Just a Story of Me

Hey everyone. I appreciate that you guys still stayed after I didn’t update for a while now.

I promise I’ll continue it soon!

In the meanwhile, you can watch this Gangnam style parody music video. :)

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO (BECAUSE I COULDN’T EMBED IT)

GANGNAM STYLE IN NEW YORK~!

May include: Times Square, empty subway trains, raptors, pikachu and public humiliation.

Thanks ever so much for following me!

I was having another nice talk with Professor M today. He’s always able to see things in the greater perspective.

I was telling him about the trouble with my parents at home. I didn’t go into any details because it seemed a little inappropriate to do so. And I was a little worried what he might think of father’s… career. But I told him about how my parents were hardly home anymore. They’re always working. I suppose this might have sounded a little whiny.

But thankfully, Professor M didn’t seem annoyed. It felt like he understood what I was going through. We talked about it for a while, going into greater themes. In the end, I realized that I shouldn’t be too dependent on them. True, I cannot be absolutely independent until I reach the legal age, but I can start. I’m no longer a small child. And I’ve always been good at being independent. I can take care of myself.

And by ridding myself of that perceived dependency for my parents, now I feel better. Whether they’re at home or outside, it wouldn’t matter to me. I don’t have to worry myself over when they’ll come back, because it’ll be the same either way. 

I won’t have to feel so… down anymore.

My parents haven’t mentioned it again since the last time. Perhaps they just forgot about it. They’re both awfully focused on whatever case they’re working on now.

Speaking of the case, I have never seen them so occupied. And they have never been in a worse mood. I don’t understand it. I only wish they would tell me what was going on. I absolutely hate not knowing.

After classes ended today, I decided to help Professor M with some work he needed done. When I went to his office, it turned out there was much less to do than I expected. But I still stayed for a few good hours, chatting with him.

I checked my phone when I went outside, and found 24 messages from both my parents. Numerous missed calls too. I had forgotten to tell them I was staying a little late today. I should have called.

I called Dad back, knowing he would be more understanding. Despite what I expected, his reaction was harsh. And very uncalled for. I didn’t know what his problem was. It wasn’t like I ditched school again. I was helping out a professor, for god’s sake. It was a great reason to stay after school.

I hung up while he was still speaking. I regretted it the moment I did, but the deed was done. I just walked slowly home, dreading every step. 

Right now, it’s almost 1 am here. I woke up to the sound of my parents leaving around 11:30. Rushing off somewhere for their case again. Why is it that they get to leave me without a single notice but I need to inform them about my every single move? 

It’s like I’m just a huge bother to them. Something they’ve been forced upon. Well, you know what? If they don’t need me, I don’t need them either.

Around noon today, I heard my parents running about, getting ready for a trip outside. I walked out to the lounge, to see what was going on.

Lestrade was by the doorway, with a woman I didn’t recognize hanging behind him. As Father was putting on his coat, he was talking.

“…wouldn’t be surprised if he was involved, after all…” He paused mid-sentence when he saw that I was there. “Hamish, you’ll be staying with Mrs. Hudson for the weekend again.”

I didn’t argue. Whatever it was, it seemed important. But that didn’t make going to Mrs. Hudson’s place any more comforting. It was so boring there.

“Can I just stay here, alone?” I spoke out hopefully. 

There was a resounding “No” from both my parents.

I sighed and started gathering stuff that could entertain me for the next two days. When I was done, Lestrade introduced me to the woman behind him.

“Hamish, I want you to meet Ms. Sally Anderson. She’ll be driving you to Mrs. Hudson’s house.” 

“Nice to meet you, Ms. Anderson,” I greeted her, but she didn’t look too happy to be stuck with this job. As I’ve assumed, it wasn’t a very pleasant ride.

Now I’m on Mrs. Hudson’s computer, trying to figure out what my parents might be doing. Father was talking about a specific person that could be involved in their current case… So somebody from a past case, then. But there is not enough data for me to deduce exactly what he was talking about. It could be any number of people. Perhaps Mr. Ralegh, whose wife that Father put in prison. Or maybe the son of the recently deceased Josh Stawk. 

I’m still searching. But I know it won’t amount to anything. It beats playing Monopoly with Mrs. Hudson, though. 

Instead of eating lunch in Professor M’s office today, we decided to take a walk outside. My school campus is actually quite nice. Big yard, lots of trees and all that stuff.

We were talking about the necessity of religion when he pointed out a baby bird on the grass. It hasn’t even opened its eyes yet. I went to take a closer look.

“It must have fallen from its nest.” I wondered out aloud and looked up. I spotted a nest on a tree not too far away. “Most likely during the storm yesterday.”

“What a shame,” Professor M crouched besides me.

The bird was trembling. I should have thought twice before I picked up the bird, but I don’t know what came over me. It was dying. I had to save it. I couldn’t just let it die.

“I need to save it,” I explained myself to Professor M as I ran back into the school. 

Now that I think about it, it was stupid. What prompted me to save it?

And I didn’t know a thing about birds. All I could do was pull out tissues and try to keep it warm. I didn’t know what was wrong with it. Professor M let me have the bird in his office, and I simply gazed helplessly at the bird.

Sooner or later, it stopped shivering. It didn’t move again.

It got me thinking about death. I think this is the first time I’ve ever witnessed it. I didn’t know how terrible it was. But at the same time, it was nothing. Life was nothing. I slowly covered the small bird completely in tissues. Should I bury it?

“Are you upset?” I had forgotten Professor M was there. 

“Yes.” I answered honestly.

“Why?”

I mulled over the question for a few long minutes. Why be upset over an insignificant death? It was just a bird. If I had found the bird dead to begin with, would I be as upset? No. I wouldn’t be. 

“No. No, I shouldn’t be upset.” I changed my answer. “It was just a bird, after all. Things die all the time.”

“Like we always talk about, Hamish. You shouldn’t let things get to you. Why opt to be unhappy?”

“I know. I’m… I’m not upset.” I threw the mass of tissues into the dustbin. I felt better. Like I’ve forgotten something I didn’t have to know. A load off my shoulders.

The bell rang, signifying the end of lunch. 

“Have a nice weekend, professor.” I stood up to leave.

“You too, Hamish.” On my way out I caught a glimpse of a smile on his face. I felt like I’ve just passed some sort of test. I couldn’t help but feel proud.

I was having a great day until Father told me I might be transferring out of my current school.

I came home and my parents told me that they had to talk to me. It’s the same thing every time I switch schools. The gist of it is that people don’t like me and I should try going to another school to see if they would like me more.

When this happened before, I was always glad to hear it. Mostly, it was because there was a few weeks or even months to wait before they found a suitable school for me with an available seat. And there was the part that I didn’t have to ever face the idiots at the school again.

But this time, I spoke up. “But I don’t want to transfer.”

Dad paused in the middle of his sentence. “You.. don’t?”

“No. I like this school.” It didn’t sound too convincing.

Father sighed. “Hamish, if those boys are threatening you, you shoul—” 

“They’re not.” I frowned. “It’s just that… I made a friend.” This wasn’t true. Not really. My parents exchanged disbelieving looks. Is it that hard to believe that I made a friend?

Anyways, they kept on trying to ask me about this ‘friend’. That’s how the rest of the conversation went. I’m still not sure what they’ll decide to do. I really want to stay in this school. Not for some friend though. I think it would be rude to call him that. ‘Mentor’ works a little better.

Yesterday and today, I visited Professor M in his office. He always looks very happy when I go during lunch. I really enjoy our conversations. It’s… enlightening. He’s a brilliant man. Sometimes he reminds me of Father, a little. Maybe that’s why I feel relaxed around him.

I really don’t want to transfer. I’ve never found anyone as interesting as Professor M. And Collins actually transferred out yesterday, so nobody should bother me anymore.

I wonder what Professor and I will talk about tomorrow?