[TW] Pyrophobia

Chapter Three | "Restrictions"

DUH

The ring of the school bell had chimed through the hallways as Duh had let his hand slide down the side of the doorknob, opening it for him as he kicked the doorstop. He looked back at the sunlit classroom as students eagerly chattered to each other.

"Alright, alright! Don't forget to get your things from your lockers!" He stopped by the side of his door, watching as children hurried out, some waving their hands as a sign of farewell to him.

As most of the kids left, Duh turned to face his classroom. Of course, the last two inside were the same as always. Lulu always left last due to her insecurities, but Henry was a close friend of hers who always left by her side, sticking up for her when the older kids went to try and pick on her. Surprisingly, for a first grader, this worked. Although Duh always did his best to help.

"So, Lulu, Henry." Duh walked over, the footsteps of eager children growing quieter as he grew further into his classroom. "How's it been going for both of you? I guess we're all settling in, aren't we?"

"Yeah!" Henry seemed to pipe in, knowing Lulu had always been rather quiet, eager to start a conversation. "Your classroom is super-duper cool, mister—!" The first grader suddenly stopped, cutting himself off as if his words slipped out of his tongue. "Uhh..."

"Mr. Rhodes." Duh chuckled. He wasn't used to the name, either. He always thought it was strange, being called by your last name rather than your first. But on the occasions that he was called his first name by the other first grade teachers, which wasn't very often but was during some staff meetings hosted after school, it suddenly felt unreal. He felt like only certain people could call him that now.

I guess I just have two entirely different identities now, huh? Duh thought to himself. One moment I'm Mr. Rhodes, and the next moment, I'm Duh. It only feels right when I'm called that by Doc or Lulu. I suppose that's how Doc feels when he's called 'Dr. Hernandez,' eh?

"Uhh... like, 'road—'" Henry stopped to think to himself for a moment.

"Say 'road,'" Duh instructed politely, "then add an 'ehs' to the end of it."

"Row your boat." Lulu murmured softly, glancing at Henry as her mask symbolized some curious expression of sorts. "On the desk without the 'k.' Like 'Rhodes.'"

"Ooh! Rhodes!" Henry nodded vigorously. "Thanks, Lulu!"

Duh only smiled softly at the two. He could already tell that the two were really good friends. He was glad that his daughter—even if not exactly biologically, still his daughter to protect—was able to trust someone even despite the Spreading that made her feel self-conscious. That made him feel a bit better about her. It made him feel a bit more secure. She was strong... he was proud of that aspect.

"Alright," Duh nodded, clapping his hands together as he sat down on the edge of his desk. "Well, as it's getting late, you two should be headed home. We don't want to miss the bus, do we now?"

"Oh!" Henry smiled and glanced beside him at Lulu, nudging her with a joyous grin. "Yeah! Come on, Lulu!" Without hesitation, he grabbed his friend's hand and hurried her out of the classroom door, headed to the lockers.

Duh remained sat on the desk, sighing. Henry and Lulu got along great, but their relationship reminded him a lot of him and his close friends back in high school. Doc was his first friend, but not his only friend. He'd made a few more after that: Thomas, Sebastian, Lorelei, Justin, and Walton... if only he could meet them again, that would be thrilling...

He shook his head. No, he probably won't be meeting any of them again. He hopes... but he doesn't count on it. For the sake of this new life that he had lived in, for the sake of Lulu and Doc, and for the sake of his students, he couldn't go out searching, no matter how tempting it had been.

That night, as he was driving home from work, he had gotten a text from Doc. Only a simple, blunt message saying that he would have an overnight shift. Duh figured that he should get himself and Lulu some food, then. If Doc was going to be occupied, perhaps it was for the better. He just stopped by the closest McDonald's and got Lulu a burger, as that was what she had asked for.

The drive home was heart wrenching. The bag only rustled when the car had occasionally bumped on the road.

"Lulu?" Duh quietly hummed. "You know you can eat, right?"

Lulu nodded at him, not seeming to want to talk.

Duh wished he could look back, but he was too occupied driving. He was close to the house, but not sure if he was close enough... was there a parking lot somewhere? "What's wrong?"

"...It's weird."

"What is?"

"Eating."

"You eat just fine when you're with me and Doc."

"...That's because you're... busy..."

Busy? Duh glanced to the side slightly. A sniffle sounded behind him. Turning the car to a nearby parking lot connected to an apartment complex, he stopped the car and leaned over the car seat. "Lulu. Talk to me."

Lulu fiddled with her fingers but glanced up at Duh worriedly, sniffling again. She seemed to tremble slightly. "The kids are mean. I don't... like eating the school food. I'm scared."

"Oh. Lulu." Duh sighed, gently pressing himself against the chair until Lulu was in reach. He gently combed his fingers through her hair, though infected with the Spreading still soft and delicate. "No matter what you look like, that doesn't mean you should be judged."

"But I am. The kids are mean, they look at me weird... Henry helps me, though..."

"Henry is a good friend." Duh smiled reassuringly at her, trying his best to comfort her. "It goes to show that you're unique and special in your own way. You're your own person no matter what. No stupid Spreading is going to change that, okay?"

"...Okay." Lulu still seemed to express insecurity, but she nodded, seemingly understanding.

"You can wait until we get home and eat alone, if that really makes you feel better. But I won't judge you for anything, and I hope you know that." He gently lifted her chin slightly, leaning back ever so slightly. "I love you, okay?"

"I love you." Lulu whispered, seemingly stifling a sob. Despite this, the emoticon on her mask seemed to express reassurance. That was relieving.