An Out

For a moment Zenobia didn't reply, still comprehending the hidden meaning of her words. And even when realization dawned a few moments later, the teen still didn't know how to react to it. It sounded so—insane.

Was the principal, the head honcho of Crowntips High, seriously giving her permission to skip? Playing if off as her not feeling good? In general, the idea of anyone giving permission to do that sounded off.

"Are you sure you should be telling me this, principal Mude?" But it sounded ten times worse coming from the mouth of someone who literally ran the school. Still, no matter how long Zenobia searched for tells of deceit, Ms. Mude showed none of the signs.

"With your grades, I think you can afford a day off, especially after what I just saw. Besides, one's mental health is just as important as their physical health." That's not what her mother would say. Rather she'd tell her to suck it up, because the real world wasn't kind and would show no mercy to weakness.

Such a night and day comparison. But the knots that tied up her intestines pulled. Could Zenobia actually do it? Get away with it even?

"I won't get in trouble with my mom?"

Because that was the biggest reason for her hesitation. No matter how at odds she was with the old hag, she still didn't want to get in trouble. This morning proved Zenobia was already on thin ice and this stunt could really plummet her further. Ms. Mude gave her a small smile.

"Let's go to my office and talk. I'll email all of your teachers when we get there. Come, come." Again, Zenobia found herself speechless. Ms. Mude waved at her to follow while walking away. There was a brief reluctance, just a small moment of hesitation before she followed.

What was there for them to talk about? "Go ahead and take a seat." The room felt warm and homey. A candle was lit in the corner of giving off the scent of lavender. Pictures of various students and staff smiling hung sporadically on the walls. Even the seat Zenobia sat in was comfortable. Springy and soft, the temptation to bounce in it was strong, but squashed.

Ms. Mude was humming to herself as she sat across from her. On the desk that separated the two of them was a laptop, various colored pens, papers, a coffee cup with steam floating above it and lastly, a picture frame facing away from Zenobia. Pulling from one of the desk drawers a package of candies. She tossed them, sending the various pens rolling off.

"Help yourself."

"Thanks…"

Zenobia kept her gaze on the older woman as she tentatively reached out, grabbing a random chocolate bar from the already opened bag. She stared warily even when Ms. Mude happily sipped from her coffee cup. It was a simple eggshell white mug, with a blue rim circling the top.

Still…strangely chipper, Ms. Mude dived into the bag herself after she placed her cup on the desk. Her, peppy behavior made the already awkward student even more unsure of what to say. The only person around her to act anywhere like this was little Zora. The kid was five, borderline six.

Zenobia glanced down at the chocolate, twisting it when the faint sweet scent filtered up her nose. The brand name was in another language with bright, bold blue and white borders. She could vaguely hear the clicking keys across from her while she unwrapped her candy bar. She bit down on it while waiting, her foot tapping on the dark green carpet, surprised that it wasn't too sweet.

"Alright, I messaged all of your teachers, along with Mr. Hanks. So you won't be marked for not showing up or having a phone call home." That…was way easier than Zenobia thought it would be. She wasn't sure if this was reality with how bizarre her day was.

But chocolate didn't lie. The mellow, chocolate that coated the inside of her mouth tasted too good to be a dream. She shouldn't lower her guard just yet. She pointed the chomped bar in the older woman's direction so she wouldn't take another bite.

"Not that I'm not grateful Principal…but you seem way too ok with this." Closing the laptop, Ms. Mude peered over at her for the first time since they came in. She took the portrait that was standing proudly in front of her and stretched her reach towards Zenobia. After when her photo was placed in her student's grasp did she continue.

"This may come as a shock but before I became a principal, I worked for years as a counselor for troubled youths. Not to mention...my older brother had two different colored eyes. I saw firsthand the struggles with people judging him and not feeling like he belonged."

If she saw Zenobia's eyes go wide, then she didn't point it out. The older woman sipped her drink instead, giving the teen the chance to look at the photo. In it was a young man. He was dressed in a hoodie and jeans with chains looping all around his thighs.

His arms were crossed, showing his discomfort but he still smiled back at the camera. What really caught Zenobia's attention was the fact that he wasn't wearing a mask. He looked young, around sixteen, or maybe seventeen. But his eyes and the dark circles under them made him look older.

Even more so, like what Ms. Mude just told her, this boy had different colored eyes. One was ink black, the other, a dim, muddy red. Both showed pain…they contradicted the nice smile he gave. Down at the corner of the picture was the date. 3/4/XXXX

"That was the last photo he took before disappearing. He and I were close, but he never told me how he was feeling. It wasn't until he was considered a runaway and I went through his belongings that I found out how miserable he truly was." Zenobia didn't dare look up. She wasn't sure what expression would be found on the principal's face and didn't want to find out.

It made sense now. She could see why the woman before her chose to take such an active role when it came to high school kids. Why she was adamant about making sure there was a no bullying policy and enforced it herself. For a brief moment it made her think of her relationship with Zora.

Ms. Mude and her brother were close, just from the way the older woman talked it was obvious. Zenobia thought of her kid sister's bright, sincere smile and how it reminded her of her principal. There was a compassionate sweetness to them. It also made her question Ms. Mude's brother's mindset all the more about his decision to go missing.

Zenobia highly, HIGHLY doubted she would dare leave her sister like that. To leave without so much of a goodbye or note—never in a million years. But really, did she seem so similar to missing boy that Ms. Mude felt she had to personally get involved with her? With a shake of her head, she placed the picture gently back down onto the desk.

"Now back to the topic at hand. I have no concerns telling you to play hooky, simply because it's not something you do. With the exception of a once in a blue moon absence. Of course, the reason for absence is mainly to pick up your sister because she is the one sick. You don't call out. And when you do, you situate your schoolwork without any input from me or your teachers the moment you return."

The wolf-masked woman leaned forward from her chair. Her shadow towered over Zenobia, making her shrink slightly into herself. Yet, it wasn't in fear, but because she didn't know how to act. Ms. Mude sounded like memorized a book with how she pointed out how Zenobia handled things.

 "Personally I feel it's more important to take a breather. It's ok to take time for yourself. As I said before, mental health days are just as vital." It was so strange hearing this. No one had ever said something like that to her since her dad left.

There was a warmth that spread in Zenobia. It didn't do anything about the fatigue she felt, but she was nonetheless grateful that someone actually gave a damn. From this one conversation alone, she knew she could trust Ms. Mude. With her hands up, she accepted the excuse to ditch given to her.

"Well since you insist…I can't really refuse. If you wouldn't mind though, do you know if there are any good parks nearby?" With that in mind, there was no way she was heading home just to start round two with her mother.

Especially at this time when she was supposed to be in school. Ohhh she could imagine the older woman having a heart attack the moment she'd be told (with confirmation) that Zenobia was given permission to skip school. Only to then throttle both her AND her principal.

"I may. However, if I'm to allow you to go off, there is one thing I need you to do for me." With a puzzled frown, her student raised an eyebrow. She had been expecting a serious no or her being told to just go straight home. But if Ms. Mude was aware of the current tension at home or had questions relating to exploring, she revealed nothing. It made the red-eyed student all the more curious.

"What is it?" Instead of replying right away, Ms. Mude pulled a worn pad of paper out of one of her desk drawers. Slamming it hard to the point that it rattled a couple seconds even after being shut. The noise caused Zenobia to jump a little, startled by the harsh movement before she tilted her head.

With a squinted expression, she saw the principal scribble something on a blank page. The moment she finished, nimble fingers ripped it off. Gingerly, Zenobia took the torn piece of paper. On it was Ms. Mude's name and a number scratched underneath. Zenobia glanced up, meeting her gaze. Now filled with a serious gleam, though still warm.

"I actually have two requests for you, but they sorta go hand in hand. The first, when you get to whatever destination you're at, you'll call or send a text letting me know you're alright. The second, albeit I will understand if you don't feel comfortable but…if ever you feel down or need someone to talk to, don't hesitate to try getting ahold of me. Regardless of the time. I'll get back to you as soon as I can."

That was fine. More than fine, really. But Zenobia couldn't muster the words to say such. She was too focused on trying to stop the burning sensation in her eyes. Tears attempted to form at the edges, managing to fall despite her best efforts. Immediately the sixteen-year-old took her free hand, ready to rub the evidence away-only to pause at the offered tissue presented to her.

"Here, give me the back of the paper. I'll write down directions to a park that's not too far away while you clean up." As embarrassed as she was, Zenobia took the offered tissue, (where did that even come from?) Touched and grateful that Ms. Mude could be so...understanding.

Whether it was due to lingering guilt from her past or just because she was that kind of person naturally, Zenobia didn't give a damn. She blew the stress she felt from today along with the snot that quickly accumulated. If neither of them brought it up again after, then that was a-ok with her.