Chapter 4

I woke up the next morning happy. Was it the kiss Kurt and I shared the night before? I had a feeling it was. I hadn't been kissed in a while and even though Kurt doesn't look much like the guys I've dated in the past, I will admit he is probably the most interesting. Even though we are not dating.

I ate breakfast in silence, wondering if he was ever at breakfast. When I was done I went back outside and saw him teasing some of the kids who were being taught by a large muscular man with prominent sideburns. But when he saw me he teleported over.

"Good morning,Lydia!" He said brightly and I reciprocated his brightness. We decided to go for a walk around the edge of campus.

"Kurt, about last night," I started.

"I know, I'm sorry. I'm normally not so forward. I'm sorry if I again made you nervous." He wouldn't look at me.

"No need to be sorry, Kurt. I liked it. I did meet you halfway." I took his hand and squeezed it and it didn't seem like either of us were in a hurry to let go.

Later he introduced me to some of the other residents at the school. I metLogan, also known as Wolverine who was the one Kurt was playing pranks on that morning. His mutation is regeneration. He heals incredibly fast.

Also I met Marie, also known as Rogue. She was the girl wearing gloves that I saw before. Her power is absorbing the power of other mutants. With humans it's their life-force, so she can't touch others.

The boy with her is Bobby, also called Iceman. I'll let you draw your own conclusions as to what his power is.

I was also told about dangerous mutants. There is one that they have a constant struggle with and that is a man named Eric Lencher, also known as Magneto. He can create magnetic fields and control metal. He believes a war is brewing. He even tried to get the Professor to kill all the humans of the world once. Kurt told me it was a long and complicated story, so he would tell me later, when I was more prepared to hear it.

Another dangerous mutant who works with Magneto is Mystique, a shape shifter. Kurt told me that he met her once and asked her why she didn't stay in disguise all the time, so she could look like everyone else. Her reply was, "We shouldn't have to."

I was learning so much about the world of mutants. There are reasons for people to be fearful, some of them are quite dangerous and wish to do people harm. Then there some who are dangerous and don't' want anyone hurt, like me and Rogue.

Storm and I did work on the fire thing again today, but I was still only able to get the sticks to ignite, nothing more. She told me it can take time to get used to a newfound power and to be able to control it at will.

That night I met with Kurt outside and we talked for a while. We mostly talked about faith.

"I was raised Lutheran. I've been a Lutheran all my life, but my faith in God isn't very strong anymore." I said.

"Why not?" Kurt looked truly concerned.

"Being incarcerated has a way of doing that, Kurt. I guess I kept thinking that if God loved me why would he have let the house burn down? Why would he have allowed my family to disown me? I'm not sure if you understand what it feels like to be so alone." I looked down, tears starting to sting my eyes.

"Of course I do,Lydia. My mother abandoned me in the woods outside ofBavariabecause I look like some kind of demon. Some hunters found me and gave me to a local circus to be used in a sideshow act. But as time went on they saw that I was very acrobatic and agile and trained me on the trapeze. No one ever taught me about God, I just found a bible in someone's trailer one day and asked if I could borrow it. I learned of someone who loved us so much that no matter what we do, He loves us still. That is true unconditional love. I learned of trials that we go through should be thought of as blessings and that He sent His Son to die for our sins. I was swept away by the wonder of it all, and the amazing stories found in the Old Testament like the plagues, the wars, and the history. It's truly amazing, if you give God a chance." He smiled and took my hand.

"I'll try, Kurt. I do want to. It's just hard when you're all alone." I looked at his hand in mine.

Kurt took his other hand and tilted my chin up so I would look at him.

"You're not alone anymore. At this school, we're family and we look out for one another."

The tears that were stinging my eyes now flowed freely. I had been alone for so long that being thrust into this world was a bit overwhelming. Kurt let me lean into his side and he put his arm around me in comforting way. He let me cry, and I appreciated that. Most people would try to make me stop, and that just makes feelings build up. Kurt let me get it all out. He gave me another soft kiss before I went to bed that night. I realized I had made a great friend in him.

I opened the nightstand and got out the bible that had been put there. I started looking up some favorite bible verses, particularly Isaiah 40:31: "For those that wait upon the Lord should renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

I then started to pray, asking God to help me and increase my faith that I believe everything that had happened, happened for a reason and in time I hoped to realize what the reason was.

When I finally lay down that night, I felt a peace that I hadn't felt in ages.

Chapter 5

The next several days went by in the same way. I'd get the sticks to ignite, fail in being able to do anything else. Kurt and I would talk at night and he'd kiss me softly before we went to our respective rooms.

One night it was raining so we went to the common room and sat on the couch. Soon he put his arm around me and I leaned into his side, breathing him in.

I was curious about something. "Kurt, what are we now?" I asked him.

"What do you mean?" He asked, his head leaning on top of mine.

"Well, it seems we started out as friends, but I'm feeling there's something more there." I was afraid to say it, but it had to be said.

He let out a sigh and removed his arm from around me and I was worried that maybe he didn't reciprocate my feelings. Then he looked at me and said, "Well, that's a relief!"

"What?" I was confused by his reaction.

"I was afraid to ask the same kind of question, because I thought you wouldn't feel this way. I've never known anyone like you. You're one of the kindest people I've met. And I believe God put us together here. Some things are just meant to be." He pulled me close.

"I guess so," I replied and he placed his lips on mine, softly at first then with more pressure. My arms came up his chest and around his neck, the tips of my fingers teasing the hair at the nape of his neck. We stayed like this for quite a while, and afterward we just cuddled on the couch. Sitting there alone in the dark, in quiet, just enjoying the feel of the other.

I awoke on the couch, still wound in Kurt's arms. I sat up with a start and he stirred then sat up as well. We composed ourselves as best we could, knowing that anyone could find us and wonder what we were doing.

I looked at Kurt and we both started smiling and he stood up and held out his hand and helped me up and together we walked to my room. I told him he was welcome to come in but he refused.

"I really shouldn't,Lydia. No matter how much I want to." He leaned forward and I threw my arms around him and pressed my lips to his and then he bid me good day until we met up later.

He came to watch me and Storm with the fire exercise. When I tried to manipulate the flame, it started working! My hands caught on fire in the process, but I was able to dismiss that like I did the full manifestation before. The fire didn't grow much, but it grew a little and I was happy that something was finally happening. When we were done for the day I walked over to Kurt and he put his arms around me and then I heard the loud Bamf! And soon we were in the woods that surrounded the campus.

"Kurt, did we just teleport?" I was little disoriented.

"Yes, not far, just what was in my line of sight." He smiled that winning smile.

"Why?" I said, thinking I already knew the answer.

"Well, I thought we could use a little privacy." And he backed me up to a tree and took my face in his hands and began passionately kissing me, and I started kissing him back. I could feel a heat, rising from my stomach and filling my whole body. Soon Kurt tore himself from me and held his hand to his mouth, like he was hurt.

"Lydia, what happened?" He said, his words muffled by his hand.

"Nothing that I know of." I said and he removed his hand I could see that his lips were slightly burned.

"Oh, Kurt, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I didn't know I would." I ran away then, even though he called after me, saying it was ok. I ran back to the mansion and to my room, locking the door behind me. Not long after that I heard the Bamf! Outside my door and Kurt knocking asking me to let him in. I just hid in the corner, crying and trying to keep my sobs as quiet as possible, even though I felt like screaming in anguish.

What had I just done? I guess there were some pretty strong emotions there, for my power to react the way it had. What worried me is that I hurt someone I greatly cared about. What if I hurt him again? It could be worse next time. I couldn't bear it, knowing how dangerous my power can be.

Soon I heard the knocking again, but it wasn't Kurt, it was the professor. I slowly got up and opened the door for him, but Kurt was with him and came in as well.

"Lydia, Kurt told me what happened." He said kindly.

"I'm sorry, sir, I know what the consequences might be when one mutant's powers affect another." I couldn't look him in the eye.

"Lydia, you're not in trouble. You're an adult who is only learning to control your power. I've been able to sense the feelings between you and Kurt and they are strong. Emotional stress is normally what causes a mutant's powers to initially show up. When your house burned you said you were very agitated. When you kissed Kurt you were experiencing other strong emotions. In time you will learn to control your power and you may do what you please without worrying about doing harm to anybody." He paused and Kurt sat down beside me and took me in his arms.

"I think I'll leave you two to work this out." And the Professor left.

"I'm sorry,Lydia," he said softly, kissing the top of my head.

"You have nothing to apologize for, Kurt. I'm the one that hurt you. Maybe we shouldn't do this."

"Do what?" He said, still holding me in his arms.

"This. Whatever we have here, maybe we should end it, if my power is this out of control." I got up and walked to the window, my back to him.

"Lydia, it's ok. You didn't mean to hurt me. I want to be there for you, as you learn to control this. I want to be there for you once you can." He put his hands on my shoulders but I wouldn't look at him.

"Kurt, please, just go away," it was one of the hardest things I'd ever have to say.

He removed his hands and I heard him walk to the door. "Lydia, whenever you're ready," and the door closed behind him.