Frank's POV :

Mr. Way and I were growing closer as the year went by. We had spent a lot of time talking and I went to see him as soon as I had free time.

Mr. Way matters to me just as much as he did yesterday. I trust him with the advice he gives me. He's so righteous, smart and kind. He is a good person.

Next year, I'll ask Mom to stay at school everyday for lunch instead of going home so I can spend more time with Mr. Way. I won't tell her that part though, of course. I feel like he's the only one who really cares.

Today at noon, I was in his office, keeping him updated on how things were at home - in a nutshell, not so great.

"Yesterday, Mom made me cry."

Mr. Way frowned. "What did she do?"

"She slapped me. She told me I didn't care about my future because I'm not working hard enough." I looked down at my lap.

"Frank, I've talked to your teachers. You pay attention in class, you cause no trouble and you have good grades. You started off middle school really well."

"Tell that to my parents..." I mumbled.

"Your mother shouldn't hit you, Frank. That is not acceptable."

"Mmmh." I shrugged.
I didn't really feel like smiling, at the moment... And I didn't really feel like saying everything was perfect anymore.

"Hey," Mr. Way spoke softly. "It's okay, I'm with you. You're not alone. Don't let them bring you down, Frankie."

I forced myself to look at Mr. Way and smile, but I was a bad faker, and I could tell seeing me pretend made Mr. Way sad.

"You know what? How about we have lunch outside and I'll buy you an ice cream, huh? How does that sound?" Mr. Way offered.

And with that offer, a light reappeared in my eyes and I grinned - genuinely, this time. It's the first time Mr. Way and I are going to have lunch together !

"Really? Yes, please !"

"Alright, come with me then."

I hopped off my seat and followed Mr. Way close behind. We left the school without a problem. Mr. Way took my hand to cross the street and I think he was forgetting that I wasn't 10 anymore. I'm 12, that's very different.

Mr. Way brought me to a nice little restaurant near the school and he let me order anything that wasn't too harmful for my health.

I picked a veggie burger and so did he. He offered me to taste his coffee as well but I declined - coffee is yucky. Mr. Way seemed a little bit offended by my opinion on coffee but he quickly shrugged it off.

We left without a desert because Mr. Way was going to buy me ice cream.

Mr. Way led me to a park. "There was an ice cream truck over there this morning, I hope it's still there but I can't see why not."

And he was right. I took a chocolate milky ice cream. Mr. Way refused to take any flavor other than coffee, so he didn't take anything since the nice sir had run out.
He also said that Mr. Way had a cute son. I mentally sighed. Yeah, if only Mr. Way was my dad...

The both of us sat down on the grass. I started eating my ice cream before it melted and, looking up, I saw Mr. Way peer at me intently. He had this warm smile he often wore whe I was happy and oh, what I would give to know exactly what was on his mind right now.

"Do you like it?" Mr. Way asked softly.

"Yeah !" I nodded. "Hey, Mr. Way?"

"Mhm?

"You know how I always tell you about me and my problems? I realized I don't really know anything about you."

"I don't know if that's appropriate to-"

"-Pretty please?" I pouted. "I won't tell anyone, I swear."

Mr. Way sighed and let out a chuckle. "Alright, little one. Well first, I grew up here, in Belleville, New Jersey."

"This is your hometown? Oooh, I didn't know that."

"It is, but I came back last summer. I'm going to stay here for a bit. I've travelled a lot across the country, mostly after I got my job - so I could be a counselor in various States. Now I'm thinking about settling down."

"How old are you?" I tilted my head.

"I'm 26," he replied.

"Why did you move all the time back then? Didn't you like the schools you were working at?"

"I did, but I wanted to travel and meet new people, new kids like you. I've always been fascinated by psychology, and I think it's much more interesting to talk to people across the country than focus on one area - or read about it in dusty books."

"I understand." I nodded. "So, you won't leave Belleville? You'll stay with me?" I asked hopefully. Imagine having Mr. Way stay by my side for years as I grow up !

Mr. Way laughed. "I can't promise I'll stay forever. I probably won't. But right now I'm here, and that's what matters, right?"

I pouted and nodded, all sad. "I guess."

Mr. Way put a hand on my shoulder. "Instead of being scared of losing me, enjoy the time we spend together, Frank. Now is all that matters."

I nodded. He's right, I'm just making myself sad. Let's not think about that.

"Mr. Way, what was it like when you were a kid? Like, Belleville and... your family and stuff?"

"I grew up with my father and my little brother, Mikey. A sweet little guy. Not so little, in fact - he's a bit taller than me now."

"Were they nice?"
I saw Mr. Way tense at my question.

"My brother was adorable. As to my father, uh..." Mr. Way let out a bitter laugh. "He was violent. He blamed us for mom's death - typical paranoia with a little bit of alchoholism. But I shouldn't be telling you all this-"

"-Yes, please keep going !" I asked eagerly. "What happened then?"

Mr. Way shook his head. "Eat your ice cream, it's melting in your fingers."

"Please, tell me how things went."

Mr. Way rubbed his forehead. "Alright. My father was violent, mostly with my little brother. I was terrified he might kill Mikey. That never happened, though. Thank God."

"What happened then?" I urged.

"It was in 1990, if I remember well. Mikey was 10 and I was 13. He almost got beaten to death by our dad. I called the police and they arrested him. I testified against him. I still remember the trial. Mikey and I were placed in different families and our house was torn down. I had no contact with Mikey for years and I missed him like hell. We met again when I turned 18."

"Wow... I'm so sorry... So, your Dad is in prison?"

"Yes, he is. I never cared enough to pay him a visit though. I want to forget about his existence because he ruined ours."

"That's understandable," I said shyly. "You were very brave. I-I mean, you still are."

"Thanks, but I just did what had to be done. I can't stand seeing mistreated children and irresponsible parents. I know how it feels. I empathize with you, Frank. Education is really important and an unsuitable one can really mess up a kid. I'm really glad you trust me."

I looked down at my lap and Mr. Way asked me what was wrong.
"Nothing, it's just... Among all the people I know, I think you're the most human one. The rightest."

"Aw, thank you. I try to be." Mr. Way stood up and I did too. "Anyway, how is school? Do you have many friends? I hear you and little Ray Toro spent time together."

"Yeah, I get along with everyone but Ray is the nicest. We're not that close though. You're my real, only best friend." I stated as Mr. Way was walking me back to school.

I thought for a second about asking Mr. Way to spend the afternoon with me, and then I realized asking my school counselor to help me skip school wasn't the smartest thing to do.

"I can be your friend, Frank, but it's important that you have friends your age too," Mr. Way reminded.

I hummed, not convinced. It's so cool to have friends who are older. It's more interesting and enriching.

"Anyway, how did you like that milky puddle of an ice cream?" he asked.

"It was delicious !"
I tackled Mr. Way in a hug, obtaining a surprised gasp from him. I wrapped my arms around his hips - considering that he was almost twice my size.

"Thank you, thank you so much ! My parents never let me eat sugar."

Mr. Way hesitantly responded to the hug and gently rubbed my head.

"You're so corruptible by sugar, boy," he commented and the both of us giggled.
He looked down at me and added a more serious 'anytime'.

I felt so safe and serene when was with Mr. Way. When was with him, everything was okay.

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