One week after my arrival at the Institute, my life begins to resemble a normal kid's life. Sure, there are still the training sessions that drain me of every last bit of energy, and Logan still eyes me strangely from time to time, but, apart from that, everything's cool.

Then again, something tells me this situation is too good to last. I saw Pietro the other day - I was malling with Amara and Jubilee - and I didn't like the look on his face. Something tells me the little scoundrel is up to something.

I don't want to know...

~

"Come on! Pass the ball! Pass the ball!"

"I'm opened!"

"Here!"

"In your dreams, guys". I make a quick dash for the pannel and score. The other three members of my team (Ray, Bobby and Amara) cheer out loud, and the opponents (Roberto, Rahne, Sam and Jubilee) mutter all kinds of stuff.

We're playing basketball in the back yard. The other day, Hank came up with the idea of installing a basketball pannel there. An idea which he was going to regret once we (that means the newbies) became practically bonded to the improvised basketball court.

"That's 52 to 54 for Ray's team", shouts Jamie from under a tree. Since he's too short to play, he's our official refferee.

"Tight score", says Bobby with a grin. "We can still take you."

"I think not." I grin. "Ready?"

"Okay... go!"

And in a matter of seconds, the ball is mine. Slam dunk!

Elsie, would you please come to my office? You have a letter waiting for you.

That's Chuckles. Bummer. And I was having so much fun... wait a minute. Letter!

"Gotta go! Chuckles! Letter!" With that, I bolt to the mansion. In the doorway, I almost crash into Scott and Jean. "Sorry! Letter!" And I'm on my way again. And in a matter of seconds, I'm standing in front of Prof X's office door. I knock, and then, without waiting for an invitation, I go in. I'm panting like the Hoghwarts Express.

"Hi, Professor!"

Must... sit... down...

"Hello, Elsie. Please, sit down."

He doesn't have to tell me that twice. I practically collapse in an armchair.

"This came for you", says Prof X as he uses his powers to float a letter towards me. I take it. The envelope is entirely black, and the adress is written with red ink. This can only mean one thing. The letter is from Rich. Funny that he should be the first one to write to me.

"Thanks, Professor. Is there anything-"

I'm interrupted by a knock on the door. Professor X makes a face as if he had just seen a ghost. Uh-oh. This can't be good.

"Enter."

The door opens - and the moment I see who it is, my jaw drops to the floor.

"Hello, Professor", says Pietro, dressed in his battle outfit and holding a duffle bag under his right arm. "Oh, hi, Elsie."

Professor X is obviously at a lack of words. He just stares at Pietro, probably wondering where the hell did he come from.

"Pietro?! What in the name of Slim Shady are you doing here?" I say, standing up and starting at him.

"Well, I've been thinking lately... a lot... I realized something, the other day, something I didn't like at first. There is no future for me with the Brotherhood of Bayville."

No. This can't be happening. This is what I was afraid of.