Not A Celebration For Everyone

[Corey Spencer]

{OOC Note:  Takes place the evening of July 4th, 2015}

As with nearly every event the school put on, Corey Spencer found himself lingering on the sidelines during the small, formal gathering for the traditional 4th of July fireworks display.  He wasn't going to be needed, of that he knew from the beginning.  There was no threat of injury, as the fireworks themselves weren't anywhere near the campus where the kids and other staff members had gathered.  He wasn't even supposed to be on the clock.  For all intents and purposes he was merely another of the crowd here to watch the fireworks.  The first crack of the brilliant explosion overheard, however, changed everything.

Not so old instincts tried desperately to kick in, causing the big man to visibly flinch.  He wasn't going to wait for a second eruption.  Quickly he turned on his heel and started away from the crowd, making a beeline for the Academy offices.  Old habits died hard and the feelings and impulses that came with the all too familiar sound of exploding gunpowder caused the veteran to take the steps leading up to the West wing three at a time to seek the solace of the Academy's interior.  


As the door closed behind him, muffling the sounds of the celebration outside, Corey paused and took a deep breath.  It felt no matter how far he was removed from his past it would forever linger just beneath the surface.  With a shaking hand he ran his fingers along his smooth, bald skull and slumped against the wall.  The surreal images that accompanied the explosions outside flashed in his mind.  A heavy -boom- from outside caused him to jump and push away from the wall.  Letting out a low, frustrated mumble he started forward again, heading for the nurses' office where he could hide until the din from outside faded.

Beth Young

[Beth Young]

Beth had been in her office during the celebration - or rather, the start of the fireworks. She had some last minute work to get caught up on and she didn't see the need to be outside. The school was already filled with other staff members ready to step in - and she hardly saw a need for a counselor, or social worker to be present unless called upon. Nevertheless, she stayed at the school, just in case something popped up. You never knew what these kind of things could trigger in other people.

Stepping out of her office, Beth pressed the stack of papers and folders against her chest as she fished her keys up. Reaching for the keyhole, she was startled at the sudden sound of someone mumbling. Her head immediately jerking to the side, green eyes curiously watching as one of the other staff members, the nurse, walked down the hallway. Her brows furrowed slightly, but she locked her door anyways and turned around, her back facing the door as she offered the man a polite smile.

"I thought everyone was out watching the fireworks," she said, her tone soft so she didn't startle him. "Mr. Spencer," she added with a nod.

[Corey Spencer]

Corey was already tightly wound when he'd entered the building. It wasn't an alien feeling that had washed over him, it was that he didn't need to feel that way that was the problem. He was far removed from any war or threat of violence even. It had been months since Corey had found himself with boots on ground in some third world hell hole waiting for some faceless enemy to leap from the shadows with murderous intent. Unfortunately, over a decade of service and more trips to war torn nations than he could count bred instincts that didn't easily fade.

The big man spun around at the sound of the voice. A hand, balled into a large, meaty fist, rose in defense an instant before Corey realized who had spoken. He uttered a low curse, now lifting the hand to splay across his forehead. "Geezus, I'm sorry." He said quickly, his brow furrowing as he looked to Beth, hoping like hell his sudden, aggressive reaction hadn't spooked her. "I didn't think anyone else was around." He admitted before offering a weak smile. "I guess I don't take to loud noises as well as I thought." The confession came with a bit of a frown. Corey had yet to experience a fireworks celebration since his numerous deployments. He was always down range or locked in training somewhere. "What are you doing here so late, Mrs. Young?" He asked curiously, hoping to shift the focus of any conversation they may have to the younger woman. "Shouldn't you be celebrating the holiday with your husband?"

[Beth Young]

Green eyes widened at the reaction the man issued and Beth pressed her plump lips together, remaining perfectly still as she regarded him with a mixture of shock and curiosity. "No worries," she spoke softly, a thin smile forming on her lips. She looked towards one of the windows and nodded slowly. "Well, then there's no point in forcing yourself." After all, no one said he had to be around the loud noises. It wasn't for everyone. The question was turned around towards her then and she turned to look at him again, her smile widening ever so slightly.

"Just finishing up some last minute things," she shrugged. She nodded towards the window then. "I'm not one for festivities," she said with a sheepish smile. Besides, Brad being the more childlike of the two, likely did childlike things she'd simply shy away from. She loved him for his childish tantrums, but she was also glad she didn't have to take part in all of them. She supposed that was one of the good things about working at a school filled with energetic children.

[Corey Spencer]

Corey fell silent for a moment. The tension of his knee-jerk reaction still lingering in the air. So on edge he'd nearly taken a swing at one of his co-workers who was simply checking to see if he was alright. It was, for someone who took a great deal of pride in their self-control, a harrowing and mortifying feeling. He studied Beth's features, searching for any sigh of fear or worry. He'd never even think of harming her, though it had already been noticed he may not have been in the most sound mind at the moment.

"Neither am I." He admitted with a faint nod. Beth, to all her credit, seemed to have shrugged off the near mistake with ease. He supposed it came from her position within the Academy. Having to fix a student's body was simple and straightforward compared to attempting to fix their mind. Everyone subject was drastically different and he assumed this probably wasn't the first time she'd seen someone in his state. "But it's good for the kids. And the staff." A light chuckle then escaped. "Well, some of us, anyway."