A/n: Yay for updating. School is the devil. Garr to it. But this is a nice chapter for everyone. Please read and review.

Thanks reviewers: Yuki-chu and

Clay: Glad to clear up the misunderstanding, don't worry about it and hope you can still enjoy the story.

:seven:

John didn't know which was harder to deal with. Him not being with Rogue or him not being with Bobby. In his own way, Bobby showed off his victory to John. He had to pretend he didn't care. He didn't know why he had to pretend. He shouldn't have feelings for Bobby anymore. But for some reason, he had a feeling that part of him never left. He had to admit that he kind of cared for Rogue, but it would never match his feelings for Bobby.

John was sick of feeling things. He hated the pain. Physical pain, he could take. But this was emotional pain. The worst kind. Bobby hurt him and Rogue didn't even give him a chance. He was rejected by both of them. John gave up on love. It wasn't meant for him. It was meant for 'good' people like Bobby and Rogue. He was jealous of them. They had love. And he wasn't a part of it. He probably would have settled for either Bobby or Rogue, but he didn't have a chance now. He still cared about them, but they didn't know it. And he wouldn't ever tell them.

It was hard for him, but he hid it well. He became even more of an ass, but they let him hang around with them anyway. They both considered him a friend and somewhere in their stomachs, they probably felt pity for him. And as much as it hurt to see them together, he often took their offers to hang out with them. By hanging out with them, he was getting over it. And he had more opportunities to show off.

Sometimes he would turn down those offers when Bobby and Rogue would get all romantic. That wasn't his kind of scene. It was a pity that Bobby couldn't kiss Rogue because of her mutation. Secretly, John was quite happy that no one else would be kissing Bobby. He sickened himself sometimes to see that he was happy whenever they got into a small argument or when Rogue would brush away Bobby's touch. But John could see that Bobby was really in love with Rogue. She wasn't just a prize. She was a real thing now. And perhaps that was the difference between Bobby and John.

John remembered being at the food court. The three of them had gotten away from the boring science stuff and they went to the food court. When those two guys approached him, John found the perfect opportunity to show off. In the beginning, it seemed as if he were showing off to Rogue. But the minute Bobby got angry, John wasn't so sure anymore. He enjoyed getting a rise from Bobby. He thought Bobby looked pretty cute when he was angry. It was hard to remember that he was suppose to be showing off to Rogue when Bobby was there.

Then almighty Professor Xavier found it fit to interrupt John's fun. He was kind of bitter about it, but there was nothing he could do. There was no defying Xavier when all you can do is play with fire. He wondered if his showing off paid off. Probably not. They probably found him more annoying or something. But, that's who he was now.

As Bobby and Rogue got closer, John felt more jealousy. He realized that he still loved Bobby, but there was nothing he could do now. Bobby no longer cared for him. Bobby loved Rogue, not him. But John still found himself watching Bobby sleep. He found himself dreaming of a certain blonde boy. He found himself watching Bobby and becoming even more infatuated than before. He knew he made a mistake back then and would do anything to fix it. He would even admit that he made that mistake.

So, that's what he decided he would do. He would admit his mistake. Maybe things would get better and maybe he would have Bobby back in his arms. Or maybe not. He wouldn't know if he didn't try. It was worth a shot. Things couldn't get any worse. He had nothing to lose.

It was pretty late at night. John was lying there, staring at the ceiling, while Bobby was sitting up in his bed, reading or something. He stared, wondering if he could really do this. 'You can do it,' John thought to himself. 'You have to do it.' John sat up and looked over at Bobby. After a couple of deep breaths and some small thoughts of not doing it, he spoke.

"Hey, Bobby," John said. Bobby looked up from his book and over at John.

"Yeah?" He asked. John took a deep breath.

"Can we talk?"

"Sure," Bobby said. He put his book down and moved the edge of the bed, so he was directly across from John.

"I just wanted to tell you I made a mistake," John started, trying to remain calm and sound casual. His voice was only a tiny bit quivery. But his heart was pounding against his chest. Bobby raised an eyebrow, confused. "Back then, in that kitchen. I made a mistake when I didn't tell you how I felt. I'm going to tell you know. I do love you Bobby Drake. And, I let you go because I was so deep in my pride. I just thought you should know."

Bobby was stunned. John expected that. He should be. Bobby looked down at his lap and starting breathing deeply. Minutes passed, and they were still in silence. John waited patiently for Bobby's response. He would wait forever if he had to. Finally, Bobby did look up. He looked back up and stared John right in the eyes.

"John, I love Rogue now," He said. "What we had was in the past. I'm sorry man, but I can't be with you."

John expected that answer. Of course Bobby would say that. He promised himself he would never get hurt over something like this again, but he could help but feel as if his were being pricked by a sharp thorn from a beautiful rose. John didn't say anything. He couldn't. Bobby got up and walked past him and towards the door. He stopped for a second.

"I'll be downstairs, eating ice cream," He said. John didn't bother to look. He heard the door open and then close. He was alone once again.