"For these first three weeks of training, we're going to condition your bodies for vigorous exercises," Vidia explained. "These exercises include yoga and a lot of aerobics." Alex snickered. Apparently, our last conversation in the hallway could only scare him off for so long. "Is there something you'd like to say Cadet Williams?" Vidia asked irritatedly.

"Yeah, I thought I signed up for vigorous training, not exercise classes from the gym," Alex said.

"Then perhaps this isn't where you're supposed to be. I'm sure we could find a Division that better suits your expectations," Vidia offered with a disapproving look.

"Actually, I think I'll stick around for a little while," Alex answered weakly.

"Good, because I'm putting you in charge of leading the left side of the group in all  our exercises," Vidia said as she organized us into rows. I started looking around for familiar faces that I could trust.

"He never learns, does he?" Jake asked quietly.

"I thought you didn't like training, even though it wasn't even that  bad," I answered.

"I had a change of heart and I wanted to impress a certain someone," he explained.

"That certain someone better not be me because I thought I made it very obvious that I wasn't interested in you."

"Oh, you made your point alright, and no, I'm not doing it for you. But, I am doing it for someone you're close with," Jake clarified.

"Who? Actually, don't tell me, I'd rather figure it out on my own. Besides, I have other things to worry about," I said.

"Ok, listen, I don't really know anybody else, so could you be my friend? Please?" Jake asked.

"Sure, but only while we train. I don't want people to think that we're together."

"Agreed. I'll try not to ask you personal questions, if that makes you feel any better," Jake offered.

"Cool, friends it is," I confirmed.

At first, I too believed that the exercises were dumb, especially since I wasn't very good at doing yoga. But within a week and a half, I could see that I had improved and found that I was slightly more flexible. Every few days, Vidia would add a new exercise to our routine. She loved to push our limits, but she was also mindful of others when it came to taking breaks. I was on one of my drink breaks when I saw Katie. She looked like a legit nurse with her hair pulled up almost all the time and wore her scrubs 24/7. "Sarah, is that you?" I turned around and there she was with a big smile on her face.

"Katie? You look so different!" I exclaimed as we embraced each other.

"How's training? I've had a few on my floor from fainting, which is totally embarrassing to do in front of so many people."

"I haven't fainted, at least not yet," I joked.

"Clearly," Katie rolled her eyes playfully.

"Although it's hard and I'm sore most of the time, training can be relaxing," I answered.

"So, is yoga fabulous or what?" Katie asked.

"It's fabulous..." I agreed as I trailed off.

"But?" Katie asked gently.

"It's just that, I...I miss..." I couldn't get the words out! Why was it such a struggle to tell Katie how I felt? "She's not going to go around sharing my secrets with everyone," I reminded myself.

"I understand, breakups are hard. Sometimes you don't realize it until months later. You must've had, like, the most adorable, lovable relationship," Katie said.

"I'm sorry, who are you talking about?" I asked confused.

"Your boyfriend Peter, duh!"

"You mean my ex," I corrected her.

"Sarah, we're heading back in," Jake called.

"I'll be there in a minute," I called back. Katie gave me a quizzical look.

"You two aren't a thing, are you? I thought you made that totally obvious," Katie asked.

"No, we're not. Jake and I are friends, and that's as far as it goes," I said, but Katie didn't believe me.

"Jake came to me asking if we could be friends because he didn't know anyone else in our Division."

"Well that was nice of you, especially after your uh, 'incident' with him," Katie said. I smiled tiredly. "Hey, can I ask you something?" Katie asked.

"Of course."

"Ok, but you can't say anything to anyone," Katie warned.

"I won't, I swear."

"Have you heard anything about mutants in your Division?" Katie asked seriously.

"No, why?"

"It's nothing, I was just wondering," Katie said. That word again, mutants. Katie saw the wheels turning in my head and didn't like it. "You should get back before Vidia has to yell at you," Katie encouraged.

"Now wouldn't that be the talk of the week?" I said sarcastically as I forced a smile.

"How are your friends doing or do I even want to know?" Alex asked when I came in.

"Let me think, they all still say what a jerk you are and just because you haven't been messing with us doesn't mean our group approves of you," I said cooly.

"Which translates to you didn't ask about them," Alex said. I glared because he was right and he knew it. I hate it when the bully gets that kind of satisfaction! I went through that once and knew it was better to be quiet than to try to argue.

 As the day went on, I couldn't stop wondering about mutants. Katie seemed really interested in them, perhaps a little too interested. "Am I one of them? Am I a mutant?" I thought as I sat down for dinner.

"Sarah, you're so quiet today, what's going on?" Max asked.

"I've been thinking a lot lately," I said.

"About what?" Katie ventured. I lowered my voice,

"About this whole mutant thing. Why were you asking me earlier about them?" I asked. Katie glanced at us nervously and shifted in her seat. She was hesitating about something. Max rubbed her shoulders to sooth her.

"It's ok, you can tell them," Max encouraged.

"We, as in the Medical Division, sorta, like, found a mutant this morning. That's why I was asking Sarah about them when I saw her," Katie said slowly.

"They're actually real?" Alice gasped.

"Yeah, for realz, and they're dangerous," Katie warned.

"Dangerous? How?" Vidia inquired.

"When they brought him in, we all thought he was just like the rest of us. The boy was hurt and required medical attention. I was assigned to him and I had to take a blood sample," Katie explained, "However, when the results came back, there was something slightly different and nobody seemed to know what it was. So, we marched the results up to the Head S.H.I.E.L.D. agent that was over our Division. Within an hour, all the nurses were called into her office and were told that the boy was a mutant. Agent Simmons was her name I think? She wanted more blood samples and further tests done. I'm typically used to taking blood samples, but when I put the needle in, he freaked out. All the lights started to flicker and several went completely out! Word started to travel and two hours ago, a few nurses found out that they killed him."

"Who?" Alice asked.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. did and now they're obsessed with finding all  the mutants so they can kill them off entirely," Katie informed us.

"That's a bunch of crap! Just because one mutant got scared because you had to take blood samples and let their control slip, doesn't mean that they're all dangerous," Vidia argued. What a sudden change of heart she had from a few days ago!

"I agree, they probably want to live like any other normal human being," I said.

"I understand, but imagine how many other mutants are out there that don't know how to control their powers," Katie said.

"Sure, but there's got to be people out there who are mutants that don't even know it yet," Alice said.

"Hey, what are you guys talking about?" Alex asked wistfully as he walked by.

"Nothing that would interest you," Max said.

"Really, because I could've sworn I heard you guys talking about mutants. Is that right?"

"Why don't you go bug somebody who actually cares about who you are," Vidia sneered.

"I would, but unfortunately, I heard that mutants are real and I'm only trying to figure out if they're good guys or bad guys," Alex sneered back.

"I guess we'll find out when they're ready to tell us. Until then, bug off," Katie shooed him away with a sly smile and to our relief, Alex left us alone.

"Why don't we finish up this bland meat they've been calling chicken and call it a night?" Max suggested.

"What's the big rush?" Vidia asked.

"Didn't Katie tell you?" Max asked.

"Tell us what?" Alice asked. Max put an arm around Katie.

"You should tell them," Max encouraged, which made Katie blush.

"Max and I are seriously, boyfriend-girlfriend," she proudly announced.

"Well it took you two long enough!" I teased.