Disclaimer: I'm not feeling particularly witty today, so I'll keep it simple. NOT MINE. (sigh)
Thanks to: Spicy Sweet, Rogue238, Rogue14, simba317(love the long reviews!), WolvGambit, ishandahalf, EE's Skysong, enchantedlight, They-Call-Me-Orange, bored247, Chica De Los Ojos Cafe, xmengirlzrule, and anyone I might have missed.
Keep reviewing, it always makes me feel better, no matter how crappy life is that day.
-Chapter Nine-
-It Couldn't be . . . could it?-
Caldacott High, Caldacott, Mississippi, 2001
To the casual observer, it appeared the young brunette was finishing a cigarette, but he was really assessing his surroundings. His roving eyes were carefully hidden behind sunglasses. For the first time in his teenage life, Remy LeBeau felt nervous. I've left civilization an' entered Hicksville.
It appeared to be the quintessential high school, with all the teenage stereotypes present and accounted for. Jocks and their cheerleader girlfriends were congregated by the front door, amazingly hot girls in short skirts were flirting with equally good-looking males, add the scattering of freaks, geeks, and rebels, and it could be any high school in the country.
But Remy wasn't looking at any high school. He was looking at his new high school. He raised his eyebrows in disbelief as someone dressed as a huge dog ran past him, shouting, "Go Caldacott Bulldogs!" Remy shook his head. I could really go f'r a drink right 'bout now.
Suddenly, a shrill warning bell sounded throughout the premises. He watched as the student body surged toward the front doors. Taking one last drag of his cigarette before putting it out, the Cajun slowly made his way to join the sea of teenagers.
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"Okay, explain this ta me again. Ya don' wanna be called Marie. I understand that. I don' like my name, either. But Rogue? Couldn' ya think o' some nickname or somethin'?" Melinda, or Mel as she preferred to be called, shut her locker and stared at her friend. "Honestly, how on earth did ya come up with Rogue?"
Rogue continued to shove books around as she searched for her Biology notes for first period. Feeling her friend's steady gaze, the auburn-haired girl turned towards her. "It's a long story, Mel. Ya wouldn' understand. Where th' hell are my notes?"
Mel placed a notebook, bearing the title 'Biology sucks!', into Rogue's hands. "Whatever. Back ta th' other issue at hand. What is with ya lately?"
"Whadaya mean?" Asked Rogue, feigning innocence while digging through her backpack.
"Ya've been actin' really weird lately."
"No I haven'. Have ya seen my pens?"
Mel sighed before pulling a pen off the top shelf of the locker. "Ya always keep 'em up there. What's wrong, Rogue?"
"Nothin'! I just- . . . I have alot on my mind right now, okay?"
Mel nodded and dropped the topic. Rogue quickly grabbed the rest of her stuff and the two set off for class.
"Alot on my mind." HA! That's the understatement of the year!
Leave her alone. How's she supposed to tell her best friend she's a mutant?
Actually, I wouldn't classify them as best friends. Mel hardly knows anything about her or her family.
Shut up you guys. How is she supposed to check for hot guys with all of you yammering away?
All o' y'all, shut up! Th' last thing I need is a runnin' commentary o' my day in my head. Thought Rogue. Heaving a sigh, she nudged her friend. "Hey, Mel, got any aspirin? My head's killin' me."
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"Mitosis is the process in which a cell's nucleus replicates and divides in preparation for division of the cell. Mitosis results in two cells that are genetically identical, a necessary condition for the normal functioning of virtually all cells. Mitosis is vital for growth; for repair and replacement of damaged or worn out cells; and for asexual reproduction, or reproduction without eggs and sperm. Mitosis occurs in four steps. In prophase . . ."
Nineteen sets of eyelids began to droop as Mr. Johnson, Caldacott's resident Biology teacher, ploughed through his lesson with all the excitement of drying paint. Rogue gazed blankly at the chalkboard, trying desperately to stay awake. Cursing the alphabetical seating chart, she glanced across the room. Mel, sitting with the other N's, had her head down and was on the edge of sleep.
Rogue contemplating how to get her friend's attention, when she felt a sharp jab on her shoulder. Aware of who it was, she ignored it. The jab came again. Sighing in defeat, Rogue slouched back in her chair. Quietly, she muttered, "What?"
Lillian Davenport, resident bitch and queen of the sophomore class, dropped a note into Rogue's lap. "Pass this ta Brittany . . . an' don' peek, no matter how much ya imaginary friends want ya to." She said the last part in a mocking tone, daring the other girl to retort.
Rogue just bit her tongue and surreptitiously slipped the folded paper into the waiting hand of the girl across the aisle. Anger and humiliation boiled in her at remembrance of what happened a few days ago.
Rogue slid down to the grimy floor of the bathroom. She had to hurry; there was only five minutes of lunch left. Hands shaking and voices arguing, she quickly took two pills and swallowed them dry. She leaned her head back against the cool wall and prayed for the episode to pass. "Please, would all o' ya just shut up an' give me a few moments o' peace?" She muttered.
At that moment, a stall door opened. Lillian stepped out in her short T-shirt and tight jeans. "Well, well, well. If ya weren' a freak already . . . Got invisible friends now? Or just tryin' ta make Mellie jealous?"
"Shut up, Lillian." Rogue wasn't in the mood to discuss her abnormalities with a girl who personified the epitome of a stereotypical bitchy-but-everyone-still-loves-her popular girl.
"What, no witty banter today? Or are ya gettin' advice on how ta reply?"
Rogue didn't answer. Instead, she pulled herself off the dingy floor and hurried toward the door.
So far, Lillian had only used the encounter for malicious teasing. Rogue knew better than to confront her; it would just lead to a skewed version of events being spread to the entire student body. One wrong word and Lillian would have the whole school believing Rogue sat on the bathroom floor everyday, eating lunch and holding conversations with her "friends." That's th' last thing I need right now.
As Rogue began to scheme about passing a note to Mel, a knock sounded on the door. Mr. Johnson stopped mid-sentence and stared at it as if no one had ever dared to interrupted his class in his 30-odd years as a teacher. Finally, he managed to go and open the door.
The class rapidly awoke from it's stupor as their teacher had a hurried whisper-conversation with the principal. Their interested was peaked and they all strained their ears to hear something, anything.
After what seemed like an eternity, Mr. Johnson reentered the room, followed by a very attractive brunette male. The females in the class immediately began to cast looks of approval and lust in his direction. "Class, I'd like you to meet your new classmate, Remy LeBeau. He just moved here from New Orleans. I trust you'll all make him feel welcome."
Rogue stared in disbelief. It can't be him! After all these years . . . What are th' odds? . . . Besides, he said his last name is LeBeau, my Remy's was DeClour . . . But he did get adopted . . . NO, it's impossible! She waited with baited breath as glasses were slowly slid off that gorgeous face . . .
Her heart fell. Plain, brown-as-mud eyes. Not a hint of ruby-red or pitch-black anywhere in the orbs.
Rogue suddenly felt very stupid. After ten years - ten, long life-altering years - what were the chances that the two friends would meet up again, especially in a small town like Caldacott? Still, she couldn't help but admit that this stranger looked shockingly similar to her childhood friend.
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Remy flashed one of his charming smiles as the teacher introduced him. The room was poorly lit, so he had to take off his sunglasses in order to get a good look at his classmates. He really wished he didn't have to, his eyes felt so dry he was certain the contacts would fall out any moment. Oh, de prices parents will pay t' have dere children look normal.
A cursory sweep of the room showed nothing out of the ordinary. A sophmore biology class, with most girls staring at him in lust and guys divided between looking threatened or friendly. (A/N: that sounds really concieted.)
Five minutes later, Remy found himself situated in his seat, listening to the teacher drone on. He tried to pay attention; after all, he promised Tante Mattie he would get good grades. But, inevitabely and unfortunately, his mind began to wander.
He could tell many of the girls were staring at him, but one in particular was unnerving him.
She didn't even try to hide the fact that she was staring. She absentmindedly twirled a strand of her auburn hair while her startling green eyes stayed locked on him. She looked so familiar, but Remy couldn't seem to place her. Where have I seen her? I've nevea been t' Mississippi b'fore . . . well, dere was dat one time wit' Henri . . .
The teacher decided to interrupt both their musings. "Ms. Darkholme, if you know so much about mitosis that you don't have to pay attention, perhaps you would like to come instruct the class?"
Blood rushed to the girl's cheeks; she quickly turned towards the front of the room and mumbled an apology as the class snickered at her misfortune.
Remy couldn't stop the slow grin that spread across his face. Ms. Darkholme. The girl was Marie!
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The bell couldn't ring soon enough for Remy. He hurried to follow the girl into the hall, ignoring several people who tried to introduce themselves.
He finally caught up to her outside her next class. He laid a hand on her shoulder, causing her to whip around. She looked shocked to see him. "Whaddya want?"
"Y' were starin' in Biology. Like what y' see, cherie?" Damn, damn, damn. He hadn't seen her in ten years and that's his opening line?
No recognition sparkled in her emerald eyes. They only held embarassment and disgust. "Ya wish, Swamp Rat. Save ya lines f'r someone who'll fall f'r 'em." With that, she stalked into the classroom, leaving a very confused Cajun.
AUGH! I don't like how this chapter turned out. Does it seem plausible that Rogue wouldn't think it's him, what with the different name and eyes? I mean, the last time she saw him, they were six. Most people change ALOT between six and sixteen. There is going to be alot more Romy angst before there's Romy romance. But I assure you, THERE WILL BE MORE ROMY INTERACTION FROM NOW ON.