Getting It Together

Attention All Citizens

"Now, a lot of people may look down on the study of astronomy as it seems like wonder-filled nothings. But this course is actually very challenging, and employs a lot of physics and math works." Logan pauses in his beginning year speech, feeling a small smile tug at the corners of his mouth. "Sorry to all of you that thought this was an astrology course. There will be no talk of Zodiacs in here."

A few of the kids in class let out a small snicker at his joke, most likely trying to get on his good side. Logan turned back to the board, smiling as he briefly glances over at his desk, and the four framed pictures on it. One was of him, Lacey, Nomi, and the twins, with him holding Iesha and Lacey holding Lælianus. The picture in the middle was of him and Alejo, both carefully holding Alejo's adopted son, Jasper. On the other side, was a picture of everyone he'd spent the previous year with, all crowded to fit into the frame. His very last picture was on the other side of his desk, a grainy, small photograph of a young Logan holding a squirming puppy, Alice hugging him from behind. Logan had taken that photo out of the bottom of his desk drawer after years of avoiding it, and finally faced the memory of his mother.

Logan had never been one for framed pictures on his work desk before, he'd never had any pictures he deemed notable to bother looking at while he checked over papers. It felt nice to have these pictures, his small found family.

"Of course, as many of you probably know, the universe and everything in it started with what many people like to call the big bang." Logan continues, continuing to write out the notes on the board. "This is believed to have been caused by every speck of its' energy crowded into a single, tiny point, which thus exploded."

A loud ding echoes through the classroom and Logan audibly sighs, slowly turning to face the class. "Come on, guys. It's the very first day. Can we at least leave the phones until I'm sure you understand-"

"Uhm, Mr. Blythe?" The girl who's phone had buzzed looks up from it, and Logan hides a scowl. She was checking it as he was scolding about the phones? She didn't even bother hiding it. "I think something's wrong."

"What is it?" Logan asks, trying to be fair. He could excuse phones if there was an emergency in the family, or something important that needed to be notified. He'd certainly never take away something that could be used to call for help, not after the things he'd gone through. "If you need to leave that's fine, and if you don't feel comfortable dis-"

"No, it's not about me." The girl insists. "The news...Mr. Blythe..."

She trails off, and Logan noticed other kids had their phones on their laps, reading whatever was on their screens. Logan backsteps to his desk, grabbing his own phone and clicking on a news link that had popped up on his own screen.

"-a riot at the Strongwall Maximum Security Prison. Twelve inmates and four guards were injured during the rioting, and two inmates were killed. Pascal Burr, arrested three months ago for kidnapping and suspected murder, has escaped. Police have issued a state lockdown-"

Logan clicks the exit button, his screen going black as he shuts it off and shakily sets it down on the desk. He felt numb, his throat tight like he was being choked. Memories flashed in his head and he hurriedly undoes his tie, needing to get the pressure off of his throat. 

"Mr. Blythe?" A student says worriedly.

"Well, you heard the news." Logan chokes out, moving to the other side of his desk and pulling open a drawer. "There's a lockdown, class is cancelled. Everyone may head home. Please stay safe."

Logan pulls a folder out of the opened drawer, tossing it on his desk. The class sits for a few more uncomfortable seconds of silence, before slowly starting to stand and get their things together. People start to leave, and another student walks down to Logan's desk.