Gravity

One

-Akaashi’s pov-

Akaashi never understood how some people were the human form of sunlight. How they could brighten up a room and just talk. Talk to their friends or even complete strangers, like there wasn't a huge difference between the two. He never understood how these people didn't fear speaking, they didn't fear being rejected in a conversation. He really didn't get it.

Akaashi didn't think of himself to be a sad or anxious person, he just thought about the world differently.

The few people that enjoyed his company on a regular basis, always told him that he was a depressing person to be around sometimes. Even his mother constantly told him to 'lighten up' and 'smile more'. But he always either cared too much or not enough about other people .

He didn't know why he was like this. Or why he just kept feeling worse, like he wasn't himself anymore, like he was a stranger in his body and mind.

---

He let his mind wander, and soon his head was empty. He wasn't paying attention, he wasn't even fully aware of where he was. He felt like he was watching the world through someone else's eyes. This has been happening more and more often. The feeling of being absent from your own thoughts and actions. It made Akaashi scared... Not that he'd ever admit that to anyone.

"Keiji, are you feeling ok?" His mother asked him. He snapped out of what felt like a trance. He had completely spaced out and forgot that he was supposed to be listening to his mother. Her work just had a huge meeting and she might be getting a promotion.

"Yes, I'm ok, sorry for not paying attention, please continue." He always tried to be a polite person. And he felt bad whenever he didn't give people his full attention. Even when he received nothing back from them, he tried to be empathetic.

"As I was saying, since they want to move me to a different branch of the company, we're going to be moving this weekend." She set down the papers she was working on, and looked at Akaashi for his reaction.

He knew that he was supposed to care, that moving was a big deal. Especially since he had lived in the same house for his whole life. But he honestly had no feelings, good or bad, towards this announcement.

"Where are we moving to?" He didn't raise his voice over the almost whisper he always spoke in. Teachers and other adults always complimented him on how soft spoken and polite he was. But in reality he just didn't have the mental strength to do anything more than what he was expected to do. If they wanted him to be quiet, he was.

"We're going to be moving to a different part of Tokyo. I'm enrolling you at the highschool that's closest to my work. I believe it's called Fukurōdani Gakuen." She had leaned forward in her seat, interested in how her son would reacting to the sudden change.

"Sounds exciting, this seems like an amazing opportunity for you, I'm happy for you." The way he said it so casually, like he was talking about the weather, concerned Akaashi's mother.

"You aren't mad or upset about this at all?"

"Not at all, why would I be?" He really didn't mind moving. It's not like he had friends to leave behind. And if anything the idea of a fresh start was intoxicating to Akaashi. No one would know him, and he could put on an act. Maybe he could make people like him this time around.

"Well, it's just..." She hesitated to finish her sentence. Her and her son weren't at odds with each other, but there was a gap between them. Her work kept her busy, and sadly kept her absent from her child's life more than she'd like. And Akaashi kept to himself so much, that they barely spoke to each other any more, even when she was home.