I ran up stairs and blasted my CD player real loud. The sound of Nickleback invaded my room. After awhile of being cooped up in my room, I walked out to my balcony and whispered to myself:

"What a wonderful night to fly." I concentrated on the bat that I usually turned into. I usually wasn't able to change voluntarily but I guess there was an exception for today because I changed without a problem. I flew around until I got to downtown Bayville where I changed into a human in a dark alley. I walked around the dimly lit street until I ran into the brotherhood.

"Jasper?" Todd asked. "What are you doing around this part of Bayville."

"Walking. What does it look like?" I scowled. Todd was the last person I wanted to see.

"Look, Jasper, I'm sorry about what happened today. When I saw the SRO dude, I panicked and ran. I didn't mean for you to get in trouble." He said really fast.

"Well, you did." I folded my arms.

"I'm real sorry." He repeated almost pouting.

"He's serious, too." Peitro said, "He went all the way to the principal's how and told him that he was the one that stole the wallets and that you tried to stop him.

"I think he likes you." Fred said grinning.

"Shut up." Todd hissed.

"You went all the way to the principal's house and bailed me out?" I asked in amazement.

"Yeah, he should be calling the Professor right now." I was so excited that I hugged the boy. He tensed up and didn't hug back.

"That was so sweet of you. You could have gotten away with it but you took the blame." I said letting him go. "Why?"

"It took me a long time to earn the title of pickpocket and I'm not about to let you walk in after only two days and take my title without even trying." We all laughed.

"So, you running away or something." Asked a voice that came from behind Todd, Peitro, Fred, and Lance. The voice revealed itself as Dante.

"What gives you that idea?" I asked Dante, who, with an exception of his aloofness, was hot.

"Well, you just got blamed for something you didn't do and now you're walking around downtown."

"No, I'm not running away, but I'm deeply considering." I confirmed.

"Well, if you do run away, there's an open space for you in the Brotherhood." Lance said. "We're recruiting."

"I'll think about it." I laughed. "Where are you guys headed?"

"A small club. Probably something you wouldn't be interested in."

"You barely know me two days and you already think you know what I'm interested in." I folded my arms.

"I'm sorry." He replied dryly.

"Do you wanna come, Yo." Todd asked, almost begging.

"Yeah, sure. I have nothing better to do with my time." So I followed them to the club, which, like they said, was small. But what would you expect from Smallville...I mean...Bayville. The club was called The Bat cave.

"The Bat cave. I like this place already." We walked through the door. Inside there were some people from school and others who were a little over 20. Majority of the people were goths, the music was alternative/ rock, and the inside, like the name, looked like a bat cave. I had stone-like walls, a dark smoky atmosphere, and fake bats hanging from the ceiling. We sat on a red velvet couch by the wall, near the speakers and ordered our drinks. I ordered a sprite, Dante ordered water, Peitro ordered coffee, Lance had Coke and rum, Fred had an Dr. Pepper, and Todd didn't get anything, making a comment on how he would rather have sewer water (which I don't think was a joke.) I was listening to the music that the dj was playing and watching the people dancing. I was waiting for an upbeat rock song to come on so I could go dance. Suddenly:

"'Breath in and breath out/ hands up hands down/ back up back up/ tell me whatcha wanna do now'" Limp Bizkit blasted on the speakers. I jumped out of my seat and joined the dancers. Todd followed. We danced and talked through Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Hoobastank, and Nickelback. After we got tired we went to sit down with the rest of the guys and talk some more.

"So how did you find out you were a mutant?" He asked in a low voice.

"Well, it all happened when my last family, my ex-boyfriend, and I went rock climbing. My rope came loose and I almost fell to my uncertain death when I sprouted wings and flew away." I replied as if I were talking on "Unsolved Mysteries" or "It's a Miracle".

"What happened after that?" Todd asked interested.

"My boyfriend broke up with me and my parents didn't tell anyone. They just sent me back to the orphanage, then two weeks later I'm here in Bayville."

"How'd you react to it?" Dante asked not really looking like he cared.

"I was totally cool with it. I mean mutants are cool and I always wanted to be on so it works hand in hand."

"So you wasn't one of those people who got all freaked out and scared cause they're a..." He leaned forward and in a low whisper said: "mutant."

I was kinda freaked out when it happened but when I got a grip of what was going on, it was cool." I said. "So what kind of powers do you guys have." Dante demonstrated his by refilling his glass with water.

"Water." He answered.

"Earthquakes." Lance said.

"Speed." Pietro followed. Fred just pointed to his stomach.

"I'm like a toad, Yo." Todd replied, with a flick of the tongue.

"That would explain the teeth, the hair, and the smell." I laughed.

"Yo, you don't gots to be so harsh." Todd pouted mockingly. We talked some more on the subject and when the subject came to an end we sat back and listened to the music. I looked at my Batman watch to see that two hours had passed. I wonder if anyone noticed I was gone. Probably not. They're probably looking for more things to pin on me.

"Hey...uh...Jasper?" Todd stuttered, jarring me out of my thoughts.

"Huh?" I replied.

"Can we...uh...talk alone for a second."

"Yeah, sure." I answered. We walked to a corner not to far from the table, but far enough.

"I was...uh...wandering...uh...if...uh...you would like to...uh..." He stammered.

"You was wondering if I would like to what?" I asked wishing he would spit it out.

"Go out with me." He said real fast. I was taken back by the question.

"We've barely known each other two days." I pointed out.

I know, but, I don't know, I felt something, like, I don't know, love at first sight or something." I looked boy and thought deeply then responded.

"I don't really believe in love at first sight but since you saved my tail I'll grant you one date. If it works out we'll wash and repeat if it doesn't work..."

"We try, try again." Todd smiled jokingly. He was his calm self again"

"I like you enthusiasm, soldier." I said punching my fist into the air. Suddenly, I sensed something. In a 'smelled' it. I turned to see Logan, Scott, and Jean at the door of the club. "Look who came to ruin my fun." I said. Todd turned and frowned.

"Man, that sucks."

"Hey, I'll see you on Monday." I said heading to the bathroom when Todd grabbed my arm.

"If I tell yo, I'll have to kill you and then how will we go on our date." I said, kissed him on the cheek, and hopped away to the bathroom. Fortunately, there was a window. I opened the window, crawled out, and flew home. When I got there I changed into my pj's and went to bed. Music still blasting.

***

Well, I didn't get in trouble for sneaking out. Or sneaking back in. The Prof. talked to me this morning to tell about the principals phone call and to tell me was sorry if he made me feeling unwelcome. But both of us knew that it wasn't him that I wanted to hear the apology from. So now it was breakfast time and we were sitting in the dining room not speaking. The silence went on for an agonizing five minutes until Scott spoke.

"Jasper...I...uh..." He started I wanted to apologize for accusing you of stealing those wallets. I shouldn't have judged you like that."

"You are forgiven." I said finishing my food.

"Thanks."

"I'm still gonna hold it over your head for the rest of your life." I got up and putting my plate into the kitchen sink. When I came back Scott asked:

"Scott, darling, you can't get rid of me that easily. You're stuck with me FOREVER!" I grinned devilishly and walked upstairs to my room." I live in a mansion and my room has a balcony and a walk-in closet. I'm not leaving anytime soon."

THE END of NEW HABITATS. Stay tuned for BLOOD ON HER LIPS.

For information on X-MEN EVOLUTION: DARK MISTRESS go to X-MEN EVOLUTION BIOS.