章 5: Adolescent Soul

Seran's light hazel-specked eyes trailed his mother & sister's movements as they left. Ivor waving goodbye maneuvering his son into his lap noticed Seran struggling to open the apple juice. Fidgeting with the straw pinned to the side of the carton Seran repeatedly jabbed the juice box with the straw. Agitated he couldn't hit the hole he winded his hand backwards with the apple juice on the verge of tossing it.

This dumb thing … mmmm … mmf!

"Let me give you a hand son."

Ivor politely took juice box & straw from him sticking it straight down into its hole. Handing the juice back to Seran he sipped from until it began to squeeze air tight.

Slrrrrrrrrrrr…..

"From the sound of it looks like you've drank it all, son. Lan Lan wasn't lying when she said you liked apple juice huh."

Ivor chuckled taking the empty carton and tossing it into the trash bin in the distance on the bus.

"You should tell your sister you said thank you when you get the chance."

Ok…

Seran said, unenthusiastically as the bus came to another stop.

"Our stops up ahead Seran."

Seran's silence continued slightly nodding his head at his father's remark. The rain thumping against the bus windows kept Seran eyes plenty of company. Friction from the bus tires skidded across the wet roads till it came to a halt.

"Hold on to me tightly Seran the rains coming down a little bit harder."

Ivor upholding Seran covered his head with the inner layer of his black bomber jacket. Noticing the aisles were wet & slippery Ivor bit down on the top of the brown lunch bag. Altering between the rails on the bus he made his way out of the front doors. Ivor jogged towards the school entrance splattering the water puddles with each step he took.

The double doors flung open of the school building. Ivor soaked dripping with water walked the halls. His shoes squeaked & squawked past the children in the hallway constantly. Finally approaching the doorway of Seran's classroom he sat Seran down onto his feet.

Dad…

Seran says, in a sickeningingly depressed tone. Ivor places his hand on his son's forehead out of precautions concern.

"Doesn't seem like you have a fever or anything. I wonder what's going on today? What's up buddy talk to me."

Will you pick me up from school today?

"Of course I will."

Entering the classroom overhearing the children hard at work on making macaroni plates full of numbers. Seran seemed unconvinced by what his father had said.

He uttered to him sadly," You said that last time."

Seran's teacher approached him from behind placing her hand on his shoulder.

"Hi, Seran how are you today ?" The teacher asked.

Seran shrugged his teacher off of his shoulders agitated by her sudden touch.

"Well, that was certainly unexpected."

His teacher gasped in questioning thoughts about Seran's behavior. Ivor chuckled nervously knowing why Seran would be upset.

"We kind of stayed up late last night please excuse him. I take full responsibility for it."

Releasing the brown lunch bag from his mouth Ivor handed it to the woman. The teacher noticed Seran's little tired eyes attempting to stay open. She empathized out of pity she smiled at him for a moment. Coincidentally she had a jog of memory.

"Oh! That's okay it's been a while since you've dropped by. There's something I'd like you to see. I'm pretty sure Seran would appreciate it if you took a look at it too."

She grinned happily at Seran as she commented pardoning herself stepping in between the children playing on the checkered rug. Seran's teacher schemed her fingers across the tac-pinned drawings on the bulletin board in search of something.

"Found it! This is the one I'd like you to have a look at," the teacher exclaimed excitedly.

Removing the pin from the paper she handed it to Ivor. Holding the drawing in his hands in amazement Ivor rubbed his cheekbone. Drawn onto the paper was an oval image of burning light that's eclipsing a dark oval.

"Wow is it okay if I keep this one?" Ivor asked.

The teacher pointed at Seran.

"I'm not sure I'm the one you need to be asking Mr Hevans. But I certainly feel, Seran would appreciate it if you'd ask him instead."

Ivor lends over upholding the picture towards Seran. Using his pointing finger he emphasized the eclipse.

"You make my drawings look like squashed bananas compared to yours," Ivor said.

Ivor chuckled proudly. "Can your old man have this photo, son?"

Mhm…

Seran replied briefly.

"I promise to pick you up. This time things are different son. You drew a masterpiece by the way champ I'm proud of you."

One side of Seran's mouth quirked up as he couldn't help but smile at the praise his father gave him. Ivor places his hand over Seran's head.

You really mean it? Seran said, stuttering saccadically his eyes went upward to meet his father's gaze.

"I bet my spirit on this one," Ivor assured.

The twinkle in Ivor's piercing blue eyes painted images of the sea in Seran's head. Filled with hope Seran darted to the rug to join the other children in excitement.

"Well, Mr.Heavens I've got class to attend to. I'll make sure Seran gets a nice nap this afternoon."The teacher implied as she redirected her focus walking towards the children.

"Alright, kids Time for the word of the day!" Seran's teacher stated.

The children cheerfully clapped their hands. Ivor folded the picture into four square pieces placing the photo into his black jeans pockets Ivor took a long pause to watch his son serendipitously before mumbling to himself as he left.

"I'll do my best to son," Ivor uttered to himself.