Chapter Twelve: I Want to Hold Your Hand

John had promised to tell her about his past but that had been at a week ago and he was still dodging the question. Tatyana did not want to press the issue because it obviously hurt her friend to even think about it but she couldn't help but wonder what John's life was like before he became Pyro.

But she stays silent, ending up watching him in Biology and thinking about him more often then she wanted too. It was strange after years of being in love with Kayvan, liking someone else seemed very different from her former feelings. Where her love for Kayvan was built on years of being around the same boy and knowing almost everything about him, with emphasis on almost; this crush, this infatuation was more passionate. She simply wanted John, it was that simple. He plagued her thoughts and dreams and he found ways to get under her skin and stay there.

She found herself wanting to be around the boy more, to do things for him. While she was defiantly not going to go through the whole "kept man" ordeal that she saw some of her old friends do. Heck she could barely show the boy her feelings, something always keeping her from truly expressing herself around him.

But she still felt that even while they, well he, flirted that both of them were keeping each other from being in a romantic relationship. He had his secrets and she had hers and because of this they stayed friends.

She wasn't sure if she could continue to be just friends with him.

"Well someone's not paying attention," A voice whispers in her ear and she yelps and frowns at Jubilee, "Aww, expecting someone else?"

"Like who, Jubes? And what am I supposed to be paying attention to here? This is study hall for god's sake." She whispers back, "Plus it's taught by Wolverine so I'm pretty sure he can hear every word we're saying."

As if on cue Logan's eyes shift towards the girls over his newspaper.

"Hmmm...oh well he'll tune us out when he realizes that it's simply girl talk about boys and not who dyed his boxer shorts pink a few days ago. That happened to be done by Cannonball by the way." Jubilee grins seeing the older man growl and chew on his cigar harder, going back to his paper.

"Sam and Rahne are going to kill you, you do know that right?" Tatyana shakes her head and tries to go back to her book, smirking some when Jubilee pulls her headphones over her ears and tries to fall asleep like the rest of the class.

Someone slides into the seat next to her and Tatyana found herself staring into a pair of cold blue eyes that belonged to a certain blond.

"You must be Tatyana Winston."

"I would think you would know that after attempting to set my arm on fire." Tatyana smiles brightly though her right eye twitched a little, "Amara I presume?"

"That's my old name. Everyone calls me Allison now. It's lovely to finally meet you." The blond flips her hair and holds out her hand and the other mutant just stares at it.

"Forgive me if I'm somewhat wary of touching any part of your body. I'm sure you know why, bi...Allison."

Allison grins, "That was an accident. I truly didn't mean for my powers to flare up like that. I'm so sorry. How about as an apology I give you a makeover? Lord knows you could use one. Maybe you can catch another boy's eye instead of my leftovers."

"Your "leftover" seems to like my look. Maybe he was tired of fake blonds with fake tans and even faker breasts."

The two girls glare at each other but the sweet smiles stay on their faces. Tatyana was surprised that Logan hadn't jumped in but when she glanced over she saw him outside the door talking to Ororo.

"Well speaking of my darling ex, who we all know will come to his senses and come crawling back to me, I just wanted to warn you about him. I know you probably have it in your pretty little head that you love him or something silly like that and he is probably saying that he loves you too but you don't know the real him. St. John Allerdyce isn't the nice boy you think you know. He's a monster who burnt down his own home and harmed his family," Allison shakes her head staring the other girl down, "I would get out while I still could if I were you. You are simply too weak to handle his abilities, Ty Ty. He will burn you to a crisp if he gets angry and I bet you won't heal from that."

Tatyana falls silent before speaking, staring at the girl through her bangs, "And I suppose you will be perfectly fine if he burnt you. I bet you think that your flame powers make you two the perfect match made in hell? Well let me tell you something, you blond bitch, I'm not going to let you hurt John again with whatever mind games you played on him last time. I suggest you take your fake hair extensions and your manicured nails and find another person to play games with. 'Cause sweetie I might not know every fucking thing about John but you don't know shit about me either and I'm not as weak as you think. I ...will... cut... you."

Allison watches as the girl's nails and teeth lengthen and backs up, falling out of her seat on to the floor, "You ..."

Tatyana leans forward an animalistic smile growing on her face, "Watch yourself, prey, oh and if you ever have the feeling that you need to burn me again, remember that next time I might retaliate by trying to claw out those pretty blue eyes of yours. Kay?"

The bell rings and Tatyana looks around to see most of the people in the class watching her, Logan included.

"So I guess I'm getting detention huh, Mr. Logan?"

Logan nods, "You guessed right. Meet me in the Danger Room at 5. Amara you get to have detention with Professor Summers. That should be a nice welcome home present."

The two girls groan and Jubilee pats Tatyana's knee, "it's okay. At least you looked scary awesome in study hall."

Tatyana just groans and leans her head on the desk before she thought about what Allison had said.

'John burnt down his home?'

Amara Aquilla, also known as Allison Crestmere, was not a happy girl. She used to be back when things were normal and she was simply a young Brazilian girl who didn't have much to worry about. Truthfully she wasn't sure why she felt the need to be mean to Tatyana and John. She didn't think she still had feelings for her ex, in fact she actually didn't want much to do with him after she found out everything that happened to him after she left years ago. But there was some part of her that had to lay claim on the boy, a part that wanted Tatyana to prove that she could handle being with John like she couldn't.

Truth be told, Amara was pretty much done with males. Before dating John she had fallen in love with another student at the school who was called Empath. Empath could control the emotions of others and while Amara was completely in love with the boy she began to suspect that the only reason she felt this way was because of Empath's control over her. After finding out that he had used his powers on her once, though she still wasn't sure of the reason, it left her feeling somewhat violated and the two separated.

Then Amara met Pyro.

He had been new to the school then, a skinny brown haired boy who gave off the bad boy vibe that she and so many other female students liked back then. He kept to his self mostly and only talked to his roommate Bobby; obviously not good with making new friends though he was still a huge flirt.

She had spoken to him only because of a dare and ended up enjoying the other flame user's company. Soon she asked him out and they started dating.

Everything was fine until she heard the rumors of his past.

John back then was unstable, nervous around most people and though cocky he didn't seem to like using his powers then nor did he like being around her when she used hers. She eventually got him to open up more and to become comfortable with being around fire. He became so comfortable around flames that he used his powers more and more but he became obsessed with getting stronger and controlling his abilities.

She had asked him why and he told her and what he told her scared her so much that she couldn't see the same person that she had fallen for anymore. Fear that he would hurt her like Empath did caused her to push him away but he wouldn't get the picture. It didn't help that he was friends with that Rogue girl either who was known throughout the school for having dangerous powers as well.

So Amara told him that he was weak. That he would never control his powers and that she couldn't be with a person who was so unstable. That he and his freaky friend Rogue would not be able to control their powers.

He was obviously hurt and she left for Brazil once more, hoping to find someone or something safe and normal where she wouldn't get hurt.

And now when she saw him again for the first time she had honestly wanted to be back with him for a few minutes. The old connection she had felt had returned again. It didn't help that she felt jealous when she saw how comfortable Tatyana was with the boy when she couldn't feel that way. Jealousy fueled her actions as well as fear though she wasn't sure if it was fear of the other girl's safety or for Pyro's feelings. But she knew her old feelings of being hurt would not allow her to be with boy so she decided to see if this new girl could take being with Pyro. Because if she couldn't handle Allison, she sure as hell couldn't handle dealing with Pyro.

"Wouldn't it be easier to just let them a relationship on their own?" A voice says and she turns around to see an African-American boy sitting on the floor with a notebook in his hands. He had a black afro but his eyes were bright purple strangely enough and he wore a pair of khaki shorts with a green top and sandles.

"Did you just read my mind?" Allison growls, frowning at him.

"I couldn't help it. You were thinking quite loudly. My name is Marcel and you are?" The boy smiles and holds out his hand.

Allison blinks then shakes his hand slowly, "Ama...Allison. Everyone calls me Allison."

"It's nice to meet you, Amara. I doubt everyone calls you Allison but you would like them to right? Cause it sounds more American?"

"Stop doing that!" Allison says jerking her hands away.

Marcel frowns some then smiles, "I'm sorry ma'am. I'm not good with blocking my powers yet."

"It's fine. I just don't like the idea of people...men using their powers on me. What are you doing out here?"

"Oh I was drawing something for Professor Ororo's art class. It's not that good yet but I'm working on it." Marcel shows her a picture of a rose and she finds herself amazed at the realism that was portrayed in the picture.

"Wow that's amazing. How do you do that?"

The boy blushes a little and smiles, "I can show you if you like."

"I would love that. Would... you like to go eat lunch with me and you can show me there?" Amara blinks shocked that she would say that but she wanted to learn how to draw and he seemed like a good teacher.

"Sure."

Amara finds herself smiling as she walks with the quiet boy, his gentle voice explaining the project that Professor Ororo had assigned and why he had chosen a rose.

"You're distracted." Wolverine said as he slashes at Tatyana with his claws, three wounds opening on her exposed stomach. She winces and steps backwards, healing herself.

"You shouldn't be distracted. It will get you killed." Claws end up inches under her chin and Tatyana resists the urge to whimper.

"I'm sorry, sir. I just..."

"Worried about your friend? Chill kid I can smell the lust on both of ya...damn teens and their hormones. Anyway just tell the kid how you feel then fuck. It's not that big of a deal, you should know kids don't stay with the same people for that long," Logan blinks when he sees the look Tatyana gives him, "Kid I didn't mean it like that."

"Gee thanks..."

Logan ruffles the girl's hair, "I suppose I can tell you that if it was meant to be then you'll be together or somethin' sappy like that."

"Like you and Ororo? How's that going by the way? Me and Jubes have noticed that it usually starts to thunder at the same time every night..." Tatyana grins slowly glancing up at the man.

Logan rolls his eyes and lightly pushes in her back towards the door, "Go talk to your boyfriend."

"He's not my boyfriend!"

"Whatever. I need a smoke...and to see 'Ro..." Logan grins as he heads towards the dressing rooms, "Maybe we can get the storm started a little early tonight..."

Tatyana blinks and tilts her head to the side, "I don't think i needed to hear that..."

John yawns as he heads towards his bedroom door, annoyed at the knocking. He yanks it open and growls, "Listen Bobby, I don't give a crap about what annoying trick you plan to play on Beast...oh hi Ty."

"Hey."

"Why are you here at 3 in the morning? Ah..." John blinks as the girl grabs his arm and yanks him towards the bed after shutting and locking the door.

"Talk to me John. Not as Pyro but as John. I care about you and I want to know about you." She says taking a seat, tugging on the blanket she had wrapped around her shoulders.

"But at 3 in the morning...you've been thinking about this all day haven't you and you couldn't go to sleep." John sighs when the girl nods and he sits beside her, staring down at his hands. Tatyana reaches over and takes one of them, lacing their fingers together.

"Yeah I have but I want you to tell me about you. I want to know what makes you, well you."

John smiles a little and begins his tale.