother you, okay?"
"I never said they-" He interrupted himself, as most of the gym did, when Taren came running in.
"Guess what?" she exclaimed to the cluster of jocks and cheerleaders, "They've announced the nominees for Winter Formal King and Queen!" Duncan was at once eager, but stayed composed in front of his friends.
"Oh, really?" he replied, coolly.
"Yes! And I'm a nominee!"
"Congratulations," Tim praised her.
"Who else?" Duncan questioned curtly, his anxiety getting the best of him.
"You! And Tim, too!" At this, Duncan gave his friend a quick glare who in response gave a weak smile and a shrug. Taren continued on, without regard to this exchange, her announcement being listened to by the entire gym. "Tori's running against you two, as well." Duncan raised an eyebrow.
"Tori? That brain actually got nominated?"
Tim also frowned, "He wants to run?"
"I don't know!" Taren declared, obviously irritated, "Anyway, isn't this exciting?"
"I suppose so," said Tim.
"Suppose so?" spoke up another basketball player, Edward Roucher, "That's great, man!"
"No big deal," Duncan swiftly brushed it aside, although a sly, cocky smirk had slipped across his face. "But, who else was nominated for Queen?"
"Oh," Taren's face dropped, a sort of disgusted look appearing on her face. "Oh. Well, Jenny." She gestured toward a pretty petite blonde cheerleader sitting next to Roucher.
Without hesitation, Jenny squealed, delighted, "Really? Wow! Really? Wow!"
"Yes," Taren tried her best to keep a smile. Then she quickly muttered, "And Jean."
"Jean?" Duncan questioned, the pompous smirk growing wider.
"Yes, Jean." Taren stated, flatly.
"Really? You don't say?" Duncan's mind was already stirring with thoughts of taking Jean to the Formal and him and her-which he knew it inevitably was going to come down to-would be crowned King and Queen.
Instantaneously, Kurt and Evan turned to each other. "Oh no!" Kurt uttered, "If Duncan and Jean were both nominated for King and Queen…"
"That would mean Duncan's going to ask Jean to the Formal…" Evan continued the thought.
"And Scott's not going to get the chance to!" Kurt concluded. Evan shook his head.
"This is not good, man."
Meanwhile, Fred gritted his teeth, trying to control his jealously as he looked on. Why does Tim get everything? Why did he have to be nominated? It's not enough he's already perfect…and what do I get? Just a bunch of jokes and extra pounds…
Fred sighed, and stared down at his plump belly. Look at me! I'm a stupid, fat slob. I've always been a stupid fat slob. I hate being a stupid fat slob.
"Hey, Freddie, something wrong?" Todd asked, concerned. "Well, er, except, uh…well, you know…Tim and all-" Tabby hit him hard against the arm, giving him a look to tell him to shut up.
"I said I didn't care!" Fred grew defensive again, turning away and focusing on a spot on the wall as to make sure he wasn't staring at anybody anymore. The anger in him began to melt, leaving behind a bitter pain within him.