Chapter Four.
Kitty avoided Pietro at all costs! Of course this would be really difficult since he was in her last two classes. With sweaty palms and a racing heart she entered the Physics classroom. She even came a few minutes late rather than her regular few minutes early so she won't have to sit there and stare at everyone who waltzes in the classroom- including Pietro.
"So nice of you to finally join us Miss Pryde, hurry up and find your seat." Mr. Johnson looked annoyed but couldn't have a problem with Kitty being late since she was usually the first one in class.
"I'm sorry Mr. Johnson, it like won't happen again." She quickly scanned around the classroom- no Pietro. He wasn't there! Part of her was relieved that he wasn't there to make her feel uncomfortable but another part was concerned as to where he might be. * What's wrong with me, I shouldn't be feeling this way! I mean it isn't like he was my boyfriend or anything, why should I care if he's not in class when he's like supposed to be! But I sure wish that I knew where he was, I wouldn't feel as if something's missing! That couldn't just be me! * However despite her efforts to shrug off her concern, she wore a worried expression.
"Kitty are vou alvright?" Kurt asked his friend with deep concern, seeing the expression plastered all over her face.
"I'm like fine Kurt, why do you ask?" Kitty said rather nonchalantly.
"Vell- vou look a little pale. I told vou that eating that meatloaf vesterday vas a bad idea!" Kurt said jokingly but quickly sobered up as his friend failed to find the humour in what he just said. "Kitty are vou sure vou're alright?"
"Kurt I'm like fine but would you like do me a huge favour?" Kitty's eyes growing wide.
"Sure, vhat is it?"
"Could you like tell Scott that I won't be needing a ride home this afternoon, I've got a meeting scheduled with Mrs. Peters to try and convince her to like switch my partner. I don't want to be like stuck with Pietro as a husband for four weeks- even if he's a pretend one." Kitty tried to make herself sound as convincing as possible so as not to raise any doubt in her friend's mind as to whether her excuse was genuine or not.
"Vou got it! Do vou vant me to vait vith vou until vou finish you meeting?" Kurt asked concerned.
"Nah I'll be like fine. I'll call the mansion and you can just like port back and pick me up!" Kitty gave a muffled sigh of relief as Kurt bought her story. Now only if she could figure out what Pietro was really up too...
He wasn't in Geometry either! This was strange - Pietro hardly ever missed a class, and to think that would be the strange thing! Concern grew into borderline worry. Kitty didn't want to admit it but she was really worried, where could he be? The last five minutes for last period to let out was taking an eternity. Four, three, two, one, RING...
Kitty dashed out the classroom, quickly making her way to her locker. She didn't know why but she wanted to get to the park as quickly as possible. She shoved her books in, grabbed her backpack and was making her way toward the exit when she heard someone call out.
"Kitty! Hey Kitty, wait up!"
It was Heather Graham. She was such a little...
"Kitty, I've been looking for you all day. Where have you been?" Heather plastered on a fake smile.
"It's called class Heather, you know where you like actually learn stuff!" Kitty scowled at her and glanced at her watch. She didn't want to keep Pietro waiting; he might think she wasn't coming.
"Kitty I was just wondering if you still wanted to switch partners with me. To be blunt-"
* You actually know what blunt means! *
"I'm getting a little tired of Lance. He's always around me and usually I would love the attention but it's sort of creeping me out now. I miss Pietro; I want to switch! So how about it Pryde?"
This morning she would have like jumped at the chance to make the switch but everything's changed now. Pietro was being nice and charming and there had to be a reason for it. If she switched with Heather now, she would never find out why! But then again everything would like go back to being normal; she would have Lance, the boy she secretly had a crush on. No she couldn't do it; it would ruin everything!
"Pryde? Are you alright? You look sorta pale! So how about it, you want to make the switch?" Heather asked rather persuasively.
"No..."
"Excuse me? What did you say?" Heather said in astonishment.
"I said no Heather! You had your chance to switch with me and you blew it. So if you don't mind, I've got somewhere to be." Kitty gave her a sinister smirk and started to walk away but felt Heather grab her hand.
"You can't do this to me Pryde! You hate Pietro and now I'm giving you the chance to switch and you don't want too! You can't do this, I won't let you!" Heather started whining, throwing the biggest temper tantrum ever.
This was beginning to annoy Kitty. She would be late and Pietro would leave. Something inside her just snapped.
"Listen you prissy little dorkette- I don't know what it's like living on planet airhead but that's not the way things work in the real world. You're ready to dump Lance on me because you don't like or rather you're tired of the way he pushes his tongue down your mouth! Well guess what I suggest you let me go or I'll push something so far down your mouth that you'll be hitting higher notes than Mariah Carey!"
Kitty rushed to the exit and ran as fast as she could to the park, which wasn't all that fast. She looked around and saw no sign of him. Shoot! She had missed him and it was all that stupid Heather's fault! She strolled over to a bench and plopped herself down. If that stupid priss hadn't stopped me - wow, wow, wow.... hold on here a second Kitty, is this really such a bad thing? I mean it is Pietro you're talking about; you don't know why he wanted to meet you here! But maybe he's changed, or has he? Well it's too late to find out now, he's not here anymore. I better head on home before Scott like sends out a search party - complete with hunting dogs and everything! Just as she was about get up she saw a single red rose in front her gaze.
"Looking for me?"
Her gaze followed the holder's hand and standing there, looking as handsome as ever, was Pietro smilingly ever so sweetly. She didn't know what made her do it but she threw her arms around his neck and started to sob.
"I thought I missed you and you weren't in class this afternoon so I thought. I'm sorry I'm late I just-" * Kitty, get a grip! *
She quickly withdrew from his warm embrace. She felt a little foolish and could feel her face go red. She immediately apologised.
"I'm so sorry..."
"It's okay Kitty, I'm just happy you came. Here this is for you." He held out the single red rose.
"Thanks Pietro, it's beautiful and so was the other one you gave to me in class. I can't help but wonder why you're giving this to me though; I've been so horrible to you."
"Don't you see Kitty? I care about you... a lot. As a matter of fact it's more than a lot, I... I love you Kitty."
This can't be real, this isn't happening! What am I doing here- this is Pietro, a Brotherhood member- sworn enemies of the X-men! If Scott saw me here with him he would psycho! No I can't give in to this... I won't give in to this!"
"Pietro stop! This isn't realistic. I'm an X-man and you're part of the Brotherhood, we could never be together. The constant fights would always separate us; the bickering would only serve to drive us apart. We have to be strong... we can't give in to this!"
"We?"
"You... you! I meant you!"
"No! No you said we! So you admit you feel something for me. Kitty look- I'm aware of how it could be but I don't care. All I know is that I love you. I love you so much that it hurts. Every time I breathe and I'm not able to spend every waking moment with you, it hurts. Your kiss... your kiss still lingers on my lips, and it hurts knowing that I'll never be able to kiss you again. Don't you see Kitty - I don't care about anything else, I don't care what happens... all I want, all I ever wanted... was you."
Kitty fell back down on the bench and buried her face in her hands. Pietro sat beside and drew her into a warm embrace. How did everything spiral so out of control? This was not supposed to happen, not like this! He placed his hand under her chin, forcing her gaze to him. She didn't want to because she knew if she did, she would lose everything. All reason, all sanity, everything would be lost. She looked into his eyes, his huge blue eyes. Eyes that were filled with hope, with compassion, with love. He gently kissed her tears away and then locked firmly on her lips. Just then her entire world came to a crashing halt. Nothing else mattered... nothing else but being with him.
Kitty sat there in Pietro's arms for some time now just watching the sun set. Watching the sun set! Oh my gosh what was the time! I'm so dead! She glanced at her watch and saw the time - 6:30. Scott was probably hitting the roof by now! She jumped up a grabbed her backpack. Pietro stared at her with a puzzled expression.
"Kitty what's wrong? Where are you going?"
"I'm so sorry Pietro but I've got to get home. Scott's probably gone Commando on everyone by now asking where I am! I wish I didn't have to leave but -"
She was cut short by Pietro's soft kiss. She did love him, she finally realised it. How it happened was a total mystery but she didn't even want to try and rationalise anymore. Something still kept nagging at her though- was she just going to be another girl on Pietro Maximoff's scorecard? She was tempted to ask but now was not the time; she had bigger things to worry about.
"Can I see you tomorrow?"
"Pietro in case you hadn't noticed we have an assignment together! Of course you'll see me tomorrow."
"Oh yeah right! I'll miss you though. I wish you didn't have to go."
"I wish I didn't have to go either but I do. I'll miss you too. But I'll try to call you later; that is if I'm not six feet under by then!"
The couple shared one last kiss before saying good-bye. Pietro hugged Kitty as though he no intentions of letting her go and softly whispered in her ear, "I love you Kitty."
"I love you too Pietro. I'll call you later okay."
Kitty left Pietro standing alone in the park. * What are you doing Pryde, you think a guy like Pietro Maximoff will ever change? He's a flirt and he'll always be a flirt! * No... no that's not right! He loves me and that's all that matters.
What are you doing Maximoff? Don't you think you're taking this bet a little too far? Is it right to play with Pryde's emotions like this just for a stupid bet, you're not even milking any cash out of this! * Admit it Pietro you really like Kitty and you just want an excuse not admit your feelings to yourself. You wouldn't have said all that corny junk to her if you didn't really feel it! You LOVE her! * No this is all for a stupid bet... a stupid, stupid, bet!!
TO BE CONTINUED.
Kitty avoided Pietro at all costs! Of course this would be really difficult since he was in her last two classes. With sweaty palms and a racing heart she entered the Physics classroom. She even came a few minutes late rather than her regular few minutes early so she won't have to sit there and stare at everyone who waltzes in the classroom- including Pietro.
"So nice of you to finally join us Miss Pryde, hurry up and find your seat." Mr. Johnson looked annoyed but couldn't have a problem with Kitty being late since she was usually the first one in class.
"I'm sorry Mr. Johnson, it like won't happen again." She quickly scanned around the classroom- no Pietro. He wasn't there! Part of her was relieved that he wasn't there to make her feel uncomfortable but another part was concerned as to where he might be. * What's wrong with me, I shouldn't be feeling this way! I mean it isn't like he was my boyfriend or anything, why should I care if he's not in class when he's like supposed to be! But I sure wish that I knew where he was, I wouldn't feel as if something's missing! That couldn't just be me! * However despite her efforts to shrug off her concern, she wore a worried expression.
"Kitty are vou alvright?" Kurt asked his friend with deep concern, seeing the expression plastered all over her face.
"I'm like fine Kurt, why do you ask?" Kitty said rather nonchalantly.
"Vell- vou look a little pale. I told vou that eating that meatloaf vesterday vas a bad idea!" Kurt said jokingly but quickly sobered up as his friend failed to find the humour in what he just said. "Kitty are vou sure vou're alright?"
"Kurt I'm like fine but would you like do me a huge favour?" Kitty's eyes growing wide.
"Sure, vhat is it?"
"Could you like tell Scott that I won't be needing a ride home this afternoon, I've got a meeting scheduled with Mrs. Peters to try and convince her to like switch my partner. I don't want to be like stuck with Pietro as a husband for four weeks- even if he's a pretend one." Kitty tried to make herself sound as convincing as possible so as not to raise any doubt in her friend's mind as to whether her excuse was genuine or not.
"Vou got it! Do vou vant me to vait vith vou until vou finish you meeting?" Kurt asked concerned.
"Nah I'll be like fine. I'll call the mansion and you can just like port back and pick me up!" Kitty gave a muffled sigh of relief as Kurt bought her story. Now only if she could figure out what Pietro was really up too...
He wasn't in Geometry either! This was strange - Pietro hardly ever missed a class, and to think that would be the strange thing! Concern grew into borderline worry. Kitty didn't want to admit it but she was really worried, where could he be? The last five minutes for last period to let out was taking an eternity. Four, three, two, one, RING...
Kitty dashed out the classroom, quickly making her way to her locker. She didn't know why but she wanted to get to the park as quickly as possible. She shoved her books in, grabbed her backpack and was making her way toward the exit when she heard someone call out.
"Kitty! Hey Kitty, wait up!"
It was Heather Graham. She was such a little...
"Kitty, I've been looking for you all day. Where have you been?" Heather plastered on a fake smile.
"It's called class Heather, you know where you like actually learn stuff!" Kitty scowled at her and glanced at her watch. She didn't want to keep Pietro waiting; he might think she wasn't coming.
"Kitty I was just wondering if you still wanted to switch partners with me. To be blunt-"
* You actually know what blunt means! *
"I'm getting a little tired of Lance. He's always around me and usually I would love the attention but it's sort of creeping me out now. I miss Pietro; I want to switch! So how about it Pryde?"
This morning she would have like jumped at the chance to make the switch but everything's changed now. Pietro was being nice and charming and there had to be a reason for it. If she switched with Heather now, she would never find out why! But then again everything would like go back to being normal; she would have Lance, the boy she secretly had a crush on. No she couldn't do it; it would ruin everything!
"Pryde? Are you alright? You look sorta pale! So how about it, you want to make the switch?" Heather asked rather persuasively.
"No..."
"Excuse me? What did you say?" Heather said in astonishment.
"I said no Heather! You had your chance to switch with me and you blew it. So if you don't mind, I've got somewhere to be." Kitty gave her a sinister smirk and started to walk away but felt Heather grab her hand.
"You can't do this to me Pryde! You hate Pietro and now I'm giving you the chance to switch and you don't want too! You can't do this, I won't let you!" Heather started whining, throwing the biggest temper tantrum ever.
This was beginning to annoy Kitty. She would be late and Pietro would leave. Something inside her just snapped.
"Listen you prissy little dorkette- I don't know what it's like living on planet airhead but that's not the way things work in the real world. You're ready to dump Lance on me because you don't like or rather you're tired of the way he pushes his tongue down your mouth! Well guess what I suggest you let me go or I'll push something so far down your mouth that you'll be hitting higher notes than Mariah Carey!"
Kitty rushed to the exit and ran as fast as she could to the park, which wasn't all that fast. She looked around and saw no sign of him. Shoot! She had missed him and it was all that stupid Heather's fault! She strolled over to a bench and plopped herself down. If that stupid priss hadn't stopped me - wow, wow, wow.... hold on here a second Kitty, is this really such a bad thing? I mean it is Pietro you're talking about; you don't know why he wanted to meet you here! But maybe he's changed, or has he? Well it's too late to find out now, he's not here anymore. I better head on home before Scott like sends out a search party - complete with hunting dogs and everything! Just as she was about get up she saw a single red rose in front her gaze.
"Looking for me?"
Her gaze followed the holder's hand and standing there, looking as handsome as ever, was Pietro smilingly ever so sweetly. She didn't know what made her do it but she threw her arms around his neck and started to sob.
"I thought I missed you and you weren't in class this afternoon so I thought. I'm sorry I'm late I just-" * Kitty, get a grip! *
She quickly withdrew from his warm embrace. She felt a little foolish and could feel her face go red. She immediately apologised.
"I'm so sorry..."
"It's okay Kitty, I'm just happy you came. Here this is for you." He held out the single red rose.
"Thanks Pietro, it's beautiful and so was the other one you gave to me in class. I can't help but wonder why you're giving this to me though; I've been so horrible to you."
"Don't you see Kitty? I care about you... a lot. As a matter of fact it's more than a lot, I... I love you Kitty."
This can't be real, this isn't happening! What am I doing here- this is Pietro, a Brotherhood member- sworn enemies of the X-men! If Scott saw me here with him he would psycho! No I can't give in to this... I won't give in to this!"
"Pietro stop! This isn't realistic. I'm an X-man and you're part of the Brotherhood, we could never be together. The constant fights would always separate us; the bickering would only serve to drive us apart. We have to be strong... we can't give in to this!"
"We?"
"You... you! I meant you!"
"No! No you said we! So you admit you feel something for me. Kitty look- I'm aware of how it could be but I don't care. All I know is that I love you. I love you so much that it hurts. Every time I breathe and I'm not able to spend every waking moment with you, it hurts. Your kiss... your kiss still lingers on my lips, and it hurts knowing that I'll never be able to kiss you again. Don't you see Kitty - I don't care about anything else, I don't care what happens... all I want, all I ever wanted... was you."
Kitty fell back down on the bench and buried her face in her hands. Pietro sat beside and drew her into a warm embrace. How did everything spiral so out of control? This was not supposed to happen, not like this! He placed his hand under her chin, forcing her gaze to him. She didn't want to because she knew if she did, she would lose everything. All reason, all sanity, everything would be lost. She looked into his eyes, his huge blue eyes. Eyes that were filled with hope, with compassion, with love. He gently kissed her tears away and then locked firmly on her lips. Just then her entire world came to a crashing halt. Nothing else mattered... nothing else but being with him.
Kitty sat there in Pietro's arms for some time now just watching the sun set. Watching the sun set! Oh my gosh what was the time! I'm so dead! She glanced at her watch and saw the time - 6:30. Scott was probably hitting the roof by now! She jumped up a grabbed her backpack. Pietro stared at her with a puzzled expression.
"Kitty what's wrong? Where are you going?"
"I'm so sorry Pietro but I've got to get home. Scott's probably gone Commando on everyone by now asking where I am! I wish I didn't have to leave but -"
She was cut short by Pietro's soft kiss. She did love him, she finally realised it. How it happened was a total mystery but she didn't even want to try and rationalise anymore. Something still kept nagging at her though- was she just going to be another girl on Pietro Maximoff's scorecard? She was tempted to ask but now was not the time; she had bigger things to worry about.
"Can I see you tomorrow?"
"Pietro in case you hadn't noticed we have an assignment together! Of course you'll see me tomorrow."
"Oh yeah right! I'll miss you though. I wish you didn't have to go."
"I wish I didn't have to go either but I do. I'll miss you too. But I'll try to call you later; that is if I'm not six feet under by then!"
The couple shared one last kiss before saying good-bye. Pietro hugged Kitty as though he no intentions of letting her go and softly whispered in her ear, "I love you Kitty."
"I love you too Pietro. I'll call you later okay."
Kitty left Pietro standing alone in the park. * What are you doing Pryde, you think a guy like Pietro Maximoff will ever change? He's a flirt and he'll always be a flirt! * No... no that's not right! He loves me and that's all that matters.
What are you doing Maximoff? Don't you think you're taking this bet a little too far? Is it right to play with Pryde's emotions like this just for a stupid bet, you're not even milking any cash out of this! * Admit it Pietro you really like Kitty and you just want an excuse not admit your feelings to yourself. You wouldn't have said all that corny junk to her if you didn't really feel it! You LOVE her! * No this is all for a stupid bet... a stupid, stupid, bet!!
TO BE CONTINUED.