"Munchkin, are you sure you don't need any more help moving all your things in? Or that we can't convince you to stay with us instead, just a few more days?"

Shannon shakes her head as her brother Noah brings her final tote into her designated 'Teacher Apartment' at Dalton Academy.

"Noah..... you really did enough for me. Using your truck to get all of my things here AND pulling some strings with Mr Hummel to get that cute little used car for me. It's all too much!"

Noah puts down the tote, stalking over the envelope her in a rather large bear hug.  Kissing her hair and then stepping back.

"It was the least I could do for you Shanny, especially since all the Douchebag Preppy left you with was the rental car.  Not that I wouldn't just love to fleece his entitled ass for all it's worth.  Stringing you along like that...."

Shannon looks at her brother with fire in her eyes.

"Noah, don't. Barry.... Sebastian is MY problem. Or was. Or..... I don't know. But either way it's of none of your concern. I knew what I was getting into with him. Whatever happened, I did it to myself."

Noah's green eyes take on a sadness as he watches his sister's hands flail around while she struggles to explain herself.

He sighs.

"Bug, you'll always be my baby sister and I'll always want to protect you."

Shannon nods, hugging him one more time before she watches him leave.

I know Noah. I know...

•••••••••••••

Later, the teacher orientation.

It's weird.

For Shannon, being back at Dalton, roaming the halls again. It's like she almost expects Sebastian to pop up around a corner, smirk on his face as he leans against the wall like he used to when she would visit him. Blue blazer with red piping and all.

But she knows that won't happen. She's not a teenager anymore.

And easily one of the youngest in the room as she fastens her name tag on her blouse.

Shannon Puckerman
English Lit
First Year

Settling back in her seat, she takes in all that the Headmaster has to explain to them.  And a familiar looking male watches her from afar.

•••••••••••••

The orientation session breaks for lunch. Shannon's head is swimming from all of the information that has been dispensed so far.

She yawns as she rises from her seat. Desperate for some sustenance and most definitely a mug of coffee the size of her head.

That's one thing that all of her years around Sebastian / Barry have fostered, an unhealthy attachment to caffeinated beverages. So Shannon is waiting in line for her Carmel Macchiato with two shots of espresso (the closest thing Dalton's cafe has to her precious Flash drink) when someone calls her name.

'Shannon? Shann Puckerman?? Is that you?'

Coffee cup in hand she turns around to see a familiar, if just a little bit older than she remembered brunette man. Eyes falling to the name tag on his shirt as his name falls from her lips. Small smile on her face.

"Thaddeus Harwood....."

Thad Harwood
World History / Warblers Advisor
Fourth Year

•••••••••••••

Barry really should be focusing on the tests he is running.  Alone in his lab at CCPD, his mind wanders as the scanning system does its work, analyzing data for him.  Instead he scrolls mindlessly through Facebook on his phone.

He knows he shouldn't, especially now that the divorce is finalized and his past is coming back to haunt him, but he just can't help it.

He just has to check up on Shannon so he pulls up her page. Noticing that she posted a photo not that long ago. And he winces slightly at the caption attached to it.

Shann Puckerman: 'Well it's not a Flash but I guess it'll do.... Lunch break and catching up with an old friend / new coworker. It's almost like we're 16 all over again!' - with Thad Harwood at Dalton Academy Cafe