The Lost Mutants

[Lioness075]

Piper grinned at Jake's offer and said, "Aren't you the chivalrous guy here? I actually only really like water anyhow. I mean, I don't mind milk, but I'm not in the mood for it anyhow." Robert chuckled at Piper's response. She really hadn't changed much since he's last seen her. Looking at Jake, Robert asked him, "So, what drink would you like?"

 

[Hannah4Smiles]

Jake was completely baffled at Piper's choice of drinks, but he couldn't exactly blame her. "I'll take water too." Jake smelled to spaghetti and meatballs. "Whoa! Smells delicious!" Jake twirled some noodles onto the fork and took a small bite. "This is incredibly delicious! Whoa!"

 

[Lioness075]

Robert and Piper both laughed at Jake's reaction to the food. Robert then regathered himself and said, "Thank you, son. I always enjoy hearing others appreciate my food. Oh, and I'll go get your drinks now." This said, Robert turned around and headed back inside to get drinks for the two. Piper began eating her spaghetti as well, taking her time and enjoying each bite. It truly was the best food she'd ever eaten. In between bites, she looked at Jake and said with a grin, "This really is the best food I've ever eaten."

 

[Hannah4Smiles]

Jake swallowed a bite he had just taken. "Yeah. Now I understand why! It's way awesome!" Jake kept eating, enjoying the best meal he'd had in... Years, at least. "You know, I'm really starting to like Robert. He's got a great sense of humor, he's watching out for you, and he can cook better than anyone! I'm gonna remember where this place is, that's for darn sure!" He grinned at Piper. Then he grabbed at his napkin, wiping his mouth. He was sure he had missed his mouth a few times, and around Piper, he wanted to look his best. If that meant using a napkin, he'd do it before you could finish saying "you've got something on your mouth"

 

[Lioness075]

Piper giggled at Jake's overenthusiastic remarks. She took a few more bites before noticing that Jake wiping his mouth clean with his napkin. Grinning, Piper grabbed her napkin and reached carefully over the table and food as she wiped off a small bit that Jake had missed. She then froze when she realized what she'd just done. She quickly retracted her hand and put her napkin down. Blushing, she put one of her hands on the back of her head before sheepishly grinning and saying, "Uh, sorry. You missed a spot...so I figured I'd, uh, help you out."

 

[Hannah4Smiles]

Jake looked blankly at Piper, but the look slowly changed to one of dumbfounded surprise, and then transformed into one of pleasure. "Not a problem, girlie." His smile slowly grew. "You can do it for me if I can do it for you." Jake winked at her, to lighten the mood since he noticed she was so flustered. Jake took his own napkin, carefully found a clean spot and wiped a spot on her face gently. What didn't tell her was that she didn't have a single spot on her cheek. "Better." He said with satisfaction. Jake was enjoying the mixed up relationship they shared. It seemed like a friendship, but with the occasional flirting thrown in. He realized suddenly that he was usually the one flirting with her. He was a bit confused, but didn't want to think about it right now, afraid he might find he liked her if he dug too far into his emotions, something he rarely, if ever, did.

 

[Lioness075]

Piper was frozen in place and her mind was blank when Jake offered to return the favor, which he promptly did. She felt her heart racing and had no idea what this feeling was that was overwhelming her. It mostly felt like embarassment, but there was something else there and she had no idea what it was. Finally, once Jake retracted his hand, Piper blinked and then regained her composure. Looking down at her food, she silently nibbled at it for a minute or two before looking up at Jake and saying with a slight grin, "You know, I'm pretty sure my face was already clean."

 

[Hannah4Smiles]

Jake ate some food while she ate hers, and looked up as she started talking. His face slowly showed his surprise and a bit of embarrassment. "Uh, well... Why would you guess that?" He tried to act casual, but he failed miserably, fiddling with his napkin in one hand and his fork with the other. He shifted his gaze between the table, her face and over the city, trying desperately to not show his embarrassment.

 

[Lioness075]

Piper giggled, now seeing Jake's obvious embarrassment. Her grin widened and she said with a twinkle in her eye, "Maybe the fact that you're so flustered about my assumption." She then took another bite or two of her food, noting that she was almost done eating since her plate was nearly empty.

 

[Hannah4Smiles]

Jake gave out a long sigh, giving up. "Where did Robert get off to?" Jake said, standing up suddenly. "Sure could use that water. Be right back." Jake ran his fingers through the hair at the back of his head and went down the stairs in search of Robert. He found the door to the kitchen, but leaned against a wall in a hallway close by, trying to keep his cool. He kept a look out for Robert going past.

 

[Lioness075]

Piper frowned and furrowed her brows in confusion as Jake left in a rush to find Robert and their drinks. Was it something she said? Sighing, Piper propped her head up on her hand with her elbow on the table as she glanced out over the street activity. Not really looking at anything in particular, Piper wondered what was wrong with Jake and if it was somehow her fault.


Downstairs, Robert came walking out of the kitchen humming an upbeat tuen before coming to a halt at the sight of Jake leaning against the wall nearby. Frowning at the kid, who clearly seemed troubled by something, Robert put down the two drinks and then walked over to Jake. Once he was at Jake's side, Robert gave him a warm smile and cocked his head slightly before asking, "What's troubling you, son?"

 

[Hannah4Smiles]

Jake jerked his head up at Robert's approach and voice. "I'm just really confused, I guess.." He confessed. "I like Piper, in a friendly way, but I can't help but feel something more... She seems like a really special girl, I'm just concerned that she's not... The romantic type? What am I saying?! I haven't even known her a day, yet! Is this.. Normal?" Jake turned up curious eyes to Robert, who he already saw as some sort of father-like figure.

 

[Lioness075]

Robert nodded while he listened intently to what Jake said. When Jake finished speaking, Robert pulled over two wooden chairs, ushering for Jake to take a seat in one of them. Robert then sat down and quietly waited for Jake to either sit down or decide to stand.

 

[Hannah4Smiles]

Jake hesitated, but decided to sit in the chair he was offered. If anyone was interested in helping him, he'd do just about anything to give them his full attention. He waited patiently for Robert to start, but inside he was anxious to hear what Robert would say. Would he tell him to leave Piper alone? Would he say it wasn't normal to fall for a girl the first day of knowing her? Jake knew he wasn't normal, But he wanted to fit in as much as possible.

 

[Lioness075]

Robert gave Jake a warm smile and said, "Son, it is very normal to fall for a girl the first day you meet her. Piper's a very unique girl and while she may not be very romantic at times, she's most likely got feelings for you in return. I mean, how else do you explain her flustered reactions and blushing? My suggestion? I'd take her somewhere special and where you two can be alone...and safe." Robert emphasized the safe part "Then be direct and tell her how you feel about her."