Taryn and Rogue were looking at the clothes in the store.
"This would look nice on you." Rogue said as she pulled out a shirt that looked like a tank top with long sleeves pinned to it. The sleeves were long and had holes to put around a middle finger. Taryn smiled.
"I like." She said as she took it from her new friend. "Hey, get one for yourself too, we can be twins." She smiled.
"My thoughts exactly." Rogue smiled as she pulled out a shirt for herself.
"Hey ladies." Came a voice. They turned to see Bobby and Piotr enter the store with bags. Rogue smiled and went to loosely hug her boyfriend, making sure there wasn't any skin-to-skin contact. Taryn smiled at the couple and then gave Piotr a smile. He smiled back and walked over.
"I have a feeling the lovebirds want time alone, want to walk around the mall?" He asked. Taryn laughed.
"Sounds good." She said. She and Rogue paid for their clothes and then the group left. Taryn and Piotr separated from Rogue and Bobby.
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"How much time until we have to meet up with everyone?" Taryn asked as she and Piotr walked along the mall. He checked his watch.
"Another hour." He said.
"Whatever shall we do to pass the time?" Taryn asked. Piotr smiled down at her.
"Tar?!" Came a voice. Taryn gasped, knowing the voice. Piotr looked over to see a girl who looked about a year or two younger then Taryn with brown hair in a boyish cut. Taryn hid her face by looking the other way.
"I think someone's calling you." Piotr said.
"Let's go." Taryn said. She grabbed Piotr's arm with one of her gloved hands and began to drag him away.
"Taryn! Wait!" The girl said as she ran up to her. The girl grabbed Taryn's shoulder and spun her around. The girl smiled. "Oh god." She said. "You don't know how great it is to see you." She said. She went to hug her. Taryn stepped back.
"Lee, what are you doing here?" She asked. The girl looked at her.
"Maryanne and the others thought it'd be cool to take a day trip to the mall." She said. She looked at Piotr. "Who's your friend?" She asked. Taryn sighed.
"Pete, this is Leona, my little sister. Leona, this is Pete." She said, introducing them quickly. Piotr suddenly understood Taryn's need to get away. Leona's happy expression faded.
"Where did you go?" She asked.
"It doesn't matter." Taryn replied. "Just go with your buddies and forget you saw me." She said. "Let's go." She said to Piotr.
"Mom and dad are worried about you." Leona said. "I'm worried about you. Maryanne and to basically force me to leave the house today. I was so worried you were laying in some gutter somewhere dead or something. And now I see you're OK, and you want me to just leave you? No friggen way." Taryn could feel tears well up in her eyes.
"Leona, I can't go back, if that's what you want."
"It's not. Neither do mom and dad." She said. Taryn's heart sank.
"Good." She turned to leave. Leona stopped her.
"Because everyone's being crazy right now about what happened to Andy. It wouldn't be safe for you." She clarified, hoping her sister didn't get the wrong idea. "If things weren't like that, I'd drag you home by force if I had to." Taryn smiled a bit. She took her sister's hand.
"Let's go sit somewhere, I'll tell you whatever I have to to keep you and mom and dad from having a stroke from worrying." She said. Leona smiled.
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Piotr was off getting drinks for himself and the two sisters as Taryn and Leona talked.
"What I don't get is why you felt you had to leave without even saying goodbye." Leona said. Taryn looked down.
"I guess I was afraid of what you guys would say if you knew.."
"That you're a mutant?" Leona asked. "Tar, we already knew." She said. Taryn's jaw dropped.
"Huh?!" She asked, shocked.
"Yeah. Mom and dad kind of figured it out when you where about.six.I think.. After that one time you and Claire and some of the other kids from down the street where playing freeze tag and the girl actually was slightly frozen for a bit." She laughed. "They told me when I was about ten. They made sure I didn't try to treat you differently or anything because of it, just that I knew, in case anything weird happened or something."
"Like what happened Friday night." Taryn said. Piotr came back with a tray of smoothies. He placed two of them in front of the girls and kept one for himself.
"How come you never told me you knew?" Taryn asked after she gave Piotr a thankful look. Leona shrugged.
"You acted like nothing was wrong, so mom and dad thought we should do the same." Leona said. "They thought about maybe letting you go to that school they've talked about on the news, for kids with abilities. But, were afraid you'd think they were trying to ship you off somewhere." Taryn and Piotr gave each other a look. Leona caught it. "What?"
"Uh.. I'm kind of there.Now." Taryn said. Leona looked at her, she couldn't help laugh softly.
"Well, that's an example of irony if I ever saw one." Leona laughed. Taryn and Piotr couldn't help laugh as well.
"Lee!" Came a voice. Leona made a face.
"Shit." She muttered.
"What's wrong?" Piotr asked.
"My friends." She said. As if on cue, four girls walked over.
"Lee, there you are.." One of them said. She looked at Taryn. "Oh, if it isn't the freak." She spat out.
"Maryanne, don't." Leona said.
"Yeah, Maryanne, wouldn't want her to get mad and kill you like she did Andy." One of the other girls said.
"Hannah!" Leona exclaimed. Taryn looked at her sister.
"I should go." She said. "Tell mom and dad I said hi." Piotr saw that Taryn felt hurt and sad about their attacks. He and Taryn stood up.
"What's wrong? Aren't you going to turn us into stone too?" Another one of the girls said sarcastically. Taryn looked at her.
"Hey, Rachel, if I get the sudden urge, I'll give you a call." Taryn shot back. One of the other girls gasped.
"Oh my god! She threatened us! What is she even doing out in the open? She should be locked up somewhere!"
"Michelle, guys, stop it." Leona pleaded.
"What? You can't honestly expect us to be nice to this..this..." Maryanne said.
"Freak? Murderer? Monster? What? Cause, trust me, whatever it is surely won't be something I've thought myself." Taryn said. She looked at Leona. "I'll try to call you later." She said as she and Piotr left. Leona watched her sister leave. She glared at her friends.
"You couldn't just leave her alone?" She snapped.
"Excuse us? She killed Andy. She doesn't deserve to live, let alone be walking around freely." Michelle said.
"It was an accident." Leona said, forcing herself to remain calm to not cause a scene. "Look, since Friday, I've been worrying non stop about my sister, and just when I find her and get to talk to her, you ruin it."
"She's a mutant. She's not your sister." Hannah said. She tried to put an arm around her. Leona stepped away from her.
"She is my sister. And you guys certainly aren't my friend. Leave me alone, I'll call my parents and get them to pick me up." She said as she walked away from them.
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Piotr and Taryn sat by the fountain in the mall. He looked at her.
"You OK?" He asked. Taryn shrugged.
"Never liked those bitches anyway." She said.
"You don't have to be tough." Piotr said. "You can be upset if you need to."
"I'm fine, really. I mean, I'm glad my family hasn't disowned me." She smiled.
"I told you things would be OK." Piotr smiled as he placed a hand on hers. "And those girls are close minded idiots."
"I know. Thanks." She said.
"Hey guys." Bobby said as he and Rogue walked over to them hand in hand. "Everything OK?" He asked.
"I ran into my sister." Taryn said, deciding to not include the bit about Leona's friends.
"Wow. Talk about coincidence." Rogue commented. "Did it go OK?" She asked. Taryn nodded.
"Yeah, apparently she and my parents have known I was different for a while." She said. "I told her to tell my folks I was fine, and that I'd try calling later."
"I'm sure the Professor wouldn't mind." Bobby said. Piotr looked at his watch.
"We're supposed to meet the others in half an hour. Should we go to the food court and get something to eat?" He suggested.
"Sure." Taryn said as she stood up.
"Taryn!" Leona rushed up to her.
"Lee? I thought you were off with your friends." Taryn said. Leona shook her head.
"No. After the way they treated my big sis, they definitely aren't my buds anymore." She smiled.
"Guys, this is Leona, Taryn's sister. Leona, this is Bobby and Rogue." He said. Leona smiled at them. She looked at Taryn.
"Mom and dad are going to come pick me up. Is it k if I hang with you guys till they get here?" She asked.
"Sure, don't see why not." Taryn said. She threw her arm over her sister's shoulders as they walked to the food court.
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The five kids sat at a table in the food court.
"We're supposed to meet up with the others here soon, but, maybe I can ask Ororo if we can stay for a bit, wait till mom and dad come get you." Taryn said. Leona shook her head.
"It's OK. I don't want to inconvieniance anyone." She said. Taryn looked at her seriously.
"I'm not going to leave you here alone. It sounds like the bitches of Eastwick have marked you an enemy, and I don't want to leave you alone in case they try to give you a taste of their wrath."
"You've never been afraid of them before." Leona pointed out.
"I'm not, I'm worried about you."
"God," Leona said, looking at the other three. "Bossy overprotective sibs.When will it end?" She joked.
"Never." Bobby said, remembering his own brother. He felt a little sad that Ronny and his parents hadn't been as understanding about him as Leona seemed to be about Taryn.
"Basically." Taryn said.
"Good to see you guys are here." Came Logan's voice as he walked over with the boys he had shoved on him. He looked at Leona warily. "Who's she?"
"My little sister, Leona. We ran into her." Taryn said. She caught the way he was eyeing her sister. "Settle, Cujo, she's a nice one." Taryn joked. Logan looked at her.
"Can't be too careful." He muttered as he took a nearby table with the younger boys. Leona gave an exaggerated shiver.
"Brr, did it get cold in here, or is it just his attitude?" She asked.
"Don't mind Logan," Rogue said. "He's just not very trusting of people, but he can be a sweetheart underneath it all." She said. Logan glared at Rogue for her daring to call him a 'sweetheart'. Soon, Ororo, Scott, the kids they had been with, and the other older kids joined them. Taryn introduced them to her sister. Ororo smiled seeing that Taryn had come across her family, and that her sister wasn't shying away from her because of her being different.
"Is it all right if we wait with Lee for my parents to come pick her up?" Taryn asked Ororo. She nodded.
"Of course. I don't see why not." She paused. "The Professor is expecting us back though." She said. She looked at Logan. "Can you stay with them and one of the vans?" She asked. Logan groaned a bit at being put in the role of babysitter again, but agreed.
"Sure, I'll play bodyguard to them." He said. Rogue smiled.
"See, I told you, total sweetheart." Logan looked at her.
"Don't push it."
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Mr. And Mrs. Lewis drove to the mall. Leona had called saying she got in a fight with her friends and needed a ride. They were concerned about what happened, but had a feeling it had something to do with Taryn and the accident. They parked in the lot and walked to the mall. They froze as they saw Leona, with Taryn, three other teenagers and a man.
"Mom, dad, over here." Leona called to them. The two went over to them. Taryn saw them. She couldn't stop herself from running to her parents and throwing her arms around them both. Taryn was always close to her parents, even if she kept her secret from them. She felt like she hadn't seen them in ages.
"Oh, Taryn." Mrs. Lewis said as she hugged her daughter. "We were so worried!"
"Don't you ever scare us like that again, young lady." Mr. Lewis reprimanded. He tried to sound authoritive, but his happiness to see her overshadowed that. Taryn smiled.
"I'm sorry, dad." She said. She pulled away. Bobby, Rogue and Piotr smiled at the sight of the reunion. Logan also smiled a bit, but he did his best to hide it.
"We were so worried something had happened to you that night." Mrs. Lewis said.
"I'm OK." Taryn said. She smiled. "I met friends. Like me." She said. Her parents saw the others. Bobby, Rogue and Piotr looked like good kids. Logan seemed somewhat dangerous and on edge.yet also protective of the children. Mrs. Lewis looked at her daughter like any mother would, making sure she looked healthy and fine. She seemed satisfied with what she saw. Leona caught her mother's inspection.
"Don't worry mom, I gave Tar the third degree already. She's OK." Leona smiled. Taryn laughed.
"What mother would I be if I didn't make sure?" Mrs. Lewis smiled. Logan didn't want to ruin the family moment, it seemed Taryn needed it, but he also knew he and the kids had to get home.
"I'll go get the car." He said as he went to the parking lot. Mr. Lewis looked at his daughter.
"Well, where have you been?" He asked.
"I'm at that institute place you've heard about on the news." Taryn said. She looked down. "And.I think I should stay there." She said softly. Bobby, Piotr and Rogue felt this was a family moment.
"Uh, we'll go wait with Logan." Piotr said. The three walked away. Mrs. Lewis looked at Taryn. She sighed.
"As much as we want you to come home, your right." She said sadly. Mr. Lewis put an arm around his wife.
"I'll call.and.and maybe you guys can come visit.or.I can visit.or something." Taryn said.
"You better call." Leona said. Taryn smiled at her sister. She went and walked her family to their car.
"The house won't be the same without you, kiddo." Mr. Lewis said.
"Yeah. I mean, who am I going to borrow clothes from now?" Leona joked. Taryn laughed.
"I've still got a closet full of stuff, and if you need that same feeling, borrow from mom, that's what I always do." Mrs. Lewis laughed.
"I think half your closet is my things." She said. Taryn smiled at her family. She felt sad she couldn't come home with them, but she knew it was for the best.
"I better go." She said. Her parents went to kiss her goodbye. Taryn sadly turned away. "I'm sorry..I can't." She said softly. Her parents understood.
"Sorry." Mr. Lewis said. Taryn looked at them. She kissed her gloved palm and placed it on her father's cheek. She did the same to her mother and sister. Leona placed her hand on Taryn's and held it.
"I'll miss you sis." She said. Taryn nodded in agreement.
"I'll miss you more." She smiled. They got in the car and drove away. Taryn watched them leave. Tears spilled down her cheeks. She felt a hand on her shoulder. She knew it was Piotr.
"You OK?" He asked softly. Taryn nodded.
"I'm happy that they still love me and everything, after what happened, but I'm also sad we're not like a family anymore." She said softly.
"You're still a family, even if you're separated. And I'm sure the Professor would be more then happy to let you call, and have them visit." Piotr said.
"I guess you're right." She said. She turned to face him. Piotr pulled her into his arms. Taryn rested her face against his chest as his arms held her closely; letting her cry a bit more if she needed to.
"This would look nice on you." Rogue said as she pulled out a shirt that looked like a tank top with long sleeves pinned to it. The sleeves were long and had holes to put around a middle finger. Taryn smiled.
"I like." She said as she took it from her new friend. "Hey, get one for yourself too, we can be twins." She smiled.
"My thoughts exactly." Rogue smiled as she pulled out a shirt for herself.
"Hey ladies." Came a voice. They turned to see Bobby and Piotr enter the store with bags. Rogue smiled and went to loosely hug her boyfriend, making sure there wasn't any skin-to-skin contact. Taryn smiled at the couple and then gave Piotr a smile. He smiled back and walked over.
"I have a feeling the lovebirds want time alone, want to walk around the mall?" He asked. Taryn laughed.
"Sounds good." She said. She and Rogue paid for their clothes and then the group left. Taryn and Piotr separated from Rogue and Bobby.
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"How much time until we have to meet up with everyone?" Taryn asked as she and Piotr walked along the mall. He checked his watch.
"Another hour." He said.
"Whatever shall we do to pass the time?" Taryn asked. Piotr smiled down at her.
"Tar?!" Came a voice. Taryn gasped, knowing the voice. Piotr looked over to see a girl who looked about a year or two younger then Taryn with brown hair in a boyish cut. Taryn hid her face by looking the other way.
"I think someone's calling you." Piotr said.
"Let's go." Taryn said. She grabbed Piotr's arm with one of her gloved hands and began to drag him away.
"Taryn! Wait!" The girl said as she ran up to her. The girl grabbed Taryn's shoulder and spun her around. The girl smiled. "Oh god." She said. "You don't know how great it is to see you." She said. She went to hug her. Taryn stepped back.
"Lee, what are you doing here?" She asked. The girl looked at her.
"Maryanne and the others thought it'd be cool to take a day trip to the mall." She said. She looked at Piotr. "Who's your friend?" She asked. Taryn sighed.
"Pete, this is Leona, my little sister. Leona, this is Pete." She said, introducing them quickly. Piotr suddenly understood Taryn's need to get away. Leona's happy expression faded.
"Where did you go?" She asked.
"It doesn't matter." Taryn replied. "Just go with your buddies and forget you saw me." She said. "Let's go." She said to Piotr.
"Mom and dad are worried about you." Leona said. "I'm worried about you. Maryanne and to basically force me to leave the house today. I was so worried you were laying in some gutter somewhere dead or something. And now I see you're OK, and you want me to just leave you? No friggen way." Taryn could feel tears well up in her eyes.
"Leona, I can't go back, if that's what you want."
"It's not. Neither do mom and dad." She said. Taryn's heart sank.
"Good." She turned to leave. Leona stopped her.
"Because everyone's being crazy right now about what happened to Andy. It wouldn't be safe for you." She clarified, hoping her sister didn't get the wrong idea. "If things weren't like that, I'd drag you home by force if I had to." Taryn smiled a bit. She took her sister's hand.
"Let's go sit somewhere, I'll tell you whatever I have to to keep you and mom and dad from having a stroke from worrying." She said. Leona smiled.
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Piotr was off getting drinks for himself and the two sisters as Taryn and Leona talked.
"What I don't get is why you felt you had to leave without even saying goodbye." Leona said. Taryn looked down.
"I guess I was afraid of what you guys would say if you knew.."
"That you're a mutant?" Leona asked. "Tar, we already knew." She said. Taryn's jaw dropped.
"Huh?!" She asked, shocked.
"Yeah. Mom and dad kind of figured it out when you where about.six.I think.. After that one time you and Claire and some of the other kids from down the street where playing freeze tag and the girl actually was slightly frozen for a bit." She laughed. "They told me when I was about ten. They made sure I didn't try to treat you differently or anything because of it, just that I knew, in case anything weird happened or something."
"Like what happened Friday night." Taryn said. Piotr came back with a tray of smoothies. He placed two of them in front of the girls and kept one for himself.
"How come you never told me you knew?" Taryn asked after she gave Piotr a thankful look. Leona shrugged.
"You acted like nothing was wrong, so mom and dad thought we should do the same." Leona said. "They thought about maybe letting you go to that school they've talked about on the news, for kids with abilities. But, were afraid you'd think they were trying to ship you off somewhere." Taryn and Piotr gave each other a look. Leona caught it. "What?"
"Uh.. I'm kind of there.Now." Taryn said. Leona looked at her, she couldn't help laugh softly.
"Well, that's an example of irony if I ever saw one." Leona laughed. Taryn and Piotr couldn't help laugh as well.
"Lee!" Came a voice. Leona made a face.
"Shit." She muttered.
"What's wrong?" Piotr asked.
"My friends." She said. As if on cue, four girls walked over.
"Lee, there you are.." One of them said. She looked at Taryn. "Oh, if it isn't the freak." She spat out.
"Maryanne, don't." Leona said.
"Yeah, Maryanne, wouldn't want her to get mad and kill you like she did Andy." One of the other girls said.
"Hannah!" Leona exclaimed. Taryn looked at her sister.
"I should go." She said. "Tell mom and dad I said hi." Piotr saw that Taryn felt hurt and sad about their attacks. He and Taryn stood up.
"What's wrong? Aren't you going to turn us into stone too?" Another one of the girls said sarcastically. Taryn looked at her.
"Hey, Rachel, if I get the sudden urge, I'll give you a call." Taryn shot back. One of the other girls gasped.
"Oh my god! She threatened us! What is she even doing out in the open? She should be locked up somewhere!"
"Michelle, guys, stop it." Leona pleaded.
"What? You can't honestly expect us to be nice to this..this..." Maryanne said.
"Freak? Murderer? Monster? What? Cause, trust me, whatever it is surely won't be something I've thought myself." Taryn said. She looked at Leona. "I'll try to call you later." She said as she and Piotr left. Leona watched her sister leave. She glared at her friends.
"You couldn't just leave her alone?" She snapped.
"Excuse us? She killed Andy. She doesn't deserve to live, let alone be walking around freely." Michelle said.
"It was an accident." Leona said, forcing herself to remain calm to not cause a scene. "Look, since Friday, I've been worrying non stop about my sister, and just when I find her and get to talk to her, you ruin it."
"She's a mutant. She's not your sister." Hannah said. She tried to put an arm around her. Leona stepped away from her.
"She is my sister. And you guys certainly aren't my friend. Leave me alone, I'll call my parents and get them to pick me up." She said as she walked away from them.
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Piotr and Taryn sat by the fountain in the mall. He looked at her.
"You OK?" He asked. Taryn shrugged.
"Never liked those bitches anyway." She said.
"You don't have to be tough." Piotr said. "You can be upset if you need to."
"I'm fine, really. I mean, I'm glad my family hasn't disowned me." She smiled.
"I told you things would be OK." Piotr smiled as he placed a hand on hers. "And those girls are close minded idiots."
"I know. Thanks." She said.
"Hey guys." Bobby said as he and Rogue walked over to them hand in hand. "Everything OK?" He asked.
"I ran into my sister." Taryn said, deciding to not include the bit about Leona's friends.
"Wow. Talk about coincidence." Rogue commented. "Did it go OK?" She asked. Taryn nodded.
"Yeah, apparently she and my parents have known I was different for a while." She said. "I told her to tell my folks I was fine, and that I'd try calling later."
"I'm sure the Professor wouldn't mind." Bobby said. Piotr looked at his watch.
"We're supposed to meet the others in half an hour. Should we go to the food court and get something to eat?" He suggested.
"Sure." Taryn said as she stood up.
"Taryn!" Leona rushed up to her.
"Lee? I thought you were off with your friends." Taryn said. Leona shook her head.
"No. After the way they treated my big sis, they definitely aren't my buds anymore." She smiled.
"Guys, this is Leona, Taryn's sister. Leona, this is Bobby and Rogue." He said. Leona smiled at them. She looked at Taryn.
"Mom and dad are going to come pick me up. Is it k if I hang with you guys till they get here?" She asked.
"Sure, don't see why not." Taryn said. She threw her arm over her sister's shoulders as they walked to the food court.
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The five kids sat at a table in the food court.
"We're supposed to meet up with the others here soon, but, maybe I can ask Ororo if we can stay for a bit, wait till mom and dad come get you." Taryn said. Leona shook her head.
"It's OK. I don't want to inconvieniance anyone." She said. Taryn looked at her seriously.
"I'm not going to leave you here alone. It sounds like the bitches of Eastwick have marked you an enemy, and I don't want to leave you alone in case they try to give you a taste of their wrath."
"You've never been afraid of them before." Leona pointed out.
"I'm not, I'm worried about you."
"God," Leona said, looking at the other three. "Bossy overprotective sibs.When will it end?" She joked.
"Never." Bobby said, remembering his own brother. He felt a little sad that Ronny and his parents hadn't been as understanding about him as Leona seemed to be about Taryn.
"Basically." Taryn said.
"Good to see you guys are here." Came Logan's voice as he walked over with the boys he had shoved on him. He looked at Leona warily. "Who's she?"
"My little sister, Leona. We ran into her." Taryn said. She caught the way he was eyeing her sister. "Settle, Cujo, she's a nice one." Taryn joked. Logan looked at her.
"Can't be too careful." He muttered as he took a nearby table with the younger boys. Leona gave an exaggerated shiver.
"Brr, did it get cold in here, or is it just his attitude?" She asked.
"Don't mind Logan," Rogue said. "He's just not very trusting of people, but he can be a sweetheart underneath it all." She said. Logan glared at Rogue for her daring to call him a 'sweetheart'. Soon, Ororo, Scott, the kids they had been with, and the other older kids joined them. Taryn introduced them to her sister. Ororo smiled seeing that Taryn had come across her family, and that her sister wasn't shying away from her because of her being different.
"Is it all right if we wait with Lee for my parents to come pick her up?" Taryn asked Ororo. She nodded.
"Of course. I don't see why not." She paused. "The Professor is expecting us back though." She said. She looked at Logan. "Can you stay with them and one of the vans?" She asked. Logan groaned a bit at being put in the role of babysitter again, but agreed.
"Sure, I'll play bodyguard to them." He said. Rogue smiled.
"See, I told you, total sweetheart." Logan looked at her.
"Don't push it."
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Mr. And Mrs. Lewis drove to the mall. Leona had called saying she got in a fight with her friends and needed a ride. They were concerned about what happened, but had a feeling it had something to do with Taryn and the accident. They parked in the lot and walked to the mall. They froze as they saw Leona, with Taryn, three other teenagers and a man.
"Mom, dad, over here." Leona called to them. The two went over to them. Taryn saw them. She couldn't stop herself from running to her parents and throwing her arms around them both. Taryn was always close to her parents, even if she kept her secret from them. She felt like she hadn't seen them in ages.
"Oh, Taryn." Mrs. Lewis said as she hugged her daughter. "We were so worried!"
"Don't you ever scare us like that again, young lady." Mr. Lewis reprimanded. He tried to sound authoritive, but his happiness to see her overshadowed that. Taryn smiled.
"I'm sorry, dad." She said. She pulled away. Bobby, Rogue and Piotr smiled at the sight of the reunion. Logan also smiled a bit, but he did his best to hide it.
"We were so worried something had happened to you that night." Mrs. Lewis said.
"I'm OK." Taryn said. She smiled. "I met friends. Like me." She said. Her parents saw the others. Bobby, Rogue and Piotr looked like good kids. Logan seemed somewhat dangerous and on edge.yet also protective of the children. Mrs. Lewis looked at her daughter like any mother would, making sure she looked healthy and fine. She seemed satisfied with what she saw. Leona caught her mother's inspection.
"Don't worry mom, I gave Tar the third degree already. She's OK." Leona smiled. Taryn laughed.
"What mother would I be if I didn't make sure?" Mrs. Lewis smiled. Logan didn't want to ruin the family moment, it seemed Taryn needed it, but he also knew he and the kids had to get home.
"I'll go get the car." He said as he went to the parking lot. Mr. Lewis looked at his daughter.
"Well, where have you been?" He asked.
"I'm at that institute place you've heard about on the news." Taryn said. She looked down. "And.I think I should stay there." She said softly. Bobby, Piotr and Rogue felt this was a family moment.
"Uh, we'll go wait with Logan." Piotr said. The three walked away. Mrs. Lewis looked at Taryn. She sighed.
"As much as we want you to come home, your right." She said sadly. Mr. Lewis put an arm around his wife.
"I'll call.and.and maybe you guys can come visit.or.I can visit.or something." Taryn said.
"You better call." Leona said. Taryn smiled at her sister. She went and walked her family to their car.
"The house won't be the same without you, kiddo." Mr. Lewis said.
"Yeah. I mean, who am I going to borrow clothes from now?" Leona joked. Taryn laughed.
"I've still got a closet full of stuff, and if you need that same feeling, borrow from mom, that's what I always do." Mrs. Lewis laughed.
"I think half your closet is my things." She said. Taryn smiled at her family. She felt sad she couldn't come home with them, but she knew it was for the best.
"I better go." She said. Her parents went to kiss her goodbye. Taryn sadly turned away. "I'm sorry..I can't." She said softly. Her parents understood.
"Sorry." Mr. Lewis said. Taryn looked at them. She kissed her gloved palm and placed it on her father's cheek. She did the same to her mother and sister. Leona placed her hand on Taryn's and held it.
"I'll miss you sis." She said. Taryn nodded in agreement.
"I'll miss you more." She smiled. They got in the car and drove away. Taryn watched them leave. Tears spilled down her cheeks. She felt a hand on her shoulder. She knew it was Piotr.
"You OK?" He asked softly. Taryn nodded.
"I'm happy that they still love me and everything, after what happened, but I'm also sad we're not like a family anymore." She said softly.
"You're still a family, even if you're separated. And I'm sure the Professor would be more then happy to let you call, and have them visit." Piotr said.
"I guess you're right." She said. She turned to face him. Piotr pulled her into his arms. Taryn rested her face against his chest as his arms held her closely; letting her cry a bit more if she needed to.