Hello again. Sorry that I was late posting this next chapter. Many thanks to my Wondergal Jubilee and Virgo! The next chapter will be updated sooner, now that the technological difficulties have been hammered out, and my computer no longer hates me.

Enjoy!

Chapter 4: A shock for Kitty

She simply looked around the room for a few minutes. Oh, wow! A room to myself for a while. Sure, I've had my own room when I was with my adoptive families, but not while I was at the orphanage. This school is a lot like it, except for the fact that not everyone here is an orphan. This is so cool, Rose thought, staring happily at her bed.

She went over to it, and pulled up her bag with all her books. She then went over to the closet and opened it. Wow, it's neatly split in two! How did they do that? she wondered. She began to alphabetize the books into the bookshelves that Ororo told her were there. She then pulled out her clothes and folded each neatly into the closet and dresser on her side of the two-person room.

Soon, she reached her personal possessions. On top was her picture. Rose stared down at her parents. Nice to see you again, she thought. Oh, I wish you were here! Mother, Father, I fail to see where I fit in. Maybe here I will find a place in the world better than last time. Oh, Mother, Father, help me! Please be my guardian angels! I beg this of you! She set the picture up on one of the small desks with a mirror. She sighed.

She pulled out the small dog. Puppy, really, she thought as she set it up on one of the shelves. It looked sadly down at her. (Sorry, I can't. I'm too old,) she told it soundlessly.

(…Too old…Aging…) the door told the girl. Rose shook her head.

(Everything ages. It is simply your time, I guess. How long have you been here?) she asked.

(…Years…Six years…) the door told the girl.

I hate talking to dead wood. It talks as if it has all the time in the world. Blah! I hate it! Stupid dead wood. Only knows what it used to think and do when it was alive, and things it saw, felt, and learned after words. It never has any feelings. Why do I bother? she grumbled.

Next she pulled out her hairbrush, toothbrush, and her hair gear. I don't like hairspray. Never saw the point. I like a spray bottle filled with water. That works for me, she thought as she placed these things in the desk. It's a handy spot.

Looking in each of her bags, Rose found she was finished. She stored the bags in the closet, and found her brand new book. She sat down on the bed, and began to read.

Kitty had just finished changing back into her normal clothes when Storm came in. "Hey, Storm. So, how is Rose?" she asked with an easy smile.

"I'd like you to show her around, help her find her way, and that sort of thing," Ororo told her.

"Oh? Sure! Maybe I can get her to come out of her shell," Kitty said, brightening. "So what room is she in?"

"Three down from yours," Ororo answered. Kitty smiled, then bounded out of her room.

Hmm…Might spook her if I phase through the door. Anyway, she might not be ready, Kitty decided. She knocked at the door.

Rose looked up, startled. (Who is it?) she asked the door.

(…Nut-brown haired girl…Name could be Kitty) it answered.

Rose sighed, then set aside the book as she stood up. Whoever it was knocked again. She opened the door. (You're right. It's Kitty,) she told the door. "Hello, Kitty," Rose said shyly. Oh, boy, I'm not ready for confrontation! I don't want to see the school yet! she panicked.

"Hey! You ready for a tour of the school? Storm asked me to, and I agreed. Come on! I'll even introduce you to everyone. Everyone can't wait to meet you," Kitty told the girl, hoping her energy would help crack the shell.

"Okay," Rose answered. (Door, I may need your help to get back here,) she told it.

(…Okay…I am ready whenever you are…) it replied.

Rose left her room, shutting the door behind her. Kitty smiled encouragingly. Rose gave a shaky smile back. She has too much energy! What is wrong with me? I'm the one who napped on the ride up! Rose panicked again.

"Come on! This way!" Kitty told the girl as she tugged on Rose's arm. Rose followed, her worry heavy in the air. They walked on, until they were at the head of the stairs. "I figured you should see how to get from the front door to your room. I know that'll be mighty helpful!" Kitty told the girl, hoping to pull her even more out of her shell.

Rose gulped as she saw a tall teenager with red sunglasses on look up. "Hey, Kitty. Who's you're friend?" he asked.

Ah! Freaky! Why does he wear sunglasses indoors? It'd be rude to ask, though, so I won't, Rose thought.

"This is Rose Ann Moss. Rose, this is Scott Summers," Kitty introduced. She dragged Rose down the steps, and Rose shook his hand.

I wonder what his eyes look like and what color they are. It'd probably be very rude to ask when he wants to hide them behind sunglasses. I hate being rude, Rose thought. "It's very nice to meet you, Scott," she said, trying to sound nice and polite. It probably isn't working too well.

"Same here, Rose. I hope you like it here at the Institute," he told her, smiling.

He's got nice hair. A wood-like quality hair. I like it, she thought. And he's very nice. He hasn't teased me yet!

Kitty dragged Rose onward. "Come on! You don't have to be so scared! We won't bite you're head off. Well, Logan might during or after you're training sessions with him, and the Professor if you're misbehaving, but otherwise, we won't bite you're head off," Kitty told the shy girl.

"I heard that," a man growled from behind them. Rose jumped, and spun around. Tall man who looks scary! He's like a wolf, jumping out from being and growling. I hope he isn't too mean! Rose thought.

"Ah, Logan, I was just warning her! Nothing else! I didn't mean anything by it!" Kitty protested.

So this is the infamous Logan, Rose thought. He's got interesting hair. It's a nice color, midnight black, but it isn't one of my absolute favorites.

"Humph," Logan said. He turned to Rose. "And who might you be?" he said, a slight growl in his voice.

Oh, boy, he sounds so scary! What does he want with me? Oh, boy, scary man might attack me! Rose panicked. "I'm R-rose Ann M-moss, Sir," Rose stammered. Oh, great, show how scared you are, Rose. Real smart, a cold side of her scolded.

Logan sighed. "Sorry, youngster. Just got to make sure these kids," he began, pointing at Kitty, who grinned, "don't bring any unscheduled guests here. And don't listen to her all the time. One thing I know for sure, and that is that you are more than welcome here."

Was this really the infamous Logan? He seems really nice now, the sensible part of Rose asked. Yeah, now, sneered her cold side. A few minutes ago, and he would've gladly bitten your head off.

Logan turned around, and headed off in the opposite direction. Kitty stared after him for a few seconds, then said to Rose, "Come on. There are still others who'd like to meet you."

Rose nodded, and put the problem of Logan aside. She walked beside Kitty know, well aware of the fact that this place was much different than the orphanage by now. Kitty glanced over.

Yes! I'm getting her to open up! Maybe this won't be so hard after all, she thought excitedly. She looked ahead, and saw a whole bunch of people, waiting.

"Hey, Rogue, Kurt, Taby, and Jamie!" Kitty called. Rogue looked over, and saw that Kitty had a strange new girl at her side.

"Hey, Kitty," Kurt said, and noticed Rose. Oh, boy, what will she think of me? Will she like me? he wondered.

"Hey, guys, this is Rose Ann Moss. Rose, that is Kurt Wagner," Kitty introduced, pointing to Kurt.

"It's very nice to meet you," Rose said automatically, stretching out her hand.. 'Very nice to meet you?' Boy, I must sound like a real loser. How many kids say 'very nice to meet you' anymore? Rose cursed herself.

"It's very nice to meet you, too," Kurt replied, feeling jittery, and shook her hand.

Wow, I'm not the only one. Or is he just nervous? If he is, that means I'm not the only one! That is so cool! Rose thought excitedly.

"That's Rogue," Kitty pointed.

"Hi," Rogue said. She didn't stretch out her hand. Her voice and posture seemed to say, 'Leave me alone.'

"It's very nice to meet you," Rose answered. She probably doesn't like to shake hands. I can understand that, Rose thought, and didn't try to force Rogue to shake her hand.

"That's Tabitha Smith," Kitty pointed out.

"Hey, there girl!" Tabitha said energetically. She stretched out and grabbed Rose's hand.

"It's very nice to meet you, Tabitha," Rose told her, thinking, Very enthusiastic. Wonder where she's from to be so much like that.

"And that's Jamie Madrox," Kitty finished.

"Hi," Jamie said, thinking, I still think her powers have something to do with plants.

"Hi. It's very nice to meet you," Rose answered, stretching her hand out slightly. Jamie instantly shook her hand. Wow, he's vigorous, she thought.

"Well, I still have to show Rose around," Kitty said, and dragged her off. Kitty grinned at Rose. "So, what do you think of the school so far?" she asked.

"It's –nice. Most of the people here are fairly nice, too," Rose told Kitty honestly.

"Trust me, Logan isn't normally that nice. It's absolutely amazing. Maybe it's you, or maybe he was worried about scaring you off. Either way, you got lucky," Kitty told the girl, surprising Rose.

Really? That means that was the infamous Logan I've heard a lot about. He reminds me of a wolf-dog. He can be as fierce as a wolf, but also as gentle as a puppy. He's kinda nice, Rose thought.

One of the older teenagers came up behind Rose. "Kitty, who is this?" the teenager demanded.

"That's Rose Ann Moss, Jean. Rose, that's Jean Grey right behind you," Kitty added. Rose turned around.

What she saw was a confident, chestnut-red haired person, who smiled as soon as Rose turned around. Hmm, she seems much more popular than Kitty, but then again, Kitty seems to be friends with everyone here, Rose thought. I wonder who is the most popular, or something of the like. Well, if Jean Grey is older than Kitty, which I have a feeling she is, then she is more likely to be more popular. "Hello. It's very nice to meet you," Rose intoned politely.

"Same here, Rose. I hope you like it here," Jean told the girl. Why is she so nervous? I won't hurt her, Jean thought, wanting to frown. Suddenly, Ororo came up.

"Rose, the Professor would like me to show you where you can plant your garden," Ororo told the girl. I can't wait to see what she can do with her garden. If it truly is exquisite, then maybe she can share some of her secrets with me, Ororo thought to herself.

Rose followed Ororo outside to a spot near a river. Oh, boy, this is perfect! Water close by, nice sunny spot, good soil: Everything for a good garden! Rose thought to herself, smiling.

So. Liked it? Hate it? Please review and tell me what you think!