Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine. The world isn't mine. But boy do I wish they were…
A/N: I've been an X-Men fan for as long as I can remember, and loved fanfiction once I discovered it. This, however, is my first attempt at writing it. It will probably wind up as a collection of one-shots, if I find enough inspiration. Expect a lot of Rogue, but I'd like to work with them all eventually. Expect Romy. Don't expect it to be limited to Romy. Reviews, while not necessary, are greatly appreciated. Let me know what you like or don't like, so I can try to improve for the future.
Regard
The sound of the bell signaled several things. To the students of Bayville High, it was an alarm; time to wake from their self-induced comas and wander toward their next destination in a burst of chaotic energy before once more settling into a lethargic stasis to wait for the while process to start again.
To the teachers, it was a reprieve, a brief respite between the crowded hours of crowded classrooms, a time when the audience disappeared and they could take five precious minutes to put their chalk down and just be people worrying about their own daily lives.
To any unfortunate soul found wandering the halls, the bell was a warning, a life-savings device that alerted them to the imminent danger and the need to quickly find a safe haven or run the risk of being trampled.
For one young mutant, however, the bell was the gunshot at the start of a race. The objective: simple, really. Merely get out the door, reach her locker, switch out books, and lose herself in the shuffle without running into…
"Hey Rogue!"
Sigh
… her roommate. Kitty Pryde. The only person capable of completely disregarding the "back off" wall her moody companion projected into the school hallway. Even in the crush of people and bookbags, elbows jostling and bodies pressed against each other, no one would come within a foot of the Rogue. Except Kitty. As the younger girl darted through the crowd to catch up to her, Rogue idly wondered if obliviousness might actually be considered part of Kit's mutation.
Or maybe it was just that she was used to walking through walls.
Schedules
"But, like, seriously Rogue! Don't you think it's just a little bit weird?"
Rogue shoved her books into her locker and reached for her bag. "What Ah think, Kit, is that it's no wonder you're having trouble in Trig if this is what you're thinking about in class."
Kitty blew out a breath in annoyance. "Come on, I'm, like, not kidding! I just can't believe it's all a coincidence. There must be an explantation!" She jumped as her friend slammed her locker door shut.
"Was someone blowing dope in your study hall again? 'Cause you're acting even weirder than normal." Rogue turned and started down the hallway.
"Ugh! Rogue, I really think I'm onto something here." She jogged to catch up to the taller girl. "I mean, why should the bad guys always wait till we're out of school or on vacation or expelled or whatever to make their move? Wouldn't it make more sense to, I don't know, hit us while we're distracted or something? How come the Professor never needs us during school hours?"
Dark-lined eyes rolled skyward. "Ah dunno, Kitty. Maybe he has a special mutant strike force for school hours, but he doesn't want to hire them full time because he'd have to offer them dental. Would you just let it rest?"
Kitty crossed her arms in annoyance. "Fine, laugh about it all you want. I still think we should mention it to Scott and see what he says."
A slow smirk spread across her friend's face. "Well, if you want to know so badly, we could check it out ourselves. Actually, you're probably right. We should go now, so we can catch them in the act."
"Now? But we've still got sixth period! Don't you, like, remember what happened last time we skipped school?"
Rogue turned to her, the picture of well-intentioned sincerity. "But you're right Kit. This is important. There could be something much more sinister than Ah had thought. What if the mansion is under attack right now, and the Professor won't call us because he doesn't want us to miss school? It could be the end of us all! Isn't saving our home worth a detention?"
Hands on her hips, Kitty glared sternly at her roommate. "You're being ridiculous! No one's going to attack! It's, like, the middle of the day! And I'm not going to get another detention just because of your dumb conspiracy theory!"
"But…"
"No! No buts! We are going to sixth period, and that's the end of it! Now drop and let's get to class, we're going to be late!" The sophomore turned and stalked down the hall, muttering under her breath about crazy roommates who read way too much science fiction.
Rogue chuckled under her breath and shouldered her bag. "Ah've got to get Logan to teach Abbott and Costello in Tactics."
