Chapter Two- Playing Favorites

Marie wasn't able to concentrate in her classes anymore- she didn't know why. Her thoughts were always anxious and flighty, as were her interactions with others.

Her grades were slipping and her performance in the Danger Room were declining- although her nervous demeanor certainly helped her strength-wise.

She was sitting down in the library, pretending to read. She nearly jumped out of her skin when Jubilee tapped her lightly on the shoulder. "Hey, how 'ya doing there?" she asked lightly.

"Fine. Fine." She said, turning her head back to her book with a jolt.

"Watcha reading?" Marie showed her friend the cover. She had picked a book at random of the shelf- just so that she could say she was doing something useful. "...The dictionary?"

"Err..."

"What's been up with you lately?" she asked, sitting down next to her.

"I don't know."

"The last time you acted like this was when you and Bobby were...."

"I don't know what you're talking about." She said defiantly, selecting another book from the shelf.

"Who is it?"

"Who is what?"

"Oh don't play games with me, Rogue."

"What games?" she snapped. "I'm not playing any!" Jubilee waggled her eyebrows at her.

"You got the hots for someone, and you got it bad." Marie blushed. "See! I told you. And about time too- you know Bobby's been making goo-goo eyes at me for weeks now." Rogue grinned.

"And I don't suspect you've been making them back?"

"Maaaa-be." She said with a grin. "Anyway, who is it?"

"There's nobody!" she snapped.

"There." She said, pointing at her scowl "Is the proof that there is indeed a Somebody. Now who is it?!"

"You wouldn't know him."

"Wouldn't know him?! We don't live at this school part time time, chica! The only person you would have been able to meet was that fugie they brought in a couple of weeks ago."

Marie blushed despite herself, and Jubilee adopted a look of shock. "You...have...no!" said Jubilee, looking at her with wide eyes. "He's a part of the Brotherhood for godsakes! You can't be serious!"

"Who said I ever even MET him?!"

"It's plastered all over your face, hun." The younger girl shook her head in disbelief. "He's green, he's evil, and he's twenty-two."

"What?! Do you think you have more of a chance with Orlando Bloom than I do with..."

'THERE! YOU JUST ADMITTIED IT!! And ew...Orlando Bloom? Depp all the way, man. But that's besides the point. I WAS RIGHT HERE!! You just admitted it!"

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"You have several torn ligaments and a sprained ankle. You should be able to walk, but don't exercise it too much." Said Tessa, binding up his leg. He nodded absentmindedly. Exercise it too much? He'd be out of here as soon as they left the room.

"C'mon Tess." Came a cheerful voice from the front door. "Time to get going, don't want to be late." Tess nodded, not turning her gaze from him.

"You should see us back by four o'clock, if you're still here, that is." She said, now turning to leave. He saluted the door, and began to collect his things.