Chapter 4. Dissension & Discord.
"You think he'll be mad?" Fred asked after drinking a can of Coke, courtesy of Tabitha.
"Please. We did him a favor, getting rid of that X-Geek."
Pietro replied, taking a sip of his own Sprite as Fred picked up another can from the numerous scattered around the floor around them.
"Then why'd you run away, yo?" Todd asked, holding a lime soda.
"I-didn't-run-away! I was talking to someone."
"Who then?" Tabitha said as she tossed her empty orange soda can in the garbage.
"Elizabeth."
"You don't know anyone named Elizabeth." Fred threw away his fourth can.
"Yes-I-do! It's-not-my-fault-if-you-slowpokes-can't-keep-up-with-my-long- elite-and-impressive-list-of-social-aquaintences." Pietro said, finishing up his drink as well.
"Well someone had too much caffeine," Tabitha laughed as she left. "I'm outta here, see you later."
"And-someone-still-owes-me-fifteen-dollars!" Pietro yelled back indignantly, but Tabitha was already gone.
"And someone is going to be in a lot of pain if you don't start talking and tell me what you did!"
The boys turned as they heard an all too familiar voice.
"Uh, what's up Lance," Fred grinned nervously.
"You look thirsty, want a soda?" Todd offered timorously.
"What's up is that Kitty thinks I stood her up!" Lance shouted.
"You-finally-ditched-the-X-Geek? Good-for-you!" Pietro said, and hoping that'd leave him an opening, he sprinted past Lance but was tripped. Lance grabbed Pietro by the shirt.
"What. Did. You. Do." he growled.
"Well Pietro, looks like you've got things covered here; we're just going to let you two talk," Todd said carefully.
"Don't even think about it." Lance didn't turn, his dark brown eyes glaring at Pietro.
"Lance-we-only-helped-you!"
"Helped me how? By getting Kitty to never talk to me? Thanks a lot!"
"We really were trying to do the right thing..." Fred mumbled.
"Do you know how mad Kitty is at me? She was already upset about me canceling the last three dates because of detention and work! Not to mention our relations with the X-Men!"
"Aw man, we didn't know that. Come on, don't be mad Lance. She'll be okay in a few days."
"If you guys keep messing up our dates, what little chance of me getting her to like mewill be completelydestroyed! Kitty's never going to trust me!"
"Well technically we're not the only ones mes..." Fred started, but clamped his mouth shut when he saw Lance's glare.
Pietro, who had gotten out of Lance's grip during the dialogue, couldn't take it anymore. He stared Lance hard in the eyes, making sure his speech was understandable.
"Can't you see! We're right! She's not right for you! We're trying to help you! It'll never work out!"
Lance's eyes widened for a split second, the shock visible in his eyes- and hidden deeper, covered up by the anger: hurt. He glared at Pietro.
"SHUT UP! Just shut up!"
The ground shook violently, matching Lance's emotions as he turned and stalked off.
Pietro stared. He had expected Lance to shout back and argue. Maybe even to punch him. Instead, he had just left. And with such a... hurt expression. Like he had been betrayed.
"Maybe we should just have told Kitty he couldn't make it like he asked us to," Fred murmured.
