"How was your summer, dear?" The pristine white door slid open and a thin porcelain figure rigidly stepped through. Her expression fixed as she wobbled through the stone across the patio, avoiding slopes and dips in the slate.
Jean was laying poolside on a beige lounge chair, her hair in a bun and dark shades concealing her own lack of expression. She was really the only one who used the pool, and she came home only a handful of weeks out of the year. It amused her parents probably still had the pool boy come week after week to maintain it all summer even though it remained untouched. Jean arrived a few hours earlier and was relieved when she was greeted by an empty house. She never minded the long drive, it gave her time to reset after the summer. Besides, she absolutely hated flying.
She spent the last thousand miles feeling as though she'd been on a rollercoaster. Driving off the camp property and in the safety of the middle of nowhere, her tears began to flow. A combination of another amazing summer, dreading the upcoming senior year of college, and attempting to work past the hurt and confusion from Scott. By the time she needed to make her first quick stop to fuel up, she was already feeling better. She spent the next couple hours belting out man-hating tunes with the wind whipping through her hair. There's nothing a little Alanis Morrissette and a bag of Twizzlers can't fix. By the time she arrived home, Scott was well out of her mind. She was taking care of each obstacle one at a time, next she had to focus on her dreaded parents for a night and then tackle school.
"Fine," Jean's tone was flat, and her body remain undisturbed by her mother's sudden presence. She sighed internally, I guess they needed to come home at some point, this is their house after all.
She heard her mother's unsteady heels click closer, "I saw that dreadful thing in the driveway, so I assumed you were back already. You really ought to put it in the garage. Heavens, someone might see it one of these days," Suddenly her tone became condescendingly sweet, "Or why don't you let your father replace it finally? Hm? Maybe a nice new Mercedes!"
Jean was convinced that if her mother's face wasn't full of fillers, it might have almost moved out of excitement. But she chose to ignore the comment, her mother had been begging her for years to ditch her ride to save them from the neighborhood embarrassment. However, the more her mother resisted, the more appealing it was to keep the old steed.
"I'm not staying long," Jean grabbed her iced tea off the small glass table beside her and took a sip.
"Oh?" Mrs. Grey's tone was almost disappointed. She too was a natural redhead, but it was dyed 'suburban conservative blonde', as Jean would call it. "Well, I was hoping you'd stick around for Sunday night dinner. I invited over the Carlisle's, they'd love to see you," Jean's mother paused, "Their son, Robert, is in town and he will be joining us."
There it is.
Where the stone ended around the pool, perfectly trimmed rose bushes grew. There were expansive patches of flowers throughout the rest of the yard, tidy and groomed. Jean had never seen her mother plant anything her whole life despite their yard being her prized possession, but enough money can buy you a good gardener. She never knew why her parents needed such an impressive estate for their small family. She was the only child and rarely saw her father outside of his practice, and even when he was home, she rarely had a conversation with him that didn't feel she was an employee or acquaintance.
"Robert is going to be a surgeon," Mrs. Grey's voice perked up, trying to be convincing, "He's just handsome as ever and just started his residency, and single…"
"O-okay, that's enough of that!" Jean's stoical expression finally cracked, "Sorry Mother, I won't be dining with Dr. Bob," She stood up, placing her shades on the lounger. Her eyes narrowed at an identical set of green eyes standing a few feet away.
Her mother huffed, "I just think it would be nice to get to know him."
Jean walked over to the water, turning her back to her mother, "Well I've got to get back to school and ready for class."
"I really wish you would come home more often, surely you can't be so busy during the year." Mrs. Grey threw her hands up in the air, "Or you should spend your summers here in New York at least, instead of going to that charity camp every year. You really should take some time to meet a nice young man-"
Jean's head whipped around, "It's a camp for orphans, Mother, not a charity," she hissed. Typically, she could brush off her mother's insensitive rich bubble, but occasionally she still let it get to her. She hated when she showed her mother how far under her skin she'd gotten. It was almost like a game they played, who could be more repulsive to the other until one of them finally leaves.
"Whatever the difference, dear." The blonde had a way of dismissing anything that brought her daughter joy.
Jean walked over to the diving board, the hot stone burning her bare feet. She leapt into the air and plunged into the cool water. The last thing she saw was her mother's horrified expression, most likely terrified of getting wet.
She'd probably melt, the thought amused her as she skimmed the bottom tiles of the pool.
Scott survived his first plane ride down to Arizona. Charles had arranged Scott's travel and Marie dropped him off at the airport on her way back down to Tennessee, it worked out well. He was a little overwhelmed with his first time through airport security, but thankfully with just a backpack and sleeping bag, it wasn't the nightmare he was prepared to deal with from horror stories he had heard from others in past conversations in passing.
The plane trip itself was easy, like a nicer Greyhound that gives out better snacks. He wondered if the flight crew ever felt displaced at times. Rarely being home, but perhaps the open skies were more like home to them than their lonely flats back in their hometowns. Scott was surprised at how smooth the actual ride was in the air. It lulled him to sleep for a good portion of the flight.
When his plane touched down, a van was waiting for him already. It was about an hour drive until they pulled up to the camp tucked in the mountains between Phoenix and Tucson. The drive was exhilarating, never-ending landscapes filled with large red rock formations peppered with sequoias and shrub. For whatever reason, he always had this idea that Arizona was just all deserts and tumbleweeds. It was a pleasant surprised to see a wide variety of geological features that rolled and jutted out of the earth in all different ways.
The van pulled off the main road and down a red dusty road. They passed under the entrance to the camp that looked like a big ranch sign that hung over the road. About another ten minutes up the road they finally stopped. Scott wasn't sure what to expect, but he had come this far and was ready to take on this new endeavor.
Erik was older like Charles, a tad taller, blunter. Scott knew they would get along just fine, as long as this this camp didn't have a sulky Logan type stomping around. Raven, his current program director, was a kind girl maybe a few years older than him. She drove him around camp with her round belly protruding, showing him the whole property. She helped train him not only on her job duties, but also working with special needs children. It was a new challenge for him, but he soon found how rewarding it was.
Victor was sort of like Camp Magneto's Logan, but with long blonde hair and way more tolerable. Victor had a small two-bedroom pueblo style house on the edge of the property. It was agreed that Scott would live with Victor for his temporary long stay at the camp. Scott was just grateful for a small space to call his own for a while.
"I think you should go to school in Chicago!" a peppy voice said on the other side of the phone.
Jean laughed, pacing her quaint dorm room while watching the snowflakes dance around her window, "Hank, I have to pick one of the places I actually applied to. Besides, if I came to Chicago, we'd get into too much trouble together. I'd never graduate!"
"Aw, fair."
"I'm leaning towards the University of Washington" she collapsed on the twin bed, grabbing a pamphlet that was sitting on her side table. Her eyes skimmed the little pictures of the far away foreign campus.
The voice on the other end choked, "Washington! Like Seattle? Oh my God, that's so far! I knew you applied, but God, I didn't actually think you'd consider it."
Jean grinned silently, "Yeah, that's the point."
"Girl, I know you hate your parents but that's a tad extreme, don't you think?" he tried to talk some sense into her.
"I have to, Hank. I can't handle them constantly trying to set me up with all the doctor Bobs and Wall Street Joe's. Even being this close is suffocating and I'm over an hour away!"
"They can set me up anytime!" Hank attempted a joke, but it fell flat, "Okay, seriously, I'm sure Seattle is cool. But you know airplanes exist, and phones, and all these things that can't stop your parents from still being present in your life. It's the twenty first century, sweetie."
An irritated sigh responded, "Phone calls, let alone planned visits are way too much effort for them. Trust me, I'll be safer out there."
"Or you could stop being so passive with them and finally just stick up for yourself. You really go out of your way to act like you don't care about the biggest thing in your life that's got you messed up, girl."
"Hank, c'mon. Just please be supportive for once without your grandiose know-it-all opinions getting in the way."
The phone was silent for a moment, then there was a defeated sigh, "At least it's a real city. Maybe we can get into some fun trouble when I visit."
"Well then great, it's decided!" Jean was relieved, she couldn't wait to tell her parents. A non ivy league grad school was probably not what they had in mind for her. She delighted in the awkward way her parents would be forced to inevitably tell their rich friends that their only daughter was a total failure in their eyes. At least she'd get a chance to be far away for a couple of years.
After the first couple weeks of getting acquainted with the new camp, everything seemed to go smoothly. Scott's work hours were docile, only needing to be present in the office and around camp from the morning until late afternoon. Most nights he would stick around and pitch in some more since he had little else to do. Camp Magneto had horses were used for therapeutic rides for some of the more skillfully advanced campers. Scott became familiar with the equines for the first time in his life. He enjoyed their steady and reliable temperament. They must have enjoyed him too because even the most stubborn horse took a liking to him.
Scott spent most of his spare time with Victor, learning more skills and helping however he could be needed. They got along well, Scott was trying to absorb everything he could learn like a sponge and Victor was impressed with his dedication. Victor was updating some of the old structures on site and Scott would tag along. Victor taught Scott how to rip out old cabinets and dated built in bookshelves, frame new walls, repair screens, refinish patina floors, build a deck, stain wood, and all sorts of other various projects. Occasionally, after some hard labor, they would pull up a couple of lawn chairs behind the pueblo and crack a beer together. He enjoyed Arizona, it wasn't quite Michigan, but he spent most of his time outdoors and the weather was mild heading into winter. He started working out with Victor early in the morning, while the sun was still sleeping. Scott found a new freedom in running. It felt good to get his body and mind moving as the day was just starting. He noticed he was focusing better and feeling healthy.
Before he knew it, Raven was already on her maternity leave and Scott was well on his way of being the interim program assistant all on his own, training wheels off. Occasionally Scott would run errands into town for Erik. On one of the trips he went in to open his first bank account. It wasn't as difficult as he'd was able to arrange a direct deposit from the camp, and although it wasn't much it started to add up. Shopping wasn't a regular occurrence, but he was able to replace some of his old clothing and shoes with nicer, more durable clothing that would hold up to the elements in his new role. He had a decent stock of t-shirts between Camp Xavier, Camp Magneto, and various free shirt's they'd get leftover from retreats.
Within six months he felt reborn. He was given a second chance and he was set on making the most of it, he owed it to Charles to not waste this opportunity. He owed it to himself, after all these years he felt he was finally working hard towards something and he deserved it. It was hard for him to believe that he had been homeless a year before.
The spring semester was a whirlwind and before Jean knew it, she was an accomplished woman with a degree. She packed up her tiny dorm and gave a tearful goodbye. With all her belongings packed up in her car, she headed straight for camp. She didn't feel like stopping by her parents just for them to try and talk her into a new car or new grad school choice. Besides, they were out of the country and probably didn't even remember it was her move out week.
On this trip back to Michigan, she sang louder than ever to her favorite songs. She bounced in her seat, feeling weightless and full of life. She had avoided her parents and was about to spend another fantastic summer filled with long nights listening to the crickets' sing and the smell of campfire in her hair. She was slightly bummed that Ororo wouldn't be joining this summer. She had also graduated and accepted a job right away, leaving no time for summer fun. Jean wasn't ready to admit her own days at camp were numbered. In the fall she'd be off to grad school, and from there it would probably be only another summer or so until she'd have to join the rigid workforce as well.
Jean pet the top of the dashboard lovingly as she pulled up to the main office at last, "Well, you did it again!" She stepped out of the car and gave a long stretch, the kind that makes your back pop with satisfying tingles. She figured since she came right after graduation without stopping home, she'd be the first one to arrive. It might be nice to relax a few days on the lake before beginning their summer work.
She made her way through the smaller building, destined for good company in her favorite corner chair. The redhead knocked on the partially open door and opened it wider, to see Charles and a man sitting across from him at his desk. The man had his back to her and she immediately withdrew, embarrassed that she had barged in.
"Oh gosh! Sorry! I didn't even think anyone would be in here! I can come back later," Apologies leaked from her lips as she started to turn back around.
"Jean," Charles called after her, "Welcome back, dear. I didn't know you'd be coming early. Please come take a seat," his tone was soft and inviting, as usual.
"Oh no, I didn't mean to interrupt,"
"Nothing to interrupt, this includes you too," Charles motioned to the empty seat next to the man, "You remember, Scott, yes?"
The man turned around in his seat and lifted two fingers up in a silent hello. Jean froze, she had completely forgotten about Scott and he was the last person she thought she'd see at camp already. He was different though. Definitely a lot more tan…and…something else? She couldn't quite articulate from her quick reintroduction what was different, maybe her memory was just bad. She forced a smile and walked over to the seat.
"I do remember, Scott." She said stiffly. She sat in her seat like it was made out of needles, trying not to look at the jerk next to her.
"Fantastic! I'm sure you two have some catching up you'd like to do, but first I wanted to tell you about my vision for this summer."
The last thing I want to do is catch up with Scott. She rolled her hypothetical eyes. She wasn't sure what he needed to speak to them both about. Jean helped plan out the summer and activities, then when it was settled, she gave out instructions and guidance to the rest of the staffers for the summer. That's how they always did it.
"Scott just got back from Camp Magento a few days ago and has been sharing some wonderful new perspectives on camp management. I'd like to incorporate some of his ideas into our schedule this summer. Perhaps focus on more team and social building skills." Charles picked up two folders sitting in front of him and handed them out to each of them.
Annoying. He worked at one other camp and Charles is acting like Scott knows everything suddenly. "Okay," Jean said deciding she should suck it up and at least appease Charles. "I'll look things over and work on it."
Scott shifted in his seat, maybe he was uncomfortable. Good.
"Actually Jean, I am going to have you co-lead this year with Scott. Since you are going off to grad school in the fall, I think it would be good for Scott to learn some more around here-"
Jean put her hands up, "Woah, I am coming back next year. It's not like you need to replace me," her tone was slightly defensive.
"Jean, you are always welcome here. Truthfully, your studies might start to take precedence as you excel in your academics," Charles observed the stern girl across from him, "We are growing. Each year we've had more campers, we simply need more help. Scott is a great helper, you said so yourself last year. Let's all work together to make this another great year."
She knew there was no point in arguing. She did tell Charles that Scott was a great addition to their staff and a natural leader. However, that was before he was a selfish jerk wad. Her ponytail bobbed as she nodded in agreement.
"Sounds great. I'm going to go drop off somethings at the farmhouse," She stood from her chair and made her way to the door, "I'll stop by later, Charles." She wanted to visit with him without Scott around, until then she'd try and not let this co-leading crap completely ruin the next couple of months.
Well, this is awkward.
Scott was hoping to see Jean alone, caught off guard by his first interaction with her this year being in Charles' office unexpectedly. He wanted to get a chance to apologize and hopefully hit some sort of reset button in their friendship. He hoped maybe she'd even forgotten about the whole incident at the end of the summer, however her reaction told him she definitely hadn't.
He watched Jean give the professor a big hug before taking off out of the office, like he was the plague she was avoiding. He assumed he deserved that, not trying to take it too personal before being able to explain himself.
Scott exited the office and made his way to the farmhouse, hoping to catch the redhead. His feet felt heavy and unsure as he made his way up to the screen door from the back deck of the kitchen. The spot of their infamous first meeting. The whishing of the breeze through the open windows was the only sign of life inside. His eyes caught Jean's bags resting on her favorite bunk. She must have dropped them and took off.
His first idea was to check the main lodge, maybe she was hungry after her long ride. But he knew better. She was most likely already running off to see Logan and he had no desire to burst that reunion. Things with Logan the past week since he arrived had been cordial. Not great, not terrible. Logan definitely reserved a special attitude towards him but nothing he couldn't handle.
When Raven returned to Camp Magneto, they offered to let him stay until Camp Xavier's season started. When Scott called up Xavier to find out when he should come out for the summer, Xavier told Scott he would love if he came early and help get prepped for the summer early. Scott eagerly accepted. He wasn't sure what to expect from Logan with anticipation of it just being a few of them at the camp for a couple of weeks. However, Scott had also determined he wasn't going to put up with his moody bullshit this year or be bullied around. Thankfully, he didn't really have to establish his own dominance. Logan would never compliment him, but he could tell Scott was more useful this year. Scott pulled his weight and then some around the camp and Logan stayed out of his way. This was all before Jean's early arrival and Scott wasn't looking to rock the boat this early in the summer.
Later in the evening Scott decided to take a run through the trails of the woods when his work for the day was done. He hadn't seen Jean the rest of the day but decided to let the whole situation simmer. She had just spent the past two days driving to camp and probably needed some space. He let the calming and familiar smells of the lake drifting through the trees restore his peace. He kept up his habit of running to relieve stress and center himself since returning to the camp. Sweat glistened on his brow as his labored breath as he pounded down the path.
He made it about halfway around the lake and decided to turn around. Scott chose a new trail for the run back, taking in new views and big oaks that encouraged him along the way. The trees were happy to show off their fresh summer leaves for their visitor. An unruly root twisted up out of the ground in the middle of the dirt and the toe of Scott's shoe caught the edge, plucking him off the path and stumbling forward. He put his hands out instinctively and caught himself on a rough tree trunk right in time.
Scott collapsed his back against the trunk to catch his breath, that was close.
His eyes adjusted as he looked around while taking a short break. This place felt familiar. He got up to continue his trip back to the farmhouse and his eye caught the worn red door. It was the decayed cabin they stayed in last summer, almost perfectly hidden in the woods. A smile worked its way unknowingly on his face and he gravitated towards it. He let out a small laugh to himself remembering Hank's fear of ghosts.
The floorboards of the porch moaned as he walked up the stairs and walked inside the abandoned structure. His eyes examined the insides, completely untouched since their last visit. A beer can on the counter caught his eye. He walked over and picked it up, it was still shiny and clearly the newest object in the room. It was a can of Natty Ice, he smirked. It was left over from their last visit. He felt the memories rush back to him like it was yesterday, then followed by a stinging feeling in his gut. It was the trip that Jean went back and bought him the sleeping bag after. Then another wave of emotion, this time anger, because this was the incident apparently that led Logan to almost beat his ass over. The aluminum collapsing echoed in the room as he crushed the can in his hand and set it back down.
Attempting to distract himself, he gave the room a good once over. After his experience with Victor and restoring old smaller buildings, he could see this place had real potential. The structure seemed sound, just needing some repairs on the beams. Of course, it was in desperate need of a new deck, some fresh paint, and new flooring, along with a long list of other things, but most of it was all cosmetic.
Scott crossed his arms sternly and walked through the small a-frame cabin once more. He peeked upstairs in the loft and made some mental notes. The bare spot on the ground where Jean shared her sleeping bag with him tore at his gut, like the elephant in the room ran over and stomped him.
Jean decided she deserved some downtime upon her arrival. She was a week earlier than she normally arrived and wanted to put off her duties for a couple days. There was plenty of time to begin planning her, well their, part later in the week and still have a head start. She tried to scout out her ally, Logan, but judging by his dusty pickup truck being absent, he was most likely on a trip or errands which he typically did for anything they needed for camp. She chose to spend the rest of the evening curled up in Charles' office, rambling away about her last year and her senior thesis presentation. Charles was surprised to hear about her going all the way to Washington in the fall but assured her she would excel like everything else she sets her mind to.
She managed to get to bed early enough to avoid any company. Her eyes and legs felt like they were filled with wet cement. She dragged herself up to her bunk and slumped down, listening to the frogs bursting with song in the summer air. The old mattress springs creaked, welcoming her back in an early summer sonnet. Suddenly she felt light and weightless as she drifted off to sleep without a trace of a care in the world.
Sometimes a person sleeps so deep, they forget where they are, or even who they are. Jean woke up in a haze, blinking wildly as the sun crept over her face from the old warped glass pane. She shot up and looked around. The humid wood smell of the house waft into her nostrils and her conscious flooded back to her. I'm home.
She sprang out of bed with refreshed energy and sprang into the shower, swinging her hips along with the beat of the song she cranked from the old radio in her room. Her voice cracked as she sang along, careless and soaking up the summer aura still in its infancy. She ran a towel through her hair, letting the warm weather do the rest of the work and slipped on her favorite worn pair of jean shorts and an old camp t-shirt.
Jean grabbed breakfast from the main lodge in response to her rumbling stomach. Road trip snacks are exactly the most nourishing meals, and her system was still trying to counter the five bags of Twizzlers she commandeered on her drive from New York. Remy was still head chef at the camp, and she was greeted just as robustly as the year before by the lively Cajun. He whipped her up some cheesy grits which she happily enjoyed for the first time.
They spent the next couple of hours chatting away. Remy shared some of his favorite experiences of his first year at the camp through his thick accent. Jean propped herself up on the industrial metal kitchen counter and giggled along with his animated stories. She couldn't think of anyone better in the kitchen than Chef LeBeau.
After her tummy and spirits were filled, the redhead popped in her headphones and went for a mid-morning walk. She made her way down to the lakefront, daring to dip her toes in. Shivers tingled up the skin of her arms, the water still a tad chilly for swimming. It was only late May but within a few weeks the temperature would be divine on a hot steamy day.
She wandered where ever her legs would lead her, through some of the trails, up around the cabins, and through a large field in the center of the camp. Although she couldn't hear much with the tunes beating in her ear, something caught her eye and she pulled out her headphones to concentrate. A plume of dirt was gathering up the road as a faded black pick-up truck rocked down the dirt road towards her. She bit down on her lower lip out of nervous excitement and her green eyes sparked. Logan!
Jean playfully stuck her thumb out from the side of the road and the brakes squealed as the old truck slowed, Logan propped his arm up on the steering wheel, his precise burly features staring her down.
"What's a pretty little thing like you doing out here?" His expression and tone told her that he was genuinely pleased at her sighting.
"Just looking for a ride, sir" Jean mimicked a silly little innocent southern accent.
Logan leaned over and threw open the passenger door in one quick motion, "Hop in, Darlin'"
Jean popped up into the passenger seat, the old worn leather smooth against the underside of her bare thighs. She threw herself over and wrapped her arms around Logan's neck, he put the pickup into drive and the truck began to ramble back down the path.
"It's my lucky day. Welcome back, kid," she felt his cheeks press against her, she could bet he was smiling. She sat back down on her side of the truck, her body half turned watching the sun hit his thick brown hair and catch little patches of his facial hair as the light danced through the leaves. The sound of the tires grinding the gravel and stale lingering smell of cigars in his truck was relaxing to her.
"You're early this year," he raised a brow while glancing her way. He looked back to the road and then snuck in another peek of her, swallowing her whole in a nanosecond. His gaze always felt like fire, she fought to keep her nerves under control. Her silly summer crush coming crashing back down on her.
"And you're late!" She teased. "Where were you?"
"I had to make a trip up north. Needed some supplies like paint and new hammers," he nudged his head motioning to the back of the pick-up. Jean peered through the pale rear window of the cab and she could see various boxes and tools packed up in the back.
"It took you two days to find hammers?" She raised her own brow this time at him.
Logan gave her a look from the side of his eye. She couldn't read what it was. Amusement? Anger? He was so difficult to read sometimes. He grabbed the shift from behind the steering wheel and threw them into park as he pulled up to the old barn tucked in the trees that acted as their maintenance building. Back in the day, the story is that the camp was an old pig farm. The barn is peeling and has seen better days, but it's perfect for storing tools and makes a great work space for fixing or building various things.
"You gonna sit there and look pretty or make yourself useful?" The pickup rocked as Logan slid out and shut the door behind him. Jean followed suit and watched him pop open the back tailgate.
He grabbed the boxes roughly and disappeared into the barn door. Jean tried to pick one up, but it was far too heavy, she managed to slide it a few inches. Logan emerged back out and picked up a smaller box in the back and handed it to Jean, finding the perfect size box that wasn't too heavy for her. She followed him in with another round of various supplies.
They piled it all up in the middle, "That's good enough for now," Logan shut the tailgate of the pick up and walked back into the barn. The light from the giant open doors poured in and lit up the inside. Dust mingled in the air from their footsteps and Jean propped herself up on a wooden work table, letting her legs dangle carelessly beneath her.
"Charles says this was a busy year," She watched him work roughly with his hands, ripping open the boxes and emptying out the contents.
"Busiest one yet and this summer our numbers are even higher than last year. I guess we got some more grant money and Charles used some of it for advertising, reaching more families," he confirmed.
"That's awesome!" Jean slapped her hand against her thigh, "So do you think you'll manage okay keeping up with everything on your own?"
Logan shrugged, "I guess with Summers back, we've got more hands-on board to help out with this kind of stuff," he said it slightly annoyed, almost as if he didn't want to admit how useful Scott really was.
"Oh right," Jean blew the air threw her lips, forgetting about precious Scott Summers gracing his presence with them again this year. But if Logan could accept they could use him, perhaps she should deal with it too. It was for the better of the camp overall despite her personal issues with him, and she cared ultimately much more about Camp Xavier than ridiculous temporary Scott.
After a much-needed carefree day, Jean was feeling more loosened and relaxed. Like a slack rope. She lounged on the couch in the farmhouse with her feet swung over the side of the arm in the little living room. Deciding to suck it up, earlier she grabbed the folder that Charles had given her and Scott upon her arrival. She skimmed the sheets like a radar, looking for anything out of the usual, perhaps some new stupid idea by Scott that she'd have to explain why it won't work.
However, it was quite the opposite. Not many things were different other than some team building exercises that incorporated the kids learning some more skills and pitching in to help with projects around the camp. It was genius actually. Logan could focus on the big stuff while the kids did things like build picnic tables and repaint signs while working together. She disliked how much she loved some of these new ideas popping out on the pages.
There were footsteps and some rumbling noises just outside the kitchen screen door that made Jean jump. She sat up and decided to investigate. Outside from the dim light of the light above the door she saw a messy haired Scott Summers setting down a bench. She observed him for a moment, watching him move the bench up against the peeled siding of the house.
"Where'd you get that?" Jean finally spoke up.
Scott stood straight up, "Oh God, you scared me," he breathed with a small laugh. Then the silence hung for a moment with the crickets chirping between them. His smile faded and turned more serious, "Uh, just found it laying around in a scrap pile by the barn. Decided to strip it and give it a fresh coat of stain earlier this week. It's as good as new."
Jean nodded slightly, "Mmhm, well that's a good spot for it." She could tell he was being cautious with her. Perhaps he wasn't going to be a total dick this year. "Sooo, I started looking over the plans for this summer-"
"Jean, wait." Scott stopped her and looked a little apprehensive, "I need to apologize first."
Her brows raised to the heavens, caught off guard. Was he apologizing because he meant it or because he was just trying to look good and be cordial for the summer?
"Sit?" he motioned down to the newly placed bench. He took a seat on one end and she walked through the door and joined him. They sat a foot apart and she wasn't sure what to expect.
His face twisted, as if he were about to speak a few times then he finally blew out the air it seemed he was holding in his lungs.
"Jean, I'm sorry. I was a total ass last year-" He could tell she wanted to speak but he held up his hand and continued, "No, I mean it. I wanted to tell you last summer but next thing I knew you were gone. It doesn't make it right. Then I was hoping to catch you right away this summer, but you blew in like the wind and caught me off guard. I'm such a jerk-"
Jean's expression softened, "Scott,"
"No, I'm a huge jerk." He scooped up her hands in his own. His skin was warm and soft. "This place is important to me. Your friendship is important to me. I just acted out of selfishness and you didn't deserve that. And I owe you a giant thank you for your thoughtful gift."
This is the most she had heard him speak ever and he was being genuine and humble. The gesture touched her core and melted a little bit of the icy resentment she reserved for him. She realized they were still touching and she slipped her hand away from his and into her own lap, slightly uncomfortable.
"Scott, it's fine." She gave him an encouraging smile, the porch light slightly lighting up his boyish features. Except he wasn't really a boy, he was more mature and softer. Not this pent-up puzzle like he seemed last year. Although he still always had her guessing, and this was no exception. "I was definitely a little hurt but not like, torn up or anything," she lied.
"Well I just wanted you to know how I felt. It was the first gift I've ever had and it was…" he searched for the word, "perfect."
She grinned, "C'mon, now you're just cheesin' me."
"No, seriously!" He laughed, and his voice was like an olive branch, the peace between them finally restored and the conversation turning lighter.
Jean rolled her eyes and swatted at his chest hitting it with a light thud, "Oh the first gift ever?" she teased, "I accepted your apology, don't feel like you need to win me over anymore."
Scott's laugh faded, "No really, it was the first time anyone has given me anything out of niceness…or just because."
The redhead studied his eyes growing more somber and her mouth fell slightly open to the realization, "Oh my God, you're like not joking right now are you?" What fucked up planet is this guy from?
Scott shrugged, "It's not a big deal. I just wanted you to know how much I appreciated it."
She could sense he was becoming awkward and decided to shift their conversation back on track, "Well Scott, I also appreciate you for your apology and I think I'll try and tolerate you this summer," she winked at him playfully.