Drowning (DreamNotFound)

[2]

As he exhaled, smoke filled the room. Loud voices, blasting music, and bright lights were almost comforting to him. Dream started going to college parties, even though he wasn't in college. He was twenty-one, so he blended in. Plus, nobody at the parties even paid attention to who was there. Ever since he and his mom stopped communicating, these parties became an every-night thing.

Dream sat on the couch, looking at all the guests. Some were making out, some were drinking, some were smoking, but none of them were sober. Dream twisted his gaze to the kitchen and began walking toward the alcohol, downing some in one quick movement. George. His mind couldn't get off of him. It was annoying. All he wanted to do was chill at the party but his mind wouldn't let him.

As he walked back to the couch trying to get rid of his thoughts, a short blonde girl began to grab his wrist. "Hey," she looked up into Dream's eyes. "Let's go upstairs," she winked. Dream nodded, normally he wouldn't do this but he was drunk, high, and desperate to get away from his thoughts. The girl dragged him into an unoccupied bedroom.

She stepped over to the tall boy, pushing him onto the bed. He wasn't even aware of what was happening. His mind wouldn't let him focus on anything other than his brunette best friend. As the girl began kissing Dream's neck, he began remembering where he was and what he was doing. "I- I can't do this." 

He ran out of the room and out of the house, sprinting down the sidewalk until he reached his house. As soon as he entered his home, he sobbed. Why? He didn't know. There was no reason to cry. Suck it up. He kept repeating those words in his head. His mom had told him those words before, more than once actually. Every time that he was upset his mother would scream at him, saying that boys shouldn't cry. 

Whatever. He needed to suck it up. He needed to be strong like his mom had told him. He wiped his tears from his face, walking to his room in despair. He sighed before turning off his lamp and letting sleep overtake him. 

-

George had just arrived at the airport when he received a text from Sapnap telling him where to meet. George walked over to the location, immediately focusing his attention on a familiar-looking brown-haired male that was approximately his height. "Sapnap?" Sapnap turned to face the British voice behind him. "George!" The pair ran into a hug, pulling away seconds later. "It's so good to see you in person," George cheered. Sapnap's smile faded when he realized why they were here. "Um, we should get going. The Uber is here."

What George would normally think to be beautiful streets, had turned into the opposite. The palm trees that they passed on the road were no longer mesmerizing like he'd thought they'd be. All he could think about was Dream.

-

Dream sat up from his bed, glancing around his room. He hadn't cleaned it in weeks. Dishes were piled on his furniture, clothes were strung out all over the floor, and crumbs were everywhere. He never had the motivation to take care of himself or his surroundings. He just let everything go, he let himself go. It didn't matter. It's not like anyone was gonna see it but him, or so he thought.

The ringing of the doorbell made his skin crawl. Who could be at his house? He brushed it off thinking that it was just the mailman, but that thought quickly dissipated when the doorbell rang yet again. He groaned as he crept out of bed, walking to his door and opening it with one swift motion. His eyes widened as he looked at the pair in front of him. "W-what the hell are you guys doing here?" George looked at the tall blonde in a hoodie then down at the ground, regretting his decision to come to Flordia. "Well, um- you- we- uh-" Sapnap interrupted George. "Maybe because you blocked us on everything, and we were worried about you."

"Y-you shouldn't be here," Dream pointed a finger at the two before slamming the door in their faces. George flinched as the door shut inches away from his face. "Oh hell nah," Sapnap erupted. "George, bobby pin," he said as he held his hand out. George removed the bobby pin from his hair and placed it in his hand, knowing what his friend was about to do. Sapnap picked the lock and stormed through the door. "Dream, get the fuck over here." Dream turned to face his friends, who had pretty much just broken in.

"What the hell is wrong with you guys?"

"What's wrong with us? No. What is wrong with you? Me and George have been worried sick about you. You can't just fucking disappear."

"Why the fuck does it matter? It's not like you care."

"Are you serious? Dream, if we didn't care why would we fly all the way to Flordia to check on you? Why are you being so ignorant?"

Those words took Dream back in time. His angry stare was replaced by an emotionless look that glazed over his face. His friends attempted to talk to him but all he could think about was those words. "Why are you being so ignorant?" Those were the words his mom had used when she disowned him.

-

"Clay, what the hell is this text?"

"What are you talking about, mom?"

"I'm guessing that fag, George, sent me this."

Dream's eyes widened at the words she used to describe his best friend. George was gay. He had come out to Dream and Sapnap the year before. That didn't change their friendship, though, why would it?

"Mom, what the hell? Don't say that-"

"What? Is this text true?"

"What text? I don't know what you're talking about."

"George is your boyfriend? No! You are not going to hang around him anymore!"

"You can't do anything about who I hang out with. I'm twenty-one years old. I don't need you."

"Clay! I am your mother! Why are you being so ignorant?"

-

That's when he and his mom's relationship stopped. That's when he walked out of her house and never talked to her again. Dream's heart began to pound, the air thickened around him, his body dropped to the ground. The voices that said his name was drowned out by his thoughts. His friends panicked. They weren't sure what to do. George lifted Dream's head, softening his voice. The blonde attempted to focus his attention on the brunette's words. "Do you want some water?" The blonde nodded shakily. "Sapnap, water." He rushed to the kitchen, returning seconds later with a glass of ice water.

Sapnap handed the water to George, who was biting his nails anxiously. "Dream, I'm going to give you a glass of water. Okay?" The blonde nodded, grabbing the water. The ice clinked against the cup as a result of Dream's shaky hands. As the dirty blonde finished the water, his breath began to slow. "Okay, come with me," George said as he helped Dream up. "Sapnap, find his room."

Sapnap began searching from room to room until he stumbled across the messy bedroom. "Here." George quickly walked with Dream to his room, laying him on the bed. As the brunette began to walk out of the room, an arm stopped him from doing so. "S-stay. Please." George smiled and nodded, throwing himself down on the bed. Dream slumped over to George, snuggling his face into the smaller male's chest as he drifted off to sleep.

-

When Dream woke up he didn't remember what had happened until he saw George cleaning up his room. He rubbed his eyes as he sat up into a sitting position. "George, you don't have to clean up my room," he said sternly. "I want to. You've obviously been struggling and I want to help." The blonde scoffed at those words. He absolutely hated when people tried to fix his problems. He wanted to be seen as strong and independent. "Dream, I know you hate me helping you. Please, just let me help." The blonde slumped back down on the bed, sighing in defeat. "Fine."

George walked over to his best friend's bed. "Dream," the brunette sighed. "I noticed something when you had a panic attack. I didn't want to bring it up to Sapnap. I figured you wouldn't want anyone else to know." George paused as he saw Dream's expression change. "Dream, your arm." He knew. For two months Dream tried to hide it from his friends. It was almost relieving that he wouldn't have to hide anymore. Dream's world came tumbling down, and so did his tears. He sobbed into the brunette's chest, holding onto him as if his life depended on it.

"I'm sorry, George. I'm sorry." He kept repeating those words over and over. "Dream, you have nothing to be sorry for. I'm sorry that I didn't notice sooner. I'm here for you, always. Remember that. Please."

A/N: This chapter was a bit longer than what I normally write. Nevertheless, I hoped you enjoyed it!