Disclaimer: all characters belonging to Sky High and Xmen are not mine. I am only borrowing them. Chapter 15

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Chapter 15

It was the next day - Thursday. One more day until the Homecoming...

Will was nervously standing at the bus stop waiting for the school bus. He looked around and gulped as he suddenly noticed the leaves on a nearby tree withering.

A few steps away, Layla had her back turned but her shoulders slumped.

Clearly, she was not in a good mood.

Will's heart sank. He had wanted to apologise to Layla... and he couldn't have chosen a worse time.

But he wasn't about to give up now.

Clearing his throat, he tried to make his voice as steady as possible. "Layla," he called.

Layla spun around. Her lips were pursed together in a thin red line.

"I'm… so sorry!" Will said. He had spoken so fast he almost gulped down his last words.

"Will - what happened?" Layla snapped, sounding angry and not in control.

Will's lowered his voice and bowed his head. "Layla I'm really sorry…. I haven't been myself."

Layla responded by folding her arms over her chest.

"I'll prove it to you. I'll do anything for you Layla. I swear!" Will continued.

"Yeah," Layla said but her voice was hollow and her eyes disbelieving.

Then she stared straight at him and her eyes narrowed.

Smack! Will felt her punch land on his jaw. His neck snapped at the force. Despite his strength, pain exploded like fireworks inside his head.

Then Layla gasped. Her face was one of shock.

Putting his hand gingerly to his face, Will straightened and admitted, "I guess… I deserved that."

Layla's voice was shaking, "I-I'm… sorry."

Will shrugged. "I'm the one who should be sorry Lay-"

Without warning, Layla grabbed the collar of his shirt and held him so close that he could feel her breath down his neck.

Will almost recoiled in shock.

"Don't you ever do that to me again," she whispered angrily.

Hesitantly, Will buried his head on her shoulder.

"No," he said softly. "Never again…"

Slowly but earnestly, Will embraced her and pulled her close.

Then he whispered in her ear, his breath warm. "I love you…. I'll protect you. I promise.".

He pulled back. He was staring at her lips. They were cherry pink and so soft and inviting. He wanted to lose himself in them. Leaning his face closer to hers…

Honk honk!

"Kids could you have that 'til later?" yelled Ron Wilson.

"Sorry!" Will and Layla replied in unison.

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Sitting at one of the cafeteria's benches, at the beginning of lunch time, was Pyro absent-mindedly playing with his lighter again.

Suddenly, a hand reached over and grabbed him.

Pyro leapt up in surprise.

Warren's face was inches away from his.

"What are you doing? You scared the shit out of me!" Pyro responded rather angrily, pushing Warren away.

"Gee. I was just going to say hello," said Warren frowning and stepping back.

Pyro shook his head to clear his thoughts. Suddenly, his heart was sinking.

Will you join me and Magneto? Pyro wanted to ask Warren . But somehow couldn't. It sounded lame even to him.

After all, Pyro wanted a friend.

---

Walking with the rest of the gang, Will saw Warren talking with Pyro as he emerged into the cafeteria.

Warren smiled broadly as he saw the Sky High gang approaching.

They promptly arrived at Warren's bench exchanging hellos.

"Who's this?" asked Layla, squeezing into a seat opposite Pyro, with her boyfriend right beside her.

"A new friend of mine," said Warren smiling. "Meet a new fellow pyrokinetic. John, also known as Pyro."

"Nice to meet you, John," said Layla warmly with a cheerful smile and handshake. Magenta, Zach and Ethan also shook his hand enthusiastically as they introduced themselves and their powers.

Layla's glitteringly happy eyes caught Pyro's. Something about her make his hands sweat profusely. Something fragile, pure and innocent.

Beautiful.

Will was staring at him before Pyro realized he was staring at Layla, who just seemed a bit amused. She then kissed her boyfriend lightly on the cheek. He smiled back

"So, has everyone got their dates for Homecoming tomorrow night?" blurted out Magenta suddenly.

The others nodded. Layla slipped her hand into Will's, who squeezed her hand back and held it tightly.

"I haven't got mine yet," Warren growled.

"OOOOOooooohh. When are you going to ask her out?" Magenta said.

Warren growled back in annoyance. Yet his face was lit up.

The man was blushing as Magneta teased and plodded.

Looking at them having fun, Pyro suddenly felt his mood was brighter. His horizons seem clearer. Hig heart was lighter.

For once, Pyro felt the hints of a real smile forming on his own face.

---

The laughing and merry group of friends did not realise that two pairs of beady eyes were staring at them.

A growl emanated from Electrix' throat. He looked like he was about to leap up from the table and smash their faces.

"Oh don't be jealous," said Persuasion. Then she leaned across the table and pinned his wrist to the table. "Now is not the time."

"When would it be?" Electrix' voice sounded somewhat like whine.

Persuasion smiled.

"Probably not long now…" was all she could say. "Whenever he gives the order."

---

Despite his friends laughing and chatting. Warren felt something was missing.

Or rather - Someone.

Suddenly, Warren caught a glimpse of Jubilee. The slim body, dark hair and eyes. She was strolling out of the cafeteria.

Warren could feel his heart stuck in his throat. He was frozen – reduced to staring at her. Everything else faded in the background.

"What are you staring at?" Magenta breathed into his ear, her voice cutting into his thoughts. "Go get her."

Warren growled. Was it that obvious? He hated being that easily read.

"Go on!" she nudged him painfully in the ribs. "Go!"

Warren gave her another frown. He wanted to protest. But he could not help himself.

Clumsily, he dashed out after her.