Chapter 2

Bella was sandwich caked between Colossal and Rouge. While she tried to get comfortable on the couch, Bobby played with Rouge's hair, while Kitty sat on the floor vibrating with excitement. Jubilee and Pyro stood behind them frowning. They had all been called to the meeting room and they were a little apprehensive as to what anyone would want with them. They all stared at Scott with raised eyebrows. He raised his hands in defense.

"I don't know anything," was his reply.

Scott stared into Bella's different colored eyes. He always found them unique. She had one brown eye and one green eye. She started back at him.

"He's telling the truth." She replied as she took a peek into Scott's mind.

"No need to interrogate Scott. I'll tell you why you're all here." The voice passed through their minds like air as Professor X entered the room. Jean and Storm were close behind them with smiles upon their faces.

"What's going on?" Pyro asked in an annoyed voice. He'd rather be confined in his room. Kitty rolled her eyes. He was such a kill joy.

"Look, whatever it is - we didn't mean it. We were training and the statue just-" Bella held her hand up to stop Jubilee.

"That's not what this is about." She said calmly looking at the professor.

"Will someone speak up? The suspense is killing me." Rouge stated looking from Bella to their teachers.

"We came up with this experiment to send you to a local regular school." Jean began. Before Scott could open his mouth Storm continued explaining.

"You children need to learn how to survive on your own. How can you make it in the real world, let alone become part of the X-Team if you can't do that?" She finished effectively shutting Scott up. She had a point.

"But what about us. You can't just take a group of mutants into a school full of humans. There's bound to be trouble." Bobby stated.

"You won't be alone Bobby- we're not abandoning you I'll be there and so will Storm." Jean told him reassuringly.

Kitty Pride almost burst with joy. She was so happy she couldn't finish her sentences.

"Oh my gosh! Thank you." she began, "I didn't know how long I could take it being cooped up here. Ooh! We can totally go to prom! Oh this is gonna …."

At that point everyone had already tuned her out. Rouge leaned into Bobby. She did not feel comfortable about this at all. Ever since her mutation manifested, she had had the worst run-ins with humans- some that left her barely unscathed. Bella looked at her professors. She trusted them with her life and she knows they would never lead her wrong. Jubilee turned to look at Bella. She can't count how many times Bella saved her ass from getting arrested and convincing her that her life could be better than what it was. She looked up to Bella and would follow her anywhere. Bella locked on her gaze before returning her gaze back to her professors.

"We're in." She said holding hers and Jubilee's locked hands. Peter (Colossal), even Threw his hand on theirs signaling that he was in too.

Bella looked at him from the corner of her eye and smiled. Kitty jumped up and down.

"Did you actually think I would turn this down? I'm in too!" She was so happy that she slipped through the floor. "Whoa." She replied as she came back up.

Bobby faced Rouge and cupped her face.

"Rouge, it'll be okay. You have your friends and the professors with you. You have me. We won't let anything happen to you." Bobby told her sincerely. She looked at Jubilee and Bella. The three of them, in one way or another connected to Wolverine, which in turn bonded the three of them.

"Don't worry. If you fall…. I'll catch you." Rouge nodded as Bella's declare flowed in her head.

"I'll do it." She said softly. Everyone slowly turned to look at Pyro. He was flipping his lighter back and forth when he noticed everyone was staring at him. He scoffed.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll do it." He said walking off.

Professor X studied his students. No matter how much they denied it, or told themselves otherwise- he knew they were all anxious to give normal life another shot again.

"But we'll never be normal." Bella's whispered voice spread through all the professors' minds. They all looked at her. Bella didn't even have to turn around.

"No my dear. You're all destined for more." He sent before he went on his way.