Chapter One

The young man walked down the cracked sidewalk, shaggy blond hair hanging in his eyes and i-pod head phones stuck in his ears as his head moved slightly along with the music, ignoring the chaos and rowdiness of the teenagers around him as he moved into more and more highly populated areas around the dilapidated old school building. While it was true that this wasn't a particularly nice area of Queens, and the decrepit buildings around him certainly helped to prove that point, any one who was open minded could see that the kids milling about outside the school were a community, with very little tension existing amongst their ranks.

He made his way up the steps, nodding his greetings and a faint smile to all of his friends who called out to him as he made his way into the crowded halls of the building. The AC was out again, and the halls were warm and stifling with the pressing of so many bodies, but after ducking into the secretaries office he felt a wave of cool air pass over him as a rotating fan aimed itself momentarily at the door. Pulling out his head phones, he turned off his I-pod and pocketed it, flashing a calm, winning smiled over at the pudgy older woman sitting behind the front desk.

"Morning Doris. How're Peaty and Monty doing this fine morning?"

"Noah! Good morning to you too, deary! They boys are doing just fine, thanks for asking. Although Ms. Roberts down the street keeps asking for Monty to breed with that mangy little mutt she calls a poodle. As if he would ever be interested in such a thing," the older woman huffed and Noah had to hide a laugh at her indignation. The woman was fiercely overprotective of her prize winning beagles, and had no tolerance for incompetence, but was otherwise one of the nicest souls he'd ever met. "Oh! Before I forget, the Dean wanted to see you this morning. Some people from a school are asking after you or something and he wanted you to see them before you started in on today's filing. Did you submit an early application without telling me, sweat heart?"

"Come now Doris, you know I'd never do such a thing to you," Noah said comfortingly, trying to quell the woman's nervous concern as he looked curiously at the Dean's closed door himself, dark eyebrows knit tightly together, before turning back to the older woman and flashing her a small, calming smile.

Doris smiled warmly back before turning back to her own filing as Noah eyed the door. Walking down the small hall that hid the Dean's door in the back of the front office, he knocked twice softly, immediately receiving a clearly spoken "Come in!"

Noah opened the door and stood just inside the office, waiting politely for further instruction as he did a quick mental inventory of the occupants. An older bald man in a wheel chair and a beautiful young African American woman in her early thirties stood on one side of the desk, the Dean on the other side gesturing for Noah to come further in and close the door. Noah did so and approached the desk.

"You asked to see me, sir?"

"Yes, yes my boy! This is Professor Charles Xavier and Miss Ororo Monroe from the Xavier Institute in Westchester. It seems that you've peeked their interest," the Dean said warmly, beaming with pride as Noah shook both their hands.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both," he said politely.

"The pleasure is all ours Mr. Wright," Professor Xavier said cordially, shaking Noah's hand firmly. "We've been looking through your academic and extra curricular records- they're really quite impressive. 4.0 GPA, all honors and AP courses, star of the soccer team, founder of both your schools Invisible Children Chapter as well as the Community Outreach Program, Class President and student body representative for the Academic Reform Committee. You are also apparently quite an accomplished musician."

"I wouldn't exactly consider the guitar and piano a great accomplishment," Noah said simply, a quaint smile on his face as he shifted somewhat wearily before the two representatives. "Dean, can I borrow your office for a few minutes to talk with the Professor and Ms. Monroe alone?"

"Oh! No problem Noah, I'll just leave you three to chat," the Dean said after he had realized that Noah was addressing him directly. He smiled fondly at the boy and clapped him warmly on the shoulder as he made his way out of the office. One the door was shut behind him Noah waited for a few moments as the Dean walked down the narrow hall before turning back to the rooms two other occupants.

"Ok, cut the crap. Why are you here and what do you want?" Noah said bluntly, but not maliciously. His shoulders loose and demeanor relaxed he took a step towards the Professor, looking him sharply in the eye. "I know you're not interested in my grades."

"On the contrary Noah, we happen to be very interested in your academic success," the Professor began languidly. "I run a very… select… boarding school in Westchester. Given your current academic record I see no reason why you would not receive not only acceptance but also a full scholarship as well."

"My Junior year ends in a month… you want me to transfer to a boarding school for just my last year of high school?" Noah asked incredulously.

"You misunderstand," Miss Monroe spoke up for the first time since their meeting began. "With your academic record there is very little in the way of courses that we could offer you. You would be enrolled full time at NYU's nearest campus while still living at the Xavier Institute and finishing up your final core curriculum for high school as well as participating in our own specialized courses which are mandatory for all students."

"We are very aware of just how special you really are Noah," the Professor added kindly. 'And we would like the opportunity to help show you how to reach your full potential.'

It took Noah a second or two to realize that the voice he had just heard was, in point of fact, coming from inside his own head. He fixed Xavier with a pointed glare.

"I don't appreciate other people being in my head Professor, and you needn't provide such an ardent display of your abilities either. I am well aware of the fact that you are a telepath, and that Miss Monroe is a tempesta-kinetic. I knew it from the moment I shook your hands."

"Very impressive Mr. Wright," the Professor acknowledged honestly. "I feel I must apologize for my brief intrusion into your thoughts. It is not often that we find a young man so in control of both himself and his abilities. More often than not, a practical demonstration is required to gain a students trust."

"Makes sense," Noah acquised. He moved to lean against the desk, half sitting on it as he crossed his arms over his chest thoughtfully. "Teenagers, newly manifested and already dealing with the normal out of control hormones on top of that. It would make sense that a more… blunt approach would be required. But that is where you made your mistake Professor."

"Oh?" the Professor asked politely. "And where was that?"

"I've had my powers since I was born," Noah said bluntly. "I'm betting you have some way to track people with abilities…"

"Mutants," the Professor supplied. "We are collectively known as mutants now."

"Okay then, mutants," Noah grimaced at the term but refrained from comment. "But as my ability is largely passive I highly doubt that I would have been picked up by your radars until, oh… about a week ago I would guess?"

"I don't suppose you would care to tell me what happened that would suddenly bring about a more… active side of your abilities?"

"Not particularly," Noah admitted bluntly. "I don't know you and despite my ability I don't really trust you quite yet."

"That's a bit paranoid, don't you think?" Miss Monroe asked gently. When Noah's intense blue eyes fixed on her, dark and intelligent despite their color, she had to repress a shudder from moving down her spine.

"It's only paranoid if the world isn't really out to get you. But we both know better than that don't we Ms. Monroe? Or do I need to remind you of the abductions that were televised in early 2008? Normal citizens being rounded up like criminals and taken away from their homes in the dead of night?"

Ororo shifted uncomfortably and was desperately relieved when the Professor cleared his throat, drawing Noah's attention back to him. Picking up the formal looking packet from the desk, he handed Noah the school's information.

"Here's everything you need to know about the school. There is a cd in here as well concerning our more… private educational opportunities. Please don't download it onto your computer, just watch it. Also, here is my business card with my private number- you may contact me anytime you wish, day or night, and I will answer," Noah took the proffered packet, briefly thumbing through it's extensive contents before looking back up at the Professor's earnest expression. "I hope that you will accept our offer. Even if you do have control over your own abilities, I believe you will find it an interesting experience to be surrounded by other people your own age who have gone through similar experiences, not to mention the benefit alone to your education. I hardly think a watchmakers salary is going to be able to get you into NYU for more than a semester," Noah glared at the pointed barb and Xavier relented, raising his hands in surrender. "Just think about it my boy, that's all I ask."

Noah looked down at the informational packet in his hands, bound in an engraved and embossed navy blue folder with the schools name and logo on the front. Inside, tucked amongst all the various folders and informational packets, was a small card on 'Campus life'. The packet was thin, no bigger than a Hallmark card, containing only a few quotes and a list of activities the students often partook in, but that wasn't what had caught his attention. The picture on the front of the packet was what had drawn his eyes. It was obvious the students hadn't realized they were being photographed as the camera man had probably stood in what seemed to be the corner of a great hall. One could see portions off a grand entrance and a kitchen behind and to the left, and the room behind the camera man seemed as if it would have been a living or sitting room based an what could be seen of it in the photo. A girl with her brown hair pulled back into a pony tail and a pink cardigan had her hands on her hips and was glaring at a boy with blond hair who, for some reason, was sitting in a pile of snow in the middle of the hall. A black boy with bleached blond hair was gliding down the stair railing on a skate board as another boy with deep black hair, almost blue, was pointing and laughing at the blond. Another girl with gothic clothing and short brown hair framed with white streaks was caught in mid eye roll at the spectacle was standing next to a beautiful mocha skinned girl with dark auburn hair who was obviously trying not to laugh. Noah couldn't hide from the truth captured in this simple picture, he could never escape the truth, not since he'd been a little baby. These people, these teenagers, they weren't just friends… they were a family. Noah felt his stomach clench uncomfortably at that thought, though he couldn't quite pinpoint down why.

"So?" Noah looked up to see the Dean looking excitedly down at him, it took him a second to realize that both the Professor and Miss Monroe must have left some time ago. Noah blinked a few times up at the older man, not quite sure what he meant. "How did it go? What did they want?"

From around the corner of the door frame he could see Doris peering in surreptitiously… or at least it would have been surreptitious if Sarah from bankrolling wasn't also trying to pear in, leaning over Doris's shoulder to do so.

"They, uh… they offered me a place at their school," Noah said uncertainly, still regarding the photo with a sad sort of distraction.

"You're going to change schools for your last year of high school?" the Dean said uncertainly. He shook his head mildly, some of the excitement leaving as confusion took it's place. "Well, Xavier Institute is a very prestigious school but… just for one year?"

"Uh, not exactly," Noah said, shifting slightly as he stood up straighter, taking his weight off the desk and clearing his throat uncertainly. "I'd attend a few classes there and live there but… they said they…"

Noah hadn't even realized he'd trailed off when Doris's shrill voice cut through the small office. She and Sarah had not longer been able to restrain themselves behind the open door frame and were now standing huddled by the Dean. "Well? Spit is out Noah! What did they say?"

Noah glanced up briefly before looking back at the folder again and clearing his throat. "They said… they said that they could get me into NYU on an early acceptance program with a full scholarship."

Doris squealed shrilly and Noah soon found himself ensconced in the woman's large, beefy arms as she squeezed the breath from his midsection. Sarah had wrapped herself around his shoulders as the Dean wrestled one of Noah's hand free from the ladies grasp and shook it vigorously.

"Congratulations my boy! Oh I am so proud of you! I knew you would do great things in this world! This is only just the beginning for you I am sure!" the Dean commended, positively beaming with pride as he continued to shake Noah's hand.

"Oh! Wait until we tell your mother! She'll be so proud of you! And your father! Oh I just can't wait to call them…"

"No!" Noah cut off quickly, making everyone start and pull back slightly to look at the boy as Noah tried to hide his face, ashamed of his outburst. "I mean, uh, no. I want to tell them myself, uh, in person."

Doris looked at him doubtfully for a moment but eventually relented, thinking to herself that she would never understand the inner workings of this wonderfull boys mind. "Well alright dear… if you insist."

"I do," Noah said quickly, maybe even a little too quickly. He took a breath and spoke more calmly and slowly the second time. "I do."

"Just make sure you tell them soon deary, I don't think I can stop myself from bragging about you for too long," Doris said kindly, smoothing out the shirt that had been wrinkled by their aggressive hugging as she smiled at him.

"I will," Noah promised softly. "Promise. I'll tell them tonight, at dinner. I just… I kind of want it to be in person, okay?"

Doris nodded understandingly, giving his shoulder a final loving squeeze as he left the room. He knew that they were all still watching him as he left, still running on auto pilot, but he couldn't stop himself from starring at the picture still held in his hands. He knew exactly what his parents would say about such an opportunity… and that was precisely the problem.