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“Alright Meddling Kids you ready to get this started?”, David asked walking up to the group. Landon pulled his hand back and looked to his dad. “Born that way dad.”, Landon said with a grin. “Yeah let’s play!”, Cora Lee said hoping up from the edge of the stage to grab her base. Rose nodded and stood up heading for her guitar. “Enjoy the show guys. We get a break in a couple hours so we can all hang out then.”, Landon said giving the group a nod before jumping back onto the stage and taking his seat at the drums. All three of them put on their ear piece mics to make having to sing and play that much easier for them. David jumped up onto the stage holding a wireless mic. “Thank you all for coming out to Draven tonight! We’ve got a great night planned for you as we ring in the new year. So let’s get this party started with Meddling Kids!”, David said giving a little introduction before getting off the stage. And so with the introduction out of the way they decided to start with something a bit up tempo and began to play Blitzkrieg Bop. Cora Lee and Rose started bouncing to the beat as they played then both sang, “Hey ho, let’s go! Hey ho, let’s go! Hey ho, let’s go! Hey ho, let’s go!” Then Rose took the lead on the vocals singing, ‘They’re formin’ in a straight line. They’re goin’ through a tight wind. The kids are losin’ their minds.”Then she was joined by both Cora Lee and Landon who sang, “The Blitzkreg bop!” as the song continued on people where quickly filling up the dance floor bopping around to the fast paced song. “They’re piling in the back seat. They’re generating steam heat. Pulsatin’ to the back beat”, Rose sang on a smile on her lips.

It was a fun song to start the night out with and the only person other than adults Rose and Cora Lee could see not on their feet moving was Merrick who sat alone in a back booth. Cora Lee rolled her eyes seeing her cousin was the only one not moving but continued playing because he didn’t really matter. She tried her best to keep her eyes from focusing on Malcolm not wanting to draw attention so she kept looking out amongst the crowd. Of course she saw the faces of her friends from the institute, the Academy kids, and then some from friends from school in the sea of faces. Once the song finished they went right into the next. To help keep their voices from giving out too quickly they’d divided up their set so that it would alternate who was lead vocals. Since Rose sang lead on the first song it fell to Cora Lee to take lead on the second. Landon followed suit taking lead on the third though he took lead less often since it was a bit harder to control his breath while singing and drumming. After a few songs they barely noticed the crowd and were just enjoying playing and really getting into each song.

Xavier and Ashley danced together as did Bianca and Gabriel. True to her word Blaire managed to capture a young man’s attention and eagerly agreed to go dance with him. Rachel and Hope hung back shaking their heads when being asked to dance. Lily stayed with them since she couldn’t dance with who she really wanted to without causing a huge fight and scene. Rachel was more polite in her refusal just enjoying standing with Hope, Lily, and Atif swaying a little and tapping her feet to the beat of the music. Rachel kept her eyes on the stage, mostly on Landon but it was hard for someone to tell that by just looking at her since he was positioned in the back behind her cousin and Cora Lee. Hope was a bit more abrasive with her refusals, but that was because boys kept asking her and despite what her mom and dad might like to believe she wasn’t into guys. Hope’s eyes kept looking over to a girl with dark brown shoulder length hair, hazel eyes that depending on the light could be green or blue or sometimes brown and the skin the color of mocha. They had fifth period French together.

Her name was Jamie Santiago and she was completely out of Hope’s league. Jamie was human whose parents were well off and had ties to the Friends of Humanity plus Hope was fairly certain that Jamie was straight. Atif sighed as he glanced over to Billy who was jokingly dancing with his twin since neither seemed to want to dance with any of people asking them. Atif looked over to the other wall flowers. “Alright ladies come on. I have the need to dance and well since I’m not getting the cute boy for the evening it’s gotta be one of you.”, Atif said extending his hand. Hope shook her head. “I’m about as graceful as my dad so I’ll just hang back.”, Hope explained. Lily shrugged but nudged Rachel forward. “Rachel will dance she enjoys it the most. And if she’s going to dance with a boy her dad will probably feel most at ease if it’s you.”, Lily teased. Atif scrunched his nose making a face at Lily. “What do ya say Rachel? I’m not as fancy of a dancer as my pal Landon but I can at least move.”, Atif said offering his hand. Rachel shrugged then nodded. At least dancing with Atif was just for fun there was no underlining hidden meaning and his intentions of asking were just as friends. Atif grinned taking Rachel’s hand and headed for the dance floor to enjoy the night.

Alex managed to get Talia to come out to the dance floor to dance with him and despite herself she smiled and enjoyed the time. Josalyn tried to talk Billy into dancing with her but he declined and instead just bopped around with his twin. So Josalyn found someone else willing to dance with her, letting herself forget that Merrick was being a complete stick in the mud at that the music she was dancing to was being played by a bunch of institute kids. Emma tried to get Malcolm to dance but he refused and just stayed close to his cousins. It was a battle Emma knew she wouldn’t win so she just grabbed a boy nearby and pulled him to the floor to dance with her. With their chameleon appearances it wasn’t long before a boy walked up and asked Artemis to dance and with a nudge of her twin agreed. Apollo also had no issue finding a girl who’d want to dance. So that left Merrick sitting alone in the booth spinning an empty bottle of water. Demitri came by the table. Since no servers dared to go near the booth. Demitri sighed and took a breath as he walked over. This was his little brother no matter what path he choose to follow in life. “So why aren’t you dancing little brother?”, Demitri asked leaning along the back of the booth so he was near Merrick’s head. Merrick grumbled and narrowed his eyes. “Don’t call me that.”, Merrick stated. Demitri blinked.

“Look Merrick I know we don’t get to spend time around each other like I get to with Lily. That’s your mom and Christian’s call not mine. I may not live at the Haven anymore but I’m still a Haven member making me neutral. I never wanted to not get to see you guys. You’re the only family I have left.”, Demitri said. “Had. Past tense Demitri. You married Jean and had your son.”, Merrick said coldly. “I added to our family yes. I gave you a sister-in-law and a nephew. A nephew who only gets to know one aunt. Nathan should get to know you and Josalyn just as much as he knows Lily. I barely know you two anymore it’s been so long since I’ve been allowed to see you. I miss the days when you three came to the Haven and I got to play with you guys and you included Landon in everything when you were little.”, Demitri said thinking of those short years fondly. “That time is gone. David and you stopped talking to mom and that was the end of it. That ended our family. I have nothing in common with you.”, Merrick said remaining cold and distant. Demitri sighed. “Things happened, yes. But they didn’t change us being family. We are still family and you will always be my little brother. No matter what you do in life. I’ve never stopped calling you my little brother and I’m never going to. So you keep following this path your own. Keep being the self enforced outcast even amongst your own school. Just remember that when you get tired of being alone and you want someone to talk to for anything I’m here. And I’ll always be here for you.”, Demitri said reaching over taking the empty bottle of water and putting a cold full bottle in its place. “Have a happy new year.”, Demitri added before walking away. Merrick sighed and opened the water bottle taking a sip he thought about looking over his shoulder to Demitri but chose not to as it could be seen as a sign of weakness.

As the set started to come to an end Lily nudged Hope. “I don’t think you’ve noticed but that girl has been looking over here most of the night. Who is she?”, Lily whispered. Hope glanced slightly and quickly brought her eyes forward. “Jamie Santiago. Her parents one a lot of restaurants around the world and are FOH supporters.”, Hope said quietly. Lily nodded. “Uh huh and that has what to do with her checking you out?”, Lily questioned. Hope blinked and raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”, Hope said. “Oh please let’s not play the pretend game. I’m not as dense as your dad. You have as much interest in guys that Atif has in girls. And that’s okay. You really should just come out and tell them. Maybe then your mom will stop trying to push the girlie girlie stuff.”, Lily suggested with a laugh. “I dunno. I’m pretty sure I’d be told it’s a phase. Like the brief moment in time when your sister-in-law dated a girl.”, Hope countered. Lily smirked.

“In Jean’s defense that was a mutant who could only morph between a male or female version of themselves. But yeah for some people liking someone of the same gender is just an experiment. Then there are those like Atif who it’s not it’s just part of who he is. And the only one who can say if it’s an experimental deal or who you really are is you. And you sure the hell aren’t going to get anywhere with Jamie standing next to me goof. Now go ask her to dance or something.”, Lily said nudging Hope in the direction of Jamie. Hope skidded to a stop. “What part of ‘out of my league’ don’t you get? She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth and doesn’t run in the same type of crowd I do. Her family is anti-mutant supporters and I’m pretty sure she’s into guys.”, Hope argued. “Seriously? Are you going to pull that card? Let’s list your best friends shall we? Blaire Delaney, mom is Dazzler a fucking legit retired rock star. Rachel Howlett, family’s been in money since the 1700s and the copper rush. Oh and how about Gabriel Worthington, heir to Worthington Industries and father was Vice President. Let’s not use the ‘silver spoon’ analogy for a reason a person couldn’t like you. And just because her parents back the FOH doesn’t mean it’s her view on mutants. I mean hello my mom and step-dad as well as my siblings are Acolytes yet I’m an X-Men. Our family doesn’t dictate our own choices. Now..wait never mind she’s coming to you instead.”, Lily countered grinning stepping back a little.

“Excuse me. Hope Summers right?”, a subtle Spanish accent asked sheepishly. Hope looked and saw Jamie standing next to her. “Umm. Yeah I’m Hope Summers.”, Hope answered nodding. Jamie smiled. “You probably don’t even know who I am. I’m Jamie Santiago we have fifteen period French together.”, Jamie said extending her hand. Hope cautiously shook her hand hoping she wasn’t sweating too much to be noticed. “Yeah I know who you are Jamie. What can I do for you?”, Hope asked. There had to be a catch for Jamie to be talking to her. “Well, I was wondering if you’d like to dance with me.”, Jamie said sheepishly. Hope blinked in shock and out of habit did a quick scan of Jamie’s mind to find out if this was some trick. She didn’t see that she was up to anything, though perhaps Jamie was good at hiding things. “Though I understand if you’d rather dance with her.”, Jamie said looking to Lily. Lily started to laugh. “Oh I’m sorry to laugh. I truly am. But no I’m playing wall flower with Hope because the guy I want to dance with isn’t able to dance with me. She’s all yours kid.”, Lily said trying to stop her laughter. Hope sighed and rolled her eyes. “Oh I just kind of assumed. Sorry. So does that mean you can dance with me?”, Jamie asked. Hope sighed before nodding. “Alright, This isn’t some weird prank is it? Cause seriously not looking to go all Carrie in my friends’ dads’ club.”, Hope questioned still guarded. “Um. No it’s not a prank. I think you’re cute. And it’s very different seeing you in a dress. You always seem to dress more boyish. Not that you don’t look nice in your jeans and t-shirt with hi-top sneakers but the dress looks really nice on you and with your red hair… I’m going to stop talking now I tend to ramble when I’m nervous. I’m rambling aren’t I?’, Jamie said quickly covering her mouth to stop. Hope smiled a little. “Um thanks. And yeah you were rambling. So let’s go dance then.”, Hope said cautiously taking Jamie’s hand and heading to the dance floor.

Lily took a seat in a booth and just watched as her friends all got to dance. She leaned against her elbow on the table and sighed. She wished she could just go over and dance with Tommy, but she didn’t want to deal with the fall out that would result in. She was fairly certain that her own siblings would flip their lids if she even walked over there let alone started to dance with Tommy. David was walking around cleaning up tables and paused leaning on the booth Lily was slumped in. “What’s up little cuz? Why the long face?”, David asked. Lily tilted her head to look up at David. “Nothing I can discuss with you David. Like you always tell us when we ask you certain questions, ‘it’s not your business’ ‘and you wouldn’t understand’.”, Lily said quoting him. David faked being hurt holding chest. “You pain me little cuz. Sure I can’t and won’t tell you kids everything because like it or not you’re still kids and some things are private.”, David replied. “Well this is private too. Don’t worry about me David continue taking care of your guests. I’ll perk up eventually.”, Lily said waving David away. “Alright but don’t let your big brother catch that long face he won’t leave it alone.”, David warned before heading to the next table.

Description
“Alright Meddling Kids you ready to get this started?”, David asked walking up to the group. Landon pulled his hand back and looked to his dad. “Born that way dad.”, Landon said with a grin. “Yeah let’s play!”, Cora Lee said hoping up from the edge of the stage to grab her base. Rose nodded and stood up heading for her guitar. “Enjoy the show guys. We get a break in a couple hours so we can all hang out then.”, Landon said giving the group a nod before jumping back onto the stage and taking his seat at the drums. All three of them put on their ear piece mics to make having to sing and play that much easier for them. David jumped up onto the stage holding a wireless mic. “Thank you all for coming out to Draven tonight! We’ve got a great night planned for you as we ring in the new year. So let’s get this party started with Meddling Kids!”, David said giving a little introduction before getting off the stage. And so with the introduction out of the way they decided to start with something a bit up tempo and began to play Blitzkrieg Bop. Cora Lee and Rose started bouncing to the beat as they played then both sang, “Hey ho, let’s go! Hey ho, let’s go! Hey ho, let’s go! Hey ho, let’s go!” Then Rose took the lead on the vocals singing, ‘They’re formin’ in a straight line. They’re goin’ through a tight wind. The kids are losin’ their minds.”Then she was joined by both Cora Lee and Landon who sang, “The Blitzkreg bop!” as the song continued on people where quickly filling up the dance floor bopping around to the fast paced song. “They’re piling in the back seat. They’re generating steam heat. Pulsatin’ to the back beat”, Rose sang on a smile on her lips.

It was a fun song to start the night out with and the only person other than adults Rose and Cora Lee could see not on their feet moving was Merrick who sat alone in a back booth. Cora Lee rolled her eyes seeing her cousin was the only one not moving but continued playing because he didn’t really matter. She tried her best to keep her eyes from focusing on Malcolm not wanting to draw attention so she kept looking out amongst the crowd. Of course she saw the faces of her friends from the institute, the Academy kids, and then some from friends from school in the sea of faces. Once the song finished they went right into the next. To help keep their voices from giving out too quickly they’d divided up their set so that it would alternate who was lead vocals. Since Rose sang lead on the first song it fell to Cora Lee to take lead on the second. Landon followed suit taking lead on the third though he took lead less often since it was a bit harder to control his breath while singing and drumming. After a few songs they barely noticed the crowd and were just enjoying playing and really getting into each song.

Xavier and Ashley danced together as did Bianca and Gabriel. True to her word Blaire managed to capture a young man’s attention and eagerly agreed to go dance with him. Rachel and Hope hung back shaking their heads when being asked to dance. Lily stayed with them since she couldn’t dance with who she really wanted to without causing a huge fight and scene. Rachel was more polite in her refusal just enjoying standing with Hope, Lily, and Atif swaying a little and tapping her feet to the beat of the music. Rachel kept her eyes on the stage, mostly on Landon but it was hard for someone to tell that by just looking at her since he was positioned in the back behind her cousin and Cora Lee. Hope was a bit more abrasive with her refusals, but that was because boys kept asking her and despite what her mom and dad might like to believe she wasn’t into guys. Hope’s eyes kept looking over to a girl with dark brown shoulder length hair, hazel eyes that depending on the light could be green or blue or sometimes brown and the skin the color of mocha. They had fifth period French together.

Her name was Jamie Santiago and she was completely out of Hope’s league. Jamie was human whose parents were well off and had ties to the Friends of Humanity plus Hope was fairly certain that Jamie was straight. Atif sighed as he glanced over to Billy who was jokingly dancing with his twin since neither seemed to want to dance with any of people asking them. Atif looked over to the other wall flowers. “Alright ladies come on. I have the need to dance and well since I’m not getting the cute boy for the evening it’s gotta be one of you.”, Atif said extending his hand. Hope shook her head. “I’m about as graceful as my dad so I’ll just hang back.”, Hope explained. Lily shrugged but nudged Rachel forward. “Rachel will dance she enjoys it the most. And if she’s going to dance with a boy her dad will probably feel most at ease if it’s you.”, Lily teased. Atif scrunched his nose making a face at Lily. “What do ya say Rachel? I’m not as fancy of a dancer as my pal Landon but I can at least move.”, Atif said offering his hand. Rachel shrugged then nodded. At least dancing with Atif was just for fun there was no underlining hidden meaning and his intentions of asking were just as friends. Atif grinned taking Rachel’s hand and headed for the dance floor to enjoy the night.

Alex managed to get Talia to come out to the dance floor to dance with him and despite herself she smiled and enjoyed the time. Josalyn tried to talk Billy into dancing with her but he declined and instead just bopped around with his twin. So Josalyn found someone else willing to dance with her, letting herself forget that Merrick was being a complete stick in the mud at that the music she was dancing to was being played by a bunch of institute kids. Emma tried to get Malcolm to dance but he refused and just stayed close to his cousins. It was a battle Emma knew she wouldn’t win so she just grabbed a boy nearby and pulled him to the floor to dance with her. With their chameleon appearances it wasn’t long before a boy walked up and asked Artemis to dance and with a nudge of her twin agreed. Apollo also had no issue finding a girl who’d want to dance. So that left Merrick sitting alone in the booth spinning an empty bottle of water. Demitri came by the table. Since no servers dared to go near the booth. Demitri sighed and took a breath as he walked over. This was his little brother no matter what path he choose to follow in life. “So why aren’t you dancing little brother?”, Demitri asked leaning along the back of the booth so he was near Merrick’s head. Merrick grumbled and narrowed his eyes. “Don’t call me that.”, Merrick stated. Demitri blinked.

“Look Merrick I know we don’t get to spend time around each other like I get to with Lily. That’s your mom and Christian’s call not mine. I may not live at the Haven anymore but I’m still a Haven member making me neutral. I never wanted to not get to see you guys. You’re the only family I have left.”, Demitri said. “Had. Past tense Demitri. You married Jean and had your son.”, Merrick said coldly. “I added to our family yes. I gave you a sister-in-law and a nephew. A nephew who only gets to know one aunt. Nathan should get to know you and Josalyn just as much as he knows Lily. I barely know you two anymore it’s been so long since I’ve been allowed to see you. I miss the days when you three came to the Haven and I got to play with you guys and you included Landon in everything when you were little.”, Demitri said thinking of those short years fondly. “That time is gone. David and you stopped talking to mom and that was the end of it. That ended our family. I have nothing in common with you.”, Merrick said remaining cold and distant. Demitri sighed. “Things happened, yes. But they didn’t change us being family. We are still family and you will always be my little brother. No matter what you do in life. I’ve never stopped calling you my little brother and I’m never going to. So you keep following this path your own. Keep being the self enforced outcast even amongst your own school. Just remember that when you get tired of being alone and you want someone to talk to for anything I’m here. And I’ll always be here for you.”, Demitri said reaching over taking the empty bottle of water and putting a cold full bottle in its place. “Have a happy new year.”, Demitri added before walking away. Merrick sighed and opened the water bottle taking a sip he thought about looking over his shoulder to Demitri but chose not to as it could be seen as a sign of weakness.

As the set started to come to an end Lily nudged Hope. “I don’t think you’ve noticed but that girl has been looking over here most of the night. Who is she?”, Lily whispered. Hope glanced slightly and quickly brought her eyes forward. “Jamie Santiago. Her parents one a lot of restaurants around the world and are FOH supporters.”, Hope said quietly. Lily nodded. “Uh huh and that has what to do with her checking you out?”, Lily questioned. Hope blinked and raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”, Hope said. “Oh please let’s not play the pretend game. I’m not as dense as your dad. You have as much interest in guys that Atif has in girls. And that’s okay. You really should just come out and tell them. Maybe then your mom will stop trying to push the girlie girlie stuff.”, Lily suggested with a laugh. “I dunno. I’m pretty sure I’d be told it’s a phase. Like the brief moment in time when your sister-in-law dated a girl.”, Hope countered. Lily smirked.

“In Jean’s defense that was a mutant who could only morph between a male or female version of themselves. But yeah for some people liking someone of the same gender is just an experiment. Then there are those like Atif who it’s not it’s just part of who he is. And the only one who can say if it’s an experimental deal or who you really are is you. And you sure the hell aren’t going to get anywhere with Jamie standing next to me goof. Now go ask her to dance or something.”, Lily said nudging Hope in the direction of Jamie. Hope skidded to a stop. “What part of ‘out of my league’ don’t you get? She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth and doesn’t run in the same type of crowd I do. Her family is anti-mutant supporters and I’m pretty sure she’s into guys.”, Hope argued. “Seriously? Are you going to pull that card? Let’s list your best friends shall we? Blaire Delaney, mom is Dazzler a fucking legit retired rock star. Rachel Howlett, family’s been in money since the 1700s and the copper rush. Oh and how about Gabriel Worthington, heir to Worthington Industries and father was Vice President. Let’s not use the ‘silver spoon’ analogy for a reason a person couldn’t like you. And just because her parents back the FOH doesn’t mean it’s her view on mutants. I mean hello my mom and step-dad as well as my siblings are Acolytes yet I’m an X-Men. Our family doesn’t dictate our own choices. Now..wait never mind she’s coming to you instead.”, Lily countered grinning stepping back a little.

“Excuse me. Hope Summers right?”, a subtle Spanish accent asked sheepishly. Hope looked and saw Jamie standing next to her. “Umm. Yeah I’m Hope Summers.”, Hope answered nodding. Jamie smiled. “You probably don’t even know who I am. I’m Jamie Santiago we have fifteen period French together.”, Jamie said extending her hand. Hope cautiously shook her hand hoping she wasn’t sweating too much to be noticed. “Yeah I know who you are Jamie. What can I do for you?”, Hope asked. There had to be a catch for Jamie to be talking to her. “Well, I was wondering if you’d like to dance with me.”, Jamie said sheepishly. Hope blinked in shock and out of habit did a quick scan of Jamie’s mind to find out if this was some trick. She didn’t see that she was up to anything, though perhaps Jamie was good at hiding things. “Though I understand if you’d rather dance with her.”, Jamie said looking to Lily. Lily started to laugh. “Oh I’m sorry to laugh. I truly am. But no I’m playing wall flower with Hope because the guy I want to dance with isn’t able to dance with me. She’s all yours kid.”, Lily said trying to stop her laughter. Hope sighed and rolled her eyes. “Oh I just kind of assumed. Sorry. So does that mean you can dance with me?”, Jamie asked. Hope sighed before nodding. “Alright, This isn’t some weird prank is it? Cause seriously not looking to go all Carrie in my friends’ dads’ club.”, Hope questioned still guarded. “Um. No it’s not a prank. I think you’re cute. And it’s very different seeing you in a dress. You always seem to dress more boyish. Not that you don’t look nice in your jeans and t-shirt with hi-top sneakers but the dress looks really nice on you and with your red hair… I’m going to stop talking now I tend to ramble when I’m nervous. I’m rambling aren’t I?’, Jamie said quickly covering her mouth to stop. Hope smiled a little. “Um thanks. And yeah you were rambling. So let’s go dance then.”, Hope said cautiously taking Jamie’s hand and heading to the dance floor.

Lily took a seat in a booth and just watched as her friends all got to dance. She leaned against her elbow on the table and sighed. She wished she could just go over and dance with Tommy, but she didn’t want to deal with the fall out that would result in. She was fairly certain that her own siblings would flip their lids if she even walked over there let alone started to dance with Tommy. David was walking around cleaning up tables and paused leaning on the booth Lily was slumped in. “What’s up little cuz? Why the long face?”, David asked. Lily tilted her head to look up at David. “Nothing I can discuss with you David. Like you always tell us when we ask you certain questions, ‘it’s not your business’ ‘and you wouldn’t understand’.”, Lily said quoting him. David faked being hurt holding chest. “You pain me little cuz. Sure I can’t and won’t tell you kids everything because like it or not you’re still kids and some things are private.”, David replied. “Well this is private too. Don’t worry about me David continue taking care of your guests. I’ll perk up eventually.”, Lily said waving David away. “Alright but don’t let your big brother catch that long face he won’t leave it alone.”, David warned before heading to the next table.