Aloha. Once again thanks for all the reviews, means a lot. Sorry that I haven't yet provided a decent explanation for Jeans upset in chapter one. It will become clear gradually (and once I've figured it out myself) but for the moment lets just say she's just depressed and confused.
I am meant to be doing my English coursework, damn marvel for distracting me. If it sucks…again…I' m sorry. Reminder that I don't own any of these characters, so please don't sue me and there's some swearing in this chapter. Yep, I'm a foul-mouthed teenager.
Chapter Four
Jean headed back to her room. It was getting late and even though they were her favorite pair, her battered combats were hardly sleeping material. Entering, she searched the room for her pajamas- finding them thrown over her desk chair. Grabbing them she inspected her watch. Scott would still be down stairs so she had enough time to change and give her room some much-needed TLC.
Quickly she snatched up the remaining clothes from her chair and using her telekinesis swept the array of make-up, magazines, study plans and books from her desk. However, in the rush her concentration lapsed and she was interrupted abruptly by the sound of smashing glass. One of her framed photos caught in her thought controlled clean up had fallen to the floor.
Cursing she filtered the remaining clutter away and leant down to pick up the broken pieces. Luckily, not much damage had been done, but fingering the edges of the fallen photo she froze. It had been taken months back, in the spring down on the lake. Scott had spent the whole day teaching her how to sail.
She gazed at the picture a little longer. The red head of a girl resting perfectly on the shoulder of a darker haired boy was now framed by shattered glass. How ironic…Deep down she knew that her recent unhappiness had something to do with her relationship- or lack of relationship with Scott, but as always she had tried to push this to one side.
Slowly she stood up, placing the broken memory to the back of her draw and mind. She now picked up the grey cotton trackies and with her back facing the door, proceeded to change.
It was due to this positioning and lack of concentration that the tall, slim boy lingering by the door remained unnoticed. Scott hadn't meant to creep up on her, but it had just so happened that the door stood ajar when he had reached to knock. Rooted to the spot, Scott couldn't take his eyes off Jean. Slowly she reached her slender arms out to take off her top- She must know I'm here thought Scott moving to turn, but he was distracted by the sudden display of bruises that proceeded from her sleeves.
Where the hell had those come? Scott held himself personally accountable for every injury acquired in their daily danger room sessions, knowing that jean had yet to take a heavy fall this week…
"Scott? How long…" She'd sensed him.
"Only just, sorry the door was ajar, I saw you… didn't want to interrupt," he lied, coming to his senses and falling back quickly into the hall. Jean, fully clothed and none the wiser, remained facing the opposite direction. She was hardly in the mood to pick his brain.
Sensing everything was clear Scott entered. Jean was now busy making herself comfortable beneath the covers, restlessly shifting from side to side. He smiled, she was such a kid.
"So Summers, what we watching?" Scott looked down.
"Whatever you want." He responded. Such a gentleman, as always.
"Not bothered. You choose." Yeah, whatever…thought Scott eyeing the conveniently placed disc on top of the player. He picked it up.
"What bout this one?"
"Perfect." Jean grinned. Well, at least Scott's predictability remained the same. Scott pressed play and moved across to where Jean lay. Careful not to knock her, he climbed over and fell into position beside her. Eyeing her narrow shoulders he was caught unawares when she turned to face him, her green eyes transfixed on him. His breath caught in his throat.
"Covers?" She inquired, holding out an opening in the duvet in which she lay. Not waiting for a reply she spun back round to face the flickering screen, but soon felt the movement of Scott as he closed in behind her. He pushed himself slightly higher so that he could see the screen, his breath gently grazing the top of her head. Then without even thinking, Scott extended his arm and softly wrapped it protectively around Jean's waist.
Scott couldn't remember switching the film off, in fact he couldn't really remember watching that much of it. And yet, this didn't bother him. He lay comfortable in a not so different position to last night. Jean was still asleep, or so he guessed, she remained motionless beneath his arm.
Scott flinched. Something about this felt strange yet it was nothing new, him waking to find Jean besides him and they'd been this close before, whether lying about talking or playfully wrestling one another to the floor. So why did the fact he lay draped around the girl he loved bother him?
Loved…
Fuck.
No Jean was his best friend. Of course he loved her, just not like … and any way, what about Taryn? Oh for…Listen to yourself Scott Summers. Its not like you haven't seen this coming? All those times he'd flushed when she'd flash a smile even remotely in his direction, the anger… No. The jealousy he'd felt towards Duncan, last night… Scott stopped himself. Then suddenly like wave it came over him. Ok, so it was obvious now. He'd always loved her, and not 'just as a friend'. He couldn't think of anybody he had possible cared for more so in his life. This was bad.
Dazed he looked down to where her head lay. Never would a girl like Jean even consider a guy like Scott. She was popular, beautiful, in control. He was not. Plus, moreover Jean considered their friendship more important than any relationship. Even he'd constantly reminded her that friends were for life. Boyfriends, girlfriends, they just came and went.
He stared at the girl in his arms. No, Jean was and would always remain just a friend. No matter what he felt for her she, he told himself, would never want more than friendship.
Just a friend. Nothing more.
And with that as a final thought Scott carefully prized his arm away leaving a still, but unbeknown awake girl, to dwell on the most prominent thought that had just been embossed on her mind.
Just a friend. Nothing more.
