Slice of Life
by Odeena Sabnach
Chapter 22: Choices

After lots of discussions, promisses and all that sort of things, Pietro was allowed to join the X-Men. This almost made Scott make a scene, and Logan wasn't far behind - that, according to Kitty, who was also summoned to the 'X-council'. I didn't see Ray or Pietro for the rest of the day (well, mostly because I was in my room sulking most of the time), so I had enough time to think things through.

I had gotten myself into a real mess, and I had no idea how that happened. For short, here's how things were:

Pietro had a crush on me.

Ray had a crush on me.

I had a crush on... well, that was the big issue. I had to pick one, before something really bad happened.

Then it dawned on me.

The answer had been there all along.

I stood up quickly. I had to find a messenger. Quickly.

~

The pool at the Institute is a nifty place to be at sunset, with the water glowing all red and orange. Like Rahne said the other day, it's like a 'small ocean of flames'. Maybe that's why I want to meet Ray and Pietro there. Maybe I just feel like throwing myself in. I can't tell what's in my head right now - just a Big Swirl of Thoughts from which I can't make out anything.

With Bobby's help, I managed to slip a message to both hotheads. In essence, it read: "Meet me at the pool at sunset. I mean it. Elsie." Much as I wanted to add "You jerk", I realized it wasn't such a bright idea... okay, Bobby talked me out of it.

And so, with only a few minutes to go until the official 'sundown' hour, I'm pacing back and forward on the edge of the pool...

Three minutes left.

Two.

One.

Ray is the first to show up, coming out of the Institute. Pietro kinda just zips out of nowhere. When they see each other, they both make a face. Ray looks ready to kill someone.

"Hi guys." I do my best to keep my voice even. "Umm... we need to talk."

Pietro is the first to back down. "I... guess so."

"Yeah."

"Okay."

So far, so good. Brilliant, I might say.

Yeah, right.

"Look. The thing is, I have... we have to sort things out." I carefully pick my words. "Pietro, I'm sorry, but - all I can give you is my friendship. Nothing more than that. And that's because..."

Okay, take in a deep breath, cross my fingers... be calm...

"Because I love Ray."

And insert dramatic effects - now.

You know, it feels much better now that I said it.

Ray and Pietro are both thunderstruck. Might as well talk to a tree. *Sigh*.

"So... that's it. I'll just... go now." I turn around and slowly begin to walk to the Institute, when I hear a cry behind, "Wait!" In a matter of miliseconds, Ray is next to me.

"What - what you said before. That you love me. Is it... is it true? You really mean it?"

The look on his face is precious... "Yes, Ray. I do."

"Really?"

*Sigh* "Yes, Ray. Really."

"Well, in that case..."

Ray puts his arm around my shoulders, with a wide smile on his face.

"Let's head in. It's getting cold. Oh, and, Elsie?"

"Yeah?"

"Sorry for earlier today. I acted like a total jerk. I'm a hothead, I know. I deserve a good whack in the--"

"Crisp?"

"What?"

"Shut the hell up, will you...?"

He grins, "Okay".

And then, everything is all right with the world.