It was such an experience for all of the students, the influx of new students and the fresh wave of eagerness and excitement for a new school year and new possibilities. It was a happy atmosphere...well, as happy as you could get in a school built for mutants. People were eyeing one another skeptically, some even had the courage or maybe heart to smile at others. However, it meant nothing to Rogue as she stormed down the stairs, dark hair billowing behind her like a curtain of the darkest chocolate. Her eyes were determined and if some of the students didn't already know her, some of the males would want to approach her. The off-the shoulder top she wore exposed a creamy, sloping shoulder and the very evident fire in her eyes blazed with an intensity that either made your blood boil or had you cowering in fear. The smarter people cowered in fear.
Just as Rogue was about to turn another corner, a large hand - that must have belonged to a smart owner - grabbed hold of her black sleeve-covered arm and pulled her back. Her whipped around, the instinct the bring her other fist to a face halted only by the familiar hazel eyes of her mentor and father-figure.
"Ya look like you're lookin' for trouble, kid," he said lightly, raising an eyebrow at her clenched hand. Rogue relaxed her hand in response, but the hardness in her eyes did not waver.
"Just lookin' fer Mr. Summers, sugah," she replied sweetly and tried walking away, but Logan tightened his grip on her arm slightly. She tossed him a glare over her shoulders before facing him, trying to calm herself. After touching Pyro two months ago, she could still feel his mutation buzzing just beneath her skin, the warmth obviously getting to Logan because he gave her a look. She had held on to John a little too long.
"Like I said, lookin' for trouble." Rogue rolled her eyes, eyeing the older man pensively. "Darlin', aren't you supposed to be greetin' people? Ya know, being welcomin'?" She smiled tightly.
"Yeah, cuz everyone wants to shake hands with the girl whose skin could kill them," she sneered. "Logan, I'm not starting nothin', but Mr. Summers has been avoidin' me for about a week now. And danger room sessions start -
"Calm down, kid." Rogue hadn't even realized it, but her skin had heated up even more and it was affecting the adamantium in Logan's skeleton. She shot him an apologetic look. Logan sighed. "Scooter's been dealin' with a lot. Let him alone."
"But -
"Rogue, perhaps it is better you come speak to me," she heard the Professor speak in her head and sighed in defeat, any of her protests dying on her tongue.
"I gotta go, Logan." Logan gave her some type of advice, which only proved that he was losing the gruffness of the Wolverine and was adapting to the institute a little too well. That only meant that he would want to leave sooner or later. She frowned at the thought, but smiled when she bid him adieu. Rogue hurried down the hall and painted a smile on her face when she saw Bobby, Kitty, and some new girl. "Hey, y'all. Have either of you seen Mr. Summers?" Of course, she knew that she was about to talk to the Professor, but there was no harm in asking. She glanced at the new girl, giving her a small smile that hopefully reached her eyes. "And hello, sugah. I'm Rogue." She didn't, however, extend her hand towards the girl. Her hands were bare, the gloves forgotten as she had just gotten out the shower almost thirty minutes ago. Besides, she didn't want the poor, unfamiliar girl's first experience here to be the one who experienced the Rogue.