The Experiment || Newsies AU

Chapter 88

TW: Mentions of abuse.

Ms. Medda opened the door expecting it to be Pulitzer giving her more work to do. She was quite happy when she realised it wasn't him.

"Boys, how can I help you?" she asked with a smile on her face.

Jack looked at Race who was playing with his fidget ring again and trying to figure out the right words to say.

"I was wondering if I could talk to you about some things?" he asked apprehensively.

"Of course, sweetie, come on in."

She stepped out of the way to let them through the door.

They all walked over to the couches she had in her office for when students came to talk to her.

"What do you need to talk about?" she asked once they had all settled.

"My father and Snyder and just stuff," he explained looking down at his ring.

Ms. Medda nodded and leaned back in her seat, signalling that she was ready to listen whenever he wanted to start talking.

"So you know about what my dad did and everything but he was friends with Snyder and he'd send me to him when he got sick of me and let him do whatever he wanted with me. He'd also do it during the first term at least once a week," he explained as quickly as he could, trying to get it over as quick as he could.

Ms. Medda frowned and mentally kicked herself for not noticing any of this happening.

"I'm so sorry that I didn't notice," she said, taking his hands in hers. "But if anyone who knew your father ever comes near you again let me know immediately and I promise that I will keep you safe."

"Thank you," he whispered and leaned forward to give Ms. Medda a hug.

Jack smiled, he was happy to see that Race finally had a decent parental figure in his life.

"Is there anything else you'd like to talk about?" she asked once they'd pulled apart.

"Not really you know the most of it as far as I know," he explained looking at Jack to see if he could think of anything.

Jack shrugged and looked over at Ms. Medda. She had a small smile on her face but still had a look of worry and sadness.

"I have to go but I'll leave you two to talk," Jack said after a few minutes of silence.

"How are things going with Spot," Ms. Medda asked once Jack had left.

"He's the best boyfriend ever. He's so nice and his eyes are so pretty and he plays with with my hair and it feels really nice and he's just so great," Race said with a small smile on his face.

"You really love him," Ms. Medda commented.

"I do. He's just," Race tried to find the best word to use but he just couldn't. "I don't know how to describe him, I just love him so much. He's all I could ever asked for in a boyfriend and I just love him."

"I hope he isn't pressuring you into do anything you don't want to do."

Race looked confused for a moment before realisation dawned on him.

"No. No, he'd never. He always asks if I'm okay with something, even if it's just holding hands. He'd never pressure me into doing something I don't want," Race explained, somewhat defensively.

"Good. I was just making sure," she said with a smile. "Just remember that if you ever need to talk to me that I'm always here for you."

Race smiled and nodded his head.

They stayed like that for the next while chatting aimlessly until it came to dinner time and Race left for the second love of his life, food.

~~~
630 words