Chapter 2: Realistic

"And for one to be different almost guarantees that one will be feared."

Professor Xavier's classes were always interesting, no doubt, but the constant lectures on uniqueness and acceptance definitely started to take a toll on John after awhile. It was the same mumbo jumbo each and every time in his eyes. Fact of the matter was, people hated other people. No matter if they were different or even similar, people were always going to have something to not like and complain about. John knew the real truth…

Mutant or not, people were born stupid.

John sat at a desk beside Kitty in the front row of the classroom,(though he always fancied sitting in the back but Kitty insisted that it was easier to focus where she would always sit, up front) listening as best as he could to the professor's lesson. In front of him, resting on the desk was his Zippo, having retrieved it from Kitty the previous night who still asserted that she wouldn't be able to make it to the museum field trip but John was intent on persuading her.

He glanced down at the nearly blank piece of notebook paper in front of him, where the notes he was supposed to be writing down would go but instead he had only drawn a few doodles of flames on the edge of the sheet. He then eyed Kitty's paper where she had almost filled the entire page with notes, even still trying to fill in more at the very bottom, writing furiously while Xavier spoke. John decided to interrupt her before she made her fingers bleed from how tightly she was holding her pen and nudged her. At first, there was only the slight reaction of her slightly raising an eyebrow, still looking at her paper as she wrote. After a second nudge, her attempt to block him out seemed to falter and her eyes turned to him.

John had scribbled down on his paper: You REALLY should go on the trip.

Kitty looked at it, a bit annoyed at being distracted and then without any response, went back to focusing on the professor's teachings.

"It is our duty, to be the better people and accept that we will be feared and possibly hated. Overlooking these reactions is the only way any progress can be made toward building a safer and better world."

John just gave a slightly exaggerated sigh, just enough so it would no doubt catch Kitty's attention. She grudgingly peeked at him again and their eyes met, John's widening, as if saying "well?". Kitty just gave a silent groan and looked at him irritably, tapping her notebook with her pen, trying to get him to get back to work or in his case…write at least a sentence or two. John rolled his eyes and put his pencil down, folding his arms, just to spite her. They'd get like this sometimes and despite the little verbal tussles and debates, John actually kind of liked to get her fired up. It was fun.

The two of them continued their silent duel of facial expressions and hand signaling until John realized Xavier's lecture suddenly included his name.

"John, you really should listen."

John withdrew his attention from Kitty and looked at the professor who was still talking about people's ignorance and that his classmates who were all still listening just as intently to their teacher. No one else seemed to have heard that.

"I'd like to request a moment of your time after class, John." Professor X's voice said and this time, John saw the professor make eye contact with him when the voice spoke, despite the fact he was still lecturing.

John almost had to laugh at his own foolishness. Of course, the professor was a telepath so it shouldn't have been surprising that he was talking to him psychically. John just a gave a slight nod of his head and returned to doodling, allowing Kitty to go back to paying attention.

After what felt like an eternity to John, Professor Xavier finished up the class and gave everyone their homework assignments, telling them that they'd pick up the discussion tomorrow. Everyone got up from their seats and John watched as Bobby and Rogue made for the door while Kitty got her books together and waited for him, looking at him with her usual beautiful brown eyes.

"Go on ahead. I'm going to be a few minutes." John said, rising to his feet.

Kitty gazed at him uncertainly, noticing that the professor was waiting for her to leave and then smiled, waved at the professor, and began to depart, though snatching John's lighter from his desk as she did so. John was about to stop her but decided against it, more anxious to find out why he was staying after to chat.

"So..." John said, taking a seat on top of his desk and wishing he had his lighter to mess with. Always helped in uncertain situations.

From what John could tell, Professor Xavier didn't seem all that mad but he came a little closer to John, a thin smile forming on his lips.

"I'm glad to see that you are finding my lessons interesting."

"Riveting." John retorted with a sly smirk.

Professor Xavier gave a small chuckle before his face shifted to a somewhat more serious expression.

"It's been some time since the two of us talked one on one, John. I believe that the last time was shortly after you first arrived here."

John hated thinking about the time when he first came to the school. Those were the days when he didn't know anyone or know how to use his powers and just remembering that brought back memories he really didn't want to remember. And what was worse was what had happened before he got to the school. And worse than thinking about all of that was talking about it. And he sure as hell wasn't going to do that right now.

"Yeah…so you mind telling me why you had me hang back?"

"Just wanted to talk. I see you and Kitty have grown quite close." Xavier said and did his usual thing of staring at you as if he was reading the very inner feelings of your soul.

John a bit taken aback, nodded.

"Yeah, we're going out."

"I hope you don't mind me saying that you two are quite an interesting couple. A surprising one at that." John tilted his head a bit, confused. "You both seem to be polar opposites. But as you have now no doubt learned, sometimes opposites attract…"

"Sorry, professor but are we really just going to talk about me and my girlfriend or was there actually something important you wanted to talk about?" John said bitterly, realizing immediately that he sounded a bit harsh but he had made it a life choice to never take things back.

Rather than look insulted, Xavier's smile still remained and he clasped his hands together.

"Right of course. I apologize if I seemed too intrusive. I had actually come to notice that you don't seem enthusiastic about humans and mutants co-existing anytime I talk about it."

"Yeah well if you had someone shoving that philosophy stuff down your throat every day, you'd get sick of it too." John's fingers kept clenching into a fist, still wishing he had his lighter. "I'm all for peace, love, and power to the people but honestly, it all seems a bit naïve to me."

Xavier said nothing for a moment, leaving John to feel that maybe he was supposed to say something more, maybe elaborate further but before he could, the professor spoke.

"I'm sorry to hear that, John, but I still would like to hope that the people of this planet, no matter how different, could eventually come to an understanding."

John hopped off the desk, and ran his hand over his hair, making sure it was still slicked back to his desire, nodding at the professor in acknowledgement.

"Cool dream and all, but I'd rather be realistic."

With that, he walked out, not even saying goodbye to Professor Xavier and continuing on his merry way, with all sorts of things he'd rather be doing still in need of getting done.