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

Chapter 16

---

Jubilee was standing at her locker, putting in her clothes and books.

Around the corner, Warren sighed.

Magenta had a point. He needed to ask his date out. And fast.

After last night, would she even speak to me? Warren thought.

Leaning against the wall with his arms folded, he banged his head against the wall and inwardly cursed himself for his stupidity.

He sighed again.

"What the hell?" he muttered under his breath. What have I got to lose?

He was going to ask her out. Now.

---

Jubilee was silent in her own thoughts as she stood there at her locker. She was folding her sweater. Then she paused.

Sighing, she put a hand to her own heart.

It felt hollow somehow. Lighter. Less weighed down by pain. Less imprisoned by fear…

The next thing she knew – someone's warm rhythmic breath down her neck was causing goosebumps to rise all over her skin.

Warren.

She wasn't sure how she knew. Maybe it was his presence so close to her… that was making her lose her trail of thought.

Suddenly, he grabbed her hand in his own and spun her around.

Hard.

The sight of him assaulted her senses. The brown shoulder length hair with the characteristic red streaks. The dark leather jacket hugging his muscular body.

Then there was those eyes – which were fierce and intense –gazing deeply into her own. So deeply she felt all it penetrated into her soul.

"You seem surprised," he said softly, his voice breaking her trance.

In shock, no words came out of her lips. Her heart was pounding in her ears.

Then she realized warmth was growing in her hand. It was his hand still holding onto hers.

Gripping her limp hand tightly, he said, "I want you to come with me."

Her voice was stammering. "… W-where?"

"It's not far from here," he said. "Come. I'll take you there after school. Tonight."

Helplessly, Jubilee backed away. She wanted to fight her fear but it was rising uncontrollably again. In a few seconds, it would become unbearable and she would have to turn away…

Suddenly, she felt his body surrounding hers so fast that she could not flinch in time. He put her head on his chest. So close that she could hear the sound of his heart beating.

"Don't be afraid Jubilee," he said as she stiffened beside him. "I won't hurt you."

The reassurance must have registered on her mind. Because the next thing she knew, she was relaxing in his arms and burying her face on his warm chest.

---

It was fast approaching night.

The sun was still ever dutifully casting its orange light over the horizon. Flocks of birds were soaring overhead. Above the pristine beach, clouds were painted in all hues of blue, pinks and orange.

On the beach, Jubilee was walking beside Warren. Holding hands.

"Do… you… like it?" Warren blurted out.

Jubilee smiled and gripped his hand tighter. "It's beautiful."

Warren smiled back.

"It's my favourite place," Warren said. "Where I can just be."

They were silent for a while as they walked – watching the sun gradually being swallowed by the deep blue sea. And the moon taking its place as the light giver.

They were walking until they reached the end of the beach and could walk no more.

Suddenly, Jubilee shivered. The temperature had gone down with the sun.

Warren noticed. "You're cold."

Jubilee nodded and wrapped her arms around herself.

Warren immediately shrugged his black leather jacket off and placed it over Jubilee's shoulders. "There," he said.

Jubilee welcomed the warmth but did not want Warren to be cold either. "Warren…"

Then suddenly, a strong pair of arms wrapped themselves tenderly around her.

"I'll be fine," came Warren's deep voice. As though having her there with him would be enough warmth for him.

Jubilee could feel shivers up her spine.

Dimly, she realized Warren's head was at her neck – nose close to her skin and inhaling her floral scent. Reflexively, her body jerked – afraid of the intimacy – but wanting it at the same time.

Warren immediately sensed her fear. He stopped and looked questioningly into her eyes.

As she lost herself in their brown depths, she recalled his words.

I won't hurt you…

His eyes were now pleading. Trust me…I won't take advantage of you…

As her fear threatened to rise inside her, she forced herself to swim against its tide.

Warren…I… trust you…

Hesitantly, she took one of his hands and gently placed them on her waist.

Then everything happened fast.

She gasped involuntarily as she felt him bury his face in her neck. His lips sending bolts of electricity zapping all over her body. His warm breaths quickening.

This is so different… to what I had… expected. She thought.

That was the last conscious thought she had before she yielded herself completely to him.

---

Meanwhile, Will and Layla were up in the clouds with the moon a big white disc lighting up the night. Like Homecoming the previous year.

"Layla…" Will said softly. "I'm glad to spend the night with you tonight."

"Me too," she responded with a smile.

Warm silence.

Will was happy. There was no denying that. But at the same time – something was gnawing at his gut.

He had suddenly remembered last year. His amazing but life-threatening adventure with Royal Pain.

He was so scared and he could still hear himself screaming after being thrown out of the dome by Royal Pain.

What if his powers didn't come in time?

He shuddered at the thought. He could have died…

Layla felt the shudder suddenly ripple through his body. Concerned radiated out of her. "Are you okay?"

Will didn't reply. So she tried to look into his eyes, but he was looking away. With both hands, she grabbed his head, forcing him to look into her eyes.

Will blinked and swallowed. His eyes were sad and haunting.

"Will…" Layla started.

Then, without warning, Will hugged her hard and buried his face at the nape of her neck. Layla suddenly felt something wet down her neck – was it Will's tears? She wasn't sure – she could not see his face.

Will whispered in her ear, "I don't want to ever leave you."

Then Will pulled back to gaze into Layla's eyes. His eyes were moist. She raised a hand to caress his face.

As she leaned to kiss him while they spun in midair, Layla made a promise. "I will never forget you."

Little did she know that soon everything – everything – Maxville Metropolis knew, was going to change.