The office suggested he spend a class with the guidance counselor after his stunt of bailing out of Geometry class. The secretary lead him there. Announced to the woman he'd wanted to visit.

Wanted.

Ha.

It was an area he avoided. And her office was connected to what was the morning spot of Elizabeth and others. More reason to avoid.

Danny was downright positive it had 'bad idea' writen all over it. Beyond bad. Think and talk about any of that? When his body was being like this? In a school full of people? No way.

So all Danny had given Mrs. Sage was short platitudes.

He was doing fine. He joined a team. He had things planned to do coming up. Like any other kid, no need to worry about anything. And, if he needed someone to talk to, he had Edi.

Thankfully, the frazzled haired lady took the answer she got with a nod, giving an expected offer that her office was always open. Like Danny was expected to remain for the time frame of his ongoing class.

Danny had noticed what was all clustered into the tiny office when he'd avoided talking at the start. Posters and pamphlets shouted mostly colleges and scholarships, on the desk lay a pile of ACT books with a schedule sitting on top, the computer monitor displayed a spreadsheet from the baked goods fundraiser recently held, and a large box next to the desk was filled up with booklets and papers labeled 'for teacher in-service'.

Not therapy focused. Future focused and various school things regular teachers were too busy for. He gave the assurances and claims to fine, then switched the conversation over to the ACTs and that was the rest of that.

Man. If Jazz knew how-

Nope.

He was not doing that.

"Today was kind of rough."

Edi's eyes zeroed in on Danny over all her kids, after asking how the day went at the table, her eyes having been drifting between him and Elizabeth.

Who visibly relaxed, even if she looked over at Danny, baffled and taken aback at his admittance.

Danny was simply getting ahead of the curve on how fast word traveled here. Otherwise she'd probably make the face at him for days, weeks. And press him, more pressing than before. Eventually, and far faster than Danny would likely suspect, Edi would find out.

At this point of being here, he wouldn't be surprised if she already knew something about it already.

"But I talked to the guidance councilor, Mrs. Sage for a bit."

Edi's face cleared, lightened at the news.

"You did? Oh that's great, Danny. I'm glad you've started talking to someone."

Smile tight, Danny nodded and took another bite of the tater tot casserole.

A semblance of dealing and normal, nothing to look at here, all was fine, don't pay him any mind, just beating the speed of word.