During the four years I had Professor Xavier, I still remember the first day. I could recall the first thing I said to him.
"Are you the Professor?" I asked.
"Yes… now, what is your name?" he said.
As he answered my questions, I looked at him—his trimmed gray beard somehow matched his youthful face, and his blue eyes, behind transparent square glasses, gave him an intelligent, almost bold presence. His wardrobe was simple: brown jeans and a white collared shirt.
Over the years, I remembered the beginnings of each school year were hard. The struggles I went through felt tiring, but he seemed to understand. He would talk to me. Some days he would simply ask how I was. Even though there were more than sixty students in his class, he remembered my name.
"Ash… that is a cool name. My name is Xavier," he said, smiling.
Just like now, looking at him, I realized the impact he had made on me. I had become more joyful, even more of a joker. As he once told me, "You've got to be more fun. What's life if you live so down? Live life and have fun."
"Thank you, Professor," I said, shaking his hand as I left the room.
The line of students wishing to thank him was long, but for me and my friends, it was shorter because of our seat locations.
Soon Ellie was able to express her thanks, followed by Anthony and Annie with their good wishes.
Then it was my turn. He looked at me the same way he did when I first met him, with that warm smile, and I smiled back.
"Now, Ash, I've been waiting to talk to you. Would you mind staying after all the students leave? I have something to ask of you," he said.
"That should not be a problem, Professor. I can wait," I replied.
Time passed. More than twenty minutes later, the last student had left. Waiting was not an issue—I had learned patience when I was young. Most of all, he had helped me so much. Why would I refuse his simple request? Still, I was curious about what he wanted to say.
When I reached his desk, I asked, "So, what do you want to tell me, Professor?"
"I think I have a job for you. Now, I know what kind of person you are—I've known…"
"Wait, wait… Professor, what are you talking about? You think…"
"Yes, I think I have a job for you. Are you interested?" he asked, taking off his glasses.
"Wait, you've got a job for me? Like, what kind of job is it?" I asked, knowing there were many paths I could take with my degree.
"Ash, you're a smart kid. Your future is endless, and you could do anything. I can imagine you being a teacher or professor, just like me. I can see you building great things with your abilities in quantum mathematics—or even working in a lab conducting research that could change the world."
"But why me? I'm not the best. Why not Emily? She's the smartest in the class, or even Ellie. Why me?"
"They are smart, yes, but you're smart too. You know there are many branches of quantum understanding, right?" he said, cleaning his glasses with a white cloth.
"But I don't understand," I said, still confused that I might actually get a job.
"It's your analytical skills and your ability to solve problems quickly. You're also easy to work with because you try to help everyone, even when they might be holding you back. You see, I was given a task: to help all my students understand the course and, second, to find someone who can be part of great changes in the world. So… are you interested?"
"I am, but you've got to tell me more," I said, smiling back.
"Are you free on the thirteenth? Because you've got a field trip to take…"