Theron blinked and then smiled.
"Hello, Teacher Fern. How have you been?"
Teacher Fern was about to answer when she suddenly remembered that she was very angry.
She pulled back on her embrace and grabbed Theron's shoulders.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, Theron?! This isn't the gentle boy I remember! Why are you suddenly going around provoking everyone?!"
Theron's head tilted slightly. "Self-preservation."
Teacher Fern had a whole speech she wanted to go in on, but the moment Theron said this, it felt like a lump had formed in her chest.
She pulled Theron into her chest, tears falling from her eyes. No longer trusting her voice to speak, she didn't say anything.
There was an odd flicker in Theron's eyes. Honestly, this was the first time Teacher Fern had ever hugged him. And quite frankly, it had already been almost a year since a person had last hugged him like this. He had almost forgotten what it felt like.
"I'm sorry. I've caused you so much trouble."
