A Dive Through Violent Tides

A few days have passed since I last challenged John.
Only now am I getting feedback from my editor.

    “Seriously, that John you speak of must have some issues if this is the scenario that he came up with! Can you follow up on his vision with your drawing?”
    “Of course I can, you should know this.”
    “I do! I just needed to hear you say it yourself. Sorry? What’s that? Oh- um- well, I need to go Alice! Remember your chapter deadline! Good luck!”
Just like that, she disconnected from the call. Seems like it's chaos in the office.

James looked pleasantly surprised.
    “Well then, it seems that you’ve gained a ladder leading out of your creative hole.”
    “That's one way of describing it. I don’t like to admit it, but I need John as a co-author on this project.”
However, a problem comes up with this idea. John is only interested in challenges. I have seen him turn down offers of work from other groups.

I have a feeling that John would likely reject my offer of him being a co-author simply because of the fact that it will be me hiring him and that would be above him. It’s clear that he does not want an elite to command him, and that’s what I am right now thanks to Father.
Maybe if I approach him with the stance of “we'll be equals” then he might be on board, but I have my doubts. I don’t think he’ll accept, no matter what I tell him. The only way for me to get his help would be to do it through the challenges.
It will feel like I’m using him, because I will be. There is no other way of getting his help. I’ll have to sit with this uncomfortable feeling and swallow my guilt, since this is the way he chooses to engage with us all.

    “Alice, your father is inbound.”
    “Thank you James. I’ll greet him shortly.”
It’s unfortunate that Father has scheduled a meeting now of all times, but I’ll face him as always.
As last time, I opened the door for Father and exchanged greetings. We then headed to the living room and sat across each other, just like last time.
Just like last time, I waited for Father to begin.
    “So, Alice. How go your studies in university so far?”
    “I have secured the top grade in all of my classes.”
    “As expected. I am proud of your academic achievements.”
His face did show a genuine smile, only for it to quickly disappear into an expression of seriousness. He leaned towards the table separating us.
    “However, I do have my ear to the ground. There are rumors of your involvement with John Smyth.”
    “I am indeed involved with John Smyth, yes.”
    “I would like to hear what your thoughts are on this matter.”
    “I never confirmed that John is now working under me. All of my interactions with him are under the guise of friendly competition.”
    “So you don’t own him yet.”
Own him? So he’s under the assumption that the rumors should have been correct. He paused to think while silence filled the air, only being broken by James coming in with a cup of tea. Father thanked James for his service, drank from his cup, and continued.
    “Alice, I’m about to tell you what path to follow, so listen closely.”
I simply nod.
    “Ignore John Smyth. Cease all interactions with him.”

Considering everything so far, this seems like an odd choice to make. Plus, I can’t stop interacting with him at this point in time. I need him for the continued success of my true career.
    “And why should I?”
    “A good follower does not question the orders of a leader.”
    “I am not your follower, Father. I am your daughter, so I would like an explanation for your reasoning.”
    “All I will say is that he is not to be interacted with.”
    “That tells me nothing.”
    “That’s intentional. You are to follow the orders I set out for you. Any other thoughts will stray you off your path. You cannot leave it.”
    “Yes Father.”
I had to grit my teeth as I spoke those words.
    “That’s all for today.”
And just like that, he left.

Another morning on the campus has begun.
I was expecting another barrage of voices mentioning John Smyth, but something else occurred.
Instead of people coming to ask me about my ownership of John Smyth-
    “Good afternoon, Miss Bedwyn.”
    “Ah yes, good afternoon.”
Random passersby stop me on my path with a slight look of disgust in their eyes.
    “I have a request for you, if you don’t mind hearing me out.”
    “Not at all. Please, go ahead.”
    “Can you keep your dog from barking at every passerby? Everyone is getting tired of it.”
Dog? Do they mean John?
    “I am terribly sorry, but I do not know who you are referring to. Who is this dog that you speak of?”
    “John Smyth. Is he not under your command?”
    “He is not.”
    “My apologies then. With how often the two of you are seen together, and with Brillion too, everyone is under the impression that you own him.”
    “Well, I do not.”
    “That’s okay. But please, try to discourage him from picking fights. It’s ruining the atmosphere of this establishment. Thank you.”
    “I’ll keep your request in mind. Thank you.”
Others stopped me to tell me the same thing. The same query on asking John to stop asking people out on a challenge.

I, again, ran across him on my way to another class.
    “Oh! Speak of the man. I need you for later.”
Instead of replying in that normal above it all way, he instead ignored me and continued on walking.
    “Sorry, I’ll rearrange it with you later.”
He didn’t even turn towards me to say it to my face. He basically outright ignored me. Ignored me! I could have ran for him, but I didn’t. These legs of mine did not allow movement towards the swirling storm that is John Smyth. From that one interaction alone you could sense a despair surrounding him. Something caused his foundation to crack.

Another person that bumped into me was George.
    “Good afternoon, good sir.”
    “Alice, we need to talk.”
With a sternness in his voice, he grabbed my arm and brought me to the nearest empty classroom. Onlookers shot us eyes of surprise and disgust as we passed by.

George ripped open the door to the empty room, similarly to how I would rip the door open to the abandoned classroom.
Once we were inside, he slammed it shut with a similar fierceness, and locked it for good measure. He let out a heavy sigh.
    “Finally. Some peace.”
He even leaned in on the now locked door. Unlike other doors, this one did not have a glass window installed, meaning that no one could peer into the happenings of this room.
This means that it’s just me and George in this locked room.

    “Listen, Alice, have you too been the center of attention lately?”
    “In the hallways? Most certainly.”
    “That makes two of us then.”
George stopped leaning on the door and made his way towards one of the desks nearest to the exit of the room. This room contained no windows either, with the only lighting in this room being the ambiance of the overhead projector lighting up the white wall at the top of the room.
This is a side of George that I have not seen yet. His guard is fully down, in front of me no less. The person he told to back off only a few weeks ago, he now fully trusts. Maybe because we’re going through the same troubles, thanks to the same person.

I chose to speak up first.

    “This is about the ownership of John, right?”
    “It is. Do you know what annoys me about all of this nonsense?”
He paused, despite clearly wanting to continue his rambling.
    “Go on.”
I encouraged him to continue.
    “Thank you. Last year, there was none of this ownership drama. No one even thought about wanting to own John. He was only viewed as a weirdo for wanting to be on top of his academics, so why now? Why is everyone going on about ownership only now?”
He nearly slammed his forehead into the desk he sat at.
    “Everyone keeps insisting that I own him now, that he works under me, even though I keep denying it. It’s really getting to me Alice, it really is.”
I finally decided to sit down, at the desk next to his.
    “I have a slight hunch on why it’s like this, although the news may make this a lot worse for you.”
    “I don’t care at this point. Do tell.”
He still has his head on the desk. If I tell him this, his attitude will change. This may even change our relationship.

But, well, we never had anything solid anyway, so here goes.

    “I think this is all because of my father.”
This information caused George’s head to shoot up and meet my stare.
    “Your father, you say?”
    “My only lead is that he told me to stay away from John. However, with how influential he is…”
George picked up on what I was trying to say.
    “That means he’s trying to get something done with John. Maybe he’s finally being hammered down.”
    “Maybe so. All those attempts at trying to hire him could be just a mask for them to finally stop John’s warpath on the academics of this university. You did mention that this didn't happen last year. That’s what leads me to this conclusion.”

George laughs softly, despite the grim information.

     “Of course you’d think that. You’re too smart for your own good too.”
     “What do you mean by that?”
    “Well, if you were of his social standing and with his particular background, you might be treated the same.”

George stood out of his chair and nearly put it back underneath the desk.
    “Let’s put that smartness to the test. Imagine yourself in his shoes. What would you do next?"
He asks this as if this was an easy problem to solve.
    “That’s the problem George, I can’t.”
    “You should be able to. You both came from the same status, after all.”
    “Excuse me?”

He just let on that he knows a of mine secret so casually you’d think he was my close friend. But he isn’t. This George Brillion is neither a friend nor enemy. Why would he let slip now of all times that he knows my background? One, mind you, that Father tried very hard to erase.
    “Sorry. It’s a bit of an open secret around here that you aren’t of true wealth or influence.”
    “Hey. George.”
I felt my own anger rise up again.
    “Why are you telling me this only now?”
He smugly smiled.
    “To re-contextualize your view on it all. I have no ill will towards your previous status. You’re still thinking in the adopted mindset of your rich father. To put it more bluntly, you’re still not acting like your true self. Just like John.”

…
Does he even have a point here?
I cannot tell. From the swirling nausea of all the questions asked today to the annoying headache of this whole situation, my mind feels like it’s at the processing limit.
Despite that fact, it still managed to process George’s words coming towards my ears.
    “Feel free to take this as me venting out my frustrations. I am quite pent up from the constant poking at my character. And despite our short but troubled history, I do feel comfortable enough to let loose like this.”
George went to lean on the wall beside the door, as if he did not care that he had classes to attend to. Frankly, at this moment of time, I do not care either.

Not only does this John situation put a damper on my, well, everything, but now that George let slip of that secret, I have too many things to think about.
I need time off class to get my head straight.

Just what am I even doing anymore?