Trophy Child (On Hold)

Chapter 8

My finger traced over a crude carving on my desk as I waited for the day to end. Off course, it was still early, so that wouldn't be happening for a long while. 

The bell rang and I stood up to leave, shoving the blank handout that I was supposed to be working on during class into my bag.

"Casey, stick around. I'd like to have a word with you," Mr. Henderson called, his gaze focused on a pile of papers he was grading.

I scowled in confusion and hung back while everyone else filed out, whispering and speculating about what I'd done and why I was in trouble.

"Have a seat," he said, setting the stack aside and standing up.

I sat down at a desk in the front row, and he pulled up a chair to sit across from me, resting his arms on the table between us. That was how I knew whatever I'd done was serious. 

"Look, whatever I did, I didn't mean to, and I kind of have something I need to do right now."

It was true, sort of. Sure, it wasn't super important or urgent, but I did want to try to reach Eric before my next class started. My after school conversation with Benny had at least made me hopeful that I might have a chance at getting though to him.

"You're not in trouble, Casey. I just wanted to talk," he assured me, a patient smile on his face.

That, to me, sounded like I was in even more trouble than I'd first anticipated.

"Okay," I said slowly. "About what...?"

"How are things at home?" he asked.

I tensed up. It wasn't the question I'd been expecting.

"What?"

"I've noticed that you've been a lot more withdrawn lately. You haven't turned in any assignments for my class in days, and your other teachers tell me that it's the same with them. I just wanted to have a quick check in, and make sure that you're alright. You know that you can always talk to me, right? Or if you're not comfortable with me, there are plenty of other teachers and staff around school that are here for you," he said.

I was stunned, and my tongue wouldn't work for a long minute. I didn't know if it was because I thought that he was wrong, or if it was because he had noticed a shift in my behavior that even my own parents hadn't.

"Look, I'm fine. Nothing's wrong at home," I responded eventually. 

It was a lie, I guess, but my problems with my family weren't the kind of problems he was thinking. I wasn't being abused or neglected. 

"What's up then, Casey? If any kids at school are bothering you, you can tell me. We can take care of it together."

"There's nothing wrong with me."

I wasn't dense, and I knew that that was what he meant. I was just fine. I certainly didn't need or want anyone's help.

"I didn't say that there was, I just want you to know that we all care about you here, Casey. There are resources available to you that you can utilize if you need to."

I wanted to laugh. Or cry. I just couldn't believe that my teachers actually thought that there was something wrong with me. 

And yeah, maybe my mind had been somewhere besides homework since the talent show, and maybe I hadn't been talking to anyone because my friends had up and ditched me, but that wasn't anything a heart to heart with my teacher or some useless therapy session could fix. 

"I'm fine," I said firmly. 

I think I believed it. 

"Okay, Casey. I trust you."