Disclaimer: As you may have guessed, I still don't own the X-Men, and some OCs are not mine. Check out my profile for full props!
Author's note: How do you guys do this?
I recently caught up with all of my favorite fanfictions and, to my horror, MUST NOW WAIT FOR THEM TO BE UPDATED! How can you guys stand to do this every week? Or month? OR MONTHS? Always waiting for more! Ack! I shoulda stayed a slow reader! I could've enjoyed everything for much longer! (ironically, some authors I spead of read this story. Funny... maybe I'm aiming this at them :D)
Tiny preview for chapter just in case you like to know what you're getting into: Control. Control is probably the hardest part about being a mutant, and it doesn't come easy, especially when life doesn't want to cooperate. And the school's fall dance is only a week away. What could possibly go terribly wrong? Basically just an overview of the week.
(and possibly because I love my chapter previews, I try to make them suspenseful:D *geek*)
Enjoy. Read. Review. (in that order, no sense in reviewing if you haven't read!)
Monday
"Enrique!"
The white-haired mutant finished grabbing his books out of his locker and turned. He was surprised to see Leo walking down the hall toward him.
"Leo? I thought you left already." Enrique said.
Leo stopped a little too close to the boy for Enrique's comfort. Enrique stepped back a little and looked down at the other mutant.
Leo jabbed his finger into Enrique's chest. "Why didn't you tell me!" He snarled, closing the short distance between them again.
Enrique looked bewildered and struggled for words. He had no idea was Leo was talking about, at all. It was possible he was talking about his sexual orientation, but it seemed unlikely. Leo appeared to be fine with Ashley being gay, why would he care that Enrique was?
He held up his hands as Leo gritted his teeth. "Listen, Leo, I… I did not know you would react this way. I swear, I was going to tell you!"
"Goin' to? I deserved to know!" Leo was straining to keep his voice down. "Did Clay tell you not to?"
The bewildered look on Enrique's face increased, his mind struggling to make sense of it all. "Clay? I-I thought you were talking about me being gay."
The bewildered look spread to Leo. He relaxed a little bit, his own mind sorting through what he was hearing. "Y-you're… gay?" He shook his head. "Never mind that, did Clay tell you not to tell me that you were a part of the Haven?" He hissed.
Enrique's deep blue eyes widened. "How did you…"
Leo gripped the front of Enrique's shirt and pushed him back into the metal lockers. "You told me your codename! How didn't you think I would notice?"
"Leo, stop." The other boy said softly, fear etching its way across his face.
The spikey haired mutant seemed to be having an internal battle with himself. Enrique watched as his amber eyes flashed between recognition and animal rage. Leo was straining against himself as he clutched the other boy's front, veins popping out along his arms and neck.
He's your friend!
He lied to me!
Cloak watched his internal struggle with curiosity. Leo was suspended in a state of in between shifting, his teeth glimmering sharp, his muscles rippling, and faint golden fuzz was growing on his body. Enrique, although a little scared, couldn't help but think about the other boy's appearance… and how he would look without his shirt on…
Oh shut up. Cloak muttered to himself. He was in danger of being ripped to shreds.
"Leo!" Tabitha shouted, coming around the corner. At the same moment, on the other side of the hallway Zendi came around the opposing corner.
"Enrique!"
The two girls glanced at each other for a moment, and then both ran at the two boys.
"Let go of him!" Zendi yelled, attempting to shove Leo off.
The mutant gasped and looked at his hands that were pressing the taller teen into the lockers, a slight dent around him. He released his grip and threw his hands up, backing away.
"I-I didn't mean—"
Seeing that Enrique was no worse for wear, Zendi whirled around. Faster than any of their eyes could follow she slammed Leo into the wall behind him.
"What type of games do you think you're playing?" She snarled, her dark eyes fiery.
Tabitha placed her hands between the two of them and pushed them apart. "Woah there girlie! Leo didn't mean him any harm."
Zendi glared at Tabitha. "Well he probably did! Why else do you shove someone into lockers?"
Leo took a deep breath to collect himself. "She's right, I kinda lost it there." He looked beyond Zendi to Enrique. "I'm so sorry Enrique, you know, powers and all." He glared at him still. "Although I would have liked to know still."
"Lo siento, también. I should have… told you… you… you deserved to know." Enrique replied softly. He nodded to Zendi and the pair left.
"What the hell was that about, kitten?" Tabitha asked, a puzzled look on her face.
Leo shook his head. "Nothing. I-I need to get back to the Institute." He suppressed a growl. "I…I'm goin' to lose control a-again."
Logan lounged against the window sill, reading the late edition of the newspaper. He snarled at an article about the kids' former principal, Edward Kelly, and his run for mayor. He extended his claws and sliced the article out, the paper shreds fluttering to the ground.
"Logan! Danger Room! NOW!" A voice snarled from outside the kitchen door.
Logan didn't bother looking up, knowing the voice was the runt. "I'm busy kid, 'sides, you got one later tonight."
Leo paced in front of him like one of the tigers at the zoo. He clutched his head and growled, trying to shut out the animal again. "I'm s-s-s-serious L-logan!" The teen started shaking.
His mentor looked up, startled at the kid's behavior. He set the paper down and stood. "That bad, huh?"
The teen could only nod as he shuddered again.
Logan watched him closely. "Okay, let's go." As they walked down the halls the gruff man watched Leo out of the corner of his eye and shooed the other students away. With Leo in a state like he was, there was no telling what he would do if he got distracted from trying to keep the lion in.
Neither bothered to suit up, so they just walked straight into the metal room. Leo seemed to relax a little bit when his feet hit the metal floor.
"Whatcha want kid?" Logan asked, walking over to the elevator that extended down from the control booth.
"ANYTHING!" Leo roared, shifting into his lion humanoid form.
Logan stopped before the elevator, and sent it back up. Better go voice command. He extended his claws and turned back to Leo. As he ran at the teen he yelled at the computer.
"Computer, access Leo's Run number thirteen!" The man rushed Leo and slashed his claws at him.
The lion ducked and slashed out with his own claws. Wolverine ducked in between his arms and retracted his claws, jabbing Leo under his arm. The man snarled and kicked the teen hard in the back, sending him flying.
Leo stumbled forward into a laser cannon that sprung from the floor. He flipped over it then sprung up himself. With an ear-splitting roar he tore the cannon out of the floor, sparks flying, and threw it over his head at Logan.
Not breaking a sweat, Logan sliced the cannon in half, the two halves flying to either side of him. Leo's Run Thirteen was a mostly hand-combatant Danger Room program, made for Logan and Leo to go head-to-head with occasional cannons springing up. It was kind of a way for the two of them to work out their anger without killing someone.
Leo tackled Logan, knocking both of their claws out of the equation. The two tumbled around before Logan kicked the lion off of him.
With a little pause, Logan figured he might as well ask. "Alright runt, who got to ya?"
Leo didn't answer, but he extended his claws and moved fast enough to land a blow on Wolverine. He slashed a deep gash in the older mutant's shoulder, and then swung his right fist toward Logan's stomach.
The hit struck home and Logan buckled over. Grunting he stood and let his claws out again. "Alright, slash… then talk."
The lion attempted to slash the man's chest, but three things got in his way. Logan was careful to use the blunt sides to block the hit, since Adamantium would cut Leo's bronze claws clean through. Leo snarled, straining to get his claws free of Logan's. Giving up he grabbed the man's wrist with his other hand and tossed him away.
A cannon suddenly whirled out of the wall behind the teenager and fired. Leo was breathing heavy and not paying attention to his surroundings, so the blast hit him hard in the back. He fell forward, arms and legs sprawled out, and his shirt on fire.
It must have been enough to knock some sense into him, because he stayed down after that and shifted back to human.
He kind of wanted to feel the pain of the fire on his flesh, and he allowed it to burn him. It became too much for him and he quickly got up cursing and he flung off his shirt.
"It musta really been something." Wolverine grumbled, placing a hand over his bleeding shoulder to stop the flow of blood until his healing factor took care of it.
Leo took a deep breath, feeling a lot less angry. His back hurt like Hell, but his head hurt more. He sighed and sat on the ground, wrapping his arms around his knees.
Logan grunted. "Hmm, you know I ain't one for talkin' much about this crap, but it always seems to pull you back from the brink."
"That damn Haven. Damn, damn, DAMN!" Leo shouted, more at himself than Logan. He looked up to see the man confused with both arms crossed. "My best friend… he's a member of the Haven. And… he didn't even tell me! The others think they're the enemy, but they've been more excepting of me than half the mutants here!"
"We don't know nothing about them, kid." Logan grumbled. "Maybe they can be our friends, but maybe not. They haven't exactly proved themselves positively yet."
"That's the problem, we think we know them… but we don't! That's all I want, to know what they're really about!" Leo sighed, falling back on the floor with a clank.
Wolverine snorted. "What are ya gonna do about it then, runt?"
Leo stared at the ceiling, deciding that Logan deserved the truth. "I'm goin' to join them."
Logan's eyes widened a bit. "Yer gonna what?"
"They've offered me a place there, and I'm goin' to take it."
"Kid…"
Leo stood and kicked the remains of his shirt. "Let's face it Logan. You don't need me here."
"Kid, don't talk like that. This team has lost a member before, don't make it happen again."
The teen arched an eyebrow. "What… who?"
"Evan 'Spyke' Daniels." Logan answered bluntly.
"You… you mean Storm's nephew? I know he left but—"
"After a certain point the porcupine felt he was needed elsewhere. It tore Storm to pieces, the X-Men fell apart for days." Logan pointed a finger at him. "You think you can leave without leaving lasting damage? What about your brothers?"
"They agreed to come with me."
Logan rolled his eyes. "Willingly? Benj would go anywhere you did, whether he liked it or not. By leaving you'll be forcing him to leave something he loves, someone he loves." He added with a growl. "And Tyler, this is the first place he's been normal. I don't think he could stand the thought of you bein' somewhere he couldn't watch over your ass. Are you willin' to take that away from them just because we got some idiots here?"
"I…" Leo stopped. He never thought of it that way. Were Tyler and Benj just agreeing with him because they wouldn't leave him behind? "I…" He threw his hands down and ran out. "I just need some time to think!"
Tuesday
"Leo?"
"Leo!"
"Man, where did he go?"
An all-out search was on to try and find Leo Dyson. About half-way through the school day the students noticed he was missing from school, and they called in to the Institute to see if he was there; when he wasn't the search started.
Logan was able to track his scent to the school and back to the Xavier Institute, but from there it got a little fuzzy. Soon enough he thought he found his way and was off on his motorcycle before anyone could stop him.
They tried having Benj use his empathy link with Leo to try and find him as well.
The professor looked at Benj, hopeful. Benj's eyes were closed and his breathing deep, he was trying to get through to his brother. The two, plus a few of the other students and teachers, were in the professor's office.
Suddenly Benj cried out in pain and grasped his head. His eyes snapped open and he shook his head. "Dang it Leo!"
"Benj! Are ya okay?" Rogue asked.
He rubbed his arm and nodded before turning to the professor. "Leo's causing himself physical pain whenever I use the link. He knows that I'll fell it too and it'll break my concentration." Benj rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Professor Xavier, where ever Leo is, he doesn't want to be found."
Xavier frowned. "Extend the search area, I'll see if Cerebro can find him if he uses his powers." He looked around at the team. "And let's hope he doesn't."
"Beast!" Tabitha yelled, catching the teacher's attention. She and Amara ran up to him. "Any word yet on Leo?"
Beast halted on his way to the garage. "Not yet I'm afraid."
"How can we help?" Amara asked.
Beast thought about it. "Well, Jamie's already spread out throughout the city looking, along with Ray and Bobby. The professor wants us to extend the search area though… Do either of you know where he could've possibly gone?"
Amara shook her head. Tabitha shrugged. "I don't know, I just saw him get into a fight with Enrique yesterday. You think that had something to do with it?"
"Enrique?" Beast tried to cycle through the names he knew before coming to a face. "Oh! Enrique Oculto! The soccer friend." He frowned suddenly. "Hold on a sec. A fight? What over?"
"I don't know, didn't catch what it was over… but Leo had him slammed up against the lockers." Tabitha replied.
"A girl possibly?"
Tabitha suppressed a laugh. "Enrique's gay."
"A boy?"
She shook her head. "Unlikely, all I heard him say was that he 'deserved to know'."
Beast stroked his chin. "Hmmm… and you don't know what he was talking about?" She denied. "Okay, maybe if we can find Enrique—"
"He might have an idea where Leo is!"
"How can he not be in the phone book?" Kurt shouted, tossing yet another yellow phone book on the ground. The students had been called in from the search outside and were concentrating their efforts on brainstorming, hoping, and researching.
Pretty much all of the students were gathered in the Rec Room, all in various states of mind. Benj was still trying to use the empathy link, with little luck. He sat cross-legged against one of the walls, with Rogue squeezing one of his hands. Leo was continuing his process of expelling Benj; the blonde teen was beginning to get really sore.
Jean and Storm walked into the room, drawing looks from everyone. They had gone to the apartment complex that Storm had dropped Enrique off at several weeks ago.
Benj and Ty looked up expectantly, but Storm shook her head. "There is no record of the Oculto family living there, ever. I do not think we will find him tonight."
The held breath of everyone in the room was released, and it seemed as though their hope went with it.
Xavier rolled into the room, his expression serious. "I know everyone wants to help… but I think it would be best if we all rested for the night. We will keep looking, we will find him."
"What if he doesn't want to be found?"
The mutants in the room turned to the small voice that suggested it. Jamie's face was completely devoid of emotion as he repeated his question. "What if he doesn't want us to find him?"
"Then he'll just have to tell us that when we do." Tyler stated, standing up. "I think the professor is right, we can't do any more good today, it's time to rest. Besides…" He smiled tight-lipped. "I think some of you have a massive test tomorrow."
Wednesday
Ashley Wolfe walked quietly to her locker during a bustling passing period. Spinning the lock, she opened it. Suddenly a small note fluttered out, attached to a deep crimson rose.
She glanced confusedly around, before picking them up. The note was handwriting scrawled on light blue paper, and as she read through it, it was apparent that it was a note from a secret admirer.
You may have not noticed me, but I've noticed you. I find it cute that you are kinda bite-sized, and I love your eyes. I like girls with hazel eyes, and green is one of my favorite colors. I am not the best at talking to girls I like, so I tried this! I wanted to ask you to the dance next week, but wanted to be sure you did not already have plans. If you don't, leave a note in locker 202. I'll see you at the next mutant meeting.
~J.H.
Ash blinked away her surprise and looked from the rose to the note. She was afraid it was from some desperate guy, and that she would have to break it to him that she just was not interested. On the other hand, it could turn out to be a girl, which could bring a more positive outcome. She started racking her brain for names of mutants that she met last Friday.
"Hey Ash, whatcha got there?"
Ash turned to see her leader, Clay, walking down the hall toward her. She raised what was in her hands, and to her dismay, Clay grinned.
"Someone's got a secret admirer! How cute." Clay said, laughing.
"I don't know what to do…" Ash murmured.
Clay nodded at the note. "What does it say?" Ash handed it to her. The older mutant read through it quickly, smiling a little. "Well, it looks like you leave a note in this locker 202."
"What if it's a guy?" Ash asked, taking the note back and putting it in her locker. She shut it and began walking down the hall with Clay. "I don't want to be mean."
Clay shrugged. "Then write in the note that you're interested… only if they're a girl. I wasn't at the last meeting, so I can't help you out with any names."
The pair turned a corner to see a small ring of Xavier Institute students around Enrique, who was backed up against the lockers. Clay looked at Ash, whose face was blank. Ash met her gaze and nodded. They might as well see what was going on.
"Rogue!" Claire called out, walking up to the girl. "What's goin' on?"
Rogue turned slightly, still keeping an eye on Enrique. "Leo's gone, we don't know where he is, but apparently Enrique and Leo got inta a fight before he left." She glared at Enrique. "We were hopin' he'd tell us what happened." Her eyes fell on Ash. She squinted. "Don't Ah know ya?"
Ash returned her gaze, her jaw set. "Maybe."
Benj looked at the two girls, and his eyes noticed something on Ash's waist. Attached to her belt loop was a small gray circular device. "The Haven!" He blurted out.
Rogue narrowed her eyes more and pointed her finger at Ash. "Ya're Ash, the girl Ah fought."
A momentary look of panic etched its way across Claire's face before vanishing. She had the feeling like a train wreck was about to happen, but she couldn't help but keep going and watch.
"One of them Haven mutants that attacked us!" Rogue nearly shouted, she clenched her fists.
Ash shrugged and looked to Claire. Claire tilted her head and brought her eyebrows together.
"Uh… Haven?" Claire asked, trying to distract Rogue.
Rogue waved her off, and stepped closer to Ash. "That's how Ah know ya, ya're in mah head!" She growled. "Thanks ta ya guys, Storm was—"
"Not now Rogue." Benj said calmly, placing a hand on her shoulder. Kitty did the same, pulling the southern mutant back. The blonde looked at Ash's Haven communicator then turned back to Enrique. The same small sphere was clipped to his waist as well. Benj's eyes widened and he slapped his own forehead. "Duh!" He thought about his own communicator, he left his in his nightstand at the Institute, but he knew that Leo always kept his with him.
Benj pointed at the white-haired mutant. "He's part of the Haven. Is that what Leo was arguing with you about?"
Enrique nodded, his eyes darting to Claire momentarily. It seemed that all of their identities were crumbling, but they knew that Claire's had to remain intact. There was no telling what would happen if she was exposed.
The warning bell rang. Claire gave Rogue a confused look. "You know, as interestin' as this mutant party is, I'm gonna be late for class. Good luck with findin' Leo." She walked away, giving Enrique and Ash a nod.
She would be back.
"I also should be getting to class." Enrique tried, inching his way over, only to be stopped by Kurt.
"We want some answers first." Kurt stated.
Ash surprised them all by shoving Kurt out of the way. "We don't know what happened to Leo."
Enrique placed a hand on the small girl's shoulder and turned to face the X-Men. "What happened? I know he was not here yesterday."
"He left halfway through the day, and took our motorcycle." Benj answered. He figured since Enrique was friends with Leo he deserved an answer. "It's possible he's looking for the Haven."
The Haven mutants exchanged glances. "He will not find it." Enrique stated.
"That's why I want your help. Can you get me in touch with Clay Dune?" Benj asked, just as the tardy bell rang. The mutants in the hallway were no longer concerned with being late.
Cloak chuckled silently, and Ash actually laughed. Her laugh was quiet and rather creepy, so it freaked out the Institute students. Enrique raised an eyebrow slightly at her; he'd only heard her laugh a few times, so it was unusual.
"Verdad… Clay will not want to speak with you. But…" He thought for a moment. "If Leo is in danger I will make it happen. Consider this your first partnership with the Haven." He stuck his hand out.
Rogue took it, and they shook.
Leo put the kickstand down on the motorcycle, then stood. He stretched his arms above his head, and shook his legs out. How long had he been riding? Nearly twelve hours straight, he guessed. He tore off the helmet and recalculated his guess as he looked at his watch. Make that fourteen.
He spat on the dusty ground, he wasn't even sure where he was. He looked around at his surroundings.
It was a run-down gas station, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. He had parked the bike near the convenience store, after filling the tank up from the rusty pump.
He leaned against the building and pulled a box out of his pocket. Removing one of its contents, he lit it and stuck it in his mouth. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled some smoke and groaned.
Yet another promise to himself he broke.
Leo grumbled to himself. He just couldn't break the habit of keeping a pack of cigarettes on him all the time, regardless of Benj's asthma. Damn terrible habit to break.
He yanked the cigarette out of his mouth and flung it on the ground, grinding the end into the pavement. He swore silently before taking out another.
"Holy cow, kid. You know smokin's bad for your health." A gruff voice grumbled. The teen didn't even bother looking for the source.
Leo nodded, before leaning his head back. "I know it's just that… a bad habit to start." He took another puff. "What do you want Logan?"
"Anything you wanna talk about runt?" Wolverine asked, leaning against the wall next to him. He looked over the teen. He was no worse for wear, though dark bags were beginning to form under the kid's eyes. By his estimate, Leo had been riding straight through the night. It was pure luck Logan caught up to him… well, and pure speed.
"Thought I would make it a little farther before you found me, old man." Leo grunted. He turned his head to look at the man. "Take these," he said, handing the pack of cigarettes to Logan, "and bury them far away. If I see another one, I'm gonna be sick."
"Bad habit for sure." Logan said darkly, sticking the box deep into his pockets. He walked a few paces then spun to face the kid. "Alright, I ain't gonna make you do anything, but use yer head, runt. What do you want to do?"
The young mutant sighed, and played with the shark teeth on the cord around his neck. "I want to do a lot of things. Go to the dance, find a girl, kiss her, marry somebody, have a few cubs…" he added with a smirk. Logan chuckled and shook his head. "But right now? I need some space… some time to think." Leo laughed darkly. "But I got no place to go, nowhere to think in peace. I'm glad you came after me, but maybe I need some time away from the team. To… figure some things out."
"Where ya gonna go?"
Leo shrugged. "I hear Bayville's nice this time of year."
Wolverine raised an eyebrow. "You came all this way… hundreds of miles… only to decide to go back?" He stuck a thumb out at himself. "And I followed you?"
Leo scratched his head. "You knew I was comin' back, one way or another."
The man narrowed his eyes. "Yeah, I did… I just thought we'd get to see somethin' exciting, not this crappy old gas station."
The insane grin spread across Leo's face. "Then you should've waited longer, Logan! I was goin' all the way to Nebraska if I had anything to say about it!"
Logan spat on the ground. "Nebraska? Are you outa yer flea bitten mind? There ain't nothing there!"
"Maybe I like corn and soybeans, maybe I was hungry for a Runza!" Leo laughed. "Maybe I'd get featured on one of those little cards at Runza that say 'I'm a Runzaddict and I drove all the way from Bayville on a motorcycle, being chased by my insane teacher, just to eat a Runza!'"
"That all you wanted?"
Leo's face darkened. "No… I needed sometime to clear my head… see where God took me. Apparently I'm meant to come back to the Institute sooner than I thought."
Wolverine looked back at his motorcycle, and then sighed. "Well we came all this way, didn't we? And we're already half-way there…" He almost looked like he wanted to shoot himself for the suggestion. "Come on," he groaned, waving his hand. "Let's see how many corn fields we pass before we find a Runza, or whatever the hell you wanted to see."
"Eat, Logan. I want to devour a Runza sandwich."
"Whatever. We'll have the Blackbird pick us up."
As the pair got on their bikes and sped off, a figure on top of the gas station stood. She fiddled with a gray sphere, before pressing the button.
"Targets on their way home. Let the X-Men know their cowardly lion is goin' home to Kansas."
Friday
Friday again. The week had seemed long for the X-Men, but compared to the crazy weeks they had experienced before, it was nothing. Things had gone crazily for Leo again, and some at the Institute were wondering if he was more trouble than he was worth.
Just before the bell rang for the last class to be released, Principal Darth came on over the intercom.
"Before you all run off and have a great weekend, I'd like to remind you that the Fall Dance is only a week away! Be sure to get your tickets now! And as an additional reminder, despite the fact it is near Halloween there are no costumes allowed. Thank you, and have a great weekend!"
The bell rang immediately after that and Leo tore out of the room without a glance at Enrique.
"Wait, Leo!" Enrique shouted after him, but the feline mutant was too fast. The white-haired boy muttered to himself and gathered his things. How had he let things get so out of control over the past week? Leo was refusing to talk to him after their fight.
He ran out of the classroom and tried to catch a glimpse of Leo through the swarmed hallways. He scanned the tops of heads, looking for the red spikes.
"Uh… Enrique?" A voice asked behind him.
The mutant turned to see Sionnach at his locker. The boy had a peculiar look on his face, almost like he was embarrassed, but Enrique wasn't paying much attention to that.
"Oh hi Sionnach. Did you see Leo go by?" Enrique said, still looking around the hallways. He sighed, he'd just have to talk to him after the mutant meeting.
Sionnach's face fell, but was immediately replaced by his non-caring countenance. He hastily shoved the two tickets in his hands into his jean pockets. Adjusting the sunglasses on his face he turned back to his locker.
Enrique looked to Sionnach. "Did you want something?"
The fox ears on top of his head flattened. "No."
The other boy raised a black eyebrow at the other's strange tone. "What is wrong?"
"Nothing." Sionnach grumbled, slamming his locker shut and walking away.
He entered the classroom where they held the mutant meetings. He was slightly surprised to see the desks pushed back a little ways and a row of stools at the front with the teacher's desk shoved up against the whiteboard. Maintaining the cloud of unhappiness around him he took a seat next to Zendi.
The Haven mutants no longer had a reason to continue to hide from the X-Men.
As the last of the stragglers came in, including Enrique then Leo, the eldest Xavier Institute members sat on the stools in the front. Scott sat in the center, on either side sat Jean and Rogue, followed by Kurt next to Jean, Leo next to Rogue and Kitty next to Leo. Beast perched on the stool next to Kurt, Logan leaned against the wall nearest Leo, and Storm, Tyler, and the professor both watched from in the back of the classroom.
"If I could have your attention," Scott said from the front. The room instantly silenced. He scanned the room quickly from behind his red-tinted glasses. All the Haven mutants were grouped together, except the ever evasive Clay Dune. The younger Institute students were spread out throughout the room, mixing in with the unaligned mutants. The principal's daughter, Claire Darth leaned up against the wall in the back and watched with great boredom.
I guess she doesn't share her father's enthusiasm. Scott thought to himself.
He continued. "The professor is letting us run today's meeting. We're going to talk about control."
"A lot of us have struggled one way or another with control over our powers," Jean said, looking over the audience. "For some of us it's just a mind over matter thing."
"For othahs, it's a physical restriction." Rogue added, raising a gloved hand. Scott nodded and touched his glasses.
"Sometimes it can be a matter of…" Leo started, shifting half-way through his line into his lion humanoid shift, "keeping your emotions in check." He shifted back to human, somehow mustering up his crazy grin despite how down he was.
"Or use of concentration!" Kurt added, porting to the back of the classroom then back to his stool.
"Through it all we have to remain focused, as to not lose ourselves." Beast commented. "I'm sure my infamous rampage is legend by now." He said smiling.
"The proper use of our powers are, like, ultimately up to us, you know?" Kitty said, shrugging.
"We want to prove to the world we can handle them, but we can't let that go to our heads." Logan added in gruffly, clenching his fist.
"So we'd thought we'd tell you guys how we do it. How we handle things when they get out of hand." Scott stated. He pointed at his glasses. "I wear specially made ruby quartz glasses that keep me from blowing everything away, but I've had them taken before. In cases like that I have to keep my eyes closed."
"Like Scott, mah mutation is physical." Rogue said, removing a glove. "Ah can't make skin-ta-skin contact with anyone, so Ah wear clothin' that covahs mah body. It's a pain, but bettah than hurtin' someone."
Jean spoke. "I have powers of telepathy and telekinesis, but they can get out of control if I don't keep my mind focused." She smiled at the professor in the back. "Professor Xavier has given me exercises to keep my mind focused and powers under control."
"But the best thing I've, and probably everyone else, has learned is to keep a level head." Leo said, his eyes meeting Enrique's. "I'm famous on the team for outbursts, lost control, and temporary leaves of absence." He shrugged. "But all that is to keep my head screwed on tight to by body. I work a lot with Mr. Logan to keep my anger down, or at least re-directioned until I have my head 'on'."
"Not everyone's perfect," Kurt added.
"So don't freak when something goes wrong," Kitty said, waving her hand.
"Because everyone messes up," Beast joined in.
"And if ya didn't," Rogue said.
"How would you know if you had everything under control?" Scott finished.
Some might recognize small snipets from my scrapped Chapter 11: Beyond Reasons, where Leo runs off, and some may not. I did replace that chapter after I accidently uploaded the ubber depressing version. All that day I was freaking out during class going: "Did I put the horrible one up? Oh **** I did!"
Anyways, next chapter is the dance. Awww, so you guessed it! Stormplains tries romance genre again! YAY! Man I feel bad for Sionnach, I felt bad writing that, but he doesn't get his man easily. :D
~Keep writing strong.