I don't own X-men Evo! This is the new and hopefully improved ArtoS, so enjoy!
Prologue: The Book
Kitty gave an angry glare to the bookstore that she was standing in front of.
"I can't believe that we, like, have to go here!" The calm redhead to her left
smiled slightly.
"Come on Kitty, I would have thought you would like the Professor's idea.
You're a genius, aren't you?"
"That doesn't mean I want to, like, spend my extra time reading a book outside of
class! I could be doing homework!" The girl on her right, a young Hispanic girl nodded
in agreement.
"Kitty's right. This is unfair! Maybe I should refuse…"
"Well it doesn't matter Amara, Kitty. Both of you have to pick out a book. Come
on now, Rogue's already in there." Kitty huffed unhappily and started to walk in when
Jean said quietly.
"Tell you what, how about we really go shopping after this." Both girls perked up
and nodded gratefully.
Kitty glanced around slowly, debating where to go. She wandered over to a small
section and noticed the label "Romance Novels" over a collection of paperbacks. She let
her eyes drift over them. One instantly caught her eye.
"'The Art of Seduction'…hmmm…" She walked over and pulled the book off the
shelf. After reading the blurb on the back, her face broke into a grin. The only problem
was not showing Jean and Amara. And especially not Rogue. Speaking of which, she
could see the goth heading her way, a book in her hands. Kitty glanced around quickly
and saw a section labeled "Religion". She dashed over and grabbed a book on Judaism.
Rogue stopped in front of her.
"Hey…whatcha looking at?"
"Oh, hey Rogue. I'm, like, looking at a book on Judaism. What about you?"
Rogue held up her book, The Last Vampire
"It's about vampires." Said Rogue. Kitty rolled her eyes
"I can tell. I guess it's perfect for you. I think I might get this." She motioned to
the religion book in her arms, hiding her true selection as she headed towards the counter.
Rogue started to follow her and Kitty was afraid the quiet loner would find out about her
real choice when Amara called.
"Hey, Rogue, come here a minute!" The girl sighed heavily before replying."Alraht, Alraht, Ah'm comin'!" Kitty let out a whispery breath of relief and
stepped up to the counter. The cashier, a man, only gave her an arched eyebrow on her
selections as she blushed faintly. She paid and quickly took her bag, hurrying outside the
store into the large main hallway of the mall.
"Oof! Hey, watch it!" She glanced up into deep, angry brown eyes meekly. They
softened immediately "Oh…hey Kitty…"
"Lance!" She broke into a grin, recognizing the guy. "How are you?"
"I'm okay…you?"
"Good. I'm just here, like, getting a book I have to read."
"What class?"
"It's not for a class…the professor's making us read. It's totally unfair." He smiled.
"Heh, well, you picked the good guys. You could be hanging out with me." Kitty
blushed slightly saying,
"Uh…well…then I would be bad…"
"Yeah." He grinned "But that wouldn't turn me away." Her blush deepened as she
looked down.
"Uh…sure it wouldn't. I wouldn't be like this if I was bad." She collected herself
and poked him in the chest "I'd be a no good, stealing, slob, like you." Although it was
an insult, there was a twinkle in her eye that made Lance know she was kidding.
"Oh really…" He resisted the urge to kiss her right then. "So…I'm bad, since I
just hang out with bad guys? But what about all the help I give you?"
Oh so bad…mmm thought Kitty to herself as she said, "Maybe you're the worst of them all."
"Oh come on, me, worst than Pietro?"
"That's true."
"Speaking of which, he's probably around here somewhere. He hitched a ride with me; I think he's stealing from some store."
"Are you?" asked Kitty, sincerely. Lance frowned
"Of course not. I was just…" He shook his head. He would ruin his image if he said why he was really here.
"You were what?" she whispered, stepping closer. He felt a shiver go up his spine.
"I…was…going to get a book…"
"On what?" her voice was still barely audible
"Oh…it's for…a history project." She didn't reply, just staring up at him. He was about to lean down when there was an angry cough.
"Excuse me, what do you two think ya're doin?" They both flinched and looked over at Rogue. Kitty pasted a smile on her face.
"Hey Rogue! Did you get your book?"
"Yeah…what are you doin' here Lance?"
"Just getting a book for…history." Rogue raised an eyebrow
"Lance, we have the same history class. We don't need a book."
"It's extra research Rogue. Mind your own business."
"Ah will. And Kitty should do the same." Kitty sighed
"Okay Rogue, coming. I'll be there in a minute." The goth glared for a moment
before turning slowly and stalking off.
"What's her problem?"
"She's a better friend than she thinks," muttered Kitty with a soft smile. Lance
nodded.
"Okay, then I guess…I'll see you, okay?" Kitty nodded cheerily
"Yep! Bye!" As she skipped off, she hugged herself. Why had she ever shoved him away? "I was afraid," she said sadly, answering her own question. She couldn't very well try and be with him again, he'd probably think she was just using him. "Unless…" She glanced down at the plastic bag holding her books. "I think I have an idea…"