So I've decided to mix this chapter up a bit. This chapter isn't going to be all about the relationships (gasp!)…okay so it kind of is, but in a sort of…oh it's hard to explain! This one is all about the different characters bonding with each other; let's just leave it at that, yes?
Marianne sighed and flopped down onto her bed, burying her face in her pillow. Ever since Charles told her that she'd be gaining her voice soon that was all she could think about. The wait was killing her; she missed her voice so much. She wanted so badly to be able to speak, talk to people and ask how they were doing instead of having to write it down all the time.
She would finally be able to talk to Hank.
Hank McCoy. Just his name sent flutters through her stomach. She saw how the others looked at him, like they were afraid. But they shouldn't be. Hank was a teddy bear, he wouldn't hurt a fly. She probably knew him better than anyone just from the few days that they'd known each other. He was such a good friend, always reading to her. Sometimes, when they were alone, he would read with different voices that made her giggle. That was probably the best part about being alone with him, was that he would read with the funny voices. She also knew that the others thought their relationship, if it could even be called that, was rather odd. Such a small, fragile girl as Marianne spending all her time with someone like Hank. Yet, Marianne wasn't as fragile as she seemed. Physically, she was, but not emotionally. Only when The Place was brought up.
God, those had been the worst years of her life. Having to sit through all that torture and not being able to stand up for herself with her voice. If she ever saw those scientists again, she would make them rip each other apart, limb by stupid, torturing limb-
Knock, knock, knock.
She felt her stomach flutter as she stood from the bed and hurried towards the door. Maybe it was Hank, maybe he had come early to read more to her! She opened the door and was shocked, and a little disappointed, to find only Sean standing there, looking uncomfortable. He noticed her confused expression and laughed nervously.
"Hey Marianne, can I talk to you about something?" She quirked an eyebrow, but shrugged anyway and stepped to the side. He walked in and sat down on the bed while she grabbed her journal and pencil. She only used it for when she needed to say something in a conversation. Other than that, it was hardly ever touched. She sat down next to him and scribbled something on the next blank page.
What's up, Sean?
"Well…it's about Lucy." Marianne was suddenly alert.
What's happened? Is she okay? Did you do something?
He chuckled. "No, nothing has happened, yes she's fine, and no, I would never do anything to hurt her. I just…I want to know what she likes in a guy." Marianne was startled by the question. Sean was asking her about Lucy's taste in guys? Well, stranger things have happened.
Oh. Well, um… She tapped her pencil against her lips in thought. She likes someone that'll be sweet to her. Although she may act like it, she hates the bad boy types. Um, someone she can laugh with and pull pranks on without getting yelled at or anything. Oh, and he can't be the cheating kind. With her kind of power, I don't even want to think about what happened to the last guy that cheated on her. And she's very sensitive about her hair; she gets a lot of negative comments about it. So make sure that you're nice to her about it.
"Wow, that's really complicated."
What did you expect? Lucy is a complicated person.
"Yeah, I know. Why do you think I like her so much?"
I knew it! I always had a feeling that you fancied her!
"I do not fancy her!"
Do to.
"Do not! I just…like her…a lot." He looked at the ground and she laughed silently as he blushed. She patted his back a little.
Don't worry Sean, I have a feeling you're just her type. He grinned.
"You really think so?" She smiled and nodded. "Thanks a bunch Marianne! I definitely owe you big time!"
Damn straight. He smiled and hugged her tight. Anything else you want to talk to me about?
xxxxOxxxx
Lucy stared out the window in frustration as the snow continued to sparkle on the ground. Stupid sun, why won't you just melt it already?
"You may have to wait a few days." She looked over her shoulder and smiled as Hank walked up to stand beside her.
"Darn it, I really wanted to go into town today," she muttered, chewing on her lip.
"Yeah, well Charles said we should be stuck in here for a few days at the most." Lucy huffed in frustration and plopped down in a chair. Hank chuckled and joined her, watching as she let her head drop onto the table. "It's not that bad, Lucy."
"I get cabin fever easily," she replied almost immediately, her voice a little muffled by the table.
"I find that hard to believe," he responded, his yellow eyes trailing up to look outside. "Hey Lucy?"
"Mmm?"
"Am I scary?" He couldn't see it because her face was covered by wood, but Lucy quirked an eyebrow.
"Yeah, Hank. You're terrifying." He rolled his eyes and placed his chin in his hands. Lucy lifted her head a little and looked at him. "Wrong answer?" He lifted one shoulder in a sort of half shrug.
"Depends on whether you think that's bad or not." Lucy crinkled her nose a bit before shrugging.
"I think it's pretty sweet. Getting to be blue and furry. Kind of like some sort of mutated rabbit." She made a face. "Sorry, bad comparison."
"Just a little, yeah."
Finally she sighed dramatically and stood. "I'm so freaking bored! I'll be exploring if you need me." She ruffled his hair. "Later fuzzball." With that, she turned on her heel and walked briskly out of the kitchen, leaving Hank by himself to ponder their conversation. Then he remembered Raven's last words to him.
Mutant and proud.
He sighed and shook his head, standing and walking out of the kitchen. Neither of them ever noticed the rustle in the bushes.
xxxxOxxxx
Rosabelle chewed thoughtfully on her bottom lip as she sat next to the pool, her feet swishing gently in the water, thinking over Charles' words.
"If you haven't figured it out already, then I suppose it doesn't matter anyway."
Her brain ached as she tried to think of who it could be. It couldn't be somebody in the mansion, right? The thought of that was just…well…odd. It isn't Marianne, he said so himself. It couldn't be Elisabeth, because she's made it very clear that she's with Alex. Lucy is obviously head over heels for Sean, so that just left one person.
Me.
Her eyes went wide at the realization, but she shook her head. No, it couldn't be! It probably wasn't even somebody at this mansion. It could be anybody, really. A creaking door interrupted her thoughts and she looked up as Alex entered the room, sitting cross-legged beside her.
"Hello Alex," she greeted uncertainly. "Can I help you with something?"
"It's about Elisabeth," he replied, furrowing his eyebrows. "I need help deciding something."
"Erm…okay."
"I think I'm in love with her." Rosabelle's eyes went wide and she grinned widely.
"That's terrific Alex! You two make a wonderful couple!" He chuckled nervously.
"Yeah, I just need to know how to tell her." Seeing her confused expression, Alex decided to clarify. "I don't know how to tell her I love her. I've never exactly done this before." Rosabelle smiled softly.
"You just need to come out with it, tell her exactly how you feel. The worst she can do is reject you, and I highly doubt she'll do that." He smiled.
"Just saying, you would make an awesome mom." She laughed and shrugged.
"I hope so."
xxxxOxxxx
Elisabeth stared at the door to Charles' office, biting her lip uncertainly. What if he said no?
"Are you going to stand out there all day or are you going to come in?" his voice asked from behind the door and she blushed, opening it slowly and walking in. "I understand that you want to bring the others outside?" She hesitated, but nodded.
"It's covered in snow outside, Charles! Anyone with half a brain would be crazy to go out there right now!"
"Except for us." She smiled.
"Except for us." He sighed and stood from his desk, setting down his pencil.
"Go get your coats on."
She squealed and leaned over to hug him before running out of the office and shouting, "WE'RE GOING OUTSIDE! GRAB YOUR COATS!" There was a stampede-like sound as everyone ran towards the coat closet. Elisabeth was the first with her coat on and the first outside. The others followed, yelling and shouting with glee. Rosabelle blushed as Charles walked outside, remembering her theory about before. Then, a snowball arced through the air and disintegrated right on top of Charles' head. Laughter filled the air as he made a face at Lucy, who was laughing the hardest and giving everyone high fives. That was what triggered the war. Snowballs were suddenly flying through the air, hitting everyone in sight. The snow was much slushier since it had been sitting in the sun, but Charles had been able to provide everyone with snow boots.
A gunshot then rang out through the yard, and Marianne dropped to the ground just as a dart buzzed over her head, sticking into the tree behind her.
OMFG CLIFFHANGER! But don't worry; the next chapter will either be up in a couple hours or tomorrow. I realize that the Elisabeth/Charles bonding moment was total sh*t (pardon my French). Don't ask me why I did that, I guess I'm just lazy…or something.