Mark stepped out of Professor Xavier's office and almost walked into Whip.
"Oh, hey," said Whip. "How'd it go? I heard you got called in..."
Whip was very determined to make friends with Mark this year. He knew how everyone treated him well and truly, and knew that being friends with Mark would paint him with the same brush. But Whip didn't really care. He found he didn't really fit into their group any way. They were all too into things that he found distasteful, like Queenie's ability to change atmosphere, to say, something that would make anyone in the room get high, or perhaps something more erotic.
"Yeah I... I..." Mark smiled broadly, something Whip could never recall seeing on Mark's face. "I've been adpoted."
"You... you have?" Whip asked, surprised.
"By Professor Xavier himself," Mark went on. "After my parents died I was put in the custody of my uncle, who left it up to me what I wanted to do. I wanted to stay here, of course, being a mutant and all. Anyway, some stuff came up and the Professor decided to see if my uncle would let him adopt me, which worked out well for everyone and yeah. And it makes so much sense, really. I mean, I haven't even seen my uncle in so many years it's ridiculous."
"Hey, well, that's awesome Mark," Whip said. "Congratulations."
Whip figured Mark must be really happy (or more willing to trust him) as he didn't clamp up on him like he usually did.
"Thanks," Mark grinned.