Disclaimer ~ I don't own anyone from X-Men.

Revision of Loyalties

'Miserable old bat! What do they think they're playing at, giving us so much homework?'

'Yeah, I know! And on the rise and fall of Hitler too. That'll take all weekend that will'

They were discussing their history lesson they'd just had with Professor Monroe, Kitty knew she should be worried about getting it finished, what with all the other assignments she'd already received from teachers who seemed to think that too much work could never be bad for you.

However Kitty could not get worked up about it, more to the point she could not think straight. Her mind was permanently hazed over with a mist of preoccupation and all her lessons seemed to drift in one ear and out the other. But she just couldn't help it. She couldn't see the point in worrying about such small things as homework and classes when one of her friends, one of her best friends was out in goodness knows where, probably ill or maybe. . . maybe even dying.

She felt her stomach turn just thinking about it and quickened her pace before anyone could see her damp face and inquire as to what was wrong. She hadn't gone very far when she heard a shout from behind her.

'Kitty. Hey Kitty!'

She turned round, expecting to see someone running down the corridor towards her, but could see no one. Before whoever it was could catch her up she made to step into the nearest wall but-

'There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you. Where have you been?' Kitty's friend, Jade Falker looked quite flushed and was panting heavily, probably from running so fast to keep up with her.

Kitty opened her mouth to reply but was cut short.

'Don't tell me. You've just had history and Professor Monroe kept you and the class behind so she could explain another one of her hundred- and-something page essays?"

'Well done, Jade' replied Kitty, half-exasperatedly.

Suddenly Jade let out a shrill giggle.

'What?'

'I-I think you better take your foot out of the wall, Kitty' she laughed.

Kitty looked around and felt herself turning crimson. The whole of Professor Summers' class, including Professor Summers himself, were standing outside the door staring from her to her visible half of a foot.

Kitty quickly withdrew her foot from the wall, blushing furiously.

Professor Summers cleared his throat loudly. Kitty looked up.

'Might I suggest, Kitty. That next time you wish to interrupt a lesson, it might be wiser to use the traditional way.' He indicated the door.

'I'm sorry Professor' she mumbled

'Alright Kitty, go on now or you'll be late for your next lecture.'

The crowd dispersed and Professor Summers led his class back inside his classroom.

Kitty and Jade had just reached the final staircase to Professor Xavier's class when Kitty felt she couldn't hold it in any longer.

'Kitty, why whatever is the matter?' said Jade in shock as she studied her friend's tear streaked face.

Kitty choked through her tears, unable to answer through her sobs, but Jade seemed to have already guessed the answer.

'It's Kurt, isn't it?'

Kitty knew her friend was only trying to help, but she really did not want to discuss it with her right now, especially not outside a classroom where they would be easily overheard.

'Kurt?' she replied 'No, it's not him. I'm just stressed I suppose, what with all the work we're having piled on us at the moment.'

Jade looked suspicious but seemed to buy it.

'Alright Kitty, I believe you, but if you ever want to talk-'

'I'm fine, really I am' said Kitty, drying her eyes on her sleeve. 'Let's go in shall we?'

She didn't know how she survived two hours of the Professor's lecture on the transfer of electrical energy, what with all the mixed up feelings she had bottled up inside her, ready to burst out at any moment, but somehow she did. Kitty finished copying down the mercifully last paragraph and put her pens back inside her bag.

She had desperately wanted to speak to Professor Xavier about Kurt but knew she would feel so ashamed of asking after him in front of the whole class. Suddenly, Kitty had a brainwave. She got up from her seat to leave and deliberately left her bag on her chair. She meant to wait until she was outside and could see everyone had left, and then go back in for her bag and be able to speak with the Professor without spectators.

Everything seemed to be running smoothly. Kitty stood outside the door and was about to go back in for her bag when Jade emerged from the classroom. How could she have forgotten that she hadn't seen Jade leave? Kitty mentally kicked herself for not studying the faces properly of those who had left the room.

'Kitty, Thanks for waiting. You forgot your bag by the way.' Jade said, handing Kitty her bag back.

'Oh' sighed Kitty, slightly disappointed 'Thanks Jade.'

Back in Jade's bedroom, Jade and her room-mate, Hilary were discussing Kitty's odd behaviour since Kurt's recent departure from the Institute.

'I know she's really stressed out with the workload she's got on her at the moment,' began Jade 'we all are, but she's just been acting so weird. I've never seen her act like this before, breaking down in tears at any moment, what has got into her?'

'I dunno Jade, I really don't. I know I don't know Kitty as well as you but even to me she seems much more subdued than normal'

'You don't think she was actually, well, you know. . . .keen on that Kurt guy, do you?'

'Jade how many times do I have to tell you? The only person Kitty has ever been interested in is Ronnie. I think we'd notice if she was keen on Kurt.'

'Yeah, I suppose you're right Hilary, we would notice. Besides, who would be interested in Kurt anyway?'

'What do you mean Jade?'

'Oh come on! Would even you like a guy that was blue, had fur and owned the most ghastly tail you ever saw? Hilary he's hardly a human!'

Hilary nodded in agreement.

'How dare you!'

Jade and Hilary nearly jumped out of their skins at the shout from behind them.

A wave of shock passed over Jade's face as she studied the figure standing in the doorway.

'Kitty, I-I can explain' stammered Jade.

'Don't bother Jade. I heard everything and I think you ought to know that I am not being eccentric and my tears have not been wasted over something as unimportant as homework. On the contrary they have been shed over a friend of mine who is worth a lot more to me than any old schoolwork. I just can't believe you would talk as terribly and tactlessly about someone who is not around to defend himself. Just because he doesn't look the same as you doesn't mean he doesn't deserve the same measure of respect.'

Jade opened and closed her mouth like a goldfish, unable to respond or say anything to Kitty's comment.

'Now if you don't mind, I am going to find out what has happened to my friend and I really don't care what you think of me for it. You can spread rumours 'bout mine and Kurt's relationship till your heart's content and you can gossip about me as much as you like behind my back, just don't do it to someone with no defence to retain for himself.'

With that, Kitty turned on her heel and stormed out of the room with the two girls staring noiselessly after her.