A Lovers Feud
By: Alex Destine
Chapter 17
"So… to what do I owe the honor?" asked Lance even though he had a pretty good idea.
"You know perfectly well what I want to talk to you about… how could you do that Lance?!" the southern girl took a few steps closer to the older boy. "I thought Pietro was your friend."
"Look, first of all, tell me what exactly did Summers say. Cause if he's trying to blame this all on me then he's lying." Lance was ready to be scold for his part, but not for everyone else's.
"Scott said Pietro always met with that girl at the back of the school and that you had clued them in on it." Rogue was a little sad… so it had been true that Lance was a part of it.
"You and I both know Pietro wasn't seeing any other girl. Summers told me to take Pietro to the back of the school but he never once mentioned what sort of half baked idea he had." As little of a defense as that was, it was his only one.
"So you just left him there? At the mercy of anything Scott could've planned?" she was outraged for the poor boy.
"Well I knew Summers wasn't gonna kill him! He's not that stupid!" now that was a lame excuse.
"I'm beginning to doubt that…" said Rogue as she crossed her arms.
"I don't believe this, I'm defending Summers' intelligence…" he hadn't even set foot inside the school and his day was already not turning out how he had planned it.
All of Rogue's anger had disappeared and she was only left with a strange sadness that she couldn't explain. She walked pass the brown haired boy as she sat down on the steps. After a while Lance did the same and sat next to her.
"Lance I… I don't know… I thought you were different." She dropped her head and her eyes were now glued to the ground. Lance was afraid to speak in case he said the wrong thing, but fortunately she continued.
"At first I thought you would be the one to freak out and that Scott would be the reasonable one… the one with an open mind. But when I saw it had been you who had accepted, you who hadn't complained… I thought you were so mature. Considering most men have pea-brains until they're 30 or something…"
Lance didn't know if he should feel offended… but he didn't have enough time to dwell on that.
"I began to hope there was something more to you then what I saw at first… and then I truly believed that you were special… and now you come and do something like this…"
If Pietro's sad face the night before had caused him that much pain the hurt look on Rogue's eyes would've sent him to his grave.
"Rogue… I am so sorry… I know what I did was wrong. I know that now! I was thinking just like Summers, about teams and grudges… but not anymore, you have to believe me." Lance needed her forgiveness before he could do anything else.
Her eyes were locked on his as she carefully thought about what he had just said.
"Even if you're not against Pietro and Kitty, do you still think it's wrong for a girl and a boy of opposing teams to somehow… be together?" Rogue tried to mask her doubts but he could see them in her eyes.
This was thin ice he was getting into. A cold sweat was running all over him as his eyes never once left Rogue's. His heart was pounding harder then he had ever felt it and he briefly wondered if Rogue was feeling the same way.
"No… it's not wrong." His voice was a whisper, barely noticeable. "Not if they truly care for each other…"
They remained in that position for a while, both of them sitting close to each other as they looked into their eyes. Neither of them noticing when the bell rang.
Lance didn't deserve this moment of happiness. He had helped cause so much pain to those he cared about. Yet he had to cherish this for as long as it lasted. Endless questions ran through his mind as he continued to stare into the beautiful eyes of this girl. This girl who he had once thought was adorable, but after her desertion he had promised himself to eliminate all thoughts about her. And here he was now, given a second chance for his daydreams to emerge once again.
But first he had to right what he'd done.
"Rogue…" he was afraid to break the silence, but he needed her to know he could be what she had thought he was. He could be special… for her. The same way she was for him. "I will fix this… I promise."
Slowly he took one of her gloved hands into his own. He noticed how small they were, compared to his own rough hands. Suddenly, it dawned on him… this was what Pietro felt when he was with Kitty. This urge to protect and be with this beautiful girl who not only understood him but loved him as well.
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~~ How could he do this? To me! His own brother! ~~ A small part inside Todd's mind kept telling him it wasn't Lance's fault. Rogue loved Lance; she had always cared for him. It had been obvious even after she had left their team. So much in fact that even Kurt agreed to what a cute couple they would be.
Yet somehow Todd wasn't convinced. Rogue might have feelings for Lance but she had no idea how Todd felt.
Maybe if she knew… if she knew his own feelings she could make a better decision. Maybe she thought Lance was the only one who cared for her…
The small part of his mind that was screaming for reason was telling him that she knew how he felt, but she didn't love him back… not the same way.
But he wouldn't give in that easy. Even though he knew how his actions would turn out at the end he had to at least try… he had to…
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First period was boring him… that was strange since he usually found his classes to be very entertaining. Right about now he would be on his third sheet of paper as he usually copied down every breath the teacher took. But today he had other things on his mind.
Finally they had the upper hand on the whole 'Evil Brotherhood' situation. Things were looking up and he couldn't wait to find Pietro to hear his final answer. He knew what the stubborn youth would say… the white haired boy wouldn't give up that easy. He would fight for the pictures, demand them back… he would threaten to do anything that both knew he wouldn't do. And finally, Scott would be forced to show the pictures to Kitty.
She would not believe him at first… she would side with her 'beloved' Pietro, her innocent Pietro… but the doubt would be there… the little hint of hurt over the question of' 'just how did Pietro end up kissing that other girl?!?'
Scott didn't wish to hurt his young teammate but he was convinced she would be hurting a lot worse in the end if she remained with that Maximoff.
Suddenly his ears picked up the sound of his name being called. He looked up to see his teacher motioning toward the door. Apparently someone needed him and had sent a student to retrieve him. He slowly stood up and walked outside into the hall. It was eerily quiet as he stood there, not a soul in sight save for the one student that had come to fetch him… and it was non other then his favorite… Lance Alvers.
"Alvers?… what are you doing here?" Scott was rather surprised to find himself with the other senior, although deep down he knew it would happen.
" I need to talk to you Summers… those pictures, I want them back." So simple a request yet impossible to achieve.
"You took me out of class for this? You might be used to cutting Alvers, but I have grades to keep up." Scott would've turned around right there if his arm hadn't been grabbed just then.
"I'm not going to argue with you Summers… I used to think they same way you do. Let these kids do what they want, if it doesn't work out let them be the ones to decide that, not us and our meddling." Scott roughly pulled his arm away from the tight grip and showed a mocking smile.
"Let me guess Alvers…. 'You saw the light. You saw the evil of your ways'?" Scott's smile vanished to reveal the serious truth he knew. "It would never work out and you know it. This is too good of a link for Mystique to pass up. How do you think I will feel knowing I can't trust any information one of my team members brings. It's not that I would not trust Kitty, I just wouldn't put it pass Mystique to give you guys any mislead information simply to watch us running around in circles… but then again, I guess you wouldn't mind that much, would you Avalanche?"
The use of his codename meant they were talking in a leader-to-leader basis. Suddenly Lance realized this was how Scott had always talked to him.
For Summers the team was everything, the ideal behind which the team fought for meant the world to him. But for Lance, who half the time didn't know exactly what neither Mystique nor their mysterious leader Magneto wanted, the ideal meant nothing. So while Scott saw team members who fought for 'the greater good' that their rich Professor proclaimed, Lance saw a bunch of kids who had been randomly picked by different teams.
Scott saw himself as the leader of a group of soldiers who were fighting for the right cause while Lance saw children who merely needed guidance… not that he saw himself as the best possible source for that.
He really couldn't blame Summers for the way he had been acting…
~~ It's all part of the programming made into him when he was back inside the mother ship…~~ he thought with some out-of-place humor.
But regardless of how much he wanted to stop the harsh words, stop the endless fighting, the divisions between their teams… he heard his words coming out of his mouth before he could stop them.
"Quit being stupid Summers! Those kids are too stubborn to break up over those pictures." Lance knew Scott's answer even before he had finished his own statement.
"Then you shouldn't be so worried if I showed them, right Alvers?" and with that the oldest X-men turned around and headed toward his class not bothering to give Lance a last look.
As the door closed in on his face the dark haired senior simply stood there and thought over what just happened.
"Well… that went well…." He said to no one in particular as he began to beat up his brain looking for some other way to take those pictures back.
"Perhaps… I can help with that." Came a voice from behind Lance that nearly made him jump out of his skin.
~~ Who said that?! ~~ he thought as he turned around to face what could very well be his only hope at fixing his mistake.
He was amazed when he suddenly came face to face with the beautiful green-eyed red head.
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The bell signaling the end of first period rang loud and clear through the halls of Bayville High. But even it's own sounds were suddenly muted as the raging voices of endless chatter came from the thousands of students that suddenly filled the halls.
Pietro Maximoff slowly made his way around the herds of people that wanted to practically squish him out of their way.
~~ Bunch of Neanderthals… don't they know I'm walking here! ~~ thought the white haired youth has he kept making his own path.
Suddenly a familiar head came into view. The unmistakable dark blond (or light brown) hair of Tolensky was a welcomed sight after his very boring first class.
"Hey Todd! Wait up!" Pietro found it rather funny that the fastest mutant on Earth had to ask someone to 'wait up', but aside from not being able to show their powers in public he also had to shove a few people out of his way to reach his younger teammate.
Once Pietro was standing next to his friend he realized something was different. Todd's eyes were narrowed, his whole attitude was angry and he could just feel the tension that seemed to cover the young boy completely.
"Umm, something wrong?" he was almost afraid to ask… or at least he would've been if his curiosity hadn't won over.
"No." came the short, not-so-sweet reply.
~~ Something is so terribly wrong! ~~ thought the white haired boy as they continued to walk in silence for a few more minutes.
"So… you wanna talk about it?" Lance was nowhere in sight, which meant he had to play 'big brother'.
"No." again the short, not-so-sweet reply.
Pietro remembered how happy his friend had looked just a few hours ago… well, a few hours before he began teasing the hell out of him… but nevertheless, the boy had been happy and excited.
Perhaps the reason why the young boy was so angry now had something to do with the reason why he had suddenly decided to sneak into Lance's room and steal some of his cologne… Pietro didn't know if he should feel offended… he had way better cologne then Lance did!
"So… talked to Rogue yet?" Pietro smiled knowingly at his friend as he saw Todd's face change from upset to mildly surprised.
"How did you…?" he began, not really wanting to hear the answer. Had he been that obvious?
"Oh please! It doesn't take a genius to figure that out. Although that still doesn't mean I am not one… So?! Have you even seen her today?! You know, if you like the girl you have to at least try to see her!" Pietro was already picturing the countless 'accidental' meetings he could make up for his friend. It should prove interesting.
He was so caught up in his own little universe that he almost missed Todd's next words.
"Actually… I already saw her… but she was busy…" that last part had been said with a bit of malice.
"Well really Toddy! You have to ask her out or something!… You can't expect the girl to be looking for you!… Do you want me to help you with that?" the devilish smile escaped his lips regardless of how much he wanted to avoid it.
"No!… I mean, no thanks man… I think I can manage… although…"
"Yes?" Pietro casually raised an eyebrow.
"What if… you know, she doesn't really… like me?" he asked timidly while trying not to look at the older boy's eyes.
"No way! How could she not totally love you?! Besides, I'm taken… so she has to settle." This earned him a small punch on his arm but he simply kept on smiling.
"Still… she could like… someone else…"
~~ Like Lance maybe… stupid Lance! ~~
"Well, it doesn't matter what other creep has an eye out for her cause you aren't gonna let that stop you, right?" the smaller boy needed a boost of confidence before he met with the southern girl again.
"Right… I shouldn't stop just cause there's someone else, right?… right!" Now he felt better.
Both boys continued walking to their next class until suddenly Pietro stopped dead on his tracks. He was looking ahead, toward the end of the hall; whatever stopped him was standing right there… Todd kept on looking until he saw it. The bouncy brown ponytail and the girly talk gave her away.
"Hey yo, Kitty's there…" noted the other boy as Pietro franticly tried to look for some hiding places.
"Yeah, I know… umm…. Wait here a sec!" and now Pietro was talking to Todd from the other side of a janitor's closet. "Is she still there?" came the worried question.
Todd didn't know what to make of it. Weren't they in love? Didn't they want to see each other whenever possible? … What happened here!? Nobody ever told him anything!
"Umm yeah Pietro, she's still there…" said Todd in a bored tone.
"Well, you're not staring at her right? Don't be so obvious! Honestly!" came the voice of faceless Pietro as he was still hiding.
"No, I'm not staring… not that it would matter since everyone else is considering how much bounce that girl's got." Pietro was quiet, he knew he was getting a dead-glare. "It's true!"
"Fine Todd… still, does she look angry?"
~~ Aha! Trouble in Paradise!… ~~ thought the younger boy as he watched Kitty more closely.
"Nope, she looks annoyingly happy…"
"You sure about that?"
"Well, she's annoying me…"
"Todd!"
"Alright, alright… she looks happy."
The crowd of chattering children was soon dispersed as the bell rang signaling the beginning of their second class. Todd remained still, waiting for everyone (namely Kitty Pryde) to go back inside a classroom but he soon realized that the one girl he wanted gone more then any other was now staring at him.
Todd looked back, not really knowing what else to do. Kitty knew Pietro was around… and the fact that he was avoiding her had hurt her, it showed in her eyes. Quickly though, before Todd could think of doing anything, the young freshman girl turned around and was soon gone from his sight.
"Hey, is it safe now?" that brought Todd's consciousness back to reality.
"Yeah, everyone's gone…"
"Including her?" Should he tell his friend what he saw? The hurt look in her eyes?
"Yeah… Pryde's gone… So, you gonna tell me what's going on?"
"Uh? What do you mean?" asked the white haired boy as he slowly came out from his hiding spot.
"You're avoiding her… you who a few days ago were driving me crazy with 'Oh my girlfriend's so pretty' talk… what happened?" Todd wanted to be filled in.
"Well… I think she might be mad at me…"
"Why?"
"Cause… cause I forgot our anniversary?" he smiled sheepishly, knowing full well that answer wasn't going to cut it.
"Did you do something to her? You know, you're gonna have Summers on your back now yo!" Todd started walking toward his now tardy class.
"I didn't do anything and I already have Summers on my back!" Life just wasn't fair! Why couldn't the entire world understand he just wanted to be King of the Universe and be left alone until he commanded otherwise?
Still, Lance had said he'd fix his problem with the annoying X-geeks… he could count on Lance for anything. So now he had to occupy his mind with the other existing problem he had.
"So… about Friday… I was thinking you could start with a fever or something…" Pietro kept looking ahead, not really wanting to see the dirty looks from his friend.
"When are ya gonna get it through your head? Mystique is not gonna be all worried about me yo! Try something else to get her gone on Friday!"
"Like what?!" Pietro was running out of ideas.
"I dunno… but we better talk about it during lunch yo, cause we're really late and if Lance finds out he's gonna freak." Todd had now reached his classroom but before going in to take his seat he walked over to his friend and gently smacked him on his forehead.
"Fix things up with Pryde you lunatic! Later…" and with that he was gone.
Pietro stood in front of the closed door for a few minutes simply thinking about the unfairness of the universe.
~~ Lance better fix this… ~~ he finally thought as he continued on his way to class.
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Time had just flown by when he had skipped his first two classes but it seemed that was now catching up to him as he sat staring straight ahead into some unknown dot of the universe while pretending to be paying attention to the beginning of his fifth class.
Lance Alvers didn't wish the amount of boredom he got out of his third and forth period on anyone…. Except maybe Summers.
As he sat down pretending to hear what his teacher was saying he began to think over the plan he and, none other then, Jean Grey had come up with during second period.
He had never in a million years thought he would be doing something with the popular red head… then again, he had gotten quite a few surprises these past couple of weeks.
His eyes began to move toward the door… any minute now… any minute…. WHAT WAS TAKING HER SO LONG?!!?!!?!?
~~ I can't believe I'm getting as impatient as Pietro… ~~ thought the brown haired senior as he tried to understand what was being done in class… after all, it was supposedly coming on the test.
The teacher continued talking until a new student came into the room. Lance looked up and let out a sigh of relief as he saw Jean Grey handing a note to his teacher.
"Mr. Alvers, you're needed in room 305." Said his teacher without giving him much of a look.
"Um, yes sir…" Lance got up and followed the red head out into the hallway. Once there he seemed to relax.
"What took you so long?" he asked as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"You think it was easy to get out of my class? … Not to mention getting you out." Jean casually moved her hand across her face to move a few strands of her red hair.
"Fine… at least tell me you got it…" both continued walking along the long corridor.
"Yes, I told you I'd get it… this was easier then getting you." She added as she gently patted the small bag she was carrying signaling that the object in question was in there.
"Good…" he said but after a few minutes Lance began watch the red headed X-man out of the corner of his eye.
"You still don't trust me!" said Jean with a slight hint of surprise.
"Get out of my head Red." He wasn't angry at the idea of her reading his mind, but he wanted her out.
"I wasn't 'in your head' Lance, but it's so obvious… I already told you I'm here to help you."
"And I'm telling you I don't trust that… not completely at least…"
"Because otherwise you wouldn't be here with me right now…" she added as she raised her eyebrow questioning him.
"Now you really are 'in my head'…" he stopped right in front of a classroom.
"…. Ok, maybe that second time I was in your head… but still! I already told you… I don't think what Scott is doing is right. And as long as what you wish to do is simply to correct what's being done and not do anything to Scott then I'm going to help you in any way I can." Jean's eyes were fixed on his as if daring him to question her assistance.
"Fine Red… I believe you." Replied Lance in a bored tone as he agreed simply to make the girl happy.
~~ Man, Rouge better appreciate this… ~~ he thought as he remembered their brief encounter that morning.
"… Rouge?…" asked Jean before she could stop herself.
Lance only gave her a cold stare…
~~ Get out of my head Red… I'm serious… ~~ he thought knowing she was still lurking about.
"Fine… I'm out…. But I can also help you with that." She said and then quickly walked into the classroom before Lance could say anything.
He waited outside as his new 'partner in crime' accomplished phase two of their plan. He couldn't stop thinking about how strange it felt to be on the same side as Jean Grey. He had never really known the girl… he mostly considered her annoying… but now he knew better… she was one to watch out for. She was tricky, but not necessarily in a bad way toward him. She simply had this strong sense of 'justice' inside of her that made her want to 'right wrongs'.
He was grateful she was a very reasonable being and didn't side with Summers just because they were on the same team. He really had to give her some credit… that is, if they really accomplished their plan.
Suddenly Jean came out of the room with a very surprised and slightly worried Fred. Lance made eye contact with the huge boy making sure he understood it was ok for Jean to be there.
"Alright Red… where to now?" he asked wanting to get a move on before the bell rang.
"This way." And the two mutants were on their way down the hallway while Fred followed with a bewildered look on his face. Lance was going to have to explain things along the way.
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The teacher was explaining a very complicated math problem on the board. Most of the students were busily writing away every number and strange figure there. However, there was a small group sitting on the end of the room that seemed oblivious to everything around them except for the new magazine they were holding and the 'fascinating' articles on clothes, boys and dating.
"This color would look so good on you." Said Jenny, one of the cheerleaders of Bayville High as she kept her eyes on the different colors and trends of the season. "What do you think Mallory?"
Mallory looked over the magazine a couple of times before agreeing with her friend. "Those are very cool for me… let's skip after lunch and go shopping, we really need to buy these before they become too popular with the rest of the crowd."
"Oh… I don't know Mal… I really need to go to my class… how on Earth am I going to pass Science if I don't take notes?" Jenny would've loved to go shopping though.
"Don't be silly Jen… remember, Claudia takes that class with us … we'll simply borrow her notes." Mallory looked over to the front of the class where the 'play-god' was busily writing down the math problems… "We should ask her for this class notes as well."
"Hey Mal… I don't think I told you yesterday, but Claudia was caught doing something naughty by Principal Darkholme." Jenny was talking in a low whisper that indicated the beginning of good gossip.
"Really?… Sweet, serious, responsible Claudia? What she do?" This was… interesting.
"I don't know, but Lance does." Jenny smiled as she remembered the dark haired senior boy.
"Alvers? Claudia was caught doing something bad with Alvers?" This was just too good! Mallory had wanted to get back at the person she thought was her friend for not letting her return as female lead on the play.
'You couldn't learn all your lines now'
'Pryde has already been practicing for weeks'
'I just can't do it Mallory.'
All those excuses which the red headed cheerleader simply didn't believe. But now, this was her chance to get what she wanted.
Suddenly the door of her classroom opened up and through it walked the very popular Junior, Jean Grey.
~~ She's only popular cause Duncan has a crush on her… she's nothing more but a junior jock, playing soccer and everything… and she writes for the school newspaper… take those things away and you've got a very unpopular person! ~~ Of course, Mallory wasn't counting on Jean's good looks and her charming personality.
"Mallory, a teacher needs you…" and with that the older woman went back to write her math problems on the board.
The red head with curls got up and followed the other girl who although had the same color of hair, hers was commonly straight. Once outside in the hallway Mallory turned to the younger girl.
"So? Who's calling me?" demanded the cheerleader.
"Well… I'm not sure, they only asked me to pass the message but they mentioned they wanted you on the drama class room." Replied Jean while ignoring the other girl's tone of voice.
"Fine Jean, you don't need to follow me. I can make it on my own." And with that Mallory kept walking trying to get rid of the other red head.
"Very well Mallory, I'll see you later then." Jean smiled kindly as she turned around and headed the opposite direction.
After a few minutes Mallory had arrived at the designated place. It was empty… and dark. She looked at the stage located at the other end of the room. It was already being prepared for this Friday's show. The one it should've had Pietro and herself as the stars. She walked toward it as she kept looking for any signs of any other living thing in that room with her.
"Hello?… Anyone there?" she asked starting to get a bit spooked. This place at night must be something else.
"Hello Mallory." Came a voice from the stage.
"AAH! Who's there?!" now she was really spooked.
"Relax, would ya?! It's me!" Lance came out of the shadows and took a few steps toward the startled girl.
Mallory relaxed for a bit but that didn't last since she didn't exactly like Lance Alvers.
"What are you doing here Alvers? Got tired of damaging school property?" she stood in front of her classmate with her arms crossed waiting to hear what he had to say.
~~ God! She's almost as bad as Summers! ~~ he thought as he tried not to get angry with the girl… yet.
"Listen, you and I both know Summers did a terrible thing with Pietro and those pictures… I need your help in getting them back. Please. I'm sure Pietro would really appreciate this from you." Lance waited and watched as the girl's face showed her surprise and then it showed her little taunting smile.
"As far as I know, you went along with this 'terrible thing'." She wasn't going to come peacefully. "You should forget about that and focus on doing more 'naughty things' with Claudia."
"Uh?… what are you talking about?" Lance really wasn't expecting that.
"Oh please, don't try to hide it. The Principal caught you two… I know all about it." She was ready to leave but stopped at Lance's next words.
"Right…. Well then, I guess you know what happened then, right?" Obviously he knew she didn't since nothing at all happened. But he had to keep her with him for a few more minutes.
"Of course I know… but why don't you explain your side of the story Alvers, I'd like to hear it." Finally! She would have the greatest gossip around.
"Well, before I tell you, you have to promise you'll help me take those pictures back." Lance had to try one more time.
"I already told you, I'm not going to help you with that. That Pryde really doesn't do him any good. You should know that." This was her chance to get back what was hers. "I mean, come on! A little freshman?… How good could she be?"
Lance had enough of the arrogant little girl and decided to begin the first stage of their plan.
"Freddy!" he called and suddenly from behind the surprised cheerleader came the biggest figure she had ever seen.
"Dukes?!" … What were they going to do to her?!
"Lance, do I have to?" said the big mutant as he stood blocking Mallory's exits.
"Yes Freddy, we talked about this… I promised you a free lunch anywhere you wanted… now do it!" Lance was going to have his way.
"Fine…" Freddy was moving close to Mallory now and the young girl, out of pure instinct began to move away.
"What is going on here Alvers? Call him off!" she screamed but soon she felt the ground beneath her feet tremble. The movement was so suddenly she had lost her balance and would've surely crashed on the floor if it hadn't been for Freddy's strong arms holding her.
"Eeewww! Get away from me you freak!" those were her last words as she felt something silencing her.
Her eyes grew wide and her whole body tensed up. She couldn't believe this was happening to her. She tried to move her hands but found that impossible even though nothing was holding her back.
~~ I…. Am being kissed… by FRED J. DUKES! EEEEEEWWWW!!! ~~ and as if her world wasn't crashing enough, she began to see sudden flashes of light… when she opened her eyes she saw…Jean Grey… holding a camera.
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Alex Notes:
And that is for all of you who thought Jean Grey wasn't EVIL!!! HAHAHA! *ahem* ……
*suddenly feels an urge to pat Todd on the head* Isn't he cuuuute!? ^_^
Todd: Cut that out yo!
Alex: Tee-hee! =^_^=
Now all of you!! *points at the readers*
REVIEW!!! LOTS OF TIMES! ….. NOW! (pretty plz!)