Title: The House of the Rising Sun, Chapter 18
Author: Goddess Evie
Date: 11/30/06
Genre: Romance (Remy/Rogue, Scott/Jean, Lance/Kitty), Action, Drama, Angst, AU, heck, it's got it all…just not all in one chapter.
Rating: G, and I really don't think this'll get above PG.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own X-Men of any incarnation. I am but a poor, fanatical, poor, college graduate who much enjoys a show so that she writes extensive (and hopefully intriguing, enjoyable, and highly popular) fanfiction to feed her insatiable hunger for anything X-Men and is poor, if I haven't mentioned that already. Also, the song lyric I used as the title doesn't belong to me either. I'm quoting Breaking Benjamin's "So Cold." But, sadly, I own nothing but the plot so don't sue me cause I need all my money for my bills!
Summary: The world's reactions to finding out that Mutants exist. Well, not the whole world's, just the few people directly connected to our wonderful X-Men. Scott and Andrew finally duke it out. And finally, the truth about Brad!
Author's notes: Yeah! After over a month, another chapter. I thought it was going to be longer than usual, maybe closer to fifteen pages than the usual ten that I aim for per chapter. But Microsoft Word says it's only 11 pages. So, I'm happy. I just wanted to get Brad's confession out no matter what, so if it had been longer I'd have been like, "Oh, well!" Anyways, no Rogue/Remy-ness this chapter either. We're focusing on more broad issues that affect everyone, not specifically on just those two, for now. But don't worry, I'm not done with the angst. Oh no, far from it. cackles and rubs hands together
Review Responses: Only one review to respond to! Maybe that's why it took me so long to post a new chapter this time! More reviews make my feel better and inspire me to write faster!
Ishandahalf: My loyal, Ishie. I know I can always count on you. Thanks for the great review. And aren't you happy I didn't take another year and a half to post the next chapter? Just a whole month! laughs Anyways, sorry that once again I didn't get to stick in any Rogue/Ramy-ness. I'll try to get more in soon. I have so much going on here, soon, that I'm not sure where I'm going to fit in. Wow, I can't believe I just said that. Now, I'm going to do my best to put it in! Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter, along with everyone else who happens to read it.
Chapter 18: "Show me how we end this all right. Show me how defenseless you really are. Satisfy an empty inside."
The phone call Scott had been expecting came much later than he would have liked. But at least it came and hearing Xavier's voice on the other end of the line had taken a lot of the burden off Scott's shoulders and heart. He could breathe that much easier. As they talked the Professor assured Scott that all the students, though shaken, were fine.
He also told Scott that their best move at this time was to act cautiously and carefully. And most importantly act normally. Scott had to agree. It would be best to see the reactions everyone else gave first. Scott was to remain at school unless and until the situation became too risky for him. The ideal situation, of course, would be for him to continue until his education was complete, but at this point they weren't sure if that would be possible.
The last words Xavier said to Scott before they hung up were of caution and assurance. "Scott, stay out of trouble. And remember, you can come home whenever you want."
So, Scott passed that first night tossing and turning in his bed. Sleep seemed to have fled with the security he'd had when no one had known the truth about him. As he lay in his bed he wondered who had believed the footage. He thought of the two young men who had become his friends…and even those friends back in Bayville. Jean, in particular, was a very popular student. How would all her friends react?
It was a long night and when the rest of the floor was quiet, Scott decided he could use a shower. It was probably better to get that done when little to no people would be up and around, anyways. It was nice to have the bathroom to himself, for once, and he allowed the warm water to wash away his thoughts along with the dirt from his body.
The shower, which was entirely too short, and putting on some fresh clean clothes helped make him feel a little better about facing the world. Knowing he wasn't going to get any sleep, Scott decided he could keep his mind from mulling it all over by tackling his homework. It worked up until the point where he finished it all.
He still had half an hour before his first class. He could hear movement outside his door as more and more students rose and prepared for the day. He realized his nerves were on edge, expecting every noise to be the one that heralded the angry mob that dragged him from his room and tarred and feathered him. But when Scott thought about it, he realized his room, his door, had become off limits. There were no knocking or accidental bumps. Any noise he could hear coming from either end of the hallway died down as the people passed his door, and started up again on the other side.
Act normally, Professor Xavier had advised. Well, Scott checked his watch, he had twenty five minutes before his first class and though the walk was only ten minutes, normal for him would be arriving early. So, Scott gathered his books and supplies, placing them neatly into his backpack and checked himself over in his mirror, more in order to give himself a mental pep talk than to check his appearance.
With a deep breath that wasn't as calming or fortifying as he had hoped, Scott unlocked his door and, with only a moment's hesitation, opened it. Everyone who had been standing outside or passing by his door suddenly stopped, including Nathan whose hand was raised to knock. The two looked at each other for a moment, neither knowing exactly what to say.
Well, this is it, thought Scott. Time to find out if he really is a true friend.
"Hey, Nathan, what did you want?" Scott asked, trying to sound as calm and cheerful as usual.
"I-" Nathan was having a hard time finding his words. Perhaps the fact that Scott wasn't acting any different had thrown him. Finally, he found the courage to ask the question that was on everyone's mind. "What they showed on the TV last night, about you and some others being 'Homo Superiors' or what not. Is that all true?"
Scott wanted to pull Nathan into his room and answer his question away from the prying eyes and pricked ears waiting to hear his reply. But, the truth had already been offered to them, with his own face right there in the fray. It was probably going to do no good to try to hide or lie about it to everyone else.
"Yeah, it is," he finally answered, "but we don't go around calling ourselves 'Homo Superiors'."
"Then what do you call yourselves?" Nathan's next question was without hesitation.
Now, Scott was the one verbally tripping. The word they had used to call themselves? It had seemed so innocent, throwing that word around among themselves. But now having to say it in front of these people, he realized that maybe it was just as bad as the one Magneto had used. Still, it was the only thing he had to offer them.
"Mutants," he paused for a moment, catching Nathan's eye and everyone else standing in the hall waiting to hear his answers. He realized more had gathered. "We call ourselves Mutants."
Politely as he could, Scott pushed past Nathan, closing and locking his door behind him. He headed down the hall, people moving out of his way as he went, some quite literally jumping.
"Where are you going?" Nathan called after him.
"I've got class," Scott reminded.
"You're still going to class?"
Scott turned to face his friend; was Nathan still his friend? "I'm still the same Scott I was yesterday." And with that he headed back down the hall, skipping the elevators and taking the stairs instead.
The anxiety and tension Scott had been feeling was present at the Xavier Institute for Gifted Children times a thousand. As the students dressed and prepared for school the usual carefree chatter was replaced by hushed conversations and sullen silence. Jean, Kitty, Evan, Kurt, Rogue and Remy had been the very first awake, the very first to be dressed and the very first down in the dining room for breakfast. They had decided together that, as nervous and afraid as everyone was, they would set the example for the school, showing that they were willing to follow Xavier's advice.
Still, even their conversation was muted and lacked the usual teasing, laughter, bickering and all around joviality that usual dominated. None of them seemed to have their usual appetites, either. Rogue nursed her coffee with Tabasco, Jean and Kitty split a bagel, neither being able to finish their halves. Kurt toyed with the syrup drenched pancakes on his plate. He had eaten half of what he normally did, which was a regular meal for most people, but considered under eating for Kurt. Evan hadn't really touched his scrambled eggs and had only nibbled on his bacon.
Remy was the only one who had put forth any real effort to eat. Although he hadn't been able to down his normal meal, he knew how important it was to at least have food in the belly. Years of experience pulling high risk heists had let him know that it was better to face a possibly bad day with at least some food in the stomach to give needed strength, then to stumble through weakly without it.
Throughout the morning the younger students began to file in, but it did nothing to change the mood. They were just as somber and apprehensive about the day. And they seemed to be eating as much. The morning seemed to be passing much too slowly with the nervous mood hanging in the air.
And at the same time, it was moving all too fast. When the time to go came, Jean rose from her seat and gathered what little eating utensils she had used to take to the kitchen. Little by little the rest of the student body began to follow suit, chairs scraping and dishes clanking. The younger mutants let their older counterparts lead them to the kitchen to dispose of their used dishware before heading out to the cars.
The ride to school was silent, not even the radio was on. The X-Men team had wordlessly made the decision to drive to the high school in the same vehicle for once, Jean at the steering wheel. Remy had to admit that all the silence and apprehension was getting a little out of hand, but at the same time, with the revelation that had just been made to the world, he couldn't blame them.
"Remember," Jean told them all as they piled out of the car, backpacks slung over their shoulders, "Just act normally."
If it was supposed to be a pep talk, it wasn't a very good one. But then how was one supposed to give confidence that one was having a hard time trying to feel. The response the red head got for her effort was a nod, if she was lucky. Trying to be a good example, Jean put a smile on her face and walked towards the school.
They were only halfway through the parking lot when they saw the large crowd standing in front of the entrance. To either side of it curious students milled about, waiting to see what would happen. But the crowd itself consisted of adults, most likely parents of the children who attended the school, though they could recognize a few of the actual teachers mixed in.
Somebody spotted them coming, and Remy had a bad feeling when the whole crowd seemed to turn towards them at once, every stare boring down on them. Jean took the lead as they neared the crowd, stopping a few feet in front of them, and Remy was glad she had. He certainly wouldn't have volunteered to be in her position.
There was a lot of whispering and pointing from both the crowd and the students hanging around. Jean did a phenomenal job of ignoring it all, keeping a neutral, calm smile on her face as she eyed the crowd. Remy watched as she opened her mouth to say something, but she was cut off before she could get any words out.
"We thought you might show up," one parent stepped from the crowd to say, taking on the role of leader for his own side.
"Trying to act like nothing happened!" an anonymous voice added.
Jean closed her mouth at the comment, pursing her lips for a moment before very calmly replying. "It would be illegal for us not to. We're supposed to be at school, not playing hooky."
Remy had to admit he was surprised at her audacity. Though the comment was true and innocent, there had been something in Jean's delivery, sweet and respectful, that had bordered on insulting.
"You aren't going to school with my kids," another anonymous voice called out. "I don't want them getting hurt." Whoever it was sounded a tad bit on the hysterical side.
"We aren't here to hurt anyone," Jean replied, staying calm, but Remy could hear she strained a little to do so. "If we had wanted to do that, do you think we would have waited to be found out first?"
A logical argument and the crowd of parents didn't seem to have anything to say against it. Still, they didn't move, though some looked unsure. Their chosen leader hadn't stepped down, however, and he seemed to look furious at Jean's logic.
"How do we know you haven't hurt them, already?" he asked, his face growing .
"We haven't and we have no intentions to," Jean's statement was sincere, but the crowd either didn't care or didn't hear.
Random shouts from the crowd concerning their worry over the safety for their children rained down on them. Jean seemed to be holding her patience in check, though just barely. But Kitty, Evan, Kurt, Rogue, and even, he admitted, himself, were starting to become anxious over the outcome of the conversation.
"Why would we waste our powers on their kids, anyways," the sullen remark came, surprisingly enough, from Kitty and had been said only loud enough for the six to hear. It was something Remy would have expected more from Rogue.
Stay calm, Jean's voice spoke in his head and Remy assumed she was sending the message to them all. I've contacted the professor and he and Ororo are on their way.
"So what do we do?" Rogue asked the question on everyone's mind.
Remy glanced at her. Although her face was a mask of disinterest, her eyes were boiling with emotion, mostly hurt and rage. It was an expression Remy saw in all their eyes and probably could be detected in his as well to some degree.
The leader of the pack must have finally thought up some retort to Jean's statement, because he was speaking again. "We don't intend to give you the chance to hurt the other students at this high school. We saw the things you're capable of. We will not allow you to walk freely among the defenseless children who attend here."
"We are as much students of this school as they are," Jean countered. "And we deserve protection as much as they do. You are assuming that we will freely use our powers, and at the expense of innocent students. But we all believe that our powers should only be used for good, to help others."
"That's not what it looked like from that broadcast," the man insisted. "The fighting. The destruction. That will not happen at our school."
"No, it won't," Jean agreed. She seemed ready to continue with her argument, but a third voice broke in and the relief that entered Jean's entire body was evident.
"We are not aligned with the man who made the very startling declaration about the existence of mutants, and though the images he showed are startling, they are not the whole truth," Xavier's voice was as authoritative and calm as ever. He gave Jean a warm smile for her efforts, than turned a serious face on the parent she had been debating with.
As the two men spoke, Ororo joined the six mutant teens and made sure they were all unharmed. Her eyes roamed over them searchingly as she spoke to them in hushed tones, making sure they had received no damage. When she was satisfied that they were all fine she gave them a look that seemed a little sad.
"You all can go home," she told them, already ushering them back to the car.
"What? But, we've got school!" Kitty objected as Evan was complaining, "Auntie O, they can't do this to us!"
"Shhh," she soothed them, glancing at where Xavier was dealing with the parents. "We need to get this all worked out. We will have you back as soon as we can. Now, please, I need to go check on the other students."
No one could argue with Ororo after that, and hating the feeling that they were giving up too easily, the members of the X-Men climbed back into Jean's car and headed back home. The moment the last door was closed everyone seemed to burst out at once, complaining about the unfairness of it all and in some cases hurling insults at the group of parents who now could not hear them. Rogue and Evan seemed to be competing to see who could devise the worst and most unique insult.
As much as Jean tried to keep it under check, the drive home was noisy, though the atmosphere was just as tense. Everyone had something to say about how the parents had reacted, and there were times in the short drive that everyone seemed to be trying to talk over everyone else whenever an especially controversial point was made.
Everyone, but Remy. Really, he had no idea what to say. Or even if it was the right time to be saying anything. Sometimes you had to let a situation ride out a little bit longer before you passed final judgment. But he at least hoped that the opportunity for the rest to let some steam off would help his companions.
When the six of them arrived back at the mansion, Remy expected at least a few of them to split off on their own. But as if the need to stick together was overwhelming, they all remained together, heading for one of the rec rooms. They were still discussing the situation, but the conversation was more organized, everyone speaking in turn without interrupting another. And the heat from their voices had died down some.
Jean turned the television on and flipped to a news channel, turning the volume down low, but keeping an eye on it. She had refrained from adding much to the conversation either, mostly trying to keep it from getting too out of hand and interjecting with a different point of view when she deemed it necessary.
The other kids arrived home from school a little later and after Ororo had made sure that all were well she headed back out to rejoin the professor. The conversation among the six oldest mutants was still continuing, now fueled by what the news channel was reporting on the revealed existence of mutants. Remy remained the silent listener, mulling over the opinions expressed in his own mind.
Really, it seemed, waiting was all they seemed to have to do at the moment. And rehash opinions and facts that already were getting old and overheard. Someone else seemed to have another idea, however.
"Ya'll suit up and get to the Danger Room," Logan caught them all off guard and as one they groaned. "If ya'll are gonna be hanging around the mansion, might as well put good use to it." He watched them all file out of the room, following his orders.
News must have spread quickly, because there were a lot of people around campus who were avoiding Scott or giving him unsure and even fearful looks. But he managed to make it to class, where nobody sat by him, and pay attention, despite the teacher having a tendency to glance at him. In fact, that was how every one of his classes went that day. All were wary, many curious as well, but not enough to risk addressing him. No one had spoken to him that day since he'd found Nathan outside his door.
Even when he'd make a quick stop at one of the campus café's to pick up a midday meal, none of the workers had wanted to help him. And he'd stood there ignored while they helped people who had come up to the counter AFTER him, until he coughed and announced that he wanted to place an order. The other two girls behind the counter forced their male associate to deal with Scott, and he had been so nervous he kept making mistakes and looked as if Scott was going to kill him every time he did.
By the time his classes were ended for the day, Scott was sick of it and ready to return to the privacy of his dorm room. Usually he enjoyed taking the long way through the beautiful autumn scenery and cool weather. But today he took the most direct route, just wanting to get away from everyone. It was hard to act normally when no one else around you was.
Halfway through the large field Scott had tossed his Nerf Football around with Nathan and Brad many times, Scott ran into the one person he had dreaded seeing into the most. He always tried to avoid Andrew and his insults and jibes, from the first time they had met. But now Scott wanted an encounter with him less than ever.
Scott spotted Andrew from a ways off, leaning against a tree, a dark expression on his face, and had tried to veer his course to evade the football player. But Andrew was set on having his fun and he moved so that Scott couldn't avoid him.
"I always knew you were a freak, Scott. Guess I just didn't realize how much of one," Andrew jibed haughtily, jogging a bit to stand right in Scott's way.
"Just leave me alone," Scott replied through gritted teeth, avoiding looking at his rival. "You really don't want to mess with me right now."
"Is that a challenge?" Andrew jabbed a finger into Scott's shoulder at the comment.
"Is that what you want it to be?" Scott shot back, finally looking at Andrew, staring into his eyes.
The corners of Andrew's mouth lifted into a smile. "That's what I've wanted it to be from the day I met you. Man, I've wanted to pummel you."
He let a punch fly just as he said the last word, putting into action what he had been voicing and trying to catch Scott off guard. But Scott was too well trained and he ducked, sending his own fist flying into Andrew's stomach. Something at the back of his mind told him that it was the wrong move, but he was too angry to pay attention. He wanted to fight Andrew.
Andrew spun out of the way, trying to catch his breath, and stared at Scott for a moment, obviously surprised at the skill and strength he had displayed. But only for a moment and then he lunged at the mutant. Once again, Scott's training came into play and he grabbed Andrew by his coat, rolling backwards and letting his opponent's moment carry himself over Scott, who let go at the last minute. Andrew flew through the air a short distance and then landed in the grass on his back with a heavy thud that knocked the wind from him.
But Scott was taking no chances. The moment he let go of Andrew he swung his legs up, pulling his body off the ground to his shoulders, then pushed himself to land on his feet, in the classic ninja move. Twirling around to face Andrew, he put his arms up defensively.
But Andrew was laboring to get up off the ground and breathe correctly. Still, the look in Andrew's eyes told Scott that this fight wasn't over. Andrew didn't wait for his breathe to come back, but lunged at Scott with a right jab and a left hook. He seemed to have a little experience in fighting, but still couldn't compare to Scott's intense training in and out of the Danger Room. And for someone who was used to dealing with fists as well as mutant powers, dodging both punches and landing his own on Andrew's jaw, putting his whole body behind his fist, was easy.
The force of the punch sent Andrew sprawling backwards and seeing stars. The football player rubbed his jaw where Scott had hit him and shook his head to try to clear it. He leaned back against the tree that he'd stumbled into and gave to Scott what seemed to be an appreciative look.
"I'm impressed. I didn't think you had it in you," Andrew complimented, though Scott still didn't trust him. And for good reason. Andrew's facial expression turned malicious once again. "But there's more than one way to win a fight."
Scott's face went white as Andrew began to yell out for help. "The Mutant's attacked me!" Scott's breathing caught in his throat, and then once again all his training came to his aid. Knowing it wouldn't be good to stick around-with the situation he was already in, his word against Andrew's probably wasn't going to help him any-Scott grabbed his backpack and ran back to his dorm.
He stopped in the stairwell, halfway to his floor, to catch his breath and threw his backpack to the ground in frustration. How could he have been so stupid? If Andrew acted like nothing more than a high school bully, then he had proven himself to be no better by giving in. He might as well pack his bags and head on back to the institute right now.
With a sigh, Scott picked his bag back up and headed up the stairs once again, this time at a more subdued pace. What he had just done had been stupid, definitely, but he knew he couldn't give up that easily. Besides, he couldn't run away before he took the chance to try to rectify the situation and try to prove that mutants weren't bad.
It was tempting to just head back to the safety of the Xavier Institute, and he was still considering it, but for now he needed to stay put. He dreaded calling the Professor and letting him know what had happened, but knew he'd need to apprise Xavier of what he'd done, no matter how disappointed his mentor would be. Well, this was a fine situation he'd gotten himself into.
The halls of his floor were empty, due to the time of day and even the common area was unoccupied. Scott was glad for that as he was able to make his way to his room in peace. As he shut the door, and locked it for good measure, he leaned back against it and let his back pack slip to the floor. Loudly he exhaled and rubbed his forehead.
His hand hurt from the couple of hits he'd gotten in on Andrew, but he probably deserved that. He looked around and saw that his answering machine was blinking with a new message. He walked over to it and pressed the button to play it, and Jean's voice said she had called to check in on him and make sure everything was okay. Hearing it only increased the guilt he felt for his actions.
He decided to call back later, pushing aside the responsible side of him for once, and looked at the options he had to distract him for a while. There was homework, of course, he'd received a fresh supply today. It would give him something to concentrate on, though a voice in the back of his mind asked if it was really necessary. He probably wouldn't be around long enough to turn it in, anyways. He pushed the thought away and looked to see if there were any other options for a distraction.
He suddenly felt tired and remembered that he had gotten absolutely no sleep the night before. Add the recent expense of energy and Scott decided that what he needed most at the moment was sleep. A good nap and then tackle his homework. His eyelids were already feeling heavy and hard to hold open.
He pulled his sneakers off and laid down on his bed face up. He had learned to sleep on his back, at least when taking a nap, so he wouldn't have to remove his glasses in case he was awakened suddenly. He was almost asleep when he heard a soft rapping on his door. He remained silent, finding it hard to fight off sleep and hoping the intruder would go away. He wasn't in the mood to deal with anybody, at the moment.
The knocking sounded again, this time accompanied by a voice calling his name. He recognized it as Brad's, but it was the fear in it that made Scott open his eyes and sit up. Fear and nervousness, and even though Brad was on the other side of Scott's locked door, Scott sensed the fear wasn't because of Scott.
He moved to the door and carefully opened it. Unlike Nathan, Brad was completely alone, no passersby hanging back to eavesdrop on their conversation. When Scott saw the look on Brad's face, it reminded him of the young boy he had saved from the sewer and wild dog, he was glad he had answered.
"Can I come in?" Brad asked, glancing over his shoulder, then back at Scott.
"Yeah, sure," Scott opened to door wider to admit his friend, then closed it again, locking it once more.
Brad was obviously nervous, but once again Scott had the impression that it wasn't because of Scott, like everyone else. Brad took a seat in the desk chair and Scott sat down on the edge of his bed. Brad was apprehensive to speak, no matter how much he looked like he needed to say something. He fiddled with a pen on Scott's desk before he finally found the courage to look at Scott and say what he needed to say.
"How did you hide it for so long? Being a mutant?" he finally blurted out.
Scott had been expecting the topic to be about his being a mutant, but he didn't understand what relevance the question had. He shrugged as he answered, "It wasn't hard. Just had to come up with an excuse to keep my sunglasses on all the time."
Brad nodded at his answer and took his time to ask the next one. During the nervous silence, Brad picked up the group photo of the Institute family and gazed at it long and hard. He had to recognize many of the faces as being the same ones from Magneto's broadcast the night before, if he had seen it. Brad licked his lips before speaking again. "Does your family know? How…how did they take it?"
"If you mean my biological family, well, they're dead, except for my brother Alex, and he's a mutant ,too," Scott answered.
"The other mutants," he was studying the picture again, "How did their families take it?"
"Well, all were shocked, of course," Scott began, still not sure where this conversation was leading. "Then some are able to accept, others tend to reject the idea, or ignore it, while some disown their mutant offspring outright."
Brad didn't say anything and continued to stare at the picture. He touched Jean's face, then ran a finger along the picture of Rogue in the window sill stuck in one corner of the frame. Scott was still unable to ascertain why Brad was here and asking him these odd questions. And he could tell that Brad's nervousness hadn't been alleviated.
"Brad, why are you asking me these things?" Scott finally queried.
Brad took a sharp intake of breath, then gently placed the frame back on Scott's desk. He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly, then finally looked at Scott.
His voice was shaky as he spoke. "I'm one, too."
As he sat there, wide eyed and slack jawed, Scott wondered if this was what the rest of the world had felt like at finding out about the existence of Mutants. It wasn't that he hadn't expected other mutants to be around. They were popping up all the time, and many times Scott had been on the recruiting team to try and bring them in. But still, for some reason, Brad's revelation had caught him totally off guard.
"I'm a mutant," Brad reiterated when he got no reaction from Scott.
Scott shook off the shock and rubbed his eyes. "Wow…I never expected…"
"Neither of us did."
"Right," Scott agreed.
"So, what do I do?" Brad asked.
"What do you mean?" Scott answered with a question of his own.
"What if they find out?" Brad's voice had the fear back in it.
"Right now they don't know," Scott reminded, soothingly, "And if you're careful, no one may know for a while. You're safe."
Brad nodded, looking less nervous. "I'm glad I'm not in your shoes."
"Thanks," Scott snorted.
"Sorry," Brad replied, but he glanced at Scott with a small smile.
Scott gave a little laugh. "At least I know one person won't be afraid of me."
There was a companionable silence between the two of them for a few moments before Scott carefully asked, "So, what exactly is your power?"
Brad looked a tad bit perplexed at the question, or maybe thrown off, for a second. Then he closed his eyes and was quiet again. Scott thought maybe he was being avoided until he watched as the gorgeous blonde that had distracted Andrew from pummeling him outside the campus book store appeared. She strutted around for the awed Scott before giving him a wink, blowing him a kiss, and promptly disappearing.
Brad opened his eyes, breathing heavily. Scott gave him an impressed look. "Nice."