𝐒𝐖𝐈𝐅𝐓 (X-Men ~ Peter Maximoff)

Everything Goes Up in Flames

Jennifer stood by the chalkboard, writing a date on it in extra large print and underlining it twice. Taking a sip of what remained of her coffee, she turned back around to face the class. "Your class test is in two weeks. It covers everything since Christmas so I recommend you start studying for it soon."

A collective groan rippled through the class. There were only seven students in the advanced maths class, but Jennifer preferred the small class over her larger classes for the grade below. She knew them all personally, and could help them better with their studies (and she didn't have to spend so much time marking homework). "You don't have to come to class until the test, but if you have any questions or want me to go over something then drop in, I'll be here. Any questions for me right now?"

Everyone shook their heads, already beginning to bundle up their notes and textbooks. There was still fifteen minutes left of the class, and while Jennifer was technically supposed to fill the entire hour, there was nothing left for her to stay. "You're free to go then. I'll see you later."

The students filed out of the door slowly, somewhat luggish compared to a few days prior when everybody was ablaze with questions and theories regarding the tremor of the mansion and their powers. It seemed that as a new week had begun, the previous had been washed away into the distant past. Conversely, Jennifer was only growing more concerned about the incident. She was sitting in suspense, unable to take action as the music loomed and grew stronger, heading for an inevitable but unknown crescendo.

After taking a minute to bundle up her own notes and wipe the board clean, Jennifer picked up her cup and left the classroom, heading straight for the teachers lounge down the corridor. She had arrived back at the school following her visit to Poland just after midnight, and ten hours later the only thing keeping her awake was caffeine, and right now she was in need of more.

Jennifer stopped herself just short of the lounge. The door to the professors office was ajar, and through the slight gap voices floated out into the corridor. It was rare that anyone was ever in the office with the exception of a prospective student or a private chat, and Jennifer instinctively knew that what she was overhearing was neither of the two. And she knew this because she recognised the voices.

Pushing the door open slightly more, she poked her head through the gap. The hinges must've squeaked because the two people in the room turned simultaneously to face her. One was Charles, his expression a strange mix between glad and confused. And the other? The other was Raven, loose blonde curls falling over her leather jacket. With the exception of her clothes which were clearly the direct influence of the eighties, she hardly looked any different to the last time Jennifer saw her, wearing the same face she knew from the sixties and their brief encounter in the seventies.

"Raven, hey," Jennifer spoke into the silence that had fallen, the surprise of her friends unexpected presence sneaking into her voice. "It's good to see you."

She smiled in response, but it didn't meet her eyes. "It's good to see you too Jen. Sorry I've not been in touch recently."

Charles eyed the two of them, finally settling his gaze on Jennifer, a look of betrayal beginning to form on his face. "You knew she was out there? For how long?"

They both ignored his petty jealousy. Jennifer frowned as she observed Raven's expression - she didn't look all too happy to be back home and reunited with her brother. "What's wrong?"

Ravens smile fell. "It's Erik. He's in trouble."

Those were words Jennifer never wanted to hear. Erik in trouble wasn't a good thing, even if it was a common occurrence. Thoughts and panic flew into her mind in the span of milliseconds. A few days ago everything had been perfect: his house, his family, his job. He wouldn't jeopardise that.