After waking up and being told of the Professor's decision, Ami spent much of the day moving her things from the house and saying her goodbyes to Tanya. She knew her friend was in for a rough ride living in the house by herself, but there was nothing she could do about it.
"I'm so sorry things had to turn out like this," Tanya said as Kurt loaded the last of Ami's things into her trunk.
True to the tone of the day, Ami had spent much of the last few hours crying. "Well it's not like I'm moving far away, we'll still see each other all the time, right?"
"Right, of course. I'll visit you as often as I can."
Kurt closed the trunk lid with some difficulty and joined the girls. "You are welcome at the school any time you like," he said.
"Thanks, that means a lot to me. And hey, I'll be alright. This is a good area, I'm sure I'll have a roommate in no time. I've already been on the phone with my parents and they agreed to front me some money just in case… so you two just worry about each other, 'kay?"
Ami saw right through her friend's false bravery but decided not to call her on it. She knew how much Tanya despised accepting money from her parents. How was it that just when things were looking up for anyone she cared about they all came crumbling down twice as fast?
"I guess we should be getting back," Ami said, motioning towards the car. She didn't care that people in the neighboring houses were staring at them, but she did care for Tanya's safety. The last thing she needed was to cause a riot after she left. "It's getting late and I still have to unpack my stuff."
"Okay, we'll keep in touch, don't worry."
They hugged one last time and Ami and Kurt climbed into the car.
"Are you okay?" Kurt asked as Ami pulled out of the driveway.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'll be okay, Tanya will be okay… everything's going to be okay."
"Right," Kurt said quietly. "Why don't we save the unpacking until tomorrow? You really should relax tonight after all you've been through."
"I can't, I have to go out and look for a new job tomorrow. I'm no freeloader Kurt, I can't just live at the mansion and sponge off you guys. At least all of you have a purpose for being there, I'm just a charity case."
"That's not true."
"Oh really? Then why did the Professor say I could live there? I'm not a mutant, I can't help teach class, I certainly can't cook and it doesn't look like you guys need a maid service. What good am I to all of you? Why does he want me there?"
"He wants you there because he knows I'm in love with you!" Kurt snapped.
Ami stopped the car, luckily without killing the two of them or anyone else. "What did you say?"
"I said… I'm in love with you. The Professor knows, even if I didn't tell him he'd know. I sort of assumed you knew as well."
"Well, I guess I had my suspicions… or maybe they were more like hopes." Ami suddenly felt like she'd been tossed back in high school. "I just didn't know if I'd ever get to hear you say it."
"Well I said it, didn't I?"
She nodded. "I'm in love with you too… you know. I guess I thought you might have already known that too."
"I had hoped."
They leaned in for a kiss but were interrupted by the honking of several car horns.
"I guess we can continue this later," Ami said with a laugh.
Kurt responded with a smile and a nod.
