Scott's toes curled beneath him as his bare feet met with the cold, wooden floor. He rubbed his eyes cautiously before placing his red glasses securely over his eyes. He blinked carefully (just like every other morning) to ensure that he wouldn't be a threat to anyone today.
Within no time, Scott was ready to go. He sat patiently in the kitchen of the Insititute (to be more accurate, The Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters) waiting for his fellow students to come waltzing down the stairs in their cheerful ways.
Or "bamfing" Scott thought with a slight chuckle. As if on cue, Kurt Wagner, whose mutant ability was teleporting, bamfed into a kitchen stool across from Scott.
"Guten tag!" Kurt exclaimed happily. Scott slid his hand through his chestnut hair with a grin on his face.
"Good day to you too, Kurt," Scott replied.
Just then, Evan came skateboarding down the railing and into the kitchen. He barely paused to shove a piece of Kurt's toast into his mouth. Kurt couldn't contain himself and started chasing Evan, in an attempt to retrieve his food.
As Kurt and Evan whizzed by, Rogue looked at them with an apparent disgust and rolled her eyes. She rounded the corner into the kitchen slowly, covering her mouth with her gloved hand as she yawned. Scott stared at her for a moment, studying her eccentric clothing for the day. Unfortunately, Rogue caught his eye and scowled at him. She scoffed passed him towards the fridge and poured herself a glass of orange juice and took the other piece of toast Kurt had been preparing. After eating a bite she turned to face Scott who stared back at her blankly.
"Ah hope this wasn't yers," she said bluntly, waggling the piece of toast in front of Scott's face, "But if it was, then Ah guess it's too bad now." She continued munching on the toast as she lazily walked out of the Institute's kitchen to retrieve her school books from her room.
Scott inhaled deeply, letting off an extremely elongated sigh.
Just like every other day.
Kurt, Evan, Rogue, and Scott were all waiting in the garage for Kitty and Jean to make their morning debuts. It wasn't uncommon for the girls to be late. And none of the others could possibly comprehend why the two just didn't wake up 10 minutes earlier.
Kitty Pryde came rushing through the garage's wall, clutching her school books to her chest.
"Sorry I'm late guys. The like, hair dryer broke and like..."
"It's okay, Kitty. Like, at least yuh like, made it on time," Rogue said dryly, causing everyone to laugh.
It didn't take long for Jean to come rushing into the garage, offer everyone a weak smile and plop herself into the front passenger seat. Scott smirked to himself as he jumped behind the wheel. He turned to Jean as he put the key into the ignition to start the car.
"Are you sure you're ready now, Jean?" he asked playfully. She grinned at him and nodded in reassurance. He couldn't help but smile back.
Jean Grey was sitting β alone β in the gardens of the Institute under the setting sun. The entire area was radiating with color; the trees were as luminous as a fiery torch, filled with warmth and passion. She always found comfort among the blazing trees. And perhaps it was because of Scott's interest in the season...
She set her homework and books aside and folded her hands neatly over her lap. There was no spark within her that could make her work on any of her assignments. Maybe it was the fact that the Homecoming dance of her Senior year was approaching. And maybe it was the fact that she didn't know what was going to happen with the end of her high school career. But it didn't really matter to her. She'd always have the X-Men ...Right?
Her thoughts were interrupted abruptly by a sudden crunch of leaves. She blinked a few times before lifting her head towards a figure. Scott Summers. The sun was directly behind him, making him appear like a Messiah to her worries.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked gently. Jean shook her head and motioned for him to sit next to her. Scott stiffly took his place next to her on the bench.
"You look like you've got something on your mind," he said slowly, leaning back a little and letting a yawn escape his lips. Scott slid his arm around her casually and pulled her in close, "Anything I can do?" Jean just turned and looked him with an appreciative smile.
"Unless you can produce the answers to the universe... I don't think so."
"Well, it's a pretty big request but I think I can handle it." Scott cocked his head back and flexed his free arm's muscle. Jean let out a soft laugh and beamed to him.
"Nothing the amazing Cyclops can't handle, I'm sure," Jean answered as a-matter-of-factly. Scott chuckled loudly and tightened his grip around her waist.
"But of course," he replied. The two didn't say much for a while. Daylight was fading away with each passing moment; Scott could hear the soft, gentle breaths that Jean was making. It was so rhythmatic and soothing...
Slowly, Jean raised her eyes towards his, searching to find them behind his glasses. And even though she could barely see those eyes, she knew that they were staring right back at her. As if on impulse, Jean stood straight up and gathered her books from the bench.
"I think dinner might be ready by now," she said quickly. Scott looked up at her, almost disappointed. Before he could reply, she had already begun walking away from him, leaving him alone in the now dark garden.
After dinner, everyone had retreated to their rooms for whatever reasons. But not Scott. For some reason he couldn't focus on anything. He shoved his hands in his pockets, roaming the bare halls of the Institute.
Before he knew it he had found himself in front of Jean's door. Coincidence or not, he couldn't help but desire to walk in and hold her within his arms.
Stop doing this to yourself, Scott he thought to himself. She's never going toβ
The door latched open and Jean, clad in her silk night dress and a robe, stood before him, eyebrow arched.
"I'm never going to do what?" She rested her hand on the door frame and tilted her head, clearly waiting for his answer.
"It's not nice to eaves drop, Jean."
"You were standing right outside my door, Scott. Of course I can hear you from in there. ...What's up?"
He shrugged for a moment, letting his eyes fall to the floor. The last thing he wanted to do was look at Jean like this... clad only in her short night gown and robe.
"I was just taking a walk before bed."
"I can see that, Mr. Summers," she retorted, stifling a laugh. He shrugged and turned to continue his walk throughout the Institute.
"Wait," Jean called suddenly, reaching her hand out to grab his arm. His head turned and looked down at her hand firmly grasping onto him, his gaze leading him up her body to her face.
"Want to come in...?" her voice trailed off as she motioned for him to step into her room. Scott nodded before he even realized what he was doing.
Relax, Summers, you're just talking with her. You've done this lots of times.
Jean walked over to her bed and sat down with her legs tucked to the side. Scott sat on the edge of the bed, letting his feet brush the top of the floor of her room. He came out of his trance as he heard the door to Jean's room close somewhat forcefully. He turned to Jean and realized she had closed it with her telekinesis.
"Impressive," he joked, unable to hold back a smirk. She let herself lie down on her bed, her red hair lying aimlessly in ever direction. Scott knew he couldn't look at her. Especially like this.
"Scott.. after high school.. are you going to stay an X-Man?" Scott laid back and rolled onto his side, propping his head up with his hand.
"Of course, Jean. Besides, I haven't got anything else." She nodded and turned on her side to face him.
"I've been thinking about it a lot lately," she said hesitantly. He scooted closer to her and took her hand.
"You should do what you want; you have everything going for you." He offered her a quick smile before standing up abruptly off the bed, their hands still linked together firmly.
"And I understand if this isn't what you want to do with your life," he finished off, letting his hand slip out of hers. She sat up and let her legs dangle over the side of the bed. Just before he reached the door, Jean called out to him.
"Thanks, Scott. You're such a good friend to me." He winced a little and nodded in reply. The handle was cold as he turned it, opening the door to the hallway.
"Yeah.. well.. your welcome. You're my best friend. I wouldn't have it any other way." He smiled quickly before closing the door behind him.
"Night," Jean quietly said as she let the quiet, cold room take over her thoughts once more.
Just before Scott reached his door, he heard a menacing growl from down the hall.
"Yer outta bed, kid," Logan grunted, letting his body become dimly visible to Scott in the dark hallway.
"I was just on my way to it," Scott replied, jerking his head to his door that was only a few strides away.
"Yer lucky I'm in a good mood, bub. Or else I'd hafta tell the Professor about this," Logan threatened, clearly enjoying the amount of power he believed he had within the Institute. Scott shrugged, letting a loud yawn escape his lips. He marched past Logan and to his door, offering a slight mock-wave in Logan's direction. And even without looking back, Scott could tell that Logan was fuming.
