zcjm72 : Thank you. :) Sorry but I don't think Hank will show up to the very last chapter. I admit I'm afraid of writing him.
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I rushed of into the kitchen to get what I needed. Then I made a beeline for the kids' dorm, which of course was unlocked. Since none of us students had the keys we had never bothered to lock them when we weren't occupying. Once inside I took my first glance around. It was, for the most part, surprisingly clean. The only mess to be seen were several comic books sprawled about the floor. I found myself nodding approvingly to his choices, I had read quite a few of them when I was younger. A couple of them I still bought when I wanted to catch up on the latest adventures.
On his desk sat a pile of books, a few sci-fi, mostly schoolbooks, and others novels I had been forced to read. Along his bookcase stood a different assortment of action figures, some heroes, some movie characters, and a lot of Star Wars figures. Then I saw IT. In the corner over a smaller bookcase by his bed was a framed number one addition of Uncanny Adventures. It was a extremely hard issue to come by, even my father had never managed to find one, let alone in mint condition. As the story goes it had been a issue a bit ahead of it's time. The team had an Asian member who helped fight off the Supreme Injustice Force. But since the issue was released during War World Two most Americans didn't like the idea of the "enemy" being in the ranks of heroes. People complained, issues were thrown away, and a character was written out.
On the cover it had the five members attacking the all powerful Evilo. (Who came up with these names?) All of them looked so heroic, fearless, and very, very idealized. I forced myself to tear my gaze away from the comic and went to work My plot was threefold. Step one was to set the old tuna casserole into his sneakers. (It was only fair to return the favor.) After I had finished this I was about to leave when a glimmer caught my eye. The light in the hallways had fell on a item underneath the framed comic. Unable to help myself I walked towards it. I had just grabbed the cool metal when I heard stomping on the stairs. In my hurry I pocketed the item and rushed off across the hall into my dorm. Hours later when I heard the Professor bid Duncan good night I put step two in motion. I went into the freezer and took out the ice tray. If I got up early enough, step three could be done.
Sadly I didn't wake up before the squirt, so I didn't get to tape his eyes shut. Still I suppose two out of three wasn't too shabby. Humming I went down to breakfast, halfway down Bobby turned to glare at me. He must of found out about the tuna casserole. Good. By the time I reached the last step he was already in the kitchen, a second later all hell broke loose. I smirked. That must of meant they found my second prank. I entered the scene to find a very upset Bobby struggling to defend himself from a frightening Xavier.
"What did I remind you about only a couple of days ago Robert?" The Professor said in a-would-be-calm voice. Scott ignored the whole thing, choosing to eat his cereal instead. Duncan also pretended that nothing was amiss as drank his coffee.
"I didn't do it Professor! Really! I went to bed right after the lesson, and I just came downstairs!"
"Oh really?" It had just crossed my mind at that moment that our teacher could easily read Bobbys' thought to learn the truth. Or the rest of us for that matter. Luckily I was saved but an unfamiliar voice.
"You're saying someone else magically managed leave ice laying around, Bobby?" I hadn't seen the stranger standing there, leaning against the wall next to me. Looking at him I could instantly see the resemblance between him and Bobby. Though Mr. Drake looked a bit chubbier in the face, unlike his son it didn't make him look younger. Judging by his appearance I would have guessed he had Bobby been he was in his forties.
"Well, it didn't have to be ice mayb--"
"Water is melted ice, Robert." The kid winced at his fathers' use of his proper name. "I thought you would at least know that. I let you go to this school and this is what you do? Play pranks?!" Mr. Drake growled. A woman who I now noticed sitting beside Duncan gave Bobby a reassuring smile.
"I didn't do it dad." The kid said firmly.
"Could you gentlemen excuse us for a moment?" The woman asked.
"Of course Madelyne." The Professor replied giving me a pointed look.
Once we left we were stuck in the living room, while Duncan and Xavier went back to the study. I shrugged and reached for the remote only to have it snatched away.
"Hey!" I cried. "Give it back!"
"No." Scott replied, calming sitting back next to me. Refusing to turn on the televison.
"What's your deal, man?!"
"Funny, I was about to ask you the same question." He said evenly.
"Whatever your going to say spill it already." I muttered impatiently.
"Fine. You're an ass." I stared at him, unable to comprehend how he could say something like that to me. "You're use to getting your way Worthington, and I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this but things don't always work like that."
"Get to the point already, Slim, that is if you have one. In case you forgot I didn't decide to become a mutant either. I know what it's like when 'things don't always work like that.' "
"No, I don't think you do, Warren. Do you know what it's like to have your parents know the truth about you? Or your friends? Have you ever faced rejection, the hate and fear that usually comes with it?" When I failed to answer him he continued. "Bobbys' been though a lot Warren, he has enough to deal with without you adding to it."
Scotts' holier-than-thou attitude had irked me, and I began shouting at him just to shut him up. "So his parents are a little strict, big deal! Big Deal! They still let him come here, so they can be that bad!"
Scotts' eyebrows furrowed together as he opened his month, then closed it hastily. "He's a brave kid, Warren. Braver than you would give him credit for. I would love to inform you why, but it's not my place. And to be honest I don't think you deserve to hear it." To show me that our conversation had ended he turned on the television.
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Much to my horror the Drakes actually stayed for dinner. Duncan wasn't present, for reasons the Prof felt shouldn't have to be explained to students. So the six of us ate uncomfortably eyeing each other. Mrs. Drake tried many times to get a conversation started, never once including her son. I finally understood why when the topic of our classes came up.
"-and I suppose History is my favorite subject." Scott said, politely answering Mrs. Drakes' question.
Mr. Drake snorted. "It's nice that someone cares about learning about it." He muttered darkly, glaring at Bobby. Bobby instantly opened his mouth to defend himself, only to be silenced by his mothers' warning look. I was surprised by how upset I was to see the kid in this situation. He looked downright miserable sitting across from his parents. I was even more irked by the fact that Scott and the Professor were once again opting to do nothing.
Some friend Scott was, sure he stood up to me for him, but was useless when Bobby really needed him. He reminded me of my old friend I had when I was eight. My good old pal was always there for me to get into trouble but never out of it. Bill, had been my best friend since I could walk, but after our falling out I never really had a friend since. Not one I could trust anyway. I had thought Scott Summers was nothing if not loyal. Once again it seemed I misjudged someone.
Bobbys' shoulders were tense for the rest of the meal as his father berated him over different things. It took me every once of self-restraint I had not to jump up and punch the man, I could only imagine how tough it was for the kid. How could someone say such things to their son?! Even at my fathers' worst moments when he lectured me, he had never been so cruel.
Then I noticed the whole table, excluding the kid, were staring at me. "What?" I stupidly asked.
"Mr. Drake asked you what you plan to do after High School, Warren." Scott supplied.
"Oh. I'm going to go to college and work on getting degree in business, then take over my fathers' work." Came my instant reply. I didn't want to speak to the man more than necessary. Mr. Drake gave a harsh laugh that even made the Professor wince.
"Of course, you're a Worthington after all. Everything comes easy for you doesn't?" He sneered. Blood boiling, I was about to launch into a verbal attack that would of made the mans' head spin. However I was interrupted by the most unlikely person.
"Warren said he was going to school dad. He's going to work for his degree, nothing is going to be handed over to him." Bobby stated defiantly.
"I wasn't speaking to you Robert." His father snapped. Luckily the Professor finally got the idea that things were getting out of hand. He offered us dessert and started up a new subject.
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It had taken the Drakes hours to leave, I had watched them say goodbye to their son. Mrs. Drake hugged him tightly, then kissed him on the cheek. Since I had been gifted with amazing eye sight I had managed to read the words, "I love you sweety" on her lips. Bobby returned the embrace and the sentiment. When Mr. Drake came the kid tensed sightly. Fairly soon the two started arguing so fast I couldn't keep up. Although it was painful to watch I found I couldn't help myself. Finally Mr. Drake mumbled something and left. Bobby stood fists clenched watching his parents drive off. I felt sick to my stomach.
"Scott was right, I am an ass." I murmured to no one in particular.
The rest of the day was painful at best. No one said a word to Bobby, and he refused to speak to any of us. Once our eyes had met, and I thought he would rip me to shreds. Instead he just stared emotionlessly at me for a moment then resumed his walk to his dorm. Guilt began to overwhelmed me for the first time in ages. I wanted to make things better, to say I was sorry but I couldn't. My pride wouldn't let me.
A/N: Bobbys' room is basically my nod to the comic book fans. I wrote Scott like this because I think he would be a bit protective of Bobby. Especially since he lost his own little brother. Also this will mostly likely be my last chapter for awhile. My grandma is visiting for two weeks and I might not get any time to write.