A/N- So I may have taken liberties with John's backstory. Sue me. I love him.Anyway, I'm working my arse off to crank out chappies, because Lothlome won't quit bitching at me for it. With that said, I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 24

John's Story

I changed into the black camisole and boy shorts I had worn the night before after I had taken a quick shower in the adjoining bathroom. I had stolen some of Mrs. Drake's shampoo and it smelled like apples. It wasn't my thing, but since clean hair did happen to be my thing, I used it.

I threw the towel in the hamper in Bobby's room and looked around. There were skateboarding posters all over the walls. I shook my head ruefully and headed out the door.

I walked down the stairs and back into the living room, where the ending credits for Dogma were finishing. I sat back down on the couch next to John, who had apparently showered and changed into a pair of sleep pants while I was gone.

"Where's Bobby and Rogue?" I asked, knowing the answer.

"They went upstairs after they did the dishes together." John answered, making a face.

"Did you want to do the dishes?" I asked pointedly, turning around to face him.

"No."

"Then quit bitching." I replied, taking his hand in mine and leading him to the stairs.

"Where are we going?" he asked.

"The guest room." I replied, suddenly very aware of how much bigger his hands were than mine.

I opened the door quietly and closed it behind John. I flopped down on the bed next to him on my stomach.

"Do you want to start or should I?" he asked seriously.

"We could flip a coin."

"Then I'll start." he said, with resolve.

"I was born in Melbourne, Australia. I lived there until I was eleven. My father, who I mentioned before, was, or is, I dunno if he's kicked off yet, a heavy alcoholic. He beat my mom and I if we so much as left a sock lying on the floor. One day, he was beating her, and he just snapped her neck. Right in front of me. And he went right back to watching his rugby match.

"I called the police and they showed up almost immediately after I picked up the phone. He was taken away and I was placed in a foster home in Sydney. When the trials were finally over, I went back to living with him. He had somehow been able to convince the jury she had fallen down the stairs. He beat me even worse, because I had called the cops.

"He was beating me one day when I was about eleven. His cigar was lying in an ashtray, still smoking. A spark caught my eye, and I felt drawn to it. And then… his shirt just caught on fire. He just stared at me, and for the first time ever, I saw fear in that sonofabitch's eyes, and I knew I had put it there. And it felt good. I won't lie. It felt so good. It was this overwhelming sense of power… control, I guess. And I wanted more. I wanted so much more. And I wanted to try it again. To make him pay for everything he'd done to my mother and I.

"But he left the house the next morning, and that was the last time I ever saw him. He left a note on the refrigerator that said he'd come back when I was gone.

"The next day, I got a letter that said 'Dear Mr. Allerdyce, I am pleased to tell you that Charles Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters has extended an invitation to you. We invite you to come up to our New York campus and have a look around. Please send the RSVP form as soon as possible to notify us of your arrival date. Housing and meals shall be provided for you. Congratulations again on your invitation. We look forward to seeing you soon. Sincerely, Professor Charles Xavier.'

"I was so excited. I couldn't believe there were other people like me in the world. I wrote back, accepting it. And then, the day after that, Storm rang the doorbell, helped me pack my stuff, and I never returned home."

I regarded him for a minute. He had a grim smile on his face, but I could see sadness in his eyes.

"John… I'm so sorry." I said softly, reaching out to touch his hand. He gripped my hand, and we sat like that for a minute or two. He looked up into my eyes, brown meeting green.

And for the first time in my life, I knew there was someone like me. I knew how John had felt when he'd received that letter.

"Your turn." John said quietly.

I took a deep breath.

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Haha, cliffhanger. Muahahahaha! Review, por favor? I want to know if I was too mean to John. I don't want to hurt him to much. Hes my fuckpuppet. Wow. Lothlome says I'm insane. Am I?