Hilda

It was unmistakable... this strange feeling Hilda had in her stomach was dread.

She had felt it many times before, even on this very day with Claire. But this time the feeling was disgusting, worming around in her heart to purposefully make her stop thinking. She and her friends managed to avoid Trevor to the best of their abilities, yet as recess was nearing its end, she knew it was unavoidable that she'd have some kind of altercation with him.

Why has he been following us...? Hilda couldn't understand it. So many times before he had been nothing but a thorn in her side, and here he was again rearing his head into her business.

"Hilda... are you okay?"

It was David who snapped her back to reality. He looked clearly worried, but it was clear a lot was on his mind regarding that Marra as well. Hilda took that as a sign to regain her composure and focus on the situation so as to not worry him.

"I'm fine, just thinking how we're going to deal with this Marra."

"It seems like it's a lot more than that though," Frida pointed out as she sighed, "I know it's a lot with this Marra situation... but Trevor still hasn't gotten off our tail. That's why you're worried, yeah?"

"I mean... to sum it up, yeah..." Hilda thought of all the times he had pranked her friends, the annoying memories swirling in her head. "It's just bizarre he wants to speak with us."

"Maybe it's something serious?" David quietly suggested.

"Or maybe he's trying to stick his nose where it doesn't belong," Frida commented.

Hilda mumbled to herself, "or maybe he... knows something."

Maybe she was anxious, but anyone finding out about Eric was bad news, and Claire already was hot on his trail. It might've not been a stretch that Trevor was to... or was she simply overthinking it? That might've been the case, but her gut told her otherwise. She couldn't think this hard for too long, and it clearly was catching her friend's attention, especially David who looked concerned as he sighed.

"Okay, Hilda, you need to talk with him, this clearly isn't working," David finally blurted out.

The suggestion instantly snatched Hilda's attention as she stared uneasily at the thought of it, "and why in the world would I do that? Didn't we agree not to engage with him earlier? And also this is Trevor we're talking about, isn't it?"

"And that's exactly why I think you should..." David sighed. "I mean, he's not going to stop, he's always been relentless with us before. Even now, we tried avoiding him all day and he's still looking for us. Wouldn't it be better to nip this whole thing in the bud now?"

Hilda shook her head, "then we simply just keep doing that." Hilda figured that was easier than having to actually deal with him.

"But we'll see him again tomorrow." Frida seemed to realize David's point and backed up on the idea, her eyes stern with worry, "and the day after that, and the entire week. I don't think it's something to be avoided, or more specifically it can't be avoided given we all go to the same school..."

Hilda faltered at the logic displayed. She really didn't need to speak with him, or more factually... she didn't WANT to speak with him, especially in the middle of dealing with a Marra infestation. But her friends spoke the truth, logically, she couldn't avoid him forever. He was the type of kid who pursued what he wanted at the drop of a hat.

The keyword... "was..." however. Before he used to be relentless she agreed with that, but she's noticed him recently, or rather noticed the ABSCENSE of him. In the last few months, he seemed quieter, distant. Even when passing the halls she's seen him barely look her way. Which was good, she didn't want to deal with him too much after the shenanigans she's witnessed from his friends.

But it wasn't the behavior she's come to know.

Now after months of silence, it seemed like he was pulling something, and now they were going to have to speak again... or rather they had to speak again. But was she ready to speak with him? He just wasn't someone she could pretend to talk to normally, not after their history... and even ignoring that... he just belonged to a different crowd she couldn't follow.

How could she talk to someone like that?

Hilda sighed as she thought on the matter, prompting her to speak quietly, "I just don't want him to try something stupid again, not when we're dealing with all this. It's just a weird case with him."

"Honestly, he hasn't done much the past few months I think, right?" David asked genuinely, seeming to recall the events like Hilda did, "he's just hung out with his own group like we have... nothing nearly as bad as before."

Frida looked uncertain though as she tugged at her sleeves, "we should still be careful, he's pulled stuff under the guise of needing help before. We just need to see what he wants and then back off."

"But... what if it is Eric he wants?" Hilda couldn't deny the possibility. Perhaps her mind had been so worried about Eric that she was conflating him to all her problems... but a part of her worried that Trevor was trying to dig into him. "The book Eric dropped, it was at Trevor's stomping grounds. Maybe he does have it, out of everyone to have it, it's possibly him."

"I don't... think so... I'd hope." David tried to cheer the atmosphere up, but he was battling his own struggles as he stiffened from the thought, "but maybe...? I dunno."

"Even if he did it's useless to him," Frida sighed, "it mentions you sure, but vaguely, and to him it's just a random kid's notebook, nothing serious. Honestly, Trevor isn't something we should worry about, he's just a kid that is... a bit annoying... but one we can handle unlike that Marra... which is why we need Eric's book to deal with her, so she can't find anything out."

Frida paused for a second before a guilty look came to her face, "and we could use the book to see if Eric was hiding anything."

"We already talked about this," Hilda said firmly, "I don't want to invade his privacy like that. We're going to help him... okay?"

"Of course we are," Frida sighed at this comment as the bell for recess signaled its end, "I'm just saying, to think about it. Whatever you choose to do we're still here for you, and we will take down that Marra, right David?"

David gave a shaky nod, "yeah... and let's hope Trevor is just... asking for a copy of the homework or something, yeah?"

Hilda wanted to believe David. She wanted to hope Trevor would just ask for something stupid and then he'd leave her alone. But at the same time, with Trevor following them, she was concerned. They barely went over the possibility before, but could Trevor know Eric?

...was there something Eric wasn't telling her?

...

...and was it possible by talking to Trevor she might figure it out?

She didn't know, she might've been blowing this over proportion. Maybe Trevor's talk would be unrelated to everything... and she actually hoped it was. Because at least then she'd know she wouldn't have to deal with Trevor after that ever again.

...oh how wrong she was.

Trevor

He was calm when the recess bell rang and everyone went inside. The day was nearing its end… and all Trevor needed to do was talk to Hilda.

There have been plenty of mishaps before, but I won't fail this time. I have to talk to Hilda… no matter what.

By the time Trevor made it to Ms. Hallgrim's class once again, he found Hilda as clear as day getting ready by her desk for one final lesson. The sight of her brought back a few unpleasant memories, but he attempted to ignore them and shuffled his way inside. He quickly put his stuff neatly at his desk and went right over to Hilda, who was taking out her own things with a frustrated look.

No more delays, no more tricks... he had finally made it over to her. But now that he was here, his throat was freezing up. This was going to be the first time talking to her… normally… since that day. There was a sort of unease knowing that neither of them was on the best of terms, but if he was going to find Eric... and maybe apologize to Hilda like he said he would... he HAD to do this.

Ugh, this is going to be so awkward, but I gotta do it now.

Breathing out wearily, Trevor opened his mouth to speak.

...but then he was suddenly interrupted by Hilda's voice. "Why in the world have you been following us, Trevor?"

"H-Huh?" Trevor stammered at her sudden coldness.

"You think me and my friends wouldn't realize it?" She sounded exhausted over the whole ordeal, crossing her arms. "You're not exactly the sneakiest person around though, you made it blatantly obvious you want something."

Trevour paused at her words. He expected the unease of course, especially from Hilda, but he didn't expect her to both start the conversation for the two of them and subsequently shut him out so fast...

...and he especially didn't expect her to catch on to him following her the whole day. That idea admittedly made him slightly annoyed. "Wait, you knew I was looking for you, and yet... you were avoiding me?" He looked over to Frida and David's desk. The two briefly glanced at him... so they also knew about this. "H-Hold on, I was looking really hard for you guys today, why in the world did you do that?"

"Maybe it's because we have a lot on our plate." She sighed as she fiddled with one of her pencils. "Whatever pranks you have in store, please just save it for a rainy day, I think we both don't have time for that, now do we?"

He wanted to groan already at her trying to shut down his talk, but... he calmed down. He couldn't be acting like a jerk right now, especially after what Eric said. He breathed in, trying to be understanding since he knew she only acted this way due to his own past misdeeds...

...but as he clutched the notebook behind him, he knew he HAD to. "Listen, it's not like that," Trevor reassured, as best as someone can while the bell ticked on to start class, "I know you don't wanna speak with me, but, I really do need your help. I'm..." he breathed in and decided to let go of his pride, if only for a moment, "I'm begging here... okay? I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important... like seriously important. So... please?"

Hilda eyed him for a brief second before her gaze went to Frida and David a few desks away. Trevor didn't look over at them, but he hoped they understood he wasn't here to play mischief. He just needed to talk.

...and thankfully, although Hilda didn't say anything, her silent nod was all Trevor needed. "Alright then, the whole situation is... well it's about this kid I've met, okay? I think he went to you."

"...a kid?" Hilda said, her voice not as cold as before. In fact, she briefly looked over in concern. Was this the reaction he was waiting for?

"Yeah... a kid," Trevor's heart pounded as he began to speak, finally able to talk about this with her. "Eric ... Eric Lyons is his name. You might know of him."

Hilda didn't react at all to the name, but despite her rant earlier, she was now unusually quiet.

Trevor took this as another sign to continue. "He went to you... didn't he? I know about him, and he was looking for-"

And that's when the strangest thing happened... or well... close to the strangest thing after these last few days. Hilda... suddenly laughed. "Nope- never heard of him." She effortlessly interrupted, lying through her teeth as she chuckled. "Is that a new kid at our school or something…? I think I'd remember if that was the case."

Her voice rose a tiny bit at the end to end a little emphasis on the matter, signaling the conversation was nearing a close. But Trevor knew that tone of voice though. The awkward laugh, the effective closing lie.

...Trevor realized right then that Hilda... was really bad at lying. "Come on now Hilda... seriously?"

"What? I'm being serious." Hilda calmed down a bit. "It's funny you even say that considering your track record."

"Yeah, because of that track record I got, I know you're lying right now." At that very comment, that chase of the lie, suddenly blocked out his attempts to be nice as he began to go in for the answers he came for. "So spill it, you met him, didn't you? You know about Eric."

"Oh really?" She questioned with a raised brow, "and how so am I lying? I've never heard of the name, swear it."

"You say that now, but I actually am pretty close with Eric myself," Trevor confessed, triggering Hilda to narrow her eyes at him, "and I know all about him trying to meet up with you... considering I have his journal-"

"WHAT?! Y-YOU HAVE WHAT-?!"

"Hilda!" Ms. Hallgrim's voice silenced the classroom as she slowly descended upon Hilda and Trevor, "do I need to have another call with your mother about disrupting my class?"

"N-No Ms. Hallgrim," Hilda said, quickly looking down. From the corner of his eye, he could see her face had become pale from fear, which mirrored his own face as Ms. Hallgrim eyed Trevor for a moment.

"Do I need to make one for your parents as well Trevor?" She asked, narrowing her eyes.

"N-No ma'am," he frantically nodded, mentally praying she would leave them to their own devices. Thankfully she eventually shook her head and returned to her desk.

"That was close..." Trevor whispered as he turned his attention back to Hilda, "now where were we-?"

But to his surprise, he looked over and saw Hilda wide-eyed, her expression irritated and desperate as she reached for the book. "G-Give me that-!" Thankfully, Trevor leaned back, silently making sure Ms. Hallgrim didn't hear.

"Oh yeah, we're at the part of your obviously shocked reaction to me having this." He reminded, causing Hilda to frown.

"That's because... t-that's a random kids notebook you probably stole."

"Hilda, he talks about you all the time in this book," Trevor pointed out, "the same phrase, 'blue hair' is all over the pages, and I know you're the only weir- I-I mean... girl in school with that feature." He refrained from using his old language as he coughed nervously. "Anyway, you're all over in this book so I know he was thinking of you"

But Hilda didn't seem insulted, in fact, she paused for a second, "he wrote about me... all over in there?"

Little did Hilda realize... she basically tattled on herself by saying that. She seemed to realize that as she groaned, "oh... I mean, I still don't... know who that is?"

"Hilda, I know you better than that," Trevor mumbled as he pointed at the book, "if you reacted like that, it means you must've met up with him and are least familiar with this, right?"

Hilda's stone face soured to the point of almost suffocating the very air, leaving a tense silence between the two as Trevor stewed on what to say. Time for the class was running short, and Hilda was being as stubborn as ever. But Trevor had to know how Eric was doing... at least to calm his own nerves. So he held the book tight, staring at her quietly.

"Please..." Trevor finally managed to get out, "Please tell me, Hilda, this is all I ask to know about." He begged. "I know... we never really got on the right foot before, but this one time I promise to keep quiet about this."

"Keep quiet?" Hilda narrowed her eyes again. "You of all people? You're gonna keep quiet somehow?"

"...I'm not some loudmouth you know," Trevor muttered. "Besides no one would listen to me if I did... they think I'm crazy already and this book isn't special to them." He winced as he remembered his friends joking about him with that stupid bird. Only Hilda understood... well in some capacity.

Hopefully, that alone would be enough to convince her, considering it was a cruel twist of fate at his expense. Heck, he'd figured she'd get behind that idea.

Hilda looked him up and down suspiciously, and then over to Frida and David who Trevor caught looking worried, but to his relief, Hilda finally sighed, "... I'm familiar with it."

Now they were getting somewhere! "So that means you've met with him?" He asked anxiously.

And yet Hilda still didn't fully give in as she looked at Trevor wearily, "I answered one question, now answer mine, and we'll go back and forth, got it?"

"Um, how about no?"

"Got it?" Hilda said sternly. At this Trevor begrudgingly relented, as long as he got his answers at the end, he could wait a tiny bit longer. "Okay, how do you have his journal?" She asked, her eyebrows furrowed in anger.

"Hey! No need to be so mad," Trevor grumbled as he held the book close, "I didn't steal it or anything, he just dropped it when he started looking for you, I swear it, and I just want to check up on him, as a friend."

"As a friend?" Hilda questioned, looking even more dumbfounded.

"It's my turn, no more until I'm done," Trevor smirked.

"You're annoying," Hilda stated.

"Hey, those were the terms you set, don't get mad." The bickering sort of made Trevor feel bad. He was supposed to be making things up for her, but at the same time, there was some comfort to it, which Hilda seemed to easily follow along with.

Regardless Hilda sighed and let Trevor speak, so he asked quickly, "okay, tell me how he is, please. Like is he okay? Is he hurt?"

"He's fine," Hilda answered bluntly, which didn't really help him a whole lot. He needed to ask better questions, crap. "Now back to my question, what do you mean... 'as a friend'?"

"Obviously, like... you know... how friends are!" Trevor spoke. Why did Hilda seem so shocked about him knowing this kid? Sure he wasn't the best person to be friends with but, he could speak to people at least! "I'm checking up on him basically, I didn't get to see him for the rest of yesterday... we were hanging out together and he started acting strange and... dang it honestly Hilda, he acts all weird around me and... and I need answers! What is up with him?"

He couldn't hold his emotions in, he asked his next question eagerly, hoping for an instant response. Never had he expected to talk to Hilda so casually about this, but now that he was he couldn't stop, he was rambling at this point. But Hilda... didn't answer his question back, as she looked... almost seemed offended by the comment.

"That's funny, now I know you're lying. Eric's never mentioned a single word about you, let alone you being a friend or anything."

...

...

...

His heart briefly skipped a beat for a moment as the words settled in. "W-What did you say?"

"You asked if I've met him, and I have," Hilda answered genuinely, "and he's never spoken of you, at all. He told me he dropped his book in a park and that was it. So you stole it, didn't you? You're making this up."

But Trevor didn't even notice the underlying tone of Hilda's suspicion, he wasn't even aware anymore of the class ticking down to its start... or the other kids around him. Those few words... somehow hit him hard.

How come... Eric never mentioned him? He was certain that if Eric ever met Hilda he would tell her all about him… or at least say his name in some capacity. After spending half the day with him yesterday, he'd have to be somewhat important in Eric's mind, right?

Then why did Hilda… the only person he was CERTAIN Eric had contact with… just say he didn't even mention his name?

"Trevor?" Hilda inquired, her expression bewildered at his reaction, "you seem flustered after that, so you really did lie?"

"I'm… I'm not flustered…" But he could tell from his wavering words that he wasn't as confident as before. Was it really because Eric hadn't brought him up to Hilda? That… That was a stupid reason. He was just being stupid over this kid he met once.

"Thanks, Trevor," Eric says out of the blue, "for letting me hang out with you guys today."

…

Why was he getting upset over that memory? Was he that annoyed that he opened up to him... only to find he wasn't mentioned by Eric? Trevor started to back off, his grip no longer clutching the notebook as tightly before as he felt himself grow unsteady.

Hilda noticed this… and actually seemed to soften a bit as she reached out to him, "Trevor… are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he spat out, almost bitterly. He shouldn't be annoyed by this, this was such a stupid thing to be upset over.

...but why was he still aching from it?

Hilda was quiet at his words, but slowly regained her composure. If anything, she seemed... actually more understanding than before, but all Trevor could see was... almost a mockery, "...Trevor, if you know him… you have to give me that journal for him… okay? We can talk after about this if you want-"

"No-" The word came out so fast that Trevor hadn't even realized he said it until he saw Hilda's face harden, "you might run off with it or something... so listen here, I-I want you to tell me what you're doing with Eric, right now." He sternly said.

"What I'm doing?" Hilda questioned, her brow creased in frustration.

"You told him about me... I'm certain that's why he didn't wanna bring me up," Trevor started to say, "but I did as well, I told him about us. What I did back then, remember? With that stupid bird, and he actually... he..." Trevor stopped as he remembered Eric's acceptance. "I just wanted to check up on him!"

"You told him about that day...?" Hilda's expression looked hurt a bit as her words darkened, "I see... so what then... you wanted to check up on him, for what? What sort of nasty prank would you pull if you met him, cause I don't buy that you know him."

"I-I wouldn't do that…" His chest was begin to ache as the words flowed out of his mouth, "we haven't even done anything to you for weeks now!"

"Do you think I care about what you've done before?" She looked angrily at him, her emotions from all the past misdeeds boiling over, "you and your little band messed with my friends for months, and now you're trying to start something else up, so forgive me if I'm more than a little skeptical over you're sincerity."

At this, he really did freeze from her tone, remembering so fearfully over how Eric had tried to give him hope over their next encounter.

"Do you really think she'll talk to me, Eric?" Trevor asked.

"Of course," Eric said simply, "just apologize, and then you both can let it go."

This was going wrong fast, he was supposed to apologize, not GET MAD at her! So why was he upset? Why was he interrogating her? "Don't try to change the subject, Hilda, I read everything in here, and I did hang out with him yesterday- I'm not lying about that-! You can even check the book yourself to confirm it!"

"Then give me the book, let me see right now," Hilda crossed her arms. Her stance was tense as if she was about to pounce on him to snatch away the notebook.

The thought of that made his anger rise at an alarming rate, and suddenly… the old him came out.

"Just TELL me first and I'll give it back!" He blurted out angrily, "instead of questioning every little thing I ask, just tell me what's wrong with him Hilda?! Why is he spewing about visions and dimensions and stuff? Is it really that hard to say-?!"

"Is there a problem here?" Someone voiced from behind. He spun around and found it to belong to Frida, who was staring at him annoyed.

"N-No-" He started to say.

"Yes, there is." Hilda nodded.

"I see…" Frida cleared her throat and raised her hand, "ahem! Ms. Hallgrim!"

"What is it now?" a strict voice snapped from behind, and right on cue Ms. Hallgrim seemingly teleported to the group in a flash, "Trevor, what are you still doing out of your seat? Are you causing trouble in my classroom again?"

Before he had the chance to speak for himself, Frida slid herself between him and Hilda before stating in an annoyingly matter-a-fact voice, "Ms. Hallgrim, Trevor here, always such a... delight... in class, has stolen my friend's notebook you see. This obviously interferes heavily with Hilda's learning! How else is she going to take notes for the lecture?"

The little hint of pride and exclamation she highlighted at the end of her remark almost convinced Trevor to send a vile vomit of words her way. However, he composed himself, almost out of respect for the trick, and also out of fear he was about to get his head torn off from Ms. Hallgrim's stare alone.

"Trevor. Hand Hilda the notebook. Now."

"But-"

"NOW."

Without any further debate, Hilda snatched the notebook away in relief. It was annoyingly understandable why she was glad it was out of his hands, yet infuriating knowing he couldn't do anything to change her perception of him. But this, caused his heart to loosen up as he began to recall the memories he had back then.

"And what do we say Hilda now, Trevor?" Ms. Hallgrim asked, breaking his focus.

But Trevor looked at Hilda, who stared back uneasily, and then... he realized what he had failed to do. This whole time he was looking for answers... without even saying the simplest words. He never did the entire time of the conversation, how could he forget?

"...I'm sorry..."

He tried to say more with it.

How he was sorry for acting, and how he understood his own flaws in a way.

How he was sorry for that day.

How he was sorry for tormenting her after that to.

But it didn't carry the same weight to him, it just felt hollow, and Hilda didn't react to it at all.

Ms. Hallgrim on the other hand sighed from the comment, and directed his attention at him again, "speaking of... friends... Trevor, I notice your usual group is not present in class. And since I haven't gotten an excused absence from either of their parents, would you be so kind as to tell me where they are at this hour?"

...

Don'tbeasnitchdon'tbeasnitchdon'tbeasnitchdon'tbeasnitch-

"See me after class then Trevor."

UUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

And with that, Ms. Hallgrim was gone, leaving Trevor behind in the wake of his own regret, confusion, and almighty anger as he swirled to the smug duo of Frida and Hilda. Though deep down, he knew he had it coming in some way or another, this just pissed him off.

"So underhanded Frida," Trevor mocked, giving her a heavy stink eye, "I didn't know the teacher's pet would use such tactics, especially for their friends. Isn't that considered dishonest?"

"Well, sometimes it pays to be the class favorite I suppose," Frida shrugged, and with a nod to Hilda she returned casually to her seat, effectively ending the conversation between them.

But... Trevor didn't go as he stared at the notebook that belonged to Eric, and he sighed, realizing he had just snapped. He hated that... how did he ruin this so fast?

"Hilda..." Trevor said quietly.

"Goodbye Trevor," is all Hilda said, but she didn't seem that pleased saying it as she got ready for class and stared at Eric's notebook.

But Trevor couldn't leave, not without telling her everything, and hoping she would at least listen, "I wasn't lying... I swear. I did meet with Eric, in the book he talks about it-" Trevor then breathed in, realizing just how much he had to clean up before he sighed "-and when we talked... I was supposed to not mess this up with you, it was supposed to go better."

...

He noticed Ms Hallgrim getting ready to shout at him from her desk, so he had to sit down, but he took one brief look at Hilda, hoping for a reaction. Hoping for something...

...there was nothing.

This indicated that Trevor had to sulk back to his own desk, but he couldn't help but sulk, now realizing how quickly he went back to his old ways.

It was irritating to see Hilda have a piece of what he considered a friend's property, and not only that, but completely humiliate him in the process by forcing him to give it. But in the end, his rising anger was quelled with a thin coat of stillness in his mind which echoed that night a year ago. Though Hilda sat content at her desk now, he remembered a much different expression of shock and disgust all that time ago, one that burned into his brain.

And all he can do now was stand in the face of what remained from that night, in front of someone bitter and cold to him. It was just... stupid. He didn't want to deal with pointless drama like this anymore, he just wanted to get the apology over with and hopefully let her know he's grown.

...or at least believe so... and maybe show Eric he tried...

But all he could do then before returning to his own seat and give one final look at Hilda. A look that could somehow explain a better apology to her, and how he just wanted to know something bigger than himself.

But he was met with nothing at all from the adventurer, and he could only watch as she put Eric's notebook in her bag.

Hilda

Once class ended, Hilda left the school in a hurry with David and Frida in tow... all the while clutching Eric's notebook in hand.

Her heart was still pounding over the idea that she had found it at last... and in Trevor's possession of all places. Of literally anyone in Trolberg to pick it up (besides maybe Victoria) he was literally the worst candidate to find his book, and that was just the start of their troubles as Hilda felt a strange determination from him... as if he was trying to honestly figure this out.

Just... how did Trevor truly come in possession of this? Did he really pick it up after Eric ran away... or was he lying?

She figured he was lying, after all it was Trevor they were talking about. But hearing him talk... and seeing how he reacted... was that actually the case?

"I wasn't lying... I swear. I did meet with Eric, in the book he talks about it... and when we talked... I was supposed to not mess this up with you, it was supposed to go better."

Did those two really talk? What had Eric been keeping from the group... from her?

And had Trevor actually changed, even a little bit?

She could feel it as he talked, he was a bit more patient, somewhat somber. She'd be hard-pressed to pin him as the same boy who did all those mischievous pranks before. Even after his outburst, he seemed... affected by her own comments... more so than usual. It was a weird thing to witness, perhaps she had him pinned all wrong, or at the very least he had gotten over that event with Raven.

So... why couldn't she? Or rather, why was she still bewildered about the talk with Trevor? Part of it was his comments on Eric obviously, but the other part was that familiar sensation of when they first met, when Trevor seemed like a normal kid and she was just a new girl being shown around.

That feeling riddled her with nostalgia and pain. She felt like a fool for trusting him, for standing by and letting Raven get hurt.

...in a way then, had Eric made a fool of her for putting her up with this? She chose to go through with it of course, to help him, but then... why didn't he tell her about Trevor?

As she pondered this, Frida celebrated with David behind her for the win of getting Trevor off their backs. She seemed... way too proud as usual.

"Hilda, you're welcome for getting that book back by the way," she pointed out happily, "I was certain Trevor was about to do something, so I had to get in there."

"I'm just glad you stepped in," David said relieved, "it looked like it was getting bad, right Hilda?"

"Actually..." Hilda looked uneasy as she thought about the conversation, "you were the one who was right David. Trevor really was asking me something serious, it was all about Eric."

David paled a bit at that, but Frida didn't look that concerned. "I think we know that much since he has his journal," she shrugged, "thank goodness we got it back then."

"Yeah but apparently..." Hilda murmured, "the two were friends. He wanted to check up on him."

David and Frida stopped as they wearily looked at each other, reasonably probably stressed out about that idea. "so... did they meet?" David asked in concern. Hilda didn't know how to answer that.

But Frida definitely did as she stared at the book, "well... we have a way to confirm if Trevor was lying. And we also have a way to know more about our Marra situation, right?"

"But, we agreed not to look," Hilda tried to point out.

"Yeah, but Eric agreed to tell us everything," Frida countered, "...let's be honest, we don't know what we're dealing with fully yet. I have to go to tutoring, you guys are going to that crazy woman, and we didn't even know Trevor knew about Eric."

"And we have to deal with that Marra that Eric met," David sighed, "does he talk about her in there?"

"About Claire...?" Hilda looked down at Eric's book uneasily. "I'm not sure, it was personal to him though, we can't just go through it."

"Hilda, this is to help him, right?" Frida tried to convince as she sighed, "I think if we want the full picture, we need to read that book."

Hilda could only look away as she thought about it. Could she break Eric's trust like that and look in his journal? She couldn't do that, he was counting on her... but... was Trevor being truthful about being his friend? If so why did Eric hide that from her? Was it really because of her own dislike of Trevor, did he know that the two had a history?

Could it be Eric... wanted her to talk to him? Or something else...?

...what was going on between them?

There was no way for her to find out... unless she met up with Trevor again... confronted Eric...

...

...or opened the journal.

Trevor

When school finally ended, all the kids were quickly allowed to leave the room, including Hilda who only briefly glanced Trevor's way before exiting the classroom.

Trevor was forced to watch in agony as he trudged to Ms. Hallgrims desk, who was clearly waiting for him as she took down some notes.

"Is this really necessary Ms. Hallgrim?" Trevor sighed, "my parents will worry if I'm not out of the school in a certain time."

"This will be short and to the point, you'll be leaving soon enough," she stated, pointing at her desk, "now come over here, I would like to discuss some things with you."

Oh, come on! Could this day get any worse for me?! Maybe I should've ditched with the others.

A groan escaped him as he trudged over to Ms. Hallgrim's desk, already regretting his choices as he stood face-to-face with her. He had been through this kinda process many times before with the woman, more so than any other teacher back then. Even though he had kept quiet in most recent days, it felt like she had an eye out, particularly for him.

Although to be fair she had an eye out for everyone it seemed.

"Now Trevor, do you know why I decided to pull you aside?" Ms. Hallgrim started with a pointed look.

So you can yell at me about why my friends aren't in class and are probably ditching at the docks... He thought jokingly.

"No... not sure..." He actually said, keeping his head down.

Ms. Hallgrim only narrowed her eyes at the comment and continued, "then allow me to spell it out for you. These past few months, I've noted that you and your little band have shown up less and less to class than on average," she explained, "this normally wouldn't be an issue as long as it was excused of course, but your parents never call any of you in, and furthermore, it seems you like to waste this precious time by participating in local mischief, rather than on school work."

"Well that's not-" He tried to explain.

"I'm not finished young man," Ms. Hallgrim silenced, "these absences on your record are starting to pile up, and it's not looking good for you. It's likely you'll need to make up some of the hours you're missing. In this instance, I say mandatory after-school attendance is in order."

Trevor stood quietly as Ms. Hallgrim hammered in the detail home, forcing him to bite his tongue as a way to stay composed, "yes ma'am... I'll let my parents know..."

"Good, now onto much more pressing matters," Ms. Hallrim suddenly started. "Trevor, is everything alright with you outside this classroom?"

Trevor raised his eyebrows at this. Ms. Hallgrim… asking a student if they were okay? Had the world suddenly gone crazy? Was it opposite day?

He stood stunned for a moment, unable to formulate a proper response as he thought over the question. Ms. Hallgrim simply lowered her head at this, and continued, "I don't mean to repeat myself, young man, I asked if everything was alright with you outside this room."

"O-Of course ma'am, I'm fine!" he quickly answered, realizing how long he'd probably be kept here if he didn't say anything, "really I am! I'm just getting through the day, you know?"

Ms. Hallgrim didn't appear pleased by the answer and softly shook her head, "even knowing that, you used to be so much more active in my class Trevor," she pointed out, "always participating in one form or another with your peers. Now, it seems you're struggling both academically… and socially… as if something outside this room is wearing you down."

Trevor could only stay silent at the comment… surprised that Ms. Hallgrim even noticed any of that. Had he really been that obvious? "I… I was," but he couldn't finish, instead masking his hurt once again, "Ms. Halgrim, I know I'm having a hard time with the material… but I'm okay really."

"Is that so…?" she questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, it is so," Trevor replied, a certain anger rising up, "I appreciate your worry, but there's literally nothing wrong at all, I'm just fine, okay?"

"Then explain to me what that dispute with Hilda was," Ms. Hallgrim questioned, "what was the purpose of stealing her notebook? You're telling me that nothing either internally or externally provoked that response? There was nothing wrong there?"

"I-I was just…" he froze, unable to properly articulate his words, "it's nothing."

"What about your friend's absence in this very school?" Ms. Hallgrim continued, unwavering in her strict tone, "where have you followed them before? And why have you willingly missed out on your lessons?"

"That was just-" Trevor tried to say.

"I'm not finished," Ms. Hallgrim quickly silenced, "it's not just these instances, you've seemed all out of sorts today especially. Forgetting to do your worksheet, ramming into another student, I've even heard from other staff members that they've seen you wandering around the school aimlessly today. Is that also 'nothing' in your eyes? Because to me it appears these are actions of a child whose mind is more focused on ignoring some external problems."

Ouch. He cringed as Ms. Hallgrim dug into him, clearly reading him like a book that he had no idea she was reading this entire time. The way she was wording it was definitely not doing him any favors in the confidence department. And that voice of reason… infuriated him. He wanted to just rush out of the room. He didn't want to put up with this kinda talk!

…but he couldn't. Even though he felt his heart was in pain, he just took it, because deep down, something flickered. A feeling of some kind… one of understanding toward what he'd done and the very doubt that plagued his mind. It was that very doubt that betrayed him as he stood there under fire, knowing that even in his attempt to find Eric, he was betraying the very thing he promised him he'd do…

"That's exactly why you have to do it though," Eric says "you have to go up to her and show her you're not that kind of person anymore Trevor…"

"Trevor, you have to do this," He says again, "not only to show Hilda you regret what you did, but to give yourself closure and end the pain of feeling guilty."

…

…

…

"I'm… sorry…" he mumbled.

"Can you repeat that young man?" Ms. Hallgrim asked, though she didn't sound as accusatory as before.

"I said I'm sor-!" But he stopped himself and lowered his voice, "I'm… I'm sorry Ms. Hallgrim, okay? I… I'm just dealing with things and… and I thought I could handle it by myself. But I couldn't."

He stared down at his feet, clutching his uniform as he thought about his friends... Hilda... and Eric. "I don't know what I'm doing... I think I'm focusing on all the wrong stuff." He sighed. "I thought I knew who I was... and what I wanted. But I don't, and I can't focus on any of it without questioning things."

"Things? What things?" Ms. Hallgrim questioned softly.

About what I did to Hilda... and these... thoughts and memories of Eric... He wanted to say. But he shut himself up.

"It's nothing big…" he lied, "just personal stuff, I promise to get a handle on it… and I'll show up to the after-school stuff too. I just… I just wanted to say that, that's all."

A small weight was lifted off of Trevor's chest then, and he felt… marginally better. Even though he felt like he hadn't made much progress toward actually bettering himself… he could at least play it straight with Ms. Hallgrim, who might've actually sensed his doubt because her usually strict look was replaced with understanding.

"Very well," Ms. Hallgrim nodded, "I don't know the specifics of what you're dealing with, but given the events this Friday and the weekend, it makes sense to be on edge."

...

"However, I believe you have the capacity to become a better student than you are now."

Trevor blinked at this and stared up at his teacher. "I could be better...?"

"Everyone has the ability to be better, even me as an educator." Ms. Hallgrim nodded. "Outside factors always make us feel powerless at times, it can make us feel small and trapped. But you have the ability to do good things, and what's important is that you determine what YOU want to achieve no matter what others do or say. As a teacher, I hope you leave this room with this thought in mind… understand?"

Trevor did indeed let the thought go into his mind and let it stay there, letting a small smile creep onto his face. Perhaps he mistook Eric's actions... but now Ms. Hallgrim provided a new perspective that clarified it all.

Eric... probably didn't mention him to Hilda because he did what he needed to achieve. He found the person who could help him... more than Trevor could. He did what was best for him. Perhaps that was selfish... but if Hilda could help Eric... then... Trevor was slightly impressed the shy kid could put himself first.

And naturally Hilda always achieved what she set out to do on those "adventures she went on. Perhaps at times he thought she was weird for it, and maybe a bit naive in the process as he saw her run around everywhere. But... in the end he could see her willingness to step up no matter what, and say what she wanted to say... do what she wanted to do.

...so what did Trevor want to do?

He thought about it long and hard before he nodded and glanced up at the adult who have him the wisdom needed to continue. "I…I will Ms. Hallgrim," he confirmed with a stern look, "um… sorry for taking up your time."

"I was the one that called you in," she clarified, "and remember… those absences are still a major problem, so I implore you to turn your focus onto more productive actions. You may end up resolving the issues I mentioned if you actually put a mindful step forward."

"Of course…" he accepted as he made his way toward the door, "so… is it okay if I go now?"

"Yes, you're dismissed," Ms. Hallgrim nodded, "and make sure to work things out with Hilda, understood?"

With that, she began preparing for what Trevor assumed was tomorrow's lecture. Because of this, he wasn't sure if Ms. Hallgrim heard his last few words before he left the room, a new determination solidifying into his voice as he did so.

"Bye… and… thanks for the tip."

And with that, although his thoughts were a jumbled mess of Eric, Hilda, and everything... he set off with one goal that he KNEW he needed to achieve.

And that was to properly this time... make amends.

Hmmm to post or not to post.

Just kidding let me post, and thanks for reading guys. Next chapter will be uhhh... in the works. I mean it's pretty much done but I have a habit of finishing chapters and then just... not posting them. Ouch.

But on another note, sorry for this one taking so long and have a good day! I'm super excited to keep this up! Hehehe