Chapter Twenty-Four: One Inch Cubes

Claire didn't really know what to do. Kitty was getting worse and worse every single day. Not matter what Claire tried to do, Kitty wouldn't come out of her depression shell. If Kitty was feeling this way then Bella had to be the same way, maybe worse? As Claire dropped off Kitty at her room, she made her way down the hall and over to Alyce's room, wondering if there was any sort of advice she could get.

It was when Claire got in front of Alyce's door that she remembered she had other things to tend to, other than Kitty. Julian. She hadn't properly sat down with her boyfriend in a while but Claire knew her boyfriend wasn't stupid. He knew that Kitty needed her more than anything at this point, and he wouldn't think twice of pulling Claire away from her sister.

“Thinking hard?” Alyce asked softly, not wanting to startle Claire from her deep thoughts. Even still, Claire jumped a little but still managed a small smile.

“Doesn't everyone?” Claire defended herself. “I hope I'm not bothering you, I just wanted to ask you something.”

“Never a bother.” Alyce walked over to the opposite wall and placed her hand on it, two small chairs appearing from the hall and settling down on the floor. “My office is now open.” She motioned to the chairs.

Claire let out a muffled laughter as she sat down on the chair, crossing her legs. “I can get used to things popping out of no where.”

“I think anyone can, so what's up?”

Claire shuffled a bit in her seat, not sure how to phrase what she needed to say. She pushed her hair out of her eyes and let out a sigh of air. “Kitty's getting worse and worse. I just don't know how to make her feel better. I know Bella is in the same boat as Kitty so that kind of makes us in the same boat as well.”

“Well, there's one major difference. Kitty is a mutant and Bella is not. So, I'm guessing Kitty's worrying has a lot more to do than just her boyfriend breaking up with her. He's working for the government and can take her in. Now, Bella's boyfriend is also in the same house but he can't touch Bella. She's a human.” Alyce watched as Claire slapped her hand on her head and shook her head.

“You know that never once crossed my mind. I was just thinking about her feelings--”

“Hey, I'm not saying you shouldn't--”

“I know..” Claire gives Alyce a small chuckle. “...I just never really think of Kitty as a mutant, just my sister.”

Alyce smiled, letting out a small yawn and wiping at her eyes. She didn't think she could be so sleepy in the middle of the afternoon, but she hasn't been exactly worrying about sleeping for the past few days. “You know as cliché as this sounds, all Kitty needs is some time to accept what's happening. Just let it run it's course. As for Bella, I'm sending her straight home.”

“What? Why? Don't you think she's safer here with you?” Claire was understanding everything Alyce was telling her, but as soon as she mentioned Bella going back home was when everything went blank. She hadn't even had a chance to really get to know Bella and now she was going home?

“I always thought Bella was safer here with me, but now the way things are going I think she's better off going back home with her mom and dad. They aren't mutants, so she won't have to worry about the things she would worry about here.”

“Alyce, I don't mean to sound disrespectful but, that sounds stupid.”

Alyce immediately broke out into laughter. “Gotta love that honesty, Claire. Thanks.”

Claire shared in on the laugh, uncomfortably, she didn't know if it was a good thing, that she was being honest, or a bad thing. “If I was in your position I wouldn't send her back home. She needs you a lot more than you think, right now. Sending her back home, I think she'll be more sad.”

Alyce took a minute to let the words sink in. Oddly enough, Claire was right. Who would've ever thought you could learn things from someone younger than you. Alyce was thankful, her mind was too clouded to think straight. Once she got the idea of sending Bella back home she was convinced it would work. Now that Claire had knocked some sense into her, Alyce knew that Bella would probably end up worse back at home. “You're right, Claire.”

“I'm glad you think so. It sucks that me and you can't give the boys a good one up, huh.”

“It totally does, Claire.”

*

*

John was figuring out that he was a one trick pony. Whenever something happened he always wanted to go and set something on fire. The last time he had acted on his emotions, rather than his head, he ended up leveling off an entire city block—along with Pietro. But it was him who set an entire cafe shop on fire.

He didn't really care. If he could, he would do it all over again. And right now he wanted to burn the Brotherhood house to the ground. Now, John knew he wasn't the slickest cat in the Mansion but he was sure there was a way for him to sneak out and make his way back over to the house. But would he really risk getting arrested just to prove a point? Heck, John didn't even know what point he was trying to make.

He had long since left the conference room, and since he couldn't sit outside—took up residence in the library. He hated it here, it was too quiet but in way he needed the quietness. It was acutally helping him think. What he couldn't believe was how the Professor was just going to sit back and relax, not going to do anything on what was happening. To John it seemed that the Professor wasn't going to do anything, he probably had some ridiculous plan set up though. A plan involving 'talking' to Senetor Kelly. Like that was going to do anything. The Professor wasn't going to do anything—but John knew someone who would.....

Well, John didn't know the guy personally, only heard about him from the Professor. John was liking the idea that he wouldn't have to go out of his way to find the guy, he would come to him.

Magneto.

“Hey, John....”

“Shit!” John jumped where he sat, nearly knocking over a bookcase. “Do you have to pop up like that?” He shot a death glare over to Alyce, wishing he had some sort of way to know when Alyce was coming.

“It's a trademark of mine, sorry.” She spoke softly, shrugging.

John regained him composure, fixing his hair and acting like everything was all suave. For a second he contemplated on telling Alyce his idea but he quickly dismissed it. They used to think in all the same ways, but now, to John, it seemed liked they didn't. He knew that if even mentioned the thought of Magneto, Alyce would immediately try to knock some sense into him. But John knew he was always the bad guy....then again, Alyce had knew that too.

“What do you want?” John asked, his voice coming out a lot more colder than he had originally intended. He saw how it caught Alyce off guard and he felt a bit bad.

“I just wanted to say...you know, to apologize for what happened downstairs.” Alyce was never good at doing the whole 'I'm sorry' thing. Right now, she was felt like she was in the spot light—John's anger spot light. She, herself, was starting to get angry. “Just accept it so things can get back to they were.”

“Even with Bella on your 'top list'?”

“That's not fair, John.” Alyce growled. “That's low as fuck and you know it.”

Alyce had a point. John would've never thought that he would call out Bella, as much as the two fought he still cared for her...in his own raw way. John knew he was going to stick to his plan—to joining Magneto, when the time came for him to. He looked into Alyce's blue eyes, struggling to see any other alternative. If he could tell Alyce his plan. If she would come with him...she had left before, why not again?

“I figured you wouldn't have anything to say. You're always acting on impulse John, always.”

“And you don't?”

The two stood silent, just looking at each other with their anger. And to think that Alyce was almost having a good day. Now, this. You always hurt the one you love. It worked both ways; You love the one you hurt, as well. Here they were; Alyce and John. Both of them thinking two entirely different things.

“Here's what I'm thinking, Alyce.” John spoke. “You do your thing and I'll do mine, because I know for a fact, that right now, we're not on the same page.”

“I think we'd be on the same page if you'd just tell me why you're so upset.” Alyce knew John was thinking of something else, he just had to be. As to why he didn't want to share, Alyce had no idea why. Again, Alyce was helpless in the situation. She quickly shook her head before John could answer her.

“You know what? Fine. I could never convince you otherwise before, so yea, I”m stupid to think that I can do it now.” Alyce remembered that her father taught her better. She had let her tough as nails, cold exterior melt away and now she was paying for it. Had she just stood the same she wouldn't have to be worry about being in this situation. She gave him one last final glare before turning on her heel and heading out of the library.

“You win, John! You win!”