John's POV
I opened the door to the headmaster's office, revealing the man himself sitting at his desk, arms crossed on the table. His wavy teal hair was slicked back as usual while his piercing light green eyes and black glasses asserted dominance. I bowed my head as a sign of respect.
"Sir, you wanted to see me?" I asked.
"Ah, John." He noticed me walking up to him. "Please, take a seat."
I moved the chair that was seated in front of him and sat down.
"Now, I'm sure that you know what you're here for, correct?" The headmaster questioned. "It's about a certain announcement that you had Cecile publish in the school newspaper this week."
Oh, yeah. I did that.
"I'm aware, yes." I admitted, bracing myself for what he was going to say next.
"Why would you do that?" was the million dollar question.
I breathed in, then out. "I don't want the others sticking their noses into my business. The supposed Queen, Remi, is oblivious to everything that's going on in the school, and the supposed Jack, Cecile, is someone who can't be trusted. To conclude, Sir, if even the King can't find the Royals to be trustworthy, then why should I trust them with the rules of Wellston?"
Headmaster Vaughn took a sip from his cup of coffee, then set it down.
"You seem to have issues with trusting people, John." He told me. "You say that Remi and Cecile are people who cannot be trusted, but from what I see, I do not think so. What I see is a girl who is trying her best to keep her school safe, and a girl who just needs to see the life of someone less stronger than her to understand what they have to go through everyday."
That pink haired bitch and bob cut snake? Described all innocently like that? Bullshit.
...
"John, have you figured that you would see those two in a positive light?"
I was startled by the headmaster's sudden inquiry. But, I tried to think about it.
"..."
It's not working. No matter how hard I thought about Remi and Cecile, I would end up with a vivid image of Claire holding her hand out to me. The start of a betrayal.
I clenched a fist. I never want that to happen. Ever again.
"John." I was snapped out of my thoughts by Headmaster Vaughn. "Do you...need help?"
"Excuse me?" I asked, confused by what he meant.
"Forgive me, but I've noticed some things from you." He apologized. "During your interrogation with Mr. Keon back then, you've shown many symptoms of the mental health condition PTSD. Or, in other words, post-traumatic stress disorder."
Well, shit.
"Whenever he would talk to you, you would get nervous. Sweating, shaking, and stuttering during speech were few that I picked up on during that time period." He continued to speak, noting the little details that he noticed from me back then. "Tell me. Did something happen between you and Mr. Keon that caused you to act this way around him?"
Something that happened between...?
"KNOW YOUR PLACE, CHILD!"
!!
"I'm a high ranking official and you're nothing but a little brat!"
SLIDE.
"Now take a good look at what you did. This is the aftermath of your little rampage."
"Yeah, I destroyed them all. So what? Mess with the strong and you'll get punished! Everyone knows that!"
"And...what about these two?"
"...What about them?"
"No mercy? Not even on your friends?"
"No. They got exactly what they deserved."
"Is that so?"
GRAB!
"Then let's take another look at what you did to them. Why do you keep shutting your eyes?"
"It's their fault! That's what they get for turning on me! AFTER EVERYTHING I GAVE THEM...THEY SHOULD'VE STUCK WITH ME! THEY SHOULD'VE SIDED WITH ME TILL THE END!"
"Side with you...? Even after everything you did?"
"..."
What...? What is this...?
I did this? I...I...
"AAAAAAAAAA!!" I screamed, my whole head suddenly surged in pain.
"John?!" Headmaster Vaughn stood up from his chair while I held my head in my hands.
My ears were ringing. I could barely hear his voice and my vision started to blur. But I tried to shake off the feeling by shaking my head back and forth. Eventually, I could hear clearly again and see better. I huffed, trying to breathe in air normally again. I was sweating too.
"I'm fine." I sighed as I tried to stop my shaking arms.
"Are you sure? You seem to be very mentally ill. Perhaps you need the help of others to-?"
"I SAID I'M FINE!" I shouted out angrily, then sighed once more. The headmaster had a worried expression on his face. Something that I absolutely hated. "Look, Headmaster. I know that I have anger issues. I know that I have these sudden outbursts, and I promise you that I'm working on it. But, I don't have PTSD."
PTSD...a mental illness...
No, stop thinking that. I don't have it. I know I don't have it. I mean, I just can't, right?
"Please just say what you really think." I continued to speak while the headmaster listened. "You think that I'm a monster, right? A monster who no one can tame? And because no one can tame it, you just let it loose to wreak destruction? Just say it. I already know what everyone else feels about me, so why don't you just go and say it too?"
"No."
I stood up abruptly and banged my fists onto the table.
"Why?! It's easy! Just say it!" I yelled at him.
"John. Sit down." He said calmly.
How is he able to stand me talking to him like this? Goddammit! Shout, scream, yell, I don't care! Just raise your voice at me already! You must be frustrated at me, aren't you?
Despite my boiling anger towards his attitude, I sat back down in my seat.
"John. I'm not going to call you a monster. You see, rather than an oppressor, I see you more as a victim. A victim of our modern-day hierarchy system." Headmaster Vaughn explained before taking a sip of his coffee and setting it down. "Before you turned to violent behavior and became the Joker of Wellston, you saw the flaws of our society, didn't you? You tried your best to help others."
"That...that was just an act." I turned my head away. "I was playing cripple, that's all. I didn't really care about anyone. Everyone I met was either annoying, oblivious, cold, or all three."
The headmaster sighed. "Please, John. I want to help you, but you're making it difficult."
I turned my head back to face the headmaster. "I don't need help. All I need is for you to stop pitying me. I hate when people give me that face that looks as if I need help. I'm not sure if you're aware, Headmaster, but I'm not a kid. I can handle myself just fine."
Sympathy...
"John, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I'm just a bit tired."
"Mm, if you say so. But if you ever feel hurt or upset, just know that you can count on Adrion and I to cheer you up. We all look after each other, alright?"
"Yeah, yeah. I get it, Claire. I'm not a kid, you know."
I absolutely despise it. It does nothing but hurt people's pride.
"MONSTER."
"If that's all, I'll be going now." I stood up from my seat and bowed before turning around towards the door. As I opened it, I saw Doc coming into the office, not noticing that my shoulders brushed harshly against his as I passed him.
I think I heard him mutter something angrily, but I didn't think much of it and just headed to my next class.
Vaughn's POV
"If that's all, I'll be going now." John said. He stood up from his seat and bowed before turning his body towards the door. As he opened it, I saw Darren coming into my office. Good. Just in time. The two of them bumped shoulders against each other roughly, with Darren mumbling angrily at John, and John just ignoring him and continuing to walk.
"Tch, what's His Highness's problem?" He glared at the black haired boy before he left the hall.
"We just had a talk." I explained to him as he took a seat on the chair in front of me.
"And I'm guessing it didn't go very well?" Darren evaluated.
I shook my head. "No. He refuses any kind of help even though he desperately needs it. From what I've heard from his teachers, he doesn't seem to be going to class as much as before. Only sometimes he goes, but other times, he's on the roof. Just staring off into space. Before, he used to hang out with Seraphina. But since he's become King, I've only seen him alone."
"That kid. He's always been unhinged." He sighed. "He's always been like this. It's just that he's really good at hiding it. I've seen it myself, Sir. Whenever he'd be with Seraphina, after the 'two' of them would get beaten by a gang of students, John tried really hard to get himself onto her good side. By letting himself get hurt and keeping his ability to himself."
I listened intently to Darren's observations on John. As he was listing them, I remembered the first time I met John. Back when he was applying for Wellston...
"John, we've accepted your application to Wellston. Good job. You did well." I told the black haired boy in my office. He beamed once he heard the news.
"Thank you, Headmaster. I'm both honored and grateful to you. I know it must've been a hard choice accepting me into your school, knowing my past and all. But I just want you to know that I'm doing my best to prevent that incident from ever happening again." He said.
I smiled. "That's good to hear. Your first day will be scheduled next week, starting Monday. Until then, do you have any questions whatsoever about our school?"
...
"Well, there is one thing." I could see his fingers fumbling around. "While I'm a student at Wellston, can I keep my ability a secret? I'd prefer that people see me as a low-tier instead. To others, I'll just be their everyday, powerless cripple."
I was startled by the boy's wish. "If that's what you want, you can. But may I ask why you would consider this option? With your current ability level, you would be the second strongest student in our school. You would be greatly respected by your peers. So, why?"
"Well...I, um..." He stuttered. I noticed him biting his lip. "It's...personal reasons. I'm sorry, but I can't say them..."
Personal reasons?
"Very well. You may pose as a low-tier during your time here. I'm already aware that you're upset with your past, so I won't pry any further." I was curious to see why such a strong boy would tremble at the mention of his ability. With advanced skills such as his, one would call them a blessing. Yet, he acts like it's a curse. "Is that all, John?"
"That's it." He confirmed, nodding his head. He stood up from his seat and bowed his head. "Thank you so much, Headmaster. For giving me a second chance."
...
"I don't need help. All I need is for you to stop pitying me. I hate when people give me that face that looks as if I need help. I'm not sure if you're aware, Headmaster, but I'm not a kid. I can handle myself just fine." John's words from our conversation earlier repeated in my head.
"I swear, he's all over the place..." Darren scoffed, ranting about the ebony haired boy angrily. "These past couple of weeks, he hasn't sent anyone to the infirmary, but there he goes this week, making an announcement that prevents positive influences on the students..."
"He's like broken glass."
"Huh?" Darren turned his head to me.
"In the beginning of the school year, he was a complete mirror. Smooth and clear. During his enrollment interview, he had shown me all the positive qualities of himself that I was looking for. Charisma, kindness, and power." I sighed. "If only he were really like that. As the months passed by, he seemed different. Still kind, but more distant. Until one day, he ultimately reached his breaking point. Day after day, his mirror slowly gained more and more cracks. One day, he'll lose it, and this facade of his will finally shatter. Nothing but shards will be left."
The doctor stayed silent after I finished my explanation.
That boy...he's much more delicate than he gives off. He definitely needs help.
...
"I've always wondered why John was so ashamed of his own talents. But after observing his demeanor around you...I now finally understand. He was one of your students, wasn't he?"
"Yes."
"What exactly did you teach during these re-adjustment courses?"
"I'm not authorized to give you specifics, sir. But it varies depending on the student."
Perhaps I'll need to arrange another meeting with him again.
NOTE: Early update for today just so I don't forget about it later! Sorry there are so many flashbacks in these episodes. Also, thank you for 3.5K reads and 114 votes! My other completed fanfic, Puppet Under Strings, also has a lot of reads. It has 5.8K reads and over 200 votes!! God, I can't believe you guys are actually reading my trashy stories...
Anyway, next episode for this fanfic will be on Thursday, January 14th! Like always, it's going to be Thursdays! Remember to vote/comment when you're finished reading!!