CHAPTER NINE:
TRUST ME

AURELIA LET IN A DEEP breath as she felt herself wake up. She forced her eyes to slowly crack open, blinking a few times as she tried to wake herself up. She went to move, but froze when the person beside her shifted. And then she remembered that she had allowed Jean to stay in her room for the night. Jean's arm tightened around Aurelia's waist, and the blonde couldn't help the blush that rose on her cheeks. She laid there for a moment before carefully pulling herself from the woman's grip and getting up, careful not to wake her. Jean looked so peaceful when she was sleeping.

The blonde woman was quick to take a morning shower, standing under the warm water for a moment as she let out a deep breath. The smallest of smiles were on her lips as she remembered the conversation she and Jean had held the night prior. She was excited to say the least. She couldn't help but admit to herself that she felt something for Jean. Something she hadn't felt for anyone. It was true, Aurelia barely spared a second glance to anyone as more than a friend, even so Scott had already filled the position of being her best friend, and she always thought that he would be the only person she would need.

Jean had been around the school, sure. And Aurelia still wasn't sure why she had only just now noticed the redhaired beauty. But, she was glad she did. She and Jean had grown so close to one another within the past few days, and Aurelia never realized when the girl had managed to carve a spot for herself inside of Aurelia's heart. But now, the blonde cared about her a lot more than she had anyone. Now, she didn't believe in soulmates, but she couldn't help but feel herself tied to Jean in some way. Like there was an invisible string that was keeping them in the close vicinity of one another.

Aurelia sighed before getting out of the shower, drying herself off before quickly pulling on her outfit of the day which consisted of a fancy red top and black jeans. She dried her hair, brushing it out before making her way back into her room, smiling gently when she saw Jean forcing herself to sit up in the bed, rubbing her eyes before noticing the blonde.

     "Good morning, sunshine." Aurelia smiled, walking over and taking a seat at the edge of the bed, her eyes focused on the redhead. "Did you sleep alright?"

     "Honestly? It's the best sleep that I've gotten since I've arrived here." Jean truthfully answered, the smallest of smiles pulling on the corner of her lips as she looked at the blonde.

     "Well," Aurelia smirked slightly, "maybe we can talk Raven into getting a second bed in here so that we can be permanent roommates. I'm sure it wouldn't take her much convincing." The blonde stood up, brushing her hair from her shoulder. "Speaking of Raven, I've already told her that we were leaving. And we have permission. So, whenever you're ready, we can go." Jean nodded her head and went to stand up, only to stop and frown when she watched Aurelia grab her bracelet, placing it on her wrist.

     "What are you doing?" Jean asked, grabbing the woman's attention. Aurelia frowned.

     "I'm putting on my bracelet."

     "I know that. But why?" Jean questioned. "You did really well the rest of the day yesterday. And you didn't have an incident last night."

     "And you know what both of those things have in common?" Aurelia questioned. Jean frowned. "You. They have you in common. You were with me all of yesterday, and all of last night. You're literally my anchor, Jean. Whenever I'm around you I feel. . . in control."

     "And I'm going to be around you all day." Jean told the girl, moving so that she could place a hand on the girl's arm. "Nothing is going to happen while I'm there with you, Aurelia."

     "You don't know that." Aurelia whispered, shaking her head. "And I cannot take any chances. You know how people feel about us mutants. Especially ones that can destroy an entire building with the flick of her hand."

     "You just don't trust yourself." Jean told her, shaking her head as she stood up off the bed, standing in front of the woman. Aurelia looked at the redhead, biting on her lip before forcing herself to look down towards her bracelet. Jean followed her eyeline before finally placing a and under Aurelia's chin, forcing the girl to look up at her. Her blue eyes met Jean's, and Jean searched her eyes for a moment, noticing the fear that she was trying to hide behind the waves of blues in her irises. But Jean caught it. "You don't trust yourself, then trust me. Nothing is going to happen while I'm with you, and trust me when I say I don't plan on leaving your side no matter the circumstances."

     "You have a way with words, Miss Grey, you know that?" Aurelia softly spoke. The urge to kiss the woman started to come over, but she couldn't do that. So, she took a step away, offering Jean a small smile. "I'll bring it just in case. But, uh, you get ready. I'm going to go downstairs and have the car ready for when you come out."

     For some reason, watching the woman take a step back from her physically hurt Jean. She looked at the blonde before sending her a small smile back, nodding her head. "Alright." Aurelia started to walk away, pausing to look towards Jean.

     "Don't back out on me, yeah?"

     "I would never." Jean assured, making a smile fall on Aurelia's face before the girl finally walked out of the room,  both women on the opposite sides of the door sighing in unison.