Sent away. Rather then talk it out, be supportive, be PARENTS, they had sent her away. To some school in faraway New York, to LIVE, and they couldn't even really afford it. And it wasn't because of status.

After everything that's happened. And they don't even know the half of it.

"I have to be honest with you, sir," Helena told Charles Xavier as he interviewed her for inclusion into his school. "I'm not a mutant."

One of the adults/teachers/whoever he was snorted. "Yeah kid? Then why did I see you make that book go floating to the other side of the room? Why did I see you make yourself float? Huh?"

"Levitate, you mean?" Helena asked, her nerves already wearing thin. "I'm a human. I'm not like you. I read books, I studied things."

Blank faces. No one could see where she was getting at. Helena sighed.

"I developed my sixth sense. I developed the part of my brain that everyone else rarely uses. I did that through practice and study--not a genetic mutation."

That same beastly adult snorted once again. "Then why are you here?" He asked her coldly.

"My parents believe is science, not the supernatural. A sixth sense, they can't believe. All mystical. Not proven. But every day on TV you see mutants--people with special powers. So the first time they witness my gift, what do you think they assume? And hah…yes, I've tried reasoning with them. But I suppose they're beyond reasoning."

The professor stated kindly, "Well, human or mutant, you've obtained a very special gift, and no matter what, I can teach you to control that gift. Welcome home."

Helena had her own room. Why, when other students shared? Was she being ostracized?

She had wild daydreams about her friends coming to bail her out. Then she realized she hadn't spoken to anyone since Donny's death.

Alone. Banished to a place where I STILL don't belong.

Helena cried herself to sleep, as she was accustomed to doing every night. This time, for different reasons.

The next morning she was up in time for breakfast. Every student and staff member had questions to ask her.

"How old are you?"

"Almost eighteen. I would have graduated from my high school in a week."

"Where're you from?"

"Florida."

"Don't you miss your friends?" The scruffy adult asked. Why was he here, anyway?

"I only miss one person," Helena's eyes started to tear up.

"Aww, your boyfriend?" He asked with a mocking smile.

"No, not my boyfriend." She mumbled, looking away.

The professor was able to sense the emotional distress coming from her. Oozing from her, more likely. He said aloud, "Logan, cease."

"Yes, LOGAN, you'd better cease," Helena thought bitterly.

After breakfast she tried to play kickball with a few fellow students, but couldn't get into it. She ran over to Charles and asked, "If I was supposed to graduate in a week, am I only going to be here for a week?"

"You'll stay on to further learn how to use your powers, how to control them." He sensed the disappointment radiating from her. "It won't be so bad. You'll make lasting friendships. And this is the greatest thing you could ever hope to learn."

Helena stalked back to her room. She could leave after she turned eighteen. No matter how badly they wanted to help her "control her power", she could always leave as soon as she was a legal adult.

Right outside her bedroom door, that man came right around the corner. Smiling when he saw her, he seemed to quicken his pace so he could reach her before she went inside and shut the door in his face.

Logan laughed. "How are you liking it here so far?"

"I'd rather be at home." She said, staring out the window. "I'd rather be graduating from my own school."

He said some smart-ass comment she didn't hear. She didn't bother to ask for him to repeat it.

"I always thought my parents were the smartest people in the world. They loved science. They craved to know how things really worked. I never could believe they'd be so ignorant." Still staring out the window, she struggled to avoid his gaze.

"So, talked to the boy back home today? You can make phone calls, provided they're not too long."

Helena sighed. She would get tired of this real fast. "There IS no boy back home."

"Hmm, a loner huh?" Logan chuckled. "Probably not willingly though, right?"

Helena was in the process of turning and going inside her bedroom. She stopped dead in her tracks. "No, not willingly," she whispered hoarsely. He sensed she was about to cry.

"Uh… well, it'll be alright kid." He patted her on the back.

Helena disappeared into her room. Logan walked away, headed towards his own room. As he turned the corner, the bulb in the light fixture on the wall shattered. He knew exactly why, too.