Chapter 5- Spending Time With a Friend


Scott walked through the front door of the mansion, and pushed it close behind him. He looked around, and noticed that no one was around. He headed towards the TV room, and found everyone crowded around the television, completely captivated by the news report on the screen. Scott glanced at their faces and smiled as they watched the newscast.

“Hello, New York. This is Trish Tilby with a CNBC exclusive,” said the reporter. “We have confirmed reports that teen sensation, Dazzler has signed with Mojo Communications, the largest Communications company in the world. We have footage of Dazzler leaving her hotel suite not only with Rita Spiral of Mojo Communications, but of Hollywood movie star David Longshot!”

The screen flashed an image of Dazzler exiting the hotel arm-in-arm with Longshot. The students crowded around the television let groans of disbelief and shock slipped from their mouths. “What about Scott?!” cried Kitty. Upset she turned around to run from the room, and was shocked to see Scott standing in the doorway. “Scott?!” Kitty ran to her friend and threw her arms around him. “I’m so sorry Scott. You were way too good for her anyway.”

Scott was taken by surprise by Kitty’s actions. “Uh… Kitty?” He looked down at her, to find her gazing up at him sympathetically. “It’s okay, Kitty. We both decided to end it. Alison didn’t dump me.”

“Really?” asked Kitty.

“Yeah,” whispered Scott.

“Good,” said Kitty. “I knew she couldn’t be stupid enough to just let a catch like you get away!” Scott arched his eyebrow at the comment. “Uh…I mean….” said Kitty nervously. She looked at her watch and forced a laugh. “Oh, would you look at the time! Almost 7o’clock and I have Physics to study before Smallville comes on. Bye.” Kitty quickly exited the TV room completely embarrassed by the comment she’d made about Scott.

Scott smiled as Kitty walked past him and started up the stairs. He glanced into the room, and looked at his friends. The other students offered warm understanding smiles, which Scott gladly accepted. Then, he noticed the Professor approaching him, with Storm pushing his wheelchair. They stopped just in front of Scott. The Professor gazed up at Scott, and smiled.

“Are you okay, son?” asked the Professor.

“Yes, sir,” said Scott.

“I realize it was a lot for you to give up,” added the Professor.

Scott sighed. “It was hard,” began Scott, “but it’s a decision I won’t regret. Alison was special, and I did care about her a great deal. But I don’t think we were… that we were destined to be together.” Scott looked up at the Professor and Ororo. He smiled and pushed his glasses closer to his face. “Well, I’ll be in my room if anyone needs me.” He turned and headed up the stairs to his room.

The Professor smiled and glanced at Ororo, who was smiling as well. They both gazed at Scott as he ascended the stairs. “They grow up so fast, don’t they, Ororo?” asked the Professor.

“Yes, they do,” she replied. “Yes, they do.”

When Scott reached the top of the stairs, he caught sight of Jean. She was placing some earrings in her ear as she approached the steps. When she looked up, she saw Scott, and the earring slipped from her hand. Instinctively, Scott reached out, and caught it before it hit the ground. His hand closed around the earring. He stood up and took the last step, so that he was standing next to Jean.

“Here you go,” said Scott. He opened his hand, and in the palm was the earring. Jean took the earring and smiled. “You look nice, tonight. Going out?” Scott crossed his fingers hoping that she wasn’t, and that if she were that it wouldn’t be with Duncan Matthews.

“Actually, yes,” answered Jean, “I am. Duncan’s taking me out.” Scott’s heart sank after having both of his hopes dashed. “So, how are things between you and Alison?” Jean finished clasping the earring in place and proceeded down the stairs. She stopped after taking three steps, but didn’t turn to face Scott.

“Actually, I’m not seeing Alison anymore,” said Scott. “We decided it wouldn’t work.”

“Why?” asked Jean.

“Because, there were just some things we couldn’t give up on,” said Scott. “Some things… some people just mean more to me right now.”

Jean could feel her heart grow heavy. What could make Scott give up a girl like Dazzler? She was a superstar! She was gorgeous! What could possibly make Scott give up someone like her? The better question was probably… who?

“Jean!” called Amara from downstairs. “Duncan’s here!”

Jean glanced downstairs, and for the first time, she looked back at Scott. He stared at her, as if waiting to see what she would do, what she would decide. Her glance flashed back downstairs and she saw Duncan entering the mansion. He stood in the foyer and looked up the stairs. “Hey, come on, Red,” called Duncan. “We don’t want to be late.” Duncan glanced up towards Scott and smiled. “Way to go, Summers! How could you blow it with a super babe like Dazzler?”

“I didn’t blow anything,” said Scott. “We both decided that it wouldn’t work.”

“Yeah, right, Summers,” said Duncan. He headed out the door followed by Jean, who cast one last glance back at Scott. Then, she to left, leaving Scott staring at the door, alone.


Scott sat in the kitchen staring at a plate of cookies. He wasn’t very hungry, and didn’t feel like watching television. Right now, what he wanted was to be alone. Suddenly, he heard a tap at the kitchen door. He got up and opened it. It was raining, and the sight before him stunned him. “What are you doing here?” he asked.

“I live here,” said Jean. She was soaked. She walked past Scott and sat at the kitchen table.

“Yeah, but you left like twenty minutes ago,” he said. “Why are you back so soon?”

“I told Duncan, that I wasn’t feeling well,” she said.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Scott. “Would you like anything? Some hot chocolate?”

“No, Scott,” said Jean. “I just want… I just want to spend some time with a friend right now.”

“Sure,” said Scott. “Come on. Let’s sit by the fire, so you can get warm.” The teens got up and went into the living room, and sat on the couch next to the fireplace. Surprisingly, the room was deserted. Scott sat down on the couch, and Jean sat down next to him. “So, what do you want to talk about?”

“Nothing,” said Jean. “I just want to spend some time with you.” Jean leaned over and rested her head on Scott’s chest. Scott’s gently rested his head on top of hers. Jean rested her hand on Scott’s chest, which slowly rose and fell as the teens sat in front of the roaring fire. He slowly ran his finger through her red scarlet locks. They both sat there for hours, neither moving and neither speaking, but simply enjoying being close to each other. What else could be more important?