Getting Ready
Everyone else had already spread out among the couches in the living room. The two boys separated at the door, choosing to sit as far away from each other as possible.
“What’d I miss those two are both beat red,” Hank heard Raven whisper to Banshee.
“Ask them.”
“Ok, now that we are all here. I received an alert today from police Annandale-on-Hudson about a girl who got dropped off. The story is she came out to her dad in the car who then proceed to “kick her to the curb”. They called me as they are aware of my background in this and wanted to have me consulate on the next steps. What they don’t know is I will be offering to take the girl in as my own. Now I’m going to go in on this alone. But, you guys aren’t off the hook yet. I’ve given copies of her police file to Erik, who will be assisting you guys into what we’re going to do with her when she gets here,” Charles proceeds to walk out.
“Here are the police files, do with them what you please. I have a few other matters I need to attend to,” Erik said following Charles without another word.
Hank began to flip through the girl’s file. She was only fifteen, at least Hank got to make it to adulthood before his first bad reaction. He was still deep in thought when the feeling of someone watching him settled. He looked up at made eye contact with Raven.
“So, what’s with you and Alex?”
“What? Nothing.”
“Oh, don’t lie to me, darling. I saw your eyes trailing his abs the whole time you were fighting. Then when you finally join us you both show up together beat red.”
“That’s, that’s not true. And, we were just getting some food after a workout.”
“Ok, big boy. Whatever you say.”
“How about we focus on getting this girl settled.”
“Yes, let’s do just that. Ok, since everyone else seems too busy to do that I’m taking charge. I’m hoping you have had time to look over the majority of the case file. There are five of you and you’ve all dealt with homophobia first hand. I want you to get what this girl is coming from. When she gets here I want you to make her feel welcome. And while you’re at it maybe think of ideas on how this can become an actual school and not just a bunch of kids hanging out.”
She was gone before anyone had a chance to reject.
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“Lost in thought?” Raven asked, causing Erik to turn away from the window.
“He didn’t trust me enough to let me come with him. The only reason he’s even taking in the girl is because of us. But, he has to take all the glory for himself.”
“You can’t totally blame him, Erik. You can be unpredictable at times, do reckless things. Take it from someone who has seen it first hand.”
“Am I really that bad?”
“Bad? I would never use that to describe you Passionate is a much better word.”
The other smiled.
“I know it’s none of my business. But maybe he wasn’t ready for another little mission with you. I don’t think I need to remind you how the last one ended”
A twisted look of anger and frustration came over Erik’s face. But, once looking back at raven, he relaxed. The words from only moments early pricking his thoughts.
“I suppose your right.”
“Haven’t you learned I always am?”
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“I don’t know about you guys, but I don’t know a single thing about kids,” Darwin spoke out.
“She’s hardly a kid. She’s fifteen. Same age my brother would be now.”
“That little boy you keep in your wallet is already fifteen.”
“Yeah. One of the last times I saw him before I left.”
“Crazy. Does that mean you can help us out? I can’t even remember the last time I talked to a kid that young,” Angel was the one to voice her concerns this time
“Okay. Well, let’s start with what we know for now. We wanna make her feel welcome. Professor said there was a room open next to Angel.”
“I always wanted a little sister.”
“What happened to never spoke to kids,” Sean commented.
“You don’t really get to interact with kids in my line of work.”
“You got me there.”
“Ok, let’s at least try to stay focused guys,” Alex said.
“Suit yourself, mom.”
“You know what, Banshee.”
“Hey, I thought we agreed to drop that nickname.”
“I’m not the one who screams at dog levels over a jump scare.”
“Ok, I’m stepping in. Both of you shut up. We need to get a little bit of work done.”
“Darwins right. Didn’t the professor say we had some stuff up in the attic we could use?” Angel asked.
“Thank you for actually adding something of significance.”
“Alex I swear.”
He held up his hands in defense, “Fine. Let’s go look.”
That’s how the five found themselves coughing up a storm with twenty-odd boxes piled between them.
“Hey, what about this?” Sean asked holding up a small tattered blanket.
Alex raised an eyebrow, “When you guys said you knew nothing about kids you meant it. That was made for like a toddler kid.”
“Okay, well not all of us can sit high and mighty on our mom friend horse.”
Alex raised a middle finger in response.
“Might have found something back here,” Hank caught the attention of the others, “There are tons of boxes back here filled with stuff.”
“Hank’s right. All of this would be perfect for Jean,” Angel added walking towards him.
“Why does the Profesor even have all these things.”
“Look at the boxes, they all say, Raven,” Darwin added walking closer.
“They must have been her’s when she was younger. I’m sure she’ll be fine with us using them.”
“If you say so. Here everyone grab a few boxes.”
Between the five of them, they managed to get all the boxes into the room in one trip. The room itself was a decent size, fitting all five of them comfortably. But, it was also quite bare, holding only a bed and desk. The young adults stared at each other for quite some time. Before Hank took the initiative to start sorting through the boxes. The room quickly filled. A quilt and pillows filled the bed. Old books and a lamp were added to the desk. A blue rug popped against the wooden floor. They picked out a variety of posters to rest against the wall if she so choose to put them up. Angel had the idea to hang up fairy lights above the bed. Sometimes she apparently had in her college dorm before she dropped out. Darwin and Alex even managed to drag down a bookcase from the attic. That also quickly filled with a record player, records, more books, and a few random other things. A white rose from the garden was placed on the desk was the finishing touch. Surprisingly added by Alex.
“I don’t know about you, but I could use a drink,” Sean motioned to the group
“You don’t have to say that twice,” Alex said leading the way to the kitchen.
“I’ll save this for Raven when she’s done lecturing Erik on whatever he did this time,” Angel said grabbing two of the beers from the pack before passing it along.
“I hope this kid isn’t too much work, I don’t know if I got the energy to do anything for the rest of the day. Who knew decorating could be so exhausting,” Darwin added grabbing a beer for himself.
“It’s more likely to do with the fact you and Alex carried a heavy object down two flights of stairs.”
“Ok, mister technical,” Sean chuckled taking a swing of his beer.
“We should be lucky he’s talking at all. I spent the first half of the day thinking he was mute.”
“Oh shut up Angel,” Alex glared.
“Oh, don’t even pretend to be all high and mighty with your cute little nicknames for him.”
“Okay, okay, why are you guys fighting now,” Raven said entering the room, claiming the beer from Angel.
“Only making fun of, Hank.”
“Aw, come on guys he just got here.”
“Never stopped any of us before,” Sean joked.
“Do I even get a say in this? I’m not a helpless puppy you know.”
“Yeah that’s right, best over here played football in college,” Alex added.
The whole room burst out laughing.
“I still don’t know what’s so funny.”
The laughter only roared louder.
“Hey, I’m back,” Charles’s voice echoed through the hall, the group quieted.
“Well, time to get to work.”