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A week passed with very few incidents, which was good. I didn't know how many more things I could handle before my heart gave out. I avoided Rogue and Kitty like the plague, though it meant I had to take Logan up on his offer for safe haven more than once. During meals, without fail I found myself between Logan and Scott, who told me that Logan had asked him to sit there, without saying why.
I had all kinds of respect for Logan that week.
I hadn't had any breakthroughs with the Kitty and Rogue problem. I still got shivers when either walked into the room.
Kurt and I were still fighting like cats and dogs. We were still being subtle about it, which meant that Logan, Rogue, Scott, and now Jean (she's psychic and she's dating Scott. It was only a matter of time) were the only ones that knew.
I hadn't woken up late since the first night I had stayed there, and it didn't make sense. I still couldn't figure out why I hadn't woken up. This meant that I'd wake up, take a shower (I had managed to cut the whole process down to thirty minutes), and be coming out while Logan was making rounds. This gave me a lot of extra time in the mornings, but I had so much on my mind I didn't care. It was a quiet time to think.
I woke up at six on the dot one morning, and glanced around, trying to think what had me so concerned. Early mornings, I think in emotion and nothing else, which is annoying as hell, I can tell you.
Ah, yes. Monday. School.
I climbed out of bed, and went to take a shower. By the foot of the bed was a backpack filled with books, and a note on top.
Leo,
Here are all of your books for your courses.
Your class schedule is in the smaller pocket.
Prof. X.
I flipped open the smaller pocket, and pulled out a piece of paper. Hmm.
8:00-8:47 Health
8:53-9:37 Track & Field
9:43-10:27 Biology
10:33-11:17 History
11:20-12:10 Lunch
12:13-12:57 Geometry
1:03-1:47 Word Processing
1:53-2:37 Shop
2:43-3:30 Advanced Soph. English
I quickly memorized it and returned it to my bag. Then I headed to the shower.
Thirty minutes later I had showered, dried off, and gotten dressed. I studied myself in the mirror. I had to admit, Kitty really knew how to dress someone. It occurred to me that I had never studied my holo-self in the mirror. I had short, orange hair slightly darker than my real fur, and my features were more defined. Of course that was probably because my fur wasn't obscuring everything.
I also owed Scott an apology. I did look like Logan. Not to the point where you start to wonder if you're in the Twilight Zone, but there were plenty of similarities.
I opened the door to my room, so Logan would know I'd woken up. Then I fell onto my bed and started to read my Biology book.
A few minutes later, said Logan glanced into my room. "What're you doin', Junior?"
"Studying. I'm gonna be pretty behind when I show up, so I might as well get to work in catching up."
"Good thinking. Any reason why Biology?"
"Yeah, it's in the morning." I grimaced. "Also, it's hell and I want to get it over with."
Logan chuckled and took off. I studied for another few minutes, and then slammed the book shut and headed downstairs, books slung over my shoulder.
I instantly ran into Ororo, who looked surprised to see me (I still had my watch on), but gave me a motherly smile.
"Good morning, Leo. Sleep well?"
"Yeah. Morning."
"First day of school. How do you feel?"
"Just fine. It's gonna be hard to get used to so many people, though, and I feel sort of apocalyptic, but that's probably just nerves."
"Apocalyptic?" It seemed to ring a few bells, but then she shook her head. "What do you mean?"
"I feel like something bad is going to happen. But, again, it's probably just nerves."
It wasn't just nerves. But we'll get back to that later.
"Would you mind setting the table? You have plenty of time to get ready."
I chuckled. "I'm pretty much ready, anyway, so it's not a problem."
We had an interesting breakfast. I wolfed down everything that I could at first, but after everyone asked in their own way if I was nervous, well, I got nervous, and started poking at my food… which prompted everyone to ask if I was sure I wasn't nervous.
So, yes, when Scott drove everyone to school, I was very nervous.
I managed to find all my classes for future reference, and still make it to first hour in time. I was pretty proud of that… for about a second.
"We've got two new students coming to our class, M.L. Akins and Leo Lyons. Could you two come up here please?"
For a second, I couldn't figure out where I knew the other kid from, before it connected.
M.L. Akins.
May Akins.
Nooooooo!
I walked jerkily up to the front of the classroom, M.L. trailing behind. We were introduced to the class, M.L. looking smug, me blushing and looking awkward.
If that had been it, I could've handled it. No big deal. As it was, that was only the beginning. I stumbled into the lunchroom, feeling very put upon. I had been brought to the front of the classroom in every class, and I was beginning to feel like a zoo animal. I dropped into a seat with everyone else from the institute.
"Is something wrong?" Scott asked me.
Wordlessly, I handed him my schedule, which I had made some editions to.
8:53-9:37 Track and Field, Pietro, Fred
9:43-10:27 Biology, May, Todd
10:33-11:17 History, Lance
11:20-12:10 Lunch, Should be obvious
12:13-12:57 Geometry, May, Todd, Lance
1:03-1:47 Word Processing, Fred, Todd
1:53-2:37 Shop, May, Pietro, Fred
2:43-3:30 Advanced Soph. English, None, 'bout damn time
Scott gave me a surprised look. "What's this?"
"This," I growled, "is the list of the members of the Brotherhood that are in my classes. Have I mentioned my life is hell?" I glanced around. "Where's Rogue?"
Kitty shrugged. "Like, who cares?"
I was a little startled by her attitude, but I was definitely getting apocalyptic feelings about Rogue, so I went on the prowl to find her.
I finally did, which was a very good thing.
May had Rouge leaning against the wall, hands on both sides of her head. Rogue looked slightly nervous and very pissed.
"Get outta my way," she said angrily. May didn't budge.
"Back off, May," I said.
He spun in surprise and glared at me. "Leo."
Rogue quickly walked around me and stood behind me and to my left. She laid her hand on my shoulder. "Thanks, Leo."
I blushed slightly, then turned to face May. "Leave her alone."
May sneered. "And what're you gonna do if I don't?" he asked as he began to walk over to Rogue. I shoved him backward a few feet.
"Anything I have to."
It would've definitely turned into a fight if Kurt hadn't shown up. Through unspoken agreement, he stepped next to me and got ready.
May smirked. "Need help from your friend to take me, I see."
I was raised on the street. No one, and that means no one, can out-tough me.
"Nah, I just don't want to waste my time," I said cockily. Kurt smirked. May looked furious. "Beat it, if you know what's good for you."
A few guys cheered. I realized we were gathering a crowd.
I quickly decided to get out of there before the crowd began to include faculty. "He's not worth the time. Let's get outta here."
I'd lose points for backing away, unless I had played May right. I spun around, and started walking away.
May shot at me, angrily, while I was turned around. Which was what I wanted. I spun and buried a fist in his stomach, then turned and began walking again, like nothing had happened. He tried again. I nailed him on the jaw. He went down hard. Perfectly played. Now I looked like the cool, collected kid who was, nonetheless, strong, and "M.L." looked like a hotheaded idiot.
Hell, both Kurt and Rogue were pretty impressed. Kurt looked jealous, and Rogue repeated the entire thing to everyone else, who were also pretty impressed. Kitty managed to drive me nuts by going on and on about how it was brave of me, but I was going to get in so much trouble…
Actually, by some miracle, trouble missed me. I was on cloud nine.
The day flew by, with only one major glitch. As it turned out, Advanced Sophomore English, or ASoE, as the students called it, was a major writing class. My first assignment; write about someone who is very important to you. Pretty sappy, if you ask me.
Hmm. Rogue or Kitty? Rogue. Kitty. Rogue. Kitty. Rouge. Kitty.
I know! I'll write whichever comes up when the bell rings.
RogueKittyRogueKittyRogueKittyRogueKittyRo-
"Mister Lyons."
"Yes?"
"If you would like some extra credit, then you can write about yourself and read it in front of the class."
Oh, yeah. I'm going to tell them about my past as a homeless mutant. Sounds good! Note the sarcasm in my voice.
"Thank you, but I'll pa…"
BRRINGG
Noooooo!