Who gave the quote I used as my chapter title?

Key:

"…" Speech

'…' Thoughts

(…) Extra information

Songs are in bold

Words of other languages and whispers are in italic

If this – is put after words it means an interruption

Chapter 13

VvV What is Wrong with this World? VvV

Tuesday, Xavier Household; 9:00pm

Unaware of what would happen later on that night, hours after she got home, Betsy pointed out to David one last time that, although they both knew who did it that, "we still don't have any proof that the bastard put that thing in my locker. How the hell could he even break in there?"

"Didn't you get the combination back in England ages before you were going to leave to this school?" As though his reading glasses were slipping down his nose, David pushed them up with one finger – a habit, Betsy had found out seeming as she'd been in his company for about half an hour.

"Yuh huh…" boredly flicking through his comic books, Betsy shrugged, "and?"

"Did you show it to Emma?" At Betsy's disbelieving look, David smiled sheepishly, "Emma Frost may be one of the most popular girls in school but it does not make here anything under intelligent. In fact, she is in mostly all my classes due to her high intellectual levels; her photographic memory is shockingly impressive." And David passed Betsy another comic that he'd been flipping through, commenting on the picture he showed the girl, "I think you'll like her."

Glancing down at the picture before her, Betsy tilted her head and replied nonchalantly, "huh…reminds me of…well, me." She raised the X-men comic a bit closer to her face and read the captions, "oh I remember her!" Flipping through this comic, Betsy said matter-of-factly, "I liked the name so much, ya know, its uniqueness, that I named my puppy after her." And the girl gestured to Psylocke, her Labrador whom was currently fighting David for ownership of his Chemistry homework.

"Well that's why I thought you'd like to look at them, my Xmen comics I mean."

Currently, David Xavier and Betsy Braddock were seated upon his bedroom floor amongst piles of Xmen comics, having flipped through many of them whilst conversing about the Betsy's current issue of Duncan Matthews and David's of Tabitha Smith.

"Well I certainly have enjoyed them," Betsy said in a tone so final that David looked up as she stood before glancing at his clock, gasping in shock.

Hurriedly piling his comics back up, David gestured towards the door and Betsy headed downstairs, knowing that helping him would be pointless – fanatics always had their own way of doing things and hated it when you intervened. Lorna's love of collecting pictures of bulldogs and pugs was living proof of this.

As she stepped into the hallway, Betsy's eyes fell to the man that she had met early that day; David's father, Charles Xavier.

"Leaving Betsy? I suppose David got carried away showing you his comic books," an amused twinkle gleamed in Xavier's eye when Betsy nodded. She couldn't help but liking the old man, although he had a habit of knowing what was on her mind, a habit Betsy particularly despised from anyone – her mind was her own business and sometimes she almost desired a shield to block anyone from seeing up there. 'Like they could anyway…' the girl reassured herself, looking anywhere but Xavier's knowing gaze. "Well, it was very nice to meet you, Miss Braddock. I hope I'll be seeing more of you," moving his electric wheelchair so that Betsy would not have to move, Charles Xavier reached out a hand and took Betsy's, patting it in a fatherly manner before calling up to David. "Your guest is leaving!"

And the boy bounded down the stairs to say goodbye to Betsy whilst she roughly pulled on her faux-leather, black, knee high, stiletto boots, waving to Xavier as he disappeared into the rec. room. "See ya luv," before she had a chance to open the door, David had done it for her and was almost bowing the girl out.

It was with shock that the blonde haired guy found Betsy's arms embracing him in a friendly hug that he returned, unsurely patting her on the back with a delighted smile. "Uh, bye Bets…" and as Betsy walked out from the door, David remembered. "Oh! Wait! Here; I thought you'd like this, to give you hope and stuff," and Betsy found a light parcel pushed lightly into her grasp. "Besides…it's homecoming soon so I'm sure things will lay off slightly, don't you think?" With Betsy's nod a beamingly reassured smile, David grinned sheepishly, his cheeks flushing pink. "Well, see you at school then…bye."

At home

Waiting until she was tucked up in her room, ready for bed, Betsy finally took the parcel from her designer handbag and turned it over cautiously before unwrapping it. A little gasp emitted from the girl's lips as she eyed the comic book David had given to her as a present; Crimson Dawn, the first of the series.

A giggle escaped her lips lightly as she read the script on the cover: Within her heart lies the purest of loves…and the greatest of evils. Unexpectedly, the giggle turned into an impression of a maliciously evil laughter that Betsy thought sounded quite good seeming as she was taking the piss. She couldn't resist and lay up for most of the night reading the comic, depicting each scene like a movie in her head. Only disturbed once by a shriek that Betsy never found the source of, she hurried back to finish the comic, certain that David would make a hell of a good friend, and teammate. She was fully prepared to go into battle, head on…just like her hero:

Psylocke.

A/N. Hehehe…now I wonder why Betsy Braddock's hero is Psylocke… Hmm…now that's a tough one, eh?

VvVvVvV

A week later. Monday, Prep's table, lunchtime; 12:35pm

Jean sat on the top of a lunch-table, her legs placed on the bench, gazing enviously at Scott who was practising American Football with the other boys, but he paused to give the redhead a glance and their eyes connected, allowing her to tilt her head with a soft smile that he returned. The look was broken however when someone called Scott's name and he turned to wave at Taryn who was with her friends watching him practising. Sighing, Jean frowned and placed her elbow on one knee, leaning her head onto her hand as she thought; her mind racing with Scott's name. That was until the moment was ruined by another bitching contest between Lexa and Crystal. It was cheerleading practice after all.

Bored, she watched for a while but as Lexa shoved Crystal into a dustbin – knocking both the bin and the angry blonde over – Jean knew it was time to stop it all and so she elegantly stepped off of the bench with a sigh, "come on Belle," attempted the redhead with her fellow cheerleader.

"Quoi? I'm enjoying dis, darlin'," Belle laughed whilst Jean went to intervene with the fight, separating the girls whilst Crystal attempted to sort out her cheerleading skirt.

"Come on girls, we have to get this right by Friday and that means practising in every spare moment that we have!" rallied Jean; the head cheerleader unperturbed by the fighting, "lets go again! Gooooo Bayville!" insisted the girl, rather too desperately, but it worked.

"B-B-B-A-Y-V-V-I-L-L-E!"

Meanwhile, over by the Goths' area

Wanda had heard the commotion and looked up from her book with an expectant grin; knowing what the yelling could only mean, "looks like Lexa's got herself into another fight."

Nonchalantly, Rogue looked up from John's fire tricks that he was showing her and gazed over at Jean who was currently commanding the girls into a complex formation, much to Lexa's disapproval. "Mohr lahke Lexa started anothah fahght…" getting up from the ground, Rogue brushed dirt from her back before she turned to the rest of the group, "ah'm fed up of this. Tabby, ya know yahre sistah," the older Goth received a look, "alrahght; yahre adopted step-sistah."

"And?"

"And she ain't happy with that lot ahn ya know it. She ain't hanging round with them fohr homecoming, it's pointless cuz everyone knows she'd be bettah off with us; who wouldn't be? So ya know what, ah'm gonna go ahn get her."

Confused expressions met the statement and Rogue sighed, "any of y'all losahs coming?"

Back over at the Practice

At the sounds of screaming when the formation tumbled down thanks to a cheeky little move by Lexa, causing Crystal to land in a heap, the boys had joined in to sort out the situation, unaware that they would make it a whole lot worse.

Viciously, and somewhat passionately – like she had been holding this back for some time – Lexa shoved Crystal again and made to punch her, wrenching her fist out of Jean's grip as Pietro hid his girlfriend behind his back, "what are you Crystal? Scared? Chicken?"

Still hidden behind her boyfriend's back, Crystal only said the following under the belief she was fully protected. "You're just using this argument as a reason to fight me, because your just jealous that I'm wanted and that no one wants you here." Continuing, Crystal had no idea of the danger she was putting herself in. "Just because everybody knows that there's no point in you hanging with us for homecoming because it's not like you even have a reputation to take you anywhere near homecoming queen!" Triumphantly smirking at Lexa's snarl, Crystal dropped the fatal words, "you're in the wrong crowd, loser. You're not good enough for any of us Lexa and even you know that."

"You know what, fine! I QUIT!" yelled the girl, dropping her pom-poms and attempting to avoid Jean's obviously upset look.

The silence that met this was so obtrusive, you could have heard a pin drop. Easily obvious to spot, everyone managed to get the hidden meaning in what Crystal had said.

Pietro's face was heating up.

Protectively, in a manner as though she was trying to block the insults, Rogue moved in front of Lexa and scowled at Crystal, "that's a matter of opinion, coz ah think she's too good fohr ya, ahn ya know it slag." And in a manner any of Crystal's friends would have been jealous of, Rogue dogged the blonde up with a snarl.

"I agree; my step-sister is way too good for you lot and your prissy homecoming at that, and anyone who has something to say about that can do so to my fist," smugly, Tabby moved to stand next to Rogue and clenched her fists threateningly, whilst sending a slightly apologetic look to Jean. Taking it in her stride, Jean simply smiled, glad for once that Lexa was finally having someone stand up for her.

And just like that the preps left it…although that was somewhat unsurprising as Wanda clenched her own fist in the same manner as Tabby, showing she was just as prepared.

No further comments were made; no argument or anything and the Freaks, who were now crowding around Lexa looked at her consolingly, attempting to ignore the pom-poms. "You alright Lex?"

"Yeh- "

Rogue sighed and turned her back on the preps who were gradually filing away. Without even bothering to make a final quip, the unclaimed leader of the Freaks began to head back to her group's own area. Meanwhile, John had swiped the pom-poms off of Lexa who, only too willingly, gave them up for good.

Almost shy and unsure as to what to do, Lexa was glad of the attention that Betsy and Lorna poured on her, the latter smiling knowingly at previous statements passed between them.

Turning back to eye up the girls who chatted away, Rogue smiled lightly, privately she delighted in her old Lexa…although the outfit was getting to Rogue a bit, "ah think there's gonna be a bonfahre tonahght." And with that Rogue and Wanda shared a look before glancing back at the cheerleader's outfit, cackling wickedly whilst John protectively hid his new found items.

"Gimme those," commanded Lance before snatching them away creating his own routine up. From a distance Mr Alvers was watched by a certain girl who giggled, waving to Lance enthusiastically, shyly laughing when the boy got embarrassed at Kitty's attention. "Take them back…" muttered Lance, unable to help sending Kitty a shy smile.

When seated, Rogue eyed up her gang whilst they took their respective places next to the oak, particularly interested in the friendship expanding between Lorna and Lexa, the former surprisingly friendly for her usual held-back attitude. "Looks lahke it was a good choice; she seems quite content…"

Wanda peered over at Lexa and smiled before returning to her own world again, not even bothering to turn to Rogue when she spoke, "yeh, she fits in alright."

VvVvVvV

Goth's Area, 12:50pm

'Remy sunk his sharp fangs into Shanna's neck, smirking through flaming eyes as blood poured into his awaiting mouth…' Rogue looked up from the book with a scowl. "Whah does the lead gah from ma favourite book have ta be called Remy? What is wrong with this world!"

Sympathetically, Lorna nodded, but Betsy just laughed, "because, luv, the author knew you despised a certain Remy and was bribed by the Cajun so that you would not stop thinking about him."

"Therefore to realise your apparent 'true feelings' for him."

happy with this end to her sentence, Betsy nodded with Lorna, bursting into laughter at Rogue's disgust.

As though he was drawn to anyone talking about him, the boy in question appeared before Rogue who attempted to ignore his presence. "Well, Remy can say he didn't bribe no one, mais; dis Cajun don' need t'. Y' know y' really want moi, Cherie."

Snarling, Rogue looked up at this only to be greeted with Remy's trademark charm. And the fiery look the Cajun gave only received a glare, "shut it Swamp Rat ahn get lost."

"Y' wound dis Cajun, Chere!" Dramatically, the Cajun clutched a hand to his heart and made as though the words were fatal, but then looked up as sugary sweet voice spoke up behind him.

"I hope dat freak hasn't hurt mon ami my boyfriend, coz I t'ink dat would be dreadful!" Belle entwined herself in Remy's arms with a smirk and kissed him passionately on the lips.

Disgust; it was the only thing that forced Rogue to walk away from the couple, muttering to herself, "ah think it would be a dream come true – fohr all of us."

"Y' jus' jealous." With a look on her face as though she had just swallowed something sour, Belle looked Rogue up and down and continued on her rant, "et Chere? Do us a favour and get some decent clothes, oui?"

"Well why don't you do us a favour, Belladonna, and get a decent wardrobe of your own," in disbelief mingled with disgust, Lexa looked at Belle, "and while your at it, do us all a big favour and get some dignity too; because you need it. Desperately."

Belle frowned and smoothed her top. "I don' know what y' talking 'bout Lexa, y' used t' like dis top…" a sparkling, pink watch was consulted, "'bout quinze 15 minutes ago." Belle raised an eyebrow as Lexa simply snarled and turned away, but left it.

Delicately with a pout, the Cajun female turned back to Remy "dey taken Lexie and done somt'in' t' her! De fille wasn't like dat quinze minutes ago!" Belle's pout became more pronounced but it disappeared as Remy pulled his girlfriend towards himself, sticking his tongue in her eager mouth as soon as they connected.

Pulling apart to look at his girlfriend, whose pout had returned, Remy rapped an arm around Belle's shoulder and lead her to the main school building, talking as they went; "Remy know dat Belle, mais, de fille ain't one of us any more, is she now?"

"Non?"

"Non."

"Really mon amour (my love)?"

"Really Belle; sometimes people jus' realise who dey truly want t' be with." And with a glance behind himself, Remy's eyes found Rogue's, giving her a passionate look that was despairingly avoided.

VvVvVvV

End of Homeroom; 13:20pm

"Oh just shut up Duncan," hissed a familiar voice.

All throughout homeroom, Rogue had kept her head down, leaning it against her desk whilst staring out of the window to the track field beyond. Intrigued by nothing and listening to no one, it was a shock to Betsy when Rogue suddenly lifted her head up and looked around, keen to find the owner of the voice.

And there she was, stepping out of her home room, her grassy green eyes blazing with anger as her fiery red hair bounced vigorously upon her shoulders. Jean Grey Monroe; Tabitha's adopted sister. But it wasn't who it was that interested Rogue – the Goth couldn't care less for her arch-nemesis, head cheerleader – it was the argument that the normally bubbly redhead was having.

Standing to one side of the hall whilst people hurried away to their next classes, Rogue attracted no attention whatsoever and watched the interaction with interest. What better way to spend a miserable day than to watch other people's days get ruined?

That certainly appeared to be what was going on between Jean and her boyfriend Duncan. The argument was attracting more than enough attention; it didn't really help that this couple was one of the leads for the Homecoming crown: that got enough people looking.

But when Jean flung her hair over her shoulders carelessly, Rogue's ears pricked at her next words. "Well you know what Duncan I don't need this; I have just lost," and Rogue's smiled lifted as the girl's voice began to crack, showing tension induced by none other than, "Lexa Howlett. This is going to be hellish enough at home seeming as I live with the girl, and not to mention the fact that she was one of the best girls in my squad. I have no idea who I shall replace her with so I couldn't care less about you getting all jealous just because Warren is a better quarter-back then you are."

"What the hell Jean! I'm way better than Worthington and everyone knows it!"

"Aw, you poor baby," cooed Jean before her expression turned into a disgusted scowl that caused Rogue to raise both eyebrows, "don't be SUCH a baby Duncan! This is why I can't stand going on dates with you anymore; all you do is complain and moan. Why don't you try harder at your sport and keep your mouth shut!" With a flick of her hair, Jean twirled so that her back was to Duncan and stalked off in the direction of her next class.

Furious at the manner in which Jean had just humiliated him – a hell of a lot of people had stopped to watch – Duncan's face heated up as he yelled at her, "we are SO over Jean!"

"FINE!"

"FINE!"

"What a shame," snickered Rogue before she stalked after both Jean and Duncan, fully aware that not only were the officially 'over' couple in classes directly opposite each other, but Rogue herself was in Duncan's.

Biology, Period 5; 14:00PM

It had been a full 40 minutes after the fight but Rogue was still much amused by the antics of the newly single jock and prep.

Mimicking puking to Lexa whilst Scott continued to comfort Jean, Rogue kept glancing over at Taryn Fujioka who was less than happy at the interactions and was currently gossiping to her closest gal pals whilst sending wistful glances at Scott. Never was it to be though and by the end of fifth period, Rogue and Lexa, if not the whole class at that, were fully aware that there would be a new couple running for the homecoming crowns.

And there was still another fifty minutes to go when the bell struck at ten past two.

Betsy's Biology class

Just across the hall to the newly found, and practically betrothed, couple, was a fling that was just beginning to spring into action itself, in the form of the newly single jock and his own interest.

David however, was far too busy telling Betsy about his own concerns, "and…well, I know I should ask her…Tabby I mean…to it, to homecoming, because, well…if I don't, I know a great girl like her will be snatched up in no time. But I just can't ask her, is it bad that I'm so scared to?"

"Ah, don't worry about it luv…"

"Really?"

"Really. It's just a stupid dance…I don't see why we can't have…our…own…" Excitedly, Betsy sat up as ideas shifted through the girl's mind. "We could have our own!"

Distracted as he spotted Tabby walking past the door to the lab, David waved at her absentmindedly when she stopped to peer in, waving at him, "what?"

"Never mind David." Falling asleep in a nest that she had created with her folded arms, Betsy was soon nudged awake by David however, who she sent a rather vicious scowl to until she noticed where his – now shaking – finger was pointing to. "Don't point…it's rude," muttered Betsy as she pushed David's arms back onto the table, ignorant as she nearly squashed the already dead, dissected frog that was between them. No, the girl was far too divulged in the interactions between Duncan and…

Emma Frost?

Secretly, the two had been having a fling a little while before Emma had even come into school again, but it was only now that Duncan and Jean were over that they could finally flirt openly. Only problem was – Betsy noticed – that Emma's eyes kept flicking excitedly over to where Warren Worthington sat.

Poking Betsy again, David frowned, "I didn't know Emma was into Duncan…"

"What?" Listening intently to David now, Betsy practically shoved the frog off of her table. "But I thought you said that was why he's trying to ruin me and Warren? Cuz he's majorly into her and wants to impress her or something with his manipulative ways…" at this, the girl snorted in a very unfeminine manner.

"Oh yeh, he's completely into her." Frowning along with Betsy when Emma waved flirtatiously at Warren himself, Duncan tapped the table with his fingers, "but well…Emma's always had this thing about Warren. I'm thinking that maybe, if Duncan gets you and Warren to split up, he thinks Emma will date Mr Worthington, get bored of him and…well, go running back to Duncan."

Pulling her latex gloves onto her hands, Betsy maliciously snapped them into place, ignoring the stinging sensation it gave on her wrists whilst she glared foully at Emma before attacking her new frog with the scalpel. "That ice queen bitch…" and vehemently, Betsy made to brutally wound the already dead frog but caught it awkwardly with her scalpel and sent the amphibian flying down the desks where it landed…in Warren's lap. "Oops…I'll be right back David…" and with her cheeks flushing, the girl checked out her appearance, making sure that her fishnet tights were in place whilst trying to shift her knee-length, pencil skirt into place without touching it with her bloodied gloves.

"You know," suavely smiling at Betsy, Warren picked up the frog from his – fortunately – lab-coat covered lap, and held onto it when Betsy made to take it form him, "if you wanted to come over to see me, there was no need to attack me with a dead frog."

"Haha, very funny, luv," tilting her head sarcastically, Betsy opened her mouth upon thinking about the idea that she had got when David mentioned not wanting to go to the homecoming dance. "Warren, darling." He looked up, frowning at Betsy's pleading expression and encouraged her to carry on with a light 'mmm.' "I was thinking; do we have to go to the homecoming dance? I mean, it's not exactly like…" but Betsy soon stopped upon spotting the look Warren was giving her. "Or not…"

Sighing, Warren frowned at his girlfriend, "we talked about this on our date yesterday; we have to go. I have to be seen there as one of the team, I will be playing in the match after all, and besides, I thought you said it sounded like fun."

"Mmm," was all Betsy replied with before she began slinking back to her chair, "ya that's cool." Darting back to give Warren a quick kiss on the lips whilst Mr McCoy wasn't looking, Betsy flew back to her chair, depositing the frog back in its tray again. "Stupid dance," was all she greeted David with before the boy took the frog and started to dissect it properly.

VvVvVvV

End of school; 3:00pm

Lounging in her chair, Betsy waited until everyone else had filed out of the classroom before she joined her boyfriend, kissing him delicately on the lips before, hands entwined, they sauntered out together.

"Uh…Elizabeth?"

Shocked at being called by her full name, Betsy spun round at once to the only other person in the room, "oh…sorry David. Warren, luv, I'll meet you by your car, k? Just gotta sort out something out."

"Not getting competition am I?"

"Hardly luv, I'm trying to help him out with his own relationship issues," and with a cheeky wink of an eye, Betsy turned to David before strolling back to the guy.

Glued to the curve of Betsy's hips, Warren's eyes lifted to the girl's face when she turned around and he smiled sheepishly, "see you by the car."

The door closed and Betsy's gaze met David's surreptitiously, "no one has ever called me that except my mother and a few of the maids…"

"I'm sorry," flushing in embarrassment, David's face turned away from Betsy's; he was fully aware that some people got touchy when called by their full name: he'd learnt the hard way never to call Kitty 'Katherine'. "My dad always taught me that it's respectful to call someone by their full name, it just slipped out."

"Hey, mate," tilting her head in a charmingly friendly manner, Betsy laughed before slipping her hands into the crook of David's arm, steering him from the classroom so that they could walk and talk. "Don't worry; I just completely did not expect that luv. But anyways."

Reminding Betsy of why he'd called her back, David ran a hand through his blonde locks, "you said you'd help me about Tabby and the whole dance thing…"

"Oh yeh!" exclaimed Betsy, "well, she'll say yes to a charmer like you no problem…only thing is that you have to get there first without sounding desperate. And, not to mention that she probably doesn't really want to go to the dance anyways…you know what my group is like." Filled in on the fact that her friends were only allowing Betsy to go to the homecoming dance because she was going with her date and was ecstatic about it, Betsy had learned that the 'freaks' didn't like the Homecoming dance one bit and as juniors, they avoided the idea altogether. So this year, Betsy had an idea that they were going to avoid this dance just as badly. "How about, I come over to yours this evening and we chat more about it? The comic book you gave me is just dying to be discussed."

For the second time that day, David's cheeks flushed, "you liked it? I thought you would, being an avid Psylocke fan and all, I think those comics show a lot of her best side. But yeh, I'm free this evening, my dad even said that if you ever wanted to come over again you could join us for tea?"

"That would be great David," beamed Betsy and she was just about to head over to Warren's car before she remembered something. "Oh, and we can discuss your half of this agreement."

"Course…you help me with," noticing the girl was nearby, David lowered his voice, "Tabby…and I'll help you sort out that goon Duncan."

Buckling up in Warren's car, Betsy smiled and nodded, glad that Warren wasn't paying attention currently – this little agreement was just between David and her – before pointing something out to David. "David. Did you ever notice that you don't even think twice about calling Tabby, Tabby?"

"I guess she drilled it into my head so many times I sometimes forget she's even called Tabitha," waving goodbye to Warren and Betsy as the boy started his car, David headed over to the girl herself.

A pair of eyes watched the interaction with a frown, but Pietro just shook his head as though in irritation before his head was forcefully turned to face his current aggravation. Planting a fake smile on his lips, the boy managed to remember about his reputation just in time, not to mention the fact that he and Crystal were still running as homecoming couple too before he got tempted to tell the girl his true feelings.

What he'd do just to be able to tell the annoying cow to piss off…

End of Chapter

Sooo…Lexa has finally found her brains and it was the turn of the Prep! Thank God! And what was Remy talking about eh? Cuz to me that didn't sound like he was talking just about Lexa, hehehe!. A bit of JOTT going on there too eh? Am I giving you too much romance? Well…you have the final say. Oh, and I must get it through – BETSY AND DAVID ARE JUST FRIENDS! Don't get any ideas, lol! Five reviews please: cuz you know you're all so kind, lol!

.x.thriller.x.