I heard muffled giggling and the sounds of people scurrying around me. My eyes felt as though they had been glued together and my mind was foggy from fatigue. It wasn't until I heard a snort and a tickling sensation on my face that I forced my eyes open.
The girls (and Benny) were standing around the couch I was sleeping on, grinning evilly at me. A few had their phones and cameras out and pointed at me.
"What did you guys do?" I asked.
Collectively, they burst out laughing and scattered in different directions.
"Guys?" I asked. Instinctively, I felt my hair to make sure all of it was still there.
Ben crept forward timidly, holding a mirror. He was biting his lips to prevent himself from laughing. After handing me the mirror, he ran off. Taking a deep breath, I looked at myself. A black marker had been used to draw on sideburns, a unibrow and a thick, curly mustache.
"It's the first of November, Leah." Kitty said, hiding behead the kitchen island. "You know what that means-"
"Movember!" The others chimed in.
I say the guilty weapon on the floor and picked it up. I held it threateningly.
"You are all sooo dead." I said coolly, uncapping the marker.
xXx
Logan glanced over from the teachers' table as Leah and her friends entered the dining hall. He raised a quizzical eyebrow as he noticed his daughter had extra facial hair. She was desperately trying to cover her face and her friends were giggling at her discomfort.
"Looks like someone slept in this morning." Storm commented, taking a sip of coffee.
"First rule of sleepovers, never be the last one awake." Jean added with a bright smile.
"Teenagers are so weird." Logan shook his head.
"But lovable." Jean said, looking lovingly at Alex who was a few tables away with his friends. She then frowned as him and Bobby began to making rude sounds with their armpits. "Nope, you're right. They're just weird."
"How has Alex been dealing with Scott's attack?" Storm asked softly. Everyone knew Alex was more like a son to Jean and Scott than a brother. Their age difference and their absent parents forced them into a parental role for Alex. Not that they seemed to mind.
"He's been very supportive and helpful." Jean answered after some thought. "He's always doing chores around the apartment without having to be asked. And he seems to be trying to comfort me whenever I'm alone. But its been hard on him. He's a kid and he's trying to be an adult."
"He almost took a round out of the shapeshifter the other day." Logan said.
Both women spun their heads to stare at Logan with their mouths open.
"He what?" Jean practically screeched.
"Jean, the students." Storm said in a soft but warning voice.
"He started a fight with Fang. He got a few good punches in before Leah stepped in a broke them up. I saw from across the yard." Logan answered. "He doesn't want him around. Not that anyone does."
"He hurt Scott, badly." Jean said slowly. "But both the Professor and Scott said he could stay. They want to try to help the boy."
"Some people you just can't help, Red." Logan countered. "I know what its like to have an animal in your head."
"But you took control of it."
"Because I decided to. And I've had almost seventy years to learn how to control it." Logan said. His eyes grew dark. "And sometimes it can still take control."
Jean opened her mouth to reply, then closed it. She looked thoughtfully at Logan.
"You look older."
"Thanks Red." Logan said with a feral grin.
"You know what I mean. Seventy or more years and you look like you're in your late forties." Jean said, staring at Logan as though it was the first time she had seen him in years. "But I remember you looking more like thirty before-"
"Leah was born. Yup." Logan actually looked happy at the thought of growing old.
Storm took Logan's strong hand and smiled at him. "We think it has something to do with Leah's ability to take away mutant abilities. We've never been exposed to her blood, but we have lived with her for years. Her exposure has damped both our abilities slightly. Enough for Logan to start aging again."
"You don't seem upset by that Logan."
"Red, I've lived a long time. I love 'Ro and Leah and I want to spend a lifetime with them. I don't want my wife and daughter to grow older than me and die before I do." Logan kissed Storm's hand. "Though I am glad 'Ro's hair turned grey before mine."
Storm took her hand away and swatted Logan's shoulder, as Red laughed.
"What yah all laugh'n at?" Remy asked, setting his loaded tray beside Storm.
"My husband's cruelty."
"Ah," Remy nodded, taking a seat. He frowned. "Why does Leah have a mustache and sideburns?"
"She's made some new life choices." Logan said sarcastically.
Remy looked over at Logan, his face blank, then shrugged. "Ah well, Ah always loved a fille with facial hair." And he began eating.
Logan's faced clouded over.
xXx
"I can't believe you guys used permanent maker." I grumbled as I pushed my salad around my plate.
"How were we supposed to know it would be difficult to wash off?" Alex asked innocently, making the other giggle. I threw a crouton at her head.
"Oh look, there's Remy." Kitty said, throwing me an evil grin.
"Don't you dar-"
"HEY REMY, COME SIT WITH US!" Kitty shrieked across the room.
I covered most of my face and glanced over at him. I saw him grin and stand up.
"I will murder you all in your sleep." I hissed, my face beet red.
"Then we might as well enjoy our last day." Lana said sweetly as Remy approached.
"Yah, got somethang on yo' face chere." Remy commented as he took a seat beside me.
"Leah!" Alex whispered in a fake, urgent tone, loud enough for everyone to hear. "I think you forgot to shave this morning!"
"I actually hate you all." I announced.
I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see Mom. "Leah, the Professor needs to see you."
I threw a death glare at my 'friends'. "Okay, I just have to try to wash my face. Again."
"It seemed urgent sweetie. He needs to see us now." Mom answered.
I heaved a great sigh and stood. This is what happens when you're the last one to wake up at a sleepover.
Mom handed me a wet wipe and I followed her out of the hall.