Hidden Treasure

Hidden

The knock on Harry Hook's dorm door reverberated through the room, pulling him out of a somber moment. Ben's concerned voice followed, breaking the heavy silence that had settled around him.

"Harry, are you in there?" Ben's words cut through the air, carrying genuine worry.

Harry hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by the unexpected intrusion into his private thoughts. "I..uh..just wait a second...uh..I'll be out..." he stammered, hastily wiping away the evidence of tears from his eyes.

"Hey, listen, if there's anything you need, let me know!" Ben's reassurance echoed through the wooden door, emphasizing his genuine concern for his friend.

"Yeah..yeah, okay," Harry replied, the vulnerability in his voice betraying the emotional turmoil he was experiencing.

As the footsteps retreated, Harry took a deep breath, attempting to compose himself. The echoes of Ben's kindness lingered, prompting conflicting thoughts in Harry's mind. The fear of appearing weak battled with the realization that someone cared enough to check on him.

"What if he walked in, you fool! What if he saw you crying like a child! He would be disgusted!" Harry chastised himself, his internal dialogue mirroring the tumultuous storm within. 

These conflicting emotions weren't new to Harry. Even Uma and Gil hadn't witnessed him in such a state. The idea of exposing his vulnerability, especially over someone like Ben, fueled his internal struggle. The reminder of his previous attempt to harm the King added another layer of complexity to the emotions swirling within.

"Why did he have to be so sweet and gentle? He must have cursed you! But what if he hates me! This could all be fake!" Harry's thoughts raced as he quickly dried his eyes and wiped off the smudged eyeliner.

Standing up, Harry grabbed his leather bag, the impending math class now a looming challenge. The corridor outside Harry's dorm was dimly lit as he stepped into the hallway, the heavy wooden door closing behind him. His thoughts still swirled with confusion, the echoes of Ben's words and the emotional turmoil he felt making each step towards the classroom a conscious effort.

The journey to the math class seemed longer than usual, the cool air of the stone-walled corridors offering little relief to the heat rising within him. Harry's mind continued to replay the encounter with Ben, the fear of judgment and the internal struggle for composure a constant presence.

As he approached the classroom door, the muffled chatter of students inside grew louder. Harry took a moment to collect himself before pushing the door open. The familiar scent of chalk and the sight of students settling into their seats greeted him, and he felt a surge of frustration at the impending math lesson.

Harry spotted an empty desk and made his way towards it, acutely aware of the glances from his classmates. The weight of his emotions lingered, but he focused on the routine of preparing for the class, extracting his notebook and pen from the leather bag.

The minutes crawled by as the teacher prepared to start the lesson. The rhythmic ticking of the clock on the wall intensified the growing tension in the room. Ben, sitting a few rows behind him, seemed oblivious to the internal struggle Harry was facing.

"Ugh. What the...what kind of question is that?" Harry whispered to himself, the frustration with the math problems echoing his inner turmoil.

"What number are you stuck on?" Ben's voice cut through the hushed murmurs of the classroom.

"Oh, uh, number 6," Harry admitted, grateful for the distraction but unable to shake off the awkwardness of the situation.

"That's 48."