Barcode Boy

After Hours V: Aaron Reed

He was crying again. By now, I should've been used to it, but the sound never stopped hurting me. Despite the boy's face being buried in his pillow, his cries still managed to echo throughout our dorm. I sat on the other side of the room, quietly watching the blond sob in his sleep.

In all honesty, it had been a while since Carter had a breakdown like this. He was never joyfully bouncing off the walls, though I hadn't been awoken by his sobs in a good minute. I glanced at my phone with an exhale.

It was only ten at night.

I tied my afro into a fluffball, walked over to the blond, and sat on the edge of his bed. It started becoming way harder not to cry with him when shit like this happened.

I combed my fingers through his golden curls, rubbing his head. The boy shuffled a little a bit, rolling onto his back, his watery eyes beginning to open slightly.

He sniffled. "Oh god, I did it again, didn't I?"

I hesitated and then nodded, watching as the boy covered his face with his hands, still crying.

"Was it about your friend again?" I asked softly, brushing his hands away and wiping his face.

Carter sat up, and I wrapped my arms around him.

"Y-Yeah. I'm sorry Aaron."

I pulled away, his teal eyes avoiding my gaze. "Hey, it's alright. I just want you to be okay."

The blond took a few deep breaths as I rubbed his shoulders. I hated when stuff like this happened, but at the same time, I began to enjoy holding him so close to me whenever it happened. I was never much of a touchy person, and he didn't give me that sort of vibe either, but it started feeling nice.

I was a bit disgusted with myself, but it was getting harder to ignore.

Carter leaned back into me, and we sat in silence for a little bit as he calmed down. I tensed up as he dug his face into my neck, even though I suppose that's another thing I should be used to by now.

"Hey, do you want me to go to the 7-11 and maybe get you some snacks or tea or something?"

He finally let go and glanced at me.

"A-Ah, no you don't have to do that."

I adjusted my glasses. "You sure? It's no skin off my bones."

I watched as his ears and shoulders turned red, as his face was already flushed from crying.

"You should come with me—some fresh air would probably do you good."

He leaned against the wall. "I-I'm not really dressed for that. I'm fine," he mumbled, pulling his knees to his chest."

The kid was right, but it wouldn't take much effort to throw on a hoodie over his tank top and change out of his shorts.

I grabbed his hand, and he flinched. "Please?"

Just as the blond was about to open his mouth, there was a knock at the door. When I stood up, he sighed and laid back down on his bed, scrunched in a ball. After pulling the handle, I was met by two other guys that I recognized from my English class.

The redhead chuckled. "Hey Aaron, I'm surprised you're not asleep."

I shrugged. "I mean, I kind of was. What do you want?"

The boys smirked, and then the other one spoke.

"You see, Jordan's throwing a party at eleven and—"

"I'm not interested," I interrupted with a scowl.

Sian rolled his eyes. "Jesus Christ, at least let us finish."