xp_logs | No way back: Touching base (backdated)

During her visit home, Hope touches base with one of her fellow students.

With a sigh of relief, Hope settled herself on a private bench and after checking the time, she pulled out her cellphone and relaxed a little, calling towards New York.

"Hey Sue." Some relief made it into her voice as she heard the voice on the other side of the line.

"Hope?" Sue asked as she recognized the voice on the other end of hte line. "Hey what's up? How's life in Bloomfield?"

"Reasonably well, I would say. Neither myself or my parents have exploded yet. How are you doing? You driving test is approaching rather quickly, isn't it?"

"Tomorrow," came the reply, "You and your parent's haven't exploded? That doesn't exactly sound like things are good you realize."

"Well, we already could have." Hope attempted to inject just a little humor. "I had not quite expected my parent's to influence me this strongly to be honest. And my parents... they still expect me to fit in their mold as if I had never left."

"Parents eh?" Sue commiserated, "Well you are their little girl and they haven't really talked to you at all recently. So what did you expect? All they know is the girl who grew up with them. Hardly surprising that's the image they have of you. Just give them time."

"I think it's more than that... They cannot conceive of me following a different path. I tried to show them I was not the same girl anymore who left, though I might have overdone that a little..."

"You tried to show them?" Sue echoed, "What exactly happened Hope?"

"Nothing really bad." Hope quickly spoke. "Just my clothing for dinner on the evening back. I tried to make a statement, but looking back I think it might have been too much. They reacted not too well."

"That doesn't sound too bad," Sue agreed. "On the other hand clothes mean a lot more to your parents than most people, so your message was probably a little overwhelming to them. If you meet them 1/2 way then maybe they'll calm down a little?"

"I think it is more the whole picture that matters to them, but I already did tone my clothing down." Hope reassured her. "My message has come across and I rather save my energy for some other discussions that are under way."

"So if you step back a bit they will too," Sue assured her friend, "Hold on other discussions? You're at home, on holiday. You kinda sound like you're planning a political campaign." It was times like this Sue realized how good she had it with her dad, he never really caused any major issues when she visited.

"No, not a political campaign... But I am afraid this cannot wait. They are about my subjects for next year. They still need to sign of that form and we are not totally agreed on which subjects I should take." Hope related with a sigh.

"Wait?" Sue shot upright in the seat she had been relaxing in, "What form? No-one told me my dad had to sign off on anything for next year. You're kidding right?" Sue was feeling better about Franklin recently, but she wasn't looking forward to him going over her class list. It was a parent's job to make disapproving noises and wonder why you weren't doing more, not that the blonde thought the school would allow her to take much more of a class load."

Hope almost raised her hands defensively, but that was of course silly while talking on the phone. "that's what I understood and what my parents said..." Her voice trailed of thoughtfully though...

"I've never ever had to do anything like that Hope," Sue confirmed, "I mean maybe schools have different rules in New York and Ohio." she offered hesitantly, to be honest it kinda sounded as if Hope's parent's had tricked her so they could keep a track of her classes.

"I was so used to it on my old school... so I just assumed it worked that way here as well." Hope mused out loud. "I might have to keep this in mind to check out, though I rather reach a consensus with my parents."

"A consensus?" Sue shrugged even though she knew Hope couldn't see her, "Well if it works for you, as long as you end up with something you can live with and actually enjoy. Being stuck in a class you don't like would be the worst."

"I will have to see how things go. I do know what I want and what I might be willing to give up." Hope shifted her phone to her other. "But how are things at Xavier's?"

"Same old same old," Sue confirmed, "Nobody's tried kidnapping or attacking us so far so that's a plus. Everyone's just getting ready for class. You know just about what you'd expect."

"That is a relief... the not attacking or kidnapping I mean. That is something we could do without..." Hope shifted for a moment, listening as it seemed her name was being called. "Just a minute Sue. I think someone is calling to me."

"Ok," Sue replied as she kicked her shoes off and curled up in the sun, "I have no plans to leave this spot till someone drags me off to dinner," she told Hope as she reaching into her bag for her iPad.

Hope hid the phone behind her back as she quickly answered the query if she would accompany her mother to a luncheon later that affirmatively and excused herself again. "Sorry, I am back... Yet another social obligation added to the list... Perhaps I should just ghost out in the middle of one of them..."

"Perhaps, if you wanna give your mother conniptions," the blonde agreed with a laugh. "They can't really be all that bad can they? You could always go the route of making up funny stories about people, that's what I do. Just be careful not to start laughing in the middle of someone's toast. Apparently people don't approve of that kinda thing."

"True." Hope admitted. "Mostly I can simply talk about all the wonderful things going to school so close to New York offers. Like the theaters and the shops. It's also a good way to divert the subject from what kind of boarding school I am attending."

"Have you actually been to the theater in all the time you've been at the mansion?" Sue asked amusement clear in her voice. "If they ask you about the shows you've been to see or the actors," the blonde knew plenty of people in the social scene who loves to compare notes on the theater. "Are people really that interested in where you go to school?"

"Well, I went to the school play. And I have claimed the need to focus on my studies." Hope smiled. "And since my departure for Xavier's was so sudden... people are curious why I went to boarding school so suddenly."

"Why Hope, did you just tell a lie to your mum's friends?" Sue asked with a laugh, "Our little Hope is all growing up and getting devious now."

"Not quite a lie... more like a liberal interpretation of the truth." Hope had to laugh herself. "It's an art my mother started teaching me at a young age, though I never used it much. I do like turning it against her and her friends."

"Miss Abbott, are you trying to lawyer me now?" Sue teased. "Seems only fair doesn't it. After all they do say turnabout is fair play."

"Well, I do need to practice on someone. I am sure she did not have herself in mind as a practice subject though." Hope had to laugh again. "And to talk about on practicing on someone... I am afraid I am gonna have to do just that. They are bringing out the dishes."

"Well enjoy yourself, and don't do anything I wouldn't do," Sue cautioned her friend with a grin, "And whatever you do, don't start any food fights. Would you believe they don't actually disapprove of even flicking peas at one another?"

"I promise I'll be behave. Talk to you later. Bye bye."