A Mile In Another's Shoes

Chapter Two: Confliction

"House arrest?!" Joel shouted, standing up.

The dean sighed from behind her desk. "Joel, sit down."

"No, you don't understand-"

"Joel, sit." Her eyes flashed a deep purple for a split second and so did his, and he obeyed without protest. "You're under house arrest for engaging in a physical fight and injuring another student."

Joel scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "It was a stupid bloody nose, he's fine, Ms. Luz," he spat as he glared at Pix. "Besides, he was being rude to me first!"

"That is no excuse to hurt another student, Mr. Smallishbeans," Ms. Luz said with a gentle smile. "Now, I'd like to talk to Pixl in private. You are dismissed to return to your room for the night."

Joel looked like he wanted to say something, but bit his tongue and got up to leave. Though, Pix did catch him murmuring something as he walked out the door, which he slammed behind himself.

Ms. Luz sighed, her smile dropping. "Only will Raven ever be able to control him," she mumbled before shaking her head. "Pixl-"

"I know what you're going to say, Aunt Sara," Pix said. He was slumped in his seat now and fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. "I need to keep Borealis under control and stuff. I know."

Ms. Luz's gaze softened as she smiled again. "You're not as good at reading minds as you think you are, pumpkin," she teased. "I was only going to ask what happened, but I think I have a pretty good idea now."

Pix rolled his eyes.

"Listen, kiddo," she said. "I need you to tell me exactly what happened so we can work on a solution, okay?" She waited for a response, which Pix didn't give. "Dealing with her isn't going to get any easier if you don't let anyone help."

How am I supposed to let people help me if everybody gets scared off by the fact that the God of Mortal Destruction has made a home inside my body? he thought, but not said.

Ms. Luz waited no more than a second before sighing again. "Have you at least told Professor Raven about her?" she asked, sounding exhausted.

Pix glanced toward one of the bookshelves behind her. "...No," he mumbled.

"Pixl-"

"Why does he need to know?"

"So he can help."

"Auntie, he called me a disappointment and useless, I don't think he wants to help me," he said, sitting upright. "Besides, he's a jerk. I wouldn't want to tell him anyway. He'd probably use it against me somehow."

Ms. Luz snickered. "I doubt he would use it against you if he knew about it," she said. "I've known him long enough to say that you can trust him."

Pix grimaced. "Yeah, and I've known him long enough to say that I don't."

"Why don't you just tell me what happened?"

The brunette paused, not wanting to say anything anymore. He was tired, physically and mentally.

"Pix," Ms. Luz began to whisper, "we're not getting anywhere if you refuse to talk to me."

"I know," Pix whined. He glanced away again. "It's just-"

Pix! Borealis's shout startled the boy and he nearly jumped out of his seat.

He sighed and pushed her to the back of his mind. "It's hard to put everything into words," he finished.

Ms. Luz nodded. "I can understand that. Feelings and thoughts are easier to understand when they're in our heads. It's not so easy to understand when you need to say it out loud, and that's perfectly fine. Just try your best to explain it, okay? There's no way I'll ever be able to fully understand how it feels, but I can try to imagine with what you give me." She paused, flashing him a small smile. "But I can't do that if you don't give me anything to work with."