The eleventh grade students were going to the Museum of Modern Art as their annual spring field trip. Alinere and Scott were keeping these thirty or so teenagers in line, or trying to. Within ten minutes of entering the building, most of them disappeared into souvenir shops, exhibits, and restrooms. There was nothing they could do but let them be.

Alinere cleared her throat as she realized that they were utterly alone, of course, except for the thousands of people rushing in and out. She looked at Scott, then began awkwardly, "so, how are you?"

He seemed oblivious to their situation, "I'm hungry. When's lunch?"

"Scott," she turned him by the shoulders so she could look him in the eyes, "you know damn well that's not what I meant. You have been avoiding me lately. Why? And it better be a damned good reason, too."

"No, Ali," he tried to get away but she held her ground.

"I know what you are thinking. You are feeling guilty that you've spent too much time with me in the chemistry lab lately. You feel guilty that Jean's jealous, but too proud to either admit it or try to patch things up between you two."

He chuckled bitterly, "alright, Dr. Freud. I'm an open book to you. What do you think I should do?"

"First, tell Jean that you love her," she stopped him before he could protest, "second, remember that you are my best friend in the world ever since I was five. And third, don't forget to call yourself an idiot if you ever let Jean go."

"You really think I should tell her? What if, what if she doesn't care about me?"

"Don't kid yourself," she shook her head. "Scott, if you ever have a flaw. It's your pride. You know that I love you, don't you? My buddy, my pal, my true brother. I want you to be happy. Please, don't cut yourself off from me, or the ones you love." She hugged him. If Scott Summer could have taken his shades off, she would have noticed the moisture in his eyes.

In a dark corner behind a stone column, stood a black figure. His hazel eyes shone like burning coals. Logan ran his fingers through his hair as the two people parted from each other. He did not hear what they said to each other. He only knew he was doomed to spent the eternity alone. Does it matter to him? Of course not.

Everyone was supposed to show up at the food court at twelve-thirty sharp for lunch. At twelve, Rogue and Bobby first showed up. They sat next to Alinere, who was drinking coffee while flipping through a magazine.

"This is boring. When are we gonna go home?" Rogue crossed her arms in front of her. "Hey, is that Logan over there? Standing next to that weird statue?"

"I think it is," Bobby said, "Logan!" he called, "over here!"

He seemed reluctant to join them, nevertheless he sat down between Alinere and Bobby. Alinere continued to flip through her reading material and not saying a word. Rogue, now with a new companion, started a conversation with Bobby, while Logan appeared to space out every once in a while.

"Aline! Is that really you?" A tall, thin man with a British accent waved. He was very handsome with fair hair and an overconfident posture. He had a killer smile and warm blue eyes.

She looked up in surprise, "oh, hello, Peter," and shook his hand, "since when you were in New York?"

"You know, family business." He grabbed a chair and sat down, "where have you been up to lately? What cave have you been hiding in after you have dazzled thousands at Oxford with you brilliance?"

"Please don't flatter me. It's rather unbecoming." She tried to ignore Rogue's raised eyebrow. "I have been teaching at my uncle's school. Oh, yes, how clumsy of me. This is Logan, he is the physical education coach," Bobby snickered. More like someone whom everyone runs away from, meanwhile they get some exercise in the process of running for their lives. "This is Marie and Bobby, two of our students. There are others," she explained, "they will be here soon. But you know what children are like. This is Peter Granger, a colleague of mine while I was at a laboratory at Liverpool."

"You two are very lucky," he said to Rogue and Bobby, "to get Aline as a teacher. She'll make sure you two will love chemistry for the rest of your lives. Well, it's been a pleasure meeting the three of you. What I coincidence that I see you here, Aline." He laughed, "I have to go now. Ta!"

"Nice guy he seemed, Miss Ali," Bobby spoke while Rogue shrugged. Then she saw her teacher sitting there, with her hands folded, staring into space. "Hey, are you alright?"

"Huh? Oh. Yes, yes, I am. Excuse me for a moment." She got up and nearly tripped over her chair. "I'll, I'll be right back."

"Weird." Rogue shook her head.

"Hey, look over there!" Bobby pointed through the glass wall outside. Alinere was talking with Peter Granger. Then both of them seemed to be getting angry. He grabbed her by the arms and shook her violently.

"What the hell do you think you are doing with her?" Logan jumped and was next to them in no time. He separated them and shielded her from Granger with his shoulders. His eyebrows furrowed and his color was high.

She stepped next to him, "I'm quite alright, Logan." And turned to the other man, "I cannot believe that you actually tracked me down and followed me here."

"I cannot believe you left me like that. No note, no goodbyes." Peter's voice was hurt. "I love you, and this is what you are doing to me? By tormenting me. Cruel woman!"

"Go away, I don't want to see you!"

"You ungrateful b-tch!"

"Hey, buddy, watch your mouth!" Logan cut in with his growl.

"Oh." Peter Granger grinned with resentment, "I see how it is."

"What?"

"He's your new fancy," he pushed Logan, who grew tense and was ready to fight back. "Isn't he? This is so like you, Aline. Being so stupid. Going after the muscles instead of brains. Fine, keep your boy toy. You are not worth my time!" he trailed off quickly. Logan was ready to hop after him and give him a good beating. Alinere stopped him by the arm and implored with her gray eyes. "No, please don't." Then they realized the group of people gathered around them, some of them were students from the Institute. She let go of his arm and ran away. "Alinere!" he tried to catch her but didn't.

Dry leaves and twigs cracked under his boots as cold night air filled his nostrils. After everyone has gone back home, Logan came to search for her. "Find her and keep her safe," the Professor messaged him after he learned what had happened. He'd rather if Four-eyes came instead, but he did want to find her safe and sound. On a small slope among the trees, the small figure rocked herself slowly. She was shuddering with cold, and then suddenly, he threw his jacket on her shoulders and sat down next to her.

"Why have you come?" he realized that she had been crying.

"To take you home, kid. Come on, my motor bike's waiting," he tried to pull her up but she replied, "no, not yet. Leave me alone."

After a moment of silence, "is that what you do in times of pain? By turning your friends away?"

She stared at him motionlessly then whispered, "no." she spread her arms in front of her, "do you see the lights down there?" From where they were, they could see the entire city, lighted by electricity, brighter than the heavens. "Each little light is a house, a home, belonging to a family. They are warm and happy together. They have something I never had: love."

"Of course- of course you have, umm. family and love," he wanted to comfort her but his language came out fake sounding and ridicules. "You have the Professor and, and Scott." He scratched his head. He was jealous of Summers. Why is he always in his way?

"Uncle's great, but, but he's kind to everyone. Scott? Scott is the brother I never had. But he has Jean." Is that what Summers is to her? He thought. "I'm glad that he has someone, of course. Better than being alone and, and, STUPID, like me. I thought I loved Peter, once. But now I just hate him. We can't be together. I know that once I tell him of- of my specialties, he'll throw me out like yesterday's trash. He's totally against mutants. I knew that since the beginning, but I don't know why had I been so stupid. Sometimes," her voice cracked again, "I think if I died, no one will miss me. This is what I hate: having absolutely no point in living." She took a deep breath, surprised at how much she had said.

"I, I'm sorry," he placed his large hands on her small ones, which were frozen. "But I'll miss you. I'll miss you, for, for sure." He looked into her eyes.

She blushed slightly and "thanks" was all she said.

"Come on, let's get you home." He lifted her up by the waist.

On the ride home, they did not speak a word to each other. She held him tight and pressed her cheek against his back. She knew now that she has someone alas.

A/N: I admit this isn't a very good chapter. but I need it to set the mood for later chapters. R & R, please!