「 The Professor & I 」VOLUME II

(273) Spokesperson

Lynn's POV

"Charles will be so glad to hear this. You've really made us proud, Raven," I commended wholeheartedly.

"And I'm sure once he knows, that as much as us, Kurt will be proud too," I affirmed, smiling sincerely at her but she lowered her head shamefully instead.

"I hope so," Raven murmured wistfully, pinching hard on her nose bridge.

"I know so," I assured convincingly, ruffling playfully with her hair.

Agilely, she grabbed my hand and expertly curled it around hers, spontaneously stifling my attack with a haughty smirk. In a moment of frenzied reflex, I retaliated with my other and despite that most of my supposed dramatic movement had already been restricted by the tight sling, an acute bolt of fire was instantly launched through my entire arm that even the morphine could not assist to smother.

Inevitably startled by my earsplitting shriek, Raven quickly released her clasp from my hand and I reeled forward in sheer agony. Carefully taking my good hand, Raven delicately drew me into her arms and I pressed my skull forcefully against hers, gritting my teeth as I endured through the severe spasms.

Obviously, she had spotted the miserable tears squeezing themselves from my eyes and diligently brushed them away as I panted heavily from the excruciating pain. After countless attempts at convincing Charles that it was merely an accident that triggered the torturous twinge, the awful twitching eventually subsided and I reclined lethargically into her when anxious treads echoed fervently into the area.

"Lynn!" Scott shouted frantically as he materialised between the doors and further panic plagued his face, noticing my distressed state collapsed in Raven's arms.

"Relax, Scott. I'm fine," I croaked, sounding more tired than I wished.

"Then do you want me to help you outside?" Scott proposed in a skeptical tone.

"Raven can do it," I asserted, signalling for her politely.

Courteously, Raven handled my chair and smoothly wheeled me out as Scott paced alongside us, perpetually scrutinizing Raven with a leery face. In the past, Raven would evidently be the last to condone such rude behaviour and the first to directly confront him but her conduct today was absolutely abnormal.

Radiating from her was atypical nonchalance and contentment, as if she was satisfied to surrender to his disrespectful surveillance, assuming that his unreserved contempt was the just deserts she had earned, and truly deserved.

Scott, stop making her feel unwelcome, will you? I pleaded cordially but Scott maintained his arrogant and unyielding disposition.

She's fine. Don't make me say it a thousand times, I chided sternly.

Just do it for me, alright? I appealed nicely and he sighed, pursing his lips in displeasure.

"How's everyone doing?" I randomly probed, spicing up the awkward atmosphere with my cheerful tone.

"The kids are fine. They're just watching TV and refusing to sleep," Scott answered coolly.

"What about Jubilee?" I enquired in concern.

"She's shaken, but Jean's got her to talk. It seems she's starting to remember," Scott divulged, more pleasantly, as the childish chatters became more distinct.

We went mostly unnoticed by the student crowd engrossedly glued to the cartoons on television but one observant pair still recognized our inconspicuous arrival as Raven discreetly wheeled me into the large foyer.