THE SINGLE BITE OF HIS SANDWICH ALZAR HAD GOTTEN TO EAT SEEMED TO FESTER IN THE PIT OF HIS STOMACH. He slid down further into cold, hard chair the principal had provided him.
Mr. Launders was a strict, severe man, with a thin cover of dark ginger hair and full beard. His booming voice made Alzar sweat, though most things made Alzar sweat.
“I'm sure you know why you're here, Mr. Lorne.”
Alzar skimmed through every transgression of the school handbook he could remember- he loitered in the bathroom instead of socializing at break time, sometimes he played on his phone during class, and one time he bought a soda from one of the vending machines in the teacher's breakroom. These seemed like petty crimes, most certainly not something someone gets called to the principal for.
“Um,” Alzar blurted, shuffling in his chair, “Uh.”
“A group of your classmates informed me you were acting bizarrely and aggressively towards them, even lashing out in physical violence.”
Alzar’s blood turned to ice. Oh no.
“Sir, I swear, I don't remember-” He cut himself off. What was he supposed to say? The truth?
“I've warned you about this several times, Alzar, and to be frank, I'm tired of your behavior. You've been in my office one too many times. I would love to suspend you, but I don’t think a traditional punishment will benefit you. I think you're just crying for attention in the only way you know how.”
Alzar ran his fingernails up and down his arm, tearing off tiny scabs. His throat was tight as he struggled to maintain eye contact with Mr. Launders.
Did he want attention? Alzar wasn't sure. His headache wouldn't let him do any deep thinking.
Mr. Launders leaned down, laying a comforting hand on Alzar’s shoulder. “I'm going to cut you a deal. You have study hall in first period, right? I want you to spend that time with our new guidance counselor, Miss Hastur. I'm sure she can straighten you out.”
Alzar stared at the blood under his fingernails, his bottom lip trembling. “Yes sir, I can do that.”
“You're a good kid, Alzar. I would hate for you to keep messing up your record like this,” Mr. Launders said, sitting back down in his chair, “I've already contacted your father about this. He said he’s coming to pick you up.”
“Uncle,” Alzar cut in
“Pardon?”
“Sariel is my uncle. That's all.”
YOU ARE READING
World Eater
Horror**1ST PLACE FEATURED IN HORROR 8-31** Alzar's mind wasn't the only thing that was falling apart. ---- After an emotional outburst lands him in the principal's office, Alzar Lorne forced into a series of in-depth sessions with the school's new counse...
