"I haven't seen you in a while," Jamie Bennet commented when Jack arrived at the office. "How've you been?"
"I'm fine," Jack lied easily, smiling. "But don't office aides have to eat lunch too?"
Jamie shrugged. "Yeah, but Mr. Lunar asked me to keep an eye out for you until he got back."
Sandy and him used to be friends, right? Wind chuckled. So Sandy might have sent an e-mail to make sure you came to see him.
More like he did send an e-mail, Jack corrected him, sighing. "Well, I'm here," he said out loud, waving a hand carelessly. "So I'm just gonna hang out in his office for a while."
Jamie nodded and started to leave, but then he paused. "Hey, Jack?"
Jack looked back, surprised. "Yeah?"
"If you ever wanna talk or anything - " Jamie began tentatively.
Jack blinked, then grinned. "I'll go straight to you, Jamie," he promised and entered Mr. Lunar's office.
At least he cares, Baby pointed out softly, and Jack raised an eyebrow at the girl sitting in the chair reserved for the students. Don't give me that look, Jackson Overland Frost... I like this chair.
"Baby, now's really not the time," Jack told her sternly, then realized the door was still open. He glanced out to make sure no one had heard him, then looked back at her. She had leaned back, making herself comfortable. "I'll sit on you if you don't move!"
Okay, okay! Baby hopped out of the chair and sat on the desk instead. There! Happy now?
Yeah, thanks. Jack sat down and looked around. Hey, Wind, can you see if Mr. Lunar's on his way over here yet?
Wind gave him an annoyed look. Lazy, you know I can't do that.
Jack frowned. But what about that one time - ?
"Good morning, Jackson," Mr. Lunar greeted the teen as he entered the room.
"It isn't all that great," Jack mumbled, looking at the desk.
Mr. Lunar nodded in agreement. "I understand." He sat down in his chair, and Onyx grumbled, You dragged us here to meet some short, fat guy with a bald head?
That's rude, Onyx... And he's not completely bald, Baby giggled. I mean, he has that ponytail-thing.
Jack wasn't sure what to say to that, but he covered his mouth to hide his smile.
Mr. Lunar noticed but chose not to comment. "Is this about Baby and Wind?"
Mostly me, Onyx said smugly.
"Onyx might be involved," Jack admitted, and the nightmare glared at him from where she was leaning against the wall. Jack took a deep breath and ignored her. A thought crossed his mind, and he asked suddenly, "How can I get rid of them?"
Baby gasped and covered her mouth while Onyx pushed herself off the wall, snarling. Even Mr. Lunar seemed surprised and was speechless. Wind was the only one who didn't seem surprised.
Jack waited for Mr. Lunar to reply, but when he didn't, Jack began to shift uncomfortably in his chair. "I can get rid of them...right?" The voices listened intently, fearful but also curious about the answer.
Baby was quietly praying, Please say no, over and over while Onyx shushed her sharply.
Mr. Lunar's face was now carefully expressionless. "Jackson, you have been hearing these voices for a long time, correct?"
Jack nodded warily. "Yeah, but - there is a way to make them go away, right?"
Wind placed a hand on Jack's shoulder before he could start panicking. Hey, calm down. It'll be okay.
"Jackson," Mr. Lunar was saying calmly, "there might be a way, but you must take into consideration how long you have heard these voices. Are you sure you want them gone?"
Jack stared at him, furrowing his eyebrows. "What do you mean?"
"It's been about five years," Mr. Lunar reminded him gently. "That is a long time to wait before you suddenly decide to...get rid of them. Could you live without them?"
What's that supposed to mean? Jack wondered, slightly offended.
He doesn't mean to offend you, Wind assured him. He means, after so long, can you imagine living without us?
Jack thought about it carefully. Well, yeah, but I don't wanna hear voices my whole life. It doesn't matter how many people say it's normal if no one else that I know can hear them.
So because it doesn't seem 'normal' to you, Baby said, sounding hurt, you don't want us around anymore?
Jack tried to backtrack. Of course I want you around, he said quickly, it's just -
"You won't miss them?" Mr. Lunar asked, noticing the distracted look on Jack's face.
The teen sighed and shook his head. "I don't know."
That made the counselor pause. "Have they ever left you? For a day or even an hour?"
Once, Wind supplied, but his tone was slightly mournful. For about two weeks.
Jack frowned. When was that?
Right after your sister died, Baby answered ruefully. You told us to leave you alone. So we did.
And that was why Jack could never really get rid of Baby. She reminded Jack too much of his sister to make her go away. She even had similar markings near her right eye.
"Once," Jack said finally, "I was mad at them and told them to go away."
"While they were gone, did you miss them?"
Jack shrugged and looked down. "My sister had just died. All I can remember is missing her."
That had been two years ago. But it still hurt when he stopped to think about it.
Mr. Lunar was quiet for a few minutes, and Jack glanced at him. "Perhaps," the counselor said after a moment, "you should try talking to them. There is usually something a voice is trying to tell you or a reason that they are there. If you talk to them, maybe you can figure out a way to accept them."
"Accept them?" Jack echoed, confused.
"As much as I hate to disappoint you, Jackson," Mr. Lunar said with a wince, "I am afraid there might not be a way for you to get rid of these voices, so you will have to accept them eventually. After such a long time, it will be a miracle to make them go away." He stopped to let this sink in. "Do you understand?"
So you'll always be stuck with us, you freak, Onyx mused, grinning at Jack's growing horror. This is gonna be fun.
"And talking to them - it'll help?" But it won't make them go away?
"It could," Mr. Lunar said with a nod. "You would have to analyze what they tell you. Whenever they talk to you, try to figure out what their words could mean."
Jack thought about most of the conversations they had. "But what if they don't mean anything?"
"Then we can assume your voices are only here to keep you company." Jack didn't look too happy about that, so Mr. Lunar added, "Didn't you once tell me that you had a lonely childhood?"
"Well, yeah," Jack said dubiously, "but can loneliness even cause voices?"
"Stress causes voices," Mr. Lunar replied simply, "and loneliness can be stressful for a child."
The teen didn't look convinced.
Mr. Lunar sighed. "Jackson, please correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you an adopted child? Your surname doesn't seem to match your parents'." Jack nodded slowly, so the counselor continued, "Your loneliness plus the stress you had to have felt from trying to adapt to a new life... You were just a child, Jackson. It is very likely your voices are just from stress."
"But I'm not stressed anymore!" Jack protested, and Onyx snorted loudly. The teen snapped at her, "Shut up, Onyx!" She glowered at him but didn't say anything.
Mr. Lunar waited patiently until Jack had calmed down before saying gently, "Try to find some meaning in their words. If you think there are any or not, then feel free to come back and talk about it. We can also try contacting an organization or even a psychiatrist who specializes in cases such as yours - if you'd like."
Jack glanced at Wind, who shook his head slowly. Depends. Do we need your parents to know about all of this? The teen voiced Wind's concern.
Mr. Lunar leaned back in his chair, thinking about it. "That is entirely your decision, but I recommend that you do so."
"Advise" that we do? Onyx rolled her eyes. Who does he think he is anyway?
Um, Jack's counselor? Baby suggested honestly, and Onyx lunged at the younger girl, who squeaked and hid behind Jack. She's insane!
I noticed, Jack replied dryly. Out loud, he said resignedly to Mr. Lunar, "Fine. I'll be back next week."
The bell rang, signalling that lunch was over. Mr. Lunar nodded. "Have a good day, Jackson."
I'll try. "You too." Jack left the office and hesitated when he got to the door. A large group of 8th graders were passing by as Jack sneaked out. He sighed softly and headed to his next class.
We wasted nearly an hour listening to that bald guy talk - to find out that you can't get rid of us? Onyx asked him, annoyed. He ignored her. You are the most stupid person I've ever heard of.
Exactly how many stupid people have you heard of? Jack snapped at her.
As many as you have, Onyx said vaguely, and in your middle school, there are countless stupid people.
That's mean, Onyx, Baby scolded her, and the older girl raised her hand to smack the younger one. Baby quickly hid behind Wind, who was oddly silent.
Onyx shook her head. You have to admit - everything Jaclyn's counselor just told him could've easily been found on the internet.
Jaclyn? Is that the best you can do? Jack retorted, shaking it off.
Onyx stopped suddenly, but Jack kept walking to class.
Wind took her place. Dude, don't forget she's the one who came out of your worst nightmare.
I'll keep that in mind, thanks, Jack said sarcastically and knew without looking that Onyx was bristling at his words.
The rest of the school day was mostly uneventful...except for Baby and Wind's conversation during science that easily drowned out Mr. Shalazar's words. After school, Jack decided to wait at the bus stop until Bunny had been dropped off.
"Hey, kangaroo, what's up?" Jack greeted him cheerfully. Bunny regarded him with an odd look, which made the younger teen instantly defensive. "What?"
"Nothin'." Bunny pulled his phone out and started texting as they walked home. After a moment, Bunny put it away and turned to Jack. "What're you doin' here?"
"I just wanted to see what you were up to." Jack shrugged, then grinned. "You seem like you're in a good mood."
"I have an art competition coming up," Bunny said, smiling. "But you don't wanna hear about my day. How's yours?"
"Boring," Jack lied, forcing a smile. Mr. Lunar's words were still echoing in his mind. There might not be a way for you to get rid of these voices... He shook his head. "It's middle school, what do you expect?"
Bunny gave him a disbelieving look, but Jack ignored it. So the high schooler decided not to push for any more information. "Guess you have a point there."
They stopped at the corner, and Bunny seemed to think about whether or not he should go home yet. It wasn't like anyone was waiting for him there. Jack waited while Baby started to get anxious.
Jack, if you don't go home soon, Tooth will get worried, she warned him.
"I've gotta start working on my art project, but I'll see ya later. Maybe after dinner."
Jack nodded. "Okay. But Mom says you're always welcome to join us." He smiled sadly. "She says you're already a part of our family, so it's okay if you come over whenever you want."
"I'm alright on my own," Bunny said, shrugging.
Jack grinned and shook his head. Stubborn guy. "Okay. See you later, Bunny."
Bunny walked away.
Jack's smile faded as he remembered Mr. Lunar's words, and he walked home with Baby talking quietly to fill the silence.
Wind whispered something to Baby that Jack didn't catch. "What was that?" he asked them curiously. They didn't answer, and Jack sighed, shaking his head. The one time I wanna know what they're saying...
It's a nice day, Baby said softly. We should play hopscotch later.
Jack stopped walking abruptly. "What?"
But Baby was too busy talking about the gardens they had passed with Wind and was practically humming in contentment. Jack decided to just ignore her comment and continued walking home.
~RotG~
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