This is indeed happening now, and Barnaby is not enjoying it. Smiling in a situation like this seems odd. They at least don’t look like they’re about to do anything particularly sadistic like they did when they ran into him last month, but Barnaby is still keeping his distance. He doesn’t even want to accidentally brush his arm against theirs, lest the touch just bring out that control he’s been trying to forget about again.

He looks away from them finally, just to keep himself steady. Fingers twitch and flex at his sides, but he ignores that, focuses on breathing. He’s not going to break down in front of another child.

Eventually, he does speak up again. “I apologize for acting unusual. As it’s probably obvious, I wasn’t in control of myself.”

He tries not to sound bitter or accusatory, tries to keep his voice level. He should be good at this. He knows how to keep emotions under wraps, doesn’t he?