You know, just because someone's life seemed okay on the outside, doesn't mean it is okay. I think everyone has that going on in their lives. Everyone has some sort of problem at home or at school or something, but they keep their mouths shut about it and everyone else assumes they're just fine.

Some people have it worse than others. Some people are just stressing over grades or babysitting some annoying brats or pointless school-related drama that really shouldn't be happening. Others worry about their parents getting divorced or the death of someone close to them.

Me? I had to worry about genetics.

I know, that sounds weird. I mean, why would an average guy have to worry about their gene pool? I've got short blonde hair, hazel eyes, light and fair skin, and stand at five feet and seven inches tall. Average, right? Well, there's this advanced strand of DNA in my body called the X-gene. At least, that's what the people at the institute told me. Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. That's what they called it.

After some weird stuff started happening a few days ago, I got a visit from Professor Charles Xavier. You can imagine how freaked my parents must've been when they found out I was a mutant.

"Erik's a what?" my mother had shrieked. "A mutant? How could this happen? Where did I go wrong?" She dramatically flopped herself on the couch across from the one I was sitting on, her dark brunette hair tangling itself as it fell down and around her face.

"Mom," I replied. "Just relax, okay? You're going to freak out the neighbors." I rolled my eyes.

"The neighbors!" she sat up straight, tucking her stray hair behind her ear. "What are the neighbors going to think?"

"Mrs. Williams," Xavier started, looking perfectly calm and composed in his wheelchair, despite my mom's overdramatic reaction. "I can assure you, Erik would be perfectly safe from anyone else's," he paused, trying to find the right words to use, "negative input on the nature of his being."

Unfortunately my father was still at work; otherwise he'd be able to keep my mom calm enough to at least consider that this Xavier guy might be right. He'd be freaked out too of course, but at least he'd keep her from putting on a one-person tragedy play.

I rolled my eyes again while Xavier went on, "Of course he'd still be attending school. Education is a top priority for our students."

My mother sighed. "How did this ever happen?" she asked and shook her head in disapproval.

"Hey mom," I said. "It's really not that big of a deal."

"Have you seen the riots people cause?" she snapped back at me. "These…anti-mutant groups. They just live to torture people like you!"

People like me? I repeated in my head. The way she was speaking made her sound like she actually agreed with those stupid anti-mutant groups!

"Erik would be in the safety of the institute," Xavier put in before I could say anything. "Our security system is guaranteed to keep unwanted visitors out. Our students are perfectly safe."

My mom seemed to be thinking about something as she lied back down on the couch. "A mutant…" she muttered. "A mutant in my own family. In my own house…"

I resisted the urge to shout at her. She was really bugging me with the way she kept talking about mutants like they were the most revolting thing on the planet.

Don't be angry at her, I heard the Professor's voice, but when I looked at him, his mouth wasn't moving. Your mother, like many others, is having a difficult time understanding who you are and what you can do.

Wh-what…? I thought, and he smiled in what looked like light amusement.

I can enter your mind, Erik. But don't be afraid. I can channel and read into your thoughts, but I would never use it as a tool against you.

I nodded. Oh, okay, uhh… I mentally stuttered, not quite knowing how to respond to him. Good to know… I finally replied.

He gave me a warm smile before facing my mother again. "Would you be so opposed with the idea of him continuing his studies at my school for gifted children such as himself?" he asked her.

She sat up again and gave him a sarcastic, almost criticizing look. "Gifted?" she repeated. "There's nothing gifted about Erik being a… a…" she hesitated, trying to find the right phrasing. "One of you!" she finally decided upon. "He'll be branded as a freak for the rest of his life!"

"Gee, thanks mom," I replied sarcastically.

"Mrs. Williams," Xavier went on. "I understand your concern, and let me assure you that I'm not going to force you to let Erik to come back with me. You are his legal guardian, after all."

"Erik…" she turned to me. "Why would you do this to me?"

"Like I had a choice?" I replied coldly. "I didn't ask for this… X-gene, or whatever it is. It's something in my DNA, something I was born with."

"Then why now?" she asked. "Why are you changing now?"

"Nothing's changed, mom!" I almost shouted. "I'm still the same person I was a week ago!"

After a while of indirect insults and pointless conversation between Xavier and my mom, my dad finally came home through the front door.

He closed the door and turned to us, a confused look on his face. "What's going on here?" he asked after seeing the Professor in our living room.

After being explained to the situation, and talking to Xavier alone, my dad was able to convince my mom to let me go with the Professor back to the institute without causing a scene about it. I remember him saying something about being able to be my own person, no matter who that person was. Yeah, my dad was kind of freaked with the fact that his son was a mutant, but he was a lot more understanding than my mother.

And that brings us back to the present. Xavier gave me the weekend to pack and get all my stuff together. We were on winter break, so I wouldn't have to worry about going to school for a couple weeks. I had plenty of time to settle into the institute and get used to the way things worked.

My father dropped me off in front of the main gates, and I waved goodbye to him as he drove off. Then I turned and faced the gate, my bags slung over my shoulders. "Well, here goes nothing," I muttered to myself.