The man's eyes shrunk but he gave no response. After a while, he just smiled and took Raziel's hand and shook it.
"It's nice to meet you, Student Raziel Ivy. My name is Daniel Meade. I will be your art teacher and, if your parents permit it, your personal counsellor."
He clarified his assumptions but why would the man say he wasn't? The man's voice was clear and gentle. No other thing would soothe him like so. Ziel coughed a few times. This caused the man to leave a bit before coming back with a glass of water and handing it to Raziel.
The water was refreshing and cold in Raziel's throat. "Thank you..." he murmured. The man only gave a light chuckle.
"I..." Raziel stammered, "I'm sorry. I must have mistaken you for someone else."
The man smiled at him, "It's alright. If it's ok, can you tell me who this person is? Are you looking for them?"
Raziel nervously looked down and fiddled with the cup in his hand, "He... he's just someone that I..." he looked at the man, "he's someone that I like."
Daniel was taken aback but he was still smiling. "He must be someone special then."
"Yes. He is." Raziel knew, and he is sure, that 'Mr Daniel Meade' is the man he met 6 years ago.
Daniel got up from his chair, "I'm glad you have someone special." he said while rummaging through his bag on the desk. After finding an envelope, he handed it to Raziel, "Once you get home, do me a favour and give this to your parents, is that ok?" he took Raziel's hand and placed the letter on it.
"Ok..."
"Thank you."
Raziel and the man stared at each other for a while before Daniel caught himself staring, coughed and looked away, "Thank you." he repeated.
"Mhm." Raziel turned his eyes away, his face feeling a bit hot.
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...
-One month ago-
The golden sunset shone through the dusty windows into the office, throwing light on the person sitting down on the office chair with a serious yet gentle face, reviewing student profiles. "Raziel Ivy, huh?" he stroked the picture on the paper and whispered, "You've grown..."
He picked up his phone to make a call and exited the office. Clicking on the "Homeroom Teacher" profile, he sighed.
-Ring-
There was a click on the other side. "Ash. Why have you called?"
"Is my position still open?"
There was silence on the other side. A rustle of papers, a man shouting excitedly, and a woman shrieking happily was heard before the person cleared his throat and said, "It's open. Just now. Are you coming back?"
"Yes."
"Great! Oh, I mean... *cough* great. When are you coming? I'll pick you up."
"No need. I can handle myself. And if I could ask a favour..."
"Anything! Absolutely anything."
"The student... I mean, a student. Raziel Ivy?"
"Raziel... Ivy... Hmmm. Hold on."
"Raziel Ivy. 11th grade. 17 years old. Problematic child. Does it ring a bell?"
"Oh, yes! Saying he's problematic is a bit harsh. But what's up? What's on Raziel?"
Daniel paused for a moment. "He... is excused from art classes?"
"Correct. Why? Just tell me."
"Why?"
"Uhm. Art triggers his trauma? I think."
"Is there any way you can put him in my class?"
"No. I can't. Unless he agrees himself and until the therapist agrees."
"I see... Nevermind then. I'll do it myself. I'll be back next month. See you."
"Yes! See y-"
Daniel ended the call before the man on the other side had the chance to say anything else. He sat back down on his chair and looked at the paper in front of him.
He took up the paper to his eyes. His face suddenly dimmed. He flicked the picture on the paper and said, "You made me like this."
"Now take responsibility."
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...
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-A week ago-
A middle-aged man with a ponytail and a scar across his left cheek excitedly stood at the entrance of the airport. Waiting like a puppy for its owner. Beside him, stood a gentle-looking woman, elegantly reminding her husband to move aside for people. A familiar figure stood out from the crowds. A man with wavy black hair walked along the path. He had porcelain skin and hooded eyes with amber-coloured pupils. His eyebrows and nose bridge were sharp like swords. His gaze could penetrate. A handsome man.
"Ash." the woman stopped her husband from running to the handsome young man and waved her hand up in the air to pinpoint their location, "over here."
The man gently smiled and strode across the floor to the husband and wife pair. He nodded at the woman, "Auntie. It's nice to be back."
The woman smiled back, "It's nice to have you back, Daniel."
The middle-aged man waved his hands agitatedly, "WaW! Ignoring your uncle! How very rude."
Daniel scoffed then smiled. He opened his hands as a gesture for a hug. The middle-aged man received his hug and said sincerely, "It's nice you have you back, Ash..."
"Mhm."
...
At the principal's office, Daniel sat on the seat while reviewing the papers with his uncle. "Raziel Ivy... Hmmmmmmm... Here I found it." The principal handed Daniel a piece of paper. "His records."
Daniel snatched the paper and brought it to his eyes, studying it carefully. The principal only stared. "Hey... How did you get his student profile anyway?"
Daniel lifted his eyes from the paper and glared at his uncle.
"Ok, fine! I won't ask. By the way... He says he has these nightmares and... trauma?"
"I know."
The principal leaned back on his chair and threw his hands up, "Wow! Creepy! I won't speak anymore."
He closed both his eyes then opened his right eye to 'peek' at Daniel. "Hey-"
"Where is he?"
"..."
"..."
"Where is who?"
"Ziel. Where is he right now?"
"He's in the nurse's room."
Daniel frowned his eyebrows. He stood up and was about to leave but the principal threw a shoe at the door, closing it. "We're about to have a meeting. You just got back and it will do you no good if you don't attend this meeting," he said seriously.
"Let them say what they want about me. I need to go."
"Well, what do you know. Our meeting will be about that child."
Daniel turned around, "Why?"
"You'll know."
"Fine."
...
The teachers left the meeting room looking agitated. Some didn't care but most were wearing ugly expressions especially as they passed by Daniel. The school nurse approached Daniel after the meeting, "Thank you for standing up for Raziel," she said.
"It's no problem."
"No, really. That child is always troubled. He keeps quiet most of the time and it's done him no good so far. So for someone who speaks his mind all the time, I'm glad you volunteered to be his guide. I can't even do that even though I feel sorry for the child."
The nurse took Daniel's hands as a sign of gratitude. She retracted her hand and left a little chocolate in his hand. "Really. Thank you."
Daniel smiled in return and put the candy in his pocket. "Shall you display your gratitude and direct me to the nurse's office? I would like to see him."
The nurse's smile lit up, "Of course! You can keep him company while I run my errands. The office isn't too far. Just keep going straight and turn at the third left. It's the only room there, you'll see."
"Thank you."
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