Passing through the hallways, Dwight walked by some classrooms, catching a glimpse of the main entrance. There were two police cars parked up front, flashing red and blue lights, catching the eyes of many. Intrigued, he stopped for just a moment, curious about the situation unfolding outside.
Doing so, Dwight noticed the principal and a couple of security guards engaged in conversation. He tried eavesdropping on their discussion, but before he could gather any insight, the slender-looking woman called out, instructing him to keep following her.
Setting aside personal curiosity, Dwight continued his way towards Mister Caulfield's office without looking back.
While turning the corner, a male and female security guard that usually patrol the back entrance of the school are seen bringing students out of the dean's office. To Dwight's unfortunate surprise, it was Cuff and two of his goons. As they locked eyes, Cuff reached out, attempting to grab Dwight by his collar shirt until the male security guard grabbed him by the arm, yanking him back.
"Woah, kid, slow the fuck down! Where do you think you're going so fast? The male guard said, restraining Cuff. "Trust me, you wouldn't want to test my patience by pulling something. I assure you that."
However, Cuff didn't care in the slightest; he shouted vulgar words and aggressively pointed in Dwight's direction while being pulled away. "YOU SON OF A BITCH! MARK MY WORDS. I WILL GET YOU, DWIGHT! YOU ARE FUCKING DEAD!"
Many students nearby overheard Cuff yell at the top of his lungs. They all turned their attention to Dwight as the slender-looking woman moved him away from the eyes of everyone.
"Today's kids truly don't know when to grow up. They seem to do it on purpose just to irritate me." She mumbles.
Dwight fixed the collar of his shirt and ignored lingering eyes. Instead, focus on the idea that maybe the reason is because of Cuff. But after some thinking, that did not really make sense. Dwight came down to a more logical conclusion: him being pulled away from lunch had something to do with Miss Hernandez.
"๐บ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐, ๐ฐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐. ๐ป๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐."
Out of nowhere they abruptly stopped in front of some doors. Dwight looked up and saw a sign written in bold letters showing it was the guidance office.
"This is where I depart. Run along inside, boy. Caulfield doesn't have all day." The woman said before walking away. Her heels clicked against the floor, fading as she moved further away down the hall.
Dwight hesitates, hovering his hand over the doorknob, contemplating whether he should knock first or head straight inside. Wanting to avoid any more delays or issues, he considered walking in. Scoping around, Dwight saw empty rooms, a bunch of flyers taped on the wall, and some waiting chairs. By how quiet and empty everything seemed, it gave an eerie atmosphere. Looking through each doorway, Dwight came across the sight of someone sitting at a desk taking a phone call, assuming it was Mister Caulfield. From the sound of it, the call involved some back and forth banter. Dwight paused before proceeding, awaiting for an opportunity that was not awkward.
"Listen, I told you about calling me at my work. I gave you no permission at all. Now listen closely because I'm only gonna say this onceโDo not ever try calling me at my place of work ever AGAIN! " Mister Caulfield said. He sounded very upset.
Dwight, playing it sneaky, is startled when his phone suddenly dings consistently. Mister Caulfield, hearing this, quickly wraps the conversation up and gestures for Dwight to take a seat. Not wanting any trouble and accepting simple orders Dwight waited patiently for an explanation.
Mister Caulfield arranged piles of papers on his cluttered desk and switched on his computer as the machine started up. He looks at Dwight and then looks at how much time has already passed.
Dwight shrugged it off, not really caring but instead confused. He was too focused on why an unknown number called him and when trying to call back it keeps going straight to voicemail.
"My apologies for taking a long time getting ready, hold on while I check through your transcript." Mister Caulfiled says scrolling through different students' profiles.
"Alright, it looks like your legal name is Vinโ" Mister Caulfield began before Dwight cut him off in the middle of his sentence.
"Wait Sir Please do not speak of my legal name out loud. If it's not too much to ask, can we go by middle name Instead?" Dwight pointed out.
The change in mood felt noticeable and helped Mister Caulfield gain an understanding to accept Dwight's wishes and give him support.
"Oh, I am truly sorry for making you upset. That was not my intention. If you consider being called another name then I will allow it." Mister Caulfield scrolled once again, Dwight accepted his apology and felt a sense of reassurance at how accepting he was being.
"Looking at what the record shows, I am allowed to call you by your middle name. Which is...Dwight, correct?" Mister Caulfield asks, getting a nod of approval. After moving that little issue out the way he's finally able to explain.
"Well, Dwight. There are a few reasons why I called you into my office. Firstly, starting today for the remainder of this semester I will be your new counselor."
Dwight's reaction towards his news was lackluster, to say the least. Mister Caulfield turns over a new page skimming through without any care until seeing the counselor's name and photo. He checks on Dwight who seems to be stuck in thought and not really focusing on his environment. Mister Caulfield, stunned, takes a second clearing his throat before taking the page and continuing speaking.
"I was told you were close with an ex counselor that used to work here when a particular incident occurred. Things were brought to my attention by your teachers. They talked about a massive decline in your grades lately." Mister Caulfield then brought up each of Dwight's class scores, starting off from decent ones to worse.
Dwight sat there letting his past decisions finally be put forward. Mister Caulfield's voice slowly muffled, Dwight's personal thoughts filled his head knowing deep down whatever excuse he came up with wouldn't make a difference.
"๐ณ๐ค๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ค๐, ๐ฌ๐๐ฎ ๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ช ๐จ๐๐๐๐๐ ? ๐๐๐ช ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐จ ๐๐๐ฎ ๐ฌ๐๐ช๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฃ๐๐ช๐๐ก๐๐ฎ, ๐๐ก๐๐๐๐จ ๐ฅ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฉ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ก๐๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐ช๐๐. ๐จ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ช๐๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฉ๐๐ฎ ๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ค๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฉ. ๐บ๐ค๐๐ฃ๐๐ง ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ ๐๐ค๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐จ. ๐ต๐ค๐ ๐๐ค๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ค๐, ๐ฅ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐." Dwight thought, putting himself down every chance he gets.
Mister Caulfield acknowledged Dwight's expression so far after being told about his grades, deciding to take a step back from serious talk and instead wanna focus more on his mental health.
"This seems like a lot for you to take in all at once, before I continue going over. Is there anything you would like to say?" Mister Caulfield asked, talking in a confident demeanor, one that made Dwight question whether they were being fake or real.
Dwight had many reasons to answer 'Yes' and speak his mind, but deep down filled with bottled emotions he felt obligated to respond by putting on a half smile and lying. "No, no sir. There is nothing to say."
Mister Caulfield easily catches on, seeing through his insincerity. Instead of pressuring him into telling the truth, he proceeded. "Well alright then, I guess we can cut straight to the chase. From the many complaints brought to our attention it most likely seems you will probably won't graduate on time."
Dwight was shocked hearing the news. He tried to process everything in that moment but couldn't hide his true emotions any further. Mister Caulfield waited, scrolling through tabs on his desktop, letting the news sink in before piling more.
"I recently spoke to some of your teachers about making a compromise. We came up with two options that can actually improve your chances of graduating on time. From how it looks you already have classes going up to eighth period which could help your transition. Starting next week you can either take extra classes every other week or stay another full year of high school. The choice is yours." Mister Caulfield leans back in his chair with hands folded and awaits for Dwight's decision.
At some point, it finally clicked with Dwight that life was no longer in his personal control. He spent a good while thinking about what to choose, while his Internal thoughts kept pulling him in all sorts of directions.
"Is this real life? Whatever I choose, Aiden is gonna kill me when he finds out.ย How about Ethan? He is gonna be crushed that I couldn't keep my promise. Besides, any choice will leave Ethan on his own, until I arrive hours later."
Dwight sees no long term benefits; it would only cause more harm than good. Mister Caulfield assumes his hesitation could mean several things. To help relieve some of Dwight's stress, he suggests asking someone else who is willing to assist.
"This seems like a lot to handle. Would you like it if someone else decided? Maybe, I can contact a parent or guardian and let them know how they would feel." Mister Caulfield asked, reaching over for the phone, Dwight gripped his arm to stop him from making the call.
"NO DON'T! We don't need to involve anyone else. I already have a decision. I.. I choose the after school classes."
Dwight released his grip, Realizing how it must have looked Dwight apologized, sounding drained and desperate. Mister Caulfield pulled away and slightly adjusted the sleeve from his shirt before ranting.
"I guess that settles it. Should I assume we have come to an understanding, Dwight?"
"...Yes, I understand Sir."
"Well alright then I'll write a pass and later notify your teachers about taking extra classes," Mister Caulfiled says, passing Dwight a post-it note for his current teacher. "Thank you for your time Dwight, you handled our talk very maturely."
Dwight mentally wants to break a vase over someone's head. The day had been nothing more than a reality check, showing how so much can go wrong at once. He started getting up from the chair, ready to leave, abruptly being told to stop.
"Wait just a second, before leaving I want to ask you a question."
"Um- okay then, what do you wanna ask me?"
"It's simple. Just wanna ask, does it really do you any good bottling up your emotions like that?"
Dwight is left stunned by his question and has to backtrack and figure out what he meant.
"What did he mean by that? I wasn't that obvious, right? NO! There is no way but how would he have known."ย Dwight pondered, feeling unsure of how to respond. A few words slipped from his mouth.
"Wait, how did you- what makes you believe that is what I am doing Sir?"
"It isn't rocket science, boy. When you spend so much time dealing with young people such as yourself, You start to pick up on certain mannerisms easily."
A wave of surprise and disappointment were evident on Dwight's face as his attempts at hiding his emotions failed. In response, Mister Caulfield gave a soft chuckle.
"Dwight, Imma level with you, lying through your teeth is not only a common teenage thing. Most adults do the same, for example like me. Sometimes we don't like it but usually they kind of become a last resort for most. Would that be part of the reason you do it?"
"I guess you are partially correct but what is calling me out on my 'Fake' attitude really proving?"
Mister Caulfield rummages through his cabinets, taking out a colorful looking box and places it on the desk. He takes the cover off and shows what's inside. Dwight kept silent, considering to follow along before asking questions.
"Tell me this, Dwight. What do you see that truly sticks out?" Mister Caulfield asked.
Dwight's gaze fell upon a cluttered box filled with random items. Among them was a stamped crumpled up piece of paper, a pair of used scented candles and an old pocket watch. Yet, what truly captured his attention was something shiny at the bottom, pulling it towards him, he admired a shiny looking bracelet.
"I believe what stands out is this shiny bracelet, honestly you could make a couple bucks from this." Dwight responds, lifting his hand, allowing the sunlight to make it glisten.
Mister Caulfield silently gets up from his seat and gestures for Dwight to return the bracelet. Dwight complied, closing the box and waiting for an answer. Mister Caulfield then puts the box back inside his cabinet, his movements careful and deliberate. He looks up at Dwight, a gentle tone softening his voice as he speaks, "The choice you made is wrong."
Dwight's eyes were widened, feeling like he just got duped. Having trouble believing the answer could be any more direct.
"How am I wrong? It glistened and looked worth a lot of money, everything else was just pure junk."
"But that is where you are wrong. You chose the bracelet because it looked worthy and useful for personal benefits while nothing else gave you the same desire."
"LOOK DUDE Iโ Look sir, I do not mean to come off rude but what does any of this going to prove? Just because everything else did not suit my interest means nothing in the long run." Dwight asked.
"I am doing this to prove a point. Life is always a confusing path, nobody will ever give you an easy answer in life. You chose the bracelet, when the time is right you might come to terms with it all, maybe through it you will truly understand and discover your way." Mister Caulfield responds leaving Dwight on those terms.
After walking out the guidance office It seems like Dwight gains more questions than answers, now having Mister Caulfield's own words echo in his head.ย "๐๐ช๐ด๐ค๐ฐ๐ท๐ฆ๐ณ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ธ๐ข๐บ."