A/N: Sorry took so look to post. I had decided to rewrite this chapter, and then I realized that only the beginning and little things needed changing. The chapter ended up being 11 pages and that's okay with me, except I want to have something to post next week, so I can catch up a little, and you won't have to wait for ever for the next chapter, so I split the chapter in two halves. ~ I'll have to sneak on the computer now to type and post and with school about to start, I'll have less time to do either. There'll be more typos, so no reviews about how grammatically incorrect the chapter was. Hopefully, I won't get to far behind with the weeks, though. Maybe every other week, hopefully not longer, or post when I'm done which could be less or more time. Thanks again for the reviews and suggestions because they are my biggest inspiration. Tell me what you think. What kind of pairings would you like? Is this chapter too ooc for rogue? Oop for this story?
Friday, 2 August 2002 – Thursday, 08 August 2002
IV(i). Stupefied
'This thing you do every night is not appropriate at all,' I remembered Jean saying earlier. I secretly hoped Scott and I would not have to stop eating dinner together. It was not like I was missed every night in the dining room anyway. Maybe he was. That look in Jean's eyes, a mixture of jealousy, anger and a need of control, showed that she clearly wanted us to stop. That I was drowning out the effect of her retribution for Scott. All she had to do was take a trip to the Professor and I had a feeling she would try to take away more than dinner. If we were to have to stop eating together, I would not go back to dinners in the dining room with the other students and teachers. I would eat by myself rather than sit and eat quietly pretending not to notice any of the stares or glances I received from those who thought they knew, or answer a question and give gratitude for a comment to someone who felt sorry for me. Those dinners where I was isolated but surrounded and suffocated at a crowded dinner table.
I was first to leave from the table and kitchen this time. I said goodbye, stood up and walked out into the lounge. The lounge was strangely unoccupied by Logan or Jean. Actually, no one was in it. I turned my head towards the game room to see everyone quietly staring at something. I heard Logan's voice. It sounded like he was threatening someone. I walked to the game room entrance way. Tess, who was standing near Logan, was staring wide-eyed at him like everyone else. Logan had Bobby by the shirt against the wall a few inches off the ground.
He finished what he started and let go of Bobby, who almost fell to the ground. Kitty was wrong. Logan did not kill him, but it looked like he embarrassed him and most likely busted his ego. Logan turned around and everyone quickly went back to what they were doing to not look nosey. Tess looked at Bobby then grabbed Logan's arm.
"What the fuck was that?" she yelled. Logan looked back at her, obviously annoyed.
"I don't know what the hell you were thinkin' sleepin' with him right after you met him, but it's obvious you're looking for more than sex and he's not goin' to give it to you. Try Cornball over there," he answered looking as if he wanted a beer. Sam looked slightly offended.
"What! You can't just do that! You can't tell me who to date and-" she started.
"Look, kid, you should be thanking me," he growled.
"My name's Tess -" she stated.
"I know that," he interrupted.
"- And I'm anything but a kid. I don't appreciate you trying to run my life for me, " she stated. "Yeah, you might be trying to help, but I can handle it."
The crowd was back at full attention. Logan looked up and glared and once again everyone pretended not to be interested.
"You'll get over it," he told her walking away. Jean was not that far ahead of me.
"Were you not listening?" Tess yelled. He ignored her and walked to Jean, Tess glaring after him. He slipped an arm around Jean's waist and they walked towards the lounge.
"Kitchen?" Jean asked. He nodded and looked up to saw me in the lounge doorway. I stood to the side of the entryway as they walked by. Jean paid me no attention. I was another admiring female student to her at the moment. Logan raised an eyebrow curiously. Must have been surprised I was anywhere near the game room while it was still crowded. I looked in the game room as they walked towards the kitchen.
"Are you okay?" Sam asked Bobby. He nodded and looked up, catching my glance.
"I can't believe he did that. Fucking asshole," Tess ranted. Wow, her feelings changed quickly about Logan once he had stepped on her territory.
"Excuse me," I heard Jean say rather rudely. I turned around to see Logan and Jean walk into the kitchen, and Scott walk into the lounge.
"Hey," I greeted him leaning against the wall. He looked over at me.
"Hey," he replied. "Something happening?"
"Happened," I answered. "Logan made a scene."
Scott grinned and nodded. "He looked smug."
"Yeah," I replied softly still leaning against the wall. I was staring at him not knowing what else to say. He stared back. It was silent but it seemed that much was being said.
"Scott, co-" I started. First time I called him by his first name and did not get very far.
"Hey," John greeted popping up from the game room, startling us both. I quickly moved from the wall. It felt as if we had done something wrong and had gotten caught.
"Hi," I stuttered. Scott nodded and started leaving. I watched him as he walked towards and pass us into the game room. There was something different about him. A change had occurred in those few seconds.
"Did I interrupt something?" John asked after Scott had left. I looked at him and shook my head.
"There's still time to enjoy," he said motioning towards the game room with a grin. I shook my head.
"No thank you," he looked confused. "Sorry, another time."
He nodded his head slowly, but he looked disappointed.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
"No, I'm… just tired," I told him.
"Night," he said as I walked away through the game room. I hope he did not think I was pushing him away; last thing I would do to a friend… really the only friend I had.
I wondered if there was any chance I could catch up with-
"Excuse me," someone had bumped into me as we both had tried to leave the game room. I looked up. The person looked down. It was Bobby. He opened his mouth to say something. Nothing came out. He glared at me and continued walking. I followed. We had to go the same way. As we walked out of the game room, he stopped abruptly and turned around, and I walked straight into him.
"Sorry," I mumbled stumbling backwards.
"Followin' me?" he asked still glaring.
"I'm going up stairs," I told him.
"Did you tell him?" Bobby asked.
"Tell who what?" I asked.
"Logan. That I was using Tess," he answered.
"I didn't talk to Logan," I replied. He continued glaring at me.
"Are you going to start a rumor that I did?" I asked angrily.
"What would you do if I did… and what would you do to stop me?" he asked smirking. My eyes widen a bit and I stopped myself before my mouth opened. Pervert. I started walking away.
"You don't seem to do much about them anyway," he said turning and walking along side of me.
"What am I supposed to do?" I asked sardonically looking up at him.
"Deny them," he responded. Like that would help. That would probably make him start more, seeing that I responded so well to them. And how would I deny them? I had no one to tell that the rumors were false, other than those who already knew.
"I won't start a rumor," he said. I did not care. We walked farther down the hall nearing the stairs.
"Rogue," he called. It sounded as if he was testing out my name.
"What?" I asked.
"Is your real name Marie?" he stopped. That was the last thing I expected him to say. Tess must have told him after she heard Logan call me that. I nodded my head and he smiled.
"What?" I asked already annoyed with him.
"I like it. Makes you seem more… reachable," he answered.
"Thank you?" I asked more than stated. I had not completely understood what he meant.
"No prob," he replied still grinning. "Did you sleep with John?"
"Why does it matter?" I asked, looking at him. He shrugged, looking away, his smirk gone now. My turn to ask questions.
"What happened after I left?" I asked. "Other than the fire and the door?"
"We got a new door," he answered.
"Yes, and what happened before that?" I asked.
"Fight," he replied.
"How did you manage to punch a whole through the door, anyway?" I asked.
"Ice," he answered. Clearly, from his one-word answers he did not want to talk about it.
"Do you know what you were wearing?" he asked. What kind of a question was that?
"Yes," I answered. I was wearing John's shirt and boxers….
"You were practically naked… for you anyway," he replied. He was right. What had I been thinking?
"Shut up," I replied. I looked up and he was grinning. Was everything funny to him?
When we walked up the stairs, he softly pushed up against me with his side making me move to the side.
"What are you doing?" I asked irritated. He shrugged.
"Don't know what you're talkin' 'bout," he answered simply.
"You keep-" never mind it was obvious he did know from the grin that played on his mouth. We walked onto the second floor and he did the same thing. I pushed him back using my hands instead of side.
"What was that?" he asked surprised as he stumbled into the wall.
"Don't know what you're talking about," I replied mockingly and all he did was smile again. He did it again as we walked down the hall and I almost got walked into a door. How could a seventeen year old be so childish?
"Stop doing that," I demanded.
"What?" I asked irately. He had stopped with me when I reached my room. He stood there just staring at me and shrugged. I rolled my eyes and pressed in the code. I opened the door and started to walk in.
"What, no goodnight kiss?" he asked grabbing my arm. I looked at him confused and annoyed, not understanding why he would ask, especially when he had a girlfriend. He pulled me closer, placed his other hand on my waist and kissed me above my hairline. I quickly pulled away. He grinned and brought his index finger up to his lips when I opened my mouth to tell him off; he started to walk away backward looking at me, then blew me a kiss and turned around, glancing over his shoulder a couple of times. I walked into my room wondering how someone could be so trying, brazen and audacious, and slammed the door.
"Rogue, I left my folder in the class room. Could you go get it?" Jubes announced loudly as I walked out of Scott's class the next day.
"I'll go get it!" Kitty volunteered.
"No, it'll be obvious if you go in. Tell us what you hear, Rogue," Jubilee said and threw her folder as far into the room and close to them as she could. It landed near Scott's desk, not too far off from Tess and Bobby, who were the only ones in the room. I looked at her as if she were crazy and started to turn away.
"Hurry!" Kitty demanded, grabbing me and shoving me into the room. What was all the hype for and why the hell had she thrown her folder in the classroom? Scott stared questioningly, and Tess and Bobby glanced at me as I stumbled, almost fell into the room. Must have had something to do with Tess and Bobby. I walked to Scott's desk, got on my knees in front of it and slowly picked up the folder's contents and stuffed them in.
"What are you trying to say?" I heard Bobby ask perplexed. I stood up with Scott's eyes following me. I gave him a weak smile; he raised an eyebrow.
"… Bye," I stated awkwardly. He looked just as confused as before, and gave a little wave. I turned and walked back.
"I don't want to date you anymore. We're through," Tess stated callously as I walked back. I glanced over my shoulder to see Bobby sitting there, looking stupefied. So that was the reason. Tess was dumping Bobby. Wow, a first timer for Bobby. Why did I need to go and listen for Jubilee and Kitty? Tess would tell them everything afterwards.
"Rogue," I was almost to the door. I turned around and saw Tess walking towards me. She gave me the 'I'm glad that's over' look, quickly widening her eyes and blowing air out her mouth. I was surprised and very confused when she linked her arm through mine and pulled me out of the classroom. Almost as stupefied as Scott who was watching. Was this the same Tess that hated me?
"What's this?" Tess asked curiously. I looked down over the side of my bed at her. She was on her knees in front of the dresser between our beds sorting through the top drawer, or so I thought. She had wandered to the bottom drawer and was now holding up my razor.
"It's a…" I started not knowing what to tell her. What was she doing in the bottom drawer?
"I know what it is. I mean what is it doing here?" she probed. Was it really that important?
"I was going to kill you tonight. Shove it into your jugular," I answered being mockingly ominous.
"What?" she asked. "Juggler?"
I stared blankly at her; she rolled her eyes, put the razor back and closed the bottom drawer.
"Whatever," she added. "No one will ever like you if you keep acting like such a little bitch."
"What happened?" Jubilee asked immediately. Tess motioned for them to keep walking.
"Come on, spill," Kitty demanded as we walked down the hall.
"It was like he didn't get it. Like he didn't understand the words that I was saying," she replied.
"Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?" Kitty giggled impersonating Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker from 'Rush Hour' movies.
"Shut up," Jubilee commanded. "Continue."
Kitty scowled at her.
"He asked what I meant and finally I said, 'we're through'," she concluded. "Thank goodness you came Rogue."
"… Welcome," I said. She still had her arm linked through mine. I handed Jubilee her folder.
"Thanks," she replied.
"Welcome," I said once again still a little dazed.
"Scott got hotter," Kitty updated as we walked into Jean's class.
"Shut. Up," Jubilee snapped.
"You. Shut. Up," Kitty retorted as they sat down.
John had saved me a seat in Jean's class. Tess unlinked my arm and sat next to Jubilee and Kitty, who were in front of us.
"Wow, I guess you don't need me anymore," John stated jokingly, commenting on Tess and my linked arms, as I sat down. I was about to respond when Jean came in. Tess looked at Jean with strong repugnance as she walked by. Now it was officially Jubilee, Kitty and Tess against Jean. No sign of Bobby yet.
"You think Bobby took it badly?" Jubilee asked.
"Took what badly?" John asked.
"Tess just dumped Bobby," she answered. His eyes went wide with astonishment, and he smiled with amusement.
"Well then I think he's going to take it very badly, seeing that that is probably the first time he's ever been dumped, and he's still in aftershock from last night's event with Logan."
"There's a first time for everything," Tess replied. She looked pass us then. John and I turned around following her gaze. Bobby walked into the classroom. He looked displeased to put it at the least. When Bobby looked at Tess I could swear he looked murderous. Tess rolled her eyes at him, and she and John turned back around. Then, Bobby looked at me and grinned. I am pretty sure that was a sign of him being psychotic. He walked to the table across from John and me and sat down.
"Wei-eerrd," Kitty whispered and turned around. Jubilee turned to me.
"You're next," she warned me quickly and turned back around. She made him seem like he was Griffin from 'The Watcher'. I glanced at Bobby, who was watching, and shuddered.
"Cold?" John asked not noticing Bobby. I shook my head.
Kitty and Jubilee insisted on coming to our room after class and I battled on whether I should stay or not.
"You just broke up with your boyfriend. You. Need. Us," Kitty said sitting on my bed.
"Yeah, whatever. I heard Logan was going to start teaching a new class," Tess stated. She and Jubilee were sitting on her bed. I tuned in, interested, from my chair near the window. I could not picture Logan teaching.
"Really, what class?" Jubilee asked.
"Defense or something," Tess answered.
"Who'd you hear it from? Cuz Bobby's a liar," Kitty informed Tess.
"Logan," Tess replied plainly.
"Do we have to take it?" Jubilee asked.
"Unfortunately," she stated, visibly angry. "I hate him."
"You'll get over it," Jubilee started and to me. "You know you and John would make a cute couple."
"Oh my gawd, they would!" Kitty replied staring at me wide-mouthed. Right…
"Well then, we'd get them together, cept there's Scott," Tess added.
A loud vibrating sound suddenly filled the house from outside. Kitty, Jubilee and Tess all hopped off the beds and ran to the window. I stood up, and could see a red light get smaller outside.
"Oh, the X-Men are just going on a mission," Jubilee replied dully, walking back to the bed followed by Kitty. I sat back down, and Tess stayed at the window.
"How long will they be gone?" she asked curiously. "Who's going to watch us?"
"Not in time for dinner. Xavier's still here, but we know what to do. There's a seminar at the beginning of the semester, every year," Kitty stated looking at the clock.
"Yeah, they just won't be at dinner," Jubilee said. "Speaking of which, it's time."
"Okay. Rogue, you're coming. Your boyfriend's not here anyway," Tess told me.
"Coming where? Whose boyfriend?" I asked curiously.
"Scott. I'm sure you can get through a dinner with out him. Come on," she demanded, taking my arm and pulling me along as they walked out the room and to the dining room, "You're not that bad, and I sorta need you. We're more alike than you think. We are two of the few people Logan likes, and we both hate him."
IV(i). Stupefied