12
Rogue ducked her head as she got off the bike. Gambit had grabbed her hand and went to kiss it, but Rogue phased her hand through it.
"Hey," Gambit said, raising his eyebrow at her, "remember." Was all he needed to say for Rogue to understand.
Rogue rolled her eyes, thinking she was far enough that Gambit couldn't touch her. What she didn't expect was for Gambit to get off the bike quickly, grab her waist and twist her around to face him.
"Have a good day and try to stay outta trouble dis time." Gambit said smirking, then planted a kiss on the top of her head where her hair was covering her.
Rogue shoved Gambit back.
"Ya've gotta stop doin' things like that!" Rogue said, eyeing the people around her. There were a few giggles and eyes off the girls and boys around the school.
Gambit raised his eyebrow at her.
"Why? 'cause of those fools?" Gambit asked.
"They're already callin' meh a slut thanks ta you!" Rogue hissed, glaring at him.
Gambit tilted his head at Rogue, making him look cute. She really did have to sort her head out if she thought Gambit was cute!
"And you care what they say?" Gambit asked.
Rogue shrugged, "Appearances matter here if you ain't noticed." Rogue said now raising her own eyebrow.
"So do attitudes. De Rogue I know wouldn't hide away, all shy. She wouldn't take dat sorta crap." Gambit said, remembering how miserable she'd looked in the classrooms when people had laughed at her. Now he guessed he had confirmation as to what they were saying.
"Oh, now your tellin' meh how I should act?" Rogue hissed sarcastically.
"Dat's it Cherie. No crap. Now, go turn dat spitfire spirit you got on those fools who tryna mock ya, non?" Gambit said, turning away from Rogue and towards his bike.
Rogue felt… almost stunned. Had Gambit just gave her socialising advice? She watched him leave with a smirk on his face.
"Rogue! There you are." Came Risty's voice.
The English girl was then besides Rogue and walking towards the school with her.
"Where did you disappear to last night! It was crazy!" Risty said.
"Last night?" Rogue said, feeling a little uncomfortable. "I,errr," Rogue began to say, not really knowing what Risty remembered about what happened. Did she remember the benches falling on her? Or had she forgot that bit?
Rogue was about to reach out and read Risty's mind when Risty said:
"Yeah! Are you alright? Those benches fell on top of you and the next thing I know, tall, dark and handsome was carrying you away. What is his name anyway?" Risty asked.
"Oh, his name's Remy. Remy LeBeau." Rogue said, glancing away from Risty. So she did remember the benches falling on her and Gambit getting her out of there.
"Ouch, that bruise looks nasty!" Risty said, coming to stand in front of Rogue. "Are you feeling alright? You don't feel dizzy or anything do you? How many fingers am I holding up?" Risty questioned, placing three fingers up in front of her.
"I'm fine, Risty. Really. And three." Rogue said, now smiling at her friend who seemed to really care about her.
"Man, you scared the life out of me last night. I was worried you were going to end up in a hospital or something. I didn't even have your number to call you and ask how you were doing." Risty said.
Rogue's smile waivered. She was happy Risty cared so much. It was nice to have someone actually care about the state she was in rather than her powers for a change. But, she did feel guilty at just leaving Risty in the fog.
"I'm sorry. Remy took meh back home last night. It was just a hit to the head. I slept off the headache and was right as rain this mornin'. And, well, I can give ya ma number if you'd like." Rogue said, pulling the phone Gambit had given her out of her pocket.
"Oh cool! You have a cell phone. You're carers' must be loaded, huh?" Risty said.
Rogue laughed, "I don't know about that. So, go on. Give meh your number." Rogue said, passing Risty the phone.
Risty then took out her own phone and shared her number. Rogue raised her eyebrow at Risty, "Well, look at you. Rich parents, huh?" Rogue joked.
Risty just laughed.
After the two exchanged numbers, they began to head into the school. Risty wouldn't stop talking about the fireworks that went wrong and how crazy it was. She kept saying, "it was crazy, right? You've got to tell me what you think happened."
Rogue had just shrugged and said, "Well, you'd know more than me. The fireworks were just faulty, I guess."
Rogue really didn't want to say something that would get her caught out, so she basically just repeated Risty's own words back at her. Risty didn't seem too happy with the lack of development in their conversation Rogue had even suggested she ask someone else who actually was conscious and there last night. The whole school was talking about what happened after all.
As they began to approach the lockers, Rogue noticed Kitty Pride was standing by her open locker. Her face looked fallen and she looked miserable and on edge. Rogue… kind of felt bad for her. She had absorbed her after all and Kitty's psyche hadn't been too happy with her.
Kitty actually had a small bruise on her neck too from where the benches had fallen on her. Rogue wondered if Kitty had clicked onto what had happened really. A part of her felt terrified though to know the truth.
"Hey, isn't that the girl who tried getting you out from under those benches before I could? Man, she must have had a lucky escape from the second wave that fell on her. You both seemed to have lucked out there." Risty commented.
So Risty remembered Kitty trying to help her. And that the benches fell on her too. That was… good to know.
"Yeah," Rogue muttered back.
"You remember that?" Risty asked.
"I… was in and out of consciousness, but, yeah. I think I remember her face tryna help meh." Rogue said.
Just then, Kitty glanced towards them. Rogue felt her heart almost stop. She very carefully read Kitty's expressions to know what she was feeling. In fact, Rogue quickly entered Kitty's mind to tell if she knew or not.
Are they talking about me? Oh, crap. That's the girl I tried to save. Whoa, I must seem like a total idiot to them, Kitty thought, glancing down and away from Rogue. Why didn't I phase through those benches! Kitty snapped at herself in her own mind as she turned back to her locker.
Rogue could tell she was trying to hide in her locker now. From what she read, Kitty hadn't figured out what really happened and was beating herself up about being taken down by a bench. It was good to know she didn't remember, but… Rogue felt bad for her. She had been trying to help her out after all.
Risty and Rogue had almost walked past Kitty, when Rogue decided to do something crazy. Rogue turned on her heel and walked back towards Kitty's locker. She heard Risty question her, but she didn't response.
"Errr, hi." Rogue said from where she stood behind Kitty.
Kitty seemed to be startled by Rogue as she turned with large wide eyes.
"Oh, ha ha ha, like, hi." Kitty said, becoming skitterish and now trying to look anywhere but at her.
"I'm sorry, but… were you the girl that tried ta get meh out from under those benches last night?" Rogue asked. She then put on a shy smile and touched her head, "ma minds kinda fuzzy from last night, but, I thought I remembered seein' ya tryna help meh. Is that true?" Rogue asked.
"Erm, well, I, errr. Yeah…" Kitty finally said, not meeting Rogue's eyes. "Yeah, I did try to help. But then the rest of the benches, like, fell on top of me and took me out too. Kinda lame, right?" Kitty laughed awkwardly.
Rogue gave a kind smile at the girl's modesty.
"No, not really. I was in bad shape last night and I really do appreciate ya tryna help meh out, so… thank you, is what I guess I'm tryna say." Rogue said, glad that Irene had taught her manners and, basically, how to be kind when it came to situations like this.
That seemed to brighten up Kitty's mood, but didn't make her any less awkward.
"Oh, ha ha ha, like, no problem!" Kitty giggled back. "Hey, your like that new girl, Rogue, aren't you?" Kitty asked.
"Yeah, that's me." Rogue said nodding her head.
Rogue glanced to her side, noticing Risty had walked up and pushed Kitty's locker door back so she could be seen. "And this is Risty. We both joined yesterday." Rogue explained.
"Whoa, like, are you two from the same school or something? Were you guys friends before you came here?" Kitty asked.
Risty smiled at Kitty. "Actually, I was in England before this. I just met Rogue yesterday during the assembly. Your Kitty Pride, right?" Risty asked.
"Yeah, that's me. Like, how'd you know?" Kitty asked.
"Oh, there was this video on the school website of a play performed. Dracula, I think and your name and photo was on it. Girl, you totally rocked that performance!" Risty said.
Kitty giggled, "Like thanks. Hey, so are you guys in like any of my classes? Who knows, maybe I could show you guys around or something?"
"Erm, that depends. Are you a Senior?" Rogue asked.
"No, Sophomore. Awww, that sucks that I won't have any classes with you guys!" Kitty pouted.
Rogue felt relieved though. She really didn't want to get too close to the X-Men students. She feared, if she did, they'd figure out she was a mutant.
"We could still sit together at dinner though." Risty implied. "You know, talk about the latest gossip going around the school, what's hot and not, boys and what parties are happening. What do you say? It'll be a blast." Risty said.
Rogue felt… almost taken back by Risty's attitude. Rogue didn't know Risty could be so… sociable.
Kitty seemed to giggle though, "Girl, now we're talking!" Kitty said, closing her locker door and she began walking with Rogue and Risty towards their class. "Oh, but we'll have to pick up a student year book if you wanted to talk gossip. I'm guessing you don't know too many people yet, huh?" Kitty said.
"Not really. Just some in my class and hear a few names mentioned here and there. Isn't Duncan Matthews, like, supposed to be the hottest guy in school?" Risty questioned.
Kitty huffed, "As if! He's really just a stupid jerk! All of his friends are. They like to push people around and pick on people."
"You mean like Scott Summers? He's your friend right? Hey, Rogue, don't you share a class with him too?" Risty said.
Rogue felt the urge to blush, "Errr, yeah."
"Oh, dur, you practiced lines with him yesterday! Sorry if I seemed so rude before. I so should have, like, introduced myself!" Kitty said.
Rogue shrugged her shoulders, remembering how she had mainly been arguing with Gambit then anyway.
"Like, who's that guy on the bike? He's, like, a total hunk! Are you dating him?" Kitty asked.
Rogue blushed again. She was about to open her mouth and say… something! Well, she was, technically, supposed to be going on a date with him. She'd, purposely, avoided not bringing that up in front of Gambit in the hopes that he'd back off on their deal or forget about it or something. Although, she did feel kind of torn about that. Especially hearing Kitty call him a hunk. Well, she had to admit, he did look it what with all those muscles of his chest and his face wasn't so bad. His eyes were gorgeous, but only she got to see them really from the female population, which was a nice thought. Then, he did have that cute way of cocking his head and all.
But should she say she was dating him?! Well Gambit had said to to keep the other boys away, but, that was just because he saw her as a challenge and wanted to concern her first. He did make a point about boys wanting to get close to her and to probably avoid them. But it was still just mainly a challenge to him. But, then again, if she did flirt with other boys, wouldn't that be a challenge to him too? Even more of a challenge? Isn't that what he wanted? To show off that he was the alpha male and all and that he could tame the untouchable Rogue? Rogue mentally rolled her eyes at that, as if she'd ever let him tame her.
But… what did she say?
"Oh, that's just someone she lives with. Rogue said that he's been flirting with her ever since they meet, didn't you Rogue? You can't seem to shake him, can you girl?" Risty said.
Rogue was sure she went another shade of red. Oh yeah, that was what she told Risty yesterday. What did she do? Tell Risty that she'd changed her mind? Or keep with being on the single market?
"Really!" Kitty beamed, "I mean, erm, isn't that sweet? Or do you find it annoying? Or what? Come on girl! Spill already? Isn't he, like, older than us all too?" Kitty said.
And that was another thing, she didn't want the X-Men knowing her business! It would be bad for, well, business!
"Erm," Rogue said.
"Oh, definitely annoying!" Risty said for Rogue.
Rogue's embarrassment seemed to fade as she stared at Risty.
"Rogue's actually been trying to find a way to put the message across that she's not interested. She's told him no several times, even shoved him away, but he keeps coming. She's even tried flirting with another guy to try and get Remy away from her, but the guys hooked on her! Isn't he Rogue?" Risty said, turning to her.
Rogue was staring dumbfounded at Risty.
"Risty, what the hell do ya think you're doin'?" Rogue said before she could even stop the words from falling out of her mouth.
She just couldn't believe this. Risty was telling Kitty everything she had said to her in confidence. Hell, Rogue didn't even want to tell Kitty all that stuff, but the chose had been taken out of her hands because Risty opened her mouth. And she hated it! She hated feeling like a muppet! Like she was being control or used as an item for Risty just to get close to someone else. It reminded her… well, it felt like when Mystique would flaunt her around at balls and tell all kinds of tales about her without her even getting a say in what she wanted to be known for. It irritated her.
"What do you mean?" Risty said, now looking a little unsure.
But it was too late, Rogue was already pissed and letting her anger show. "You can't just go tellin' a complete stranger ma business without my say so! I didn't need you to speak for me Risty so back the hell off, alright! I've already got the whole school callin' meh a slut. I don't need ma friend gossipin' about meh either!" Rogue said.
Risty and Kitty both looked taken back by Rogue's outburst.
A few chuckles came from behind Rogue. Rogue turned her head to see a group of three girls standing together and looking towards her.
"What?" Rogue snapped at them, folding her arms.
"Oh, nothing. Gee, turns out the slut has a temper on her." One of the girls with dark hair said. She turned to gossip with her friends then.
Rogue… was struggling to think of a comeback. And she hated it. She kind of felt like just sinking into the floor with Kitty's powers and never resurfacing again.
"Makes a change from her sitting there all quiet like yesterday, definitely." A blonde haired girl joined in.
Rogue felt Risty's hand on her shoulder, "Rogue, just ignore them!" Risty said.
It took Risty to talk for Rogue to actually realise that it was Risty who had touched her. She'd grown so used to Gambit reaching out to touch her, that she almost thought it was him. And, with him in mind, his words from earlier came back to mind. About how he knew the Rogue didn't let anyone push her around. And here she was, being pushed around by a stupid bunch of gossiping girls. Girls who had muttered that she was a slut yesterday all day.
Rogue pulled away from Risty and stepped closer to the three girls, smirking devilishly as she got an idea.
"You think I'm a slut, huh? Why? 'cause I came to school with a guy who's completely out of your league?" Rogue asked.
The black haired girl who'd started it all, took a step forward, looking disguised.
"Erm, excuss me little miss hill billy, but I happen to be a cheerleader!" she scoffed, "if anyone can get a hot piece of arse like that, it's me." She said.
Rogue's smirk only grew. "Oh really? Coulda fooled me by the way ya were droolin' over Terry Johnstone yesterday. What was it ya scribbled on your book? Kimberly heart Terry forever? Does the guy even know you exist? Didn't seem so to me." Rogue said.
Risty's and Kitty's mouth had dropped open at Rogue's words. She was picking a fight with a cheerleader. They were shocked she had just put the girl in her place, but also worried it was not going to end well.
"Why you… you…"
"Slut?" Rogue filled in for the dark haired girl. She snorted, "I think you'll find if ya look that word up in the dictionary your clearly not readin' that a slut is someone who sleeps around. I ain't been sleepin' around. Guys just seem ta fall all over meh. Like that guy yesterday, what was he called now? Josh, was it? He just happily bought meh a sandwich without even knowin' meh."
"You… you flirted with him! Lead him on when you already had a boyfriend!" the black haired girl snapped. "That's slut enough." She said.
Rogue snorted again, "Actually, if ya'd even bothered ta ask meh what was goin' on, ya would have learnt that that guy is just a creep. He won't stop flirtin' with meh no matter how many times I tell 'em no. It's kinda sad, actually."
The black hair girl snorted. "Yeah, right. Your not that pretty! Guys don't just fall all over you without a reason." She said.
Rogue shuck her shoulders, "Maybe. I was only tryna say hello and introduce maself." Rogue said.
Then Rogue glanced down the hallway, noticing Duncan Matthews and his friends were there. She turned back to eye the black haired girl. "Watch, I'll show ya. You see that guy over there?" Rogue said pointing at Duncan.
"Duncan Matthews? Your gonna try for him? He's well out of your league! And besides, he's already interested in Jean Grey." The dark haired girl, Kimberly said, rolling her eyes and glancing back at her friends. Rogue picked up that these girls didn't seem to like Jean Grey too much. She wondered why. So she decided to listen into their thoughts.
"That's right, little miss perfect who gets everything she wants." The blonde one thought
"She's just so pretty! There's no way we could compete." The other girl thought.
"It's so not fair! First Jean and now this girl, Rogue, was it? Can get so many guys just by blinkin'! Why can't I get a guy? I'm pretty." Kimberly thought.
Rogue… then almost began to feel sorry for these girls. They were really jealous of her just because she knew how to flirt with guys? Weren't they taught how to flirt? Wasn't that natural?
Rogue's eyes fell back to Duncan, seeming all cocky and smug.
"I'm gonna go, say a few words to him and have him eatin' outta ma hand. Pay attention. Who knows, you might just learn something." Rogue said.
Then she began to walk towards Duncan Matthews and his friends.
Before she went far, she felt Risty grab her arm again. "Rogue, what do you think you're doing?! Stop this!" Risty said.
Rogue frowned at Risty and pulled her arm away. "Don't tell meh what ta do. You ain't ma mama!" Rogue snapped at Risty before continuing to walk towards Duncan Matthews.
For a moment, Rogue wondered what the hell she was thinking. But, she'd gotten an idea. A way to maybe make the rumours go away. Or, possibly make them worse! Either way, it was too late to back out of this now.
Rogue tapped Duncan on the shoulder. Duncan turned and looked at her, confused. Rogue put on her most innocent smile and blinked at him from under her lashes.
"Hi, your Duncan Matthews, aren't you?" Rogue asked.
Rogue saw in the corner of her eye Duncan's friends elbow each other and snigger.
Duncan himself even went to snigger.
"Yeah, who's askin'?" He said.
"I'm Rogue. I just joined." Rogue shrugged her shoulders, "I was just wonderin' if ya could help a girl out. I'm lookin' for Mr Humaches class." She said, remembering her schedule.
Duncan snorted, "Find someone else," he said, going to wave her off.
"Oh I see," Rogue said, placing her hand on her waist, "Ya heard 'bout meh, huh?"
Rogue smirked at Duncan and began to act cocky. Simply being all cute and innocent wasn't working and she had to make this work! So, she attempted a different approach.
"Yeah. You're that chick who's datin' an older guy, right?" Duncan asked.
Rogue shrugged and looked away, "Guess that's what the rumours say. Doesn't mean it's true. But hey, I'm sure you being the most popular, athletic guy in the school is just a rumour too, huh?" Rogue said, baiting Duncan.
Duncan almost coughed, turning on her. "Excuse me?" He said, "Listen, hill billy, you ain't got no idea what you're talking about."
Rogue went to put a piece of hair behind her ear, "Maybe. But hey, ain't like your livin' up to the other rumours I heard 'bout you bein' a gentleman and all who ain't scared of a challenge." Rogue said. "Oh well, if you can't help a girl who's rumoured to be datin' an older guy, guess you can't help meh, can you? Too scared of the guy who's droppin' meh off ta even make the effort." Rogue said, about to walk away.
That's when she felt a hand grab her arm and pull her back. Rogue felt uncomfortable under that grasp. It was rough and demanding and she hated being handled like that. She also felt kind of scared at what Duncan's reaction was going to be. From earlier, he just seemed made. Maybe she was going to turn around and have him yell at her. If he did that, then she really had made everything worse for herself after all.
"Hang on a minute. You think I'm refusing to help you just because I'm scared of that punk who your supposable seeing?" Duncan asked, turning her to face him.
Rogue shrugged, "Seems like everyone's stirring clear from meh for that reason. Even callin' meh a slut 'cause that guy's just so possessive." Rogue was actually beginning to feel really bad at what she was saying about Gambit. But hell, he didn't go to school here. She did! And she didn't want to be called a slut everyday just because he was so touchy feely around her. She had to try and make the word slut go away somehow. "But, if ya believe the rumours and all and don't wanna come near meh just 'cause an older guy's interested, then who am I ta judge?" Rogue finished.
Duncan seemed to grin from ear to ear. It wasn't a nice one either. Not like Gambit's. Rogue blushed at that thought and tried to take her mind off Gambit by listening into Duncan's thoughts.
Oh yeah, this girl's a challenge alright. If I date her and show that looser with the sunglasses up, everyone here will think I'm on a whole other level! They'll bow down to me and worship me more than they already are! What is it with freaks and sunglasses anyway? First Summers, now this hot shot. Oh yeah, I'm gonna make her mine, Duncan thought.
Oh yeah, Rogue thought, he certainly was just like the kind of guys she used to be forced to flirt with at those balls. It made her skin crawl just thinking about it. She felt… almost dirty doing this again. She hated it. But, she just had to think about the end game. Just because she was trying to get Duncan interest in her didn't mean she actually had to date him or anything! She just needed to prove a point.
Duncan's hand lifted and was replaced by him moving closer to Rogue and wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"Oh yeah, well not me. I was just refusing to help because I usually don't make exceptions for new people. But for you babe, I will." Duncan said, flashing his teeth at her as he leered down at her.
Great! Now Rogue was in a position she had been trying to avoid.
"So, you'll show meh to ma class?" Rogue asked.
"Certainly. Hell, I'll even give you a tour of the school if you want babe. Just stick with me and I'll look out for you." Duncan said, starting to walk her along.
Rogue stopped though, turning in his arm and letting it drop. "By look out for meh, do you mean you'll get the rumour 'bout meh bein' a slut ta drop?" Rogue asked, still blinking up at him from under her lashes.
Duncan snorted, "Consider it already done! We can't have people slanderin' your name just because they're too dumb to know truth from fact." Now Rogue found that ironic. "Your friends with Duncan Matthews now, girl. No one says anything bad about my friends." Duncan said.
"Really? We're friends?" Rogue asked, pretending to be touched about being Duncan's friendship.
"Of course! You should have introduced yourself to me yesterday, but we can get to know each other now anyway." Duncan said, wrapping his arm back around her and trying to lead her away again. "So, what's your name again?" he asked.
Rogue really wanted to snort at how stupid this boy was. At least other men hadn't forgotten her name in the past. But, there was something she wanted to do before she continued amusing this idiot.
"I'm Rogue. Hey, can you hold on a minute." Rogue said, pulling out of Duncan's hold again and turning to almost face the girls with open mouths behind her. "I just wanna go say somethin' ta ma friends before I go ta class."
Duncan shrugged, "Take all the time you need, babe."
Rogue tilted her head to the side and shot Duncan a smile that was actually killing her inside. "Thanks," Rogue said, walking away from Duncan.
Really though, she was raging about how Duncan felt like he had a say over what she did. Oh, he was going to find that extremely tough to do in the future.
Rogue thought about what she was going to do next and how, actually, if this worked, it might just benefit her in more ways than one. Rogue stood in between Risty and Kitty and the three other girls. She turned to face Kimberly, keeping her back to Duncan. She shrugged one shoulder as she eyed Kimberly.
"See? Told ya I just say a few words and they eat outta ma palms." Rogue said.
"Whoa," the blonde haired girl said.
Kimberley just stared at Rogue, open mouthed. Rogue stepped closer to Kimberly and said, "Look, I don't wanna get off on the wrong foot with anyone here. I didn't mean ta tease ya about Terry, but you were callin' meh a slut without even knowin' meh. Tell ya what, you make sure that rumour drops and I'll help ya get the guy ta notice ya. How does that sound?"
Kimberly's mouth closed and she looked away, seeming irritated.
"I'm not desperate!" Kimberly snapped.
"I never said you was." Rogue said, a smirk appearing on her face, "But Terry might be when he realises how many boys are gonna be after you."
Kimberly seemed to think for a moment glancing at Duncan then back at Rogue.
She stepped forwards and nodded, "Alright, ya might not be a slut after all. Heck, if you've got any moves on you, you might just be cheerleader material."
Rogue laughed at that, "Oh, I think I can hang." Rogue said, beginning to turn. Things were working out just as she thought. Then, she came eye to eye with Risty who looked hurt. Rogue… almost felt guilty for what she had done, ditching her and all. Risty had seemed to be the only person in this school who had cared enough about her when the rumours about her being a slut was keeping people away from her. Well, her and Kitty who she eyed right behind Risty. Kitty didn't seem to know how to take the whole situation either.
Rogue turned to look back at Risty. She had just tried to control her though and spoke for her when she didn't need speaking for. Rogue wanted to sigh. She felt in two minds about Risty.
"Duncan's gonna walk meh to ma class, so I'm gonna go with him." Rogue said, hearing the cheerleaders react to that bit of information.
"Rogue." Risty said.
Rogue shrugged her shoulders, "We'll talk later, yeah." Rogue said, her eyes then falling on Kitty who hadn't really done anything wrong. She let a small, humble smile grace her face. "See you later too yeah, Kitty." Rogue said, turning and walking back to Duncan.
Rogue saw Duncan lifting his arm, about to wrap it around her again. Rogue moved away from it, holding her hand up.
"Erm, sorry, but I don't actually like to be touched. I'm not a touchy feely kinda gaul, you know?" Rogue said.
Duncan seemed to look disappointed at that, but covered it up with a smile.
"Whatever you say. Is that because of that older guy tryna touch you all the time? If you need me to make him back off, I can you know." Duncan said, putting a fist in his hand.
Rogue chuckled awkwardly, "No, that's alright. He is ma ride after all and he ain't so bad. Just flirts a lot. Anyway, I'd rather not talk about him. He's 'caused meh enough problems, ya know?" Rogue said.
"Oh yeah, so, what kinda music you into?" Duncan asked, continuing to walk besides her as they went to class.
"Errr," Rogue said, wanting to blush. She didn't realise inviting Duncan to hit on her would mean she'd have to open up about her personal preferences. "Whatever's on the radio, I guess." Rogue said.
"Me too! Hey, do you like-" Duncan went on all the way to dropping her off outside her class.
Rogue noticed a few people in her class eyed her and him as they saw him with her, talking to her as if they were good, old friends. The rumour mill started to work almost as fast as the rumour about her being a slut did. Rogue just kept her head down and listened to what came from it.