Chapter 15

There was still some time before I could finish writing the review for Brendan, I guess this might be a good time for smoking. Problem is that there aren't any smoking spots in Oak, it would be problematic if someone would report me to the police for smoking in a public space. I'm still technically a minor anyway.

I looked around me to see that I was already in Oak's garden park. Guess I've just been wandering all this time without a care. Well it's not like I was in a rush in the first place. The garden park was actually just completed when I first arrived in Polarity. Ever since then, I've been passing here only rather than actually going inside.

There was even a small river-like pond that lovers would take a ride in a small canoe. A nice red Chinese style bridge that anyone can take great pictures on and multiple Asian cultured bench huts. This place would be perfect if I wanted a place to focus on my writing. So far the only people that go here would be families or couples. I clearly didn't belong here because there was a no smoking sign on almost every corner.

Out of nowhere, I just bumped down to the ground. Papers were flying all over the place while I tried to scramble my senses together. Just as I was about to bring in the heat, I realized what just happened. The person in front of me was sir Morris! I bumped into him while I wasn't paying attention to the road.

He was nursing his bum before he could realize that the person who was bumped was his editor. Actually this was another good opportunity. If he's someone that knows how to write then it's him. He'll be able to give me farther incites!

Mako: Sir Morris! What are you doing here?

Morris: Mako! Oh, hey! How are you doing on this lovely day? Sorry, I didn't see you there. I was busy gathering some material.

We finally both got up from the ground after fixing the piles of paper on the ground. We both finally got back to our feet to finally greet each other properly. Normally I wouldn't see teachers out in the public so this didn't feel right to me. I patted the dirt off of my baggy pants then continued on.

Mako: Gathering material for classes?

Morris: Er… No, for my novel.

Mako: Oh…

Morris: Yeah, I know how you don't like harem novels. You don't need to lecture me for the nth time already. I get it.

Mako: No, I wasn't going to lecture you.

Morris: Oh! Another surprise hahaha! So what were you up to, my reliable editor of mine?

Sir Morris doesn't usually move around the area all that often because of his side profession. So when I do see him outside, it's a bit of a rare treat seeing him try to fit in. His clothes especially made him stand out the most. He usually wears an old 90's rock shirt from a concert decades ago along with his khaki pants he uses for school. Sometimes like today too he'd wear his lab coat just to make sure people don't think he's a creep.

Mako: I was looking for somewhere legal to smoke. Nothing much.

Morris: You know how I feel about that, Mako. I know I can't actually stop you from doing it but at least don't tell me. Though both are still bad in this case, I still have a duty as a teacher to tell you not to.

Mako: No problem, teach.

Morris: Good! Though it would've been better if you just said no to smoking all together.

Mako: That actually reminds me, I'm helping out Brendan or rather Rouge on reviewing his novel. Mind if I pick your brain for something.

Morris: Rouge? The author? I haven't heard from him in ages.

Mako: What do you mean?

Morris: Well he kind of just fell off the radar a few years ago. I'm surprised that you manage to snag him on an editor deal.

Mako: He didn't really hire me. It was more of a favor than it was a gig. His younger brother goes to our school after all.

Morris: That is actually quite surprising. I would've at least reached out a hand to him or her if I had known someone wanted to write professionally.

Mako: He's not exactly shy about it on stage when I first met him. What can you tell me about him?

We walked further along the park to bench by the water. The water didn't seem all too clear today compared to other times I've walked by. Some petals from the flower beds even lapsed over creating a big layer of colors. Almost a perfect place for a date if I were to want one. Except, I couldn't imagine anyone my age to be with to actually do. Morris adjusted his glasses for a bit then took out his tiny notebook.

Morris: This place is great for dates! I should sketch this out in my head!

Mako: Weren't you supposed to tell me about Rouge or rather Brendan.

Morris: Oh right! I got distracted a bit there hahahaha. Well, I don't actually know a thing about Brendan himself but I do know the story of Rouge the writer.

Mako: Sounds like quite the story.

Morris: Not exactly, how should I put this? Have you ever heard death by expectations?

Mako: It's when pressure gets to a person.

Morris: Yes! It can happen in lots of different ways and sometimes it's hard to pick up one self up especially when the person themselves can't pick up on it.

Mako: What are you trying to say?

Morris: Rouge was killed by expectations. Or at least that's what I've heard from the community forums.

Mako: Explain.

Morris: Well, if I remember carefully, during my time as a starting writer he was winning awards left and right. Awards don't actually do anything besides promote your works for a little time. Though. It would matter a lot to parents of children in that regard.

Mako: Pride.

Morris: Precisely. The awards that he was winning were definitely prestigious in their own right. However, they were never the type of awards that someone could be proud of.

Mako: What the fuck does that mean?

Morris: Language, Mako. But what it meant was, those awards were children's awards. Awards usually given to high schoolers. As I've said, it's prestigious in it's right but if you presented those to someone with actual professional experience, they'd see you as a joke. Just another kid being pushed by mommy and daddy.

Mako: That's a bit harsh don't you think? For someone just entering the novelist world, that's traumatic.

Morris: I only imagine it to be. That's why it came as no surprise to me when Rouge just suddenly left the face of the planet. You can't be called a child prodigy if you're not a child anymore. If that makes sense I guess. Probably not hahaha.

Mako: That's not funny.

Morris: It isn't, my bad. People can be cruel even writers. There's no exceptions.

Mako: Even still, for a bunch of veteran or professional novelists, crushing a child like that is a bit too much.

Morris: You don't understand, Mako. Well at least not yet. When you're competing in a cutthroat world of skill like this, you need to do everything you can do to survive.

Mako: So its that why you're making such fucking trash novels!

Morris: I understand your frustration on the matter but I'm still your teacher you know.

Mako: And I'm your editor, I outrank you.

Morris: I guess you do, in that right. But that's just how it is. Nobody wants to have an oldie talk about something they're too outdated for. Switch to nonfiction they say. Hearing these kinds of things does a lot to a person's psyche.

Mako: Even worse to a child still trying to grow up.

Morris: It's not exactly something upheld in the community but it happens. Rumors of child prodigies are dangerous in our world. They become more marketable and in return steal the show. Even if their novels are crude and unrefined, they can still make it and still have the time to reach their potential. People like me are washed up because we weren't even given a chance in the first place.

Mako: That's not entirely true. You still have a good following.

Morris: Not as much as those who recently started, fresh bloods are getting much better sales and popularity because of their young age. They could relate much better to a wider range of audiences. They're much forgiving to new comers too because they're still young. If I just miss one deadline, I'll permeate into obscurity. From there, you can't get back up anymore.

Mako: So, he's doing his best to get back up huh.

Morris: That's what I'm guessing if he's going after the shield awards. I can see it now, child prodigy makes come back into the novelist world. Imagine how much marketability that has. Makes one quite envious.

Morris laid down on the bench just shy of my legs staring at the sky. Despite the calm atmosphere around him, he was polar from it. HIs gentle easy going smile had something far sinister. There was nothing I could do for him to solve anything he was going through. Or rather I didn't have the courage to ask any further.

My words choked even in my head. Ask him further, they keep saying. Just like that night, I was frozen. I just grabbed my thighs just to keep myself from pestering any further. Am I destined forever to never change, I wonder.

My phone rang, signaling that it was time that I left. Morris leapt to his feet in a happy fashion then smiled.

Morris: Well! Nice talking to you, Mako. It did help clear the air just a little bit. Sometimes I forget that you aren't an adult. Sorry if I didn't give you anything that you needed. I'll see you in class tomorrow.

He just kept his smile up and shoved his hands in his pockets. Guess it was time to head back. Just another thing to think about as I clutched my leather bag. What am I supposed to do?...