O1: Meetings with the Headmaster.
"Maximus... Maximus! Are you listening?" my mum's voice cracked through me as she leaned across and yanked my headphones out from my ears.
Nursing my ears I glared up at her. "Well, when someone has there ears full of music from an iPod, it normally means there not listening Mum" I said, rolling my eyes and shoving the iPod into my pocket. She regarded me with the almost unnaturally clear blue eyes I also had been born with. She turned back to sit properly in the front seat of the family car, and shared a look with my Dad.
"I was saying that this could be a good thing for all of us, it could be a cu-" She suddenly choked on the word she had just been able to say as my Dad let out a deliberate cough. I felt resentment and anger boil up in my stomach, and instantly crossed my arms – it was a habit I had when I was annoyed.
Her cheeks flushed a little as she tried to carry on smoothly. "It could be a... solution to this.. situation. I've been speaking to some of the other parents, and plenty of them have said that they're own children seemed a lot more happier.. a lot more.. content with there condition"
I couldn't bring myself to keep her eye contact in the rear view mirror any longer, and sniffed in disgust as I turned to look out of the window. Condition... any other word than what I really was – I refused to say what was 'wrong' with me – despite being as confused as I was, I knew that all the bad stigma about people like me was wrong. I had been the one that had found about the Xavier Institute.
Obviously at first when I realised I wasn't actually going crazy, that I actually did have some sort of powers, I was worried. I had seen reports all over the news about mutants, about how they were dangerous... and some of them were. But I had got researching and found out about the Xavier Institute, and eventually started speaking to a boy my age there. Charlie had drilled it into me in our email conversations that we weren't deformed animals like the press said, that we were simply different. And that the Xavier Institute was here to help, and that I would be supported and helped. Understood.
It was just a shame I couldn't say the same for my own flesh and blood.
A impressed whistle from my Dad brought me around from my reflective thinking as the car turned into a barely-there turn off from the large state road. We had been driving through the back parts of New York's suburban forests for almost twenty minuets. The bushes and trees bordered dangerously close to the car for a few moments before suddenly opening and revealing my parent's sudden change in attitude.
It really was just like the website, and just how Charlie had described it. The Institute resembled a huge mansion, the main building itself sprawling wide and build of handsome pale bricks. The grounds themselves were barred by a pair of large gates which opened as the car neared. Huge lawns dotted with a basketball court, a variety of small gardens and benches and a impressive fountain invited us onto the large foyer area. A garage almost as big as my house stood a little to the left, but Dad parked right outside the steps that led up to the large wooden doors. I didn't wait for my parents to say anything, I yanked the door open and stood in marvel at the building. Something about it, the beauty, the grandness – it seemed so warm compared to my own house.
The midday summer sun beamed down on me, bing flanked by my parents either side, as we climbed the steps. "Well Maximus, it certainly looks lovely doesn't it?" my mother asked, clearly also in awe. I didn't answer her. There had been a time when I had been a normal seventeen year old, going to a normal school, and me and my parents had a normal relationship. But then the headaches and powers started, and then we discovered I was a mutant. Things didn't say normal for long – my parents had hardly been the most inviting to the idea of a mutant son, and ever since then, things hadn't been the same.
Two people stood outside the doors of the mansion waiting for us. One I recognised straight away, another fit a description I had been told. Charlie looked exactly the same as he did when we had started to have web cam conversations, albeit a little taller than I expected. Despite being only a few months older than me, he was taller than me by a head. He had broad shoulders and muscular arms that fit snugly into the black v – neck he was wearing. He had tanned since I'd last spoken to him, but his dark brown hair, cut into a faux huax was still as messy as ever. His big brown eyes, with a cheerful spark in them calmed me a little as he flashed me a smile. Despite the hot weather, he wore smart blue jeans and some standard black loafers.
I felt myself smile a little – me and Charlie had been speaking for three months now, and I knew him to be a typical, laid back, boys boy. He would have never dressed like this normally, but he obviously was meant to impress. Beside him, almost as tall stood a woman with a exotic beauty that seemed to glow. Orroro Monroe – or Professor Monroe as I would probably have to call her – stood in a well cut grey suit that suited her dark African rooted skin perfectly. She had her impossibly white hair pulled back into a high ponytail, the end reaching almost the small of her back, and her serene, almost ageless face seemed calm. She had sparkling blue eyes, much like mine myself, and they too seemed to radiate serenity.
I glanced at my parent's faces as we reached the final steps – they were shocked. Perhaps they had expected a bunch of rowdy, grotesque looking demons?. Most probably – but something inside of me beamed with pride that Charlie had impressed me. Although this would be our first time meeting, me and him had established a strong friendship, of some sort.
"Good afternoon Mr and Mrs Clarke, its a pleasure to meet you. You too, Maximus" Orroro spoke so softly and clearly. "I am Orroro Monroe – assistant Principal" she extended a hand with a warm smile. I shook her hand first, and I noticed she gave it a firm squeeze. An encouraging squeeze. My mother took her hand a little more hesitantly, still flabbergasted. My dad took it all in his stride – surprisingly he had been more... okay about this whole situation.
"This is Charlie Brooks. I assume you know that Charlie and Maximus are already acquainted. Charlie will be acting as a kind of guide for Maximus" I winced slightly.
"Errm... Mrs Monroe.. Max.. please. I've always hated my full name" I said with a forced chuckle. She simple nodded with her beautiful head.
"That is of course if we think this.. place is suitable for Maximus" my mother piped up with a annoying amount of indigenousness. I met her gaze and glared at her. I knew she'd end up being rude.
"Of course Mrs Clarke. That is of course, what today is all about. Now that we have introductions over, shall we perhaps go inside and discuss what we can do for Max" I smiled warmly, and I caught Charlie's eye. He rolled his eyes and then winked. I could tell he hated this formal stuff.
With that Orroro turned on her high heels and ushered everyone into the mansion. I myself was shocked at how well she handled my mother, she wasn't rude, but she was firm. It allowed no room for arguments. The grand entrance was just as well.. grand as I expected. A huge chandelier dangled above our heads on a beautifully painted ceiling. A pair of sweeping staircases lined the walls, while large, ornate paintings adorned the walls. We barely had time to observe it all as Orroro led us all straight under the staircases, through a oak door and into a hallway slightly curving upwards.
Orroro began to talk to my parent's of the journey here, and other small talk that she made somehow greatly interesting. Charlie stepped in beside me, holding out his hand. I shook it.
"Nice to finally see you face to face! How are you feeling?" he asked with another impressive grin.
I took a moment to answer – how did I feel?. I was excited.. I was pretty damn excited! I was finally here – for weeks and weeks today had been something to get me through the frosty atmosphere at home and the headaches. But it was mixed with nerves – as grand and as amazing as this place was, I just really hoped they could help me. Or if they even offered me a place.
"Well... a bit of everything really. Its just really surreal!" I replied, taking a deep breath.
"Don't worry, I know you'll probably hear this a lot – but we've all been through it. I was a nervous wreck when I got here, I tripped into Xavier's study and everything!. But don't worry, Orroro and Xavier will be able to handle your parents. And thats without any of Xavier's mind tricks – he might be in a wheelchair and be bald, but jeeze does he talk sense!" Charlie explained with a laugh.
"Its not my parents I'm worried about – don't get me wrong, my mum's doing my head in already. But I'm just worried I won't get asked to even stay here.. I mean what if I'm not what the Institute is looking for?" I stuttered – our small party had reached the end of the hall and turned left, passing a worrying amount of doors. This place was huge!.
Charlie shook his head and jokingly punched my arm. "Don't be stupid dude, we don't look for anything, this place is here to help. Just chill out. Were almost at his office, and unfourtantly I can't come in. But I'll be waiting outside. I won't wish you luck, you don't need it" my new tall haired companion smiled once again and crossed the hall to wait in a small reception room.
We reached a impressive polished door, that held a plaque reading 'Charles Xavier – Headmaster'. My parents seemed to look a little less uptight now, but my mum still had a furrowed brow. Of course neither of them bothered to see how I was feeling – Dad did give me a curt nod as Orroro opened the door and we stepped in.
The office was large and circular. Bookcases, floor to ceiling took up most of the wall space, stopping either side of a impressive window that looked out onto the back gardens of the mansion. I eyed a swimming pool, which at the moment was full of other students. A intimidating, wide almost black desk stood in the middle of the room, with matching chairs arranged in front. There was no chair behind the desk, but I soon realised that Charles Xavier had no need for one, he was permantley in a wheelchair. The man himself was positioned near the window, observing his students, absent mindley twirling the large globe in the stand beside him.
As they neared the desk he obviously noticed our entry and his shiny robotic looking chair spun on the spot. I realized it didn't actually have wheels – it hovered over the plush looking carpet. His legs were completely covered by the shiny chrome looking metal, and a technical looking array of buttons sat either side on the arm rests. He greeted us all with a wide smile, and hovered forwards to rest behind the desk.
I couldn't help but stifle a laugh. Charlie was right, Xavier was as bald as an egg. But it didn't make him any less striking. He had a angular face, although handsome. Whereas Orroro was an older lady, her beauty out shone her age, and you found it hard to place an exact number on her years – Charles was clearly well into his fifties. He had lines around his intensely dark eyes. Were they brown? Or black? I couldn't quite tell. His clear aging didn't take anything from his welcoming, but slightly unnerving aurora. I knew then, that Charles Xavier was not a man to be messed with. And so did my parents, apparently. They practically dropped into the seats. I sat down too, and I felt a little easier when Orroro seated herself next to me, I caught a large smile out the corner of my eyes.
"Welcome! I'm so very glad to finally have you here" Charles's voice wasn't loud, but it was strong. Strong, commanding.. but somehow kind?. I then noticed that he was talking to me, and me alone. I felt heat rise up in my face and I stuttered a thank you for having me. His angular face broke into a smile. "And of course, Mr and Mrs Clarke, I am glad that you have come as well. It will be a relief to finally talk of Max's stay with us" He called me Max, and not Maximus! Had he read my mind and known I was running over that in my mind?.
My mother nodded slowly, still taking in the man before her. "Well.. we still haven't decided if this is the right place for Maximus yet. We want to make sure his issue will be dealt with" she said slowly, sitting up a little straighter.
"Why, Mrs Clarke, there is no issue that Max has that I can see. He simply needs to be in the right place, surrounded by the right people. And I'm quite sure that the Xavier Institute is the right place. I'm also quite sure that the quicker he is moved in and settled with us, the more happier he will feel" Xavier finished his sentence by looking over at me, with another large smile. He reminded me of Orroro – he wasn't raising his voice or coming across as aggressive, but something in the way he spoke told me he knew right. I nervously returned his smile.
I didn't have to look to know my mum's frown had deepened. She wasn't used to being spoken to like that. "Well you must understand Mr Xavier, more than anyone, that what is happening to Maximus is hardly normal. I mean this whole place is full of you... people. I want to know he's going to come home after his stint here, and we'll be able to be happy again." If looks could kill, my mum would have been dead then. The tone in her voice was certainly.. indignant!.
Xavier said nothing for a moment but studied my mum with those scarily intense eyes. I couldn't blame her for shifting in her seat slightly. He brought his hands up to rest his chin on them and sighed slightly. "I fear, Mrs Clarke, that its you thats not understanding this" he said very slowly and deliberately. My father's eyebrows shot up almost as quick as my mum's. I felt myself cringe inside.
"Being a mutant is not wrong. It is not a problem, it is nothing unnatural. It is a change in our genetic codes – just like Orroro's strange, but beautiful hair colour" he said with a nod and warm smile towards the willowy lady. She let out a soft laugh and ran her hands through her trailing ponytail. "Or like an Albino, or any matter of different people. That is all we – Max is – different. I think that if Max comes to stay with us, he'll stay for longer than you expect. We are here to firstly – help and understand. Something, which I think, Max is lacking very much so at the moment" Xavier's last sentence was punctuated with his eyes narrowing slightly.
At once my mother sat up even straighter, and let out a unimpressed huff. She leaned forward in her chair and opened her mouth to talk. Xavier however, ploughed on. "I don't really expect 'normal' people to understand at first. It is hard to accept that your son has been gifted with extraordinary powers. But being at home, with people such as yourself trying hard to pretend that nothing is wrong is no help, and no understanding" my mother's face was slowly turning red. My father had sat up now too, and was looking thoroughly annoyed.
Still Xavier went on. "I do not mean to come across as rude, but you and your husband don't intend this place as a home for your son at all. You feel threatened and intimidated by your son's gift. But you must look and see, that he will be happy here. We will help him control and tame his powers, and possibly go on to use them for the best. Not only that, we will keep him safe from those who have more than your disdain for our kind – those that hate us. He is most safest, and happiest here" his voice rung around the office, despite him hardly raising his voice.
I glanced at Orroro – she must have seen the clear worry across my face because she leaned across and gave my hand a squeeze. I turned to my parents. My mother's face was beetroot red now, and her clear sapphire eyes were narrowed in fury. My father had gone from being angry to gulping nervously at the sight of his wife's anger. He knew as well as me how bad Mum was when she went off on one. This had been a bad idea.. I should have just kept my head down and never even dreamed of coming here. I felt my stomach drop as my mum's mouth worked furiously – when she finally regained the ability to speak, her words would make sure I'd never be welcome here again.
"How DARE you! I don't think you have any... ANY idea what this has been like! You wouldn't understand, because your just the same as him! As the rest of them! All the other FREAKS!" she bellowed the last word, her hands shaking. Instantly, my mother realised she had gone to far. So did I.
Charles Xavier's eyes turned dark as her onslaught issued. His face even seemed to become more... intense. He lifted his head from his hands and placed them very slowly on his armrests and shook his head slowly. "This, Brenda, is exactly the type of hate I speak of. You fail to even try to comprehend your son's position, and because of that, you will not be there for him. We, however, will be. I suggest you leave, now." I gasped. If his voice and manner had been that of commanding before, it was nothing to now. He seemed to emanate a fierce aurora that sent a shiver down my spine.
Once again my mother spluttered as she registered the shock. But this time, my father spoke up. And stood up, his fists clenched. "We will be leaving! And we'll be taking Maximus with us! He doesn't belong here, in this.. freak show! He was a normal boy before, and he'll be a normal once again, I can tell you that much! He is OUR son, and OUR son will not be a freak! And if any of you wierdos try to do ANYTHING to change the fact that its our decision, SO HELP ME!" he roared. My mother had jumped at every shout he issued, and tears of surprise and rage had welled up in her eyes. I wanted to sink into the chair. It was all going wrong. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes now.
Orroro herself stood up, a fierce glint in her serene eyes. She made a point of moving over to stand in front of me. What did I do? Should I just go? I didn't want fists, or something more to fly. I shakily stood up and gulped.
"You have made a mistake making yourselves angry, both of you. I pity you. But your right, we will not do anything to change the decision as to whether Max stays here or not. But you were wrong – it is Max's choice. Law of the State clearly says that the Xavier Institute will take those only who are willing and wanting to come – and it is their own choice. Now sit down – both of you!" Xavier barked the command, and my jaw dropped as my mother fell into her seat, and my father actually half collapsed down. Both there faces were mirror images of shock, and slight fear.
"Charles is right Mr and Mrs Clarke – the decision is down to Max, and Max alone. If he decides to stay, then his things will be collected from your home later and brought here. You will be allowed to visit of course, or Max go home to you, but only on weekends. Weekdays are taken up with lessons and such. The Xavier Institute is a proper establishment, we are not just renegades taking in stray mutants. We set this place up with government aid, and we enforce our laws. Try to do anything stupid in taking Max back, and you will face consequences" Orroro still spoke soft and clearly, it was almost calming. My mother and father shared looks of horror and dismay. Orroro herself turned to look at me, and regarded me with her serene orbs, Xavier with his intense stare.
"Well, Max – it is your time to speak now. Do you wish to stay? Of course, we do not force the answer now, you are given three weeks to go and think if you feel you have to" Xavier explained. I let out a breath I realized I hadn't been holding.
I knew deep down, I didn't really have to think about it. The answer was obvious. Even before my headaches and powers had begun to show, I had always been paraded around as the showboat of the family. My parents were wealthy, I had been forced into private schooling and I was pressured to do as well as I could. I was rarely allowed to socialize with friends, and I was always dragged round to executive parties. My mother would always grill me as how to act proper. I knew this would be the best place for me, I already had a friend and I knew Xavier and Orroro were here for what I really needed – help and understanding.
I spared my parents a glance. They looked a mix of outraged and horrified. Don't get me wrong, I knew they loved me, and I knew this was all out of confusion, but right now I needed the Institute. Maybe in a few weeks, once they had gotten over the shock, I would go and see them. I turned to Xavier and nodded, barely hearing the 'yes' that escaped my lips. I had just been through so many emotions in the short half an hour that I hardly knew what to think.
"It is done then. Orroro if you could show Mr and Mrs Clarke out. Mrs Monroe will follow you back to collect Max's things. I am sorry this has come to shouting. Just know that Max is in good hand's, and no doubt he shall phone you later on. It has been a... experience" whereas moments ago, when he had been condemning my parents, his whole image had been sharp and commanding, he now sounded calm. Calm and soothing. With a gulp of tears, my mother practically ran from the room. I wanted to talk to her, to explain that I had to be here.. but I knew she wouldn't understand yet.
Dad simply pulled me into a rough hug, promised he'd call later and told me he loved me. Of course, pangs of sadness sounded inside me. But this was a fresh start, a new beginning. Orroro swept from the room and after my parents – if anyone else had to go back to my house and pack my things, I'd have felt bad for them. But somehow, I knew Orroro could handle herself.
"You look like you need to sit, Max" Xavier said as the door clicked shut. I didn't respond at first, but simply collapsed into the seat. He leaned across his desk and smiled.
"I cannot begin to imagine how confused and probably upset you are now Max, but you chose to be here. I hope that is because you know were here for you. I understand you and Charlie have already struck up a friendship, which is always a plus" I nodded to him.
"I'm just so relieved that I know I'm going to be here for good... its been kind of like a light at the end of the tunnel for weeks. Things have been... bad since we found out. I believe Charlie when he said this is the best place for me at the moment" I responded, finally getting my voice back. I felt calmer now, just processing it all.
"Of course. Charlie is right. I am just sorry that it came to the point that it did. I do not like to speak that way with student's parents or guardian's, but you'd be surprised how often I must. It takes a firm hand in situations like this – don't worry, they will come round Max. But right now we have to focus on settling you in" Xavier said, leaning back into his... hover chair?.
"Charlie will be a guide of sorts, and you two will be sharing rooms. He has plenty of friends, that he can introduce you to later. As its a Saturday, there are no lessons on weekends. Students are free to do as they wish, as long as they consult a member of staff at first. We can't have you all running riot" he said with a barking laugh. I felt myself laugh to – it felt good after all that!.
"Everything will be explained in detail eventually, but you've just had an experience you need to take in. I suggest you go and errr.. what is it they call it?... 'hang out' with Charlie for a while" he said, sketching quotation marks around the words. I felt myself smile.
"Orroro will be back with your possessions shortly, and you can unpack, head down to dinner and probably get an early night" he said with a wink. He was obviously aware that at that moment, I was far to excited to even think of turning in early. "You'll probably be taken on Charlie's grand tour later.. tomorrow we can talk more" he said.
It was then that I realized as fierce and slightly scary Charles Xavier was, there was something about him that put me at ease. He turned away from me, shuffling through his desk drawer, obviously a dismissal. I stood.
"Errm... Mr Xavier.." I started. He looked up and waved a hand. "Just call me Xavier"
"Right.. Xavier.. I have a question. Did you.. did you read my parents minds? You said something about knowing as soon as they walked in that they didn't want me here?" I said slowly.
A knowing smile spread across his aged face. "How inquisitive Max. But no, I didn't. I don't need to read minds to know that. When you have lived as I have, and interacted with as many people as I have, you learn to read people, not there minds. Body language, what they say, how they say it, and so on. I did, however, read your mind to know you prefer being called Max, and not Maximus. I must apologize, some consider it rude to scan someone's mind without permission. But I personally find it rude being called by a name I do not like" he said, his smile reaching his eyes and a warm twinkle radiating from his eyes. I knew that was the end of the conversation and I smiled to myself, leaving the office with a laugh.