wings ↣ w. worthington iii

7. understanding people is tricky. there's too many obvious hints. ✓

"For a moment the last sunshine fell with romantic affection upon her glowing face; her voice compelled me forward breathlessly as I listened." (The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald)

Word Count: 779

IT HAD BEEN three days since the tournament. The winning team was bragging and leaving all the time to go to the mall or the beach or wherever. Lilli had anticipated her team losing, but it still sucked to see others having the fun that she could've had.

Lilli was annoyed that they hadn't won, and therefore annoyed with Warren, but she wasn't mad. She understood he probably had anger management problems, and he didn't deal well with authority, so it would've been hard for him to not attack the cop. And after their conversation in the woods, she'd had a new perspective on Warren. How could she be mad?

"Lilli," Jean said, coming up on Lilli's right. They were switching classes, and they had lunch after the next class. It was all Lilli was looking forward to. Who knew that there were summer classes she would have to take? Who was going to tell Lilli that her much anticipated summer break would only be two weeks long? Needless to say, when she had found out, she was not happy.

"Yeah?" Lilli asked, shifting her books to one arm so she could fix her hair. "Oh! By the way, I haven't seen Warren yet today, do you know where he is?"

"...Maybe. But that's not the point. I was trying to say that Jubilee and I are going into town tonight and you and Ororo should come. Girls night!" Jean hopped a little on her feet as she spoke. Lilli grinned.

"Yes. Let's do it. I'll tell Ro at lunch, but first..." Lilli gave a pointed look at Jean, "tell me where Warren is."

Jean sighed, placing her hand on Lilli's arm to stop her. "He's on the roof. But be nice, okay?"

"Why does he always go to the roof to think?" Lilli asked irritably. "Every time. Every fucking time, he climbs on up to the roof to think. It's such a long walk to get up there."

"Maybe it's some weird sort of primal instinct," Jean said, widening her eyes as a grin broke out on her face. "Or maybe he's just weird."

"Hey, you said to be nice!" Lilli exclaimed, bumping Jean's shoulder. Jean laughed as the two parted ways: Jean to her next class and Lilli to the roof.

After climbing up flights after flight of stairs, Lilli finally arrived. A moment of scouring the roof later, her eyes fell on Warren sitting on the edge and facing the lawn. She grinned and walked over to him and sat down a few feet away, dangling her legs over the side of the roof.

"Why are you here?" Warren asked, weariness heavy in his voice.

"I was wondering where you were," Lilli replied simply. "Why are you here?"

"For some time alone." Warren spoke irritably and shot Lilli a pointed look, which she chose to ignore.

"Why do you need time alone?" Lilli asked. "Skipping class is bad, you know. Don't make me tattle." Lilli grinned, silently hoping he wouldn't shove her off the roof for that comment.

"God dammit Lilli, don't make me push you," Warren shot back, glaring at her. His piercing blue eyes drilled holes through her soul, and if she hadn't been sitting down, she was sure that her knees would've given out.

"As if you would," Lilli taunted, swinging her legs back and forth. Warren looked back up at her.

"Is that a dare? I definitely would."

Lilli narrowed her eyes and hopped up. She put her feet right at the edge and started leaning over, feeling her heart rate skyrocket as her hands began to clam. "Maybe I'll just jump off myself. It's only a couple floors, I could make it."

Warren stood up quickly and yanked Lilli away from the edge. "You are an idiot," he growled.

Lilli laughed at his dark expression as she leant down and picked up her books. "Come on, tough guy. We have to get to class."

"Fine." Warren said shortly, turning around and heading to the door. He opened the door for her and followed her back inside.

When they reached the hallways, the two parted ways. Warren seemed much more relaxed than when Lilli had first found him, and she hoped that she'd been the reason for his mood change. Warren gave her a small smile before leaving her to go to whatever class he had. Lilli smiled back, enjoying this side of Warren. It was a welcome change.