Two days after Graduation and most of the seniors have all gone home to their families or are preparing to go to the mutant research facility on Muir Island. Jean and Remy were among the group that would be staying over the summer due to their X-Men status. They along with Marie and Scott were going out to celebrate their graduation on a double date. Before they left however, Shylow and the others had something they wanted to say to the four older teens.
"Guys, we all have a bit of a verbal grad card for you that were going to give!" Shylow told them as they sat down on the edge of the fountain in front of Shylow and the other former freshmen.
"So first and foremost, congrats to all of you on graduating, we are all so proud of four people that we admire very much!" Shylow started then looked to Phoebe who stepped forward and continued the speech.
"Scott, you are an amazing leader not just for the X-Men but for the student body in general and we are all so happy that you are sticking around so we'll still be inspired by you every day!" Phoebe told the team leader making him smirk and nod as a thank you.
"Rogue… Despite all the drama that happened when we discovered our connection to Mystique a few years ago, I've really found a sister in you and I'm happy to have someone who will always have my back!" Kurt told Marie making her smile and stand, moving forward to pull him into a hug.
They stayed that way for a moment before pulling apart and letting Trinity say a few words.
"Remy… I've been told I should apologize for lifting your cards so… sorry!" Trinity told him making everyone in attendance laugh, "I'm glad to have you as a friend… we all are really, and we can't wait to hear what kinds of exciting things you have to look forward to when you are at Muir Island!" She added, he smiled and thanked her in his smooth Cajun accent.
"And Jean congratulations on being Valedictorian and thank you for being such a mentor to us all, I know that you understand what I'm going through when I can't get people out of my head… and can't seem to stay out of theirs!" Shylow told her gaining a laugh, " the GMRC will be very lucky to have you studying with them!" He added making her smile and thank them all so much for the kind thoughts.
They all exchanged hugs and best wishes as some of the students would be leaving that day or the next. Then the graduates all headed off campus to go have lunch.
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About forty-five minutes after the verbal cards was read Max was called down to the foyer by Storm. Thalia, his god mother had arrived and was going to be getting her first in person tour of the mansion. He smiled and hugged her as soon as he was close enough. Shylow waved cautiously to which she smiled and asked him how do you do.
"Mom… this is my boyfriend, Shylow this is my godmother!" Max introduced them as Shylow reached out a hand to shake.
She laughed before shaking it firmly and turning to Storm.
"So, Max told me I would be getting a tour of this prestigious academy?" She asked with a slight chuckle.
Storm nodded and asked Max if he would like to give the tour since he did them for new students on occasion. He agreed and told Thalia to follow him and Shylow.
First, he led her down the hall showing her the library and the classroom that Beast had used for his math classes that year. Then he pointed out Professor Xavier's office which was currently open so he said they could pop their heads in and say hello.
He moved to knock on the door and received a greeting and invitation in from the Professor who was currently sitting behind his desk.
"You must be Ms. Kallette, it's a pleasure to meet you!" He greeted Thalia shaking her hand. After some small talk with the Professor, Max led them back to the stairs and showed her to the dorms. Showing her his shared room with a sophomore named Eriq, who he never really had much communication with due to him being a hardcore homophobe.
Then they rounded their way back down to the sitting room on the first floor showing her two more classrooms, then heading to the dining room to have lunch. After they ate, Max gave her a quick tour of the back lawn. Thalia sat down with Shylow on a bench near the rose garden in the middle of the lawn while Max went inside to use the bathroom.
"So, Max told me you were hesitant about coming to stay with us over the summer, but he also said you had nowhere else to be but here… why is that?" She asked him, smiling gently so he knew not to be worried.
"Um… did Max tell you where I grew up or about the giant glasses?" He asked in response pointing to the sunglasses he had in the spot where human eyes were normally located.
"No but I gather that it has something to do with your mutation…" She told him to which he nodded, "You can show me if you want to…" she added.
Shylow sighed and slowly removed the glasses from his face. She looked at him thoughtfully before smiling.
"You can see though, how is that?" She asked to which he uncurled the fist he had made and lifted his hand to show her his eye, "So I take it your parent have known you were a mutant your whole life!" She said with a chuckle.
He slowly shook his head.
"I was raised by one of the sewer dweller mutants…" He started before trailing off.
"My best friend was a Morlock, He was kicked out at a very young age… we met when we were fourteen and my family let him stay with us until we heard about the institute when I was a freshman in highschool!" She told closing her eyes as she remembered back, "He met his wife here and she had a child when we were eighteen to a man who… well he hurt her really bad… but when their daughter Lydia was fourteen, her mom and my friend, her stepfather had another baby…" She added to her story imagining the baby.
"When Lydia, who was not a mutant was sixteen and their son was two, they were killed by a neighbor after he found out that they were mutants!" She cringed making Shylow's look soften, "Lydia escaped and brought her brother to me saying that she had family who would take her in since she didn't have a mutation, but it may not be safe for her brother…" She told him smiling again.
"Max's mom and dad were murdered?" He asked her, looking over at the back doors where his boyfriend was standing laughing with Blake, Phoebe, Trinity, and Ruby.
"Yes… thankfully he doesn't remember it or even her for that matter… I told him that is parents were heroes!" She told him making him smile.
"They were!" He told her nodding thoughtfully as Max walked back over.
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The group of former freshmen were all gathered in a circle near the fountain. They were going to go around and share what their plans were for the summer. Before anyone could say a word Kitty started to speak.
"I'm going back to LA to stay with my parents and see some of my old friends from home!" She told them all before turning and looking at Piotr.
"I will be going home and seeing my little sister, Illyana, She writes that she misses me and I cannot wait to tell her of our wonderful school and my wonderful new American friends!" He told them all in his thick Russian accent.
Next was Bobby's turn to speak.
"I'm going home for a week with the family and then we're going to New Mexico for a few weeks!" He told the group before squeezing his girlfriend's hand.
"I'm going home then I'm going with my family on vacation to a place fairly far from the equator!" Phoebe told them all gaining a few laughs in response.
Next was Max's turned to speak.
"I'm going home with Thalia and hopefully I'll have someone joining me…" He said giving Shylow a look.
"Alright fine… I already talked to her and we're gonna go pack my stuff in a little bit!" Shylow told him laughing as Max tackled him backwards into the fountain.
When they resurfaced out of the water several laughs ensued followed by a soft kiss between the two boys.
"Chas and I are going to visit family in Atlanta like usual!" Trinity told them getting a nod from several people.
Jamie looked over at her and smiled.
"I'm spending a week here at home then going with Bobby…" He answered.
Next, he looked over at Bryce who hadn't said much he was just observing. After everyone stared expectantly, he chuckled.
"I'm staying here till next school year where I'll be starting Sophomore year with you all!" He told them earning a smile from Ruby.
"I'm going home to see my grandma and Brothers but I'll be back a week early!" She replied before looking over at Tabitha.
"I'm supposed to be visiting my mom and brand-new stepdad, but I'll probably just go out looking for adventure!" She gave her answer before lying back and continuing to listen.
Kurt was next in line, and he shrugged his shoulders.
"I'm going to go stay with my parents in Germany, but I will also be back a week early!" He told them before everyone looked at Blake.
"I think I'll be floating between here and Dari's place… and I may go visit Marrow!" She told them making Shylow smile.
"Say hello to-" Shylow started before they heard shouting followed by someone storming out of the front door.
When they all turned, they saw Storm following Anna Earnhart out the door and down the steps.
"I've had it with this stupid school, I'm gonna go somewhere where I'll be needed and wanted as the superior being I am!" Anna yelled before transforming into a blackbird and flying off away from the school.
Several people in the group shared shocked glances.
"I can't believe… you don't think she would really…" Trinity started before stopping unable to finish her sentence.
"She would and She is!" Bobby confirmed staring off at the bird flying away.
"What did she do?" Blake questioned looking from one person to the other.
Max turned to her and shook his head before looking back.
"Anna just left to join the Brotherhood!" He told her making Blake's eyes go wide.
After a moment she realized that she really wasn't surprised by this. After several shocked moments the group disbursed. Several of them saying goodbye and getting into taxis but reminding one another that a whole new year was just around the corner.