Chapter 4

BS!

Kitty and I walked downstairs to the Commons. Kitty needed help with her Algebra II, and she was looking for Piotr to help her.

Bobby and Rogue were sitting by the fireplace with a deck of cards.

"Anna!"

I trotted over.

"You wanna play BS? We can't do it with two people." Bobby told me.

"Sure." I responded, and sat down across from Bobby.

He dealt the cards out to us and we started in.

"So… what happened in the Danger Room exactly?" Bobby asked.

"John hit me first and I retaliated, and I'm sorry I did. Simple as that. Did he give you a different story?" I asked.

Bobby didn't answer.

And I knew I'd hit the nail on the head.

It's easy to play with Bobby, because he tries too hard to sound convincing. It's even easier to play with Rogue, because she won't look me in the eye when she's bluffing.

We were about to start our second game, when I heard the familiar sound of a lighter clicking open and shut.

I groaned inwardly and willed myself invisible.

It didn't work.

"You guys playin' BS?" John asked Bobby.

"Yup. You wanna play?" Bobby offered.

"I'll play next round."

I glanced at Rogue, who mouthed, "Sorry" to me.

I jerked my head towards Bobby, and mouthed back, "Dense as a post".

John sat down next to me and didn't look me in the eye.

We started our second game. I was finding it hard to concentrate with John's lighter clicking next to me every five seconds. I actually counted during Bobby's turn.

"John, I swear to God I will jam that thing up your nose if you don't knock it off." I said quietly, studying my cards.

"Shut up." John told me pleasantly.

"I told you that everyone gets annoyed with that damn thing." Rogue told him.

It was quiet for a few minutes, and then it started again.

Click.

Snap.

Click.

Snap.

Click.

Snap.

I reached over to grab his lighter, but he was faster and he grabbed my wrist.

"Let go, asshole." I snapped, staring at him.

"Make me."

"Frank, please don't do this." I pleaded. I sounded pathetic.

"John, knock it off." Bobby said.

I threw down my cards and jerked my wrist away simultaneously. With my ex-card hand, I backhanded him and stood up.

"I'm out guys, sorry." I said to Bobby and Rogue.

"YOU ARE A FUCKING BITCH!" John yelled, reaching up to touch his cheek.

"Get used to it." I said, walking away.

I walked over to Kitty, who was staring at me.

"I'm going to the room. Please don't get me for dinner." I said.

I hadn't realized John had followed me and was now leaning against the doorway, blocking it.

"Get out of my way." I snapped, trying to push past him.

"What's the magic word?"

"Why do you do this to me? You are an insufferable bastard." I whispered.

I shot bolts onto the floor and lifted myself over him.

"Forgot about that, didn't you?" I called back, pushing the call button for the elevator.

"No." he said, storming over to me.

The elevator opened and I stepped in.

"I'll see you tomorrow, John." I said, as the doors closed and John disappeared.