Chapter one

Sophie bit her lip as she was driven through the gates of her new school and home. Her Uncle Carmen and Aunty Theresa had done their best to ease Sophie's misgivings about the place. They told her it was the best place for her considering the 'circumstances'.But Sophie didn't feel comfortable in big crowds, nor around strangers. At least her cousin Kitty would be there.

The car came to a halt in front of the main entrance where a few people had gathered. Kitty was there of course, along with two other girls. Kitty rushed forward and pulled Sophie into a sisterly hug before greeting her parents.

Sophie watched the family embrace each other, feeling a bitter tang of destitute. Her father had never shown affection like that.

A man sat in a wheelchair approached her with a kind smile on his aged face. Sophie inhaled the man's scent, finding that although he was disabled he held authority. But his demeanour was kind and welcoming. She decided he was trustworthy.

"Welcome Sophie, I'm Professor Charles Xavier." The man said with a warm smile as a blue, fury man came and stood by him. "And this is Dr. Hank McCoy, a teacher and scientist here. He will be able to help you through your transformation."

Sophie, feeling shy and vulnerable answered slowly. "It's a pleasure to meet you both."

"Kitty will show you around the school and later I would like to have a one to one session with you so we can determine where you are in your growth," Hank offered politely.

She simply nodded. Kitty then appeared next to her and linked her arm through hers. She led her to the two girls who stood outside the doors of the school. "Sophie, this is Jubilee and Marie."

"Hi," Sophie said quietly, raising her hand a little.

"It's nice t' meet ya," Marie said with a Mississippi accent. Sophie inspected her carefully, noting that although it was a warm, sunny day the girl wore a long sleeved top with gloves. She seemed friendly but she was tense around other people. Sophie made a mental note to be careful around her.

"Wow chica, I love your hair!" Jubilee suddenly cried out in a high pitched tone. It made Sophie jump a little.

She was surprised. People rarely commented on her hair as it was a bit odd. Her hair was a light, silvery kind of grey with natural curls that tumbled over her shoulders and chest. Her eyes were also grey and piercing. Her skin was smooth and olive with plump red lips. She didn't wear any make-up and her clothes were pretty simple.

"Thanks," she said quietly, noticing how the sparky girl smelt like bubblegum and coffee. Her clothes were bright and she was loud. But she had a positive vibe that seemed to rub off on people.

"Is that all of your belongings?" Jubilee suddenly asked looking at the large bag in her hand.

Sophie nodded tentatively. Her father never took her out to go shopping or anything.

"Well then, we have to go shopping this weekend and work on your wardrobe!" Jubilee exclaimed.

Marie rolled her eyes. "She says that every weekend."

Kitty simply tutted and led them into the school. "Well first lets show you where your room is and then we'll give you the grand tour. You'll be sharing a room with us."

When Sophie was led inside she was hit by a cocktail of smells. It left her disorientated. When she held her breathe and looked around she finally noticed how nice the interior was. There were hardwood floors throughout the building. It was beautifully decorated with fine art, posh rugs and vases placed strategically. It didn't seem like a school, but more like a home for many.

As Sophie was led to her room, she walked into a scent like she had walked into a wall. She stopped short, sniffing the air in fascination.

Somehow her mouth was watering.

Kitty noticed her stop and turned to look at her. "What's wrong?" The girl asked her cousin.

"That smell?" Sophie asked, her head up in the air. "What is it? It smells like...pine trees...and cigars?"

Jubilee chuckled, "That would be Logan, he's the only one around here who smokes cigars."

The words fell out of her mouth before she could stop herself. "Who is he? Can I meet him?" She asked, her eyes flickering between them.

The three girls looked at each other, trying not to giggle at the new girl. Marie stepped forward trying to catch Sophie's attention. "He left an hour a go and wont be back for a couple months. He's the history teacher."

When Sophie didn't move Kitty and Jubilee took her by the arms and pulled her towards their bedroom. "Don't be too eager to meet him, chica. Mr. Howllet is a real grump."

Marie snorted and walked in line with then. "He's not tha' bad when you get on his good side," she defended.

Their bedroom was quite big but between four of girls it left only a small amount of space between them. In the far corner by the window was an unclaimed bed and a wardrobe with a night stand. Sophie set her bag on the bed and began to unpack her things. The girls were kind enough to help her out and being that she didn't own a whole lot of stuff it took next to no time at all.

She was then led on a long tour of the school. Many of the teachers and students introduced themselves to her although it left her feeling bewildered and ambushed. When a load of kids from their year crowded round them a loud, confusing chatter surrounded her, not to mention the ultra cocktail of scents. Sophie turned to her cousin with an almost pleading look. "Can we go somewhere quiet?" She asked Kitty.

Kitty nodded and took her hand before tapping Jubilee and Marie on the shoulder to get their attention. Together they took one of the many lifts to the top of the school. When it opened out Sophie was surprised to see the doors open out to a greenhouse. The air was fresh and floral and the sight was beautiful. A huge variety of green foliage and colourful flowers. And best of all it was quiet with no one around except for themselves.

Sophie smiled for the first time, finding peace and quiet in the chaotic place. The four girls found a nice secluded spot amongst jasmine bushes. The smell was divine.

"So chica, is it true that you can shape-shift?" Jubilee asked out of the blue.

She looked at the girls in surprise. She hadn't really talked about her mutation before. It had been best for her not too. It only made her father angry.

Kitty, seeing her distress came to the rescue. "It's okay Sophie, there are no secrets here." She reached back and Sophie watched as her arm waved threw a thick bush of jasmine, leaving both the plant and herself undisturbed.

It wasn't the first time she'd seen Kitty's mutation working, in fact Kitty had confided in her shortly after it manifested. Sophie only wished she had been brave enough herself.

Kitty nodded to Jubilee who promptly flicked out her hands and sent out a cluster of fireworks. The smoky smell lingered for sometime and after Sophie's initial shock she actually enjoyed the show.

Eagerly she turned to Rogue, who shifted uncomfortably. "Ah absorb people's powers and their memories," she explained. "Or if they're human, their life-force."

Sophie nodded, now understanding why she was covered head to toe.

"So come on chica! Show us what you got!" Jubilee demanded, practically hopping on the spot.

After a moment Sophie caved in and changed into her smallest form, the Siberian cat. It was a simple house cat with fluffy grey fur and dark stripes. But when she climbed out of the clothes that were now too big, the response was purely heart warming.

"Awwww." The girl went in unison, which would have made Sophie blush if she could have. Suddenly the girls reached to her, making her flinch. But they were not rough, just the opposite. Jubilee scratched her under the chin as Kitty and Rogue petted her torso.

She hadn't been touched like that before, not in a loving way. At first she felt vulnerable, after all she was small and had little to defend herself with except a small set of claws. Feeling a little braver she slowly morphed into her favourite form – the white, begul tiger.

Her size increased drastically, her head higher than their own as they sat. At first they were taken back by the intimidating creature but Sophie simply lied down, clearly inviting them to pet her.

Giggling they reached over and brushed their hands against the soft, stripy fur. Soon Sophie was purring.