A/N: words in italics are Jen's thoughts. Words in bold italics are song lyrics.

Chapter VI

Smile and Nod

"Mr. Black, I would like to talk to the three of you alone. If that's alright with you?" Professor Xavier asked.

"Fine. But make it fast," Vince said sitting back down on the couch.

My mom was right behind him.

God, she follows him around like a stray cat. It makes me sick.

Logan was the first one out the door. Jean looked at the Professor. He nodded. She and Scott left the room, followed by Ororo and Kurt. I was all alone now.

Sure the Professor was in here, but I don't like him that much. He gave me a reassuring smile. I hated it when he smiled. It reminded me of my dad's smile. And I'm NOT talking about Vince. He's not my dad. Mike is. I looked at the floor, singing "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World in my head.

"So, why don't you want Jennifer to stay here, Mr. Black?" Professor X asked.

"What are we suppose to tell our friends when they ask about her?" Vince asked in an even angrier voice.

"You can tell them that you sent her to boarding school," the Professor answered.

"I guess we could do that...Fine, she can stay, but only because I don't want her blowing the house up or whatever the hell she can do," Vince said, his voice was a little calmer now.

"What do you think, Jennifer?" Professor Xavier asked.

Hey, you know they're all the same.

You know you're doing better on your own, so don't buy in.

Live right now.

Yeah, just be yourself.

It doesn't matter if it's good enough for someone else...Huh, what? Why is everyone staring at me? I must have been asked a question. Shit! OK, just smile and nod.

"Good, it's settled then. Jennifer, you are now the newest student at the Xavier School for the Gifted," Professor X announced.

My mom and stepfather finished signing all the "needed" paper work. They took me home to pack my things. Jean came with us to answer any more questions the Vince had. Mom didn't really care about what happens to me now. She just found out last week that she was pregnant. With Vince's kid. So, they don't care for me any more. Well, Vince never really cared for me, but whatever. They're going to have their own little, picture perfect family. Excluding me. We took the elevator up to our pent house suite. I headed straight to my room and started to pack. I was almost done when Jean came in.

"Need any help?" she asked looking around.

My room was huge. A double bed in the middle of the room, a computer in the corner; a big dresser, complete with mirror, in the other corner, and a big ass plasma TV on the wall by the dresser.

"No, I'm almost done, thanks though," I said.

"Scott's going to bring the SUV over to take your things back to the school. He should be here any minute," Jean said, sitting down on my bed, while I packed the last of my DVD's.

Scott arrived a few minutes later and we loaded my things into the SUV. My parents had left shortly after we got home. So, I locked the door and Scott, Jean and I headed back to Westchester.