Without Flaws | Fyodor Academy 1

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

       "Parry," Jules suddenly said, causing me to snap out of the daze I was seemingly in to look over at him. "Are you okay? You've been pacing the room for a while now. Are you thinking about talking to Mr. McCabe?"

       I sighed, sitting down on my bed. "Yeah, I am. I just... I don't think it's fair I've gone almost seventeen years without knowing my grandfather and as it turned out, he's the headmaster at the boarding school and it's close to where my home is. I didn't have to spend birthdays and holidays and summer vacation alone. But... There must be some reason why my parents never told me about him."

       "Well, you shouldn't worry about why they didn't tell you," Jules said. "At least not right now. You should just worry about actually gaining a relationship with your grandfather because it's something you deserve to have. I think you should go talk to him."

       "I want to but I wouldn't even know what to say," I said.

       "Really?" Jules asked. "Because you're never run out of things to say."

       "Fair point but this is a little different," I said.

       "You'll think of something," Jules said. "You always do."

       I nodded and took a deep breath before standing up again. "Okay. I'm going to go."

       "Do you want me to go with you?" Jules asked. "For moral support?"

       I smiled slightly. "Thank you for the offer but this is definitely something I have to do on my own. I'll be back soon."

       I left the dorm room and headed to the main building, my heart beating a bit fast. I really didn't know what I was going to say to Mr. McCabe but I had to say something. I was normally very good at lying and hiding things but there was no way I could keep hiding something like this.

       As soon as I got to Mr. McCabe's office, I lifted my fist to knock on the door but I ended up stopping myself. I tried again but I guessed I wasn't ready yet.

       It was close to the time Mr. McCabe closed his office so there wasn't anyone in this hallway. I took that opportunity to pace around a bit, trying to work up the courage to knock on the door. It took a while but I finally did it.

       And I was tempted to run away as soon as I did.

       "Come in!" Mr. McCabe said after I knocked. I slowly opened the door before walking inside and when I did, he sighed. "What did you do this time, Parry?"

       "No, a teacher didn't send me here," I said. "I... wanted to talk to you about something."

       "Oh, then come on in," Mr. McCabe said, gesturing to the chair across from his desk.

       I fully waked into the office, closing the door behind me before slowly walking over and sitting down on the chair. Right as I did, I had no idea what to say.

       "So what did you want to talk about?" Mr. McCabe asked.

       Okay, I was going to have to wing this.

       "Well, I... I have a confession to make," I said. "But don't worry, it's nothing that would get me in trouble. At least, I hope so."

       "You're definition of trouble is definitely different from mine," Mr. McCabe pointed out.

       "True, but... I didn't really do anything wrong," I said. "Kind of... So... Yesterday when Maple got in trouble and we were waiting with her, she and Mack said they've been hearing you argue with someone for a while and me being the curious person I am... I kind of... sort of... eavesdropped."

       Mr. McCabe was silent for a bit before asking, "What exactly did you hear?"

       "...You arguing with me mom," I said. "And... And telling her how you want to get to know your grandson as your grandson and not on of your students. How come you didn't tell me?"

       Mr. McCabe sighed. "Parry, I promise I wanted to. I really did but... Your mother thinks that in order to keep you out of the spotlight, it's best for you to know a limited amount of everything."

       "How is that fair?" I asked.

       "It's not," Mr. McCabe said. "I've tried convincing her so many times to at least tell you about your family members but she wouldn't listen and in the end, it's her choice."

       "So it's her choice to deprive me from knowing my grandfather?" I asked. "Yeah, that doesn't make any sense. You should have at least told me."

       "Parry, I told you, I really did want to tell you," he said. "But I couldn't go against my daughter's wishes. She's your parent, not me."

       It still didn't make any sense and if one thing was for sure, I was really mad at my parents for not letting me know about my grandfather. But... I didn't think I could be mad at him for not telling me. At least he did want to and he did tell my mom he would if my parents didn't show up for the parent orientation.

       And they never show up to it so he was bound to tell me anyway.

       "So... The reason I haven't been expelled or suspended yet was because really, I'm your grandson?" I asked. "Isn't that kind of unfair?"

       "Are you asking me to suspend you?"

       "What? No. I'm just wondering if that's really the reason because you and I both know I deserve it."

       "Not really," he said. "I already knew your true intentions to all the mischief you caused. It wasn't ill-mannered and you never really put anyone in danger with anything you pulled. Well, except for the wallaby."

       "Again, he tried grabbing the wallaby when he should have left it alone," I said. "So it's technically not my fault,"

       "Keep telling yourself that," Mr. McCabe said.

       "So... Can we actually get to know each other as grandson and grandfather?" I asked. "And not headmaster and student?"

       "You're not mad I never told you?"

       "Nope. Because while you could have and you didn't, you still wanted to. I can't be mad at that and I... I really need at least one family member in my life. One that's not always travelling and won't answer my texts or calls."

       "They don't?" Mr. McCabe asked.

       "They only do when it's convenient for them," I said. "And most of the time, it isn't."

       "Wow, I wish I knew that because I would have given my daughter a stern talking to," he said. "I still will but in the meantime, I promise I'll be here for you whenever you need it for whatever you need it for."

       And that was all I needed right now.

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aweeeeee

i was debating if i should write Grandpa instead of Mr. McCabe this chapter now that Parry knows but in the end, he has always known him as Mr. McCabe so it might take a chapter or two for the change to actually happen

also cramps suck bye i need to try sleeping which probably won't happen