One-shots/Short Stories

Charles Xavier - Part I

His Inspiration Part I
Students milled around the mansion, laughter and joy surrounding the place. Hank was in his lab, Alex doing what he does, Erik in hiding, Raven doing what she does, and Charles teaching a class. Everything was going perfect, if you think about it.
"And that will be all, today." Charles smiled at the young mutants. "Remember the homework is due next week. You all better have done it by then - I'm talking to you, Stephen. I can read minds you know. No video games until you finish it." The boy Stephen groaned in defeat, making a mental note to start on it when he gets to his dorm. Charles smiled at the boy's thoughts, before gesturing to the exit. "You are all dismissed. Thank you."
While the students packed up, a girl raised her hand to ask him a question. "Yes, Amelia?"
"Professor, if you don't mind me asking. . .what made you want to do all of this? Why didn't you just hide like we all did?" Everyone stopped what they were doing to wait for his answer. Charles pursed his lips in thought, having already rolled to the exit himself. He chuckled weakly in response, suddenly looking sad.
"It's quite a long story, my dear." he said. "Perhaps another time."
"Aw, come on, sir!" Stephen whined. "I don't mind hearing it now. If you tell us, then I will do my homework as soon as I get to my dorm." The rest of the students started to agree with the deal. Charles couldn't help but smile at the curiosity and honesty. He was expecting a bit from them to be a bit curious about why he started all this. He could have just did what they said before; hide their gifts from the non-mutants. But he didn't.
"You really want to know?" Charles told them. They all nodded eagerly. "Okay then." He rolled his wheelchair to the front of the room again and leaned one one side of his wheelchair. "It was all because of a woman - my wife to be exact." Whispers and murmurs of shock went around the room.
"You're married?" Stephen exclaimed. "Whoa, I didn't see that coming."
"Well where is she?"
"How come I don't see a wedding ring?"
"Did you guys divorce?"
"Was she a mutant like us?"
"When did you meet her -"
"Everyone, settle down." Charles told them sternly in their mind. Everyone jumped at the sudden intrusion in their head but did what he told them. "Now," he said, speaking out loud, "if you all remain quiet, I will tell you all how and why I became inspired to do this." Charles cleared his throat in preparation, and noticed Hank, Raven, and Alex were standing at the doorway, wanting to hear the story as well. Raven gave him a sad smile, while the other two had the same look as the students, wanting to know the reason.
"It all started when I was making my way to university. . ."

***

"Can you drive faster?" Charles told the cab driver.
"Sorry sir, I can't." the driver responded. Charles huffed in annoyance and subtly placed his fingers on the side of is temple.
"Try to get me to the university in time." Charles told him, using his telepathic gift. The driver nodded in reply.
"I'll try."
Charles was impatient to get to the university. He had an important exam on today, and he was running late for once. And it was all because Raven wanted to hang out with him. It's not like he didn't enjoy himself that night with his sister, it's just if only she waited until it was the weekend or something. . .
He was suddenly lurched forward, the seatbelt luckily saving his life. "OI!" he yelled. "Watch what you are doing!"
"Sorry!" the driver grumbled. "This crazy chick just jumped in front of the car." Charles leaned forward to get a better look at the woman who jumped in front of the car stupidly, and was gobsmacked at the sight of the woman. She had raven dark hair, dark brown, doe-like eyes, and held a smile of shock and relief on her face. She wore tight jeans and a white blouse, a messenger bag hanging off of her. She may look like a normal average woman to everyone, but for Charles? It felt like he was staring at an angel.
The driver beeped at the woman, giving her the bird. The woman breathed out an apology with a small laugh, before making her way again, running down the sidewalk. Charles watched her go away with his mouth still open from the sight of her. He needed - wanted, to see her again.
So without thinking, he got out of the car, erasing the driver's memory of him ever being there, and made his way after her. Not only did he notice she was beautiful, she was also going to the same university as him.

***

"Wait, you followed her?" Stephen asked. Charles shrugged half-heartedly.
"For a while." Charles responded. "I was a typical young male adult; I was scared and nervous around a beautiful woman -"
"But I heard from Raven that you were quite the womaniser." Amelia admitted with a blush. Charles gave Raven a look, before turning to his curious student with a smile.
"I will admit, I was a womaniser back then." Chuckles went around the room. "But when I met her, all flirts and ways to pick up girls vanished, leaving me into a bundle of mess. But I spoke to her at the end. I finally got the guts to speak to her."