If You Pardon, I Will Mend


Mrs. Katherine Pryde-Summers
Mrs. Katherine Pryde-Summers
Mrs. Katherine Pryde-Summers
Mrs. Katherine Pryde-Summers
Mrs. Katherine Pryde-Summers
Mrs. Katherine Pryde-Summers
Mrs. Katherine Pryde-Summers
Mrs. Katherine Pryde-Summers

Kitty sighed as she stared at the words in her notebook.

"Ahem," the voice came from over her shoulder. Kitty straightened in her seat and tried to cover her notebook.

"If Mrs. Summers is ready we can begin our discussion on Shakespeare's `A Midsummer Night's Dream.'"

The class erupted into stifled giggles and Kitty sunk into her chair. She could feel her cheeks burning. All she wanted to do was melt through the floor and disappear. She considered doing it for a minute but groaned and lay her head down on the desk instead. `Yeah, like that wouldn't be embarrassing,' she thought to herself.

The bell sounded and the students leapt from their seats and rushed to the door. Kitty let out the big breath she had been holding. The weekend! Thank God.

"Don't forget, students,' Mrs. Holmes called after them as they left, "your short essay on Shakespeare's idea of love is due on Monday morning. And remember that for this assignment it will not be acceptable to simply watch `Shakespeare in Love,' I want you to interpret it from the plays we've been reading."

`Great,' thought Kitty as she headed toward the door. Then her face brightened a bit; Scott knows a lot about Shakespeare, maybe I can get some help from him. She grinned at the thought and searched the busy hall for Jean.

Kitty saw a flash of red out of the corner of her eye and headed that way. Jean was at her locker, balancing a load of heavy books in her arms. Just as Kitty moved forward to help her, a thick Chemistry book slipped from her arms and began to drop. Suddenly the book stopped inches from the ground and stayed suspended above the tiled floor.

Kitty snatched it up quickly and smirked at Jean.

"Sorry, force of habit," Jean laughed as she rebalanced her load.

Kitty took a few more of the books. "You should, like, be more careful Jean."

"Oh really?" Jean smiled smugly and replied, "Didn't I see someone go through a wall the other day to avoid being seen by the hall monitor?"

Kitty choked.

"Now who was that?" Jean furrowed her brow and tapped a finger against her lips.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it."

"Evan? No. Hmm… Scott? Oh, maybe it was-"

"All right, Jean," Kitty smiled and laughed.

"Jeannie!" A voice called out from down the hall.

Jean and Kitty turned to see Duncan weaving through the densely packed hallway. As he approached Kitty noticed the little smirking half smile on his face.

"Oh jeez," Jean sighed quietly.

"What?" Kitty asked as she turned back to Jean.

"Sometimes being able to read people's minds really sucks," Jean replied as she tried to smile.

Kitty looked back at Duncan. His smirk was really more of a leer…

"Ewwwwww…" said Kitty as she realized what Jean meant.

Jean arched an eyebrow and whispered to her quickly, "Oh you're on his list too, Miss Pryde."

Kitty gasped and blushed furiously.

"Hey, babe, what's up," Duncan moved in for a quick hug.

Kitty noted how skillfully Jean avoided the embrace and satisfied him with a quick peck on the cheek. Kitty felt the urge to shout `Bravo!' and clap.

Duncan seemed a little miffed but stopped frowning when he saw Jean's smile.

"So you coming to the party Saturday night?"

"Yeah, we are."

"We?"

"Well, Scott and I." Jean said it so innocently, as if she had no idea what kind of effect it would have on Duncan.

Duncan frowned but recovered quickly. "Yeah well, see ya there."

"Hey, Jean!" They both turned to see Scott Summers jogging down the hallway towards them.

Duncan used the moment to give Jean a quick hug. He turned right into Scott.

"Excuse me," he growled as he pushed past Scott.

All three watched as Duncan stalked down the hallway.

"Creep," muttered Jean. Only Kitty heard.

"Jean, I really wish you'd stay away from that guy," Scott said as he took Jean's books from her arms.

"Well thanks, Dad," Jean said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Kitty giggled. She noticed that Scott's jaw tightened. She wished she knew where he was looking. Those damn glasses…

"I'm serious, Jean. That guy's bad news, you should really keep away from him."

"And what if I don't, Mr. Summers?" She arched an eyebrow, "What are you going to do? Spank me?"

Scott's face turned instantly red and once more, Kitty had the urge to melt through the floor. Mrs. Jean Grey-Summers, Kitty thought with a frown. Yeah, she thought with a sick feeling in her stomach, it sounded right.