Kismet Chapter 7: A Chance Meeting, a x-men: evolution fanfic

Thank you guys so much for your great reviews! I'm glad that people liked the last few chapters. Also, many, many, many thanks to everyone for cheering my up after the review incident. It's both comforting and saddening to know that its happened to other people. Comforting because I know I'm not alone, saddening because it means there are other assholes out there making people scared to try to post what could be an awesome story, or worse, stop writing what is an awesome story.

EE's Skysong: Isn't it amazing the stories you can find will skimming? Glad you like it so far.

Chica De Los Ojos Cafe: Glad to see you again! I haven't read a review by you since the last chapter of "I ain't de Devil". It's good to see a friendly face (Or a friendly name, as the case may be.) Hope you enjoy this story too!

WolvGambit: Thanks so much for the encouragement and for sharing your own anxiety of posting. I skimmed through a few of you stories after reading your review and I must say, I loved 'em! Keep writing!

Simba 137: Woah. Those were some long reviews! Glad you are enjoying the story. I hate it when people beg for more Romy when the author is trying to show the relationship starting to form. It must have been frustrating. I love how review as you go, saying what you think of each section. It's like, I can read what you were thinking as you read the story. Wow. That's a creepy thought. I better continue on answering reviews before I go off on a tangent and make no progress whatsoever on this chapter.

heartsyhawk: I'm sorry to hear about your friend. People should really think about the repercussions of some of the reviews they leave. Would they want someone leaving a review like that about their story? Thank you for encouragement, I was smiling like a lunatic after I read your review!

bored247: Thanks for reviewing, hope you like what happens next!

LucreziaNoin86: Well, mission accomplished. Your review did encourage me and I thank you for the support. Hope you like the upcoming chapters! P.S. If you do post that story, tell me, and I'll be one of the first ones to read and review! Good Luck!

Cat2fat900: Thanks for the review. Sorry to hear about your encounter with a crappy reviewer. (sigh) What are they expecting when they come to this site? Pulitzer worthy stories written by seasoned authors who have published books?

Rogue14: Thank you! Hope ya like this chapter!

xmengirlzrule: Thank for the review. Yeah, Remy's dad turned out to be a real jackass. To be honest, I was gonna have him just abandon the family or something, but he made such a great antagonist, I had to have him stick around.

Ima Super Mute Ant: Hope I continue to hold your attention. I like to do Romys that have more than the "he likes her and she likes him but they can't touch because of her powers" angle. If you like this, you might like my other Romy, "I ain't de devil, I just look like 'im", if you haven't read it already. Enough self promotion, hope you like this chapter!

IvyZoe: Thank you! Remy won't forget Marie, but, well, damn! I can't say anything without giving away a piece of the upcoming plot! There's still lotsa conflict to come.

ishandahalf: Yes, it could get very . . . interesting when Raven sees older Remy likes older Rogue. ;)

Rogue238: Even though that reviewer's opinion hurt me, all you reviewers made up for it tenfold! Thanks for the encouragement!

Rogue gal: Thanks, but you'll have to wait a little longer, they're preteens in this chapter!

-Chapter Seven-
-A Chance Meeting-

Jackson, Mississippi, 1997-

A young girl angrily blew another stray piece of auburn out of her face. Extricating herself from the depths of her closet, she weaved her way across the room. Boxes were strewn around, most half-packed. Passing one marked 'BOOKS' that had several shirts sticking out of it, the slender tomboy began to dig in the box marked 'KITCHEN'. After removing several bottles of shampoo, two hairbrushes, and a headband she never wore but couldn't seem to part with, she triumphantly held up a little baggie full of ponytail holders. She put her hair into a haphazard ponytail before carefully repacking to box. The twelve-year-old gave a sigh as she surveyed to state of her tiny bedroom.

It may have been a regular occurrence in her life, but Marie hated moving. She had never been enthusiastic about moving to Baton Rouge when she had been six and relieved when they had to move again soon after. They left Louisiana for Mississippi, hopping from one city to the next. In the past six years, her mother had uprooted her five times, every time talking about some great job opportunity.

Marie scowled at the thought of her mother. After a heated argument, Marie had managed to convince her mother that she needed to live in a place longer than a year, that she couldn't keep leaving friends, that she needed to be normal.

And her mother agreed. "This will be the last move", she promised. Marie was stunned the next morning when she came to breakfast and found her mother gone.

Marie ambled into the kitchen, savoring the first day of summer vacation. "Mornin', Aunt Irene." She gave the older woman a peck on the cheek before sitting down to eat her breakfast.
"Good morning, sleepyhead." Teased the blind woman. "Enjoy sleeping late?"
The girl nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah. Where's mom? She usually wakes me up if I sleep past nine thirty."
The blind woman's face paled slightly. "She's, uh, she's gone, Marie."
"Did she go ta th' market or somethin'? Why's she buyin' stuff when we're movin' next week?"
"No, Marie. She's gone. She left for her job this morning."
The girl gave a confused look. "So, are we meetin' her there or somethin'? Did she have ta leave early?"
Irene sighed. "I'm so sorry child, but, no. Your mother decided it best that the two of us settle down somewhere, while she moves place to place with her job."
Tears of anger began to well up in the young girl's eyes. "So sh-she just left me? She couldn't even say goodbye?"
"I'm sorry, Marie. She's just doing what she thinks is best. You didn't want to keep moving, so she arranged for the two of us to live in my hometown, Caldacott (sp?), Mississippi. She'll visit and-"
"NO! What's best for me is to be with my mother! If she doesn't realize that than I nevea wanna see her again!"
Pushing her chair violently from the table, Marie ran to her room, slammed to the door, lay on her bed, and wept.

"Marie, are you done packing yet?" The young girl was shaken from her reverie as her name was called.

"Almost, Aunt Irene!" She hoped Irene couldn't hear the guilt in her voice as she quickly began to shove the last of her belongings into their respective boxes. She knew she couldn't blame Irene for what was happening. It's all dear mother's fault, thought Marie, carelessly tossing a framed picture of Raven clutching the newborn Marie, into a box.

Her busy hands stalled as they reached a picture at the back of the shelf. It was two small children, one boy and one girl, both smiling giddily for the camera as they sat on the swings. She ran her finger gently over the boy's face, nostalgia taking hold of her. She stared at the picture, remembering that day, those months, that friendship, and him. Sighing once, she carefully wrapped the picture frame in a pink sweater she never wore, then placed it gingerly into the box.

"Marie?" The girl turned to face her guardian, who was standing in the doorway.

"Yeah?"

"How about we go out to eat on last time before we leave tomorrow?" Asked Irene with a hopeful expression on her face.

Marie smiled. Irene was trying so hard to make her cheer up, convinced the preteen was upset with her as well. Oh, Irene. I could nevea git mad at ya! "Sounds great."

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Two boys wandered the busy streets of Jackson. The older was tall and broad-shouldered. Although he was only sixteen, his piercing blue eyes and sandy blonde hair made him appear older. He was well built and got quite a few appreciative smiles from the female population of the city.

His companion was younger, but he had potential. He, too, was tall. His body was lean, as he was just starting to develop noticeable muscles. Shaggy brunette hair and sunglasses covered his eyes as a charming smile danced across his lips. Yes, definitely heartthrob potential.

Leaning against a brick wall, the older one scanned the crowded. A sly grin played on his face when he spotted the perfect target. "Ready f'r y'r final test, frere?"

The younger one scoffed. "I was born ready, Henri."

Henri gave his brother a steady glare. "Don' git cocky, Remy. Y' screw up on a simple task like dis an' pere won' be happy wit' y'."

"'Nuff wit' de warnin's. Y' did dat all de way here. Let's do dis." He rubbed his gloved hands together eagerly.

"Fine. Be dat way." Henri's suddenly got very businesslike. "See dat table over dere at de outdoor cafe?"

"De one wit' de girl wearin' ripped jeans an' de blind lady?"

"Oui. Dat's de one. De blind lady jus' gave de fille a gift, looked like an expensive jewelry box, too. Looks like dey're payin' de bill now, so all y' gotta do is wait f'r 'em t' come out o' de restaurant." He looked pointedly at his brother. "Git dat piece o' jewelry an' pere will let y' start trainin' t' be a real t'ief."

Remy glanced at the couple. There was something oddly familiar about them, yet he just couldn't seem to put his finger on it. It's jus' nerves, Remy. Don' psych y'self out! Y' might not be as thrilled 'bout bein' a t'ief as de rest o' de fam'ly is, but t'ink o' how proud dey'll be!

Setting his jaw and straightening his jacket, Remy made his way across the street to the restaurant.

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"Oh, Irene, it's beautiful!" Marie gently lifted the necklace from it's box. The metal glinted in the afternoon sunlight. A single, tiny emerald was embedded into the gold front of the circular pendant.

"You'll like the inside better." Teased the older woman, obviously pleased with the girl's reaction.

"Whadda ya mean?"

"It's a locket, silly. You always said you wanted one when you were younger. I think you're old enough now."

"Thank you." Said Marie softly, truly touched by the thoughtfulness of the gift. She slid her fingers around the edge of the locket until she found the almost unnoticeable hinge. Pulling gently, she opened the locket and found herself overcome with emotions. "Irene, I don' know what ta say."

"When someone is close to your heart, you should keep them there, Marie."

Marie slipped the necklace into her pocket and began to protest as they walked out of the restaurant. "But-"

"No buts." Commanded Irene as they paid the bill. "You'll . . ." She never did finish the sentence. As soon as the stepped onto the sidewalk, a young man bumped into Marie. She yelped in surprise as she was knocked off balance, careening into the man behind her. Both fell with a thump onto the concrete.

Irene began hurried attempts at apologizing, while the man and his girlfriend insisted they knew it wasn't her fault. Through it all, Marie sat silently on the cement.

Her eyes were burning holes into the back on the young man's head. Th' jerk didn' even turn 'round ta see if I was okay! As if hearing her thoughts, the boy glanced back briefly. There was something familiar about the russet locks drooping over his eyes, the look of determination on his face. She wished he would talk off his sunglasses. If she could just see his eyes she could tell why he seemed so familiar . . .

Marie jumped when a hand appeared in front of her face. A glance around it revealed that the boy had disappeared. Reaching for the proffered hand, she began to stand up.

When she was fully upright, a sudden wave of dizziness took over her and the man. He doubled over, looking ready to pass out and she clutched her head. Thoughts flooded her mind and she did not recognize any of them.

The girl steadied her boyfriend. "Andy? Andy are ya okay?"

"I'm fine." Marie's eyes widened in surprise as the answer came from her own lips, as well as the man beside her. Thankfully, neither of the other couple noticed and they quickly hurried off.

Marie turned to Irene. "Irene . . . I was- . . . I just- . . . then a voice- . . . my head-. . ."

The older woman pulled the young girl into a hug. "Shh. It's okay. You're just under stress right now. Let's get you home. You'll be fine after a good night's sleep."

Preoccupied with the absurdity and surrealness of the events, Marie didn't notice the worried look on her companion's face.

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Remy gazed at the necklace as his hand twirled it in front of his face. His father had let him keep it as a reminder of his first successful job.

There didn't seem to be anything special about it, yet he got an odd vibe as he held it. Sighing, the Cajun hid the necklace in his drawer. He fell into an uneasy sleep, dreaming of a little girl with auburn hair and emerald green eyes. Deny it as he may during the day, at night he couldn't hide the fact he missed the little seven-year-old girl he had left behind in Baton Rouge. I wonder where y' are, Marie . . .

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Marie couldn't sleep. It was understandable, due to the oddness of what happened earlier, but that wasn't what was bothering her. Her thoughts kept drifting back to a young boy playing Candyland for the first time in his young life.

"Ya cheated! Ya always git Queen Frostine and Princess Lolly!"
"I didn'! Ya got Queen Frostine de last game! Y'just a sour loser!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Fine, but I'm takin' her outta th' deck so neither o' us can git her!"
"Fine!"

They had know each other for such a short time, but had effected each other so much. We were th' first real friends either o' us had evea had. Wonder where ya are, Remy . . .

Well? We're on to the teenage years! WOOHOO! This is gonna be fun. Oh, if you can't guess what's in the locket, or you have a guess and aren't sure its right . . . YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT! It'll be revealed later, when, well, I can't say 'cuz it might give something away or I might change that part of the story when I get there ( I have a habit of doing that).
"Reviews make authors feel warm and fuzzy inside."(Takimiromy, 6/17/05)
You can quote me! No, really, why would you want to quote a crazy person like me? I mean, how many people do you know can take balloons, draw faces on them, NAME them, and drag them around school for the last month of school? (Me and my friends SO needed to graduate before we lost our minds.) There is so much more to the balloon story than what I just wrote, but I'm not going to scare you any more than I already am by telling you the whole thing. But our thoughts were, most people in our school are shallow and already think we're weird, SO WHY THE HELL NOT? Sorry for blabbing on, I had alot of sugar today, could you tell?