Freaks: Year Two

Detention

Jasper was in a bad mood.

He felt like his mood was becoming a routine and he didn't like it. How else was he supposed to feel though? He and Toby were constantly biting each other's heads off, their brothers were alone at home, he was behind in his homework, he had yet to complete the spell in a box, and now he had gotten a detention with Meg Johnson of all people because he had wanted to go back to class. At least in Professor Virindi's eyes.

He was wandering through the corridors around his common room as six o'clock was approaching. He really wanted to just skip the detention and find his brother, but he knew if he missed it, it would only lead to worse consequences for him. He was about to start to head up to the Entrance Hall and down to the grounds when his Head Of House came out of her office and spotted him.

"Ah Mr. Odair, you were just the person I wanted to see."

"Well...I have a detention with you...soon so–"

"I was hoping to speak to you privately, can we talk in my office?" she asked and that made Jasper nervous. Was he actually going to get suspended or expelled?

Jasper nodded and nervously entered her office and took a seat in front of her desk. What had he done? But that was the thing, he had done a lot of things that had broken several rules. What if Toby had been caught? What would he say to that? He would have to tell his Head Of House how he had left in the middle of the year and how was he supposed to explain that? So many lies...so many secrets...

Professor Virnidi took a seat across from him. "Mr. Odair, I called you in here because–"

Because you have been a prick to everyone this year.

"...I am worried about you."

Jasper slowly looked up from where he was scratching at his hands to his Head Of House in confusion. "What?"

"I am worried about you," Professor Virindi repeated. She sighed. "You have been...different this year I have noticed, more stressed out, more on edge, you have been skipping your classes, a bit more snappy to others..."

"Yeah...I have been a prick," Jasper admitted echoing his brother's words.

Professor Virinidi sighed. "Your captain is also worried about you. She says you have been down. The prefects have backed this up and–"

"Are you kicking me off the team?" Jasper asked. He shook his head. "I can't even blame you. I have been...sort of a downer to be around to put it mildly. It's funny professor because Cara put me on the team because I was a good sport, and I have definitely not been fulfilling that role."

"You have Mr. Odair," Professor Virinidi said. "You are cheerful with your teammates, but Cara Finnegan can tell that you are upset about something, that you have been negative about yourself, and I have been noticing it as well." Jasper didn't say anything in response to that. It was true. "Can you tell me if there is anything going on?"

Jasper was hesitant to say anything. What was he supposed to say? He couldn't tell the truth. He didn't want to burden anyone with lies. It seemed pointless.

"Last year you were a very cheerful boy," Professor Virindi continued. "Has anything happened this year that has changed that? You can tell me. Is there anyone bothering you? Is there anything that has been plaguing your mind? I know it can be hard to talk to someone about something that could be bothering you, and you don't have to give me the full story, but I just want to make sure if you're okay, and if you aren't, if there is anything I can do to help you."

Jasper sighed. He really wanted to be the cheerful person he was last year, but that felt impossible right now when he and his brother weren't talking. It felt impossible when his brothers were home and he was here, away from it all. It was impossible to feel happy all the time when the people you loved so much were in danger and there was nothing he could do about it.