John sat on the large fountain that stood in the courtyard of the grand mansion. He took a long drag off his cigarette, watching the embers dancing in the breeze. There were few things he enjoyed more, especially on a Saturday. Bobby, his only real friend, was spending the day training in the Danger Room, leaving John to his own devices. Before he finished smoking, he pulled out another cigarette. Putting the new tube to his mouth, he flared his eyes, jump frogging the embers from the old butt to light the new one.

John turned his head just enough to see behind him as he heard two feminine voices approaching. He growled as one his least favorite people in the school. What could she possibly want, he thought to himself.

Rogue and Kitty quickened their pace once they were discovered. Their giggling gave him a strange sense of dread. "John," Rogue started, holding back laughter.

"Pyro."

"Whatever. We were wondering if you wanted to come to the mall with us."

He took a drag and thought for a moment, "Why not; it isn't like there is much to do here anyway."

"Yay," exclaimed Kitty, "we finally found a shopping buddy."

Pyro power-hit the last of his tobacco and flicked it into the fountain. "On second thought, screw you."

"Oh, come on, John," Marie begged. "You'd be perfect!"
"Your boyfriend can't go so you come to me, why?" the girls exchanged a guilty look. "I thought so," he growled and flicked his lighter.

"But, you're gay," Kitty was puzzled, searching in John's face for a sign of a joke. "All gay men love to shop."

"And all mutants are deadly freaks."

"That's different."

"How so?"

"Because, all mutants can be," Rogue started with adrenaline in her voice.

"Ugh," he groaned. "My head," John risked opening his eyes and jerked from the shock. Above him he saw a sign: 'Woman's.' He tried standing, but found himself bound to the chair. He cursed at the beige walls. "Dammit, Rogue! Where are you?"

As if on cue, the two doors framing his sight opened, Rogue and Kitty bursting out in elaborate outfits. "What do you think?" Marie asked, spinning around. Kitty giggled and followed suit.

"I am going to," he stopped suddenly and his eyes widened. "Give it back!"

Rogue reached into her bra and pulled out John's iconic Zippo. "I couldn't have you burning our new clothes and getting us in trouble now could I?"

"I hate you both. Let me go, I am not doing this."

"We'll make you a deal," offered Kitty. "You be our shopping buddy, help us pick clothes and stuff and we won't tell anyone about this."

"We will even let you go, too." Marie stopped for a moment mulling it over in her mind. "Though, of course, we each have about fifty outfits to try on and you are stuck to a chair without your lighter."

Pyro sighed and looked to the floor, defeated. "I really fucking hate you, Rogue."