Fish Fingers and Whiskey

Five bites after Detention

Author's note: TW: Sexual assualt, eating disorders.

Okay so this one is going to angsty as hell.

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Kieran and Artemis sat in library while they waited for the second half of lunch to begin along with their detention. Kieran was saying something, but Artemis was engrossed in his thoughts.

The next lesson would be Physical education which would be hell (his classmates called his left foot Fowl due how poor his co-ordination was) and after that was religious education. Having not checked, Artemis was not sure if James would be in either class and the uncertainty was anxiety inducing.

His hangover was not better but worse and he was still more than a little drunk from this morning, especially considering he hadn't eaten since yesterday. This was not good. He felt sick and his head hurt and he just wanted this to stop. He wanted to be at home where he didn't have to worry about this but... he had promised his mother he would attend school like a normal boy.

Sometimes it felt like Angeline didn't actually want a son like him, it felt like she would prefer someone normal, someone else.

He wished he hadn't gone to that damned party, he wished he hadn't drunk so much, he wished-. Artemis stopped himself there, he was getting into dangerous territory.

Kieran had stopped talking and was looking at him.

"Sorry, what?" Artemis said, assuming he had missed something the other had said.

Kieran's expression was quizzical, "I didn't say anything, I was just staring at you until you realised you were staring at me."

"You are... quite odd." Artemis remarked.

"And you are considerably spacy today."

"I'm hungover," Artemis deadpanned.

Kieran shrugged, "Fair enough."

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The knock rang out, harsh and sharp in the empty corridor.

Mrs Kilbride opened the door with a stern expression, "Mr O'Shea go take a seat, I need to speak to Mr Fowl."

Kieran muttered a, "Cool" and ducked into the classroom.

Mrs Kilbride remained silent for a moment, "Would you like to tell me anything?"

Artemis shook his head; this was not what he needed.

Mrs Kilbride sighed, "I've talked to your other teachers, you aren't engaging in any of your classes and- I generally try not to pry too much but it isn't like you to engage in... extracurricular activities with you peers."

Artemis frowned, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

An amused smile briefly played on Mrs Kilbride's face, "I was once your age Mr Fowl and I have turned up to class hungover more than once."

Artemis stared; he was under no illusion that his teachers were not real people, but he hadn't expected understanding from them.

Mrs Kilbride fixed him with a serious look, "I'm glad you're learning to socialise but please remember that there are better ways to deal with issues than to drink. I am acutely aware that you have just returned from a months long leave of absence because of your mental health."