I was in English when it happened. The class fell silent as a buzzing noise filled the air. Static crackled for a moment before a scratchy voice spoke out over the school PA system.

"Judah Liot, report to the Headmaster's office," said the voice, pausing a moment. "Again, that is Judah Liot to the Headmaster's office."

The static crackled once more before going silent. The class looked at each other for a moment and Ms. Mira cleared her throat, going to speak, but she stopped when I stood and began gathering my stuff.

The guys started egging me on, hoping I was in trouble. Some people whispered between themselves and there were a few quiet giggles.

June, who was sitting beside me, lay her chin in her hand. "Judah, really?"

I shrugged. "Guilty as charged."

"Well Mr. Liot, what did you do?" June asked teasingly, smirking at me.

Sighing, I hung my head. "I am guilty of being extremely charming, and simply too funny."

"Now that is a laugh," Ms. Mira said, smiling in a patronising way, earning a few chuckles from my classmates. Gesturing with her head, Ms. Mira told me to leave. Chuckling, I nodded and winked at June before slinging my bag over my shoulder and stepping out.

The school halls were so empty, it was soothing. Though, I knew hordes of people lurked behind those closed doors, learning math they would never use. The occasional student did pass by, but I hardly noticed. My thoughts were otherwise occupied.

To call me now, Headmaster Josiah must need something. Perhaps he'll finally explain why I'm here. That thought makes it sound like I'm having an existential crisis, which I am not. I am, however, close to a mental breakdown, possibly.

I don't understand these things. One moment the sun is shining, the breeze is gentle and bird calls delight my ears. The next moment, clouds have hidden the sun, the gentle breeze has become a gale and those same birds circle overhead, as if waiting for my collapse. Though, that is metaphorically speaking. Honestly, I do not have the words to explain it. This thing that haunts me is always there but is so fickle in when to rear its ugly head.

"Come in," a voice called, ripping me from my thoughts.

My feet had carried me to Josiah's office of their own will. Though, I had never knocked. Rather, I only stood there, seemingly frozen.

Shaking off the strange thoughts, I pushed open the door and stepped in. Josiah was nowhere to be seen, but the lights were on, and his voice had definitely come from here.

"Sir?" I questioned, looking about the office.

When no response came, I approached the desk. Strewn papers caught my attention, and my hand brushed over the sheets, separating them. Paperwork regarding the excursion to Lambarra, boring.

Turning away, something caught the corner of my eye, and I searched the desk once more. There, under a book, was another slip of paper with the only the corner in sight.

Frowning, I debated for a moment whether to snoop or not, but then I figured I already had. Shrugging, I snatched the paper from beneath the book and moved to the window.

Spending a moment admiring the view, I shook my head, a tired sigh escaping my lips. Thoughts running rampant, I lassoed them and fought to regain control.

Raising the paper to the sun, I looked and found two pictures, side by side. The first photo was of me in middle school. The second, was of me in high school, before I began attending this academy. The photos were somewhat similar, just generic school photos, but something about them made me scoff.

Anyone who didn't know me would think nothing of those photos, but I could spot the tiny differences between them, and it disgusted me. Just a little farther, I thought, tearing apart the photos with a cold hatred.

"You just killed a tree," mused a quiet voice.

I turned, stunned, to find Josiah sitting in his chair, as if he had been there all along. I spent a moment pointing back and forth between him and the closed door before groaning.

"You killed the tree when you bought that paper. I just finished the job," I said innocently, plopping myself unceremoniously upon a chair.

Leaning forwards, Josiah crossed his hands over his desk. Wearing an amused smile and twiddling his thumbs, he asked, "Do you really hate that photo so much?"

I spent a few seconds chewing my tongue before answering. "I had bed-head."

Josiah froze for a moment and his jaw dropped, but then he slapped the table. The resounding bang was drowned out only by his belly laugh. The noise reverberated throughout the office before escaping out the open window.

Josiah smirked. "Really? You don't seem the type to care much about your hair."

Shrugging, I ran a hand through the curly brown mess atop my head. "I don't. I haven't brushed my hair in years."

Josiah laughed again, but only a quiet chuckle this time. His eyes narrowing, he looked at me anew. His jovial demeanour had changed in an instant. Now, there was an intensity about him. "Then why destroy the photo?" He asked, curiousity dripping from his tone.

Taken aback, I recoiled in my chair, slouching vigorously. "Curiousity killed the cat," I muttered.

"I am no cat, Mr. Liot," Josiah said, a solemn expression coming over his face. He spoke with a severity which made me want to the shrink, but I resisted the urge, quite possibly for no reason other than to be stubborn.

Shifting in my chair, my uniform rustled as I pulled myself upright. Meeting Josiah's gaze, I answered his question. "I don't like to dwell on the past."

Josiah stopped twiddling his thumbs and sat still. "What happened to you between those photos?"

Scoffing, I bit my tongue again and looked around the office. When I finally met his gaze, he was watching me expectantly.

"I grew up," I said, annoyed with the conversation.

"Is that what you call it?" Josiah asked, leaning back in his chair. Watching the ceiling he resumed the twiddling of his thumbs. Also, he began humming something, an old lullaby.

"Song of the Sea? I asked, my throat closing up. It had been so long since I'd heard those notes.

"Hm?" Josiah asked, breaking from his thoughts. He looked confused for a moment, before returning to his usual self. Smiling brightly, he replied, "Do you know it? My mother used to sing it to me. Even now, it helps me relax."

Josiah swivelled in his chair, watching the roof and smiling happily to himself. Exasperated, I only watched as he lost himself in his own world.

Deciding I had had enough, I cleared my throat. "Sir, what did you want to see me about?"

Josiah stopped spinning so that he was looking out the window. Smiling to himself, he seemed to decide upon something and glanced at me from the corner of his eye.

"Do you really want to know?" Josiah asked in a playful tone.

Clenching my fists, I nodded. Whatever he said next, I would not lose my temper, nor would I let him win this sick game he played.

"I was bored," Josiah said, an honest grin splitting his face.

Blinking was all I could do. A rush of frustration nearly bowled me over and I stood in a frenzy. "Goodbye, sir," I said, bluntly.

Marching from the office, I didn't look back, even as Josiah called to me, saying, "I still expect a good story from you!"

Hallways and classrooms passed me by as I kept walking. Breathing deeply, I began burying my annoyance with the headmaster, but I wasn't quick enough.

"Mr. Liot," June said in a mocking tone as she fell into step beside me, appearing from seemingly nowhere.

"Shouldn't you be in class?" I asked, increasing my pace.

"It's lunch break," June said, smiling at my ignorance. "You aren't the brightest banana in the bunch, are you?"

"Still brighter than you," I replied, shooting her an obviously fake smirk before making a sharp turn. Pushing against the door with my shoulder, I stumbled outside and continued walking until I was beside the gardens.

June had allowed me to walk ahead, but now that I had stopped, she caught up. A concerned smile decorated her face, and her voice was sincere. "Hey, are you okay?" She asked quietly, laying a gentle hand upon my shoulder.

"Just peachy," I answered, staring intently at the daffodils.

Catching the distress in my voice, June frowned. "Hey now, I'm sure it's not that bad. Just breathe."

"No." My voice was harsh, and my mind wandered away, losing all sense of comfort or reason. It's funny, how often those two intertwine, comfort and reason. They just go together. One can bring the other, but should you lose one, the latter near always follows.

June shook her head and smiled reassuringly. Squeezing my shoulder, she tried again. "Come on, deep breath."

"No!" I yelled, tearing myself from her grasp. Clutching at my head, my eyes grew wide, and my vision blurred as I failed to focus on anything. "Just stop," I whispered painfully before trundling away, slamming my fist against the wall as I went.

June, confused and scared, stood by the gardens and watched me go. A wrenching pain gripped her, and she reached aimlessly after me, but her hand caught nothing, and it fell to her side. Her shrunken voice whispered after me, falling on deaf ears.

"J?"