Forever Haunted | ✔

Chapter 13: Repressed and Resurfaced

Chapter 13: Repressed and Resurfaced

"You know what time of the year it is, don't you?" asked Rogue as she and Sariah walked through the fallen snow.

"Uhh... Winter?" asked Sariah as 2 boys ran past them and threw a snowball. Their aim was way off, hitting a window. Mr. McCoy stuck his head out the window to yell at them.

Sariah liked walking around the mansion grounds and talking to her sister. It was always a welcome, pleasant treat, to act as though they were normal, not mutants living at a boarding house for mutants.

"Besides winter time," said Rogue.

Sariah looked at her sister for a moment.

Rogue sighed.

"It's Christmastime," she said quietly. "Christmas is in 3 and a half weeks."

"Oh yeah," muttered Sariah, remembering how Rogue had nobody to go home to for the holidays. "Well, I'll be here, Rogue. Remember?"

"I know," she said, "but I don't usually look forward to Christmas. It's just usually me, Scott, the Prof, Mr. McCoy, and sometimes Logan, if he even sticks around."

Sariah nodded. "But you have me."

"You're right," said Rogue, tucking her hands in her pockets. "At least I have you."

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"The Christmas tree in Times Square is always beautiful!" said Claudia excitedly. "It's so big and bright and everyone loves it! My family goes every year to look at it- then we walk around the city. Sometimes we even go on a ride behind those little carriages!"

"Cool!" cried Kurt, grinning.

"Our Christmas tree is amazing too!" added Claud.

Sariah silently nodded, not wanting to offend her best friend by telling her to stop talking about Christmas, yet not wanting to hear about it.

"So, what do you want for Christmas Sariah?" asked Claudia. She looked around but could not see Sariah. She had quietly slipped out of the room before she could notice.

"Sariah?" said Claudia as she caught up to Sariah. "Sariah, you never told me what you wanted for Christmas."

"I don't want anything for Christmas."

"I think you do."

"Not really. I never really celebrated."

"I know what you want for Christmas."

"Really? So you're a telepath now?"

"No. We ALL know what you want."

"Alright, what is it?"

"Sariah, we all know you want a family."

Sariah nodded. "I did," she said. "I did want a family. As in, an adopted dad and mom and siblings. But Rogue is my adopted sibling. Kurt is my brother. All of you are my brothers and sisters. The Professor is like my father and I guess Storm is like a mother or an aunt and Logan and Mr. McCoy are like my uncles. So, I don't need a family- or anything, for that matter- for Christmas. I'm fine with the people in my life that I have. So don't worry about me, OK?"

Claudia nodded.

"Hey guys!" cried Onikah, dashing into the room, her strawberry blonde braids bouncing everywhere. "Mr. McCoy started a snowball fight! No powers, of course, he hates that. Wanna join?!"

Sariah grinned mischievously.

"We're in!" she smiled.

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