Homesick (Zeb)

[Connor Anderson]

The days Connor had spent away from his family prior to being recruited to Hammel could have been counted on one hand. Every day on the farm had been spent working with the horses, cleaning stalls and tack, and being with his family. Hammel was just so... alien. Even though he’d been there for almost six months, he still hadn’t fully settled into a routine. It was so ingrained for him to get up for chores around 5:00 am, it wasn’t uncommon for him to wake up that early, only to curl back up when he remembered that there were no stalls to muck and no horses to exercise. He didn’t hate Hammel or anything. He just... missed home.

That was what had brought him to Zeb’s dorm tonight. He’d finished all his homework, and had started sketching on the back of an assignment a doodle of a running horse before he decided to seek out company. Zeb had made it clear when Connor had first met him that his door was always open for any reason.

Hopefully, homesickness counted as a reason.

Cuddled in one of his track shirts and his pajama pants, he padded down the stairs to the first floor and hesitated outside Zeb’s door for a moment before knocking. He didn’t really want to disturb him, but he did say he was there if any of them needed him.

[Zebadiah Hayes]

Zeb always made a point of letting new students know of his open door policy. And really it was a 24 hour a day offer since Zeb was awake most of the time anyway. Although he usually hinted that perhaps the morning hours weren't the best time to stop by, even then Zeb was always willing to shove aside his own needs for a student or even a co-worker. 

Zeb wasn't even close to thinking about heading to bed, even though it was getting a little late in the night. He had been sitting on his couch, reading though a new poetry book he'd gotten for Christmas, when he heard the knock on his door.

"It's open," he called out, folding over the corner of the page and putting it down. "Come on in." He pulled himself to a sitting position waiting to see who would be walking in. 

[Connor Anderson]

Connor shifted slightly outside the door as he waited for Zeb to respond. He was a little nervous, mostly because he hadn't had a lot of contact with the dorm monitors. He hadn't had to. He followed the rules, he kept things as tidy as he could, and he hadn't really had any huge pangs of homesickness. At least, not until now.

But Zeb had seemed sort of like a big brother type, and that was one of the things he was missing the most. Curtis had always been there for him, ever since he was little. Now he was miles and miles away from his brother, and only got small glimpses of him on race days (when the races were televised, at least), or over Skype.

The invitation made him jump slightly, but he twisted the knob all the same and sidled in, carefully closing the door behind him. "Um, hi Zeb." Hopefully he remembered him. "I just... um..." He blushed a little. This was so lame, but he couldn't help it. "You said we could come for anything, right? 'Cause..." How to phrase this? "... I'm just feeling kinda homesick, I guess." He could think what he wanted about that.

[Zebadiah Hayes]

"Hey Mr....Anderson, right?" Zeb said. Although he knew most of the students by face at least, there were some whose names he hadn't quite gotten down yet. And usually that was a good thing. Meaning that said student was not a trouble maker. Of course Zeb also knew students who were good, but just needed a friend from time to time. But he hadn't really had the chance to talk to Connor, other than the day when the boy had moved in.

As for the last name thing, well Zeb made it a point to call every student that unless they asked him not to. Although he always told them he could call him Zeb. He felt like it was a respectful thing to do for the kids here.

"For anything," Zeb assured the boy, giving him a smile. And immediately his heart went out to Connor, even before he had found the words to say why'd he had stopped by. How could he not when the boy looked so lost and timid.

"Nothing to be ashamed of," Zeb said. Even though he had started Hammel with his sister, Zeb had felt his fair share of homesickness when he'd first arrived. It was a hard thing for most students to leave their homes and families to start a new life here at Hammel. Added to that was the fact that their world felt turned upside down often because of their newly acquired meta status.

"Have a seat," Zeb said, gesturing to both the living room area as well as the kitchen, since it was basically the same room. He had a couch and a chair along with a kitchen table with a few seats. "You want some coffee?"

[Connor Anderson]

Connor blinked at the address before managing a smile, shy smile and a nod. “Yeah. Um. Connor’s fine.” He was used to hearing Mr. Anderson addressed to his father, or, on occasion, his brother. He was still way too young for that. At least Zeb recognized him, and not in the way he’d seen some of the older students recognized. It was always easy to tell which ones were trouble when the dorm monitors were around.

The healer’s shoulders dropped slightly in relief when Zeb confirmed both that he was allowed in for anything, and that being homesick wasn’t a bad thing. At the invite, he padded across the apartment and assessed the area before sliding himself onto the couch. The dorm monitors had nice places, he decided. Then again, he wasn’t sure when he’d been expecting. Dorms like the rest of them? No way. They had to live here, right? ... Well, so did the students but that was sort of temporary.

“No thank you,” he replied to the coffee offer. Curtis had let him try it once back home. It had almost instantly been spat into the sink while his older brother had laughed himself stupid. Coffee was one of those things that he didn’t think he’d ever like. “I’m sorry if I’m interrupting anything. I didn’t really know what else to do.” Given the time, his family was probably out doing any last feedings and barn checks before heading in themselves to prepare for another early morning. His mom probably would have answered her cell and made time for him, but he didn’t want to interrupt the daily routine of the farm. Hopefully, he’d just feel better after talking to Zeb.

[Zebadiah Hayes]

Zeb returned the smile. "Okay, Connor it is," he said. Zeb tried his best to keep himself up to date on all of the new students. It was a daunting task sometimes keeping all the names, abilities, and so forth straight in his head. But Zeb has always expected a lot from himself.

Zeb continued to smile as he watched the boy physically relax a bit. He understood having how hard it was to seek out help, especially from an adult you didn't know all that well. Having been in the same position when he was a student here, Zeb hoped that he put the students at ease.

Although his apartment wasn't exactly every man's dream, Zeb loved it because it came along with the job that he loved. And yes it was a bit better than what the students were given, but not by too much.

"I have soda and milk, if you'd like something else," Zeb said as he poured his own coffee. He wouldn't push a beverage on the boy, but he didn't want to seem rude to be having his coffee while Connor just sat there.

"No interruption at all, I was just reading," Zeb said, sitting back down in a chair near the couch. Although it was late, Zeb hadn't planned on head to bed anytime soon. Besides that, the students always came first for him.

"How are you adjusting to Hammel? Getting along with your roommates?"

[Connor Anderson]

Connor had no idea how Zeb and the other dorm monitors managed to keep everyone straight. He could barely keep his roommates straight in his first few weeks, and that was only three people to remember. With students coming and coming all the time, he didn’t think he could ever do what Zeb did.

Then again, he was always on top of which horses were coming and going at home. It was... kind of the same thing.

At least Connor didn’t adhere to the tough guy act so typical of boys his age. He could be a bona fide mama’s boy at times, and though it was a little embarrassing, at least he’d sought out Zeb’s help and company when he wasn’t feeling all that good. It was better that burying it and letting it burn, right?

“Oh. Um. Milk, please.” Soda before bed was never a good idea when you were used to getting up early. Every bit of sleep you could manage was critical.

He watched Zeb, wondering how many students came to him like this when they were homesick. Hopefully at least a few. At least he was nice about it, instead of shooing him off.

“My roommates are fine. It’s more... well, it’s kind of weird. Or stupid. But it’s so different here. At home I’m up and doing barn chores until the bus comes for school, and as soon as I’m back there’s more stuff to do in the barn. I don’t really know what to do with myself here.” He picked at a crease in his pajama pants. “I found a place to volunteer at that has horses, but it’s not really the same. And I miss my family.” Even his brother, who liked to do things like noogie him, or drop wood shavings down his back. “Does it ever get better?”

[Zebadiah Hayes]

Zeb, on the other hand, did deal with the "tough guy" act. Though it was less about impressing his peers and more about not feeling like he was inconveniencing anyone with his issues. And that act took more effort than keeping all of the students straight at Hammel, but he held it to the same height of importance.

"Milk it is then," Zeb said, pouring the young man a glass. He glanced around the inside of his fridge to see if he had anything else to offer the boy, but it was looking a bit sparse in there. He mad a mental note to go grocery shopping soon, if only to have some snacks for the kids that stopped by.

"That doesn't sound stupid to me. Or even weird," Zeb said, setting the glass of milk down by Connor and finding a seat for himself. "A lot of students find it hard to adjust to a different routine." He was glad at least that Connor was at least making an effort to feel more at home at Hammel by looking for a place to volunteer. "It does get better. I promise." He gave the boy a warm smile, hoping Connor would believe him.

"So tell me about this horse place?" he asked, hoping that by talking about the things Connor did like around Pilot Ridge would cheer him up.

[Connor Anderson]

Connor usually left the tough guy act to his brother. Curtis was good at it, especially when he had to deal with things like falling from speeding Thoroughbreds, or losing an important race. The worst Connor had had to deal with at home had been getting his foot stepped on by a horse, or getting bitten. Here, homesickness seemed to be the worst he had to deal with. Especially given that his power more or less kept him from being hurt for long.

As the milk was placed near him, Connor offered up a somewhat shy smile. "Thank you," he said softly as he wrapped his fingers around the glass. There was something almost comforting about this, and it was making him feel better. It helped that Zeb was really nice. "It's really different. I'm not used to so much free time." At least he had started to fill it by visiting the gym, as well as working at Montadale. "I bet most of us are happy to be away from our parents and chores and stuff, but... I miss it." When you lived your whole life like that, it was hard to suddenly switch.

He took a sip of milk before smiling at the question. "It's a farm that does carriage rentals. I help look after the horses." After a moment of quiet debate, he glanced down shyly. "She boards horses too. I'm... um... thinking about asking my parents if they can send my horse to live there for a while. Until I graduate." He couldn't see himself wanting to stay much longer than that. If he was accepted to college, he'd want to attend school closer to him. As nice as Vermont was, he missed Kentucky.

[Zebadiah Hayes]

Zeb smiled at Connor holding onto his milk. There was something so sweet, innocent, and comforting about seeing a young boy enjoy a glass of milk. Sort of like Norman Rockwell paintings with kids in them. All they needed now was some warm cookies in the oven.

He nodded along as Connor continued to explain the problem. “There are some kids who really enjoy getting away from home,” he agreed. “Still even those miss home from time to time usually.” Zeb had found it easier when he was a student since his sister had been alongside him, but even he had missed his parents. And his house. And his town.

“Have you thought about signing up for some of the clubs or sports around school?” If Connor was looking for things to do, there were plenty of things he could sign up for to keep busy. Of course not a lot of clubs meet first thing in the morning.

“That sounds right up your alley,” Zeb said smiling. He wanted to tell Connor that he was sure his parents would send up his horse, but he didn’t want to get the kids hopes up. Still he really hoped his parents would allow it. Having a piece of home around for Connor would help a lot. “Does the farm allow visitors? I’d love it if you could show me around sometime.” Not only would that give Connor something to do, but it would probably make him feel good to show off something he was good at.

[Connor Anderson]

Connor smiled and nodded back. “I think my older brother would be okay with it. He’s an apprentice jockey and rides most of our horses in races, but sometimes he gets job offers to ride for other stables and travel to other tracks. He keeps telling me he wants to do it, but our parents need him.” Of course, they paid Curtis when he jockeyed for them, but it was easier to use him than hire someone else. Besides, he knew the horses inside and out.

He tilted his head slightly in thought. “Mn, not really. I wasn’t sure if I’d be good at any.” Though he was definitely athletic, his only real exposure to most sports had come in the form of mandatory gym classes. “But it’s okay. I spend time at the gym, and most of the students there are pretty nice.” Except for the odd senior that wanted to be territorial. Most of them were actually pretty helpful if you asked for help.

Yes, the farm was a near godsend for the boy that loved the big animals. Zeb’s question made him nod enthusiastically. “Yeah, you can totally visit! Miss Morg – uh... Lahja – she owns it – has lots of horses there. And a pony she rescued. He’s really cute.” If he had nothing else to do, he’d take a brush out and track down the little guy to give him a good grooming. “I can ask Lahja next time I work if it’s okay, but I don’t think she’d mind. She gets lots of visitors.” Plus it meant he could show off the fact that he’d made friends with the feisty Psyren.

[Zebadiah Hayes]

Zeb smiled as Connor spoke of his brother. It was obvious the boy loved his brother. And that was something he could understand. There wasn’t anything that Zeb wouldn’t do for his own sister. And he couldn’t imagine having been at Hammel without her.

“I’m glad you’re enjoying the gym. I hope you know you can always come to me if any students there give you any trouble,” Zeb said, smiling but hoping the boy knew his offer was serious. Although he knew he couldn’t stop every kid from being mean to each other, he hoped that when it went to far his students knew to get help. After all no one messed with his kids at Hammel, not even his other kids.

Again Zeb couldn’t help but grin at the boy’s obvious enjoyment of the farm. It was great to watch Connor’s eyes light up when he talked about the horses there. “Well you’ll have to let me know when I can come see what you do there.”

Zeb leaned back in his chair a bit, finishing off his cup of coffee. “So Connor, is there anything I can do to help you feel more at home here?” He knew it was a hard question to answer. And also one hard to hear late at night when everything seemed dark, inside and out. But if there was something he could do for Connor he needed to know. “You know my door is always open, right?”

[Connor Anderson]

Connor loved all of his family. He was one of those boys that didn't really 'get' when other kids complained about their families. Yes, he sometimes butted heads with Curtis, or they pranked one another and get in trouble over it if one of them took it a step too far. But overall, he loved his family and he wouldn't trade them for anyone else. Which was part of the reason he was a little lost at Hammel. He'd never even been away at summer camp before, so being away from his family for any period of time was hard.

"I know," he promised. "But most of them are really nice. Sometimes the seniors can be a little mean, but if they're in there I just find something else to do." By now he knew a few of them by face alone, and he knew what times they tended to lounge in the gym, one upping one another. "I just don't want to go home and not be able to ride as well as I did when I left." His skills would probably still be a little rusty, but hopefully if Sona came to Vermont, that would change.

The idea of showing Zeb the farm really did excite him. He loved working with the horses, and he took pride in his work, looking after them and the stable just like he did at home. "Yeah! You can meet Maestro and Psyren and Wiley and everyone!" The Friesians were still his aboslute favorite team, between Psyren's feisty but regal nature and Wiley's bombproof temperament.

Connor sipped at his milk as Zeb asked his question, thinking hard about it. Really, nothing would make things more at home beyond him being home. "I... don't know. The farm helps, but..." He shrugged helplessly. "I don't know. I just miss my brother and my parents." What Zeb could do for that, he had no idea.

[Zebadiah Hayes]

Zeb was a man who loved his family. Although he was closest to his sister, he cared for his parents as well. Still although he didn’t understand some of the students’ family complaints on a personal level, he did understand that not every kid had the gift of loving, caring parents. Or the maturity to see that.

Zeb had to grin at the boy describing the farm and listing the horses’ names. Apparently Connor had made quite a few friends of the equine variety. He only hoped the same held true with friends of his own species.

Zeb nodded along. It was a familiar story. Though that didn’t make it any easier to feel for oneself. Nor did it mean there was some quick fix he could hand out to the homesick students at Hammel, even though he wished there was.

“So,” Zeb continued. “Are you making any friends at Hammel? I know they could ever replace your family but it helps to not feel so lonely. Trust me.”

Of course Zeb had found it hard to make friends as a student, but Connor didn’t carry the same reputation he had.

[Connor Anderson]

Connor didn't need to have come to Hammel to hear complaints about parents. It seemed to be a common theme at school, no matter where that school was, though it was definitely more vocalized at Hammel. Likely because so many of the kids were away from home and away from parental supervision for the first time. Apparently there were two ways to deal with it. Either they could miss them, like Connor did, or they could complain.

He would also be the first to admit that although he liked people well enough, he was also more comfortable making friends with horses. It was more natural to him, and sometimes easier. Horses didn’t talk back, or bully, or say one thing and mean another. Their body language was easier to read.

That being said, he did have some human friends.

“Umm... a few, yeah.” Like the twins, even if they were a little too interested in his power at times. “I’m friends with Jake and John Bishop.” Their antics were probably better left unsaid for the time being. Then again, apparently the twins had a bit of a reputation around the school for being daredevils. ... Maaaybe Zeb didn’t know about that, being that the twins didn’t live in the dorms. “And Charlotte Greene.” They were sort of friends, and... sort of dating? He hadn’t figured that one out quite yet. They had time, though. “Did you have lots of friends when you were a student here? Did you stay in the dorms too, or could you stay at home like Jake and John do?” Hey, he was curious.