Disclaimer: Okay, as you all know I don't own the X-men or anything in this thing but Tiger.

Chapter four: The day after

Morning came for certain when Tigers sensitive ears picked up the noises signifying such. Birds singing people moving about in rooms close to her own, or laughter in the hallways or outside from earlier risers. A groan came from beneath the blanket as she pulled it over her head trying to block them out. It was times like this she hated having animal senses. Given time she would eventually realize sleep was just too far out of reach now. Rolling over she made a graceful fall type landing onto her feet and stretching lazily as the animal she took her name from.

If someone didn't know any better they would mistake her for a Tiger herself she was sure. Shaking out her hair she took to going about her day. First thing to do was to get it started. After a quick shower and changing of clothes she made her way down to the kitchen. Shyly, almost slowly she stalked though out the stairway and halls. Reaching her destination she avoided the groups of others even if they greeted her kindly she would simply nod. Eyes taking in everything, this place was so full of life and movement.

A sudden wave of dizziness met her already overworking mind. Excitement and fear mixed inside her thoughts as they buzzed though her head. She could get use to this place or she couldn't. These kids seemed excepting enough, still she just wasn't ready. Trust would not come easy. Not after her father had broken that trust to tell her she was a freak.
Looking down upon her hands now she couldn't help but clutch them a few times tight. She did this until her nails cut into the soft palms. The claws breaking and groaning to creep out, but she would not let them no matter how much they longed to. No one here would ever see her use her claws if she could help it. Even if everyone here was just like her with gifts there was no way they could understand enough as to see them now or anytime soon.

Best to avoid that subject all together though her mind did argue now was the time she could show it off and at least act normal. But no, those thoughts never won with Tiger anymore. Where once she was in the rain of the spotlight now all there was for her was to hide in the shadows.

Among the shadows are my friends

Come with me and hide away

Nothing else here

I am gone

She recalled her own writings how true they were now. She could not ever imagine turning to writing before, when she was 'normal'. Now it seemed all she ever did was write down her feelings in that silly notebook.

Finding a nice little spot in the corner she settled down after grabbing some food she simply munched in silence she opened her notebook again. Reading some of the pages before an empty one came up at last. Sketches, poems, journal entries, all within the pages of these books. Again Tiger found herself taking a pencil to the pages, working diligently while she ate very little.

Jubilee came in sometime between her starting drawing and her stopping. For when she finally snapped out of her zone there she was watching the pencil slide across the paper. Tiger jumped back lightly startled, but she soon regained herself. Smiling Jubilee looked up, studying the look to see if she did something wrong.

She found nothing on Tigers face to give any sign that she did so she started the conversation, "You rather are pretty good…Let me guess, you started after you found out about your gift?"

"If that's what you'd call it." The bitterness could not be hidden even now in Tigers trained tone. Eyes narrowing slightly as she spoke.

Looking away from her eyes Jubilee softened her smile, but still tried to keep one, "I think sometimes my powers a curse too. You're not alone. Many here do."

There was a pause. Nothing was said, and neither of them wanted to be the one to start up the conversation again. Both knew whomever spoke next would start with an apology for one reason or another. Knowing the girl before he being known and all would not be the one to break the silence Jubilee added. This time the smile gone completely off her face, as a sad almost lost in memories look came across to replace it.

"I'm sorry," She spoke softly, "I don't know…what you've gone though exactly. All I can say is what you have gone though, every mutant does. And we don't choose to. We just do. From what you've told me though you and I are a lot alike, coming here and such. I just…"

One of the older students came down yelling about it being time for classes cutting her off from continuing. Watching him go she cleared her throat and smiled. "So…time for classes…Shall we?"

Tiger nodded following quickly. Memories of yesterday came back to her of Jubilee explaining a bit about the classes. She hadn't paid much attention to them before but as they are here there might be some fun in learning.

Though out the day classes where pretty simple. Easier then normal schooling, because at Mutant school (as some students call it) they make it fun. Tiger guessed this as she watched, at least for her.

Though out the day she learned simple things. In all of the classes she was in with Jubilee for example, Jubilee liked to sit in the front. Mostly so she could hang on the teachers every word and learn more. Human evolution was one of her most searching for answers subject.

There were a few others that stuck out in classes as well. She could tell all about them just by their scent or other small details. Posture, habits, tone when talking, these kinds of things really do tell a lot more about a person then one usually would pick up on. But then again Tiger was always quite a bit more observant then a person. Much more like an animal, calculating everything out.

That might have been what made her so good at sports. The instinct…knowing what you're going up against, knowing how far you have to push yourself to beat them. It was easy. Too easy though at times.

Clicking of the door hatch unhooking, and thus forth opening alerted her hearing. Two boys had come in late. Apologies coming from one of the while the other just took his seat agreeing lazily with the first.

A familiar scent filled the air around her, slowly creeping in like smoke around the fire. She instantly recognized it. Mixed sweetly with the smell of a cold winter's night. The boy she was supposes to meet the other day in the garden, and the other smell mixed must have been from his roommate. Ash, but no that wasn't his real name. The moment she looked up and saw him she knew who he was.

Pyro.

I know…I know…this chapter really wasn't the best and it's been like forever. Missed you all I'm so sorry! I've had writers block like none other, and every time I just about sat down to write people kept stealing me. So anyway I'm back now and I've got inspiration back and have a little bit of a break with school. I'll try and get more done from now much much faster then this one. And I know it's kind of long…sorry about that too if you think its kind of boring. Sorry again. I'll try and make the next one better…promise.