The next chapters up! Enjoy….

"Defiance for Love…"

The morning was cold in Bayville. Kitty clutched her jacket closer to herself as they climbed out of Scott's car. She couldn't help but glance around to see any sign of lance's jeep. It was nowhere to be seen.

"there is still time, Kitty." Said Kurt in her ear; noticing her gaze." they're not particularly punctual."

Kitty nodded before walking into the school with him.

He didn't come that day. None of the brotherhood did. Dread clutched at kitty's heart. She was finding it hard to breathe. Rogue noticed this and pulled her before she could enter her chemistry class.

"What's wrong; kitty?" she demanded.

"He didn't come." answered Kitty.

"So? He hates coming here; remember? And anyway; he'll come tomorrow or the day after- you can talk to him then. Don't be such a wuss!"

Kitty nodded half- heartedly before walking into the class which she had to endure without her chemistry partner. As granted; without him, the day was bound to drag; and so it did.

Back at her room in the institute; she tried to call him, but he just wouldn't receive any of her calls until a grumpy Peatro picked up the phone.

"Stop calling, catty. He's not here."

"Where is he?" she asked him; making up her mind to go wherever he was and apologize.

"I don't know, do I? No note, no letter. He left home yesterday night and hasn't been home since. Even left his stupid phone here." Said Peatro, annoyed-"a nice thing you told him last night, catty. Made him the happiest man on the planet; hearing that from the girl whom he loves more than his life"

Kitty winced at his tone. What had she done? Before she could say anything; Peatro hung up.

Tears streaked down her face.

Where was he?

She fought back her tears and called yet again. This time, it was Tabitha who answered- "heya Kitty!" she said.

"Like, hi, Tabby!"

"Lance's not here. And he left his phone, so…"

"I know… Peatro told me. It's just- give me a message or a call if he returns back, will you?"

"Yeah. Why not?" she answered- "he'll be back, Kitty. Don't worry. He won't rat out on us. Or you." She quickly added." He may be angry but he loves you."

"Thanks Tabby." Kitty replied with a hoarse voice.

She spent the rest of the day locked up in her room, viewing their pictures or just clutching his shirt close to her heart and crying. All this exhausted her so much that she fell asleep around the evening. She woke up after 8 pm. Rogue wasn't there. Probably having decided that Kitty needed some rest; she went down to have dinner alone. Rogue was the best room partner one could have- and an even better friend- for she always knew how to handle her…

Kitty got out of her bed. The room swayed before her. She took hold of the bed post to steady her. When her momentary weakness passed, she picked up her phone. Two messages and a missed call. All from Tabitha. Kitty eagerly opened the messages. It read the same thing-'he's back home'.

Kitty felt the knot of tension in her stomach ease up. He was back home. She eagerly called Tabitha. She picked up on the second ring-"hello?"

"Hi Tabby! Thanks so much for the info. Is he fine?"

"No prob, kits. I would've told him that you called but he looked so tired that he went straight to bed." Said Tabitha even as she thought' or injured…'

"That's okay, Tabby. Let him rest. I'll see him tomorrow."

"Right." Said Tabitha.

"Good night." Said kitty, before hanging up. She felt relieved. Tomorrow she would be able to see him.

'I'm so sorry, lance…' she murmured to herself before falling down on her bed; where his shirt still lay and let the darkness take over her vision again.

Next morning; Kitty's anxiety woke her up earlier than usual. She was ready before Rogue was out of her bed. Time seemed to pass very slowly s the rest of the X-men got ready. But finally, they were ready to leave for school.

As they were getting out of Scott's car, the familiar sound of lance's jeep approached. Kitty turned back to find him behind the wheel as usual. He avoided looking in her direction; keeping his eyes focused on the wheel, as the rest of the brotherhood clambered out.

Before she could know; kitty found herself walking towards Lance, who wasn't making any efforts to get out of the jeep. She reached his jeep just as Toad jumped down from it and after making a rude face at her, walked inside the building.

Though she stood beside him, Lance refused to look at her. There was a bandage on his forehead; and another one on his hand. Her heart sank. What had happened to him?

"Lance-'she started

He held up his bandaged hand to silence her, still keeping his eyes focused on the wheel, then spoke- "it's over, Kitty. We're done. I get it."

And before she could reply, he turned around the jeep and exited the school compound.

It had started to rain; but Kitty couldn't bring herself to move. Her vision became blurred, though she failed to notice if it was due to the rain or her own tears. She felt someone tugging at her arm and recognized the voice to be coming from Rogue. Then, she passed out.

Lance's POV :

As I drove away from the school, I felt as I was leaving a part of my heart there… or my entire heart…

After having stayed out to clear my mind, I had instead ended up clogging my brain even more with beer. And the stupid accident- I would've killed that driver if he'd caused anymore harm to my jeep. My hand pains- and I'm grateful to it. It's nothing as compared to the pain in my chest. At least it's helping me get my mind off Kitty… or more accurately; her words… considering that I couldn't forget her even if my life depended on it… as it did so actually.

Why did she have to be so nice- not to mention beautiful…? I mean, right now; back there, all I wanted to do was to hug her and attend classes with her, particularly chemistry- in which she was my lab partner and watch her fumbling with test tubes.

Focus, Lance. Focus. He looked at the steering wheel, where he'd tied the charm he'd bought for her and sighed. Even to avoid looking at her, he'd counted upon her memories by focusing on her birthday gift he'd purchased in advance.

I cannot forget you, Kitty. I wish I'd never attacked Summers… then you would still be by my side… then you would still be mine…