「 The Professor & I 」VOLUME II

(349) Happier

Xavier's School, September 2018

Lynn's POV

I allegedly fainted for some minutes but they fell disgustingly insignificant compared to the excruciating week James remained comatose as a result of my negligence.

His injuries, internal and external—though nothing Jean's impeccable competence could not handle—were profuse and severe. Multiple fractures aside, substantial bruising was sustained throughout his body receiving the massive impact of my merciless strike.

Although none suggested the possibility of permanent damage, his grave condition mandated a stay at our infirmary for many—too many—months that practically crawled by as I was challenged on a daily basis to flush out his pining wails and veer away from the wing housing our hospital.

The frightening incident quickly spread amongst the children and they gossiped—surely unconvinced by the ambiguous story, omitting far too many conceivable details, published.

Nevertheless, Charles unwaveringly refused to undo my rash deeds, claiming our deserved rights for the truth. It was everything I wished but nothing was erased and since what happened, Charles was different in subtle but certain ways.

He was not detached or distant, not withdrawn or uninterested. Instead, his love showered me in storms I was not entitled. He treated me as usual, with utmost respect and politeness, but he was evermore giving and vigorous in demonstrating—perhaps even flaunting—his adoration, especially in the physical essence.

Gradually, the industrious assuagement gifted by Charles and James' eventual recuperation washed away the guilt but ultimate panic was dreadfully triggered as I eavesdropped on his interview that finally materialized.

After a lengthy year and a half of proper, intensive, rehabilitation, James had fully recovered. Suitable medication dissolved the blood clots in his brain, time seemingly healed his wounds and sturdy casts mended his broken bones.

Moreover, rigorous physiotherapy had him gladly strutting out of Charles' office without so much as a limp, clearly delighted by the fact that Charles had spoken the magic words guaranteeing his addition to our steadily growing faculty list. Yet, there I was next door, struggling to fight off the sense of betrayal rapidly descending.

"You accepted him?!" I cried in disbelief as I barged into the fine study once James had totally retreated but Charles just stared at me, appalled, as I emerged through the secret interface adjoining his workspace to mine.

"How could you?!" I hollered, still disinclined to trust my ears.

"How could I not?" Charles replied calmly, but troubled.

"He fits every criteria, Lynn. If I didn't, I'd be violating the law," Charles maintained with a frown bearing colossal dilemma.

"What the hell has the law got to do with this?!" I screeched, angrily throwing my arms into the air.

"You could have just wiped him and sent him back to Laughlin! That's the whole point of being the world's most powerful psychic!" I ranted in pure exasperation and violently slammed my palm to my armrest.

"Lynn!" Charles chided and I shot a glance over, only to be met by a glare of sheer disapproval.

Tears, plausibly of rage and heartache, spontaneously trickled down my face. Hastily, I rushed back through the concealed avenue and everything just flurried down as torrents no longer suppressible.

I paused in a muted ray of autumn sunshine, bawling my eyes out to the windows as I heaved frantically. Breathing soon became incredibly difficult with accumulating mucus clogging up my throat but sudden—though mollifying—rubs to my chest promptly soothed the burdensome situation.