13
Rogue couldn't keep her head down for long. Random people began coming up to her and asking her questions.
"Are you really seeing Duncan Matthews?", "Are the two of you friends or something?", "Hey, how do you know Matthews?"
Rogue had just told them that yeah, they were just friends and that he'd been nice to her. That was all. By the time dinner came around though, it almost felt like hell. Almost all eyes were on her as she collected her food and walked into the cafeteria. Rogue saw and heard people gossiping about her.
One table close to the dinner ladies even asked her if she wanted to sit with them. She didn't even know any of them. She politely turned them down and kept walking. She saw Risty was sat alone on a table, looking at her, almost sad.
"Hey, spitfire, you wanna come sit with us?" Kimberly had asked.
"Erm, thanks, but I'm gonna go sit with Risty." Rogue said.
"That goth freak? Why? She's totally not worth it." Kimberly said.
Rogue frowned at that. Just because Risty had pissed her off once didn't mean she deserved to be called a freak. "Actually, she's ma best friend." Rogue said, walking on from the cheerleaders.
Rogue guessed that comment had made up her mind. She was going to go sit with Risty.
But then, Duncan Matthews stood up from the table in the far corner he was sat at and shouted out across the room, "Hey Rogue! Come sit with us."
Rogue felt extremely awkward and unsure of what to do. If she refused him, it might just make her life at school more of a living hell. But then, she really didn't want to sit besides Duncan and have him trying to woo her all of dinner. She'd thought she'd managed to get away from that kind of thing. And she had, she had to remember. This was her new life. It was going to be nothing like her old one. Here, she was going to have real people who cared for her like Risty did when she tried to pull her out from under the benches. She didn't need to surround herself with fake people like that!
But… she really didn't want to make enemies so smiled and waved at Duncan since she noticed every other student was looking. She then held up one finger, telling him one minute. By this time, she was besides Risty's table. She placed her tray down next to Risty's and then reached down and hugged the girl from behind. It was an awkward hug considering she'd never sort out a hug before, but she had to make this work.
"Rogue, what are you doing?" Risty asked.
"Huggin' ma friend." Rogue said, leaning back and smiling down at Risty.
"But… you don't like to be touched." Risty said.
Rogue sighed, kind of glad that Risty knew that about her. Rogue stayed hunched over Risty's side as they talked.
"I know that, but Duncan's annoying meh. Don't anyone know I said that though!" Rogue snapped the last part, remembering why they had had they're falling out.
Risty seemed to smile at that, almost laugh. "So, are you sitting with me then?" she asked.
"I'm tryin' to, but ever since I flirted with Duncan he's not left meh alone! And I can't just blow him off in front of everyone! I don't know what he'll do to that." Rogue said.
"Right!" Risty said, leaning back. "You know though that if you go sit down with him over there, then you're gonna be considered his bitch for the rest of the school year, right?"
Rogue was taken back by Risty's use of words. "I guess so. But I can't just ignore him." Rogue said.
"Just slip down and start laughing at something I said. We'll make it look like you just got caught up in conversation with a friend. He won't be able to call that out." Risty said.
Rogue did as Risty said, laughing. Risty faked a laugh too and Rogue was almost glad to have Risty there helping her out.
"You are my friend, Risty." Rogue said. "I just had ta make that slut rumour go away somehow." Rogue said.
"Really, that's why you flirted with him? Is it working?" Risty asked.
"Well, everyone seems ta be askin' meh if I'm datin' em, so I don't really know. You might know more than I do, come ta think about it. You heard anything?" Rogue asked.
"Nope. Just people questioning whether you and Duncan are a thing or if you're seeing Remy. There's also talk about Jean Grey and whether she's with Duncan or not and if he's cheating on her. It's all juicy stuff! Are you sure though that you wanna be a part of that?" Risty asked.
Rogue glanced quickly behind Risty at Duncan. He was still stood up and didn't look happy. He seemed to be replying to one of his friends comments.
"Ta be honest with ya, I ain't plannin' on startin' anything with him. If anything, I just used him ta get people ta back off, then I was plannin' just ta back off." Rogue said.
"But you know he won't just do that, right?" Risty said.
Rogue sighed, "I gathered. Guess he's just gonna have ta figure it out the hard way. Who knows? Maybe I'll give Jean Grey advice on how ta win her man back and I'll just stay friends with him." Rogue said with an evil smirk.
Risty laughed, "Girl, I like the way you think! Although, I would be careful with that too. I heard Scott Summers has a thing for her too."
Rogue shrugged, "Hey, if that's a drama ta be had between those two apes, then I'm just glad the attentions off meh, you know?" Rogue said.
"Yeah. But what about Remy? Don't you think he's gonna take it badly when he learns the most popular guy in school is after you?" Risty asked.
Rogue frowned at that. "He doesn't even go here! It's got nothin' ta do with him." Rogue almost snapped. However though, she had thought about it. She'd wondered what would happen to him when he came to pick her up because she could only guess that's that was what he was going to do. Would Duncan try and start a fight with him? Would he be pissed with her for slaughtering his name all over the school? She honestly had no idea.
"Right, sure. But, you know, you are playing with fire here, Rogue." Risty said.
Rogue sighed, "I know. I don't even know how it happened! I didn't even do anything!"
"Except flirt with Josh." Risty said.
"Yeah, then I woulda let him down gently and not been called a slut if Remy hadn't been all stupid and possessive." Rogue said.
"Boys are stupid like that Rogue. Just make sure you don't go making too many enemies, otherwise, you'll be in for a world of trouble." Risty said.
"Yeah, I know. But it's easier said than done. And, if you have any advice how ta get Duncan ta back off while still staying friends with meh so the whole school doesn't call meh a slut and keep Remy out of it when he ain't leavin' meh alone, let me know, k." Rogue said, sipping her drink.
Just then, Kimberly graced both Risty and Rogue with her presence. Her and the other cheerleaders.
"Hey, so you're not sitting with Duncan?" one of the girls asked.
Risty and Rogue became uncomfortable almost straight away.
"Errr, I was thinkin' about it. But I just wanted ta talk to ma friend. I'm sorry, who are you again?" Rogue asked.
"Oh, my name's Stacy. I'm the head cheerleader. I usually sit with Duncan too, but today we have a cheer meeting." Stacy said.
"Oh, right." Rogue said, turning to look at Risty.
"Then, why are you sat with us? We're not cheerleaders." Risty asked.
Stacy looked Risty up and down almost with disguise, then turned to smile at Rogue.
"Kimberly's been tellin' us your gonna try out for the cheer squad. It's not easy to get in, you know. Can you do any gymnastics?" Stacy asked.
Rogue felt her bottom lip shake. "Erm, well, yeah, but I didn't know if-"
"Perfect! Of course, we'll have to see you in action. We don't currently have a spot available, but if Megan keeps putting on that weight," Stacy said, eyeing a girl dressed as a cheerleader in the queue for food, "then we're gonna have to drop her and a space will be open. You should definitely try out!" Stacy said.
Rogue couldn't believe this. Were people trying to tell her what to do again? It was starting to make her mad.
Then, of all people, Duncan showed up right behind her and touched her shoulder.
"Hey," he said, gaining Rogue's attention, "you comin' to sit with us or what?" he asked.
Rogue could tell from his body language that he seemed to be a little bit impatient and bothered. She eyed his table, seeing smirks from his friends. Rogue zoomed into their minds and heard them thinking that Duncan was getting played by her. Duncan had told them no, he didn't get played and came to claim her.
"Oh, hey Duncan." Stacy said in a flirtatious voice, "We were just having a cheerleader meeting. Rogue's gonna join us, isn't that great!" Stacy said, blinking too much at him.
Duncan's attention went straight from Stacy to Rogue, seemingly uninterested in the cheerleader who was clearly interested in him. He looked to be beaming happily down at Rogue now.
"Really? You're going to join the cheer team? That's great! You can come watch me play at all of my matches. Cheer me on, you know?" Duncan said.
Rogue was finding it extremely difficult to keep a straight face. Her life was getting dictated to her again. How did this happen? Rogue asked herself.
She looked at Risty who shrugged her shoulders at her, looking as confused as she was.
"Actually, I'm not sure if I am." Rogue said, glancing around the table full of shocked faces.
Rogue then stood up, feeling uncomfortable. She had to save her face somehow and not piss off all of the popular students.
"It's just, I don't even know if I could keep up with y'all! Your just so talented, you know." Rogue said.
Now that had the cheerleaders amused and happy, it seemed. Stacy especially as she whipped her hair behind her back.
"Well, you know, they do have me as their leader." She said.
"Awww, don't sweat it!" Duncan said, throwing an arm around Rogue's shoulders, which made Rogue even more uncomfortable, "With that body you've got," he said, eyeing the full length of her, "I bet you'll have no problems keeping up."
Rogue reached up, grabbed his arm and moved it off her shoulders. "I asked ya not ta touch meh." Rogue said.
Rogue could see the shock in Duncan's face and hear his friends sniggering from across the room. Rogue realised her mistake. She'd made it look like she was rejecting Duncan and it was making him look a fool. If she did that, she'd have them making her life a living hell.
"I mean…" Rogue said, grasping for a way to try and make everything work. It was just so hard though! How did she convince them she wasn't going to be a cheerleader without insulting the entire cheer squad? How did she make Duncan back off without making him look an idiot? How did she get that jealous glare Stacy was sending her to go away? Rogue thought and thought and she was sure the emotions of lose and confusion showed on her face when Risty reached up towards her.
"Rogue, are you ok?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm just- It's just-" Then, it hit her. What excuse she could give to make Duncan understand why he couldn't touch her and why she couldn't be a cheerleader. And she hated it. "I have a skin condition." Rogue lied.
She heard awwws and gasps around the table from the cheerleaders. Duncan seemed to be a little slower than them. Rogue was sure her saddened look at giving into this lie was working to add to the effect of her most tragic news.
Irene and Mystique had convinced Rogue she had a skin condition for years before her powers manifested. They forced her to cover up. Lied to her. She only found out they lied after her mutation developed and then it became too late for her to dress down for the southern heat like she always wanted to. This lie… it hit hard at home for her.
"Oh, you poor thing." Stacy said, siding with the crowd, "What is it?" she asked.
"I'd rather not talk about it." Rogue said, trying to look away from everyone, but finding, wherever she turned, there was a face.
At one point, Rogue spotted Jean looking their way with a tray in hand. Her eyes were dashing between her and Duncan who was looking down at her, pitiful. Rogue hated the look of pity. Hated all of this attention she was getting and struggling to handle. The stress was causing her psyches to actually play up, so Rogue touched her head.
"Rogue, are you alright?" Risty asked, steadying Rogue as she wobbled.
Rogue's eyes shot open as she glanced at Risty who generally did look concerned.
"Errr, yeah. Yeah, I'm fine." Rogue said, then, felt the bump across her head. Another idea came to mind. "I think it's just cause I hit ma head yesterday. Those fireworks goin' off was crazy. A load of benches ended up fallin' on meh and I guess I knocked ma head on one of em. Hence why I have this ugly mark." Rogue said, showing off her bruise.
"Oh yeah, that's right." One cheerleader said.
"What did happen with those fireworks?" Another asked. "It was crazy!"
"Yeah," Rogue said, her eyes falling on Risty again who seemed like the odd one of the bunch. Rogue smiled, getting another idea, "But this one saved meh. She helped dig meh out from all those benches, you know? She's a real hero." Rogue said, placing a hand on Risty's shoulder.
In the corner of her eye, Rogue saw the cheerleaders gossip about this while glancing at Risty who flushed red.
Rogue's head still hurt. She wasn't used to this many people. To all this attention. It was definitely setting her off and Rogue knew she had to get out of there.
"Listen, I'm gonna go get some air, alright?" Rogue said to Risty.
"Oh, ok." Risty said.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Duncan asked, reaching his arm out, but not touching her. He seemed a little hesitate at what to do with her now that she'd revealed that she had a skin condition.
"No, that's alright." Rogue said, holding her other hand up that wasn't on her head. "I wouldn't want ta ruin ya meal. Or interrupt ya cheerleader meetin' that's obviously important!" Rogue said, trying her best to stress the respect she had for the cheerleaders. "I'm just gonna go sit outside for a bit. Get some air." Rogue said.
"I'll come with you. Make sure you don't pass out or anything." Risty said, grabbing both their trays.
"Thanks," Rogue said, smiling at Risty.
She wasn't too sure if she was happy with Risty tagging along or not. She needed time to reinforce her shields, not socialise. Could she still do that with Risty there? But, then again, if Risty was away from the cheerleaders and Duncan, it meant she couldn't say anything about her and make things bad for her, so that was a plus.
Rogue was about to leave, when she noticed Duncan looking annoyed. Rogue hoped what she was about to do was right. She reached out and gently touched Duncan's arm with the tips of her fingers.
"Hey, thanks for carin'. Seriously though, go eat with your friends. And tell em I said sorry for not joinin' ya this time around. I just got a headache and well, I kinda get claustrophobic and all bein' around so many people, what with ma condition and all. You understand, right?" Rogue asked.
Duncan smiled at her, but it didn't look like a real smile. "Yeah, totally. Just make sure you're alright, yeah?" Duncan said.
Rogue nodded then proceeded to move towards the exit in the cafeteria that took her out to the benches outside. As she went by, Rogue passed Jean. Jean still looked confused as to what she was seeing. Rogue glanced down and away, feeling shameful to be caught flirting with somebody else's boyfriend.
Of course, Duncan then noticed Jean and made a move towards her.
xxxxx
Rogue had sat outside with Risty who, thankfully, was quiet for a bit. She did ask a couple of questions though like if she really had a skin condition.
"Yeah," Rogue said, "but I don't really like ta talk about it." She said, not liking lying to her friend, but knowing it was probably the best way to keep Risty from touching her as well.
"Well, I gotta hand it ta you girl! You sure do think fast on your feet! You managed not only to get the cheerleaders to back off and Duncan while saving face, but you also seem to have become the most popular girl in school. Do you know how many people would kill to sit with the cheerleaders or the football team?" Risty asked. "And you had the attention off both! Man, I wish I had that sort of popularity." She said.
"You can have it. I never really wanted ta become popular. Just make a few friends and get through school, ya know? Have a normal life." Rogue said, being able to push psyches back. Her extensive use of Emma's powers hadn't really helped things in her head.
"Ha, somehow I don't see that happening. You know though, you might have just blown it with the popular kids? They might keep their distance from you now they know about your, erm, condition. Might even just spread it around. You might have a new rumour to worry about." Risty said.
"Havin' a skin condition, I can handle. Bein' known as a slut is a whole different ball game." Rogue said.
But, thinking about it now, she did feel slightly disappointed about a rumour going around about her skin. Of course, a skin condition and her mutation weren't the same thing, but it might end up being that way. After all, people either hated her or avoided her like death once they'd felt the touch of her skin. Well, everyone except the Acolytes. She thought that, having a rumour going around that she had a skin condition might result in the same thing.
She was much younger when she delt with the whole skin condition thing and was still being kept locked in doors but other kids her age had avoid her when she did come out. She doubted it would be any different. But, then again, at least she wouldn't have to worry about anybody touching her and finding out that she was a mutant the hard way. That was an advantage. One that would keep her in school like she wanted.
Hell, it might even get people off her back and she might just be able to enjoy the rest of the time she had left with her friend who'd been right by her side since day one of school.
"You know, you might wanna eat something." Risty said, "It might help."
Rogue nodded and sat down. It was quiet between the two girls for a moment. It felt a little awkward. Rogue figured it was because they hadn't addressed the elephant in the room yet.
Rogue put her fork down as she said: "Look, about snapping at you earlier, I'm sorry, alright? I didn't mean ta. It's just, what you were tellin' Kitty, it was ma business ta tell and I didn't want her to know all of that stuff." Rogue explained.
"I get that now. And I'm sorry too for saying all that stuff. Rogue, if I knew it was gonna upset you the way it did, drive you away to someone else, I never would have said it." Risty said, sounding sincere.
"Yeah, I guess I figured that one out. I probably should have just talked ta ya about it rather than just gone off at ya, but… I don't know. I just didn't like not havin' control over what was happenin' ta meh. With ma life!" Rogue said.
"I see," Risty said, looking away guiltily.
Rogue sighed, "Look, I probably reacted the way I did 'cause I used ta have a very controlin' mama." Rogue said.
"Really?" Risty asked.
"Well, yeah. She'd talk for meh. Tell meh where ta go, what to be. Who I could and couldn't speak to. How I should act. Hell, she even told meh what ma favourite food was at one point. I finally got away from her though and I'm just enjoyin' the freedom of makin' ma own choices, you know?" Rogue said.
"Yes. I guess I can understand that. But, are you still speaking with you mom? Will you ever forgive her for what she did? Give her another chance?" Risty asked.
Rogue sighed, "Somehow, I doubt that women will ever change. And, I ain't really thinkin' 'bout that right now. I've just started this whole new life. Free ta do whatever I want. So, when you go around tellin' people ma private business and makin' my decisions for me, it bugs me, you know?" Rogue said.
"Yes, I figured that one out the hard way." Risty said, "Look, I promise you! From now on, I won't say nothing about you to anyone, alright." Risty said, getting a happy glimmer in her eye again.
Rogue chuckled half-heartedly, "Somehow, I kinda think that's gonna be impossible, what with everyone already gossipin' about meh. How's about this, you can talk about meh just don't tell people what I tell you about maself. You know, you're the only one I've really been able to open up to here about a lot of stuff. I wouldn't wanna lose that." Rogue said.
"Well, I'm honoured you feel that way about me, Rogue. Really I am. And I promise, whatever you say to me, no matter what it is, I'll keep it to myself. Deal?" Risty asked, reaching out her hand.
Rogue took it and shuck it, "Deal! And… I'll try ta be less of a cow with ya."
Risty threw her head back, laughing at that. "Alright, but don't change too much. It's rather fun watchin' you manipulate everyone around here." Risty said.
Rogue tsked, "Yeah, fun for you. Not for me. You're not the one who has to deal with the backlash." Rogue said.
And then, as if on que, the doors to the cafeteria burst open and there were cries coming from the doors.
"What now?" Risty asked. "What did we miss?"
Rogue and Risty soon realised that those cries had been whoops of happiness. Duncan was leading the class out to come sit outside in the sun and eat their dinners.
Rogue felt her body go stiff. What was that block head doing?
Duncan, of course, found Rogue and came to sit on the table of the bench.
"Hey beautiful. You didn't think we'd leave you out just because you got a skin thing, right?" he said, pointing a finger at her as if it was cool.
"Erm, no, well, I didn't wanna-" Rogue began to say, but Duncan talked over her.
"This is actually great! I don't know why we didn't think of this before. It's so stuffy in there. Out here, we've got tones of fresh air. It'll be great for us when we come to our matches." Duncan said, turning his attention to his team. "Hey, not too close! Give the girl space." Duncan barked out.
Rogue realised the cheerleaders were joining the football players too.
Duncan took a seat opposite Rogue and Stacy joined him. Other cheerleaders, looked a little disguised at the idea of sitting on the grass and getting grass stains on their uniforms.
Rogue huffed, guessing that her alone time was over. Rogue eyed Kimberly, then saw Terry walking passed her, talking to another football guy.
"Hey, why don't you guys offer the girl's your jackets or something to sit on? You know be gentleman like? Hey," Rogue said, turning her attention towards Terry who looked down at her now, "maybe you could help Kimberly out. I think she just got that cheer suit and doesn't wanna make it dirty."
Terry looked at Duncan who didn't seem opposed to it and Terry walked towards Kimberly. Kimberly seemed to freak at seeing Terry so close to her. Then, when he offered her his jacket she blushed. Rogue smiled as she watched Terry sit besides Kimberly on the grass and start making small talk with her.
Kimberly glanced over Terry's shoulder and shot Rogue a grateful smile before turning back to Terry. Well, at least someone had their day made.
Rogue then went back to her food, enduring question after question about her skin condition and whether it actually did stop her from being a cheerleader. It was a long lunch before the bell rang and Rogue had never been happier to attend maths.
Xxxxx
Rogue sighed as she entered her last period. Maths had gone terribly. She'd been asked to solve a maths question in front of the class and made a complete idiot out of herself. Luckily, Kimberly had been there to get the class to shut up laughing at her. Jean was also in her maths class though, which made her feel all the more awkward when Jean had turned around to look at her.
Rogue had seen Jean go and sit with the other X-Men at dinner. It hadn't been brought up what happened between Jean and Duncan, until Risty managed to pull her aside before her last class.
"So, Duncan told Jean that I'm joinin' the cheerleaders and he's just makin' meh feel welcome?" Rogue asked.
"Yep, but from the way he was sending gooey eyes at you over dinner today, I don't think he's stopping his quest for you anytime soon." Risty said.
Yeah, Rogue hadn't needed Emma's powers to work that one out. In fact, she'd given her powers a rest for the day, knowing they were only going to give her a headache that she was just starting to come out of.
"Listen, I really think you should let Remy know not to come to school today to pick you up." Risty said.
"What? Why? I mean, I don't think I can stop him-" Rogue began to mutter.
"Think about it girl! I just had to sneak you away from the cheerleaders and the football lot. Do you really think you're gonna be able to slip away that easily after school when they're all gonna be outside? If Remy shows up, the rumours about you being a slut might just resurface. Right now, you've got the rumours that your hittin' on Duncan which is already coming with it's own problems. If Remy comes and picks you up, what do you think Duncan will do? He literally brough half the school outside just so he could sit with you when you turned him down! He might make a show of trying to mark you as his girl after school to Remy. Then, what are you going to do?" Risty asked.
Rogue sighed and glanced down to the floor. High school was… complicated.
"I don't think I can stop him from comin'. I never asked him to last time and he just showed up." Rogue said.
"You need to tell him to back off you and make him do it. Otherwise, your gonna struggle." Risty said.
"Yeah, I get that! But Remy, well, he's just as pig headed as Duncan. He sees meh as a challenge and he's not gonna back down from that." Rogue explained. She paused to think for a moment. "Do you think… do you think I could sneak out after school? Without anyone findin' meh?" Rogue asked.
"Well, yeah. You can go hide in the women's bathrooms then make a run for it out the back, but the problem still stands that Remy's gonna be parked right outside the school and Duncan might just go for him, with or without you there. In fact, he might do it while your not there so he can try fighting him without looking bad in front of you." Risty said.
Rogue sighed, running her hands over her face. "Alright, I'll see what I can do." Rogue said.
And that was how she ended up in sixth period, thinking about Gambit.
Rogue had took her phone out, wondering what to say. She didn't really want to tell him that she'd made him seem like an overbearing crush, even though, that's kind of what he was acting like. But still, that might affect where she lived. She didn't want to lie to him either. Sooner or later the lies were gonna get on top of her, she knew it. And plus, she didn't want to get on Gambit's bad side because he could just go to Magneto and tell him she lied. Then, she'd never be able to come back to school. Probably end up locked away in her room at the base. And even though she could probably escape it, she'd still have to fight off the Acolytes and then find somewhere to run away to if she even got that far.
Rogue thought and thought about it, but saw from the clock on her phone that time was getting on. If she didn't say something soon, it would be too late. So she decided just to get to the point and see where the conversation went.
"Hey, can u do me a favour & not come 2 school 2day 2 pick me up? Rogue." Rogue sent the message.
A moment later, she felt the phone vibrate in her hand.
"Textin in school cherie? Bad girl ;)" he said.
Rogue sighed at the text. Really? He was flirting with her.
"Please! I really need u not to come 2day." Rogue said.
"Something wrong?" Gambit replied back with.
Rogue lifted her head up, pretending to pay attention to the lesson where, really, she was thinking. When the teachers back was turned, she put.
"I'll tell u l8ter. Just don't come." Rogue put.
"How u gonna get back?" Gambit replied.
"I can hitch a ride." Rogue said.
"You mean steal." Gambit replied.
"Look, I can handle myself. Just don't show up 2day, promise?" Rogue sent.
There was a long wait for a reply from Gambit. So long, Rogue began to bite the end of her pen and tap her foot with nerves. This whole situation really was putting her on edge.
"I'll be around, cher." He sent at last.
Rogue huffed in annoyance.
"No! People can't see u!" Rogue sent back, angry.
"Then they won't. I still be around." Gambit said.
"What do u mean by-"
There was a clearing of a throat besides Rogue. Rogue shuck as she realised her teacher was stood right besides her, glaring at her.
"Miss Rogue," he said, finding her name on the register, "You do realise this is a classroom. Not a place for you to play on your phone." He said.
"I…" Rogue said, unsure what excuse to give, but the teacher wasn't going to hear it.
"Hand it over." He said.
Rogue huffed, then passed him the phone.
"You will get it back after class. Oh, and detention for you miss." He said.
"What?" Rogue gasped, not expecting that.
"You heard me." He said, walking away and clearly ending the discussion.
Rogue sat back in her chair, feeling foolish for getting caught. When she glanced around, she noticed the other kids were smiling and talking. From what she overheard, they thought she was cool for being on her phone. A bad arse, even.
As Rogue sat there, she didn't think detention was all that bad of an idea. It would definitely keep her away from Duncan and the others. But Gambit had said he'd be around. She never got the chance to tell him no or that she got detention. Rogue began to stress over what was going to happen now. Was Duncan going to find Gambit?
Rogue sat worrying for a good five or ten minutes before she noticed a paper aeroplane land on her desk. She looked out the open window from where it came but couldn't see anyone. Rogue sat forwards and opened the plane.
Got caught, huh Cherie? Naughty girl.
Guess that means you got detention.
Slip out back of the school and I'll meet you there.
Only this time, try not to get caught.
Yours, Remy.
The note read.
Rogue glanced out the window again, looking for Gambit. But she couldn't, for the life of her, see him. He knew she got detention. She wondered how? Maybe because she stopped replying. Maybe he'd already been in front of the school and came to investigate why she wasn't replying and clicked on. Either way, there was nothing she could do now. She'd tried to get Gambit to stay away, but if he was on the grounds and was going to stay through her detention, was there really any hope of getting him to leave?
Rogue sat through the rest of her class and detention, miserable.
Xxxxx
Gambit had been watching Rogue all day like normal. He hadn't been able to see what had happened as soon as she entered school and the beef with the cheerleaders or her flirting with Duncan.
He had watched her in her first class. She kept quiet again while the other students seemed to gossip. Then, he'd seen how, during the next few classes, students actually began talking to her. Even gossiping with her. Rogue had replied to them and he's watched their reactions, not hearing what was being said. Rogue had seemed to be a mix between uneasy and, somewhat calm.
He'd then saw her at dinner. People were making an effort to talk to her now. Invite her to sit with them. Even the cheerleaders. He watched Rogue let onto the football jock, but sit down besides Risty. He still needed to do some digging on that girl, but he somehow felt that, Rogue, sticking with Risty, was the best thing right then.
Only, he saw the cheerleaders join her at her table and the football captain too. He'd watched, not hearing, how all of the popular kids seemed to be showing Rogue attention. He watched her become flustered and uneasy and make the rest of the unpopular kids seem surprised and upset with her. Then he saw her talk her way out of whatever she said to upset them. He watched her sway and reach for her head, only to be caught by Risty. She somehow said something that got her free from the cheerleaders and the jock. Gambit watched the jock go talk to the red head, Jean Grey and play her. He knew he'd have to keep an eye on that one.
He had moved closer to Rogue, staying in the trees. He'd only overheard part of their conversation where Risty said she was sorry and would keep her secrets and where Rogue was apologising for snapping. They went between talking normally, to almost whispering at parts. He couldn't hear the whispers, but he was catching on to somethings. He was sure he heard something about a skin condition.
Then, the football jock had led an army outside and sat with Rogue. He knew Rogue was tense, even though they were all keeping their distance. He heard that guy, Duncan, telling people to stay away from her because of her condition. He thought that was rich.
Then, unable to move from where he was a few trees away, he managed to still pick up on a few things. He saw Duncan flirt with Rogue and Rogue, discreetly, brush his advances away. He watched the cheerleader sat besides Duncan look jealous but heard her still trying to recruit Rogue for the cheer team. He thought that was funny. He would have loved to see Rogue in those short skirts and jumping all around the place. He had a feeling that that wouldn't happen though, and he watched that happen. Rogue turned down all of the cheerleader's advances, managing to still stay on their good side as she did. He had to admit, he was impressed, but also completely baffled as to what had happened.
Rogue, he noticed, had become one of the most popular girls in school. At least, that's what the X-Men said, seeing as he was sat so close to them in the tree. Shadowcat had most of the gossip.
"Oh yeah! She's, like, alright, you know! She totally thanked me for trying to help her out yesterday. She was sweet and all. Well, until we started talking about that guy that keeps dropping her off. She went silent then. But her friend, Risty, spilled all the gossip. She said that the guy wouldn't stop flirting with Rogue and that he came on real strong when Rogue was just trying to make friends with Josh that one time." Kitty said.
"Oh yeah!" Nightcrawler had said, "Didn't she, like, flirt with him or something?" he said.
"Yeah, it earned her quite the reputation." Scott had said.
"Well, from what Risty was saying, Rogue isn't actually with him. He's just forcing himself upon her. Rogue then went ballistic at Risty for saying all of this to me." Kitty said.
"Well, she was kinda quiet about it when I asked her about it yesterday. I don't think she wants anyone prying into her business." Scott said.
"Yeah, I, like, totally got that when she exploded at Risty. She then snapped at Kimberly who was already gossiping about her. Man, you should have seen it! It was incredible! Kimberly would so kill me for saying this so keep it to yourself, but Rogue completely showed her up! She said she wasn't a slut, just that she knew how to get a guy's attention, unlike Kimberly who had been writing Kimberly hearts Terry all over her notebook!"
"Really!" Kurt gasped. "Man, that's so wack! Did she have a death wish or something?"
"Well, Kimberly and Josh seem to be getting along now." Jean said, eyeing the table of cheerleaders and jocks.
"Oh yeah, something totally happened afterwards. But first, Rogue said she could get any guy to fall for her. She then went over to Duncan, said something, then had him practically begging to take her to her class. She then came back and said she didn't want bad vibes between her and the cheerleaders and that she'd help Kimberly out if she made that bad rumour about her go away." Kitty said.
"Seriously?" Scott said. "Well, it looks like she held up her side of the bargain. Kimberly too. The whole school's been talking about her and Duncan rather than, you know, the other thing."
"You don't think…" Jean began to say.
"Think what?" Scott asked, his attention now all on Jean.
Gambit thought it was pathetic how obvious he was making himself look. Jean was glancing longingly at the table Rogue was sat at though.
"That she's a, well, a mutant?" Jean asked.
This wasn't good, Gambit thought.
"Rogue, a mutant?" Kurt repeated.
Now all the X-Men looked towards Rogue who had her back to them.
"Yeah, well. One minute, the whole school thought one thing about her. Now, suddenly, she's charmed everyone into liking her?" Jean said.
Gambit realised Jean was clearly jealous of Rogue. That jealously could be dangerous though. What was Rogue thinking?!
"I don't know. Maybe. I mean, what type of power do you think she has?" Scott asked.
"Well, perhaps a charm thing. Like I said, she's turned everyone into liking her." Jean said.
"I don't know. I didn't feel charmed or anything when she talked to me and I kinda like her." Kitty said, looking unsure. "She was just… nice." Kitty said.
"Yeah, I mean, maybe a bit flirtatious." Scott said.
"No way! Did the Rogue flirt with you when you were rehearsing?" Kurt asked Scott.
"Well, a little. It was a romantic scene we were reading after all though. She seemed kind of withheld though. Like, she wasn't trying to put herself out there." Scott said.
"Well, that certainly changed today." Kitty said, "You know, she was boosting over how she could make Duncan fall for her."
Scott snorted, "Yeah, like that's really so hard."
Jean then glared at Scott and he turned away from her glare.
"Maybe we should talk to the Professor. Ask him if he's noticed any mutant activity around the school other than ours." Jean said.
Everyone seemed shocked at Jean then.
"You really want to let the Professor know we've been using our abilities?" Scott said.
"Well, we shouldn't be after all." Jean said.
"Yeah, but Jean, we only use them when we have to!" Scott said.
"Yes Scott, and the Professor knows that." Jean said.
Scott sighed, then glanced over at Rogue. He looked to be lost in thought, looking at her longingly. Gambit didn't like the look. "I guess we could ask him. Just to double check."
Jean nodded her head
"Hey, so like, what's happening between you and Duncan anyhow? I thought he was, like, into you?" Kitty asked Jean.
Jean seemed to blush and go red then, "Erm, yeah. He said he was just being supportive and welcoming Rogue into the cheerleader team." Jean said, refusing to look at anyone.
No one believed that. Gambit had continued to watch Rogue. Watched her almost run off to her next class, trying to get away from Duncan.
In her maths class, she seemed to struggle, but had a cheerleader stick up for her.
Then, in her last class, she'd begun texting him. Gambit wasn't too thrilled being told not to come to the school. Of course, he figured out why. Rogue had told everyone he was basically a stroker and then gone and flirted with the most popular guy in school who was now trying to win her over. He felt murderous and angry just sitting there in a tree watching her. He knew Rogue felt uncomfortable about him claiming her as his, but did she really have to go and spread a rumour like that around about him? No wonder she didn't want him to come and get her today.
Well, she was in for a rude awakening, he thought as he flirted with her and basically refused to leave. Somehow though, he'd watched her in her last class looking stressed out as hell. If he hadn't had been watching her all day as well, seeing how uneasy she looked as Duncan came onto her and students gossiped about her, he wouldn't have cared. But… for some reason, seeing her look like she was near breaking now made him ease up on her.
He would be having words with her though. He needed to. Not only had she said all that stuff about him, but she'd drawn the attention of the X-Men now and their Professor was going to look into her. Magneto needed to know about this. Needed to know there was a risk of Rogue being discovered.
But he also knew himself, and knew his emotions were clouding his judgement. He knew, by Magneto's rules, he should have picked up the phone straight away and told him. But then, he didn't know what the consequences would be.
Seeing Rogue suffer so much in her last class, it made him question whether the girl really could handle school or not. Maybe it was best for her if she just didn't go. But then… she'd thought so hard last night to keep going. It would crush her if she couldn't go. Possibly, turn her against them. Then where would that leave him? Rogue pissed and a runaway, Magneto angry and punishing him, hell, even Colossus had given him a tough time last time something bad went down between the two of them. But Rogue was his responsibility now. If she got caught, he got caught and both of them would end up in deep trouble.
This was an extremely hard situation they were in and either way spelled trouble.
Once Gambit watched Rogue get her phone taken away, he broke into an empty classroom, stole some paper and a pen and sent her a note. His note didn't seem to calm Rogue down, but right then, there wasn't much he could do about it. He could send her another plane, but he thought it was best that she worried a little more. After all, she had pissed him off. He wasn't going to throw her a bone when she'd spread a rumour like that about him around.
He decided he was just going to have to see what Rogue said after school. He needed to hear her side of the story. Although, he wondered if she'd even tell it him. If she didn't, then he was going to have to disappoint her and crush her dreams of ever returning back to school. If she did, well, he'd figure that out once he knew.