Chapter 27: Circumstances

Chapter 26 - Circumstances

 

Villson District's High School is as lively as it usually is, as all of the students and teachers alike carry out their normal schedule. Ano and Zeke walk out of their social studies class together as the bell rings, and walk down the hallway.

Ano: What class do you have after this?

Zeke: Home Ec.

Ano: What? Why?

Zeke: The better question is, why do you keep forgetting?

Ano: I don't know.

Zeke: I at least remember you have music after this class.

Ano: That's great, I wouldn't wanna remember.

Zeke: Want to do anything after school? We're not on patrol tonight.

Ano: I'm not sure. I guess a movie would be cool.

The 2 walk by a certain someone who goes unnoticed. This someone immediately calls out their team name, causing everyone in the hallway to go silent and put their attention on the 3.

Cardin: Yeah, I'm talking to you!

Ano: Oh, it's just Cardin.

The 2 immediately turn back around to keep walking but Cardin starts to talk again.

Cardin: Rumors around the school are that your team is getting special treatment from the District Leader himself! What's up with that!?

Ano begrudgingly turns around as Zeke faces Ano, worried.

Ano: It's nothing. We just did some specific missions.

Cardin: Yeah, sure! "Specific". We all know it's just because your team is filled with freaks!

Ano: …

Ano just turns back around.

Cardin: I know you heard me! Do you really expect everyone else to just be okay with you guys getting free exclusive missions just because your brother's a walking abnormal!?

The surrounding classmates start murmuring with each other. Questioning the legitimacy of Aura's performance. A few ask why is anyone listening to Cardin.

Zeke: Ano, he's just trying to get a reaction. Let's keep going-

Cardin: You're not gonna cry home to your mommy, are you!?

Ano immediately turns back around and throws his fist into Cardin's face.

We hard-cut to the school's principal's office. The 2 sit in a chair in front of his desk as the principal continues talking.

Principal Matt: And this school isn't a place for such violence!

Cardin: He started it!

Principal Matt: You have a history of starting confrontation, Cardin! This is not appropriate behavior for someone who wants to become a professional Guardian! I've already called your Captain, they'll be handling your punishment. Now hurry back to class!

Cardin: But!-

Principal Matt: Now!

Cardin gets from his chair and storms out the door. Ano slowly gets up as well, but is interrupted.

Principal Matt: You're not leaving yet, Ano.

Ano: Why?

Principal Matt: Just sit back down.

He does just that.

Principal Matt: I know Cardin said something… triggering to you. And I wanted to make sure you could talk to someone about it before heading back to class.

Ano: I'm fine.

Principal Matt: Yeah, well. Plenty of students say they're fine when they're not. Luckily, a Guardian who volunteers as a guidance counselor was available. She's pretty good, so I figured I'd ask her to come.

Ano: How long's it gonna take for her to get here?

Principal Matt: Just a few minutes.

Ano takes this as a signal to take a nap. And after some time passes, he slowly opens his eyes to a voice telling him to wake up. And to his surprise, he sees a familiar face from the celebration.

Angel: There we go! You were knocked out.

Ano: Wait, aren't you an Elite Guardian? What on earth are you doing here at a school?

Angel: Well, I never felt like I'd have any business wrangling kids as a Captain. But I still wanted to give some sort of help. So I figured, "Guidance counseling"! Now, come on. Don't wanna keep our 3rd person waiting.

Ano: Wait, who else is here?

Ano stands up from the chair as Angel opens the door for the both. Ano walks out first and to his surprise, sees Hera waiting against the wall.

Hera: *nervously* Oh, hey Ano! Didn't think you'd be here.

Ano: Same to you, I guess. What're you doing here?

Hera: I kinda asked for an appointment with a guidance counselor this morning so I guess this is just because of timing.

Angel: Alright, let's head outside to my "talking spot".

The 3 sit outside behind the school. Angel sits against a tree while Ano and Hera sit across from her on the grass.

Angel: Okay, now that we're out here, let's begin. Ano, you're here because a bully said something that triggered you. And Hera, you're here because-

Hera: Hey! We don't need to discuss

out loud, do we?!

Ano: Actually, why

you here? Wouldn't you talk about this with your Captain instead?

Angel: You have to be open about your problems to deal with them, Hera.

Hera: Well… to be honest. This isn't really something I think I can share with Captain Rose,

Felt. So I thought trying out therapy would probably help… I'm kinda having a hard time figuring out what to do with myself.

Angel: Talk to us about it.

Hera: Do I have to?

Angel: Yes. At your own pace, of course.

Hera: Well… Ever since the incident… Can we call it by name?

Angel: It's just us here, and we were all involved in it, so yeah.

You are reading story World Of Sync at novel35.com

Hera: Okay, so. Since the Anti-Guardian riot, I've been dealing with a lot of confused feelings.

Angel: Confused? How so?

Hera: I… I don't know what kind of Guardian… or even the person I'm supposed to become. I keep trying to base everything I do around the people I hold in high regard, but my Captain told me I shouldn't do that obviously. But, I'm just not sure how to not do that.

Angel: Well, why do you think you constantly mold yourself after them? Any reason?

Hera: I guess it must be something from my past. I mean, I don't wanna talk about it, but I might have to eventually.

Angel: Well, If I'm going to try and help you with your problems, you're gonna have to help me help you.

Hera: At my own pace.

Angel: Right. So, let's hear Ano out, now.

Ano: Okay, so. Cardin was saying bad things about my friends, he brought up my… mom, and then I beat him up. And now I'm here.

Hera: Cardin? That guy hasn't been suspended yet?

Ano: No, for some reason.

Angel: Let's delve deeper into that. Why did him mentioning your mother-

Ano: Don't call her that.

Angel: Oh, okay. Why did mentioning

upset you so badly?

Ano: I just don't like people bringing her up, simple.

Angel: Right. I've heard from your Captain that you and Kai have a… troubled past.

Ano: Troubled?

Angel: I don't mean to use that term to judge you in any way.

Ano: I still hate the fact that the whole thing was spread throughout the school like it was just common news.

Hera: Thing? Oh, you mean… I see.

Ano: Me and Kai having to move into an entirely different family was one thing, but everyone constantly trying to find out why was just… being cuddled by teachers and picked on by kids for "making mom run away". I think Kai got it worse than me, but it was still hard on both of us.

Angel: And, all of this comes back to her, right?

Ano: Yeah. It always does. Even as a kid, I could tell she treated me better than Kai. And even then, she constantly put all of these expectations on me. To live up to her Ice Power, and stuff like that. And all the other… horrible things she did. And everyone constantly bringing her up to me… I absolutely don't just want to be seen as "the guy with that weird mom".

Soft winds blow through the air as Ano finishes letting his feelings out.

Hera: Wow, Ano…. it's none of my business, but… I never knew you had all of those thoughts in your mind.

Ano: I've… never really talked about them. Mainly because I just don't see a reason too. I don't really care about them.

Angel: On the contrary, Ano. Believing your feelings aren't of importance can gravely impact how you process things in the future.

Ano: I don't know, I feel fine right now.

Hera: You just beat someone up for mentioning a parent.

Ano: It's not like he didn't deserve it.

Angel: Whether or not he did, it's still important to deal with these emotions. After hearing your 2's story, I think you have an issue with identity.

Ano&Hera: Identity?

Angel: Yes, you 2 both struggle to stand on your own name due to outside trauma.

Ano: Why would what I dealt with be traumatic?

Hera: Yeah, it wasn't that bad. For me, either, I mean.

Angel: Trauma can come from anything and affect you in various ways. The most important thing, above all else, is to deal with it in a healthy way. I wanna see you guys again after today.

Ano: Why?

Angel: As a guidance counselor and an Elite Guardian, I feel it's important for me to help as much as I can. Even though I'm not going to be able to give you the direct answers. Would that be okay?

Hera: …Would our Captains know? Would you tell them how we're feeling?

Angel: I am required to, yes. But-

Hera immediately stands up in anger.

Hera: That's not fair! I don't want anyone on my team to know I'm not as steady as they are!

Angel: No one will think that.

Ano: I won't lie, I don't want anyone on my team worrying about me, either. Or the Thompsons. I'll be okay.

Angel: I'm not going to tell them what you're uncomfortable with me sharing. I'm just going to tell them what they need to hear. Like If you're at risk of anything.

Hera: Oh… I guess that's fair.

Ano: Yeah.

Angel: Alright, I'm gonna wanna see you guys when I'm available next week. Okay?

Ano: How do you even have time for this?

Angel: Well, as an Elite Guardian, it's my job to build a better future, right? I gotta make time for something as important as kids like you.

Hera: Man, what's being an Elite Guardian like?

Angel: Well…

So Angel tells them a story about an average day in her life. And time passes by until the 2 are made to go back to class. They walk back into the school building and shake hands with Angel as she walks into the principal's office. Hera and Ano walk down the empty hallway.

Hera: Hey, Ano?

Ano: Yeah?

Hera: Sorry for clogging up your session with Angel. I'm sure you would've gotten more stuff done with her if I wasn't there.

Ano: Nah, it's okay. It felt less awkward with someone else having to talk about something.

Hera: Oh, well I'm glad I could help!

Ano: Yeah… I guess we're gonna do this again soon.

Hera: Then, hey! Let's hang out a bit! Make it less awkward!

Ano: You sure? I've been told I'm not really the life of the party a couple of times.

Hera: Hey, if I can get Vanessa to go out playing pinball with me, I can make sure someone like you can have some fun hangin' out with me.

Ano: Alright then, I guess.

The 2 continue walking down the hallway, happily discussing what to do for the night.

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