Disclaimer: I don't own X-Men. Not now, not ever.

The moment I woke up, I wanted to go back to sleep. At least then the voices would shut up. But the instant I awoke, they all started shouting commands at me. I shoved them away to the back of my mind where their shouts were the quietest and went to take a shower.

After I had dressed, I successfully locked the voices away in my mind and went down to breakfast.

Professor Xavier was there today, watching all the students as if he were looking for something. Professor X is a great guy. He's been really nice to me, always trying to help. But sometimes, I wonder if he suspects anything. I wonder if he knows about the voices in my head, and how I'm having trouble with the control I have over them. But, if he knew, wouldn't he try to help? That's what he built this place for: to help kids with newfound powers. So, if he did know by now, he would help. But, how could he not know? He was the professor, the strongest telepath in the world. I was getting a headache from so much thinking, so I just gave it a rest. I said hello to a few people and grabbed a glass of orange juice, glancing once again at the front page of the newspaper that Logan was reading. He looked up and quickly returned to the paper, resigning to reading it like usual.

I was lucky today, seeing that I didn't have any school. I could focus on my immediate problems and try to solve them. I sipped my orange juice, glancing at the TV that was mounted on the wall. Nothing interesting. Man, today was boring.

You could set something on fire, coaxed John's voice. I quickly shut him up, resigning to work out in the Danger Room. I felt Kitty tap me on my clothed shoulder.

"Hey, Rogue, do you, like, want to go to the mall with us?" she asked.

I did. I wanted to more than anything; even if Kitty would try and convince me to buy a bright color like pink. I wanted to hang out with friends and just be able to talk freely. But right now, the voices in my head were trying to break loose, and I had to quickly gain control over them. And deciding that felt like I was cutting myself off from the people I wanted to hang around more than anything.

I shook my head. "No, Ah think Ah'm going to work out today," I replied. It was lame, but it was the truth.

Kitty groaned. "Come on, Rogue. You have to get out sometime," she pleaded.

The voices in my head were starting to get louder, a sign that they were close to getting out of the cage I'd put them in. I shook my head. "Nah, maybe next time," I offered.

Kitty nodded, satisfied with my answer. She then left with Jean and dragged Kurt off, just to annoy him. Scott would probably go too, just because he was in love with Jean. The thought of those two in love made me want to throw up. Like I said before, they were a match made in heaven.

As soon as they were gone, I hurried off to the Danger Room, just after changing into my uniform. I set the program as one of Logan's and headed down.

As I dodged lasers, flying metal spikes, and titanium tentacles, the voices shut up. They all desperately want me to survive, to improve. And so they stopped talking, making it easier for me to concentrate. Nothing else matters. I can focus on improving and surviving more than if someone was talking. It's during these times that they are under my control. I can lock them up; I can focus on being myself.

I finished my workout an hour later, exhausted but pleased. I couldn't hear the voices, and I knew exactly who I was. There was nothing else that I needed at the moment. Well, maybe there was.

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One shower later, I found myself in the rec room, laughing with some of the younger students. They weren't half bad. Not as mature as me, but they were more fun. I guess if being immature meant you had enjoyed things more, then I would gladly be immature any day. We just hung out, saying stupid things, throwing popcorn at Bobby. I haven't had so much fun in a while. They saw a side of me that not even Kitty saw, and she was my closest friend.

Jaime walked in after our popcorn war, asking what was going on. I just smiled and ruffled his hair. Jaime gave me a smile. Only he knew that I had a soft side. He was like a little brother to everyone at the Institute. You couldn't help but open up to him.

Jaime grinned in reply and sat down on the couch next to Amara. We had a video game tournament that night, which I decided only to watch. I've never been good at it. I mean, Irene didn't exactly have any money for one when I lived with her. I wouldn't have wanted to play it, anyway. It was a mind-numbing experience back then. Now, it was a part of life.

As I watched everyone yell, bash, beat, and laugh at each other, my thoughts drifted off. Everything was quiet in my head. Silence. Today had been one of the best I'd had in a long time. Hardly any struggles with the voices. Phenominal. I just hoped that I would have more days like this. Where I could just let loose and show people a small glimpse of who I really am. Where I can hang out and have fun.

But deep down, I knew that wouldn't happen.

Well, this chapter kinda sucked. I thought it was bad when I was writing it. The writing just doesn't sound good and its pretty short. Dang. Next chapter will be better. Promise.

Reviews:

o scorched eggy: Rogue and Wolverine are a lot alike and they're close without talking. They understand each other, though they'll never say it. Sword-slashing action?? YAY! It's like Pirates of the Carribean!

enchantedlight: thanks!

Ally: thanks! Uh…the wording was…not the best choice. I hope I'm keeping up with it. I'm trying. Tell me if I'm not or if I'm ever doing anything wrong.

piffluvsu: fire…hehe. Now to find my dad's lighter…that he hid…

Jade-eye-death: thank you!

Skye: thanks! Tell me if I'm ever doing a crappy job or anything.

Well, until next time…

---Jojo---