Don't Be The Hero

Thirteen

Nina pov

Because of the many overwhelming events in the past month or so, they had to move graduation. It's today. Friday. Matt said he would drive us to my mom's place later. Maybe around two.

Obviously, I have no need to graduate again, but the people who mastered their powers do. Not again of course...

Annie put me in a knee length, grey dress with frilly lace stuff. She even curled my hair and pinned it back. She did as much as she could without killing me. But she couldn't get me to ware sandals, no matter how hard she tried, and because this is a pretty formalish event, I couldn't wear my sneakers. Barefoot it is. I didn't mind. Sitting in the front row on the end next to the other xmen in front of the collapsible stage, I gazed upon the many students before me. All of Scott's class graduates, along with the rest of mine. Including Jack. There are maybe around thirty in all, sitting in rows of metal folding chairs on the side. Lucas and Lyrica however, sat a few rows behind me, with the younger students. They still looked shockingly perfect surrounded by ten year olds. Dad, sitting on my left nudged me. "Why aren't you wearing shoes?" I lean over and whisper in his ear. "it was either this or sandals." He smiled at me, the way someone smiles at a joke. My attention snapped to the the professor wheeled up on the little stage and made a little speech that I've heard a billion times. Something about using your power for good, bla bla bla, very proud. Then he gets to calling people's names. They come up and receive their diploma. I clap along with the rest of em. When Jack is called I clap and smile. He smiles back. When Matt comes up he gives the professor a high five and then runs back to his seat yelling. He earned a playful swat from Annie.

When all the students are sitting down once more in their chairs the professor nods to Logan, who in turn stands and gets up on stage. Speaking into the microphone, he says to the newly graduated students, "Good job, all of you, for graduating. A few of you, and you know who you are, I thought would never graduate, and proved me wrong." He said looking at Mike and Alex. We all laughed. "So this year, we had many people who successfully completed most of the pre-xmen training. That includes," he pulled out a list from his pocket. "Jack, Matt, Alex, Phoebe, Zack, and Stephanie, who will be in junior xmen training next year. The people I just mentioned meet in danger room three next week." Everyone clapped, and dad came back to his seat. I nudged him with an elbow. "That was nice." He half smiled back at me. "It would have been better if you agreed to graduate again."

The ceremony continued for another ten minutes. I patiently sat through all of it, like I do every year. When it was over, and the graduates were coming down from the stage, I threw myself at Jack and he caught me in a hug. "I'm so proud of you." I said into his neck. When I finally let go of him and backed away, I had his phone. I'm also a very good pickpocket. "Smile, I'm sending this to mom." He smiled, holding up the diploma in one hand, a thumbs up with the other. I emailed it to mom saying 'Hi mom we'll be there kinda late. Matt is driving.' I clicked send, and handed him his phone back.

One thing I noticed is that Jack had stopped wearing the watch that made him look normal, his ears were back, along with the teeth. Everything I love about him. Another was that he looked... tired. Something about him just looked worn out, like he hasn't had any sleep.

I had started wearing the gloves again when the nightmares came back. We don't talk about it much, but I feel like Jack already understands that the nightmares are horrible, but he accepts it. There was a tap on my shoulder and I instinctively reacted. With my fist. Right before I could smash my fist into his jaw, Victor had grabbed my hand in a firm grip leaving me powerless. I was too tired to put up a fight. "You should know better than to throw a punch at me. Your a smart girl." He let go of my fist and I shielded it from further harm.