Dudes and dudettes who have reviewed this, a message.

I will try and change my ways, by writing differently. Just read this chapter. Please, please, please read this chapter. If enough people like it, I'll continue the story.

-L.S.N.

Same Auld Lang Syne

Starbuck's coffee on a cold December day does wonders.

No, not good. Erase.

She said

Nope.

I

Rogue sighed and ran a hand through her hair. Writers' block really was murder. The only reason she's actually signed up for the Bayville High literary magazine was so she could get some stuff out of her head. So far, it wasn't working.

She stared down at the Caramel Latte in front of her, and the aroma reminded her that Christmas was only in a week. And she still hadn't done any shopping or decorating.

The radio was changing songs again. This time it was a really obnoxious rendition of Jingle Bells. Luckily, it was short.

And now, said the radio announcer, a favorite. Dan Fogelberg.

Rogue cringed. Oh, God, no. Not this song. Anything but this song -

Met my old lover in the grocery store...

Yep. It had to be this song. Same Auld Lang Syne.

The snow was falling Christmas Eve....

She felt her eyes well up. For some reason, this song always made her burst into tears.

Stole behind her in the frozen foods,
And I touched her on the sleeve...

She stood up, grabbed her notepad and coffee, and went outside to get a taxi.

The cab quickly arrived, and she quickly got in.

Took her groceries to the checkout stand...

Of course, the radio had to be on that same station.

She squeezed her eyes shut, determined not to let even a single tear pass.

We drank a toast to innocence, we drank a toast to now...

One tear smudged Rogue's makeup, trailing an odd black line down her face.

Tried to reach beyond the emptiness but neither one knew how...

The taxi passed by the mall, where Kitty was shopping with friends. Another tear fell.

She said she'd married her an architect.

Kurt and Evan were sitting outside at a McDonald's. Two more tears.

Kept her warm and safe and dry...

She saw Jean and Scott talking and laughing at a diner. The tears turned into full blown sobbing.

The taxi driver turned around. Miss, you okay?

Rogue forced a smile and nodded.

The taxi pulled up at the Xavier Institute. She pressed a few dollars into the guy's outstretched hand and hurried inside. She quickly climbed the stairs, ran into her room, and flung herself on the bed, soaking the sheets with a mixture of makeup and tears.