By: lornein
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So after I thought that the night of torture with that eternal hammerhead would never come to an end, finally it did. Actually I remember crying myself to sleep. Brennan's words literally haunted me throughout the night. He had called me selfish and my friends airheads. I swear that's the last time I let that jerk hurt me. He had done that far too many times.
Sighing this silent promise to myself I headed over to the shower. I had an early class today, I couldn't afford to miss it. On the other hand I had to get that report signed by daddy and take Brennan to school with me today. Ergh… why couldn't he just go with daddy.
I come downstairs and notice Brennan sitting on the couch. His face contorted into an unidentified expression on seeing me. I just flashed my eyes at him.
I ignored him and moved on to daddy. How could I forget that I had to get that report signed? I flinched on seeing the look on daddy's face. He wasn't angry, he wasn't furious, he just..looked disappointed.
"I'll do better next time daddy. I promise." I try to make amends with him.
"That's okay sweetheart, I know you will." Daddy smiles back at me.
Finally, something is going right. Thank God for that.
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So much for that statement! I still have to take that pig headed ex stepbrother of mine to school with me. Imagine my pain! I will never forget that expression on Brennan's face when he got into my car. It told me that he was enjoying every moment of this.
"Hey rocketboy you're getting in Nikki's seat." Imagine my horror on seeing him get into the front seat with me.
"Nikki, oh I'd like to see her again. That's for sure. How is she." On hearing Nikki's name Brennan had this sly smile on his face that made me feel like crawling out of my skin.
"Very well actually, and she has a boyfriend. Clifford Callaghan III. I am sure you'd like to meet him too." I smugly said. That did shut him up.
"So how have you been all summer? Seeing anyone lately" he asked me.
"The only thing that I'd like to see would be your charged up carcass out of my face." I reply back with a smile.
"Careful there goldilocks, I might just have to accept dad's offer for teaching." He smiled back.
Have I ever told you how much I enjoy these little war of words with Brennan? We both know that none of us means anything by it. It's just harmless verbal sparring. We've been doing it for years.
"For the last time Bren, he's not your dad."
" Shal,you never did answer my question you know. Are you seeing someone." Brennan asked, his voice getting that drawl that sometimes made me uneasy.
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At that precise moment we stopped outside Nikki's house. Imagine my shock when I see her wearing a knee up outfit. And when Brennan's here. Ugh…as if………
It seemed that Nikki was only too pleased to see Brennan herself. She waved merrily at us(I imagine at us, but I'm sure she only did that to expose her arms to Brennan!). And can you imagine my shock when I see Brennan getting out from beside me to open the car door for her.
"My Brennan, how chivalrous for you." Nikki said flirtily. Chivalrous to boot!
Brennan just smiled again and got in the back.
"So Shal you never told me Brennan was in town." Could you see that suggestive tone in Nikki's voice. She had a boyfriend for god's sake.
Ignoring my death glare Nikki turned to Brennan again.
"So Brennan how are you? Still got the sparks?" Nikki smiled coyly. Oh please, where was Cliff when I needed him.
"I'm afraid so baby." Brennan formed a ball of electricity in his hands. The nerve of that guy. I step on the accelerator a little too hard.
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I never felt so relieved on reaching our training school in my entire life. As we got out of the car Nikki surprised me yet again by kissing Brennan on his cheek and saying good bye to him. She sped off towards the school building whereas I was facing Brennan.
"Cute girl, that Nikki." Brennan said to me.
"Yeah. See you later." I was getting bored of this.
"Shalimar I am sorry for the way I acted last night. I had no right to say those things to you." He was trying to look apologetic.
"That's okay Brennan. You just said what you thought. You think that I am selfish and my friends are all airheads. You don't have to clarify that to me." I was getting impatient.
"No Shal I don't think that you're selfish. I mean you are so popular and all, I'd just like to see you use your popularity for a good cause. You know I care don't you. It's my duty as a ex stepbrother to care." He started to lighten the mood. It did sound sincere. Maybe he is turning over a new leaf from the constant arguing and the seething hatred!
"Bye Brennan." I turn back from him but he grabs my hand.
"Listen Shal, I really don't feel like fighting all the time. Please can we at least try to be civil to each other? I know you don't like me and all but…" Brennan's voice sounded sincere. So I stopped him midway.
"Who said I didn't like you? I like you fine Mr. Mulwray." I smiled and left him to grin broadly at my back.
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So after that little episode in the car I actually started to feel better again when I saw Cliff and Nikki kissing, that too right before Eckhart's class. At least now she would stay away from Brennan. Not like I care or anything. After another miserable ninety minutes with Eckhart, Nikki and I finally headed off to training simulation, our favorite class. Nikki still seemed awfully keen on finding out more about Brennan and his purpose of being here as well as his duration of stay. But I blew her off. It wasn't really hard when Cliff was there to help me. God bless possessive boyfriends!
As we reached the training simulation room Cliff headed off to join Jesse and Ashley to their computer class. Sometimes I did wonder if Jesse was seeing Ashley. Well they were both nerdy, so there was a definite possibility.
As Nikki and I were getting ready to work out we noticed someone new enter the room. She was a brunette, youthful looking girl. She was looking completely lost and clueless. I immediately felt close to her. She was looking scared and I felt that I should help her out. She looked as if she could use some guidance.
"Hey, hi there, I'm Shalimar." I moved towards her.
"Hi, I'm Emma." She smiled at me.
"Oh come and join us Emma, you look lost." I smiled back.
Suddenly I felt someone pulling me back. I turned to look at Nikki. She smiled one of her infamous fake smiles at Emma and pulled me to a corner.
"Shal, what's the matter with you? Are you going nuts?" Nikki asked me.
"Why? Just because I talked to Emma I'm nutty?"
"Would you look at that girl Shalimar. She looks like someone Jesse Kilmartin would hang with. Why would you want her to hang with us?" Nikki's voice was starting to irritate me.
"Come on Nikki, don't you want to use your popularity for a good cause? Take a good look at her. She totally needs our guidance. We have to adopt her." I try to make Nikki understand the situation. Nikki felt silent. I gave her a smile and gestured for Emma to come over.
Emma must have understood that Nikki and I had solved our differences, so she came to join us.
"So Emma you're from out of town? Where from?" I asked her.
"Oh I lived in Phoenix before I moved here. I was contacted by Genomex and Dr. Kane suggested that this place was the best to develop and harness my powers better. I moved with my parents, although they are totally normal people. And total groupies I might add." Emma started to laugh. We laughed with her.
"And what's your mutant power?" Nikki asked her.
"I am a Psionic, a telempath to be precise." Emma said.
"That's got to be pretty powerful. Nikki and I are both ferals. You don't want to mess with us." I said with another smile.
"Believe me I won't." Emma smiled back. I was starting to like her.
So Nikki and I decided to show Emma around our school.
"That is Jesse Kilmartin's group over there. They are the nerdy bunch. You don't want to hang with them. And there is Charlotte Cooke and her group. Total goth attired freaks that want to take over the world. And over there Gabriel Ashlocke and his friends. They are the most popular guys here." I pointed towards Gabriel who smiled at me.
"Including my boyfriend Clifford Callaghan III, he insists that I add the third. Isn't he cute?" Nikki asked Emma.
Emma who was trying to grasp all the information just listened patiently.
"Yeah Clifford is cute. But I kind of think that so is Jesse Kilmartin." Emma smiled at us.
"Trust me Emma, you don't want Jesse. If you insist on dating one from one of these bunches I suggest you choose from Cliff's buddies. They are the only acceptable ones." I tell Emma. I congratulate myself inwardly on taking up Emma. I had already saved her from a bad dating decision.
"Oh, I see." Emma left us to head off for her class.
"She's nice. Kind of cute too, in a farm girl sort of way." Nikki said.
"You know what I really think of her?" I asked Nikki.
"What?"
"Project Nikki, a really needy project." I smile at Nikki.
"I totally agree." Nikki and my hands met in a high five.
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So how was it?? Review and tell me.
To all my reviewers for chapter 2:
Petitecat: Thanks a lot for the encouragement! I am glad you like this! And how do you like Emma's introduction?
Bjvision: Thanks! This is supposed to be funny!!
Spikes-storm: No Emma won't be a dork!! If you have seen the movie then you will have already known the pairings!! Sorry to disappoint you sweetie, but I just can't write Brennan/Emma…nope! Never! I like your username, by the way!!
Bob: Read on! And thanks!
Charlie: Just give me your honest opinions. That's all that matters! Thanks!
Rain: I can't stand her either..lol..No she won't be in any story of mine…not until…I stop hating her..lol. and yeah I am adding Emma in! Tell me if you like it!
Extreme evolution: Thanks! This is supposed to be funny!
freak@ngel: There will be more Jesse soon! But let's just bring all the characters in the story first!
Reviewers for chapter 1:
Crystal raven: Check your email! I sent you some goodies:)
Bob: More posted! Read on and have fun!! Don't forget to review!!
Cat: read on, if you have missed anything!
Blue: your wait is over! Read on!
Shalgal: Thanks!
Sunshine: Thanks a lot!
Donna Lynn: Thanks for adding this! Read on!
Feedback: lornein@hotmail.com