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Jen wandered the halls aimlessly. She really was bored here. Sure, she was with friends, but it still felt lonely compared
to Xavier’s Institute. The people here had a real vendetta against human beings. Jen couldn’t understand why.
She wished that everyone could just get along. Back on the other planets, there were no problems such as this.
At the moment the X-Men were just taking their time to get to know the school better and to blend in with the students. Lily
had told them that she spoke with Xavier, and he had said that he didn’t want them rushing through this mission. He
would prefer that they all return alive and intact. Jen had agreed. There was no point in rushing things, but at the same
time, she really didn’t like being at this school. It was lonely and at the same time somehow disturbing. The sooner
they were done here, the better.
Jen wandered outside and sat under a tree, taking the time to enjoy a breath of fresh air. She liked it better out here.
Inside was stuffy, and she felt trapped. Out here, she felt free, almost like she could just fly away, even though she knew
she couldn’t. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the small breeze that brushed past her. It was very comforting.
She had wanted to hang out with at least one of her friends, but Talya was off stalking Remy. Lily went for a walk with Bobby,
and Kitty was wandering the halls, seeing if she could gather any useful info they might need later. The only one left was
Morion and Jen didn’t really like him. She wasn’t sure what her cousin’s interest in him was, but whatever.
It’s not like she was the one who liked him. She shivered at the thought. Gross! She hoped that Lily didn’t really
fall for Morion. Now Bobby on the other hand, Jen liked Bobby. He was the first friend that she had made here on Earth. She
wouldn’t mind if her cousin hooked up with Bobby.
Jen stood. She was bored. She decided to turn invisible and see if there was anything interesting going on. Since most people
didn’t know of this ability, Jen went around, brushing past people and moving things around, enjoying their reactions
when they didn’t know what was going on. Some students started rumors that the school was suddenly haunted and someone
must have angered a sleeping spirit or something like that. She returned to her room, laughing so hard, loving the frightened
looks. She didn’t like anyone here, and so it made it much better. Sighing, she decided she didn’t want to be
here anymore, but was going to make it worthwhile.
~ * ~
Tal sat on a bench, admiring Remy from afar. He’s so sexy, she thought. I wonder if he even remembers me. Ever since
she found out that he went to this school, she hadn’t spoken to him once, for fear that he wouldn’t remember her,
and would just think her some crazy girl who was stalking him. Poetry ran around in her head, the only way she could express
how she was feeling at the moment. She wished she had a pen and her poetry book with her.
“It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?” Talya blinked, looking up to see who was speaking to her. She nearly
jumped, when she saw Remy standing there. She must have been so deep in thought that she didn’t even notice him walk
over.
“Remy?”
“So you do remember me… Voice.” Tal’s eyes widened. He remembered her. Remy laughed at her shocked
expression. “Remy doesn’t forget a beautiful face such as yours.” He sat down next to her. “Call me
Gambit. Everyone else does.” Tal nodded.
“Gambit.” She smiled. “I think it sounds better!”
“Gambit thinks so too.” He took Tal’s hand. “Your hands are so soft, like silk.” Tal blushed,
not sure what to say or do. She felt butterflies at his touch. “Would you like to go somewhere tonight? Just the two
of us?” Tal nodded. She wasn’t going to pass up the chance to spend time with Gambit. Was this what they called
love?
~ * ~
Kitty sighed. She had wandered around this school for quite some time now, and she still couldn’t find any useful information.
Shaking her head out of disappointment, she headed into the kitchen and grabbed a soda. Then she grabbed a carton of ice cream,
sat down and dug in. Kitty wasn’t sure just how much they could really do here. Why did the Professor have to assign
a mission such as this?
“Mind if I have some?” Kitty almost missed the question. It was so quiet. She looked up to see who had asked
and stared at a girl with pigtails. Thinking back through the list of students here, Kitty seemed to recall that this girl’s
name was Amara.
“Amara, right?” The girl nodded. “Sure.” Amara sat next to her and Kitty positioned the ice cream
carton between the two of them. Amara slowly helped herself to some. “No need to be shy, I won’t bite.”
Amara blinked and looked at Kitty. “What are you doing here? You seem so different from all these other people.”
Amara nodded. “Um… well, I didn’t have a home before this, and Emma was so kind as to let me stay here.
She was still building it at the time, so there was no one here, but me and her. When she finally opened it though, she changed,
and I felt like I didn’t know her anymore. I wonder if that’s how she always was, I just didn’t see it before.
But now with all these other mutants here, I see her reflection through them. Maybe it’s because she was so kind to
me that I didn’t try to see her cold heart, but now I do, and I’m afraid to be here.”
“Why don’t you leave?” Kitty asked.
“I have no where else to go.” Amara looked down sadly.
Kitty smiled. “Don’t worry. One day I will leave this place, and I promise to take you with me.” Amara
looked at her hopefully, and for the first time Kitty saw her smile.
~ * ~
It was dark out now, and Lily stared up at the stars, Bobby sitting right next to her. They had spent most of the day getting
to know the mutants here. Most were cold towards them, and wanted nothing to do with them. Some didn’t even acknowledge
the fact that they were there. Lily couldn’t wait to get out of there. She reached up towards the stars, almost believing
that she could grab one. She kind of wished that she were back home.
“Fire Storm?” Bobby looked concerned. “Are you okay? You seem a little out of it today.”
Lily blinked, a little confused at first, but when she realized what he meant, she shook her head. “No, I’m okay.
Don’t worry about me.” She stood from her spot. “I’m going inside.” She left, leaving no time
for Bobby to even comment, or try to follow her inside. She just needed to be away for a little.
She started to head to her room. As she went to open her door, the door to the boy’s room opened and Morion was staring
at her. She knew she should just go into her room, but she didn’t. Instead she stepped away from her door and walked
towards Morion.
“Why did you really come on this mission? It wasn’t just an excuse to leave the Institute. I know that. You can
leave whenever you like without some stupid mission. So then why?” Lily searched him for an answer.
“You really want to know?”
“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t,” Lily snapped.
“Easy. Truth is I heard you would be here.” Lily raised an eyebrow, shook her head of disbelief and went into
her room. Like he could really fool her that easily. She took off her sweater and threw it onto her bed. She pulled out a
journal and started writing down what she had learned for the day.
“You okay Cuz?” Jen sat down next to her cousin. “You look tired. Maybe you should get some sleep.”
“Oh yeah… tired of this place. Sleep won’t cure that though.” Lily scribbled a little more in the
book and then closed it. She turned to face her cousin. “Aren’t you?” Jen nodded. The two cousins looked
at each other. Mentally communicating with one another, they decided it was a good night to head out. Slipping into some clubbing
outfits, they made a break for the door. Tonight was their night, and they were going to enjoy every moment of it.
As they made their way outside, Morion happened to notice the two girls pass by. Curious, he followed them out.
~ * ~
“So this is what you meant.” Tal laughed as she swayed back and forth to the beat of the music, Gambit right
next to her. “This is the club where we first met.” Tal was lost in a world of her own. She was enjoying herself
for the first time in a long time. Gambit wrapped his arm around her waist, and they swayed together. When the song ended,
Gambit leaned down and kissed Tal. She took a deep breath, staring up at him in shock. That had been her first kiss.
Another pair walked into the club, fun all on their minds as well. Lily twirled around her cousin and onto the dance floor.
Jen laughed at the sight of her cousin, and went to go get some drinks. After Jen left, Lily twirled and came face to face
with Morion. Groaning, she turned away and went in search of her cousin. Morion grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
“You hate me that much?”
“Yup.” She pulled her arm away and continued her search for her cousin once again. Morion reached for her again,
but Lily maneuvered her way around him. “Why won’t you leave me alone? You don’t care for anyone anyway.
I wouldn’t be surprised if you had some hidden agenda.”
“Why?”
“What?” Lily stopped and turned to face him. “Why what?”
“Why do you hate me so much?”
“Well… um…” She struggled for an answer, but never actually came up with one. “I don’t
know. I just do. I don’t need a reason.”
“Yes you do. You can’t just hate someone for no reason at all. Give me a reason, and then I’ll leave you
alone.”
“And if I don’t?”
“I think you’re scared.”
“Scared? What? Of you?” Lily laughed. “You wish. I have nothing to be scared of.”
“Not of me. Of yourself… of you own feelings.”
“That’s it.” Lily turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.
At that moment, Jen was sitting with some friends she had run into. Kitty and Amara sipped at some soda Jen had bought at
the counter. The three girls were chatting happily when Lily came rushing towards them in a rage.
“Jen, I’m leaving. You can stay if you want.”
“Lily? What’s wrong?” She slipped on her jacket and followed her cousin towards the exit, leaving Kitty
and Amara behind. On their way out Lily happened to bump into Talya and Gambit.
She huffed. “Glad that someone’s having fun.”
“Lily?” Tal pulled away from Gambit, and focused her attention on her friend. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Sorry for running into you.” When Lily reached the door, her gaze fell one last time on Morion.
Jen followed her cousin’s gaze and she kind of guessed it had something to do with him.
“Lily, did he do something? I warned you not to mess with him. Lily?” But Lily ignored her cousin and headed
out the door. “Lily, will you just stop and talk to me?”
“Fine!” Lily stopped and turned to face her cousin. “You want me to talk? I’ll talk. I hate him.
I hate him so much, and you want to know why I hate him?” Lily took a deep breath and choked down a sob. “It’s
because he’s right, and I hate that he’s right.” Tears poured out of Lily’s eyes. “Jen, I want
to go home.”
~ * ~
The next day Jen sat outside under a tree, reading a book, or rather, trying to read a book. Last night Lily just sat at
her desk. She didn’t even attempt to sleep. Jen had worried about her since the club. Frustrated, she slammed her book
shut.
“That’s not a nice way to treat a book.”
Jen, startled, looked up in the tree. A certain blue creature stared down at her. “Kurt, right?” She stood and
got a better look at him. “What are you doing here?”
“I got bored at the Institute, and so I was hoping I’d find Bobby, but I guess he’s not around.”
Kurt shrugged. “Don’t worry. I won’t get you or anyone into any trouble. Anyway, the Professor wanted me
to see how things were with all of you.”
“They’re fine.” Jen sighed. “I could tell Bobby you stopped by if you like.”
“Nah. Besides, you might be better company.”
Jen smiled. “You think so?” Kurt nodded. “Then do you mind taking a walk with me?”
“Not at all.”
~ * ~
Back at the Institute, Sakura and Jubilee were causing trouble, as per usual. Rogue, a little lonely, since all of Lily,
Jen and Bobby were gone, stayed around and watched the two in their trouble making. She would have joined, but she just didn’t
feel up to doing anything.
“That lonely without him?” Colossus sat next to Rogue.
“Lonely? Nah.” Rogue tried to play it off. “Why would I be lonely? I don’t need him around to enjoy
myself.” It was true. What really worried her was that he was out there with Lily. Lately the two of them had been really
close. They weren’t just friends. They might not see it building, but Rogue, being the one on the sidelines, saw it
perfectly. Could she really trust the two of them without her around? Unfortunately, it’s not like she had a choice.
Was there a reason that Lily hadn’t recruited her for this mission? No, why would Lily do something like that. She sighed.
She should have some faith in them. Lily was after all her friend.
“Hey Rogue, we’re all getting together today to watch a movie later. Wanna join us?”
“Huh?” Rogue then remembered that Colossus had been talking to her. “Oh, yeah sure. What movie?”
“Don’t know yet.”
“Hm, I like surprises.” Rogue smiled. “Count me in then.” She wasn’t quite sure why she was
going to watch a movie with them. She’d never done so before. Perhaps she was just bored with everything lately. All
her friends were gone. She had nothing better to do. Waiting for them to come back was painful and even lonelier if she didn’t
find something to do. Rogue stood from her seat, leaving Sakura and Jubilee to deal with their trouble making on their own.
She had just about as much as them as she could take for one day.
~ * ~
Mara hung upside down in a tree, attracting attention to herself. It’s not like that’s what she was aiming for.
People here just weren’t up for weird actions. She on the other hand was an odd one to say the least. Before she had
escaped to Earth, as she was leaving Jupiter, Mara came across one of the Jupiter elves. She was quite pretty with long flowing
brown hair and green eyes. She had super human strength. Mara thought that she was visiting the castle, and stuck around for
a few minutes. From what Mara could understand, her name was Mikala. She held such confidence. Mikala had been handed a note.
It was to be delivered to someone. Mara wondered who.
Mara swung back and forth on the branch, too lost in thought to notice that she was tearing the branch. That is, until she
came crashing to the ground. She rubbed her head and stared up at the tree. “Curse you stupid tree.” Getting up,
she dusted herself off. She looked up when she saw Sakura running towards her.
“Mara, have you seen Wolvy around lately?”
“Mara has not seen Wolverine and is happy about it. Mara does not like Wolverine.” Just then her senses picked
up and she cringed. “Damn it all to hell. Your ‘Wolvy’ is headed this way. Mara must leave.” Mara
ran before Logan had come too close. Sakura on the other hand, all too happy to hear this info, jumped Logan just as he passed
the tree.
“Wolvy!”
“Damn child, have you nothing better to do?” Sakura shook her head. Logan gave up fighting with her just for
the day. He was too tired for this. Calming himself, he walked into the institute, Sakura still on his back. She hummed happily,
until Logan suddenly stopped. She tried to see who was there, but they were at a corner. All they saw was Mara standing there,
frozen. Sakura, too curious for her own good, jumped off of Logan’s back. She heard a ‘Thank you’ under
his breath but just brushed it aside. She wanted to know what was going on.
Turning the corner, she froze in her spot. A young girl stood tall, talking to the Professor, demanding that she see Lily.
Sakura shook her head, let out a squeal of excitement and jumped the poor girl.
“Micki!”
“Thank God it wasn’t me this time,” Logan let out.
“You know her?” Mara asked. “Mara’s from…” But Mara stopped herself. If she let them
know where she was from, it might lead to trouble. Mikala gave her a look that said ‘smart move’. Mara shivered.
Somehow she was a little frightened of her.
“From where?” the Professor asked her.
“Um… Florida… yeah, that’s it. So you’re Micki. Mara is happy to meet you.” Mara put
her hand out, but Mikala just turned to Sakura.
“Is Lily around?”
“No. She’s on a mission,” Sakura answered her.
“What about Jen, Tal and Kat?”
“Well, Kat is around here somewhere, but Jen and Tal are with Lily. Are you staying? You can see them when they get
back,” Sakura explained.
“I’m staying.”
“Great!” Sakura glomped the poor girl one last time and then ran off once more to wreak havoc with Jubilee.
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