Trevor's eyes never left Nora as Aimee guided the girl through the rec-room and began introducing her to the students interacting around them.  He heard Aimee excitedly present the girl to Piotr and Kitty and watched as they paused their game of foosball to meet her.

Standing there, unable to move, he could feel his breath run short.  He felt lightheaded, like he'd been in a dead run all day long and only now had been allowed to take a break.  But the physical trauma engulfing him was not alone; it was coupled by an elation, a strange giddiness that started in his stomach and climbed upward, causing a shiver the back of his throat.  The more he stared at her, the more he found himself wanting to know her, wanting to put his arm around her shoulder, take her to the movies…

Trevor had become so absorbed in imagining a month worth of dating with the girl that he hadn't even seen Aimee break away from her to walk up to him and wave her hand wildly in front of his face.

"Hey!" she finally shouted to get his attention.  She lightly tapped the top of his head with her pointer finger.  "You in there?"

Shirked from his daydream, Trevor flailed his arms backwards.  "What?" he demanded.

"Hey, cool your jets.  Just thought I'd do you a favor and bring you back to Earth for a second," she said.  "You know?  The planet we live on?"  Trevor blushed slightly, and she shook her head at him endearingly.  "Geez, give you a block o' clay, and you're lost to modern society for the rest of the afternoon."

Trevor shook his head.  "Yeah.  Sorry.  Just spaced out…"

Aimee lifted her voice to make sure that Bobby could hear over the television.  "Well, I just had to distract you because I've brought the new girl down to meet everyone.  You should come over to see her."  When she saw Bobby's head predictably perk up, Aimee grinned victoriously and turned back to Trevor.  "Pop by when you're ready for a break, Michelangelo.  Play it cool, alright?"

Trevor's eyes bulged as she turned around to leave.  What?!   No!  He couldn't meet her!  He reached out for her arm and narrowly missed.  "No!  Aimee," he whispered between gritted teeth.

But the blonde girl had already gallivanted away, making sure not to abandon her guest for too long in the full and boisterous room.

Knowing that she could return in any minute, Trevor felt the beginnings of panic.  He checked his reflection in the window.  Crap, he hadn't brushed his hair!  Not that that was really something special; he never brushed his hair. There had never been anyone to impress before now.  He hadn't brushed his teeth since breakfast.  His clothes were a wrinkled disgrace from a day's wear.  He didn't have on any cologne.  Wait, back up.  Did he even own any cologne?

He was a mess, and he saw no plausible way to undo the damage in the next ten seconds.  Trevor looked from one side to the other.  In this unique situation, there was only one thing any self-respecting man could do. 

Retreat to higher ground.

Trevor looked back to make sure Aimee was far enough away.  He hunched over and made a break for the door.

* * * * *

When Nora had first followed the energetic blonde into the common room, she had immediately felt several sets of eyes glance her way.  Despite the fact that the students didn't openly stare and that their gazes were often followed by smiles, she felt as though she had been suddenly thrust upon stage for an awaiting audience, with no lines or direction to speak of.  She found herself standing closer and closer to Aimee.  Christ, she thought, feeling her cheeks warm.  All that was missing was the spotlight. 

However, much to Nora's shock (and relief) Aimee did nothing to increase the embarrassment of the situation.  She didn't gather the masses.  She didn't call the room's attention.  She didn't even announce their arrival.

And for that, Nora couldn't have been more grateful.

As she gradually met the students in groups of ones and twos, she found herself falling back on old habits.  Though the atmosphere had a surreal edge that she couldn't ignore, she impressed herself by shaking hands, smiling, and exchanging pleasantries.  She even made a joke here and there.

It was a strongly bizarre experience…but it wasn't bad, she decided, feeling some of her nervousness ebb away.  Then again, after fighting off kidnappers and running for her life, an impromptu 'meet and greet' at a mutant school should have seemed much tamer in comparison.

In the midst of it all, Aimee passed an encouraging grin to Nora, letting her know that she was doing just fine.  However, after introducing her to two students at a foosball table, Aimee broke from her side, running up to a boy of average weight and height with wispy red hair cut to his shoulders.

It was only a matter of moments before she returned, grinning from ear to ear.  "Nora, there's someone here, I've just got to introduce you to.  He's-"  She was interrupted as her eyes caught the same person moving across the room at a surprising rate.

Without warning, Aimee rushed away from Nora's side and excitedly grabbed the fleeing boy by the sleeve of his turtleneck.  "Trevor!" she called.

Though it seemed that 'Trevor' had designs on leaving the room, Aimee prattled away at him, proving that she simply wouldn't hear of it.

Nora tried to share an empathetic gaze with the student, to let him know that she understood his reluctance all too well, but he seemed too busy trying to find the nearest escape route to return the gesture. 

The slightest smile quirked onto Nora's face as she watched their continued interaction.  It was reassuring to know that Aimee was indiscriminate.

Apparently, Nora was only one of many who fell subject to her wide range of enthusiasm.

* * * * *

Trevor felt his body lock up. "Aimee," he tried whispering again before it was too late.  "Aimee, I don't think-"

"-And Nora, this is Trevor," she gushed.  "Trevor Avish meet Miss Nora Blaize."

At the sudden introduction, Trevor froze, leaving his lips gapping apart to show partway into his mouth.

As he stood there lost in speechlessness, Aimee's eyes widened behind Nora, and she gave an exaggerated arch of her neck, hoping to prompt him.

Trevor tried, but no words would form.  He clammed up, instantly forgetting the name of the girl before him not to mention his own, despite the fact that they both had been repeated twice for his listening pleasure.

At his continued silence, Nora gave an uneasy chuckle.  "Um, hello."  She offered out her hand.

Trevor felt his lips go dry.  His mouth quivered as he searched blindly for his voice.

Aimee sent him a look.  Say something, dummy! it ordered him.

Receiving her death glare, Trevor stammered as he broke from his stupor.  He latched onto Nora's hand, shaking it vigorously.  "Pleased to nice to gonna meet you," he told her.

Narrowing her eyes, Nora's disbelieving stare perfectly mirrored Aimee's.

Trevor's face burned crimson as Nora carefully pulled back her hand.  He imagined bracing himself and running face first into the nearest wall to knock himself unconscious. It would have been the next best thing.  He wanted to curl up and die.

Nora searched his eyes for any form of clarification… but came up short.  "Oookay," she drawled out, nodding with wide eyes.  "It's, uh, nice to meet you, too."

Panicking, Aimee moved to try to save him. "Trevor's an artist," she quickly provided.

"Yes!" Trevor shouted, causing Nora to jump.  "Yes, I – me – art.  I do art.  I like art.  It's…"  The circle his hands were making slowed as he saw her face.  "It's good," he finished in defeat.  "For me…"  His hands folded themselves back in front of him.  "To do."

Slowly inching away, Nora tried to nod kindly.  "That's good," she confirmed for him.  "Art's a good thing."

"Yeah," Trevor said, clenching his eyes together painfully.

"Okay," Aimee announced brightly, escorting Nora away before he did any further damage to his reputation.  "Umm, did you meet Rogue and Bobby yet?  They're our longest running couple.  Inseparable, let me tell you."  She leaned in to whisper.  "Though one – of the male persuasion – tried to one up me in the gossip department a few days ago.  Inner scandal all the way…"

Nora chuckled slightly and then turned to look over her shoulder.  "It was nice to meet you," she said.  "I'll see you later."

Trevor nearly followed her away.  "Oh, yeah, definitely," he quickly answered.  "Definitely…"

When the girl turned her back and followed Aimee across the room, Aimee shot back a concerned, questioning look to Trevor.

Tossing up his hands in an upset shrug, an expression of full-fledged panic returned to Trevor's face.  Aimee put up a finger behind her, ordering him to wait, and went about the business of introducing Nora to Rogue and Bobby.  When they seemed to be relating well and getting along, Aimee suggested that the couple start to show her the rest of the school, just to give her an idea of how bitchin' the place actually was.

Convinced that she was in good hands, Aimee watched Bobby and Rogue slowly lead her out of the room and rapidly padded back to Trevor, who was still looking just as bewildered as ever.

She narrowed her eyes as she reached him.  "When I said 'play it cool', you knew I wasn't joking, right?"

Trevor stared forward blankly.  "I can't even remember what happened," he suddenly realized.  "What was the first thing I said?"

Aimee looked to the side.  "I think it was 'please to nice to gonna meet you.'"

Trevor turned away from her, letting his head fall against the heel of his hand with a 'slap.'  "Ugh…"

"What the heck happened?" Aimee demanded.

"My mind went completely blank!  I had no idea what to say."  Dropping down on a nearby stool, he tried explaining it.  "It was like I wanted to say everything at once and nothing at all at the same time."

Standing behind him, Aimee rested her hands reassuringly on his shoulders.  "Buddy, I hate to tell you this, but I think you succeeded, because that's pretty much what it sounded like."

Leaning back against her, Trevor raked his fingers through his long red hair.  He'd done exactly what he hadn't wanted to do.  "I choked," he said dejectedly.  "She probably thinks I'm a mental patient..."

"Well, hey, don't beat yourself up," she said.  "Sheesh, it's just a new girl.  It's not like she-" And then, Trevor turned around and looked Aimee right in the eye.

The look upon his face was unmistakable.  "Oh my God," Aimee drawled out, not believing it even thought it was right there in front of her.  "Oh my God!  You like her, don't you?"  He voice became even louder than before.  "You like her!"

Trevor urgently put up his hands to stop her.  "Do you think you could say it a little louder?  Because I don't think they heard you upstairs," he said, trying to get her to calm down.

But it was still too much to handle.  "But honest to God, you're serious?!  You like her!  Just like that?"  His nervous shrug answered her question.  "Oh my God!  This is phenomenal!"  For the first time in years, Aimee didn't know what to say.  Trevor never fell victim to crushes so easily, so simply as he just had now.  "This…this is unbelievable!"  She shook him by the shoulders.  "This is fabulous!  You do realize that, right?"

"Nooooo," he returned.  "This is not fabulous.  I just made a complete fool of myself.  I couldn't even remember my name.  I couldn't even remember what state I was in!"

"Honey, it's Trevor, and you're in New York."

Trevor growled slightly.  "Sure, I know that now.  But I couldn't even get a word out before.  God," he chided himself.  "I don't know what happened…"

Aimee looked at him sympathetically  "Well, hey, it's alright.  I guarantee that you'll have plenty of chances to redeem yourself.  The girl's not exactly ready to jump into a relationship of the romantic genre anyway.  She's the very incarnate of instability right now.  You'll have weeks, maybe months, which means more than enough opportunities to get to know her."  She looked him dead in the eyes to get the point across.  "Time is on your side.  You're on easy street, babe."

Trevor let out a deep huff of breath.  "Okay," he finally agreed.  "Okay.  Maybe you're right…"

"Atta boy," Aimee whispered encouragingly.

"I'll just take things slow…"

Aimee's hands went up.  "It's the only way you can take it right now."

He heaved a whimsical sigh as he went back to gather up his art supplies.  "And who knows?  Maybe Rainman's her type…"

Aimee grinned, thankful to see that he hadn't lost his good humor.  "See?  There's the Trevor Avish I know and love."  She snickered devilishly.  "And if something should happen and you disappear off the face of the Earth, we can always call in Dustin Hoffman for a stunt double."

"Yeah," he agreed, laughing. "She would never know the difference!"  His voice turned to a mumble.  "Except, he'd probably do a better job at not sounding like a complete moron."

Aimee tugged her arms around his neck and gave him a tight squeeze, landing a smacking kiss on his cheek.  "Definitely, definitely would, I think definitely," she said. 

Trevor turned around to smirk at her.  "Ha, ha," he said dryly.  "Very funny…"

"But seriously, you have several days to prepare for your next rendezvous.  Make some note cards, practice in front of the mirror.  Gather all your good jokes and witticisms, and then…"  She took a deep breath and released it.  "Rehearse."

Nodding as he began formulate a game plan, he looked to Aimee.  He was a man who was not used to acting on impulse, and the call from reality was just what he needed.  "Aimee…" he said sincerely.  "Thank you."

"You can do this," she told him as he began to go to his room.

"I can do this," he repeated.  Turning around, he muttered to himself, gaining a strange stare from Jubilee as he passed her in the hallway.

"Please to nice to gonna meet you…" What had he been thinking?!

* * * * *

Within mere minutes, Aimee re-joined Rogue and Bobby in the sunny hallways of the school, where they were showing Nora the classrooms and teasing about how many long hours of tortuous learning took place behind their doors.

"And yet another crisis averted," Aimee declared, falling into stride beside them.  She leaned in closer to Nora, for some unknown reason, positively beaming at her.  "Hot set-up around here, huh?"

Her comment earned an agreeable nod.  "Yeah," Nora concurred, taking in the walls and rooms that lined the hallways.  "It's like the Hilton meets 'Saved By the Bell.'"

"You know…if you want to, you could experience it all personally," she let her know.  "They offer classes to all the kids that come here.  I mean, you don't have to take them.  But things tend to get kinda boring around here without them…"

Though Nora would never have used to word 'boring' to describe what she had seen so far, the thought of taking classes wasn't entirely unpleasant.  In fact, it sounded like a possibility.  It might be nice to pretend to be normal, like she was doing right now, especially since being left alone in her misery would only cause her to slow lose her mind.  "How would I do that?" she asked.

Bobby spoke up. "Well, you'd have to see the professor," he said.  "He'd get you set up with a schedule, books, what supplies you need…"

"Just like that?"  There was a cynical edge to Nora's voice.  "Just tell them I want to take classes, and they'd give me all that?  At no cost?"

Bobby nodded sincerely.

Nora smirked to herself, finding that incredibly hard to believe.  Yeah right, she thought suspiciously. What was this professor guy trying to pull with her?  In this life, you never got something for nothing.  Her father had told her that, and in her short lifetime, Nora had found it to be very true.  There was always an underlying motive.  She just had yet to find theirs…

She felt their stares once more.  "Well, I'll think about it," she decided.  "I want to talk to him again anyway. About a lot of things…"  She needed to find out what she was getting herself into.  "In fact, I'd like to set up a meeting with him if I could. Does he have a schedule?  Or somewhere I could sign up for a time?"

Aimee looked to Bobby and Rogue before turning back to Nora.  "Well, around here, it's kinda touch-and-go," she described.  "But I'll tell you what.  I'll bring you up after class tomorrow.  If you want, we can see where things go from there."

Nora nodded distinctively.  "Okay," she agreed.  "Okay, that sounds good."

With that taken care of, the three took her to dinner.  Throughout the meal, Aimee was, of course, bright and informative as usual, talking at length about all the ins and outs of the school.

However, no matter how pleasant Nora's responses seemed, her mind was someplace else.  She was thinking about what she would say to the professor when she met with him, and about how as of right now, it had already been over 72 hours since she had last seen her brother's face.