23 February

End1. -n. 1. the last part or extremity, lengthwise, of anything that is longer than it is wide or broad 2. a point, line, or limitation that indicates the full extent, degree, etc., of something; limit; bounds 3. a part or place at or adjacent to an extremity: the west end of town 4. the furthermost imaginable place or point 5. termination; conclusion 6. the concluding part 7. an intention or aim 8. the object for which a thing exists; purpose 9. an outcome or result 10. termination of existence; death 11. a cause of death, destruction, or ruin 12. a remnant or fragment: ends and trimmings 13. a share or part in something 14. Textiles. A warp thread running vertically and interlaced with the filling yarn in the woven fabric 15. Football. a. either of the linemen: stationed farthest from the center b. the position played by this lineman 16. Archery. The number of arrows to be shot by a competitor during one turn in a match 17. Cricket. A wicket, especially the one where the batsman is taking a turn 18. a unit of a game, as in curling or lawn bowling 19. Katianism. Any rational being, regarded as worthy to exist for its own sake 20. either half of a domino 21. Knots. The part of a rope, beyond a knot or the like, that is not used 22. the end, Slang. The ultimate; the utmost of good or bad -v. (used with object) 23. to bring to an end or conclusion 24. to put an end to; terminate 25. to form the end of 26. to cause the demise of; kill 27. to constitute the most outstanding or greatest possible example or instance of (usually used in the infinitive) -v. (used without object) 28. to come to an end; terminate; case 29. to issue or result 30. to reach or arrive at a final conclusion, circumstance, or goal (often followed by up): to end as a happy person -adj. 31. final or ultimate

End2. -v. (used with object) 1. to put wheat, hay, or other grain into a stack or barn

End3. Variant of endo- before a vowel

End4. Abbreviation for endorsed

Rogue leaned her head against her locker and took a steadying breath. Her vision was a little fuzzy after the punch square to her face and she was having a difficult time reading the numbers on the combination lock to get it right. She wasn't mad at Kurt about the situation and accepted the consequences of her momentary lack of attention, but she was going to be late to class if she couldn't get the door open. Her books were inside.

"Hey – oh my God, what happened to you?" Victoria squealed as she approached.

Rogue rolled her eyes and sighed. "Keep it down, would ya?" she asked futilely.

Victoria swooped in like a bird of prey and almost reached out towards Rogue's face, but stopped herself before Rogue had to stop her in her stead. "That looks awful. What happened?"

She really should have figured out how to put some makeup over top the bruise, Rogue mused belatedly. "It was an accident," Rogue said.

Victoria's face darkened. "Accident?" she asked flatly.

"No, it really was. Ah promise. Ah wasn't payin' attention an' go clocked upside the head for it."

"I sure hope so, because that's what they all say."

"Yer bein' paranoid, Sugah," Rogue said with a halfhearted laugh.

"Was it Remy?"

Rogue couldn't help her sharp intake of air, nor the defensive stiffening of her shoulders. "No. He's gone." She exhaled and worked on dialing her combination again, leaning in close to better see the numbers.

"Like, he left for his family business again?" Veronica asked.

"Like, he left for his so-called family business while he's been lyin' an' cheatin' 'bout it this whole time." Veronica must have been shocked into silence. "Ah'm done with him. It's ovah. Ah shoulda known."

"How were you supposed to know?" Veronica said delicately. She waited for Rogue to fail again. She jumped when Rogue slammed the bottom of her fist against the locker. "Are you sure the giant bruise on your face wasn't his calling card as he left?"

"Ah'm sure. Remy left Tuesday night. This happened yesterday."

"Well … " Veronica sounded like she had a thought, but trailed off as she watched Rogue blunder the com again. "Do you want me to get that?"

Rogue tried to latch to the locker door. It didn't budge. Slapping both palms against it, she took a step back and suppressed the scream of anger she desperately wanted to release. "Y'know, sure. Ah can't handle this right now."

"What's your code?" Rogue stepped back and told her, crossing her arms over her chest as she watched her friend give it a try. "Anyway. There's other guys. Like I don't think that Hank guy that helps you with homework is taken. I know he's a senior, but he always seems happy when he's around you."

"Ah do not need another boyfriend in mah life. Felt like my life was in tailspin 'round Remy an' Ah'm ready ta sort myself out."

Veronica swung the locker door open and stepped aside with a wide smile. "There you go."

"Thanks." Rogue threw her background to the ground, unzipped it, and threw the books she needed inside.

"I'm just saying. We never got our double date with Remy. This weekend blizzarding us out was strike three. Hank actually showed up for you."

"Ah told ya, Ah don't want another relationship," Rogue snapped. "Ah want ta get over this and wring his neck if Ah ever see him again. For all Ah know, he's droppin' outta Xavier's school. Ah say, good riddance."

"Hey, sorry," Veronica said. She glanced up at one of the clocks hanging in the hallway. "Well, bell's about to ring. When you're ready to talk about it, I'll listen, okay? I promise."

Rogue swung her backpack over her shoulder, deliberately avoiding Veronica's eyes. "Thanks," she mumbled.