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And really for the next few months that was how things went. Small and subtle changes were in the air. As the school year moved on Atif and William became closer working as lab partners. Close enough that they had started seeing each other outside of school. They both made sure to keep their budding relationship a secret from their friends and family neither wanting to have a Shakespearean tragedy on their hands. However they weren’t the only couple of ‘star crossed lovers’, Lily and Tommy were also keeping their relationship of two years under wraps to avoid conflict. But as the holiday break was fast approaching lots of people were shifting their focus to the upcoming Masked Winter Ball. The theme of it being a masked ball gave way for Billy and Tommy to ask the people they really wanted to go with to be their dates. Tommy was even willing to dye his hair so that it wouldn’t give away who he really was behind the mask. They were just the first to start finding dates.

All previous dances the group always just went as that a group of friends. This year was going to be different. As they walked down the hall Xavier noticed the sign being posted. “A masquerade ball?”, Xavier said reading the poster. “Yeah. This is the first year they are doing it as a masked ball. Usually it’s just the winter ball or something like that.”, Ashley commented. “Would you like to go with me?”, Xavier asked. Ashley blinked and then smiled. “We usually all go as a group but I’d love to be your date.”, Ashley replied. “Who’s date for what?”, Atif asked walking up with Lily. Atif and Lily both glanced to the poster already knowing about the dance. “Xavier and I are going to the dance together. Guess we’ll be the odd balls of the group.”, Ashley said as Xavier took her hand into his. “Well about that…”, Atif and Lily said before looking at each other in equal surprise. “You two have dates? Who?”, Ashley asked. “That’s a secret. But yup.”, Atif said. “So looks like Rose, Landon, Cora Lee and Rachel are the ones without dates.”, Lily commented. “Who doesn’t have a date?”, Rose asked joining the group. “For the masquerade ball. Atif and Lily have secret dates and I’m going with Ashley.”, Xavier explained. “Oh the ball. I got asked so looks like I have a date too.”, Rose replied. Lily raised an eyebrow wondering if finally her cousin grew a pair and stepped up. “Who’s taking you?”, Lily asked. “Mike is.”, Rose said. Lily sighed knowing this was going to crush Landon, Xavier and Mike had snagged dates with the girls he wanted.

Cora Lee walked up to the group. “What’s going on?”, she asked. “Oh we are talking about the masquerade ball. Apparently just you, your bother and Rachel are the ones without dates.”, Lily commented. Cora Lee shrugged. “No big deal. I’d be nice to have a date to the dance something about it being a masquerade is just I dunno very Phantom of the Opera and makes me giddy. But oh well I’ll go solo and just annoy my bro.”, Cora Lee said with a shrug. “Come on Rose I need to hit up my locker before we head outside to meet up with Landon to head to the Institute.”, Cora Lee said locking her arm with Rose’s and dragging her away. “So who asked you?”, Cora Lee inquired having missed that part of the conversation. “Oh Mike did.”, Rose said. “Mike? Really? Hmm alright. He’s nice enough and is at least cool with the whole mutant thing.”, Cora Lee said as she started to turn the lock on her locker. As it popped open she quickly stood back her breath feeling like it was caught in her throat with shock. “What is it?”, Rose asked moving to look. “Wow…”, Rose said.

Tucked neatly inside the locker sat a full length black gown with a silver beaded bodice that looked similar to feathers, and a black mask with feathers and touches of metal along the bridge of the nose to resemble a raven. Cora Lee carefully pulled the dress out holding it up against her. “Looks to be my exact size. Weird, creepy, but cool. I am digging the bird theme.”, Cora Lee said putting the mask on grinning. As she did a piece of parchment fell to the ground at her feet. Rose bent down to read it. “I burn, I pine, I parish. Please say you be my date to the masquerade ball. Your Secret Admirer. When did you get a secret admirer?”, Rose asked. Cora Lee raised an eyebrow and took the note reading it. She didn’t recognize the hand writing, it was in calligraphy. “I don’t know when but this is one kick ass dress and mask. Looks like I have a date to the ball too.”, Cora Lee said sticking her tongue out before grabbing the books she needed and locking her locker. Before rushing outside to not miss their ride home.

Landon stood at his van waiting with basically everyone else already in the van when Cora Lee and Rose came running across the parking lot. He raised an eyebrow seeing his sister carrying something in her arms. “What the hell is that?”, he questioned as they reached the van. “My dress for the masquerade ball.”, Cora Lee said climbing into the back seat and carefully placing her dress on a hook smiling at it. “Dress? Why do you already have a dress?”, Landon asked. “That’s really beautiful, love the mask very you.”, Ashley commented. “Because it was in my locker. And thanks Ashley. It is really pretty and whoever got it for me so knows me with the whole bird theme.”, Cora Lee said grinning. “What do you mean ‘whoever’? Where did it come from?”, Landon questioned. “I have a secret admirer and he left this dress and awesome mask in my locker with an invitation to meet him at the dance.”, Cora Lee explained. “You can’t honestly think about going? Seriously how stalker is it to know your locker combination, and your dress size?”, Landon said shaking his head. “I’m going to go and I am going to meet this mystery man. You of all people should know we Bryants like our mystery solving.”, Cora Lee said sticking her tongue out at him. “She’s got you there Landon. It’s a mystery now.”, Lily said with a smirk.

“So what’s happening here? Everyone is pairing off for this stupid thing?”, Landon questioned sarcastically getting into the van to take everyone home. “Yup!”, Ashley said. “I was being sarcastic. So what the hell did I miss?”, he asked glancing up to the review to see Ashley and Xavier holding hands in the back seat. He sighed a returned his gaze to the road. “Well I’m going with Xavier. Lily, Atif and apparently Cora Lee all have mystery dates. And Rose is going with Mike.”, Ashley explained. Landon suddenly stopped short as he nearly went straight through a stop sign as Ashley said Rose was going with Mike. “Whoa Landon watch the road.”, Lily said her arm instinctively moving to keep her and Rachel safe in the front seat next to him. “Sorry was distracted. So Rose you’re going with Mike?”, Landon questioned as he made the turn to take Xavier to John’s house. “Yeah he asked me and since no one else was asking I said yes. Plus not like we aren’t friends already.”, Rose said shrugging her shoulders. Lily seemed to be the only one to notice the broken look in Landon’s eyes. “So that means you and Rachel need to find dates.”, Ashley said. “Or I could just not go. I have clues I could review or training I could do instead that night.”, Landon said. “No you have to go Landon.”, Atif stated. “Why because I’m the one with a van and the drivers license?”, Landon questioned. “That’s part of it but it wouldn’t be the same if we weren’t all there.”, Atif stated. “Whatever. Then I’ll just go stag.”, Landon said. “No way. We all have dates so you need to find one.”, Ashley protested.

Landon groaned. “I probably won’t go personally.”, Rachel stated quietly. Rose leaned over the back of the front seat to look at her cousin. “You’re coming Rachel. No arguments. I’m sure some boy will ask you before the dance. And in the meantime you can teach Cora Lee how to dance.”, Rose said with a grin. Rachel sighed. “Fine I’ll go, guess it could be fun since everyone else will be there.”, Rachel said with a shrug. “So there it’s settled we all go.”, Ashley said. Landon drove on in silence as he dropped everyone off at their various destinations. Rachel wasn’t going to work since she had violin lessons that afternoon so it was just him and Lily at the shop. Landon dragged his book bag behind him into the back. Demitri raised an eyebrow as he watched Landon walk by. “What’s with him?”, Demitri asked Lily pointing to Landon. “The masquerade dance next Friday.”, Lily explained. “He’s moping because of a dance? I’ve seen the girls when Meddling Kids play getting a date won’t be difficult.”, Demitri countered. “Problem there big bro. Ashley is going with Xavier.”, Lily started to explain. Demitri shrugged. “Alright but he knew that was coming given how close Ashley has been getting to Xavier since he transferred.”, Demitri commented. “And Rose is going with Mike.”, Lily added grabbing her apron for work. Demitri nodded. “Ahh now I get it. His buddy snagged the date with the girl he wanted to ask. That does suck. But I doubt Rose agreed on the grounds of it being a real date. Mike’s not really boyfriend material, at least not for Wolverine and Aurelia’s kid.”, Demitri said with a chuckle. “What’s that supposed to mean? Because he’s human?”, Lily questioned. “Not because he’s human. He’s just well oatmeal.”, Demitri said with a shrug. Lily started to laugh. “So who are you going with then?”, Demitri asked. “Not your business big brother.”, Lily said before starting to work so Demitri would leave her alone.

Demitri sighed and headed into the back where Landon was already starting on his work of putting together arrangements. “So Mike asked Rose and now you’re going to sulk?”, Demitri questioned. Landon groaned. “Serious Uncle Demitri I’m not even thrilled you know that I like her. So could we not have the bonding guy talk?”, Landon requested. “That’s fine. But just keep in mind Mike’s a friend and that’s probably how Rose is seeing this. He’s the human equivalent to oatmeal. And if Rose picks guys like her mom picks ‘em bland isn’t going to work.”, Demitri said patting Landon on the back before going to work on some of the special orders he’d started receiving for the dance already. “Isn’t black dahlia Cora Lee’s favorite flower?”, Demitri asked as he waved his hand to grow some. “Yeah why?”, Landon asked. “Does she have a date for this dance?”, Demitri asked. “Some mystery guy left her a dress, mask and an invitation with a taming of the shrew quote. Who ordered the black dahlias?”, Landon asked. “It was called in and under the name Zeus.”, Demitri said. Landon sighed. “Great they used a fake name. Doesn’t help me. But I’ll figure out who the mystery stalker is.”, Landon said. “Just keep an eye on your sister at the dance.”, Demitri said. “Oh I will.”, Landon said returning to his tasks.

During the next week Landon tried to just burry himself in work to avoid the conversations about the dance. Ashley, Lil, Rose, and Cora Lee were all talking about their dresses and what mask they were going to wear. The talk about the dance just made him more and more annoyed that Mike had asked Rose before he could. Despite him trying to avoid the topic of the dance when word got out that the gang wasn’t going as a group and instead had dates and Landon was still solo he found himself a target. Between every class some girl was asking him to the dance. Many he knew their faces because they attended Meddling Kids concerts at the Draven, which made it creepier to him. The last thing he wanted was to agree to go with a ‘groupie’. He wasn’t the only one being hounded by unwanted invitations. A number of boys had asked and been shot down by Rachel. Mostly because they were only talking to her because of her father’s money. However one person was being very aggressive and persistent in his attempts and it had nothing to do with her family name.

Rachel found herself pinned against her locker with Merrick Bryant-Frost leaning with one hand on either side of her so she couldn’t duck him like she’d been doing all week. “So I’ve been told through the grapevine that you still haven’t accepted an offer to the dance.”, Merrick said. “Haven’t been asked by anyone I’d want to go with. No back off Merrick.”, Rachel said glaring at him anger starting to build in her aqua eyes. Merrick smirked. “Well I’m still asking. And you know you are kind of cute when you get angry.”, Merrick sneared. “Go to the dance with me.”, Merrick insisted. Rachel shook her head. “Not even if you were the last man on earth Merrick. Now leave me alone.”, Rachel declared anger and disgust in her voice. Landon was rounding the corner looking for Rachel since she hadn’t showed up at the van with the others. He figured she may have just forgotten some extra homework or something so he was heading for her locker. He stopped hearing part of the conversation and when he looked at saw Merrick had her cornered Landon’s hands clenched into fists. If there was one thing he didn’t tolerate it was a bully.

“Why not?”, Merrick shouted bringing back a hand to form a fist. Rachel prepared herself to duck out of the path of Merrick’s fist when Landon stepped in grabbing Merrick’s fist. “The lady declined your invitation, accept it and walk away.”, Landon aid. Rachel took the opportunity and ducked between Landon’s back and the wall of lockers to escape where Merrick had pinned her. “Oh great it’s Prince Charming here to save the day.”, Merrick mocked. Landon smirked. “Just doing my family duty of saving your ass.”, Landon quipped. “Saving me?”, Merrick asked with a snort. Rachel chose to keep her distance staying off to the side. “Yeah. Saving you. From hurting your hand on that locker, because you better have been planning to hit that locker and not Rachel. Because if you had planned to hit Rachel I don’t think there would be any way I could save you from the ass kicking you’d get.”, Landon said shoving Merrick back and releasing Merrick’s fist. “And if I was?”, Merrick asked. “Then she’d have kicked your ass, I’d have kicked your ass, then her dad would kick your ass.”, Landon said counting with his fingers.

Rachel tried to hide her smile at the imagery of her beating up Merrick. It wasn’t farfetched she was being trained to defend herself so she could do it. “So just walk away.”, Landon said. “Not till she tells me why she won’t go to the dance with me.”, Merrick said firmly. Rachel just wanted the incident over. “Because I have a date.”, Rachel said quickly thinking it would get Merrick to leave her alone. “Oh really? And who might that be?”, Merrick asked raising an eyebrow not believing her. “Umm..”, Rachel said trying to think of something. Landon noticed how Rachel paused and decided to make a strategic move that would kill two birds with one stone. “I’m taking her.”, Landon said. Rachel’s eyes went wide and she could feel her face starting to flush when Landon declared he was taking her to the dance. “Now back off.”, Landon added. Merrick glared at Landon and Rachel before turning and heading down the hallway. Rachel sighed a breath of relief. “Thanks for lying like that for me. Should probably tell the others about your fib so they’ll make sure that it doesn’t get found out as a lie. Maybe he won’t even show up so when you go with whoever you already asked it won’t cause trouble.”, Rachel said as she quickly picked up her dropped books.

Landon bent down and started to help her collect her books. “I haven’t asked anyone.”, Landon admitted. “Well I’m sure there is someone who’s asked you that you are going with. Doubt you would want to go to a dance with some freshmen.”, Rachel said taking her books from him and standing back up. Landon looked up raising an eyebrow at her. “Just some freshmen?”, Landon questioned lightly grabbing her wrist. “You are my friend Rachel, you aren’t ‘some freshmen’. I’ve been asked, but not be someone I’d want to go with. So…Rachel Howlett will you go to the dance with me?”, Landon asked a serious look in his marine eyes. Rachel used every ounce of her to keep from blushing. She nodded silently in agreement not sure if she spoke she could control her excitement. “There it’s settled. I’d rather go with a friend over one of those weird groupies any day.”, Landon said with a smile. Rachel sighed. “Yeah. I’d prefer to go with a friend too.”, Rachel said her voice quiet. “Alright so that’s settled. You worry about picking a dress, tell me what color you end up going with and if possible I’ll just raid dad’s ties otherwise get one if he doesn’t already have the color.”, Landon said as they walked down the hall. “What about the masks we don’t exactly have a ton of time to find those.”, Rachel commented. Landon held open the door of the school for her and thought. “I’ll worry about the masks.”, Landon said with a smile.

When they reached the van everyone was waiting outside in the cold. “Everything alright?”, Rose asked. Rachel nodded not really wanting to discuss what happened with Merrick. “Yeah found her at her locker.”, Landon said. He figured if Rachel wanted to tell the others about his cousin’s behavior she would. “So did you find a date yet?”, Ashley questioned. Rachel glanced to Landon to see what he said. “Yup. Rachel and I are going to go together.”, Landon stated. There was a small amount of silence in the group and Landon didn’t even notice the look on Rose’s face when she heard him say he was going with her cousin. “Well that works then we all have dates.”, Ashley said jumping into the van. “Let’s just get going it’s cold out here.”, Atif said getting into the van after his twin. Everyone nodded as the piled into the van for Landon to drive them home. “Are you alright Rose?”, Cora Lee questioned noticing that her best friend seemed a bit out of sorts. “Yeah I’m alright. Just odd that your brother is going on a date with my cousin.”, Rose stated. “Date? No Rachel is Landon’s friend. I’m sure it’s a friend thing like you going with Mike. I swear Landon is going to be celibate or something.”, Cora Lee joked. Rose laughed a little shaking her head. “Why would you say such a thing about your brother?”, Rose asked. “Girls at gigs get creepy about him and I think would throw panties if we weren’t at the front of the stage, yet he doesn’t even give them a first glance let alone a second. And he’s not into guys like Atif so therefore he’s going to be celibate.”, Cora Lee explained. Rose laughed and shook her head. “I think he’s just focused on other things. But he is your dad’s kid so I doubt he’ll be celibate.”, Rose stated. Cora lee shrugged.

The talk with Cora Lee at least eased Rose’s mind about Landon actually going on a ‘date’ with her cousin. She didn’t want to admit it but the idea made her angry and well mostly jealous. Landon dropped everyone off at their houses or for most of the group the institute before he headed to the flower shop to help Demitri. Xavier and Rachel headed into the house, Xavier headed upstairs to work on his homework. “I’m going to find my dad, want to talk to him about the dance.”, Rachel said placing her bag down and headed to her father’s study. She leaned into the doorway and there he was bent over his desk with stacks of paper she could hear him muttering to himself as he read over some of the papers. She noticed Bubbles was curled up on the bin marked ‘completed’ which was empty with the exception of his small blue body. Rachel crept in and stood to the side her hands neatly folded in front of her. “Dad may I discuss something with you?”, Rachel asked. “Um sure what is it..”, John said still distracted. “Landon asked me to the dance as friends and I’d like to go. Can I?”, Rachel asked quickly. “Sure that sounds fine Princess. Have you seen my red pen, I need to mark this error?”, John asked not fully paying attention to what was asked. “Right here dad.”, Rachel said handing him the pen. “And thanks dad.”, Rachel said giving him a kiss on the cheek before heading out of the office.

It took John a few minutes to finally realize what he had agreed to. “RACHEL!?”, John called heading out of his office. Rachel was seated at the baby grand piano working on a new piece for the new years recital she was performing in. She paused as she leaned to write a note on the sheet music to look at her dad. “Yes dad?”, Rachel questioned. “What did you ask me about earlier?”, John asked. “If I could go to the dance with Landon. And you said yes.”, Rachel explained. John’s face went blank and his breathing a tad irregular. Rachel raised an eyebrow looked at her father concerned. “Daddy? Are you alright?”, Rachel said quickly moving from her piano to his side. “A date? You asked me while I was too busy to realize if you could go on a date with Landon? The drummer in Rose’s band? The one who’s had tattoos since he was thirteen???”, John asked still trying to catch his breath. “It’s not a date dad. He asked me as a friend and to keep an unwanted individual from continuing asking me. And yes he’s a drummer and has tattoos. But he also can play guitar, bass, keyboard, and sax. He’s Rose’s best friend and really a nice guy. Not to mention he’s a respected student at the institute and Jimmy’s team leader.”, Rachel countered a smile on her face as she listed the good points of Landon to her father. Though his tattoos were a good point to her, it gave him a sort of edge that appealed to her. John raised an eyebrow noticing the smile. “Just friends? And what do you mean unwanted individual? Has a boy at school been harassing you about this dance?”, John questioned his dad brain suddenly shifting gears. Rachel sighed. “Yes there’s one boy who kept asking me and was rather persistent till Landon stepped in this afternoon.”, Rachel explained. “What boy and define persistent?”, John questioned.

Rachel sighed and her shoulders sank, she really didn’t want to tell her dad. John just gave her a stern look as he waited for his answer. “Fine. Merrick Bryant-Frost. It’s not really new, he’s always picked on me like the other Academy kids because I’m the human who was born into a legendary mutant family and is friends with institute kids.”, Rachel explained. “You said he was persistent till Landon stepped in. Explain please.”, John said trying to keep his anger that this boy was bothering his daughter in the first place in check. “He..well he cornered me today at my locker demanding I go with him. Landon interfered and got him to leave saying he was taking me. So see Landon is taking me as a friend and to keep Merrick from bothering me.”, Rachel explained. “Cornered you at your locker? I’ll kill him.”, John said turning for the door. “Dad? Dad!”, Rachel questioned chasing after him. John grabbed his jacket and was slipping it on as Rachel moved to block the door. “What are you doing?”, Rachel asked. “I’m going to the Academy and I’m going to beat some manors into that boy.”, John fumed. Rachel looked at her dad and in his blue eyes she saw something she’d never seen, hate. It scared her. “Dad? He’s been bugging me for as long as I’ve known him. Please calm down.”, Rachel insisted. “His parents behaved like their actions shouldn’t have consequences I’m not going to let their son go around thinking that too. That family has messed with those I care about too many times before and this is just the end of it. School yard bully is different from someone who corners a young girl demanding a date that she doesn’t want.”, John said reaching past Rachel for the door. “Please don’t dad.”, Rachel said worried tears in her eyes.

As John was about to open the door there was a knock which distracted John from his rage. Rachel spun and partially opened the door to see Landon. “Umm hey. I texted you to see if you needed a ride to work but you didn’t answer. So while I’m on break I figured I’d come see anyways.”, Landon said. “Everything alright Rach?”, he asked noticing the tears welling in her eyes. “I’m…I’m not going to be coming to work today Landon. Thank you for stopping but I need to deal with my dad.”, Rachel explained. “He that mad that we’re going to the dance?”, Landon questioned. Rachel shook her head. “It’s not about you Landon.”, Rachel explained. John opened the door fully and Landon raised both eyebrows looking at John seeing the anger on his face. “Um Hi sir.”, Landon said. “It’s about your good for nothing cousin.”, John fumed. Landon nodded. “Ah I see. So you informed him that my cousin was asking you to the dance before me?”, Landon said. “She informed me he cornered her about it and now I’m trying to get past her to go deal with him.”, John said. “Whoa sir.”, Landon said holding up his hands. “Merrick’s an asshole and of my family I’d miss him second maybe third least. But Rachel can handle Merrick. And if she can’t I can and will happily put him in his place for messing with her.”, Landon said. John just growled. Rachel shook her head. “You should go Landon. I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”, Rachel said. Landon sighed. “Alright, just text me so I know everything’s alright.”, Landon said heading off the porch and back to this van. As he pulled out Sarael pulled in.

Sarael watched as Landon drove off and looked and saw Rachel in the doorway with a rather angry version of her husband behind her. Sarael quickly walked up the steps. “What is going on?”, Sarael demanded looking from Rachel who was on the verge of tears to John. “Both of you inside it’s cold out here.”, She said pushing them both. “John how about you go to your study for a minute. I’d like a talk with our daughter then you can explain to me what happened.”, Sarael instructed pointing down the hall. John let out a heavy breath but rather than trying to argue with his wife, who he’d never actually raised his voice to in their long marriage he turned and walked away. Sarael escorted Rachel into the sitting room where the piano was. “Alright sweetheart tell me what happened.”, Sarael asked sitting down on a love seat with Rachel holding her hands. Rachel sniffled a little pulling back her tears as she sat down next to her mom.

“Today has just been a great moment sandwiched between two very scary moments.”, Rachel explained. “You’ll have to give me details sweetie.”, Sarael said. “Alright well I guess I’ll start at the beginning. You know how Xavier has been talking about a masquerade ball since last week?”, Rachel said. Sarael nodded. “Yes he’s taking Ashley Alston if memory serves.”, Sarael commented. “Well everyone basically has a date for the dance. I’ve had boys ask me, I’ve just said no to them all.”, Rachel stated. “Why have you turned so many down?”, Sarael asked. “They just want to date me because I’m a Howlett and they think that means I have lots of money. Even though I work for my money and only have a college fund in my future. But anyways one boy didn’t give up asking and got persistent.”, Rachel explained. “What boy and how persistent?”, Sarael questioned her voice remaining soft and calm. “Merrick Bryant-Frost, he’s been asking me all week and I keep telling him no. Today he well he pinned me at my locker to demand I go with him. And he raised his fist like he was going to hit me…”, Rachel explained her voice trembling. In the moment she hadn’t really thought about how scary it was but retelling it she could full appreciate how terrifying that moment was.

“He did what?”, Sarael questioned. “Did he hit you?”, Sarael asked. Rachel should her head. “He didn’t get the chance mom. Landon grabbed his fist and allowed me to escape the situation.”, Rachel said a smile forming. “Knight in shining armor that one seems to be.”, Sarael commented. Rachel smiled and blushed a little. “That brings me to the one bright moment. Landon got Merrick to leave me alone saying he was going to be taking me to the dance. So now I actually get to go to the dance. Dad said I could go and everything. Just need to find a dress. Landon said he’s take care of getting the masks.”, Rachel explained excitement in her voice. Sarael smiled. “So is this a date with Landon or just friends?”, Sarael asked. Rachel sighed. “Just friends but it’s my first high school dance it’s going to be fun.”, Rachel said. Sarael nodded. “Alright. So I think I understand what happened then. Did you tell your father what Merrick did?”, Sarael asked. “Most of it, I didn’t mention that he raised his hand to punch me. I think that would have made it worse. But mom I’ve never seen dad so angry it scared me. He talked about going over there and hurting him.”, Rachel admitted. Sarael nodded standing up. She leaned and kissed Rachel on the top of the head. “It’s going to be alright sweetie. I’m going to go talk to your father and then we are going dress shopping.”, Sarael said with a smile heading down the hall to find John.

John was sitting at his desk flexing his fingers watching the tips of his bone claws go in and out between his knuckles. “Ahem.”, Sarael said walking over draping her arms around his neck. “John Howlett, you scared our daughter.”, Sarael said firmly. John sighed his claws going back in once more. “I didn’t intend to. I really didn’t. I just, she told me that Merrick cornered her and harassed her trying to force her into going to this dance with him. And I’d be angry at any boy who dared treat my daughter that way, but when you add that it’s Pretender’s. That just add a layer of repressed anger.”, John admitted. Sarael sighed and kissed his cheek. “You are a good father, a very protect father. And I don’t blame you for being upset at the boy. But talking about going to hurt him in front of her is a bit much. You need to go and make her feel better about this. And after I am taking her out. We will get something to eat so you and Xavier can fend for yourselves. And since you made her miss a day of work she’s not paying for her dress when she finds the one she wants.”, Sarael said. John sighed and stood up nodding. “Very well then. I’ll go talk to her.”, John said pausing to kiss his wife before heading back to the sitting room.

Rachel was back at the piano randomly taping at keys still uncertain on how she felt. “May I speak with you?”, John asked standing in the doorway. Rachel turned and look at him, the anger and hate was no longer in his eyes. She silently nodded. John walked over and sat down on the bench next to Rachel and put and arm around her hugging her. “I am sorry. I didn’t want to scare you.”, John said sincerely. “I know but you did, I’ve never seen you like that.”, Rachel said. “I know I’m the collected clam Howlett brother and James was always the short tempered vengeful one. But when it comes to my family I can be just as vengeful. And when a boy dares to treat a girl that way it upsets me and when it’s my girl it enrages me.”, John explained. “Would you have reacted this way if I had claws and healing like Jimmy?”, Rachel asked looking down at her hands. “Yes I would have. It’s not about you being unable to protect yourself. Powers or not I know you can do that. It’s about me being your dad and beyond that me being a gentlemen I don’t tolerate behavior like that. But I will not go off and harm the boy, unless he does something foolish like this again. Your mother is waiting for you though something about dinner and dress shopping.”, John explained. Rachel smiled. “I love you dad. Now to find a dress I can afford.”, Rachel said giving him a kiss on the cheek. “To make amends for your loss of work today, don’t look at price tags when dress shopping. Here.”, he said handing her his platinum credit card. “I’m paying for the dress.”, he said. Rachel’s eyes lit up as she took the card and hugged him around the neck tightly. “Thank you dad.”, she said before heading off to go shopping with Sarael.

Description
And really for the next few months that was how things went. Small and subtle changes were in the air. As the school year moved on Atif and William became closer working as lab partners. Close enough that they had started seeing each other outside of school. They both made sure to keep their budding relationship a secret from their friends and family neither wanting to have a Shakespearean tragedy on their hands. However they weren’t the only couple of ‘star crossed lovers’, Lily and Tommy were also keeping their relationship of two years under wraps to avoid conflict. But as the holiday break was fast approaching lots of people were shifting their focus to the upcoming Masked Winter Ball. The theme of it being a masked ball gave way for Billy and Tommy to ask the people they really wanted to go with to be their dates. Tommy was even willing to dye his hair so that it wouldn’t give away who he really was behind the mask. They were just the first to start finding dates.

All previous dances the group always just went as that a group of friends. This year was going to be different. As they walked down the hall Xavier noticed the sign being posted. “A masquerade ball?”, Xavier said reading the poster. “Yeah. This is the first year they are doing it as a masked ball. Usually it’s just the winter ball or something like that.”, Ashley commented. “Would you like to go with me?”, Xavier asked. Ashley blinked and then smiled. “We usually all go as a group but I’d love to be your date.”, Ashley replied. “Who’s date for what?”, Atif asked walking up with Lily. Atif and Lily both glanced to the poster already knowing about the dance. “Xavier and I are going to the dance together. Guess we’ll be the odd balls of the group.”, Ashley said as Xavier took her hand into his. “Well about that…”, Atif and Lily said before looking at each other in equal surprise. “You two have dates? Who?”, Ashley asked. “That’s a secret. But yup.”, Atif said. “So looks like Rose, Landon, Cora Lee and Rachel are the ones without dates.”, Lily commented. “Who doesn’t have a date?”, Rose asked joining the group. “For the masquerade ball. Atif and Lily have secret dates and I’m going with Ashley.”, Xavier explained. “Oh the ball. I got asked so looks like I have a date too.”, Rose replied. Lily raised an eyebrow wondering if finally her cousin grew a pair and stepped up. “Who’s taking you?”, Lily asked. “Mike is.”, Rose said. Lily sighed knowing this was going to crush Landon, Xavier and Mike had snagged dates with the girls he wanted.

Cora Lee walked up to the group. “What’s going on?”, she asked. “Oh we are talking about the masquerade ball. Apparently just you, your bother and Rachel are the ones without dates.”, Lily commented. Cora Lee shrugged. “No big deal. I’d be nice to have a date to the dance something about it being a masquerade is just I dunno very Phantom of the Opera and makes me giddy. But oh well I’ll go solo and just annoy my bro.”, Cora Lee said with a shrug. “Come on Rose I need to hit up my locker before we head outside to meet up with Landon to head to the Institute.”, Cora Lee said locking her arm with Rose’s and dragging her away. “So who asked you?”, Cora Lee inquired having missed that part of the conversation. “Oh Mike did.”, Rose said. “Mike? Really? Hmm alright. He’s nice enough and is at least cool with the whole mutant thing.”, Cora Lee said as she started to turn the lock on her locker. As it popped open she quickly stood back her breath feeling like it was caught in her throat with shock. “What is it?”, Rose asked moving to look. “Wow…”, Rose said.

Tucked neatly inside the locker sat a full length black gown with a silver beaded bodice that looked similar to feathers, and a black mask with feathers and touches of metal along the bridge of the nose to resemble a raven. Cora Lee carefully pulled the dress out holding it up against her. “Looks to be my exact size. Weird, creepy, but cool. I am digging the bird theme.”, Cora Lee said putting the mask on grinning. As she did a piece of parchment fell to the ground at her feet. Rose bent down to read it. “I burn, I pine, I parish. Please say you be my date to the masquerade ball. Your Secret Admirer. When did you get a secret admirer?”, Rose asked. Cora Lee raised an eyebrow and took the note reading it. She didn’t recognize the hand writing, it was in calligraphy. “I don’t know when but this is one kick ass dress and mask. Looks like I have a date to the ball too.”, Cora Lee said sticking her tongue out before grabbing the books she needed and locking her locker. Before rushing outside to not miss their ride home.

Landon stood at his van waiting with basically everyone else already in the van when Cora Lee and Rose came running across the parking lot. He raised an eyebrow seeing his sister carrying something in her arms. “What the hell is that?”, he questioned as they reached the van. “My dress for the masquerade ball.”, Cora Lee said climbing into the back seat and carefully placing her dress on a hook smiling at it. “Dress? Why do you already have a dress?”, Landon asked. “That’s really beautiful, love the mask very you.”, Ashley commented. “Because it was in my locker. And thanks Ashley. It is really pretty and whoever got it for me so knows me with the whole bird theme.”, Cora Lee said grinning. “What do you mean ‘whoever’? Where did it come from?”, Landon questioned. “I have a secret admirer and he left this dress and awesome mask in my locker with an invitation to meet him at the dance.”, Cora Lee explained. “You can’t honestly think about going? Seriously how stalker is it to know your locker combination, and your dress size?”, Landon said shaking his head. “I’m going to go and I am going to meet this mystery man. You of all people should know we Bryants like our mystery solving.”, Cora Lee said sticking her tongue out at him. “She’s got you there Landon. It’s a mystery now.”, Lily said with a smirk.

“So what’s happening here? Everyone is pairing off for this stupid thing?”, Landon questioned sarcastically getting into the van to take everyone home. “Yup!”, Ashley said. “I was being sarcastic. So what the hell did I miss?”, he asked glancing up to the review to see Ashley and Xavier holding hands in the back seat. He sighed a returned his gaze to the road. “Well I’m going with Xavier. Lily, Atif and apparently Cora Lee all have mystery dates. And Rose is going with Mike.”, Ashley explained. Landon suddenly stopped short as he nearly went straight through a stop sign as Ashley said Rose was going with Mike. “Whoa Landon watch the road.”, Lily said her arm instinctively moving to keep her and Rachel safe in the front seat next to him. “Sorry was distracted. So Rose you’re going with Mike?”, Landon questioned as he made the turn to take Xavier to John’s house. “Yeah he asked me and since no one else was asking I said yes. Plus not like we aren’t friends already.”, Rose said shrugging her shoulders. Lily seemed to be the only one to notice the broken look in Landon’s eyes. “So that means you and Rachel need to find dates.”, Ashley said. “Or I could just not go. I have clues I could review or training I could do instead that night.”, Landon said. “No you have to go Landon.”, Atif stated. “Why because I’m the one with a van and the drivers license?”, Landon questioned. “That’s part of it but it wouldn’t be the same if we weren’t all there.”, Atif stated. “Whatever. Then I’ll just go stag.”, Landon said. “No way. We all have dates so you need to find one.”, Ashley protested.

Landon groaned. “I probably won’t go personally.”, Rachel stated quietly. Rose leaned over the back of the front seat to look at her cousin. “You’re coming Rachel. No arguments. I’m sure some boy will ask you before the dance. And in the meantime you can teach Cora Lee how to dance.”, Rose said with a grin. Rachel sighed. “Fine I’ll go, guess it could be fun since everyone else will be there.”, Rachel said with a shrug. “So there it’s settled we all go.”, Ashley said. Landon drove on in silence as he dropped everyone off at their various destinations. Rachel wasn’t going to work since she had violin lessons that afternoon so it was just him and Lily at the shop. Landon dragged his book bag behind him into the back. Demitri raised an eyebrow as he watched Landon walk by. “What’s with him?”, Demitri asked Lily pointing to Landon. “The masquerade dance next Friday.”, Lily explained. “He’s moping because of a dance? I’ve seen the girls when Meddling Kids play getting a date won’t be difficult.”, Demitri countered. “Problem there big bro. Ashley is going with Xavier.”, Lily started to explain. Demitri shrugged. “Alright but he knew that was coming given how close Ashley has been getting to Xavier since he transferred.”, Demitri commented. “And Rose is going with Mike.”, Lily added grabbing her apron for work. Demitri nodded. “Ahh now I get it. His buddy snagged the date with the girl he wanted to ask. That does suck. But I doubt Rose agreed on the grounds of it being a real date. Mike’s not really boyfriend material, at least not for Wolverine and Aurelia’s kid.”, Demitri said with a chuckle. “What’s that supposed to mean? Because he’s human?”, Lily questioned. “Not because he’s human. He’s just well oatmeal.”, Demitri said with a shrug. Lily started to laugh. “So who are you going with then?”, Demitri asked. “Not your business big brother.”, Lily said before starting to work so Demitri would leave her alone.

Demitri sighed and headed into the back where Landon was already starting on his work of putting together arrangements. “So Mike asked Rose and now you’re going to sulk?”, Demitri questioned. Landon groaned. “Serious Uncle Demitri I’m not even thrilled you know that I like her. So could we not have the bonding guy talk?”, Landon requested. “That’s fine. But just keep in mind Mike’s a friend and that’s probably how Rose is seeing this. He’s the human equivalent to oatmeal. And if Rose picks guys like her mom picks ‘em bland isn’t going to work.”, Demitri said patting Landon on the back before going to work on some of the special orders he’d started receiving for the dance already. “Isn’t black dahlia Cora Lee’s favorite flower?”, Demitri asked as he waved his hand to grow some. “Yeah why?”, Landon asked. “Does she have a date for this dance?”, Demitri asked. “Some mystery guy left her a dress, mask and an invitation with a taming of the shrew quote. Who ordered the black dahlias?”, Landon asked. “It was called in and under the name Zeus.”, Demitri said. Landon sighed. “Great they used a fake name. Doesn’t help me. But I’ll figure out who the mystery stalker is.”, Landon said. “Just keep an eye on your sister at the dance.”, Demitri said. “Oh I will.”, Landon said returning to his tasks.

During the next week Landon tried to just burry himself in work to avoid the conversations about the dance. Ashley, Lil, Rose, and Cora Lee were all talking about their dresses and what mask they were going to wear. The talk about the dance just made him more and more annoyed that Mike had asked Rose before he could. Despite him trying to avoid the topic of the dance when word got out that the gang wasn’t going as a group and instead had dates and Landon was still solo he found himself a target. Between every class some girl was asking him to the dance. Many he knew their faces because they attended Meddling Kids concerts at the Draven, which made it creepier to him. The last thing he wanted was to agree to go with a ‘groupie’. He wasn’t the only one being hounded by unwanted invitations. A number of boys had asked and been shot down by Rachel. Mostly because they were only talking to her because of her father’s money. However one person was being very aggressive and persistent in his attempts and it had nothing to do with her family name.

Rachel found herself pinned against her locker with Merrick Bryant-Frost leaning with one hand on either side of her so she couldn’t duck him like she’d been doing all week. “So I’ve been told through the grapevine that you still haven’t accepted an offer to the dance.”, Merrick said. “Haven’t been asked by anyone I’d want to go with. No back off Merrick.”, Rachel said glaring at him anger starting to build in her aqua eyes. Merrick smirked. “Well I’m still asking. And you know you are kind of cute when you get angry.”, Merrick sneared. “Go to the dance with me.”, Merrick insisted. Rachel shook her head. “Not even if you were the last man on earth Merrick. Now leave me alone.”, Rachel declared anger and disgust in her voice. Landon was rounding the corner looking for Rachel since she hadn’t showed up at the van with the others. He figured she may have just forgotten some extra homework or something so he was heading for her locker. He stopped hearing part of the conversation and when he looked at saw Merrick had her cornered Landon’s hands clenched into fists. If there was one thing he didn’t tolerate it was a bully.

“Why not?”, Merrick shouted bringing back a hand to form a fist. Rachel prepared herself to duck out of the path of Merrick’s fist when Landon stepped in grabbing Merrick’s fist. “The lady declined your invitation, accept it and walk away.”, Landon aid. Rachel took the opportunity and ducked between Landon’s back and the wall of lockers to escape where Merrick had pinned her. “Oh great it’s Prince Charming here to save the day.”, Merrick mocked. Landon smirked. “Just doing my family duty of saving your ass.”, Landon quipped. “Saving me?”, Merrick asked with a snort. Rachel chose to keep her distance staying off to the side. “Yeah. Saving you. From hurting your hand on that locker, because you better have been planning to hit that locker and not Rachel. Because if you had planned to hit Rachel I don’t think there would be any way I could save you from the ass kicking you’d get.”, Landon said shoving Merrick back and releasing Merrick’s fist. “And if I was?”, Merrick asked. “Then she’d have kicked your ass, I’d have kicked your ass, then her dad would kick your ass.”, Landon said counting with his fingers.

Rachel tried to hide her smile at the imagery of her beating up Merrick. It wasn’t farfetched she was being trained to defend herself so she could do it. “So just walk away.”, Landon said. “Not till she tells me why she won’t go to the dance with me.”, Merrick said firmly. Rachel just wanted the incident over. “Because I have a date.”, Rachel said quickly thinking it would get Merrick to leave her alone. “Oh really? And who might that be?”, Merrick asked raising an eyebrow not believing her. “Umm..”, Rachel said trying to think of something. Landon noticed how Rachel paused and decided to make a strategic move that would kill two birds with one stone. “I’m taking her.”, Landon said. Rachel’s eyes went wide and she could feel her face starting to flush when Landon declared he was taking her to the dance. “Now back off.”, Landon added. Merrick glared at Landon and Rachel before turning and heading down the hallway. Rachel sighed a breath of relief. “Thanks for lying like that for me. Should probably tell the others about your fib so they’ll make sure that it doesn’t get found out as a lie. Maybe he won’t even show up so when you go with whoever you already asked it won’t cause trouble.”, Rachel said as she quickly picked up her dropped books.

Landon bent down and started to help her collect her books. “I haven’t asked anyone.”, Landon admitted. “Well I’m sure there is someone who’s asked you that you are going with. Doubt you would want to go to a dance with some freshmen.”, Rachel said taking her books from him and standing back up. Landon looked up raising an eyebrow at her. “Just some freshmen?”, Landon questioned lightly grabbing her wrist. “You are my friend Rachel, you aren’t ‘some freshmen’. I’ve been asked, but not be someone I’d want to go with. So…Rachel Howlett will you go to the dance with me?”, Landon asked a serious look in his marine eyes. Rachel used every ounce of her to keep from blushing. She nodded silently in agreement not sure if she spoke she could control her excitement. “There it’s settled. I’d rather go with a friend over one of those weird groupies any day.”, Landon said with a smile. Rachel sighed. “Yeah. I’d prefer to go with a friend too.”, Rachel said her voice quiet. “Alright so that’s settled. You worry about picking a dress, tell me what color you end up going with and if possible I’ll just raid dad’s ties otherwise get one if he doesn’t already have the color.”, Landon said as they walked down the hall. “What about the masks we don’t exactly have a ton of time to find those.”, Rachel commented. Landon held open the door of the school for her and thought. “I’ll worry about the masks.”, Landon said with a smile.

When they reached the van everyone was waiting outside in the cold. “Everything alright?”, Rose asked. Rachel nodded not really wanting to discuss what happened with Merrick. “Yeah found her at her locker.”, Landon said. He figured if Rachel wanted to tell the others about his cousin’s behavior she would. “So did you find a date yet?”, Ashley questioned. Rachel glanced to Landon to see what he said. “Yup. Rachel and I are going to go together.”, Landon stated. There was a small amount of silence in the group and Landon didn’t even notice the look on Rose’s face when she heard him say he was going with her cousin. “Well that works then we all have dates.”, Ashley said jumping into the van. “Let’s just get going it’s cold out here.”, Atif said getting into the van after his twin. Everyone nodded as the piled into the van for Landon to drive them home. “Are you alright Rose?”, Cora Lee questioned noticing that her best friend seemed a bit out of sorts. “Yeah I’m alright. Just odd that your brother is going on a date with my cousin.”, Rose stated. “Date? No Rachel is Landon’s friend. I’m sure it’s a friend thing like you going with Mike. I swear Landon is going to be celibate or something.”, Cora Lee joked. Rose laughed a little shaking her head. “Why would you say such a thing about your brother?”, Rose asked. “Girls at gigs get creepy about him and I think would throw panties if we weren’t at the front of the stage, yet he doesn’t even give them a first glance let alone a second. And he’s not into guys like Atif so therefore he’s going to be celibate.”, Cora Lee explained. Rose laughed and shook her head. “I think he’s just focused on other things. But he is your dad’s kid so I doubt he’ll be celibate.”, Rose stated. Cora lee shrugged.

The talk with Cora Lee at least eased Rose’s mind about Landon actually going on a ‘date’ with her cousin. She didn’t want to admit it but the idea made her angry and well mostly jealous. Landon dropped everyone off at their houses or for most of the group the institute before he headed to the flower shop to help Demitri. Xavier and Rachel headed into the house, Xavier headed upstairs to work on his homework. “I’m going to find my dad, want to talk to him about the dance.”, Rachel said placing her bag down and headed to her father’s study. She leaned into the doorway and there he was bent over his desk with stacks of paper she could hear him muttering to himself as he read over some of the papers. She noticed Bubbles was curled up on the bin marked ‘completed’ which was empty with the exception of his small blue body. Rachel crept in and stood to the side her hands neatly folded in front of her. “Dad may I discuss something with you?”, Rachel asked. “Um sure what is it..”, John said still distracted. “Landon asked me to the dance as friends and I’d like to go. Can I?”, Rachel asked quickly. “Sure that sounds fine Princess. Have you seen my red pen, I need to mark this error?”, John asked not fully paying attention to what was asked. “Right here dad.”, Rachel said handing him the pen. “And thanks dad.”, Rachel said giving him a kiss on the cheek before heading out of the office.

It took John a few minutes to finally realize what he had agreed to. “RACHEL!?”, John called heading out of his office. Rachel was seated at the baby grand piano working on a new piece for the new years recital she was performing in. She paused as she leaned to write a note on the sheet music to look at her dad. “Yes dad?”, Rachel questioned. “What did you ask me about earlier?”, John asked. “If I could go to the dance with Landon. And you said yes.”, Rachel explained. John’s face went blank and his breathing a tad irregular. Rachel raised an eyebrow looked at her father concerned. “Daddy? Are you alright?”, Rachel said quickly moving from her piano to his side. “A date? You asked me while I was too busy to realize if you could go on a date with Landon? The drummer in Rose’s band? The one who’s had tattoos since he was thirteen???”, John asked still trying to catch his breath. “It’s not a date dad. He asked me as a friend and to keep an unwanted individual from continuing asking me. And yes he’s a drummer and has tattoos. But he also can play guitar, bass, keyboard, and sax. He’s Rose’s best friend and really a nice guy. Not to mention he’s a respected student at the institute and Jimmy’s team leader.”, Rachel countered a smile on her face as she listed the good points of Landon to her father. Though his tattoos were a good point to her, it gave him a sort of edge that appealed to her. John raised an eyebrow noticing the smile. “Just friends? And what do you mean unwanted individual? Has a boy at school been harassing you about this dance?”, John questioned his dad brain suddenly shifting gears. Rachel sighed. “Yes there’s one boy who kept asking me and was rather persistent till Landon stepped in this afternoon.”, Rachel explained. “What boy and define persistent?”, John questioned.

Rachel sighed and her shoulders sank, she really didn’t want to tell her dad. John just gave her a stern look as he waited for his answer. “Fine. Merrick Bryant-Frost. It’s not really new, he’s always picked on me like the other Academy kids because I’m the human who was born into a legendary mutant family and is friends with institute kids.”, Rachel explained. “You said he was persistent till Landon stepped in. Explain please.”, John said trying to keep his anger that this boy was bothering his daughter in the first place in check. “He..well he cornered me today at my locker demanding I go with him. Landon interfered and got him to leave saying he was taking me. So see Landon is taking me as a friend and to keep Merrick from bothering me.”, Rachel explained. “Cornered you at your locker? I’ll kill him.”, John said turning for the door. “Dad? Dad!”, Rachel questioned chasing after him. John grabbed his jacket and was slipping it on as Rachel moved to block the door. “What are you doing?”, Rachel asked. “I’m going to the Academy and I’m going to beat some manors into that boy.”, John fumed. Rachel looked at her dad and in his blue eyes she saw something she’d never seen, hate. It scared her. “Dad? He’s been bugging me for as long as I’ve known him. Please calm down.”, Rachel insisted. “His parents behaved like their actions shouldn’t have consequences I’m not going to let their son go around thinking that too. That family has messed with those I care about too many times before and this is just the end of it. School yard bully is different from someone who corners a young girl demanding a date that she doesn’t want.”, John said reaching past Rachel for the door. “Please don’t dad.”, Rachel said worried tears in her eyes.

As John was about to open the door there was a knock which distracted John from his rage. Rachel spun and partially opened the door to see Landon. “Umm hey. I texted you to see if you needed a ride to work but you didn’t answer. So while I’m on break I figured I’d come see anyways.”, Landon said. “Everything alright Rach?”, he asked noticing the tears welling in her eyes. “I’m…I’m not going to be coming to work today Landon. Thank you for stopping but I need to deal with my dad.”, Rachel explained. “He that mad that we’re going to the dance?”, Landon questioned. Rachel shook her head. “It’s not about you Landon.”, Rachel explained. John opened the door fully and Landon raised both eyebrows looking at John seeing the anger on his face. “Um Hi sir.”, Landon said. “It’s about your good for nothing cousin.”, John fumed. Landon nodded. “Ah I see. So you informed him that my cousin was asking you to the dance before me?”, Landon said. “She informed me he cornered her about it and now I’m trying to get past her to go deal with him.”, John said. “Whoa sir.”, Landon said holding up his hands. “Merrick’s an asshole and of my family I’d miss him second maybe third least. But Rachel can handle Merrick. And if she can’t I can and will happily put him in his place for messing with her.”, Landon said. John just growled. Rachel shook her head. “You should go Landon. I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”, Rachel said. Landon sighed. “Alright, just text me so I know everything’s alright.”, Landon said heading off the porch and back to this van. As he pulled out Sarael pulled in.

Sarael watched as Landon drove off and looked and saw Rachel in the doorway with a rather angry version of her husband behind her. Sarael quickly walked up the steps. “What is going on?”, Sarael demanded looking from Rachel who was on the verge of tears to John. “Both of you inside it’s cold out here.”, She said pushing them both. “John how about you go to your study for a minute. I’d like a talk with our daughter then you can explain to me what happened.”, Sarael instructed pointing down the hall. John let out a heavy breath but rather than trying to argue with his wife, who he’d never actually raised his voice to in their long marriage he turned and walked away. Sarael escorted Rachel into the sitting room where the piano was. “Alright sweetheart tell me what happened.”, Sarael asked sitting down on a love seat with Rachel holding her hands. Rachel sniffled a little pulling back her tears as she sat down next to her mom.

“Today has just been a great moment sandwiched between two very scary moments.”, Rachel explained. “You’ll have to give me details sweetie.”, Sarael said. “Alright well I guess I’ll start at the beginning. You know how Xavier has been talking about a masquerade ball since last week?”, Rachel said. Sarael nodded. “Yes he’s taking Ashley Alston if memory serves.”, Sarael commented. “Well everyone basically has a date for the dance. I’ve had boys ask me, I’ve just said no to them all.”, Rachel stated. “Why have you turned so many down?”, Sarael asked. “They just want to date me because I’m a Howlett and they think that means I have lots of money. Even though I work for my money and only have a college fund in my future. But anyways one boy didn’t give up asking and got persistent.”, Rachel explained. “What boy and how persistent?”, Sarael questioned her voice remaining soft and calm. “Merrick Bryant-Frost, he’s been asking me all week and I keep telling him no. Today he well he pinned me at my locker to demand I go with him. And he raised his fist like he was going to hit me…”, Rachel explained her voice trembling. In the moment she hadn’t really thought about how scary it was but retelling it she could full appreciate how terrifying that moment was.

“He did what?”, Sarael questioned. “Did he hit you?”, Sarael asked. Rachel should her head. “He didn’t get the chance mom. Landon grabbed his fist and allowed me to escape the situation.”, Rachel said a smile forming. “Knight in shining armor that one seems to be.”, Sarael commented. Rachel smiled and blushed a little. “That brings me to the one bright moment. Landon got Merrick to leave me alone saying he was going to be taking me to the dance. So now I actually get to go to the dance. Dad said I could go and everything. Just need to find a dress. Landon said he’s take care of getting the masks.”, Rachel explained excitement in her voice. Sarael smiled. “So is this a date with Landon or just friends?”, Sarael asked. Rachel sighed. “Just friends but it’s my first high school dance it’s going to be fun.”, Rachel said. Sarael nodded. “Alright. So I think I understand what happened then. Did you tell your father what Merrick did?”, Sarael asked. “Most of it, I didn’t mention that he raised his hand to punch me. I think that would have made it worse. But mom I’ve never seen dad so angry it scared me. He talked about going over there and hurting him.”, Rachel admitted. Sarael nodded standing up. She leaned and kissed Rachel on the top of the head. “It’s going to be alright sweetie. I’m going to go talk to your father and then we are going dress shopping.”, Sarael said with a smile heading down the hall to find John.

John was sitting at his desk flexing his fingers watching the tips of his bone claws go in and out between his knuckles. “Ahem.”, Sarael said walking over draping her arms around his neck. “John Howlett, you scared our daughter.”, Sarael said firmly. John sighed his claws going back in once more. “I didn’t intend to. I really didn’t. I just, she told me that Merrick cornered her and harassed her trying to force her into going to this dance with him. And I’d be angry at any boy who dared treat my daughter that way, but when you add that it’s Pretender’s. That just add a layer of repressed anger.”, John admitted. Sarael sighed and kissed his cheek. “You are a good father, a very protect father. And I don’t blame you for being upset at the boy. But talking about going to hurt him in front of her is a bit much. You need to go and make her feel better about this. And after I am taking her out. We will get something to eat so you and Xavier can fend for yourselves. And since you made her miss a day of work she’s not paying for her dress when she finds the one she wants.”, Sarael said. John sighed and stood up nodding. “Very well then. I’ll go talk to her.”, John said pausing to kiss his wife before heading back to the sitting room.

Rachel was back at the piano randomly taping at keys still uncertain on how she felt. “May I speak with you?”, John asked standing in the doorway. Rachel turned and look at him, the anger and hate was no longer in his eyes. She silently nodded. John walked over and sat down on the bench next to Rachel and put and arm around her hugging her. “I am sorry. I didn’t want to scare you.”, John said sincerely. “I know but you did, I’ve never seen you like that.”, Rachel said. “I know I’m the collected clam Howlett brother and James was always the short tempered vengeful one. But when it comes to my family I can be just as vengeful. And when a boy dares to treat a girl that way it upsets me and when it’s my girl it enrages me.”, John explained. “Would you have reacted this way if I had claws and healing like Jimmy?”, Rachel asked looking down at her hands. “Yes I would have. It’s not about you being unable to protect yourself. Powers or not I know you can do that. It’s about me being your dad and beyond that me being a gentlemen I don’t tolerate behavior like that. But I will not go off and harm the boy, unless he does something foolish like this again. Your mother is waiting for you though something about dinner and dress shopping.”, John explained. Rachel smiled. “I love you dad. Now to find a dress I can afford.”, Rachel said giving him a kiss on the cheek. “To make amends for your loss of work today, don’t look at price tags when dress shopping. Here.”, he said handing her his platinum credit card. “I’m paying for the dress.”, he said. Rachel’s eyes lit up as she took the card and hugged him around the neck tightly. “Thank you dad.”, she said before heading off to go shopping with Sarael.