i'm still standing

“I suppose we didn’t, you’re right,” she nodded with a laugh. “But if somebody asks, at least we’ve got a response to give them?”

“I understand that,” he spoke sympathetically when Callista shared how she could relate to Hunter’s situation right now. “I think right now he just needs some space. It’s hard because I know personally I wish there was more I could be doing, but like you said, we don’t want to push him either.”

“Ah well then I suppose that’s a good thing then.” Because if he had, clearly it meant he had no issue with crossing boundaries. If there was anything he was learning about himself, it was that he was a gentleman… at least in the memories he couldn’t remember. “That’s what they tell me yes. I can’t remember anything really at the moment. Some things seem vaguely familiar when they get mentioned but beyond that… zip.”

“They are human Callista, they are going to make mistakes and some plain don’t listen. That’s not a judgement on your teaching.” He pointed out when she commented on how that made her wonder about her own teaching. Teenagers really could be idiots sometimes but then so could many adults. “But something keeps you doing it so you must love it more than you hate it at the end of the day.” All jobs had some downsides to them. “I’ll be working given I don’t run by the summer holidays in the same way you do. The benefit of not having children of my own at the moment I suppose. I might take a few days off here and there though.”

“Just thought I’d add my two knuts since you were complaining out loud in a public place,” Diana replied, shrugging. If it was someone else, she knew she would had stayed quiet, but when it came to Callista she was simply not able to stop herself. She wasn’t going to be hostile of course, but there was certainly no reason to be nice. “Yes, I’m sure that a bit of heat is truly insufferable. A lot of people are unemployed and have your qualifications, maybe ask them to switch?” She offered, her voice sounding overly sweet. “And I’m sure you know the answer to your question.”

It had taken a long time for Marcus to let go on his anger with what had happened between him and Callista but it’d happened with the help of friends. Now he felt so much lighter for it, he wished he’d been able to do it long ago, even if he hadn’t been ready for it at the time. It was better for both of them. “You’re welcome. It seemed you could do with it. Honestly, a lot of paperwork comes with my role too but I’m glad I never chose to be a teacher.” Marcus admitted with a little laugh. “But how are you? Other than the paperwork I mean.”

“Then people have been far too ungrateful towards you and have taken you for granted.” Orlando answered, more appreciative of the gesture and less bothered by what books she had brought. He would enjoy them regardless. “Of course. Something of this nature is never going to be a happy occasion. I’m glad you’ve not been personally impacted however. That’s one thing to take away from this mess. I suppose we’ll have to work on helping put everything and everyone back together after this.” It was the least they could do after all.