Growing Up Hobart: the Politician

5

A/N: Holy guacamole, thank you so much for 350 reads! I'm quite honestly in shock and so happy that you're all enjoying Growing Up Hobart: the Politician :)

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When Payton went back to school on Monday, he was sure to wear his sweater in order to express his gratitude to River. He was right there when he needed him on Saturday. He didn't even know he needed him. He barely even knew him!

Yet when Payton walked in on Monday, he felt a wave of sadness and anxiety when he didn't see River. It felt weird, feeling that way. Feeling like everybody else. Feeling.

Payton blinked a few times in a rapid motion and shook his head before looking around once again. No River. Astrid glared at him, Alice smiled lightly before looking away, and McAfee and James sat together, Payton's seat open at their desk clump. Slowly, Payton headed over to join them.

"Hey Payton," McAfee and James said happily. Payton leaned forward and began to whisper to his partners in crime.

"Do either of you know where River is?"

McAfee and James turned to look at each other before facing Payton once more. McAfee was the first to speak.

"River Barkley? That kid who came here like a month ago?"

"I think he only came here a week or two ago," James said.

"No, no James. River Barkley transferred to Saint Sebastian Elementary at the end of last month."

"How do you know?"

"I keep a mental record."

"Oh, well so do I!"

"Can you two stop?" Payton hissed, raising the volume of his whisper slightly. He falsely smiled across the room as she glared at him and his friends once more.

"What was the question again?" McAfee asked after a brief pause.

"River Barkley. Where is he?" Payton repeated, sounding annoyed and concerned.

"How am I supposed to know? I don't know him."

"Maybe he's asking you because you keep such a great mental record, McAfee."

"James!"

"McAfee!"

"Stop, please! Both of you." The two looked at each other once more and then back at Payton, who was now beginning to feel hot. Anger? It must be anger. People feel 'hot with anger'. It's an expression. It's a feeling. Right? "I'm asking you because you both usually have a good idea of what the latest seems to be."

"Why is it such a big deal? I've never seen you this uptight. You okay?" James remarked.

"Um, no reason," Payton muttered, feeling his face begun to heat up. But this wasn't anger. It was something else. Stress? No. Tired? No. Embarrassed? Maybe. But why? No, that couldn't be it. "I was just... curious," Payton stated, though it came out as more of a question.

Both James and McAfee looked at their friend oddly, but all three were pulled from the conversation when their teacher spoke, announcing that class was beginning. Payton let out a sigh, and hoped that neither friend would notice.

Why is it such a big deal? What's up with you, Hobart!

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The rest of the school day was fairly usual, but Payton noticed he had some trouble focusing. Why in the world was this bothering him so much? River Barkley was just some kid who found Payton's sweater. And went out of his way to bring it to him at his house. But they weren't even friends!

But River let Payton hide in his embrace when Luther chased him.

But they barely even knew each other!

And River sang—in French!

How long had Payton even known his name?

River acted like it was normal. Like Payton needed it.

Did River Barkley even exist?

Who is River Barkley?

Who is Payton Hobart?

The young boy felt his stomach create tighter and tighter knots as he let his mind sprint out of his control. He felt like he couldn't catch his breath. Why was he feeling like this? Like he was trapped underwater.

Payton Hobart was spinning out of control, and that's not who Payton Hobart is.

"Payton. Payton?"

The boy looked up. Reality. His teacher was standing in front of his desk, a concerned look on her face. Payton's hands felt clammy. He glanced around. All of the desks in the room were empty. No James. No McAfee. No Astrid. Just Payton and Ms. Kennedy. Payton looked back up at her with wide eyes. Ms. Kennedy bent down next to Payton's chair. The boy forced himself to maintain steady eye-contact.

"Is everything alright?"

Payton opened his mouth to reply, but paused. He wasn't sure how to answer. How would a president answer? The President would want the people to be content. No chaos, right? A President is a leader, and that's the role Payton needed to play to get through thus conversation. He slowly began to nod, his movements then becoming slightly more rapid.

"Yes, everything is alright. More than alright. Everything is under control," the seven year old said as calmly and clearly as he possibly could.

"Are you sure? All of your classmates went to recess."

"I noticed," Payton said quietly and tried to stifle a laugh. He thought for a moment, touching the dirty-blond hair on the top of his head. "I just got distracted, that's all. May I go to recess now, please?"

"Okay, I suppose. We all get spaced-out sometimes. If you need anything, even if it's just someone to talk to, please let me know."

"Okay, thank you," Payton said, slowly getting up. He stopped in the doorway of the classroom and gave Ms. Kennedy a reassuring smile before heading out.

Payton wasn't in the mood to play, so he headed over to a bench in the side of the playground and sat down. First, he couldn't stop thinking about River, but now he couldn't stop thinking about his conversation with Ms. Jackson. The concern on her face that mirrored the way he had felt all morning. Her careful choosing of words. Her offering.

If you need anything, even if it's just someone to talk to, please let me know.

Someone to talk to. How many times had someone sat down and offered to talk to Payton about all of his thoughts and his newfound emotions? Did he want that? Did he need that?

No, no. He couldn't.

He's Payton Hobart, (future) President of the United States of America.