That night Rachel talked further with Professor Xavier, and it was decided that she will leave for New York in four days. The few days following her meeting with the professor were spent preparing for her departure.

Her preparations began as soon as Scott, Ororo, and Professor X left the apartment. She changed out of her work uniform and made her way over to the diner. She entered the small building through the back entrance, and knocked on door to her supervisor's office. "Come in!" a voice called out from inside.

Rachel entered the room to find her boss, Lisa, sitting at her desk filling out order forms for more food. When she looked up from her desk and saw Rachel standing there, she said, "Rachel, you're finally here! Stephanie told me you were going to be a little late. But here you are over an hour late. And why are you not in you wearing your uniform?"

"Lisa, I need to talk to you," Rachel said, taking a seat in a fold out chair across from Lisa. "I know it's kind of short notice, but I'm moving to New York in a few days. So I'm afraid I have to quit."

"Stephanie didn't say anything about you moving."

"Well, it's really short notice."

"I see. I'm a little disappointed. You're one of my better employees, so I'd hate to see you go. But I guess it can't be helped. Good luck in New York."

"Thanks for everything," Rachel said as the two women shook hands. She placed her folded up uniform on Lisa's desk, and left the diner for the last time.

Rachel talked with the professor about her living at his mansion, and as it turned out room and board is completely free. Which meant she didn't have to look for another job once she got to New York. She did find it a bit strange that he would take her in for free, but she's certainly not one to complain.

Stephanie didn't get home until ten o'clock that night, and Rachel was already in bed at that time. So she had to anxiously wait until the next morning to nag Rachel with all her questions. When morning finally came, Rachel went through her morning routine, then went into the kitchen to make some coffee. As she poured the hot beverage into a mug, Stephanie walked in with her arms folded, still in her pajamas.

"What the Hell, Rachel?!"

"Well, good morning to you, too," Rachel said a bit sarcastically.

"Lisa told me you quit. And what's this I hear about you moving to New York?" Stephanie asked angrily.

"Yeah, about that . . ."

"So it is true!" Stephanie said accusingly. "Did you plan on telling me anytime soon? Or were you just going to leave without saying anything?"

"Well, I'd just made the decision to move last night. And since you were working, I didn't have the chance to tell you until now. Though, it looks like you didn't need me to tell you," Rachel explained.

Stephanie stared suspiciously at Rachel for a moment. Then suddenly she had a thought. "This wouldn't have anything to do with those people that were here last night, would it?" she asked.

"Yes, that's partly the reason for my sudden decision," Rachel said, leaning her back against the counter.

"Rachel, who are those people?" Stephanie asked, concerned for her friend.

"The people I talked to last night were Professor Xavier and his colleagues Ororo and Scott."

"And what did they talk to you about?" Stephanie ask insistently.

Rachel froze up. She couldn't tell her Stephanie that she's a mutant. Who knows how she'll take that kind of news. But she can't lie to her either. I guess I have no choice, she thought to herself.

"I was asked by the professor to move to New York to attend his school," said Rachel.

"You're already attending Harvard, one of the most prestigious schools to date. Why would he come here and ask you to go to his school?" Stephanie asked skeptically.

"Well, his school is for the gifted, and I am very gifted," Rachel said nervously. This wasn't precisely a lie.

"Harvard's a school for the gifted! I guess the question I should be asking is why would you want to go to his school?"

Rachel quickly thought up an excuse, then said, "The professor offered to help train me to be a psychologist. I thought it would be a good opportunity to start building my career. So, I accepted his proposal." Now this was a lie.

Stephanie let out a defeated sigh, and said, "I really don't think you should go. But I suppose I'll have to trust that you know what's best for yourself."

Rachel smiled a little. "Thanks," she said. Even though it didn't seem like it, Stephanie was supporting Rachel's decision.

Rachel looked down at her watch, and said, "I have to go. I'm withdrawing myself from school today." There was a certain sadness in her voice when she said this.

She quickly finished drinking the rest of her coffee, grabbed her purse that was sitting on the counter, and started heading out the door. "I'll see you later!" Rachel called out before closing the door.

Stephanie stood sadly in the kitchen after Rachel left. "The fool," she said bitterly, gazing down at the tile floor.


Rachel stood outside the entrance gate of the Harvard University. With a sigh, she said, "I hope I won't regret this later." She walked through the entrance gate and entered the admissions office. There she did all the necessary paperwork needed for withdrawing. As she left the building she noticed Mr. Ogleman coming her way, and to her displeasure he saw her too.

"Why, hello, Rachel!" he said happily.

"Oh, hello, Professor," Rachel said, trying to surprised to see him.

"I wasn't aware you were scheduled for classes today."

"Actually, I'm not."

"Oh, you must be here to see me then," he said, then laughed at his own joke.

Rachel was tempted to say something like "Don't flatter yourself". But instead she laughed along with him.

"To be honest," she said, "I've just withdrew myself from all of my classes. I'll be moving to New York in just a few days, so I'm afraid we won't be seeing each other again." The smile that occupied Mr. Ogleman's face instantly fell when he heard this.

"Oh. Well, how about I take you out to dinner? You'll be leaving soon, so we must do something special before you go." said Mr. Ogleman.

He sure is persistent, Rachel thought.

"That sounds wonderful," she said. "But I'm afraid I'll be preparing for the move these next few days." The last remaining glimmer of hope in Mr. Ogleman's eyes seemed to fade away.

Rachel looked down at her watch, and said, "Oh, look at the time, I really must be going." But before she left she shook hands with Mr. Ogleman, then said, "Thank you for everything you've taught me."

As she walked away she took in all the sights around her for the last time. When she got to the gate she turned around to take one last look at the school. "I'm really going to miss this place," she said sadly. Then she smiled a little bit, and said, " I'm glad I won't be seeing Mr. Ogleman ever again, though."

The next day Rachel went to the train station and bought a ticket to New York. Her and the professor agreed that she will travel to New York by train, and that somebody will be waiting at the train station to pick her up.

The day following her purchase at the train station, she finally decided that it was time to pack her things. "I can't procrastinate forever," she sighed. She started packing early in the day, but later in the afternoon she wasn't even halfway finished. With a sigh, she walked into the living room where Stephanie sat on the couch watching TV. "Hey, Stephanie," she said softly, but just loud enough to get her attention.

Stephanie looked away from the TV. "Yeah?" she asked.

"Um, do you think you could help me pack?" Rachel asked awkwardly.

"Sure," Stephanie replied, as she stood from the couch and followed Rachel back into her room.

At first Rachel thought there would be an awkward silence between the two of them. But actually they were conversing and laughing the whole time. Even after they finished packing Rachel's things, they lied on her bed and continued talking with each other.

"And then he says to me, 'Oh, you must be here to see me then,'" Rachel said, trying to imitate Mr. Ogleman's voice. This made Stephanie snort with laughter. "Then," Rachel continued her story, "when I told him I was moving to New York, he asked me out to dinner."

"No way!" Stephanie laughed even harder.

"You should have seen the look on his face when I turned him down! It was like he lost all reason to live." The two girls laughed together. When they both calmed down, Rachel said, " I feel kind of bad for him, though. Do you think I should have thrown the guy a bone?"

"Are you kidding me?" said Stephanie. "You give him a pity date, then the next thing you know you'll be giving him sympathy sex."

They both looked at each other. "Ew!" they said in unison, making each other laugh.

When their laughter died down, Rachel sadly said, "I'm really going to miss this."

"Me too," Stephanie said softly.

It was silent for a moment. Then Stephanie said, "Hey, I have an idea. How about we do something tomorrow before you leave?"

Rachel smiled and said, "That would be great."

The next day, Rachel and Stephanie woke up early to spend as much time together as possible. They played a couple of games of miniature golf, then went to a nice restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon they went back to the apartment to get Rachel's luggage, then they both took a taxi to the train station. There the two women shared a tearful good-bye.

"I can't believe you're leaving!" Stephanie cried as she hugged Rachel.

"I can't believe it either," Rachel said. She was starting to wonder if this was the right thing to do.

"The apartment is going to feel so empty without you there!" Stephanie cried.

"You could always get a new roommate," Rachel suggested.

"But it won't be the same!"

"Everything'll be okay. I promise to write you letters whenever I get the chance."

Stephanie pulled away from the hug. She smiled and said, "Oh, Rachel. Who writes letters anymore?!" Rachel laughed.

"All aboard!" the conductor called out.

"It's time for me to go," Rachel said sadly.

Rachel's eyes teared up as the two shared one last hug. "I'm going to miss you!" Stephanie cried.

"I'm going to miss you too!" Rachel sobbed. The tears now running freely down her cheeks. She wiped away the tears as she pulled away from the hug. "I'll be sure to visit you this summer, okay?"

"Can't wait," Stephanie smiled sadly.

"Well, see you," said Rachel.

"Bye," Stephanie said softly.

Rachel reluctantly turned from her friend, and walked towards the train. She showed her train ticket to the conductor. He nodded his head, allowing Rachel to board the train. She climbed aboard the train and took a seat. Looking out the window, she saw Stephanie still standing there. She started waving to Rachel as the train started moving. Rachel waved back. When the train station was out of sight, Rachel said to herself, "I hope I'm not making a big mistake by doing this."