Pretending

The plot thickens~ ;D

My friend played Rogue in addition to the previous.

--

Scott pushed the door open for the men’s bathroom and - nearly collided with a girl who was coming in the opposite direction. A really gorgeous girl with blonde hair, blue eyes and an unbelievable body.

"Aw heck," He sighed, bending over to pick up the books that had dropped upon impact, "I'm real sorry, ma'am." He smiled up at her, red shades glinting, "Ever had one of those days?" He laughed softly as he stood up, looking through the books to see if any of them were hers, "Er, you do know this is the men’s bathroom, right?" He said in low tones, so as not to embarrass her.

...Well, that was easy.

Kurt smirked and put his hands behind his back, trying to look like he was flirting. "Of course, I do, handsome," he said, trying out a new voice. He frowned a little, but shrugged. It was the best he could do. "Could you show me around?" he asked, trying to get into character.

Scott blushed brightly as she called him handsome. There was... something... about her.

"Um, I-I'm supposed to be meeting a friend, um... rain check?" He offered, "Will you be free later?" He said, trying not to look over her voluptuous frame. "God, how rude of me." He offered a hand with a broad smile, "Name's Scott; Scott Summers."

He rolled his eyes. Okay, so maybe he was a good actor? He grinned and said, "Kurt Wagner."

Then laughed, not able to stop himself. "Or, I don't know..." he paused, saying of the first name to come to his mind, "Sandra?" He sniggered again. "Nice to meet you."

Scott's jaw dropped and he nearly dropped his books again, glancing round he quickly put a shoulder to Kurt's shoulder, pushing him carefully back into the men’s bathroom.

"Sandra?" Scott turned the name over as he looked at... him? Her? Walking around Kurt, Scott looked his new figure up and down, his curiosity wanting him to reach out to see if that chest was half as luscious as it looked while the rest of him blushed.

"Not bad Kurt..." He grinned down at his friend, standing a lot closer than he normally would. "Not bad at all..." He breathed out, staring at him for a long moment - his eyes are still the same... "So all we gotta do now is find Jean..." He muttered absentmindedly.

Kurt blushed a little at the compliment-- oh, he knew it was about the image, not his own or his ability, but still... He put on a coy smile. "So you like something you see?" he asked in a purr. Okay, so he had more confidence this way. Shut up.

Scott swallowed hard, his cheekbones flaming almost as red as his shades. "Um... er... I-I... er... You're very - it's, um - these are very - it's quite - er..." Get a grip, moron, it's just Kurt, "Yeah," He said, finally, lamely, backing into a sink and wondering just why his mouth had gone dry.

"Quit messing around, Kurt - I mean, Sandra - we gotta find Jean before lunch breaks over," He said, normally he would have reached out to tug Kurt's shoulder but in this new form he reached out and took Kurt's hand, tugging it a lot gentler than usual and smiling at him a little.

"Ready to face the world... Sandra?" He asked.

Kurt just grinned and, again with courage he wouldn't normally have otherwise, curled his fingers around Scott's hand. "With you at my side, sure," he said with a wink and walked out of the bathroom.

Scott cleared his throat, not quite ready to let go of Kurt - Sandra's hand just yet.

"Let's try the cafeteria first, shall we?" He said, glancing at the clock in the hall, "We can grab a quick bite to eat there, too, if you'd like?" He asked her - HIM! Him... "Unless you're not hungry?" He asked with a concerned little frown. Why was it so hard to treat Kurt like... well... like Kurt all of a sudden?

"I am a bit hungry," he said, smiling. Of course he was usually hungry. The food just wasn't what he'd call edible here. He absently wondered to himself if anyone would miss his disappearance and wonder where he was.

"Cool." Scott smiled, pushing open the cafeteria doors and scanning the room for Jean. He spotted her sitting by one of the windows with a group of friends, waving as she spotted him - and the girl he was with. He was surprised when she waved back before turning back to her friends and hurriedly starting to talk, making frequent glances at Kurt. Scott leaned down so his mouth was close to Kurt's ear.

"Something tells me they've noticed you," He whispered in low tones, squeezing Kurt's hand.

His fur stood on end as Scott's breath blew over his ear, but smiled. "Ja," he muttered.

He suddenly had doubts about this though. While he was a self-proclaimed party animal, he didn't like attention that much. It made him nervous that they would figure out what he really looked like. And now it was even more a risk.

"Hey," Scott said softly, standing upright. "Don't worry so much," He said, reaching out to brush back a strand of Kurt's new hair. "They won't know. You're a really good actor," He said honestly. "Now, think you've got enough money for lunch or do you want me to get this?" He asked, glancing over at Jean again who was deep in conversation with her friends, shooting Scott a dazzling smile.

Kurt smiled wider and blushed at the compliment, relaxing a little. "Um, thanks... I..." he felt his pockets then frowned. "I think I left my wallet in my locker. And, well... I can't... exactly get it now. Sorry."

"No worries," Scott said easily, ordering their food and balancing the tray in one hand so he didn't have to let go of her - HIS! - hand. "Mind if we go sit with Jean and company or would you prefer it just us?" He looked at Kurt with a bit of a smirk. "Considering you're new and all," He teased.

He grinned lightly. "Well, since I'm new, I guess I should try and make more friends," he said. "But do you think they'd like Sandr-- uh, me? They should be nice and introduce themselves." Grin widening a little, his eyes glanced around the room, seeing quite a few eyes on him now. Her.

Scott placed a - ever so slightly possessive - hand on Kurt's lower back, gently guiding him towards the girl's table, glaring at one or two guys who were paying particularly close attention to some of Sandra's assets.

"If you act yourself, Sandra, they're gonna love you," He said soothingly just before they reached the table. "Everyone, this is Sandra, she's brand new so be nice okay?" He grinned.

He fought to not lean into the touch and smiled at the girls, wiggling his fingers in a wave of greeting. And thought quickly to keep his mind barriers up. He didn't think Jean would, but he didn't want the plan to backfire just when it started. If at all. It was nice; this contact with Scott.

Jean smiled, poison dancing in her eyes, as she looked at this new girl.

"Hi, I'm Jean. This is Tracy, Jubilee, and Rogue." Underneath the table Scott let his hand rest against Sandra's knee comfortingly for a few seconds before moving it away and concentrating on his meal, wondering just how Kurt's acting skills would stand up to this.

"Hi," he said, averting his eyes from Rogue's. Oh god, please don't let her know... "It's, um, pretty nice here in Bayville," he said while picking at his own food. He really hadn't thought of a back-story for this Sandra girl. Hopefully they wouldn't ask too much.

"So, you're new in town?" Jean asked, eyes narrowing a little even though her smile remained perfectly bright.

"Sandra's the same as Kurt, she's from Europe," Scott said, smiling at Kurt, "So the annoying fuzz ball will have someone to irritate." He winked at Kurt before turning to Jean, "How was class?" He asked, determined to distract her.

"So what do y'think of our class, Sandy?" Rogue smiled brightly. "Mind if ah call y'Sandy?" She asked.

Kurt nodded, resisting the urge to kick Scott under the table. Oh, he'd have to get him back for that. His mind started to stray towards a couple harmless pranks before snapping back at Rogue's voice.

"Oh, uh, no. I guess not," he said, offering a smile. "They're nice. Different from back at home, but nice."

"Well ah'm sure you'll fit in just fine here, honey. There's always room for one more girl an' Bayville is just full of cute guys lookin' for a gal like you." She winked.

While Rogue was talking and Jean was telling him about her day Scott reached back under the table, his hand resting on Sandra's knee for just a little longer. It was so easy to think of Kurt as Sandra.

Kurt grinned. "Oh, I know. I mean... I know I get stared at," he clarified. His grin faultered a little at the touch, but not much. He glanced at Scott from the corner of his eye and took a bite of his food. He wondered how much stuff constituted as 'holding hands'.

Scott's gaze started to wander as Jean carried on speaking until he found himself staring at 'Sandra'. Had Kurt meant to program that thing to be so distracting or what?! Scott was -

"OW!" He jumped, banging his knees off the table as Jean kicked his ankle, his hand moving away from Kurt's knee. "What the heck was that for?" He asked. Jean narrowed her eyes.

"Well, if you don't know, I'm not going to tell you," She said, making to leave. "Anyone coming?" She asked snootily, expecting the others to follow instantly but no one could meet her eyes, all of them too interested in Sandra. "Fine then," She said, storming out of the cafeteria and leaving Scott grinning. He looked at Kurt.

"Thanks, K - Sandra." He blushed over his near stumble.

He had to hold down a triumphant laugh-- so someone could best Miss Perfect-- and turned to look at Scott. "For what?" he asked, trying to stay in character and hoping Scott wouldn't mess up his own plan. "I should thank you for buying me lunch," he added.

Scott blushed, much to the amusement of the others.

"Don't mention it, happy to do you a favour." He shrugged.

"Maybe she could pay you back for it sometime?" Rogue said with a grin, reaching out to touch the back of Sandra's hand. "Only t -" She frowned a little. Surely not..? "Teasing," She said quietly. Scott had froze as Rogue had reached out. Would the image inducer cover that?

Kurt swallowed thickly, feeling his fur twist a little at the contact. Oh shit. He grinned weakly then looked back at Scott. “I hate to leave early, but, uh… I better get going. I mean, I need to talk to my next teacher… So, uh…” He stood up slowly, trying not to look at Rogue.

"Oh, don't - um - I mean, you don't have to go," Scott stammered, only just stopping himself from reaching out to him.

"Ah'll come with ya, sugah," Rogue said quickly as she stood up, her words running into Scott's, "Make sure you find whatever room your in." She smiled, "Ah've got class soon enough anyway." She ignored Scott's scowl.

His mind whirled, trying to see if he could think of something that could get him away from Rogue-- short of 'porting, obviously. Coming up with nothing, he nodded and grabbed his tray going over to put it in the trash.

Rogue watched this 'Sandra' girl with narrowed eyes, glancing from her to Scott - who was very firmly looking in Sandra's direction and, if Rogue was any judge, staring at the sway of the girls hips. Well, that seemed genuine enough... She shot an irritated glance at the table that seemed to be making the most noise - the one right beside Sandra, where the Brotherhood members sat.

"Later guys," She said absently, walking over to Sandra. "All ready?" She asked the other girl with a smile.

Kurt blushed deeply at the noises, glancing at the table for Toad and wondered if he knew. He switched his gaze to Rogue and nodded. "Yeah..." Shit. Shitshitshit. He can't just go walking around like this... He didn't really plan to try and have a new student registered or anything like that.

Rogue noticed the hesitancy in the new girls voice and pushed aside her curiosity, shrugging one shoulder.

"It'll be okay, y'know, you'll settle right in and everyone'll like you," She said kindly before grinning. "Scott already seems quite taken with ya -"

"Well, that's 'cos one-eye ain't blind, yo," a voice said from behind them. Rogue rolled her eyes and made a noise of disgust as she turned round.

"Get lost, creep," She snapped, hands on hips. Todd flicked her the bird and turned a lazy grin on Sandra.

"Hey, are you new?" He asked, letting his eyes roam over her figure. "Name's Todd." He jerked a finger towards Rogue. "Whats a lady like you doin' hangin' 'round with these geeks?" He asked.

He just stared at Todd, wondering if he was playing a joke or not. Didn't look like it... He battled with himself-- a way out of what would certainly be a confrontation with Rogue or not defending his friends.

Well, he'd have to deal with Rogue eventually...

"Because, these 'geeks' are nice to me and," he wrinkled his nose, exaggerating, "don't reek either."

Todd sighed inwardly; always with the smell... He plastered a smirk on his face, urged on by the jeers behind him as he took a step closer.

"I'll be nice to you, if you like." He shrugged one shoulder - the urge to say that he'd prefer it to be nasty was nearly overwhelming but... there was something about Sandra. Something about her eyes that just - "Sorry about the smell, yo, someone pushed me into a garbage can." Well, it wasn't exactly a lie. He shot a dirty look at Pietro who sniggered and waved.

"Look, I get that the geeks have probably poisoned you against me - I mean us," He waved a hand to the group behind him, "but can I at least know your name, girl?" He asked earnestly.

He had to stop a laugh from coming out-- at what he was saying and what Pietro apparently did. "Actually, they haven't said anything to me about anyone around here," he said, which was true, to a point. They hadn't told Sandra anything.

He sighed, but decided to be courteous at least, and said, "Sandra. My name's Sandra." He debated on holding out a hand for a shake, but thought better of it-- Toad probably wouldn't hold back and tell everyone who he really was.

"They ain't?" Todd said in sheer surprise, looking over at Rogue who smirked at him, narrowing her eyes. He sullenly stuffed his hands in his pockets. "It's only a matter of time, then." He shrugged before grinning and leaning forward, tired of being nice to a complete stranger - no matter how hot.

"So gotta boyfriend yet, Sandra?" He asked with a grin, "You and Summers were lookin' pal-y back there." He smirked. "You know he's gay, right?"

"Well, uh... not... officially, yet..." He frowned lightly. They hadn't really discussed that; were they already 'going out'? He raised an eyebrow at the last comment. "Really? He doesn't seem like it-- stares at my chest and hips like every other guy in here."

"Actin', Sandra, he's actin'," Todd said with a mock serious expression, trying not to let his eyes drift south at the mention of that chest. "Not that I can blame him, yo." He smirked before it fell away. Wait a minute... Hadn't Kurt said that Summers was after that Jean Grey bitch?

"Met Jean Grey yet?" He asked curiously.

"Um, I think so. Long red hair, tall?" he asked, pausing. "She didn't seem to like me much..." And, gee, I wonder why... Why didn't Scott just ask her out in plain words again? Oh hell, what does it matter-- he still gets to spend time with him.

"Psh." Todd made a dismissive gesture, ignoring the fact that Rogue had started tapping her foot impatiently behind Sandra. "Don't sweat it, Grey doesn't like anyone, y'know." He shrugged, "You seem nice enough to me -" and not a lot of people are nice enough to me "- she's just got a bug up her ass about somethin'." He shrugged lazily. "Been there since she was born probably."

Rogue rolled her eyes. Much as she hated the fact that she agreed with Toad, she couldn't stand by and listen to someone bad mouth her team-mate.

"Are y'all quite finished bein' a dick, Toad? 'Cos me and Sandra have to be in class in -" She glanced up at the clock, "- five minutes."

Kurt smirked then glanced at Rogue, his smirk disappearing a little. "Yeah... I... I guess I'll see you then?" he asked, turning back to Toad again. Okay, maybe he was being mean, but... come on! Who wouldn’t take this opportunity?

"I hope so." The words were out before Todd could stop them - before he was really aware of thinking them - his tone a lot softer than usual. He blushed at the jeering that promptly erupted. "Uh, I mean, whatever, yo." He shrugged lazily, sliding back into his seat and wishing the ground would open up and swallow him.

Rogue rolled her eyes, shaking her head in disgust.

"C'mon, Sandy," She said, leading the way out of the cafeteria. "What a creep," She said, glancing back over her shoulder. "I hope he isn't spreadin' the rumor that Scott's gay. Ah'll have t'kick his skanky butt." She sighed and shook her head before smiling at Sandra.

"So where abouts is it you're from Sandra?" She asked, curiosity returning full force. "Ya kinda sound like Kurt, same accent ah mean."

Once again, he had to hold back laughter while following Rogue out into the hallways. "Uh, I... I'm from Spain," he said, saying the first country in Europe that came to his mind besides Germany. That might be too suspicious.

"So, uh... who is this Kurt? You all seem to talk about him," he asked. Maybe taking a new identity would be fun-- he could really learn what his friends thought of him. Excluding Scott, of course.

"Spain? Cool," Rogue said, eyes narrowing a little as she tried to remember her Spanish lessons. Damn; if she hadn't been busy cutting hole in her jeans she might have learned something.

"Kurt?" She smiled instantly before forcing it away. "He's one of our friends, part of the group. He's the one that holds it all together really. Weird every now and then, trouble maker. Annoying. But his heart's in the right place." She smiled at Sandra. "And if you tell him I said that I'll have to kill you and eat the evidence, okay?" She joked before frowning. "Actually... thinking about it, I haven't seen him all day. Wonder if he's okay."

A soft smile formed on his lips as he blushed just a bit, but quickly made it go away. "He, uh... sounds really nice. And why wouldn't you want him to know that?" He swallowed past a small lump-- really hoping now that Rogue didn't find out. "I mean, you guys all sound close and if he's that nice..." He trailed off with a shrug.

Wow, it was weird talking about himself.

Rogue smirked at Sandra.

"I'm not as nice as I seem not that this gives it away." She waved a gloved hand to the gothic style clothes she wore. "I'd rather he didn't know,; he'd probably use it as blackmail or something." She shrugged one shoulder.

"It's amazing you know, we've walked through the corridor and I haven't had to point out to you which way to turn. Not once." She smiled curiously.

He idly wondered if he would do that in a different situation. Maybe.

"Uh... Well," he stuttered, feeling himself pale a little, "Scott showed me around quickly beforehand... I guess it's just easy to remember?"

"Really? Wow," Rogue said, shaking her head. "When ah first came here I used to get lost all the time." She grinned.

"So... you an' Scooter?" She asked. "What's all that about?" She frowned a little as she glanced at the other girl as they approached their classroom. "Are ya okay, Sandy? Ya look a little pale. That jerk Toad didn't scare ya did he?"

He quickly shook his head. "No I'm used to hi-- it." He mentally cursed himself. "Not to brag but... I obviously get jeers thrown at me left and right. Guys tend to really dig me," he said grinning.

Dig? Rogue frowned a little, filing that away in the stockpile of questions that were piling up, before smiling.

"Yeah, ah'm totally jealous of you! Ah was watchin' what ya eat in the cafe an' - no offense - but y'all eat a fair amount." Rogue ogled at her. "How do ya keep so slim?" She asked, pushing into the classroom. "Sit here with me." She patted a seat beside hers as she sat. "And ya didn't say anythin' about Scott either."

He grinned, wondering once again, what'll happen to him. Damn, he'll probably have a couple detentions by the end of the day from skipping. "I exercise, but I guess it's just fast metabolism or something."

He flushed, glancing down at the desk after he sat down. "Well, I don't know. He's nice and I like him. But sometimes you can't tell with guys, you know?"

"Fast metabolism." Rogue scoffed teasingly, nudging Sandra playfully. "That's just girl speak for 'ah-exercise-my-ass-off-in-private' right?" She giggled. "Ya lucky, Sandy, real lucky." Rogue grinned watching her blush.

"From what ah saw he really likes you" She smiled. "The only other girl ah've seen Scott buy lunch for was Jean. Ah think you're in with a chance, sugah."

Kurt grinned, but felt his heart twist at the last comment Rogue made. "Oh, I hope so. He is really cute, and nice..."

Rogue smiled at Sandra, any previous curiosity and suspicion settling just a little.

"You'd make a cute couple too, you -" Rogue was cut off by the teacher giving them instructions and she sighed, opening her book and placing it between them so they could share. This was gonna be a long class.