"Valerie, can you drive?" Ray asked. Everyone was ready with their clothes packed up and enough snacks for the journey.
Valerie was one of the older mutants in the group, he was twenty-five years old, one of the fewer bunch who cared about the rest, the younger ones, in one of the cells. His mutation allowed him to see better in the darkness.
"This place you're taking us–" He at least wanted to know where they were going.
"It's an academy for mutants. You will all be nurtured, and taught... that person may even sort out your immigration status or send you back to your respective homes. In any case, you will be in better hands with him than you will ever be with us".
"I will trust you. We can only hope because of you anyway. Thanks, Ray, Raven".
...
There were two massive buses parked downstairs that Raven fetched prior for this sole purpose. In terms of this task, she was even more enthusiastic than Ray. It was she the one who wished to save the kids from the start after all.
The plan had been for him to drive one, and Raven to drive the other one up to Salem. But, Ray changed plans.
"Valerie and Pedro, you both can drive, right? Just follow behind me".
"But we don't have a license".
"It doesn't matter. If we get stopped, we have the means".
He looked at both Emma and Jean, with them here there was nothing to worry about.
**
**
We drove off, and two buses filled to the brim with mutants followed me. If the police caught sight of us, they'd think I was a human trafficker, but thankfully, Emma and Jean are here, so there is no issue even if we get stopped.
First, we drove to the closest gas station to fill up, it was a long journey ahead. The manager of the gas station was frightened by the number of people buying stuff from the shop, thankfully Emma was there to 'appease' him.
Everyone got whatever they wanted. The kids got even more snacks; Pedro, Valerie and I recharged, and then I went to the cashier to pay for everything. Emma got a bottle of wine, ice... plastic cups. Raven got some beer.
Are we going to have a mini-party or something? I checked to see what Jean bought but she concealed it from me.
"It's none of your business! Humph!" She paid for her stuff.
"... okay?"
Hiding things from me? I waited until everyone walked out, and when she was about to cross the door, I snatched her bag.
"Hey!"
She jumped on me but ended up phasing through as I checked what was inside and gasped.
"Can't I have some privacy?!" She growled, her cheeks redder than her hair. Before I noticed, I too, was blushing. I handed the bag back to her.
"Who are these for?"
"N-Not for you".
I embraced her and bit her ears, Jean is cutter than ever tonight, that black dress looks absolutely gorgeous on her. Who else may she be getting condoms for? how bold of her.
"Then who is it? don't make me jealous"
"Some shameless pervert I know..."
"Does he treat you better than me?"
"A lot better, I don't even have to share him and he's not after my best friend".
She was still upset about that topic.
I turned her head towards me, but she didn't pluck her lips out as usual.
"I wasn't playing with her behind your back. Lately I haven't spent time with anyone, as you may know now, I was going about my business".
"But you still had something going on with her that you didn't tell me about".
"So what do you want me to do?"
"Huh?"
I held both her shoulders, and stared straight at her eyes, "What do you want me to do? Annie and I aren't in a relationship... should I start ignoring her?"
"N-No-"
"Should I break up with Emma too?"
"..."
Jean couldn't give me an answer, not one that wouldn't make me uncomfortable, as always she was thinking of me first. That's why I can't let them go, only they can somehow fill up this void.
"Let me know".
"Don't hide things from me again" She stared sternly, and I nodded.
"I promise... just don't get angry, you're a lot cuter when you're smiling".
"And I want to be your girlfriend officially" Once again her gaze didn't leave a way for denial.
"... okay. It would be my pleasure to have you".
And just like that, Jean became my second girlfriend, or first... depends on who asked and when. I love them... but I have to play my cards wisely to ensure this relationship works.
"And I want the front seat".
"Whatever my girl wants" I opened the front door for her in front of both gasping Emma and Raven.
"What?" The shapeshifter complained but she shut her mouth when I glared at her, all this was happening because she opened her big mouth. I'll give her mouth a better use during this journey.
"Anything else dear?" I asked, hoping she wouldn't ask for anything outrageous.
"Can you slap that blonde once for me?~"
"..."
'Seriously?' I looked at Emma, wondering if she was willing to take one L for the team. Raven awaited eagerly.
"I dare you, Ray Stark..." The aforementioned blonde growled, and I turned to look at Jean, hoping she'd change her request. The redhead giggled and caressed my cheeks, "It is good enough for me that you were willing to comply, let's leave it at that, we have somewhere to go".
Her mood improved, that's something... but at what cost? I turned around and Emma was pinching my arm, hard.
"Good for you. Mr I can get them all".
I kissed her, "This wouldn't be possible if not for you".
"I'm starting to regret..."
We all finally entered the car after a bit of drama and understanding. Emma didn't even wait, she opened her bottle of wine. Put some ice in a cup and start drinking.
"Give me some~" Raven too got a cup and put some ice together with her beer.
I haven't even started the car.
Jean sighed and picked up a can of Coke, I picked one too.
"How come you changed the plans? wouldn't it be more efficient if we split in two and each went into a bus?" Raven asked me once we hit the road, we would be on the highway in a few minutes from here on it is almost one straight journey for three hours.
"..." I didn't say a word and she leaned on me from behind, whispering.
"Or were you thrilled about the earlier suggestion?"
"Don't get ahead of yourself" I said.
"Oh, I see how it is. You're thrilled about them doing it, not me~" Her snicker was directed at Jean who ignored her words and concealed her bag naughty bag.
Noticing our closeness, Emma couldn't help herself.
"By the way, you two. When exactly did you meet each other?" She questioned.
I recalled, two weeks ago at the school rooftop. That's not the first time we met, before that moment, we had already spent a long time together.
It made me put into perspective, my relationship with Raven.