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"When in doubt, make a fool of yourself. There is a microscopically thin line between being brilliantly creative and acting like the most gigantic idiot on earth. So what the hell, leap."
-Cynthia Heimel
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Chapter Twenty-One: Movie Night
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Jean sighed and leaned back against the wall outside Kurt's bedroom. It was hard for anyone to miss the way he was feeling at the moment, and pretty much impossible for a telepath. Down the hall, she could "hear" Nat, the same jumbled thoughts pouring from the poor girl's equally tortured mind. Of all the things in the world to make a person as angsty and passionate as a bad teen movie, young love worked as well with mutants as it did with average people.
It was very late, actually very early, and Jean had been having almost as much trouble sleeping over the past week as Nat and Kurt had been having. She couldn't imagine how the professor must be feeling, but assumed that he was better able to deal with it than she was. Still, she had seen the tired look on his face growing more and more intense with each passing day, so he was either picking up on his students' anxiety or he was simply worried about them himself.
She sighed again, wrinkling her smooth white brow, and made up her mind. There was no way that Jean Grey could let this continue much longer. She was going to have to do something about it before she had a nervous breakdown from fatigue, or Kurt and Nat simply cried until they drowned in their sleep. She had to do something to get them talking to one another again. Maybe her motivations were selfish, but she didn't really care at this point. She just wanted a full night's rest, damn it.
Softly, she padded down the hallway and rapped her knuckles on Kitty's bedroom door. There was a long empty pause, so she knocked harder. She jumped slightly as a very irritated Kitty, hair disheveled and face creased with pillow-lines, stuck her head through the door and hissed, "What?"
Jean restrained a yawn. "Are you awake?"
Kitty harrumphed loudly. "Well, I am now. You need something?"
"Yeah, I was wondering if you could help me with...a project." Jean pushed the door open and stepped inside, taking a seat on the edge of Kitty's bed.
"Are you kidding me? You woke me up at two in the morning to get help on a project?"
"Not a school project or something, a personal project."
Kitty eyed her cagily, trying to look aloof although her interest was definitely piqued. "Like what? Are you, like, finally going to tell Scott that—"
"It has nothing to do with Scott," Jean snapped, crossing her arms defensively over her chest. "It's about Nat and Kurt, and how they've been avoiding each other the past few days."
Kitty rolled her large blue eyes. "Oh, you mean Mister and Missus 'Maybe-if-I-ignore-my-problems-long-enough-they'll-magically-go-away'?"
Jean laughed and nodded. "The very ones."
"I'm not too sure it's possible to get them to look at each other, let alone have a conversation."
The redhead sighed and twisted a curl of glossy hair around her finger. She tucked her feet gracefully underneath her, and settled down for a long chat. "Well, we have to try something. I hate to see them so sullen and…disturbed. Besides, if I have to go through another week of this ridiculousness, someone's goin' down. And I don't really care who."
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The following weekend, Kitty and Jean were ready to put their plans into action. Scott, who had no idea he had been duped into participating in their arrangement, had gone to the movie rental store and was renting a wealth of videos and DVDs. Kitty had tried to encourage him to get as many romantic flicks as he could find, but Jean finally convinced her that, if everything went the way it was supposed to, it wasn't the movies that Nat and Kurt would be paying attention to.
All day on Saturday, Rogue had managed to keep herself from getting involved in almost every step of the planning process for their movie night. Finally, however, she'd been caught doing absolutely nothing around three o'clock that afternoon, and had been sent to the store for more soda and chips, the first batch having been wolfed down by Logan for lunch. Jean hadn't been exactly happy about this, seeing as how she had spent nearly two hours at the grocery store that morning, braving the hideously thick crowd of weekend shoppers. Kitty and Jean had cleaned the living room from top to bottom, only to have Evan set up an impromptu skateboard ramp across the couch, using boards and nails and dusting the room in wood shavings. He tried to duck out just in time to avoid having to clean up, and he would have made it if Jean hadn't been quite adept and psychic ear-pulling. It's not very easy to pretend you can't hear someone who can tell you what to do from halfway across town.
Once Scott was gone with the movie rental card and a list of suggestions, Evan was struggling with the twisted vacuum cleaner cord, and Rogue was hastily tossing one of every kind of snack food she could find into her shopping cart, Jean and Kitty sat down for a few minutes to discuss the current problem. Their simple little plan had turned into something far more complicated than they had intended, and it wasn't made any easier by the fact that both Nat and Kurt had come up with some excuse to avoid the get-together that evening. Nat said she had homework, which Jean knew she didn't, and Kurt had tried to come up with a believable story this time, saying that he was going to spend the evening hacking into the Pentagon's computer system.
Kitty sighed and plopped back onto a chair at the kitchen table, letting out a tired little groan. She allowed her head to fall onto her folded arms on the table, her voice muffled in the crook of her elbow. "Have we forgotten anything? Please say we haven't forgotten anything."
Jean yawned. "Not that I can think of. Except Nat and Kurt."
"I give up. They can be, like, as grouchy and aggravating as they want, and absolutely hate each other for all I care. I'm tired, and I want a nap."
"Well so do I, and there's no way I'm going to be getting one until those two make up! So snap out of it!"
Kitty exhaled noisily, letting her head flop backward over the chair's headrest. "They were both willing to come until they found out that the other would be there. I mean, I just can't believe how stubborn they're being."
"I can. They're just being a couple. Or, rather, trying not to be one."
Kitty's head snapped up. "You think so? Really? I'm not, like, the only one who can totally see it?"
"Hardly. They're practically ready for marriage."
"But they aren't even speaking..."
"Exactly. They're both terrified of admitting it, but they really like each other. A ton."
The younger girl stuck out her bottom lip. "That's so sad! It's, like, unrequited love and stuff! We have to do something before they start writing corny poetry and drinking flavored coffees with middle-aged women."
"Well, duh. It's absolutely terrible that those two won't just own up to their feelings."
There was a loud clatter as Evan dropped something heavy, and a shattering sound followed by some muffled cursing. Jean sighed, and looked up with a bright smile as Scott came in through the back door, carrying a plastic bag of DVDs. He glanced at her, wearing an almost wistful expression. Kitty caught sight of Jean's own dreamy look and rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, "And the great Hypocrisy Queen strikes again..."
Jean shot her a withering glare, and got to her feet to take the bag from Scott's hand, peering inside. "What'd you get?"
He shrugged and settled down on a stool, popping the cap off a bottle of carrot juice and taking a swig. "I got one for everyone that's going to be there tonight. 'Interview With a Vampire' for Rogue, 'My Best Friend's Wedding' for Kitty, something in Japanese for Evan, 'Princess Monkey-O', or something like that. Oh, and 'The Breakfast Club' for you, Jean, and 'Pokémon 2000' for myself."
Kitty blinked. "You're kidding."
"Of course I am. I got 'Bambi'." He smirked a little, proud of his meager gag.
Kitty poked her tongue out between her lips. Jean ignored them both and frowned, digging through the bag. "Did you pick up anything for Nat or Kurt?"
Scott pressed his lips together for a moment, not wanting to upset her, and shook his head. "They both said that they weren't coming. I got 'Lola Rennt' for Kurt, just in case he decides to show, and 'The Wizard of Oz' for Nat. She once told me that it was her favorite movie."
Jean flopped down heavily beside Scott, who squeezed her shoulder. "We're going to have to convince them to come, no matter what..."
"What have you two got going on that's so important for both of them to be there?"
"Nothing that you'd notice, Sir Romance," retorted Kitty sarcastically. "Only their very happiness."
"Huh?" He glanced at Jean for help. "What's she blathering on about now?"
Glaring across the table at him, Kitty crossed her arms and continued as if Jean hadn't heard. "If you must know, we're going to try to get Kurt and Nat to make up tonight."
He glanced from one girl to the other, slowly shaking his head. "I don't know, you guys. Do you really think it's a good idea to poke your noses around in their business?"
Jean wriggled in her seat and snatched the bottle of juice from his hand, taking a drink before returning it. "They aren't doing anything about their business, so I figure somebody has to. Besides, it's not like I don't already know everything that's going on."
Scott sighed. "I guess. But I'm not getting involved."
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"So...is Kurt going to be there?" Nat asked, twisted her hands tightly in her lap.
Jean watched her guiltily, swallowing her remorse like an arsenic pill for the cause. "I don't think so. That is, we've already watched one movie and he hasn't shown up yet." Well, that's not entirely false, Jean thought. I don't know whether or not Kitty managed to convince him. "You could really use a night of relaxation, Nat. I know that you...haven't been feeling very well for the last few days."
Nat chewed on her bottom lip, her eyebrows lowered in concentration. Slowly, a sad little smile spread across her face. "Yeah, okay. I'm coming."
Down the hall, Kitty knocked hard on Kurt's door, practically banging her hand against the wood to be heard over the blaring of his stereo. It opened a crack and he stuck his head out into the hallway. The first thing she noticed was the wilted appearance of his face, his deeply set amber eyes. "Ja, vat do you vant?"
"So? You coming or what?"
A shake of his head. "Nein, I already told you. I'm busy."
He started to shut the door, but Kitty stuck her hand in the jam so he couldn't, and he opened it again, looking weary. "This whole trying to keep me out thing is pointless anyway, and I'm just being nice by actually making you open the door. Come on, Kurt. Watch movies with us. It'll be, like, fun, I promise." She flashed her prettiest smile. "There'll be soo-daa...Even that nasty grapefruit kind you like. And that German movie with the running lady."
He paused for a moment, thinking. "I don't know."
She tried to look desperate, hoping to appeal to his natural male desire to make her happy. "Please, Kurt? Please? Jean and I worked all day getting ready. We'd be so disappointed if you couldn't be there."
Kurt paused again, his face softening into a smile. "Ja, I suppose I can come."
Kitty threw her arms around his neck, almost knocking him off of his feet, and he laughed. Kitty was surprised at how much she had missed the sound, and grabbed his arm to lead him downstairs.
When they entered the living room, already darkened to watch the films, she felt him stiffen next to her and looked up, catching sight of Nat sitting on the couch beside Jean. The dark-haired girl's eyes widened and she started to blush, looking away, suddenly very involved in watching Evan set up the DVD player on top of the TV. Kitty glimpsed Jean's face, and she scampered over to the unoccupied easy chair, leaving Kurt with only two seating options: alongside Nat on the sofa, or on the floor. Jean and Kitty both knew Kurt wouldn't want to insult Nat by taking the latter, and both girls were looking very pleased with themselves as Kurt made his way over to the couch.
He glanced at Nat, nodding hello, and she did the same before turning back to the screen as he took his seat, watching the previews with exaggerated interest. At the front of the room, Evan grinned and rubbed his palms together excitedly. He flopped down on the couch, squeezing in between Nat and Kurt, not noticing the livid glowers he was receiving from Jean and Kitty.
"I love this one. It's like 'Fern Gully', only on an acid trip."
Jean stood up and cleared her throat, heading for the kitchen. "I'm going to go get some sodas. Evan..."
He glanced up briefly, frowning around a mouthful of popcorn. "Wha'?"
"Come help me, won't you please?"
He grunted indignantly. "Can't somebody else do it? Ask Rogue! She doesn't like this movie, anyway." He dug back into the bowl for more popcorn.
Jean's voice was tough, hissing through clenched teeth. Kitty stifled a chortle. "I need someone with strong arms to help me with the cooler."
Evan, temporarily forgetting that Jean could simply lift the cooler with a thought, grinned despite himself and stood. "Okay, I'll help." He flexed his muscles briefly as he passed, and Rogue grimaced.
Kitty leaped to her feet and skipped into the kitchen on his heels, calling "Anybody want ice?" The kitchen door slipped shut behind her before anyone had a chance to reply. On the television screen, a young man astride some sort of weird elk-creature was fighting with what looked like a big blob of worms on the back of a giant pig. Nat stared, not really paying attention, although she might normally have been fascinated. Beside her, Kurt shifted back and forth in his seat, uncomfortable with the obscure clearing of the room.
At the other end of the couch, Scott was sitting perfectly still. He stood suddenly and stretched. "Bathroom break."
Rogue stared at him, bewildered. "The movie just started!"
He shrugged and continued on. From the kitchen, Jean's voice called, "Rogue! Would you mind helping us get the lid off this dip? It's sort of...stuck."
Throwing her hands into the air, Rogue stomped into the kitchen, fuming. "Oh, fer cryin' out loud! Ah just don't know what's wrong with ya'll!"
Nat and Kurt sat in silence for a good ten minutes, waiting for Scott to return from the restroom or the others to return with the food. There was no sound from anything but the television, until Nat cleared her throat and glanced at Kurt, blushing. "You think they're coming back anytime soon?"
A slow, tiny smile lit across Kurt's lips. "I don't think so."
"You think they did that on purpose?"
He nodded, his smile blossoming into a full-fledged grin. "I think they probably did." He laughed tensely.
Nat shook her head, but when she glanced at him her green eyes were sparkling, if not a bit nervous. "They really aren't very subtle."
This time, when Kurt laughed, it sounded clear and warm, not forced at all. "True, but at least they try."
"I guess I could have tried a bit harder." Nat averted her gaze, and Kurt sighed but scooted closer, putting his arm over her shoulders lightly in a little half-hug. She turned her face and pressed it against his chest, squeezing her eyes shut to keep from crying. She sniffled, pulling back and looking up at him. "Kurt?"
"Ja?"
She gulped. "I'm really sorry."
"Ja, I know. Thank you, even though I'm not quite sure vy. So am I." He smiled warmly, and she threw her arms around his neck, embracing him tightly.
"I can't believe we've wasted an entire week by being so silly."
He paused, looking away. "I don't vant to vaste another, if that's okay vith you."
"What do you mean?" Nat frowned, trying to tip her head so she could meet his eyes. He glanced back at her, smiling slightly. She took note of the little wound on his forehead, the lip that still bore a thin, pale line where it had been split, and tried not to tremble.
"I don't vant to vaste another second, Nat." He leaned forward suddenly, slowly, and her eyes widened in shock as his lips brushed lightly against hers. She could feel the soft fuzz on his cheeks, the warm, faintly dry skin of his lips, and taste the salty tang there. She shivered, but melted against him. His hands were strong at the small of her back, and she could feel him breathing against her throat. It was a heady sensation, and the world went dark as her eyes drifted shut of their own accord. She wished that it would never end, but soon the two had to part for air, and he pulled away, smiling.
From the kitchen, they heard a tiny muffled coo, and the sound of someone clapping.