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"Any questions so far?" Dr. Connors slid off his glasses slightly to clean them up a bit. "I'm expecting the class to be at least fully aware of my criteria for this oncoming assignment."
The class nodded exasperatedly. He saw some students eyeing the clock religiously while others looked 5 minutes away from knocking out. He couldn't blame them honestly. It’s a Friday. While he loved teaching the youth about science, he’d rather stay home, read a book, and stuff himself with his wife’s cooking. Or go over to Otto’s for a cup of tea. There’s so many possibilities-
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
Ah, of course. He does remember a fire-drill being mentioned in an email; but they didn’t say what time!
The higher decibel screeching vibrated each of the seats and his chalkboard.
Charming.
"Alright, you know the drill class. Make sure to grab your wallets, keys and phones if you have any. But leave your belongings behind.” He directs, pointing to the nearest exit. “No Joshua, you don't need your backpack!" Dr. Connors sighed as the class was rather loud for a drill. What could he do though? These are supposed to be adults.
He turned to grab a paper when Gwen ran up to him a bit panicky.
"Gwen, perfect timing! Can you hold onto the emergency folder please? I need to grab the attendance sheet for this class.”
Gwen nodded, "Yeah, no problem. But sir, Peter isn't feeling well!" She yelled over the alarm as they gazed her attention to the back of the class.
Connors squinted and saw his lazy, but somewhat bright eyed pupil sitting down, hands covering his ears.
Gwen played with her hands, looking back at Peter. "I tried to ask him what's wrong but he didn't say anything…should I go get someone?”
Connors tapped his foot. "Alright, don’t worry. Please take the emergency folder. If you see an admin outside, let them know I'll be there soon.”
Gwen glanced back at Peter one last time before grabbing the folder and barging out the door to catch up with the class.
Connors quickly jogged up the stairs, internally cringing at how loud the alarm was.
What the hell is going on with Peter?
Upon closer inspection, he saw Peter’s body curled and trembling.
"Hey Peter. You okay?" Connors frowned when he saw Peter shake his head rapidly. This wasn't good. "Can you tell me what's bothering you?"
He heard a sharp gasp. "Alarm. Head hurts. Everything h-hurts."
I don’t blame him.
“Do you think you can walk down by yourself?"
Peter shook his head no.
"Okay. I'm gonna help you down to the best of my ability." He gets up the final step and points to the room adjacent to his desk down below. “There's a back room that reduces the noise."
Peter nodded.
Dr. Connors uses his left arm to hoist Peter up to his feet. He manages to get Peter's right arm over Connor's left shoulder and helps the kid down the stairs. He fumbles as he unlocks the door, turns on the light and quickly leads Peter inside.
Good thing there was a small chair he was able to deposit Peter in, this kid was kinda heavy!
He closed the door and sighed, his ears relieved of that awful beeping. The only noise heard was ragged breathing.
"Count with me Peter." The Professor found himself emphasizing, glancing at Peter's clenched fists and pale knuckles. "You gotta relieve the pressure on your head. It's okay."
Eventually, the student stopped shaking and looked up. "S' too bright." Peter shielded his eyes with one hand. Silent tears flowed down Peter's reddened cheeks. "Everything really hurts.”
Connors was panicking at this point. He doesn't remember the last time comforting a student, especially during a fire drill.
Especially since he and Peter aren't accounted for with the rest of the class!
Why are you panicking? Billy's freaked out before. I just have to soothe his senses.
Connors immediately opened a few drawers on his desk. He didn't care that he was making a mess of papers, office supplies or whatnot.
I just need to find it.
“Aha!” He pulls out a pair of sunglasses, tipping the boy's chin up and sliding them carefully on. He dug out some noise-cancelling headphones and placed them on Peter.
The boy slowly exhaled a deep breath.
"How's that Peter?" Connors asked softly.
"Mm. Better. My head is still thumping a little.” He wiped his tears, the glasses hiding the red rimmed baby blues. "I just freaked out….I'm sorry Dr. Connors.”
"You had a sensory overload,” The professor crouched down to level with the boy. "You got the brunt of it because you sat in the back of the class today. Alarm sounds worse back there.”
"There were no more front seats when I came in." Peter muttered.
"That's what happens when you're late to class." Connors internally coiled when Peter flinched.
The repeated lecture will be saved for another day.
“Sorry.” Peter slouched his shoulders dejectedly. Dr. Connors shook his head.
“I knew there was going to be a fire drill today. But I didn’t know the time," He admitted, giving a worried glance to Peter. “I should have given a heads up regardless. I’m sorry Peter.”
Peter sat up a bit. “It’s alright, Dr.Connors, really. Thank you…for walking me down. And…everything you do as a Professor.”
The professor rubbed Peter’s shoulder. “I may not understand your situation, but that doesn’t mean you have to go through it alone.” He grunts as he sits down on the floor next to the kid. “Do you…have a support system?”
Peter twiddled with his shoe laces. He can tell the kid was hesitant on what to say. Connors stays patient.
“Not any…no. Ah- yeah. No.” Peter rubbed the back of his neck. “I mean…I don’t live with Aunt May anymore. I’m not even sure I have a girl-friend right now…and my best friend hates me.” He shrugs. “What can you do, huh?” He laughs bitterly.
Oh…Peter. You’re a mess.
Then the unexpected happens. Even to Connor’s standards, and he works with improbable science a lot.
He engulfs Peter into a tight one-armed hug. He feels the kid stiffen, but doesn't let go.
“If you need accommodations, send me an email or swing by my office to let me know,” Connors rubs the young man’s back. He can feel shoulders shake beneath him. His voice softened, the same tone he uses for his 8 year old child. “It's alright, son.”
Tension finally releases from Peter's body as he sniffled quietly into Dr. Connors blazer. The professor can tell that the kid was trying so hard to appear unaffected.
Hiccup. “You'd…really do that for me? But- I inconvenience you, all the time. I turn in my papers late. I come to class late,” Peter sounded utterly baffled. “I don't understand all these chances. Not that...I don't appreciate them.”
Connors kept rubbing his back. “I agree with you. Ive been a strict instructor my whole career.” A small grin plastered his face. “Except, I know perseverance when I see it. And...you got me in your corner kid. As long as you want it."
Peter exhaled in relief, the weight lifting from his shoulders.
Connors helped Peter up from the floor as he got up.
“Now, let’s go find your classmates. You can keep the headphones Parker, these drills last painstakingly for a while. Annoying huh?”
“Yeah,” Peter grinned, and the bridge of slight awkwardness between the two slowly cracked. Connor's smile grew as his student began to open up.
Because everyone, especially the youth, needs a support system to thrive.
That brighter smile on Peter’s face is worth the effort.