Standstill Bonds

Chapter 11 ~ Disquiet

The collective footsteps of departing students gradually faded, leaving the biology room in silence. Jotaro observed Josephine closely, noting a subtle shift in her demeanor over the past few weeks. Since their initial training session with their Stands, her progress had been steady, but her mood... well, something was off. She wasn't quite the same. She wasn't sluggish, but he sensed something amiss, she wasn't quite as upbeat and not as spirited as he was accustomed to seeing her.

"Wait for a minute, Josephine said" Jotaro said, signaling for her to remain seated as the last of the students filed out.

Josephine looked up, brow furrowed in confusion. "What's going on Mr. Jotaro?"

He didn't answer right away, choosing his words carefully. "I've noticed a change in your mood lately," he finally said, his tone calm yet direct. "Is there something on your mind? Something at home? Is Hiroshi bullying you again?"

Josephine's posture stiffened slightly, and she shrugged, attempting to play it off. "It's nothing. Just family stuff. I'll handle it."

Jotaro's gaze sharpened at her attempt to deflect him. "It doesn't seem like nothing," he pressed, leaning back against the desk. "If it's affecting you, it could mess with your training. Your Stand reacts to your emotions, remember? If they're all over the place, it will be too."

Josephine shifted uncomfortably. "I said I'll handle it," she insisted somewhat defensively.

Jotaro picked up on how uneasy she was becomming with the conversation. There was more to this than she was willing to admit, still, he treaded carefully, "I'm not asking you to burden me with all the details, but if something's bothering you, it needs to be addressed. Otherwise, it'll just fester."

For a moment, Josephine hesitated, her gaze lowering to the floor. "It's just... complicated," she mumbled.

Jotaro exhaled softly, realising she wasn't comfortable with discussing the issue at that moment in time. He wasn't going to force her, but he pressed on with the importance of balancing her feelings, "Whatever the case is kid, don't let it affect you too much. I've seen what happens when emotions take over, and I know you've had to deal with it a lot before. Trust me, it's not something you want again."

There was a pause between them before Jotaro abruptly straightened. "Wait here," he instructed and Josephine watched him curiously as he disappeared toward the closet at the back of the classroom.

About a minute later, he returned, carrying a small crate; the one with the pigeon they'd found over a month ago. Josephine's eyes widened in recognition as she spotted the bird inside, now far more alert and fluttering its wings.

"I almost forgot about it," she admitted, a soft smile pulling up to her eyes.

"Come on," he said, gesturing for her to follow him outside to the courtyard.

The crisp afternoon air was welcoming and Jotaro carefully opened the crate, lifting the pigeon with a steady hand before passing it to Josephine, a subtle nod conveying permission. Josephine carefully took the bird from his hands, feeling it writh and squirm in her fingers, eager to take off.

She inhaled deeply, steadying herself before she released her grasp. The moment her fingers opened the pigeon took flight, soaring upward until it disappeared above the school buildings. Josephine herself felt lighter as she watched it fly. She turned to Jotaro, meeting his eyes with a soft smile. "Thanks."

Jotaro gave a slight nod and without another word, he turned and headed back inside his lab, leaving Josephine alone for a brief, peaceful moment.

Unfortunately, it didn't last as a contemptuous voice met her ears. "Really? Wasting your time on a stupid bird?" Hiroshi scoffed as he approached with a sneer. "What a joke."

Josephine's smile faded, replaced by a flash of irritation. "What's your problem now?" she shot back, turning to face him.

"My problem?" Hiroshi mocked, stepping closer with an air of superiority. "Why does Mr. Jotaro waste his time with you? You're nothing special, you don't deserve it."

Josephine clenched her fists, her frustration rising. "You don't know anything about me," she snapped. "Or about him, he's a good person."

"Oh really? I know enough. You're just a pathetic wannabe. And him? He's just a washed-up teacher."

"Shut up!" Josephine's voice rose, heat flooding her face. "Don't you talk about him that way!"

Hiroshi was clearly amused by her anger. "Oh? What, are you two best friends or something?"

"We respect each other," Josephine retorted, her voice firm and steady despite the growing fury in her chest.

"Respect?" Hiroshi laughed, shaking his head. "Please. Someone like you? Earning Mr. Jotaro's respect? I doubt it."

Josephine's hands clenched tighter, her nails digging into her palms. "You wouldn't understand what respect was if it hit you in the face."

As Hiroshi finally walked off with a smug grin, Josephine remained in the courtyard, fuming. She kicked a small rock across the ground, though the action did little release her bubbling anger. She paced back and forth, muttering profanities under her breath. But then, the sound of footsteps behind her made her freeze. She turned on her heel and saw Jotaro standing in the doorway, arms crossed, watching her silently.

"I... Sorry you had to hear all that."

Jotaro uncrossed his arms and walked over, "You held your ground, that's good." he said matter of factly.

"Yeah, well..." Josephine trailed off, feeling her cheeks burn up. "I just couldn't let him talk about you like that."

Jotaro gave a small shrug. "You don't need to defend me, kid. His words don't mean anything to me, and they shouldn't to you either."

"I know, but..." Josephine faltered, then sighed. "It just... it made me angry. I respect you, and he has no right to talk shit."

Jotaro regarded her for a moment before offering a small nod. "Don't let people like him get under your skin. They're not worth it."