One Night | Jody & Theodore
It had only been one night. One night on the island and his heart was already feeling like it was going to leap from his chest as he grips onto his books so tight that his knuckles were turning white. He keeps his eyes cast downward as he walks across the quad, hoping not to make eye contact with anyone. When he’d arrived on the island, he’d been full of hope, but now he felt nothing but confusion and a heavy pit in the bottom of his stomach. The letter from the headmaster made his head spin, and he tried not to think about it. He drags his feet, reluctant to go back to the cell that was supposed to be his room. He breathed in the air, making the most of his time outside. The cell didn’t have any windows, and he already was feeling the drain it had on his entire being (something that now made sense due to his recently discovered lineage). Shuffling along, a pair of feet came into view, forcing him to look up at the figure standing in front of him. “Oh um, sorry…” He stammers over his words, swallowing against a lump in his throat. “I um… I’ll just get out of your way.”
“Theodore Stott? Did I say that last night right?”
Jody asked, looking up from a piece of ripped yellow paper in his hand before shoving it in the back pocket of his jeans. He wore his hair long, his jeans worn, his boots scuffed, his dress shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and his thin black tie loose but neat under the grey vest. He had black leather bracelets on each wrist, a tree charm on one wrist, a snake clasp on the other as far as noticeable motifs. There was no collar on his neck.
“Hi,” Jody gave a kind smile and a small, if near apologetic wave, then offered his hand to shake. “I’m Jody. I’m the guidance counselor. I apologize for not meeting up with you sooner. Yesterday was surprisingly busy and your and another kid’s file got lost in the desk shuffle. Anyway,” Jody smiled a little brighter, “Up for coffee or pie or something? My treat. We can talk and go though whatever questions you might have...?”
