The day everyone returned to the Institute was loud and busy. The only place to find quiet was in one's own room. I unpacked my suitcases as quickly as possible before collapsing on my bed. The rest of the weekend in Germany had been normal. When I say normal, I mean that Kurt and I were strictly best friends again and we told no one about the kiss…"es" and we didn't talk about it. I was falling into a sleep when the door opened and slammed shut. I didn't need to open my eyes to recognize that slam.
"Hey, Rogue."
"Being back here just reminds me how irritating some of these younger kids can be."
I sighed, knowing a nap was out of the question now, and sat up.
"It feels kinda nice to around lively people in my opinion."
Rogue sat on my bed beside me with scowl.
"I like my solitude sometimes, you know?"
I grinned, knowing full well.
"At least you put up with me."
"Well you're not annoying."
"Oh, such an honor coming from you!"
Rogue smiled at me. We looked at each other for a moment before Rogue looked at me curiously.
"I could be wrong, but did something happen a few days ago? You've been a bit…different. You and Kurt are acting kind of…over the top happy around each other."
I sighed.
"You can keep a secret so I'll tell you, but…do not, and I mean do not, tell Kitty. She'll tell, you know that."
Rogue nodded in complete understanding.
"When you and Scott went to the mall we actually did find the mistletoe…but…after we were under it."
Rogue's eyebrows shot up.
"You kissed him?"
"No. We kissed each other."
"OMG YOU AND KURT KISSED!"
The two of us jumped and turned to our left to see Kitty's head sticking through it. My jaw dropped.
"Kitty? Why were you-?"
"I knew it! I knew you two would end up liking each other."
"Kitty, stop it, you're jumping to conclusions."
"I have to tell everyone you and Kurt are dating!"
I leaped up and phased my hand as she disappeared. I grabbed her and dragged her back into the room. I sat her down on my bed and glared at her.
"Kitty, I am only going to say this once, but if you tell anyone that Kurt and I are together or that we've kissed, so help me I will kill you."
Kitty seemed a bit surprised at the threat, but pouted.
"Fine! Nothing fun ever happens around here because it gets all hushed up instantly. But seriously, you should totally like…date Kurt. He's better than Pietro."
I narrowed my eyes at her. She put her hands up in defense.
"Sorry, sorry. I said the "P" word. Leaving now. Not telling, I swear!"
I let her go back to her room before I groaned and fell face first onto my bed. Rogue pat my back.
"There, there. Everything will be fine, future sister-in-law!"
"Don't you mock me!"
Rogue snickered and got up off the bed. I turned to look up at her.
"Hey, do you know where Evan is? He didn't come back with Ororo from New York."
Rogue nodded.
"Yeah, his powers are pretty uncontrollable and he thought he could cool it down, but…his spikes won't retract once again so he went back to the Morlocks."
"Morlocks?"
"Group of mutants who hide away from the world because their powers make them look different and they stand out. Live in the sewers. Evan likes living with them and he has anger issues with those who hate mutants so it may be better that he's down there. I'll make sure Kitty doesn't ruin you and Kurt's little secret, don't worry about it. See you at dinner."
After she left, I lay on my bed for about an hour just staring out the window. Around then, I noticed a bunch of the teens running outside with a soccer ball. I got up and opened the window to look out at the kids. I quickly found out it was mutant soccer. Those playing were Scott, Jean, Kurt, Bobby, Sam, Beast, Ray, Amara, Tabitha (who over the course of winter break had decided to move back in with us), and Roberto. It was fun to watch until Bobby sent a flying frozen soccer ball straight toward me. I caught it with Jean's power and levitated myself up and kicked it. It went straight back to Bobby and hit him with so much force he went flying backwards into Beast.
"Sorry, Ava!" Bobby called up to me.
I laughed and floated down onto the grass.
"Mind if I join?"
Bobby and Kurt ran up to me and claimed me for their team, making Scott and Sam protest. It was really fun to get to hang out with people my age and play games for once. Our team won the game of course with a great assist from Bobby who passed the ball to Beast. And nobody could stop Beast. As we were heading in for dinner, I turned back to the gate to see a blond young man with angel wings land by the fountain.
"Hey, Beast," I called out.
Beast turned and spotted the man. He smiled.
"Warren."
"Hello, Hank. I need to speak with Charles."
We all watched as the two went into the building. I was extremely tempted to test out the new power I felt inside me, but I decided to try it out when I wasn't wearing winter clothing.
