TREES \\ Dreamnotfound.

one.

"Alright, class dismissed. Make good decisions, have a good weekend, don't do anything that could get you arrested." Ms. Maller smiled, closing her book with a loud clap. The bell rung seconds after. Students shuffled throughout the class, voices and laughter filled the class as people rushed out of the small room, some saying goodbye to Ms. Maller, most leaving without words. Clay's head rested in the crook of his elbow, tears coated his cheeks and hoodie sleeve. Ms. Maller walked towards Clay's desk, rubbing his shoulder with a gentle hand.

"Clay, are you okay, hun?" her voice hummed through Clay's ears, his head lifting up just a bit before he realised tears soaked his cheeks. He pressed the neck of his hoodie to his eyes, wiping the tears away from his face.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm okay. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep." Clay starred forward, not making eye contact with his teacher. He couldn't bare to let her see him cry even though she has many, many times before.

Ms. Maller took her hand off of Clay's shoulder, "It's okay, hun, what happened?" she pulled herself up onto a desk, Clay turned his head towards her, watching her eyes flutter around the classroom. She was younger than most teachers, and most of the students loved her for that exact reason. Not because she was easier to get with in bed, but because she understood the students more. That's why Clay loved her, she never got upset with him when he would fall asleep or have to step out of class.

"I think I had a panic attack and just, I don't know, fell asleep. I don't know really." Clay sighed, watching Ms. Maller hop down off the desk and make her way to her table, grabbing some papers.

"Can you come her for a second?" Ms. Maller sorted through the papers, setting some down on her desk and others on a student's desk infront of her's. Clay stood, wiping his face with his hoodie once again, making sure that no tears were left on his face. He seemed to do that a lot. He stood next to his teacher. He towered over her, not because Clay was considered 'tall', Ms. Maller was just extremely short for being a 26 year old women. She finished sorting the papers and handed the ones on her desk to Clay.

"What's this?"

"You don't have to do this, okay? I just think it would be good for you. They're therapists. Some women, some men, some people who specialise in teenagers, some who specialise in eating disorders. It's just a stack of therapists for you to go through incase you want one. I think it would be good."

Clay felt tears welling up in his eyes, "Thank you, Ms. Maller. I really appreciate it." the teacher nodded as Clay engulfed her in a hug, "Thank you."

"Of course, Clay. Anytime." Clay let go of his teacher, shoving the papers in his backpack. He swung the black, falling apart bag on his shoulder and forced a smile.

"I'm gunna get going, goodbye, I'll see you Monday." the blond walked towards the open door, waving to Ms. Maller as he slowly walked away. He appreciated Ms. Maller. She's done a lot for Clay the short time he's been getting to know her.

Clay's smile quickly faded as he walked away from his safe space, knowing his "safe space" isn't very safe if people are starting to realise things to the point his fucking teacher gave him therapist notes. It was a sweet gesture and Ms. Maller meant well, but it shows Clay is weak. That he's failing at hiding the attacks and crying. It makes him weak, or atleast that's what he tells himself.

"Clay!" a sweet voice came from behind the boy, quick footsteps followed the voice. Clay turned, facing a shorter brunet boy who was walking towards him, his face contorted into a beautiful, white smile. 

"Hey, George." Clay forced a smile, George stopping his stride three feet away from the taller. George and Clay used to be great friends. They talked everyday, played minecraft, all of the things friends in highschool would do. But since the beggining of Clay's junior year they stopped talking. At first it hurt Clay but after a bit he got used to the occasional smiles and waves from his old friend, not speaking a word but acknowledging his existence.

George studdied Clay, his smile slowly fading, "Do you need a hug?" the brunet's arms extended just a bit. Clay nodded, falling into the arms of his old friend, George's arms draped ontop of Clay's shoulders, pressing his face into the crook of Clay's neck. 

The blond burried his face in the brunet's hair, taking in the smell of strawberry that always stayed near George at all times. This was nice. He missed this. Clay wrapped his arms around George's waist, holding back tears as he took in more of the sweet strawberry scent. 

"Is there anything I can do for you? We haven't talked much this year but I still care about you." George said, his hand running through Clay's hair, the dirty blond curls wrapped around his fingers as he played with the locks.

"Can we talk more? Please?" Clay mumbled, turning his head to the side so his voice would be heard.

"Of course, man, I've missed you." Clay let go of the shorter man, stepping back to look at George. He looked the same as he did last year, but his hair was styled better and he had black piercings in his ear. He looked good. George was always pretty, but now... wow. 

"I've missed you too." Clay smiled, adjusting his backpack just a bit, "Do you have practice tonight?" 

"Ah, yeah I do. Do you wanna stay and watch?" George and Clay used to play volleyball as kids. Clay never really got attached to it, and never ended up playing on at actual team, but George did. When he started playing in middle school he always said Clay was the reason he's playing the game he loves.

Maybe if Clay didn't steal the volleyball from the swimming pool things would be different, maybe they wouldn't have became friends, maybe George would be playing football or playing an instrument. But no, George now plays volleyball and they are now friends, and Clay wouldn't have it any other way.

"Can I? Is that against the rules in anyway?" 

"No, Casey always has his girlfriend in the gym while we practice. C'mon, I'm going to be late!" George grabbed Clay's hand, leading him to the gymnasium. "I have to go get ready, find a place in the bleachers."

Clay nodded, watching the shorter man run into the boy's locker room. He sighed, turning towards the big, black bleachers. He slowly stepped up the stairs, finding a stop in the top left corner. He set his bag on the ground infront of him and watched the boys on the court as they hit the ball back and fourth, over the net. Clay never understood volleyball, all he knew was hit ball and block, but it was a fun game to watch.

The blond dug in his backpack, picking out his phone. The old IPhone eight was shattered and he needed a replacement, but he hadn't had the time or money to actually get a new phone and set it up.

The time was 3:12, he needed to get home but he also felt safe with George, safe at this school, safe anywhere that wasn't home. He opened his mother's text DMs, typing out a message. He read it over many times before hitting send.

'hey mom, im staying after school to get my bio grade up. ill be home around 5, is that ok?' 

Clay got surprisingly good at lying over the years. He knew Mr. Vest was putting in grades tonight so his grade would go up, his lie would be accurate and his mother wouldn't get suspicious. Or he hoped his grade would go up, even in the slightest. He turned in alot of his missing assignments yesterday, hopefully he didn't bomb any of those assignments.

The door to the locker room opened, and out came George, a boy Clay recongized as Casey, and a few other boys. They were laughing and pushing eachother out onto the court. George looked.. amazing. His hair was pushed back by one of the black, squiggily headbands, showing his amazing cheek bones and jawline. His earrings were taped, he probably recently got them in. He wore black sweatpants and a blue, baggy T-Shirt.

George was really, really attractive.

What? No. No. What was Clay thinking? No, George is not. No.

George's eyes wandered around the gym, a smile grew on his face once he saw Clay in the stands. He waved a kind hand to Clay before getting pulled into a group by Casey. 

Clay's phone dinged, he read a message from his mother.

'Okay hun, come straight home after. Thank you for caring about you grade.' 

The blond smiled, setting his phone on the bleachers next to him. That was easier than he'd thought it would be.