Writing as a Profession

Sean had been raised in a broken home. His mother had disappeared when he was three, after her husband Hojo had found her cheating on him with another man. In fact this other man was Sean’s real father, but Hojo had no idea that Sean wasn’t his. Either way, Hojo wasn’t the best father. When he wasn’t at work, he was at home, drunk. As Sean grew, abuse was a common thing for him to experience. Hojo saw only Sean’s mother when he looked at Sean, and took out his anger on his son. Sean’s only comfort during this period was his friend, Xeha Mera. They were friends from a young age, going to school together. He helped her through many times, and she him. He moved out as soon as he could. It was when he left for college. It was around this time that he changed his name in an effort to hide from his father. He got his degree in English and eventually became the Creative writing Teacher at Colton.

[xeha-mehra-blog]

Xeha allowed herself to be held close. Seph needed the physical reassurance. “I’m sure. We’ve gotten you out before. We can do it again if we have to. You won’t go back to the way it was before. I won’t let it.”

[writeasilv]

A knock sounded at the door before Seph had a chance to respond. He tensed up immediately, glancing towards the door. Who could it be? He didn’t want to move to get it... “Xeha...” He whispered softly. Three louder knocks sounded at the door, more forceful. Seph looked from his friend and back to the door, unsure what to do.

[xeha-mehra-blog]

“Terres and I will be okay. She’s in her dorm with the door locked. Hojo doesn’t know who she is or where she is. I will be here with you. I can defend myself. He can’t hurt me.” She said to try and reassure him before pulling him into a hug. “We’ll make it through this.”

[writeasilv]

Her arms around him quieted him. He hugged back in an automatic action not really thinking about it. Seph stood there, holding Xeha close to himself. “Are you sure? Sure we’ll make it through this? I can’t go back to how it was before. I can’t.”

[xeha-mehra-blog]

“All right.” Xeha replied and hurried into the room. She closed and locked the door behind her just for good measure. “How are you holding up, Seph?” She asked though she had a good feeling about how he was doing. They both had hoped this day would never come. “I won’t let him hurt you.”

[writeasilv]

“I’m.. I don’t know how i’m am. My chest hurts and I’m worried for you and Terres and--” He continued rambling at her, his thoughts trying to rush out one after the other. His glasses had been left on his desk, forgotten in his worry. 

[xeha-mehra-blog]

[Text: Partner in Crime]

I’m in my room, but I’m on my way. Lock your door and wait for me. I’ll be there in a few minutes. I won’t let him hurt you again. [Text]

Xeha grabbed her keys and wallet before quickly leaving the room. Hojo would never lay a finger on Sephiroth or Terres if she had any say in it. She had always been a protective friend and parent, and now she was even more so given the situation. She kept an eye out as she walked between the dorms and the building Seph’s classroom was in. The last thing she wanted to do was lead Hojo there. She didn’t see him, so that was good. Once inside the building she knocked on Seph’s door. “It’s Xeha. Let me in.”

[writeasilv]

Sephiroth had ended up pacing the room while he waited, nervous and hoping that his father wouldn’t show his face here. He had jumped when he heard the knock on the door, but calmed down slightly when he heard the familiar voice. He hurried to the door, opening it. 

“Hurry in, before you’re seen.” It was a hurried whisper, a product of anxiety and fear. 

[causeofignition]

[Text: Mom & Dad]

I’m in my dorm with the door locked. I don’t have classes today, so I’m not going anywhere. When I have to go out I’ll take Stan with me.

[text]

She pulled her blinds closed and made sure she couldn’t be seen from outside.

[xeha-mehra-blog]

[Text: Terres & Partner in Crime]

This MF. How dare he lay a hand on you and call me a harlot. Contact security and call Stan over even if you’re not going to go outside. I don’t want you there alone.[text]

She glared at her phone. Oh how she wanted to wring the man’s neck.

[Text: Partner in Crime]

I’m free now. Where are you? Your dorm or classroom? [text]

[writeasilv]

Message: Sister -- Classroom. Class starts in an hour. Where are you?--

He shared the same sentiments as Xeha, but part of him was still the scared boy that his father had beaten. All he could do for now was lock the door and wait for Xeha to come.

[causeofignition]

Terres made it to her dorm and quickly shut and locked the door behind herself. Whoever that guy was he was up to no good. She quickly sent the picture and a message to her mother and Sephiroth.

[text: Mom & Seph]

This super gross guy grabbed my arm and said that he was looking for Seph. I lied to him and told him I didn’t know you. He’s up to no good, so I wouldn’t leave your room. Be careful. Also to mom, he called you a harlot.

[text]

[writeasilv]

Sephiroth had been preparing for his next class to start when his phone went off. Green eyes glanced at the text, his heart sinking. There really only was one person that could have been. 

Message: Smol Bean and Sister -- Stay away from him. Tell security if you have to. stay around people at all times.--

He thought for a moment before sending a private message to Xeha.

Message: Sister -- Meet me when you can. I don’t feel safe alone atm --

[writeasilv]

Happy Father's Day, Seph. I know you're not my biological father, but you're there closest thing I have. So yeah.

He hadn’t expected this to be honest. It was a huge surprise. Seph smiled though, glad that he could play such an important role in her life-- and as were the case had been a better father than his own had been to him.

“Thank you Terres. You’ve been a wonderful daughter.”

[jerseyskeeper-deactivated201612]

@writeasilv

/Much thanks Professor!/ The tablet chirps in its usual voice, a slight British accent woven into the sound. 

/I like to draw. If I am drawing in class it does not mean I am not hearing you./It takes her mere seconds to type on the keypad, only briefly glancing up to him before immediately looking to her things. 

[writeasilv]

Sephiroth gave her a nod. “That is perfectly acceptable.” It wasn’t like he was strict by any means. He understood that not everyone learned the same way and some just needed to keep their hands busy while listening. “If you need anything else feel free to ask.”

[xeha-mehra-blog]

You Know What You Did || Writeasilv

[xeha-mehra-blog]

“That smarts, Sephiroth, Perhaps I’m not trying to make it easy for you to find my paper in the sea of student work. Yours is a creative writing class after all.” She said with a slight smirk. “It shouldn’t surprise you that you end up with all sorts of things.”

[writeasilv]

He chuckled softly.  “You would be surprised with how many students take this course thinking it will be an easy A. ...Not to mention the number of students that try to flirt with me, thinking it will increase their grade, let alone that it’s against school policy.”

[xeha-mehra-blog]

You Know What You Did || Writeasilv

[xeha-mehra-blog]

“I know you would. I’ll think about it for your Christmas present.” Xeha replied and smirked. “Of course I have something in mind for your most recent assignment, but I can’t tell you what it is, of course. You’ll just have to wait and see.” This was just going to be their usual endless cycle of joke assignments.

[writeasilv]

“You would be surprised with some of the things my students turn in, it’s hard to catch yours amongst everything else.”  A joke of course, a bit of friendly teasing. “Perhaps you should improve your writing.”

[xeha-mehra-blog]

You Know What You Did || Writeasilv

[xeha-mehra-blog]

The smile on the other professor’s face said it all, and Xeha rolled her eyes. “Yes, an in depth look into the lives of the avengers clan.” She took a seat in front of his desk. “I should hold onto these and publish them for you as a book, or something.”

[writeasilv]

“Then I would cherish that book as a sign of our friendship.” Sephiroth chuckled, turning to her. “I assume you have something planned for the assignment I have coming up?” This was usual for them. They would submit joke assignments to each other when they knew the other had assigned a thing.

[xeha-mehra-blog]

You Know What You Did || Writeasilv

@writeasilv

Xeha flopped the fake essay on Sephiroth’s desk and stared at him. He knew exactly what he did, and he was probably expecting this. “Care to tell me about this? I know it’s not one of my students’. I recognize your writing even like this.”

[writeasilv]

A smile was already on Seph’s lips as he looked up at her. It was all he could do not to chuckle as he picked up the paper and looked it over. “It seems to be an essay about Thor and his clan of Avengers during the English Paleolithic era,” He said looking her in the eyes, trying to be as serious as possible.  He always did something along these lines when he knew she had an essay for her students due. 

[writeasilv]

/Excuse me, Professor? My name is Namine Bisset, and I'm a new student in your class. The office told me to give you this/ The female AI in her tablet, her little text to speak feature officiated by the school, spoke what she would not, presenting the florescent paper to the silver-haired man detailing all of the things that her education plan possessed.

It was quite the curiosity. He had never had a student before speak to him through a machine. But he was not one to judge. He had his own issues and understood better than anyone that when someone has an accommodation it is usually for a very good reason. He took the paper from the girl, green eyes looking it over through his glasses. “Thank you for delivering this to me Ms. Bisset. if anything crops up during class that you need that isn’t listed here, I will gladly help you.”