Chapter Text
As they pulled up to the school, Johnny looked at Robby. “Do you want me to come in with you?”
Robby had a meeting with the principal before his first meeting with the school counselor regarding the terms and conditions of his return to school, even though Robby had already been told about all of it.
Robby entered the building with a deep breath. The first thing he noticed were the new security checkpoints at the entrance. There was only one guard at the time, considering that it was so early.
Upon seeing Robby’s face, the security guard hesitated. Everyone knew about what Robby had done last year. It had been all over the news after all. Robby should have known that he was going to get special treatment after that. And not in a good way.
But he was hoping that he wouldn’t.
Robby pulled his student ID out of his pocket and presented it to the man. The guard took it in hand and checked the years on it. It was an ID for this year alright. The man continued the security check.
He was far more thorough in his search of Robby’s bag and his pat down than he needed to be. Robby knew that none of the other kids got treated like this. It was embarrassing, even if there was no one else present to experience it.
After the excessively thorough check, Robby was let through and pointed towards the principal’s office for further instructions.
As Robby entered the front hallway, he froze. The sight of the staircase there brought back so many terrible memories. In his mind, he heard Miguel’s scream as he fell, the cracking of the boy’s bone as he landed on the railing, Sam’s shout of “Robby, what did you do?!” as clearly as if it was happening in that moment.
Robby shook his head, trying to dispel the thoughts. He would just have to avoid using that staircase, but he knew it wasn't that simple. Robby made his way to the principal’s office, still very nervous from the rush of memories.
When Robby arrived at the office, he knocked on the door.
“Come in,” a voice called from the other side.
Robby opened the door and walked into the room. “Principal Lopez,” Robby says politely. He didn’t want to start anything with the principal, especially no on his first day.
“Sit down,” Principal Lopez says. Robby does. “Let’s make one thing clear Robert Swayzee Keene. I don’t like you and I will never like you. I don’t trust you.”
Robby gulps. This conversation was very one sided, but there was nothing Robby could do about it unless he wanted to get kicked out again.
“My one request is that you keep your nose down and stay out of trouble. If you cross one toe over the line, you’re out and you never get to come back,” Principal Lopez said.
Robby’s breathing was stuttering.
“Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir,” Robby said.
“Good,” the principal said, turning his attention from Robby. “Go see Counselor Blatt now.”
“Okay,” Robby stood up and left the room. The moment he closed the door after himself, Robby leaned against the wall. His thoughts were spiraling. This was going to be a lot harder than he had anticipated.
After a few minutes, Robby straightens up and moves towards the counselor’s office. He walks in through the open door.
“You must be Robby Keene,” Counselor Blatt said with a fake smile. Robby couldn’t help but scoff.
“Yeah. I’m Robby,” he said. “But don’t pretend like you don’t know about me.”
She drops all pretense of not knowing Robby. “How did that make you feel?”
“Can I be honest?”
“Of course. This is a safe space.”
“It pissed me off.”
“Why did it ‘piss you off’?”
“Because… I know that you know what I did. Everyone knows what I did. And you pretending that you don’t makes it seem like it didn’t matter.”
“I’m sorry I made you feel that way.”
“Yeah, of course you are,” Robby said, rolling his eyes. “No one ever thinks before they hurt me. No one.”
“I’m sorry, Robby.”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
“Robby, I need you to open yourself up to the opportunity to share your feelings and start the healing process.”
Robby’s mind went blank. Share his feelings. How does a person even do that? He’d never had to before, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to. His mouth opened and closed as he tried to decide what to say.
That was when Robby realized something, a loophole of sorts. He was required to see the counselor, but he didn’t have to talk to her.
“I don’t have to tell you anything,” Robby said.
“You don’t have to, but it might help if you do.”
“Nah. I’m good. Thanks for the offer, though.”
“Are you sure?” she asked.
Robby nods and they spend the rest of the session sitting in silence. Once the clock strikes 7:45, Robby stands up and heads to the door. "It was nice sitting with you Councilor Blatt," Robby said before leaving the office.
He was hoping to run into some of his friends before classes started.