Chapter 92

The rest of the day passed agonizingly slow. Every time Dan tried to turn his focus to class, his thoughts drifted towards Peter. Not even his mental fortitude skill seemed able to keep him concentrating, so great was his worry. But he knew Peter’s history. He knew that Peter’s brother was suffering from cancer, a fight that Dan was all too familiar with. And because of that, he couldn’t help but wonder, what was going on with Peter. He was probably overreacting, but that did little to calm his mind.

When the final bell of the day rang, he practically sprinted from the classroom, his backpack slung over his shoulder as he rushed through the halls. Given the size and stature of the school, the hallways were large enough, thankfully, that he didn’t risk bumping into too many people. Not to mention, many of the students, while eager to leave class, were still taking their time. Mostly, Dan knew, so they could catch up with their friends and plan their afternoons.

Dan had a mission though, and he was so focused on that mission, that as he skidded around a corner, he nearly collided with a figure he’d not seen in a while.

“Woah now. You know there’s no running in the hallway.” The figure said, in a voice only vaguely familiar. Dan immediately ceased his running, realizing he was now standing mere inches away, from Dr. Francis Young, Peter’s father, and principal of St. Arthurs.

“Sorry sir,” Dan said, glancing around for any sign of Peter or other familiar faces. He was eager to get to the tennis courts, so he could scan Peter’s information with his powers, and make sure he’d not gotten any worse. Unfortunately, he saw no one, which should have been a given. The players themselves had likely been let out of class early to get ready, and he knew the girls were actually away today, playing in their own matches.

“Ah, Mr. Meadows.” Dr. Young said, taking a moment to look Dan up and down. It seemed he’d just realized who he was addressing. “It’s been quite a bit of time since I last saw you,” he smiled warmly, “which, I suppose, is a good thing, yeah?”

“Mhmm.” Dan mumbled back. He didn’t know much about Peter’s dad. All he knew, was the man wasn’t to be trifled with. After all, this was a man who had sent his own first-born child away, because of family politics. Sure, Peter’s grandparents were, according to Peter, the main villains there, but regardless, the man in front of Dan had still gone through with the act.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, even if I’ve not seen you personally.” Dr. Young continued. “It seems Peter’s really taken a liking to you. He says you’re doing quite well on the tennis courts.”

Dan’s ears perked up at that. Peter had been talking about Dan with his father?

“Peter’s been a huge help with that.” Dan replied, still searching the halls, though less frantically. It was probably best he give Dr. Young his attention, so he could leave sooner, rather than later. “I’d never played tennis before I came here.”

Dr. Young nodded, his eyes looking at Dan thoughtfully. “I remember that. Your father had actually told me you favored soccer. I remember reading an account that you spent a week with the team. From what I read, you fit in well there. Yet, you still decided to play tennis?”

“Yes sir.” Dan said dutifully. His father had drilled such manners into him from a young age. Someone of Dr. Young’s stature, he knew, deserved such mannerisms. And considering the man hadn’t told him otherwise, he figured he expected just as much.

“Might I inquire as to why?” Dr. Young pressed. “If one of my staff did something that made you feel unwelcome on the team, please let me know and I can see to it. It just seems, strange, I suppose that you would opt to play a sport you’d never played before, instead of one that by all accounts, you already excelled at.”

Dan nearly flinched at that statement. Even though it wasn’t why he’d stopped playing, there had definitely been an ‘incident’ that some would view as, er, unwelcome. Alright, that wasn’t entirely true. From Peter’s reaction, Dan had a pretty good feeling how his peers would view the situation with Samantha. However, that wasn’t her fault. Her sudden change in actions and mannerisms had been a direct result of Dan’s Charisma stats and his powers. Something that he’d since fixed…after some back and forth with Syn. And even then, her actions hadn’t made him feel unwelcome, it was, er, the exact opposite.

“So, something did happen?” The man rubbed his chin. “Would you like to return to my office, so we can discuss it in full? With your father away, I feel it only appropriate I act in his stead. I want you to feel welcome, and safe, after all at my academy.”

“Uh,” Dan shook his head, “it wasn’t the soccer team, actually.”

“Owe?” The man rose an inquisitive eyebrow.

“When Peter was away, some of the guys on the tennis team decided to,” Dan paused. He didn’t want anyone getting in trouble. Especially since Peter had already handled it. “It’s nothing, actually.” Dan corrected. “It was all a misunderstanding, and Peter sorted it out. Everything is good now, actually.” Dan looked at the man, offering him his most, hopefully, sincere smile. “In fact, along with playing tennis, I’ve actually been told I could still take part in soccer matches when I have the time.”

“Is that so.” Dr. Young smiled and nodded, though, Dan noticed, it didn’t reach his eyes. “Then, if that’s the case, I suppose I’ve no reason to press any further.” He glanced from Dan, towards the hallway, and the crowds of students moving too and fro. “If anything does ever happen though Daniel, I do want you to know, my office door is always open for you.”

Dan nodded, as another thought crossed his mind. Would Peter’s dad know if he was feeling unwell? Even if he did, would he tell Dan if he asked? Would Dan be crossing a line, if he mentioned to Dr. Young that he thought Peter was ill?

“Something else on your mind?” The man, apparently extremely inquisitive, asked.

“Just, looking forward to watching Peter play today,” Dan lied, “sir.”

The man chuckled. “You and me both. Once I’ve finished my duties here, I actually intend to head to the courts and watch him play. Often times nowadays, I’m so busy I don’t see much of him. It will be good, to support my son in the thing he loves.” Dr. Young offered Dan a small smile. “Did he ever tell you, why he started playing? Or why he puts so much into it?”

Dan felt a trap coming, and he remembered what Peter said. This was a secret between Dan and Peter. And while obviously, Dr. Young knew the whole situation regarding Peter and Paul, Dan wasn’t sure if Peter had mentioned that Dan knew yet to his father. And Dan, was not about to be the one to let that slip up.

“Uh, just that you got him into it.” Another lie. “Sir.”

“Is that so?” For a brief second, Dan was pretty sure the man’s smile faltered. “Well, no matter what, I look forward to seeing you out there in support of him. And, if what Peter says is true, maybe next month, I can see you play as well.”

Dan swallowed hard, guilt flooding through him over lying to the man, combined with the sickening feeling he had from worrying about Peter.

“Well, I’m heading to the locker room now,” Dan said, moving slowly past the man. Dr. Young made little effort to get out of Dan’s way. “I’ll tell Peter you’ll be there.”

“Thank you, Daniel.” The man said, finally moving enough out of the way to let Dan pass. “I hope we can have a more in-depth conversation at a later date, as well. After all, I want our newest transfer student to feel completely at home here.”

Dan didn’t even respond. He simply left the statement hanging in the air. The man seemed nice, but Dan couldn’t help but feel, there was something somewhat sinister, to him. And right now, all his mind had time to worry about, was Peter.