It was too hot a day to stay indoors. Concentrating on any subject was too much for anyone. Even Emily agreed to this when Naomi was sitting on the floor of her room.
Come on, she said. You don't want to be here trying to have me explain what your defenses are missing. You want to be outside. And I know that popsicle isn't cutting it for you. This room is sweltering even with the A/C on.
Naomi sighed. "But what about you? I think..."
You always think that I should get to go outside. Emily mentally sighed, Even if I go out into fresh air I don't know if it will do me any good. A coma can really get a girl down sometimes.
Naomi put a hand on Emily's. "I'll come see you this evening alright?"
Sounds like a pity party. I don't need it. Emily mentally closed herself off from Naomi.
Sighing Naomi headed to the elevator and got off on the main floor. She nearly collided with Midas.
"Sorry Shade." He'd started calling her that a few days after she'd had the eventful meeting with Eric. "Was lookin' for Storm, she down in the danger room or they've gone out and about?"
Naomi shook her head, "She and Cat went to town, something about needing more popsicles and soap...?"
"Gotcha." He stepped away to let her pass, "Was wantin' to ask if there'd be any chance of an end of summer bash. I'm sure we'd all love for a break. Maybe a trip out to one of the nearby islands for a bbq and a swim. You know, get away from the house for a few hours. For those of us who don't get out as often."
It sounded like a good idea to her. She'd seen Hart and Rune sitting on the back porch that morning looking exhausted even though, like her, they hadn't done anything at all.
"If you can convince her I'll come for the food." She'd been swimming a few times in the pool. Hart was trying to teach her, but she was a slow learner with it. The idea of the total isolation of being under water wasn't helping.
"Brilliant. Ask around, see if any of the other slugs in this place want to chance a trip." He turned away then turned back, "Oh, and I've almost got that present for 'im figured out."
She grinned. "Really? That's great!"
"What's great?"
They turned to see Rune walking down the hall toward them.
"Plannin' a little shindig, just got to get the Headmistress's approval," Midas said without missing a beat. "Was askin' if Shade wants to come along. What about you Rune, a trip to one of the close little islands for food and fun away from the school?"
Rune glanced between the two of them and gave a non-committal shrug. "If you can convince Storm it sounds like fun. I'd be game."
"Well, keep your schedule clear for the early evenin' then. Invite anyone you'd like. Should be a great event. Ta!" He waved over his shoulder and departed down the halls.
Rune was watching his retreating back carefully.
Her eyes narrowed. "What?"
"There's just something about him and Prod..." He shook his head, "They just rub me wrong."
Naomi sighed. "Prod is... something. But Luke's not like that."
"Since when have you called people by their actual names?" Rune raised an eyebrow at her.
"Oh please, I call you by your name all the time." She waved a hand and headed for the kitchen. "Are we out of cold drinks too or did you hide some in the freezer?"
Rune followed her, "Too bad Bobby is off with Rogue. He could chill all the drinks." He dug deep into the back of the freezer and pulled out two drinks. "But I'm serious Naomi. I noticed you've been getting really close to the guy. Not Prod, though, you've avoided him like the plague. I know you've got good instincts with people but I don't know about Midas."
"Rune." She put her opened drink on the counter and stared, "Are you... are you jealous?"
He immediately flushed. "Of course not! You've just... I just want you to be careful is all."
Naomi laughed until her sides were hurting. "Oh, Rune. He's just a friend, I asked him to help me with something as a favor."
"He's not looking for just a friend, though," Rune cut in. "The way he treats you and talks with you. I don't know of anyone who would help someone with something for -what's it been- two, three weeks?"
She stood chest to chest with Rune. She stood on her toes and kissed him. Slowly his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her in closer, she wrapped her arms around his neck. She smiled and pulled back a bit. "You don't have anything to worry about alright? I can take care of myself.
He sighed and pulled her in closer again. "Are you really going to go to an island, surrounded by water, for a party?"
Naomi went back to her drink, "Why not? I've been working hard this summer, and besides, it sounds like fun."