Still Holding Out For You
By Lady Trunks
Part 14

Justina- You feel sorry for them now?? Oh, that is not good... I haven't even got to the angst part yet.

heartstar- That's a very nice thing to say. I thought about writing something original before, but I have this undeniable inclanation to write Rietro. Not nearly enough people do right now.

Ellen- My advice to anyone is to read what you write before you post it. You wouldn't believe the amount of errors you can find. Besides that... *shrugs* Try to be original?? Oh, and I think that the site that I thought was the one you were talking about actually wasn't, because I was looking at a page and it turns out it was anti-Rietro. What did you say the address was? (when I say address I meant like ). Do you know?

Roguechere- Girl I totally feel your pain. Not to long ago I had like over 1000 viruses on my computer. I had to delete the whole hard drive and reinstal it. I lost soooooo much work. It was a tragic experience, one that will haunt me the rest of my life. ^^ *patting self on back* Woohoo!! An exclusive preview!! Yay!! It don't get no better than that!

X-DarkHorizon-X- I'm as big an anti-Jean person as anyone, but I think sometimes we tend to overdo the whole thing. Besides being to &^%$ perfect, she's never actually done anything... Except that whole breaking into the bank and stealing the things to make the first key, WHICH EVERYONE SEEMED TO FORGET AFTER! I mean the girl goes on a hiest that could bring about the destruction of the human race and they don't even rub her face in it afterwards!! Umm, I think I completely got of the point.

Lucky439 - ^_^ Well, as much fun as bashing Jean is, she's really not an idiot. How could she be when she can read other people's minds? Cherry on the other hand... But I'm going to try and have plenty of Jean bashing in the next fic. It will be so much fun!!

.:..:..:..:..:..:..:..:..:..:..:.

"Rogue are you feeling alright?" Kitty asked Rogue, a concerned expression marring her pretty features as she took in the pale complexion and dark circles under the eyes of her companion. They were walking down the halls of the school, on their way to their first class.

The Goth sighed, looking down at her feet and continued walking. Kitty reached out and grabbed her by the shoulder, which brought the other girl to a halt. "Okay, tell me what's up."

Rogue glanced around swiftly to make sure that no one was listening, and then whispered, "You were right."

Kitty got a confused look on her face, "I was? Um, about what?" Rogue shot her a look. The valley girl gasped as realization hit. "You mean you love Pietro?!"

Rogue quickly slapped a gloved hand over the other girl's mouth and looked around nervously to make sure that no one had overheard. "Shh. Do you want someone to hear you?" She hissed at her. She removed her hand and gave the girl a curt nod.

Kitty grabbed a hold of Rogue and dragged her into the bathroom. Quickly checking all the stalls to make sure they were empty, she turned her attention back to Rogue. "So, tell me all about it! When did you realize?? This is sooo, like, great!" She gushed.

Rogue directed a scalding look at the girl. "Do I look like it's great? I haven't been able to sleep for the last two days!!"

"Why not? Does this have something to do with why you slept in your own bed last night?"

"Of course it has everything to do with it! Saturday night I had a nightmare and went to Pietro's room like I always do. I laid down beside him, but all I could think about was you and Jean telling me that you thought that I loved him. And suddenly, like a ton of bricks, it hits me and I realize that you two are right. I am totally in love with him… How can I sleep beside him, knowing that? I had to avoid him all of Sunday and this morning, which, by the way, is not easy since we happen to live in the same house." Her voice rose until it was borderline hysterical on the last sentence. She started pacing in her agitation, and fought to get her emotions back in control. "He's going to know that something's wrong. I can't lie to him, and then he'll know, and everything will be ruined."

For the first time since Kitty had known her, the Goth looked like she was about to cry. She walked over to stand beside her and put a comforting arm around her shoulders. "You'll talk to him, tell him you love him, and he'll tell you that he feels the same way. I'm sure of it."

"And the two of us will live happily ever after?" Rogue asked her, meaning for it to be sarcastic but the effect was rather ruined by the huskiness of her voice caused by unshed tears.

Instead of taking offense at her friend's cynicism, Kitty just smiled. "Of course. It will be a mutant fairytale. Just remember, I get to be the maid of honor." She joked.

Rogue rolled her eyes, but for the first time that day she gave a slight smile. "You're right, I do need to talk to him."

Kitty was going to add something else, but just then a small group of girls entered the bathroom laughing at something so she refrained. Instead she offered a last bit of comforting advice, "It will work out. You'll see."

.:..:..:..:..:..:..:..:..:..:..:.