He looked at me dubiously, uncertain whether to take my request seriously.
The last time I saw him, I was pretty immature, so I understood why he would be hesitant to accept me as his apprentice.
But the things I said next, though I didn't mean them to, proved to him that I was serious, real, and most importantly to him – mature.
"Sir, with all due respect, things have changed a lot since the last time I saw you. I've spent six weeks in hell and survived with my brain and sanity still intact. I've discovered true loss, despite the fact that the person I'm referring to is still alive – he might as well not be. I've learned independence and responsibility for both myself and property. I understand what a serious commitment this is, and again with all due respect, sir, I believe I am ready."
He was quiet for a few minutes; it was as silent as the grave.
He rummaged through his desk and removed a single sheet of paper. After glancing over it to make sure it was the proper one, he laid it down in front of me and pointed to the line at the bottom of the page.
"I want you to sign here that you said that."
I looked down at the form – it was what I had come here for; the Apprentice Consent form – and he had already signed it.
I fought to hold back tears as I signed the form.
I will never forget the look on his face when I signed – consented to be his apprentice for a minimum of five years.
It was a look I had never before seen from anyone that mattered to me; except perhaps when I was too small to remember or to understand its' significance.
It was a look – of Pride.
A/N
20 points to anyone who guesses who the mentor is – tell me your house in a review
50 to anyone who guesses who the student is….