The XXX-Gene (Marvel)(Mutant OC)

He manages to refrain from blurting out his disbelief, but it’s definitely a near thing. If he were still Chad Cummings, Boneheaded Football Star, there’s not a doubt in his mind he would have pointed at Professor Xavier and started making shocked monkey noises like a fucking gorilla or something. Still, he keeps himself in check, trying not to let his surprise show too much on his face.

Luckily, Principal Badmin is not privy to what the bald, wheelchair-bound Professor just did, so he fills the ensuing silence quite nicely.

“This is Professor Charles Xavier, from the Xavier Institute of Higher Learning, Chad! I was just telling him how valuable you are to our High School… and of course, he already had an idea of just how special you are, given he came all this way to meet you in the first place!”

That gets a slow blink from Thaddeus, even as the Professor nods along with an amicable smile on his face.

“Indeed. As I was just telling your Principal, the Xavier Institute is currently looking to give scholarships to bright, deserving individuals who have shown themselves to be of distinguished quality.”

Positively bursting, Principal Badmin nods along with the Professor’s words.

“Isn’t that exciting, Chad? Like I told you, Professor, Chad here is definitely deserving of your scholarship. His work ethic is second to none, and his value as an athlete puts him a head above even our smartest students, I would argue! You would do well to get things squared away now, so that he’s able to join up with your Institute as soon as he graduates!”

At this, the wheelchair bound Professor pauses.

“Ah… it would appear there’s been a minor misunderstanding, Principal Badmin. The Xavier Institute actually accepts students of all ages. This offer is not for the future, but for the present. It is our belief that this young man would be best served continuing and finishing out his education at the Institute in the immediate, rather than in the distant future.”

Thaddeus feels a small spark of hope that the Professor’s words, albeit one that’s tempered by his current concerns regarding the man’s psychic abilities. But even as that spark of hope is lit, it’s just as rapidly extinguished when he watches Principal Badmin’s entire demeanor transform in real time. The jovial educator’s people-pleasing attitude disappears in an instant as he realizes that Professor Xavier is not the ally he thought, but in fact an adversary.

“Ah, that is indeed a misunderstanding. I’m afraid that wouldn’t be possible. Chad here has responsibilities to the school and his team. The Football Team simply wouldn’t be the same without him, and we couldn’t possibly let him go, you see. I’m sure he’d be happy to consider your Institute once he’s graduated, but until then, I don’t think his educational purposes would be quite as well-served by transferring this late in his Senior Year as you seem to believe.”

He should have expected that from Principal Badmin, to be honest. The administrator really wasn’t a bad person… but he had his priorities in order, and those priorities didn’t allow for someone like Thaddeus to slip through his fingers. Heh, in fact, if Thaddeus hadn’t turned his grades around so effectively already, he could almost imagine Principal Badmin using the excuse of failing his classes to hold him back from graduating and keep him at the school another year.

Still, if nothing else, Thaddeus is quite curious about this telepathic Professor. As curious as he is wary, as a matter of fact. He might not be able to get out from under Principal Badmin’s thumb just yet, but he won’t lie, he wants answers… answers that Professor Xavier might be able to give him.

“I see… would it be possible to speak with young Thaddeus alone, Principal Badmin?”

Startling at hearing his preferred name spoken out loud, Thaddeus glances at the Professor, curious about what he’s up to. The Principal on the other hand, only shuts down further.

“I’m afraid that wouldn’t be poss-!”

And then, it’s like a light switch has been flicked. Suddenly, Principal Badmin is all smiles again, as he stands from his chair.

“Ahem, as I was saying, I’m afraid we don’t have any private rooms for you two to speak in… which is why I’m happy to offer you both my own office to speak in privately. I’ll be just outside!”

Thaddeus watches the Principal walk around his desk and disappear through the door, blinking dumbly as the door clicks shut behind him. That was… unexpected. And also a little strange. He’s not quite sure what just happened.

Thaddeus. I hope you don’t mind me conversing this way with you. Less chance of us being overheard.

Stiffening, Thaddeus looks back to the Professor, who gives him a genial smile. In that moment, the blond realizes why Principal Badmin changed his tune. Telepathy… was rather scary, wasn’t it?