Nose Gloss

Kitty Pryde found it weird that she was thrilled to be home for the summer. After all the anti-Mutant business and basically the whole town of Bayville discovering that Xavier's Institute was somewhat of a mutant sanctuary, she couldn't really go anywhere in town without eyes and whispers following her. But, now, a few months had passed and she was home, where no one but her parents knew she was a mutant… well her parents and a certain other mutant that had been haunting her dreams and hanging about in her mind for several months.

"Kitty," one her friends, Rebecca Stein, exclaimed when Kitty opened the door of her house. They were friends from temple as well as school and close neighbors. Rebecca had dark brown, curly hair that fell to her midneck, was slightly shorter than Kitty, and spent a good deal of her time at a local kick-boxing club, or shopping for new heels. "I got my driver's license! Wanna go shopping at the Glen?"

Kitty smiled. Ah, to be home in Deerfield and a short twenty minutes (and that was during bad traffic) from a nice, large shopping center. "Let me get my purse!"

"So, I was walking over to your place, and you'll never guess who I saw," Rebecca said once both girls were buckled into her car.

"Who?" Kitty asked as she pulled the mirror down and checked her hair.

Rebecca replied, just as Kitty brought some lip gloss to her lips, "That hottie who disappeared a while back, Lance Alvers." Granted, Kitty's lip gloss ended up on her nose.

"Lance?" Kitty asked as she wiped lip gloss off her nose. "On our block?"

"I know, strange," Rebecca said mistaking Kitty's concern for surprise. After all, they hadn't spoke in person in a long while it had been several weeks since their last phone conversation. Most of the girls' interaction since Kitty had started at Xavier's was through IM conversation. "I've never seen him in our neighborhood before. But you have to admit, he is a hottie so he can stick around as long as he likes."

Kitty turned to her friend. "Did you, by any chance, say anything to him?"

Rebecca blushed slightly, which meant she had. "I might have mentioned I was headed toward the Glen, and maybe invited him to come. He said he had things to do."

Things to do? Kitty wondered what that meant. However, she knew to pursue would be suspicious to Rebecca. "Did I tell you that Mike asked me out yesterday?"

"No!" Kitty shrieked. "Like, on a date or to be his girlfriend?"

"Both!" Rebecca claimed happily.

Meanwhile, at Charles Xavier's Institute:

"Ororo, I've picked up the signs of a new mutant," Xavier said to his colleague. "She's strong, but I don't believe she has learned any control over her abilities."

"Would you like me to suit up as well, Professor?" Scott eagerly asked as he was currently the only other occupant of the house. Rogue was shopping, Dr. McCoy was collecting the last of his possessions from his house, and Logan… who knew where Logan was. Plus, the Professor always likes to bring along one of his students to help reason with teenagers who may be reluctant to accept the Professor's help.

"There is no need, Scott," Xavier said. "As it turns out, Kitty is a very close distant to the girl at the moment. I am calling her to ask her to find her before I will even be near."

Scott sighed. The Professor was leaving him alone in a giant mansion.

"Come along, Ororo," Xavier said. Storm nodded and led the way to the jet hanger.

Kitty and Rebecca were walking from the car when Kitty's phone began to ring. Kitty quickly pulled it out, surprised to see the Professor was calling.

"Who is it?" Rebecca asked.

Kitty held up a finger, meaning she needed to answer the call immediately. "Hello?" Kitty asked.

"Kitty, you are in close proximity of a new mutant with strong abilities," Xavier explained to her over the phone. "Storm and I are on our way there now, but you're no more than a few hundred feet away."

Kitty looked around. There were hundreds of people milling around the Glen. "Professor, there is no way I could pick her out of a crowd here. I'm at a shopping center." Rebecca began giving her a weird look.

"Her name is Arwen Westbrook," the Professor began describing her. "She'll be about your age and just about an inch or so taller than you. Long brown hair, brown eyes. She's Jewish, like you –"

"That doesn't really help," Kitty said rolling her eyes.

"Her home address is in Palatine," the professor continued. "It is important that you find her before Magneto or the Brotherhood."

"I'll try my best, Professor," Kitty said. She surveyed the surrounding area, then looked at Rebecca. "You wouldn't happen to know a girl named Arwen Westbrook from Palatine, would you?"

Rebecca cocked her head. "Uh, no. Was that a professor of yours?"

"Maybe," Kitty admitted shyly. She kept a sharp eye, looking for any sign of a girl from Palatine, or Magneto, or one of Magneto's cronies, or anyone from the Brotherhood, which she realized included Lance.

"I'm totally confused," Rebecca said. "A professor of yours calls and now you seem to think you'll find a Arwen Westbrook, who you don't seem to even know, here, even though she lives in Palatine."

Kitty looked at her friend and sighed. "Can I tell you a secret?" Kitty asked. Rebecca nodded. "And you have to promise me, one hundred percent that you won't freak out, or make a noise, or tell anyone, not even Mike or a stuffed animal in case someone over hears you."

Rebecca blinked. "What? No pinky swear?"

"This is totally beyond the pinky swear," Kitty said.

"Shoot away," Rebecca smiled.

"This is a serious subject," Kitty said. "If you're not going to act serious, I'm not going to take you seriously."

"What, did you go to boarding school or military school?"

"Rebecca!"

"I'm sorry, I swear on my life."

Kitty looked for a secluded corner, but couldn't find one outside, so she dragged Rebecca into the fairly empty ULTA, and from there, into an empty section near the nail polish and made her crouch so they looked like they were looking at the colors.

"What would you say if I told you I know where Lance Alvers has been the past several months?" Kitty asked quietly.

"I'd be jealous," Rebecca said. "But, now, I'm completely lost."

Kitty held a hand up. "Lance and I have something in common," Kitty began again once Rebecca had quieted down. "We've both been attending Bayville High School this past year."

Rebecca cocked her head. "Lance went to your boarding school?" she asked.

"No… well, briefly, but that doesn't matter," Kitty whispered even quieter. "Both Lance and I are…" Kitty braced herself for what she was about to say. "Mutants."

"WHAT!!" Rebecca jumped up and shrieked.

"Rebecca!" Kitty snapped at her for breaking her promise. Of course now the whole store was staring at the two of them.

Rebecca looked around, and realizing that there was no one there that they knew, quickly said purposely to be overheard, "Maybe this isn't the best place to be telling me how you lost your virginity, Kitty."

Kitty's eyes shot wide, but the store seemed to return to their own business. At least Rebecca hadn't outed her to the public. Rebecca crouched next to Kitty again and asked, "For serious?"

Kitty looked at Rebecca. "You don't think any differently of me now, do you?"

"I think you're about 110 percent cooler," Rebecca said. "What can you do?"

Kitty checked to make sure no one was watching them and that there were no cameras on her, then said, "I can phase through things." She then reached down into the ground quickly.

"And how do you know about Lance?" Rebecca asked. "What can he do?"

"He kind of joined a group called the Brotherhood, which is basically the rivalry to the group that I'm in," Kitty explained. "And he can cause earthquakes. But that's now what is important right now. My Professor can sense where we are, and has just informed me that a powerful girl –"

"Arwen?" Rebecca asked.

Kitty nodded. "She's really close, so we have to find her before the bad guys do. Got me?"

Rebecca nodded. The two stood up, and were walking toward the exit when they heard a cashier say, "Thank you for your purchase, Miss Westbrook." Both girls stopped and looked at one another before Kitty turned to look at the girl at the check-out counter. Just slightly taller than her, about her age, brown hair, brown eyes, and a small silver Star of David lying on top of her blouse.

"Well, that was convenient," Rebecca said.

The girl slowly began toward them, but passed them headed for the exit. Kitty shook herself out of her daze from her luck. "Excuse me," she said approaching the girl. "You wouldn't by any chance be Arwen Westbrook of Palatine, would you?"

The girl stared at her. "How do you know that?"

"I think we have a few things to talk about," Kitty said.

"Not in this store, girls," the manager said pointing toward the door.

Five minutes later found the three girls in a booth at Noodles & Company. Kitty chose a table in the back where no one else was sitting so they wouldn't be overheard. She was surprised that Arwen had agreed to join them for lunch, considering she didn't even know them.

Kitty sat facing the window so she could watch for other mutants that might be looking for Arwen. Rebecca had chosen the seat next to Kitty. "I'm Kitty Pryde, and this is my friend Rebecca Stein."

"Nice to meet you," Arwen said.

Kitty took a deep breath and leaned forward, "I know you're a mutant, Arwen."

Arwen's eyes grew wide. "You can't tell a soul, please. Aside from the three of us, no one else knows except my best friend."

"It's too late for that, Arwen," Kitty said. "I attend a special institute for people like us, and my professor can sense our population. He and another teacher are headed here from New York right not to speak with you and your parents about attending our school."

"Look, I don't want people to know," Arwen said. "I'm not even sure how you found out."

"My professor must have sensed you using your ability," Kitty said.

Rebecca leaned forward and asked, "By the way, what is your ability."

Arwen looked between the two girls. "You tell me first and then I'll tell you."

"Oh, I'm not one," Rebecca said. "Though it would be awesome."

Kitty sighed. "I phase through solid objects," she finally said in just above a whisper.

"Hello, girls," their waiter approached their table. "Someone order a Mac and Cheese?" Arwen raised her hand and the waiter placed the Mac and Cheese in front of her. "And you two both got the buttered noodles. Who got the shrimp add-in?" Rebecca raised her hand. The waited placed the bowl in front of her, and the other in front of Kitty. Is there anything else I can get you?"

"No thank you," Kitty said. The other two girls nodded. Once the waiter was a good distance away, she turned back to Arwen.

"Things happen when I let music into my head," she said. "I really can't control it or what will happen."

Kitty nodded. "I felt the same way when I first discovered my ability. But, the Professor…" Kitty stopped when she spotted Lance outside. "Rebecca, duck," Kitty said, puling Rebecca down though the table.

"What is it?" Rebecca asked.

"Lance is outside," Kitty replied.

"Who?" Arwen asked glancing down at the two.

"He's a major hottie," Rebecca said.

"And he's probably looking for you, Arwen," Kitty said. "He's another one like us, but he has joined this band called the Brotherhood, and they cause a lot of destruction and are striving for mutant superiority." Kitty quieted down as she heard heavy footsteps approaching the table. She noticed the table move slightly down in one corner and suddenly, Lance's face appeared under the table.

"You wouldn't be hiding from me, Kit Kat, would you?"

Kitty sighed. He found them.

"Just leave her alone, Lance," Kitty said standing up through the table and then sitting back down.

"Who her?" Lance asked taking the last seat at the booth. He pointed to Arwen next to him. "This her? I'm not here looking for anyone but you, Kitten."

"You came here looking for me?" Kitty asked crossing her arms.

"Well, Curly Q next to you told me she was coming here, and I had been headed toward your house until she started up your front steps, so I assumed you were going with." Lance leaned back. "I never would have come in here if I didn't see her disappear through the table, but then I knew you were here and hiding from me. So how about you and this girl," he gestured to Arwen, "switch spots so we'll both be happier."

"I am perfectly fine here, thank you, Lance," Kitty snapped.

"Fine, but Pietro's zipping around from store to store looking for this her, I assume," Lance said. "And, he's much more likely to find her if he sees you." Lance smirked and switched Arwen's and Kitty's plates.

Kitty sighed, phased through the table, helping Arwen to the other side. "See, everyone's happy," Lance said putting his arm around Kitty.

"Hey, Lance," Kitty warned, but he just smiled at her and turned to Arwen and Rebecca, leaving his arm around her shoulders.

"Hi, I don't believe we've met," he said to Arwen. "The name is Lance Alvers, also known as Avalanche."

"Arwen Westbrook," Arwen replied shaking his hand.

"So, you're the new –" Lance began, but Kitty cut him off.

"Not so loud, Lance," she snapped. "Do you want people to overhear you?"

Lance smirked. "You don't want people to know?" he asked. "Someone is bound to notice if you keep walking through things, Kitten."

"And don't call me that," Kitty snapped again.

Lance's smirk only grew and he leaned in closer to Kitty. "Wouldn't want anyone under the impression that we like one another, would we. Because heaven forbid that the public should know we're dating."

"You two are dating?" Rebecca asked loudly. "Kitty, why didn't you tell me?"

"Because we're not," Kitty snapped. "We dated, yes, but that ship has sailed. Plus, it was like two dates."

"Like you were satisfied with only two," Lance said and he leaned closer to her so that their noses were just barely touching. Kitty backed up into the wall. "I could say no where to go, but I know better. Unless you're still bent on keeping your secret."

"Back away from me, Lance," Kitty said. She wondered why Rebecca wasn't trying to help her. She even began to wish Arwen would say something.

"You two don't look like rivals to me," Rebecca said while she stifled a smile. Kitty glared at her friend, and then into Lance's eyes. She did not want him this close to her, not to mention closer as he leaned in even more and pressed his lips against hers.

When he pulled back a few moments later, he licked his lips and smiled. "Mmm, you taste like mango, Kit Kat." Kitty's jaw dropped as Arwen and Rebecca both stifled giggles.

"Strong rivalry there," Arwen said through her giggles.

If Kitty wasn't waiting for the Professor and Storm, and didn't have Pietro to worry about, she would have considered begging Rebecca to take her home. But, as things were, she did have to wait for the Professor and Storm and she did have to worry about Pietro finding Arwen. However, Kitty still didn't really understand what Arwen's powers were. Things happen when she lets music into her head, Kitty began thinking about what Arwen had said. "Well, as I was telling you before Lance showed up," Kitty turned to Arwen, ignoring the fact that he was playing with her hair and leaning close to her, as if he was taking in her scent. "My professor helped me to control my abilities, and he would gladly do the same for you. He is coming in this afternoon hoping to speak with you and your parents. Lance, stop it."

"What's wrong, Kitten?" Lance asked with his mouth so close to her ear that she could feel his warm breath across her whole cheek and down her neck. She shivered as his breath dissipated and the cool air conditioning struck her skin again.

"Look, Lance, I'm trying to talk to Arwen here," Kitty said. "And you are making this very difficult for me."

"But it's so entertaining for both Arwen and… I'm sorry, it's Becky, right?" Lance said, turning to Rebecca.

"Close enough," Rebecca sighed. "I mostly go by Rebecca."

"Aren't you having fun?" Lance asked the two girls across from him.

"Lance, can you please not make this pain-stakingly difficult?" Kitty begged.

Lance sighed and turned to Arwen. "You need to learn to control your powers? My advice is that you listen to Kit Kat here and attend Xavier's Institute. He'll help you with control, get a nice bedroom, pretty okay food, and you'll get trained to use your powers for 'good.'" Lance smiled and turned to Kitty. "That wasn't so hard. Now how about you and I go catch a movie?"

"Movie?" Arwen gasped.

"What is it?" Rebecca asked.

"My mom and grandma," Arwen said. "They went to a movie, but it's probably out by now and they have to be wondering where I am."

Kitty's brow furrowed. "Do you mind if we come with you?"

Arwen looked nervous. "I haven't told my family yet," she said quietly. She sighed and pulled a pen and a piece of paper from her purse. She quickly scribbled down two addresses and three phone numbers. "The top address and number are my home in Palatine. The bottom two are my grandma's address and number. The last number is my cell. Can I have a few hours to tell my family and then meet your professor to discuss the future?"

"Sure," Kitty said. "Want my number so you can call me when you're ready?"

Arwen nodded and Kitty quickly repeated her number. Once that was done, Arwen dashed out of the restaurant and across the street to the movie theater.

"Now that that is taken care of," Lance said as a smile spread across his lips and he leaned close to Kitty again. This time, however, Kitty slipped under the table and reappeared on the other side next to Rebecca.

"Do you not understand the concept of 'no'?" Kitty asked. She turned to see Rebecca take the final noodle into her mouth. "Let's get going now. We haven't gotten any shopping done?"

Rebecca agreed and the two girls made their way out of the restaurant. Lance followed.

"We have to get him to stop following us," Kitty said looking at Rebecca.

Rebecca smirked. "Are you sure you don't want to be left alone with him?"

"No!" Kitty snapped. She looked around. "Let's go here." Kitty dragged Rebecca into Von Maur. After a few laps around the store, the two girls finally felt they had lost him and began to look at the clothes. However, when they emerged from the dressing room, they ran into not only Lance, but Pietro as well.