Chapter 2

"Well, I'll be damned." Logan shifted the weight of the bag on his shoulder as he watched the image before him. Jean was sitting straddled on Maple's back, urging her along the path. Logan watched with considering interest as Jean led Maple along the dirt path. "I never thought anyone could tame her." Logan whispered to himself. He dropped the bag off in the garage and walked over to Jean. "Hey."

"Hi. I met you yesterday, right? Logan?" Jean smiled brightly as she asked her question.

"Yeah." Logan patted Maple's neck. "I'm impressed. She's usually very temperamental, this one."

"All she needs is love." Jean explained as she stroked the back of the horses' neck. "I don't think she's used to my attention, but she's been very well behaved."

Logan nodded. "So, do you like it here?"

"I've only been here one day, but yeah, it's nice. I like it. It's better than my other school in Annadale-on-Hudson, everyone used to torture me there."

"Torture you, how?"

"Oh, any and everything they could think of; my hair, my glasses, my clothes… I'm not exactly the popular type. I like to wear dark, simple clothing. I like to keep my hair braidedso it's out of my face. I like to wear my glasses, I feel smart in them."

"Jean, you've probably heard this a million times, but you're very beautiful, and it doesn't matter what other people say about you, it's about how you feel about yourself inside."

"Yeah, I've heard that before, but thanks, that really means something."

"Anytime, Red." Logan turned to go.

"Red?"

"Yeah, I give everyone a nickname. Yours is Red."

"Ok. Hey, Logan." Logan turned back. "Can you tell me about this Scott guy? I hear everyone talking about him, and I haven't met him yet. Who is he?"

"Scott's the field leader for the team. Did Ororo explain everything to you last night about the Danger Room and training?"

"Yeah. I still can't believe that hideous thing is a uniform."

"Well, Scott pretty much runs the team. He's the eldest, well you and him both. He's valedictorian."

"Well not for much longer." Jean quipped.

Logan smirked. "He's got a managing job at the local food market, and his girlfriend's name is Taryn. He's really nice, Jean. I'm sure once you meet him, and you will eventually, you'll like him right away. I promise."

"Spit shake on it?"

"No thanks." Logan called as he turned to go once more. Jean smirked as he walked off. She then turned Maple back down the path with a click of her tongue, and she began her slow trot. Jean guided her along with gentle movements and touches, and together they headed for a ride. Jean looked ahead of her at the horizon. She wondered what her future held in store for her. She pondered over it as she rode along, she wondered if "Scott" would be part of it.

Unbeknownst to her, Scott was watching her from the stables. He had been watching her since he saw her mount Maple and ride off. Like Logan he, too, was impressed that Jean had actually been able to tame the disobedient mare. He knew she was the new girl, but he hadn't known what she looked like. She wore her hair in a straight braid down her back, tight. She had a knit cap pulled her head, she wore dark dress pants and a dark sweater, over which she wore she her dark brown overcoat, buttoned and buckled against the cold, and her most intriguing feature were her glasses. Scott wondered why she would wear them; he had seen a contact case on her desk. Not that he had been poking around in her room, but he had gone to greet her, and was looking for her. He would have done so the night before, if Taryn hadn't made him stay so late to "study". Scott was fascinated with the new arrival of Jean. Never had known someone so intelligent. They had quite a few classes together, and every time he saw her he had wanted to introduce himself, but never got the chance because Jean would be at her locker, and then she would be gone. So he had decided to wait until after school to greet and welcome her. Now was his chance, but she was riding off.

"Oh well, some other time, I guess." He said to himself as he walked away, hands in his pockets.

Just as Scott hit the path back toward the mansion, Jean turned to look. She studied the person walking away. She motioned for Maple to turn and then headed back to the stables. "Hey!" she called as she neared them. The person turned. "Hey, wait up!" Jean called again. He stopped and faced her. Jean trotted Maple up to him and stopped her. "Hi. You must be Scott. I'm, Jean." Jean offered him her hand. Scott took it.

"I know, you're the new girl, nice to finally meet you. I tried to say hi in school, but you just disappeared so fast."

"Sorry."

"You look different. Didn't you have your hair braided this afternoon?"

"Yeah, normally I have it braided during the day, keep it out of my face. I take it out after school sometimes, let it loose."

"You look good with it down."

"Thanks." Jean said hesitantly.

"Are you busy right now?"

"Jean, hey, Jean, I need you to come back inside." Ororo called from the back door.

"Yes, actually I am." Jean said turning back to Scott. "See you around." She smiled at him and rode off back toward the stables. Scott watched her go.

"Not bad for a newbie." He said quietly to himself.