「 The Professor & I 」VOLUME II

(241) Who's Jubilee?

Lynn's POV

Seemingly rooted to the meadows was the exact reason Jean was resolutely swift in abolishing the idea of hosting their wedding ceremony at the equally impressive venue.

While our Long Island villa, now graciously renamed by Charles to be the Benjamin-Xavier Estate, posed as an excellently eligible location for the luxurious gathering, and actually more convenient for our visitors arriving from overseas, Jean was adamant not to leave her side and finally, her obstinance persisting through the years had paid off.

"Where am I?" Jubilee mumbled again, staring at her surroundings in disorientation.

"Jubilation Lee," Jean murmured in elation, unsteadily staggering over in her moderately drunken stupor.

Scott and Storm quickly followed in her tracks as Jean falteringly stepped in the opposite direction of the disbanding female crowd while Hank, Charles and I warily tailed them, slowly approaching the severely confused girl.

"I've missed you, Jubs!" Jean sputtered in a sentimental tone, sighing in relief as she put her arms out towards Jubilee.

It was probably clear that Jean merely wanted a hug but Jubilee evidently conceived otherwise, hastily shunning backwards with an outstretched hand.

"Jubilee, no!" I frantically warned, but the effort was futile.

Spontaneously, a wave of plasmoids was thrusted forward and Jean, partially intoxicated but surely not guarded against her best companion, was struck unconscious to the ground by the sudden propulsion of energy blasted precisely her way.

Doubtlessly cacophonous, the explosion of fireworks that burst into the atmosphere was undeniably attention seeking but our audience was certainly mature and intelligent enough to recognize it was no celebratory gesture, despite its visual magnificence.

"Jean!" Scott yelled frenziedly, dropping to his knees as he scooped up Jean's unresponsive body into his arms.

"I think it's time to end the party," Hank remarked gravely, grabbing firmly onto Charles' shoulder as the rest of us froze on the lawn, just staring blankly at Jubilee who was huddling to herself in absolute fear.

"I think so too," Charles replied cheerlessly, gently squeezing my palm and I jolted, facing towards him with a startled expression.

"Do you want to see her?" Charles probed softly as he cradled my head.

"I think I should," I replied hesitantly and Charles immediately nodded.

"Alright. I'll take care of the guests," Charles graciously offered, smiling warmly at me.

"Be careful," he urged, lightly pecking my temple before he turned his gaze to Hank.

"Watch her for me, alright?" Charles appealed to Hank and he readily nodded, pacing to my side.

"Storm, get the children back inside," Charles ordered sternly as he swiveled his chair around.

Breaking out of her trance, Storm obediently complied to Charles' instructions, speedily herding the group of nosy students back to their dorms, and Charles politely dismissed the remaining worried attendees that had flocked to the accident scene as I cautiously approached Jubilee.

Inching forward, I witnessed her body quivering in fright, so reminiscent to the day we first met, as she hugged her knees close to her chest, breathing heavily to the grass. She flinched, scampering back the moment she registered the rustle of my advancing chair and the crackles under Hank's treads, causing both of us to pause immediately.