Chapter 5
Hop pops day was going better than he expected. Anne seemed to be doing great with her introduction to the school, Sprig and Polly haven't made a mess by his guess as headmaster Wu hasn't called him. He was doing great. Amazing even.
Anne had a particularly hard time being reintroduced to society after the, incident. So Hop pop was relived that she was able to take this step. Even if that ment lying to his own daughter he cared so deeply about.
For the past three years Anne had been hiding in isolation, which led the old man to be greatly worried about her. Once he expressed his concerns to his daughter, Oum, she immediately snapped, telling him to back off and keep his nose out of Anne's business.
Oum was a stubborn woman. She did what she wanted even if no one approved and she wasn't easily pushed over. But Oum was also a strong woman. Being able to admit when she was wrong. It was one of the many things she got from her father.
Even though she didn't like the thought of Anne leaving the farm that didn't stop Hop pop from teaching her a lesson. Which ment sending Anne to school without Oum's permission. Undoubtedly risking his ass getting handed to him when Oum finds out.
Thankfully he had a man on the inside to by him a little time. Bee, his son-in-law, a.k.a the only reason how Anne was able to go to school. That also ment when Oum finds out he'll be sleeping on the couch for frog knows how long.
With that Hop pop was currently in the greenhouse. Growing a dangerous tomato plant to show his students how viscous plants could be. He just hoped that this one wouldn't go rogue and try to eat his grandkids like the last one from his previous attempt. It was going surprisingly well.
Chuckling to himself he shook his head, "this may just be the best day I've had all school year." The moment the last word left his mouth a shiver ran down his spine. Oh how he should have knocked on the wooden desk Loggle made for him.
The door to the greenhouse was immediately flung open, the glass door itself shattering upon impact to the wall. The presents of the person responsible for the damage making themselves well known. Hop pop didn't have to turn his head to catch sight of which student would be published for their actions. He already knew who the person was. But he did anyways.
There, his granddaughter stood in front of the now empty door way. Her eyes glowing a bone chilling blue, pink and raw from crying. Her hand bleeding from the shattered glass imbedded into the skin her palm.
He really should have kept his thoughts to himself.
Taking a deep breath he stepped away from the tomato plant only getting a few steps closer to Anne before she growled. Stopping he looked at her. "Anne. It just me, Hop pop, right? There ain't nothin that need fighting."
Anne just stared at him, her fists bawling into her palms. At least Hop pop knew she could him hear him. She was just choosing not to. Slowly he took a single step forward before Anne growled again, her fists tightening.
Thankfully Hop pop was familiar with these 'episodes'. He and the rest of the family had been dealing with them for the past three years. There were four steps to make sure Anne didn't kill anyone.
One, make sure Anne was by family. Check. Two, make sure Anne can see you. Also check. Three, make sure Anne can hear you or track your movement. Double check. And four, calm her the fuck down. The box is currently empty for that one.
Still staring at Anne, Hop pop spoke once again. "Follow my breathing Anne." He instructed. "In", he took a very obvious and loud inhale, moving his arms with him as he took in the breath of air. "Out", he did a obnoxious exhale once again moving his arms with him.
There were a few ways to calm Anne down. Wrestling, running or holding her down while praying, all of which would tire her out after some time. And all of which Hop pop physically cannot do. Last time he attempt it his tail bone and dignity heavily suffered. He looked like a penguin for some time.
He repeated the process " in", taking a breath, "out", letting go of the breath. Anne's breathing was still uneven, breathing short amounts of air rapidly like she was running.
"In", he once again took in a breath, "out" he said realising the breath. He kept repeating cycle till he could see Anne's chest attempt to match his. "In", she inhaled in with him, "out", she exhaled with him. The two continued to mirror each others breathing till Anne's blue eyes dimmed. Then eventually, faded.
Anne took in a now shaky breath before releasing a sob. Quickly she barreled to Hop pop catching him in a bone crushing him. How he wasn't dead? He himself couldn't give you an answer. Hop pop didn't speak, he just hugged Anne back letting her cry into his shoulder.
Seeing his granddaughter in this state always chipped at his heart. She once told him whenever her blue flames would flare up her emotions felt much more overwhelming. A once small emotion could easily topple her, unable to control her body if she gave in.
That blue power of hers is the soul reason Hop pop was so desperate to send her to Saint James Academy. He couldn't find any record of the ability she held, he just hoped headmaster Wu had. And if not, at the very least, the school could try and help her keep her emotions under control.
But so far, both if his wishes had been a bust.