PyrusAngel: Welcome to my story. Updates every couple days. Review if you like it.

Disclaimer: Sadly I only own my wonderful idea, the rest belongs to Stan Lee.

Chapter 1: Social Status

The alarm clock sounded before the sun had even risen. A sleepy seventeen year old Rogue groaned before slamming the off button. After stretching, with a yawn, she sat up and began her day, quickly brushing her teeth and getting dressed. Rogue wore her favorite pair of black combat boots, a pair of black boot cut jeans that had a rip over one knee, a dark purple off the shoulders shirt with sleeves that went to her elbows, and of course her favorite pair of leather fingerless black gloves. After running a brush threw her auburn and white hair, Rogue grabbed her bag and was out the door an apple in her hand for the road.

She ran more then walked down the sidewalk as the church around the corner tolled six o'clock just as Rogue made it to the coffee shop's back door. Grabbing the keys she opened the shop quickly getting to work. She shined all the tables, while the coffee and latte makers warmed up. Once that was done she prepared the first batch of cinnamon buns, chocolate chip cookies, and other such sugary confections.

The help arrived at seven o'clock in the form of Mia and Clara. Mia was a bouncy brunette with always tanned skin. She's 23 years old working while getting her bachelors in music education at the local college. Clara was a 30 year old dirty blonde haired single mom with two boys. She was the mother figure of the group, treating her younger coworkers like her children.

The two quickly got into the groove of things at "The Waking Raven". Clara was the first to notice that Rogue was still running around the shop when 7:20 came around so like anyone with some sense she went over to Rogue, who was busying herself by sweeping the floors.

"Rogue. Time for school" Clara stated grabbing the broom out of Rogue's hands.

"Ah don't wanna go!" Rogue fussed grabbing the broom back.

"Yes," Clara enforced just as Kurt walked in motorcycle helmet under his arm.

"Rogue." he called flatly.

Rogue looked up at him before sighing and moving to the back room to gather her things. Clara sent Kurt a warm smile before continuing to sweep the shop. Once Rouge returned she and Kurt waved to Mia and Clara.

"See you guys later." Mia called.

"Jah!" Kurt called back before walking out the door and getting on the bike Rogue behind him.

The ride to school was a short and silent one, but once they were walking Rogue's mood seemed to lighten a little bit.

"Hmm" she yawned "Ano'der long day...is it over y'et?"

"Nah sorry sheila, day just begun. Trust me Ah know, Wands here already took meh baby." came an Australian spiced voice.

Rogue and Kurt turned to see John and Wanda sitting with the others in the ally between the gym and science buildings adjacent to the court yard. John smirked as they came forward while Wanda was busy reading her wiccan book of spells that Rogue had got her for her birthday last year.

"Johnny, knowing you and your lighter half the school would be up in flames before lunch." Wanda stated not even looking up from her book.

"Hey vere is everyone else?" Kurt asked flopping down against one of the walls.

"Here We ARE!" came Kitty's loud voice.

The bouncing brunette came around the corner pulling Lance and Forge behind her, while Tabitha, Lexa, and Jubilee walked slower a book open as they all crammed for some test or other as always. Kitty sat down beside Kurt with a giggle, while Lance took his position on her other side. Forge pulled out his latest contraption and began tinkering with it. Rogue could only watch as her friends began to gather in their little hide away, as they always did in the morning.

"So if its a triangle you use base times height to find the volume?" Tabitha asked.

"Yes." came Lexa's flat reply.

"And you use the same one for area right?" Jubilee asked next.

"No, you would use one-half time base times height." Lexa explained

"AHH this is so confusing!" Tabitha called out as she threw her arms up in frustration.

She did this as she, Lexa, and Jubilee continued to study passing behind Rogue, to joined Lance, Kitty, and Kurt on the ground against the wall, causing Rogue to duck away from Tabitha's flying arms. It was a side effect from all the beatings Raven had given her over the years, Rogue could honestly admit she hated it when people touched her. Even worst was when it was Raven who touched her, yup that was a hundred times worst then "regular" people.

Rogue was jolted out of her thoughts when Todd and Fred showed up, which meant food! Rogue perked up as soon as Fred handed her a warm homemade biscuit. It was so warm and buttery that Rogue groaned in happiness.

"Oh Fred this is amazing!" Kitty cooed.

"Yeah top notch if Raven weren't such a bitch Ah'd invite yah f'er a job." Rogue laughed before taking another bite.

"Yeah, thanks though Rogue." Fred laughed taking a bite of his own biscuit.

They all continued to enjoy their food that is until John's constant chatter came to a sudden stop. Rogue looked up at the same moment as Wanda and Kitty.

"AHH why are they here!" Kitty groaned.

There in the court yard sat the crazy popular crowd that no one in this motley crew was happy with. The head girl was southern exchange student Belladonna, your classic blonde hair blue eyed back stabbing spoiled bitch. Belladonna's right hand girl was red head Jean Gray the supermodel thin student body president. Together they were followed by their wanna-be friends Amara, Danielle, and Rahne.

Then one couldn't forget the boy toy squad lead by Belladonna's fawned over, womanizer, boy toy known as Remy LeBeau. The tall, sunglasses wearing, dark, and handsome southern gentleman that every girl in the school had a crush on. Hell Rogue was 100% sure there was a Remy LeBeau fan club and stalker club, so Belladonna made sure all the girls knew he was taken.

Scott sat beside Jean his red shades down while a hand combed threw Jean's fiery red hair. Beside the top two show dogs most of the other guys were either friends of the wanna-bes or 'charity' cases on Belladonna's part each time Principle Kelly told her to add more people. So now there was Amara's boy toy Alex, Rahne's Roberto and Bobby, while Danielle just played babysitter to for all the guys plus Jamie, Sam, play boy Pietro, and Ray.

"I can't believe it I thought we made it clear this was our turf!" Lance growled moving to stand.

"Lance, sit." Rogue growled.

Lance looked at her and sat back down, Kitty began trying to calm him down. It would have been great if Lance was the only one on edge, but it was obvious that Wanda, Kurt, Tabitha, and Jubilee were all on edge as well. Rogue was controlling the situation at least until Amara and Jubilee made eye contact.

"What you want, traitor!" Amara screamed across the court yard.

"Nothing from a fat, little, ugly backstabbing bitch!" Jubilee yelled back.

"Hoe, no you didn't!" Amara yelled.

Now everyone was paying attention to the two groups, several students scrambled out of the line of fire between the groups as soon as Amara stood up. Tabitha held Jubilee back, while Wanda and Rogue stood. Across the yard Belladonna and Jean were standing, while Alex and Sam where busy holding Amara back.

Rogue moved out of the ally's shadows, Wanda at her side, she couldn't help but notice how half of the popular kids didn't even care that Amara had started something, again. Jamie, Bobby, and Ray continued their stupid game of monkey in the middle, Pietro was trying to hit on some blonde bimbo, Remy surprisingly was having a civil conversation with Danielle, both of whom had their backs to the whole scene Amara had begun.

"Bella let me at her! I can't let her..." Amara began but Belladonna cut her off.

"Mara shut up!" Belladonna screamed, Amara instantly clammed up, and Bella turned back to Wanda and Rogue.

"Can't keep the muzzle on those little pups can you, Gothica?" Belladonna asked Wanda

"Can't keep the princess' mouth clean can you, Prep?" Wanda replied.

"Vampire," Jean retorted.

"Bimbos," Wanda said smoothly.

"Lying Gaiter Ass," Belladonna said a little bit flustered.

"Oh, no. I'm just pointing out what everyone else here knows, besides that little boy toy of yours." Wanda replied with a smirk.

"Hey! Don't beh pull'in Remy in'tah all dis crap!" Remy yelled lifting his sunglasses to look at the group, but one glare from Belladonna and Wanda made him stand and move toward them.

Rogue only then noticed that he towered over the four of them, even Jean who was a happy five foot eleven inches tall. Remy had layered dark chocolate hair and light brown eyes, but Rogue wasn't sure about them because every now and then she could of sworn there was a flash of black in his eyes where the whites should have been. As soon as Remy was within arm's reach Belladonna clamped onto his arm. Before any words could be said though the bell sounded and Victor Creed appeared around a near by corner.

"WHAT ARE ALL OF YOU STANDING AROUND FOR? GET TO CLASS! NOOOOWWW!" Victor yelled in his demanding gym teacher yell.

Belladonna and Wanda glared at each other, while Rogue and Jean glared at each other before both parties turned on their heals and marched back to their corners. Once back with the group Rogue sighed.

"Sorry Wands. Ah just couldn't find meh voice tah'day."

"It's alright Rogue!" Wanda said throwing an arm around Rogue's shoulders, "You've helped out before. So your having an off day don't worry I'm here for you."

"Ve are all here for each other" Kurt corrected as they all moved on to first period.

The halls as always were noisy and chaotic, but in all the chaos Lexa was able to come up beside Rogue and ask a simple question that had them all on edge.

"So how is Jubilee a traitor?" Lexa asked.

Instantly Jubilee and Kitty froze at their lockers, Lance met Rogue's gaze, while Kurt and Tabitha moved just a little bit closer so that Jubilee and Kitty where behind them. Rogue glanced back to Wanda who gave a shake of her head. Rogue nodded before looking back at Lexa.

"Its a rather sore subject Lex, an' definitely not one tah'be discussed now. One day we'all tell yah though." Rogue explained

Though Lexa nodded that she understood Rogue felt bad about keeping the new girl in the dark. Thankfully though tactful Forge quickly changed the subject to something much more pressing.

"So first period?"

"Ah...Right!" Kitty laughed closing her locker "Well I'll see you guys later, English woo! You coming Kurt? Johnny?"

"Oi, I'm coming!" Johnny yelled before taking off after Kitty and Kurt, an odd black leather bound book in his hand.

"Lexa come on science, now tell me have you figured out how to create that..." Forge asked as he looped his arm with Lexa's before leading her down the hall toward the science wing.

Rogue and Wanda could only laugh as they all went their separate ways. Fred and Jubilee to foods, while Todd, Tabitha and Lance headed up to Math. Rogue and Wanda on the other hand trudged down to gym class where they quickly got changed into their gym uniforms before heading up to the gym.

"So howz life with Pietro be'ing at home?" Rogue ask Wanda as they walked up the stairs.

"Same old same old. New girlfriend, bimbo, or some other hoe walks in every day." Wanda shrugged and they both laughed as they walked into the gym.

There were two gym teachers Mr. Logan and Mr. Creed and saying that they disliked each other was an understatement! These two men HATED each other with a passion. So it wasn't at all surprising to find them yelling at each other as soon as one walked into the gym, and today wasn't any different.

"... and you and your posy need to get a life. Or work out more." Logan was yelling.

"Yeah well least I don't flirt with little girls." Victor retorted.

"I do NOT!"

"DO TOO just ask that one there." Victor yelled pointing at Rogue.

"STRIPES!" Logan yelled and she ran and saluted him.

"Sir yes sir!" Rogue said holding back her smile.

"Do I flirt with you? And be honest for Mr. Creed please."

"No, sir." Rogue stated and Logan gave Victor a smirk.

"Bah! A trained monkey is all." Victor claimed before walking out his class scurrying behind him.

Once the coast was clear Logan and Rogue looked at each other and nearly fell to the ground laughing their asses off.

"I-I told you those acting lessons with Wade would come in handy" Logan laughed.

"And Ah haven't argu'ed with yah since the first class an' that was three years ago!" Rogue laughed with him too.

"Ahem! Alright you maggots line UP!" Logan called after collecting himself.

Rogue rushed back to Wanda while all the others around them too lined up on the blue line so that Logan could take role. Once he was done, they were free to do as they wished so Rogue and Wanda walked around the room talking about nothing in particular. Once the bell rang ending first period Rogue said her good byes to Wanda and moved onto her next class, math.

Math was okay in Rogue's opinion. She sat near the window, she understood it for the most part, and Mr. Worthington was cool enough to set aside extra time during the day if she need the help. The bad part about math were all the other bimbo's who fawned over Mr. Worthington, disregarding the fact he was engaged to Alice Xavier.

Rogue walked in and robotically took her seat in the middle of the row beside the windows. She pulled out her book and her notebook as well as her little sketch book that Wanda had gotten her from Barnes & Nobles. Rogue flipped to her latest drawling and continued to sketch.

The sketch was mainly black with a wilting rose in the center. Chains had been roughly sketched pulling the rose downward into the darkness. With a heavy sigh Rogue's pencil began on its own to fill in the many empty areas of the sketch. That was until someone bumped into her arm sending her pencil sailing across the page, ruining the flower.

Rogue's head popped up green eyes glaring at the idiot who had ruined the sketch, all those hours wasted now. There towering above her stood a smiling Remy Lebeau. She growled even more as he leaned over looking at the drawling that was now ruined.

"Remy sorry bout dat petite. He don't mean to mess up yahr drawlin'. 'Y such a bell femma draw'in such a dark thin' any'ay?" Remy asked even though Rogue had already slammed the sketchbook closed, thankfully Mr. Worthington spoke before Rogue let this kid have it.

"Mr. LeBeau would you kindly find your way back to your seat!" Mr. Worthington stated in his calm yet-I-am-clearly-angry voice.

"Ahhh...Remy gotta get going, chere." Remy stated not even acknowledging Mr. Worthington's words but going back to his seat none the less.

Rogue saw Mr. Worthington roll his eyes once before returning to the lesson. When the bell rang Rogue was up and out the door before anyone could stop her. She was up the stairs and in the art room in no time flat, and after a few moments to catch her breath Rogue couldn't help the small smile as she took in the smells of the art room.

If there was one place that was a 'home' in this school, it was Ms. Sara Smith's art room, though all her students called her Paint. The smell of paint, clay, charcoal, smoke, pastels, and some other type of earthy smells that Rogue had never been able to give a name too, always brought comfort to those who entered the room.

"Rogue? What's up with you?" Paint asked from her seat behind an easel working on her latest drawling.

"Some jack'ass ruine'd meh sketch." Rogue explained pulling out the sketch book to show Paint.

Paint looked at the ruined work and sighed, while Rogue on the other hand was busy looking at Paint's drawling. A large gray wolf's face looked back at Rogue, it was clearly feminine in it's facial features and its eyes were a striking robin's egg blue. Rogue was sure that Paint could give a rock any feeling it wanted if she had the time to do such a thing.

"She's beautiful." Rogue whispered in awe.

"Why thank you. I just finished," Paint said as she swiveled around her back now to the large wolf, "Rogue may I ask you a question"

"Sure," Rogue answered automatically as she moved around the room and pulled out her own painting.

This one had been of a pond originally but recently it had begun to take on a life of its own to the point even Rogue didn't know what it was going to end up being. Rogue began to set herself up on the easel next to Paint.

"Well all your sketches...they're kinda of...dark, I guess is the word I'm looking for." Paint continued "Is there something wrong in your life? At home maybe?"

It was at those words that Rogue's hand froze and she stared blankly at the canvas before her. She knew that Paint had hit the nail on the head but didn't want to worry her. So with a semi forced half smile Rogue turned to Paint.

"No Ah've just been watchin' all dese horror movies with Lance an' Wanda. Ah guess dey've been gettin' tah meh." Rogue explained in an attempt at an airy carefree laugh.

"All right, but if you ever want to talk about it I'm here for you." Paint stated noticing other students walking in, though the look in her light brown eyes clear screamed I-don't-believe-a-word-you-just-said look in them.

As Paint walked away Rogue turned once again to the canvas before her. It was a mess. Dark blurred thorns now arched over the now midnight blue pond, which instead of having plentiful fish was barren and empty. There was no longer a bank, though Rogue could of swore she had sketched one before she had begun painting.

"Well Ah guess its my type of inner pond..." Rogue thought with a dark defeated laugh.

With another heavy sigh Rogue put her headphones on and hit play. With Snow Patrol "Called Out In The Dark" playing loudly in her ears Rogue picked up her thinner brush and dipped it into the darkest purple in her pallet. She created small swirls in the midnight blue water trying to give the water some type of depth.

Once she was satisfied with the swirls she took the next brush. She began to sketch blurry reeds in the lower areas of the canvas. She uses soft almost fleeting movements as if the brush and paint would go threw the canvas if she pressed to hard. By the time the bell rang Rogue was sitting in her chair staring blankly at the canvas, wondering what the hell it was becoming.

"Rogue, bell!" Paint called after pulling out on of Rogue's ear buds.

"Oh?! Sorry Paint." Rogue faltered a bit as she packed up her iPod and then put her canvas away to dry.

She waved good bye to Paint before leaving the classroom and heading to her locker to meet Kurt and John for science. Sure enough the flame haired boy and her golden eyed half-brother were there waiting for her.

"Oi! Rogue what took yah so long?" John asked as he bounced down the hall toward the science wing.

"Ah got a bit distracted with mah pain'tin." she confessed as Kurt came up beside her.

Kurt took her gloved hand in his bare one, and gave her a soft half smile. Rogue looked away from her brother knowing she should tell him what was going on, but then again he would only worry.

"No it's better this way." Rogue told herself just as they arrived at their science classroom.

Hank McCoy was mixing something in a large beaker when they walked in. Rogue dropped Kurt's hand only to grab John's.

"OI! Rogue Ah wanna see! PLEASE!" John complained as Rogue pulled him away from Hank's chemicals.

"No! Wanda said Ah had tah make sure yah didn't blow up Hank's science lab dis year." Rogue stated in a stern whisper.

"Awww" John pouted head low as he flopped into his seat.

Rogue just shook her head and took her seat waiting for Mr. McCoy to begin the class, suddenly Rogue felt an odd presence in the seat behind her. At first she chose to ignore the person, but the person began poking her shoulder so she turned around. And instantly she wished she hadn't.

"Chere, yah nev'a answer'd Remy's question." Yes you guessed it right, there behind her sat none other then Remy LeBeau.

"Why MEH!" Rogue groaned inwardly.

Once she had seen who it was Rogue attempted to turn right back around, but he grabbed her upper arm stopping her. Her head jolted up to meet his eyes, they still seemed odd to her... almost fake in the way they took in the light. Before Rogue could pull him off her though Kurt was standing there his hand on Remy's wrist.

"Let. Go. Of. Meh. Schwester." Kurt growled golden eyes flashing dangerously.

Remy and Kurt's stand off continued at least until John stood, which got Hank's attention REALLY fast. Once Hank took in the situation he began to make his way toward the back of the room.

"Now gentleman I am sure there is no need for violence. Now on the count of three Remy let go of Rogue, Kurt let go of Remy, and John sit down." Hank said in his matter of fact voice.

"OI! What did Ah do?" John asked in his shocked voice.

"One," Hank continued ignoring the flame hair boy, "Two. Three."

Remy released Rogue's arm, Kurt released Remy's wrist, and John was still standing arms folded across his chest.

"St. John! Sit Down!" Hank stated in a flat no nonsense tone that shocked many.

John continued to stand until Kurt put a hand on his shoulder. John looked at him once then turned to meet Rogue's eyes, she was glaring at him, and he threw his arms up in defeat and sat down. Hank now satisfied that the problem was over motioned for Remy to return to his seat, while moving back up the front.

"Well then shall we begin?" Hank asked once at the front with his lab equipment.

The rest of science went by without much, besides the minor explosion Rogue and John created when it was there turn to show what they had learned. Rogue wasn't happy that the ends of her hair were now singed thanks to the mad Aussie. Rogue thanked all the gods when the bell ran and she was allowed to bolt out of the room. She knew Kurt would scold her later but she really didn't care, she HAD to get out of there before anything else happened.

Rogue ducked into the lunch room where her study hall was and saw Logan sitting at the front table as always. She smiled and walked over to him and leaned on the edge of the table.

"What happened to you, Stripes?" he asked pointing the end of his pencil toward her hair.

"Johnny and Hank's lab hap'end to meh. Ah swear if anythin' else hap'ens tah'day Ah will go crazy!" Rogue groaned hitting her books gently against her head for that little bit of emphasis.

"You don't gotta tell me kiddo. So where yah off tah today?" He asked her still looking at his clipboard.

"Ah was think'in the roof."

"Sal'right by me, kid." Logan said checking off her name but he looked up face serious "Just don't jump off, kid."

"Don't worry Ah ain't that far yet, Logan." Rogue laughed as she left.

"Just sayin kid, just sayin." Logan mumbled.

Rogue made her way threw the halls a little pep in her step as she scaled the stairs to the fenced roof top. Once outside she took a deep breath, pulled her bag off, and stretched.

"AHH dat felt good." She sighed before pulling out her larger sketch pad.

This one was newer and only had a few beginning sketches in it. Rogue had begun to sketch the roof top view on the first page and decided to work on that one some more. She hummed as she worked her pencil gliding over the page creating soft feather light strokes. This sketch in Rogue's mind was peaceful. It was a sketch that embodied a light, airy, feeling.

"Why can't life be lighthearted like this?" Rouge wondered as the sun warmed her chilled skin.

Soon enough though the peace was broken by yells and footsteps from the halls below. Knowing that the bell had obviously rung Rogue packed up her sketch pad and sung her messenger bag back over her shoulder. She then took a deep breath before opening the door and descending down into the halls below, she didn't want to be late to lunch again.