A/N: So I've been a fan of X-Men Evolution for years and have been reading a lot in lockdown. Now I have my own story. Please be warned, there will be talk of suicide, death and eating disorders. And bullying. I will post trigger warnings on each chapter also.

I do not own any of the characters from the Marvel universe, I am merely a fan, adding their own style.

A few points to mention:

Rogue isn't an orphan and wasn't born in the South.

She will be OOC.

I have given her a past that will be drip-fed throughout this story.

Summary : Before Rogue, there was Aliyanna Charlotte DelaRouge, a vulnerable teenage girl trying to come to grips with the twists and turns life had to offer. Set before 'Rogue Recruit' and will incorporate some of the original show's timeline.

Warning: Character Death

Rogue was having a good day.

Her new car was reliable and the morning roads were clear, cutting her commute to work down to half-an-hour, meaning she had plenty of time for a quick drink before plastering a smile on her face and starting her shift.

The smile lasted most of the day, despite irate customers, demanding children and sneaky colleagues who opted for a shift, only to cancel at the last possible moment, earning Rogue extra work, which was always welcome. The Mississippi Academy was a landmark in her town. A beauty parlour and spa extraordinaire with hotel attached for good measure, it provided the perfect opportunity for employment. At least that was the theory. Rogue was one of many teens who took jobs there, having upgraded from paper-rounds and dog-walking.

She was on her last break when she noticed a missed call from her mother.

"Hi darling, Ah hope you're having a good-day. Things have been crazy here today and Ah can't be bothered to cook. Let's get a take-away tonight. Whatever you want. You choose. Love you, sweetheart."

She tried several times to call her back but kept getting her voicemail.

"You've reached Anna Green. Ah'm unable to talk right now. Leave a message and Ah'll get back to you."

By then, her break was over and there were only a couple of hours left.

Traffic was heavy on the way home, giving her a while to think over what she wanted to eat, knowing full well it would be Chinese, no question. Her phone kept ringing but she didn't want to tempt fate and answer it. Knowing her luck, there would be a police officer at the ready to charge her with using her mobile at the wheel. She switched on the radio and in between the typical teeny-bop music, they kept reporting a collision in her town. A drunk driver had exceeded the speed limit, going the wrong way on a one way road. The other car had been forced off the road, continuing down a hill before crashing onto a tree.

She pitied the victim and cursed the drunk driver. How could someone be so reckless with their own life?

XxX

There were police cars outside her house along with Carol Danvers, her mom's friend. The woman approached as she pulled up on the driveway.

"Oh Rogue there you are, we've been calling you for ages, why didn't you pick up?"

"Ah'm sorry Ah got stuck in traffic and didn't want to answer in case Ah get pulled over."

"Let's get you inside, before the crowd gathers."

She motioned her head to the officers. "Why are they here?"

The woman sighed, her patience already wearing thin. She had no tolerance for adolescents. "Inside."

"Did you come to see mom? Didn't you just speak to her at work?"

"Is everything alright?"

Carol sighed as the neighbour's door opened and Irene stepped out.

"It's all ok Irene, we're taking care of it."

"Well, if you're sure."

'Nosy neighbours', thought Carol, 'they're the curse of small towns.' The police followed her inside and insisted that Rogue sit, while Carol played host. Whilst Rogue had not been born in the South, she knew of their over-zealous penchant for hospitality. Sometimes it bordered on social conditioning, but as someone who worked in the sector, she knew it would make the difference between a decent tip and an extravagant tip.

She was aware the others were looking at her keenly and wondered what she had missed. She was never at her best in the first few minutes after work. She needed time to relax and decompress the day's events.

By now Carol had served the drinks and was handing out the refreshments. Usually her mom would chew her out for not being quick enough to offer coffee. Come to think of it, where was she?

"Well, Rogue, we've been trying to contact you. When you didn't arrive home, we called your work and they informed us that you'd left on time."

"There was traffic."

A look passed between the three adults.

"There was an accident earlier today. A terrible collision..."

"Ah heard all about it."

"You did?" They sounded surprised.

"How did you?"

"Erm, there's a device called a radio that broadcasts the news."

"Rogue!" Carol admonished.

Her mother's absence became all too evident. "Why are you here? Where's mah mom? Is she still at the hospital? Did she need to stay?"

"Rogue..."

"Why are you guys here?"

"Young lady, you need to calm down!"

It was the 'young lady' that set her off. It was so patronising. "No, you need to tell me what the hell you are doing in mah house."

"Rogue, when was the last time you heard from your mother?"

"She called me earlier."

"You spoke to her?"

"No, she left a voicemail. Ah tried calling back but she didn't answer..."

She felt the chill strike her body in the late summer heat.

"When was this?"

"A few hours ago."

"Rogue, the accident that happened, well, your mother was involved."

"Involved?"

"There was a drunk driver, who knocked the car off the road. The car continued until it crashed into a tree."

"My mother doesn't drink and drive. You know that Carol."

"Oh Rogue..."

There was something seriously wrong here. "What happened to the driver?"

"They didn't make it."

Her body started shaking as she felt her mind escape. Out of the body. Out of the room. Out of the house.

"The driver's death was instanteous. She wouldn't of felt any pain."

"Who?"

Don't say it, she begged them. Don't say it!

"Your mother."

Things went black after that.

XxX

"There she is, how are you feeling honey?"

"Where is she?"

"Rogue..."

Everything faded.

XxX