Anna finally stopped the car. She lit another cigarette and blew the smoke
out calmly before looking at the terrified Scott, who was still clinging to
the headrest.
"You really need to lighten up." She said. Scott had spent the entire joy ride screaming like a girl and whimpering every time Anna took a corner too sharply.
"Ciggie?" Asked Anna, offering him one. Scott just looked at her. "Guess not then." She put the pack down.
"Why did you steal my car?" Demanded Scott. Anna took one look at his face and burst out laughing.
"Because it was there. I'd have taken his highness's motorbike, if I could get that damn padlock off."
"Logan's bike? You must be mad." Scott sounded shocked.
Anna flicked her cigarette and turned in the seat, "Probably. What can he do?"
She eyed Scott in a way that made him nervous and suddenly she climbed onto his lap and kissed him.
Scott struggled and pushed her off, "What are you doing?" He shrieked.
Anna laughed, "Oh, God! That's meant to be my line. I'm kissing you. Have you been kissed before?"
"YES! It's just ..... we're not right for each other." Scott started to look panicked.
Anna threw her head back and laughed loudly, "I know that, you dope. I never said you were Mr. Right. I said you were Mr. Right NOW!"
"Right now? You want to use me to scratch an itch?" Scott was turning colours and Anna couldn't tell if he was going to pass out or throw up.
"You scratch my back, I scratch yours. Come on, that bloody mansion's full of oppression. I wont even tell Jean." Said Anna with a sly look in her eyes.
"NO! Now I think you should drive us back." Said Scott, crossing his arms.
Anna looked at him open mouthed. She had never seen a guy behave like a prom queen before. She wanted to laugh.
"Scott ....." She began, biting her bottom lip to keep the mirth from bubbling over.
"I said take me home." He cried.
Anna started the car without a word and drove back to the mansion. As soon as she slowed the car, Scott climbed out and ran inside.
"Dear God. How fucked up are these kids?" She said under her breath. She climbed out and walked inside wondering what to do. The answer came soon enough.
Rogue walked around the corner. Anna's eyes lit up.
"Rogue! What'cha doing?" Said Anna, falling into step beside her.
"Ah was gonna go tah the store and pig out." Replied the Goth.
"Excellent idea! I've still got my fake ID from England. I doubt they'd question it. We can get drunk and raise hell!"
Rogue looked dubious, "I don't know. We could get inta trouble."
"Oh, come on. It'll be fun. I'm going crazy. I haven't had any fun since I got here. Please?" Anna pouted and Rogue smiled.
"Oh, OK. I was gonna take the X-van ......"
Anna shook her head, "No way! Let's use something with a little more style. And a very high risk factor."
Rogue looked confused, but Anna motioned for her to follow and they walked to the garage. She pointed to Logan's bike.
"Are ya crazy? He'll kill us." Cried Rogue, suddenly looking very unsure.
"I doubt that. He's scared stiff of upsetting and alienating me further. Besides just say I blackmailed you." Smiled Anna as she pulled a hair clip from her pocket and started working on the padlock. Within a minute it clicked and fell off.
"Yes!" Said Anna. Rogue was still looking around nervously, while Anna hot wired it and said, "Get on quick, cause once Daddy Dearest hears it, he'll come running."
Rogue sat on the back and Anna started the engine, she jumped on and wheeled it out of the garage and down the drive.
Rogue glanced back and true enough; Logan came running out of the front doors. He did not look happy.
Anna sped towards the store and screeched to a halt. She climbed off and Rogue, rather shakily, followed suit.
Ten minutes later, after Anna had argued with the store clerk about the fact that she "wouldn't risk her visa" by trying to buy beer underage and "could a kid afford THAT bike?" they walked out with enough beer and vodka to down an adult elephant.
"Where are we going to drink it?" Asked Anna, as Rogue climbed on the bike. "I haven't been here long enough to meet anyone with a sense of fun."
Rogue was about to answer when a deep voice replied; "You could come to ours, if you're willing to share."
Anna span round and her eyes took in a pair of scruffy ripped jeans, a body warmer, sparkling brown eyes and a mop of messy brown hair.
"Hello! If you've got the place, I've got the booze!" Anna purred.
"I'm Lance. Who's you're frien ... OH! Rogue. What are you hanging with her for?" He said, looking back at Anna
Rogue coloured up, but remained quiet.
Anna cocked an eyebrow, "She's one of my house mates."
"You're one of Xavier's mutants?" He asked, wondering why two of Xavier's goodie two shoes mutants were holding enough alcohol to give a fraternity second thoughts, when something else caught his attention, "Hey, isn't that Wolverine's motorcycle?"
Anna scowled and snapped, "I'm no one's mutant, mate. And yeah, it is. So can we go?"
Lance for once decided not to push it. There was something else about this girl. He climbed back into the jeep and watched her start the bike.
'She'd fit in well with us.' He thought, 'Plus she's cute. Tonight's going to be fun!'
He swung the jeep onto the road and heard Anna following. Pretty soon they reached the boarding house.
Anna stopped the bike and looked at the house. It was falling to bits, but in a weird way it reminded her of London, where her neighbourhood consisted mostly of squats and slums
Rogue was wringing her hands, "I don't know about this, Anna. They are kind of our enemies."
Anna looked at her and said, "No, they are Xavier's enemies. You're just his puppets. For crying out loud, have you all been brainwashed? You're sixteen. Live a little. Beer and boys! Wonderful combination"
Rogue, who was fighting hard with her conscience, followed Anna into the house.
Anna handed Rogue a glass with a large amount of vodka and a little orange in it.
"Down it. You'll chill out sooner." She said, downing her own glass and refilling it.
Rogue looked at the glass and thought about the pressure the team and Xavier put on her. She hadn't blown off steam in ages.
"What the hell! Bottom's up!" She smiled at Anna and drained her glass.
Three hours later, they were in the living room with Toad and Fred. Everyone was drunk and messing around when Pietro walked in.
He looked round. Rogue had fallen to sleep with a half finished bottle of beer in her hand, Toad and Fred were lining beer bottles up against the wall to play a new version of extreme bowling and Anna was sat crossed legged on the floor across from Lance, involved in some complicated drinking game.
"What's that X-geek doing in here?" He asked sharply, glaring at Rogue and then looking down at Anna. Lance stood up and smacked him drunkenly on the back.
"Chill out man. Anna's cool. She bought the beers."
Pietro eyed her, "Who are you?"
Anna stood up and eyeballed him back, "Who the hell are you?"
Pietro looked taken aback for a second, but he covered it well, "I'm Pietro Maximoff also known as Quicksilver."
"Try saying that when you're drunk." She giggled. The others laughed and Pietro went red.
"Oh, yeah? Can you do this?" He started to run around Anna, she looked at him for a second then stuck her foot out and tripped him.
"No, but I wouldn't want the carpet burns." She bent down. He climbed up and crossed his arms.
"OK, you get that one. But you see how fast I am. One day I whip your ass."
Anna turned on the stereo and cranked the volume, "Quicksilver eh?" She said, as if she hadn't heard his threat, "Bet you're a hit with the ladies. Tell me, do you do everything at super speed?"
Pietro coloured up again and stormed off. Seconds later, his bedroom door slammed.
Anna laughed and pulled Lance over to the stereo. She lit a cigarette and started to dance with him. Downing her beer, she kissed him and whispered in his ear, "Let's go upstairs."
Lance looked like he couldn't believe his luck as Anna led him to his room and closed the door behind them.
Anna opened her eyes and groaned at the headache that was threatening to make her head explode. She looked around and didn't recognise her surroundings.
Suddenly the events of the night before burst into her mind. Drinking, dancing and finally ... 'Oh, God! I didn't!' She thought.
She looked to her left and saw Lance lying on his side, fast asleep. Anna looked under the sheet and saw that she was totally naked.
"Bollocks." She whispered. Lance stirred slightly and she froze. She glanced at the clock beside the bed, it showed 5.30 am.
She slid out of the bed and gathered her clothes. She dressed quickly and ran out of the room. Rogue was laid on the sofa, still asleep.
"Rogue! Wake up. We have to go NOW!" She hissed, trying to keep quiet. She heard footsteps and dragged the half awake Goth off of the sofa.
"Wha....?" Rogue said sleepily. Anna pulled her towards the door; spotting the bag she had carried the beer in, still half full. She grabbed it and thrust it at Rogue.
Anna started the bike and winced at the sound. She and Rogue climbed on and they tore back to the institute.
Anna stopped the bike about half a mile before the gates and they climbed off.
"Can ah ask why, in God's name, did ya just drag me out of the boardinghouse and make me sit on this damn thing?" Rogue asked as Anna pushed the bike down the road.
Anna looked at her, "Because I was drunk enough to fuck Lance, several times and in several ways, that I don't even think are legal here."
Rogue stopped, her mouth wide open, "Ya had sex with Lance Alvers?" She shrieked.
"Shut up! Do you want all of Bayville to know? By God, you'd better take this to the grave." Anna gave Rogue the 'And I'm not messing around' look.
"So, why'd we have to leave early?" Asked Rogue quietly.
"Because I can't be doing with that whole awkward scene, where you try not to let the other person see you get dressed which is stupid because you shagged them. And I don't do relationships. Love 'em and leave 'em. In every sense!" Replied Anna.
Rogue studied the raven haired Brit, "Ya aren't all that tough are ya?"
"Don't tell everyone. I can be nice, but mostly I'm a hard faced bitch, who's convinced everyone's out to get me."
Rogue laughed, "Careful, ya might be makin' a friend."
Anna gave her a wiry smile, "Maybe. If I live through my father's wrath."
They reached the gates and, after taking a deep breath, walked in. They could see Logan standing on the stairs waiting for them.
"You really need to lighten up." She said. Scott had spent the entire joy ride screaming like a girl and whimpering every time Anna took a corner too sharply.
"Ciggie?" Asked Anna, offering him one. Scott just looked at her. "Guess not then." She put the pack down.
"Why did you steal my car?" Demanded Scott. Anna took one look at his face and burst out laughing.
"Because it was there. I'd have taken his highness's motorbike, if I could get that damn padlock off."
"Logan's bike? You must be mad." Scott sounded shocked.
Anna flicked her cigarette and turned in the seat, "Probably. What can he do?"
She eyed Scott in a way that made him nervous and suddenly she climbed onto his lap and kissed him.
Scott struggled and pushed her off, "What are you doing?" He shrieked.
Anna laughed, "Oh, God! That's meant to be my line. I'm kissing you. Have you been kissed before?"
"YES! It's just ..... we're not right for each other." Scott started to look panicked.
Anna threw her head back and laughed loudly, "I know that, you dope. I never said you were Mr. Right. I said you were Mr. Right NOW!"
"Right now? You want to use me to scratch an itch?" Scott was turning colours and Anna couldn't tell if he was going to pass out or throw up.
"You scratch my back, I scratch yours. Come on, that bloody mansion's full of oppression. I wont even tell Jean." Said Anna with a sly look in her eyes.
"NO! Now I think you should drive us back." Said Scott, crossing his arms.
Anna looked at him open mouthed. She had never seen a guy behave like a prom queen before. She wanted to laugh.
"Scott ....." She began, biting her bottom lip to keep the mirth from bubbling over.
"I said take me home." He cried.
Anna started the car without a word and drove back to the mansion. As soon as she slowed the car, Scott climbed out and ran inside.
"Dear God. How fucked up are these kids?" She said under her breath. She climbed out and walked inside wondering what to do. The answer came soon enough.
Rogue walked around the corner. Anna's eyes lit up.
"Rogue! What'cha doing?" Said Anna, falling into step beside her.
"Ah was gonna go tah the store and pig out." Replied the Goth.
"Excellent idea! I've still got my fake ID from England. I doubt they'd question it. We can get drunk and raise hell!"
Rogue looked dubious, "I don't know. We could get inta trouble."
"Oh, come on. It'll be fun. I'm going crazy. I haven't had any fun since I got here. Please?" Anna pouted and Rogue smiled.
"Oh, OK. I was gonna take the X-van ......"
Anna shook her head, "No way! Let's use something with a little more style. And a very high risk factor."
Rogue looked confused, but Anna motioned for her to follow and they walked to the garage. She pointed to Logan's bike.
"Are ya crazy? He'll kill us." Cried Rogue, suddenly looking very unsure.
"I doubt that. He's scared stiff of upsetting and alienating me further. Besides just say I blackmailed you." Smiled Anna as she pulled a hair clip from her pocket and started working on the padlock. Within a minute it clicked and fell off.
"Yes!" Said Anna. Rogue was still looking around nervously, while Anna hot wired it and said, "Get on quick, cause once Daddy Dearest hears it, he'll come running."
Rogue sat on the back and Anna started the engine, she jumped on and wheeled it out of the garage and down the drive.
Rogue glanced back and true enough; Logan came running out of the front doors. He did not look happy.
Anna sped towards the store and screeched to a halt. She climbed off and Rogue, rather shakily, followed suit.
Ten minutes later, after Anna had argued with the store clerk about the fact that she "wouldn't risk her visa" by trying to buy beer underage and "could a kid afford THAT bike?" they walked out with enough beer and vodka to down an adult elephant.
"Where are we going to drink it?" Asked Anna, as Rogue climbed on the bike. "I haven't been here long enough to meet anyone with a sense of fun."
Rogue was about to answer when a deep voice replied; "You could come to ours, if you're willing to share."
Anna span round and her eyes took in a pair of scruffy ripped jeans, a body warmer, sparkling brown eyes and a mop of messy brown hair.
"Hello! If you've got the place, I've got the booze!" Anna purred.
"I'm Lance. Who's you're frien ... OH! Rogue. What are you hanging with her for?" He said, looking back at Anna
Rogue coloured up, but remained quiet.
Anna cocked an eyebrow, "She's one of my house mates."
"You're one of Xavier's mutants?" He asked, wondering why two of Xavier's goodie two shoes mutants were holding enough alcohol to give a fraternity second thoughts, when something else caught his attention, "Hey, isn't that Wolverine's motorcycle?"
Anna scowled and snapped, "I'm no one's mutant, mate. And yeah, it is. So can we go?"
Lance for once decided not to push it. There was something else about this girl. He climbed back into the jeep and watched her start the bike.
'She'd fit in well with us.' He thought, 'Plus she's cute. Tonight's going to be fun!'
He swung the jeep onto the road and heard Anna following. Pretty soon they reached the boarding house.
Anna stopped the bike and looked at the house. It was falling to bits, but in a weird way it reminded her of London, where her neighbourhood consisted mostly of squats and slums
Rogue was wringing her hands, "I don't know about this, Anna. They are kind of our enemies."
Anna looked at her and said, "No, they are Xavier's enemies. You're just his puppets. For crying out loud, have you all been brainwashed? You're sixteen. Live a little. Beer and boys! Wonderful combination"
Rogue, who was fighting hard with her conscience, followed Anna into the house.
Anna handed Rogue a glass with a large amount of vodka and a little orange in it.
"Down it. You'll chill out sooner." She said, downing her own glass and refilling it.
Rogue looked at the glass and thought about the pressure the team and Xavier put on her. She hadn't blown off steam in ages.
"What the hell! Bottom's up!" She smiled at Anna and drained her glass.
Three hours later, they were in the living room with Toad and Fred. Everyone was drunk and messing around when Pietro walked in.
He looked round. Rogue had fallen to sleep with a half finished bottle of beer in her hand, Toad and Fred were lining beer bottles up against the wall to play a new version of extreme bowling and Anna was sat crossed legged on the floor across from Lance, involved in some complicated drinking game.
"What's that X-geek doing in here?" He asked sharply, glaring at Rogue and then looking down at Anna. Lance stood up and smacked him drunkenly on the back.
"Chill out man. Anna's cool. She bought the beers."
Pietro eyed her, "Who are you?"
Anna stood up and eyeballed him back, "Who the hell are you?"
Pietro looked taken aback for a second, but he covered it well, "I'm Pietro Maximoff also known as Quicksilver."
"Try saying that when you're drunk." She giggled. The others laughed and Pietro went red.
"Oh, yeah? Can you do this?" He started to run around Anna, she looked at him for a second then stuck her foot out and tripped him.
"No, but I wouldn't want the carpet burns." She bent down. He climbed up and crossed his arms.
"OK, you get that one. But you see how fast I am. One day I whip your ass."
Anna turned on the stereo and cranked the volume, "Quicksilver eh?" She said, as if she hadn't heard his threat, "Bet you're a hit with the ladies. Tell me, do you do everything at super speed?"
Pietro coloured up again and stormed off. Seconds later, his bedroom door slammed.
Anna laughed and pulled Lance over to the stereo. She lit a cigarette and started to dance with him. Downing her beer, she kissed him and whispered in his ear, "Let's go upstairs."
Lance looked like he couldn't believe his luck as Anna led him to his room and closed the door behind them.
Anna opened her eyes and groaned at the headache that was threatening to make her head explode. She looked around and didn't recognise her surroundings.
Suddenly the events of the night before burst into her mind. Drinking, dancing and finally ... 'Oh, God! I didn't!' She thought.
She looked to her left and saw Lance lying on his side, fast asleep. Anna looked under the sheet and saw that she was totally naked.
"Bollocks." She whispered. Lance stirred slightly and she froze. She glanced at the clock beside the bed, it showed 5.30 am.
She slid out of the bed and gathered her clothes. She dressed quickly and ran out of the room. Rogue was laid on the sofa, still asleep.
"Rogue! Wake up. We have to go NOW!" She hissed, trying to keep quiet. She heard footsteps and dragged the half awake Goth off of the sofa.
"Wha....?" Rogue said sleepily. Anna pulled her towards the door; spotting the bag she had carried the beer in, still half full. She grabbed it and thrust it at Rogue.
Anna started the bike and winced at the sound. She and Rogue climbed on and they tore back to the institute.
Anna stopped the bike about half a mile before the gates and they climbed off.
"Can ah ask why, in God's name, did ya just drag me out of the boardinghouse and make me sit on this damn thing?" Rogue asked as Anna pushed the bike down the road.
Anna looked at her, "Because I was drunk enough to fuck Lance, several times and in several ways, that I don't even think are legal here."
Rogue stopped, her mouth wide open, "Ya had sex with Lance Alvers?" She shrieked.
"Shut up! Do you want all of Bayville to know? By God, you'd better take this to the grave." Anna gave Rogue the 'And I'm not messing around' look.
"So, why'd we have to leave early?" Asked Rogue quietly.
"Because I can't be doing with that whole awkward scene, where you try not to let the other person see you get dressed which is stupid because you shagged them. And I don't do relationships. Love 'em and leave 'em. In every sense!" Replied Anna.
Rogue studied the raven haired Brit, "Ya aren't all that tough are ya?"
"Don't tell everyone. I can be nice, but mostly I'm a hard faced bitch, who's convinced everyone's out to get me."
Rogue laughed, "Careful, ya might be makin' a friend."
Anna gave her a wiry smile, "Maybe. If I live through my father's wrath."
They reached the gates and, after taking a deep breath, walked in. They could see Logan standing on the stairs waiting for them.