「 INTOXICATING 」

03. messy crazy thoughts

Stan got into History in a huffed hurry. He was lucky he always brought his bag with him to the gym, if he'd had to stop at his locker, he knew it was a chance for Henry to catch up to him. He thought back on Henry for a moment as he sat down and his teacher greeted him with a hello. He wondered if he looked as lost in thought as he was. He refocused back on the Henry thoughts part of his head.

What the hell had been up with that? It wasn't like the year (if Stan had been honest, it was much longer than "a year") hadn't been filled with thoughts of Henry, of Henry acting weird around Stan, of stupid, boorish, hot, brainless, piece of shit—, Stan tensed at how intense his thoughts were becoming. He tried not to let any of the Bowers gang clog up his mind for more than a few minutes, and never tried to give them too many of his emotions.

Sure, he'd given them some of his fear, but that was different than this. This feeling wasn't something he was supposed to give anyone, less the leader of a gang of bullies who were well known for torturing the town's kids. Including, but not limited to, his own self.

"Uh, are you okay, Stan?" Stan broke from his thoughts to look at the teen sitting beside him. Stan relaxed around him, Mike Hanlon. The two had become acquainted after having to sit together in History.

Stan slowly nodded, "Yeah... Um, just a lot going on. Why?"

"Well," Mike smiled a little, "The teacher just said that we're going to do a partner project and I've asked you to be my partner about three times and you just didn't respond." Stan felt his face get warm. Had he really done that? He quickly put his head in his hands and groaned. "It's okay, really."

"No it's not that. Which, yes, I do want to be your partner. But not that part," Stan looked at Mike and gave him a tired smile, "just... My life is a confusing mess right now. Gold star for Stan Uris." He let out a nervous laugh and Mike gave him a rather worried expression. Honestly, Stan understood why Mike would look at him that way. Stan was almost always the calm and collected one amongst his friends. But when situations become too intense, he fumbled and his emotions went wild. "So what's the project on?"

"Oh, yeah, so it's basically that we pick any U.S. historical event that happened in somewhat revolutionary times. Like 1760s to 1800s-ish. Then, we have to present some form of a physical presentation along with I was trying to figure out one, and so I was looking at this book," Mike leaned in close and Stan looked over the book. Honestly, Stan hadn't been the best with physical contact, but with others he just learned to deal with it.

The pair spent the rest of class taking time to decide on their historical event. Eventually they decided on the Reynolds Pamphlet. They started to work on research, and discussed it for a bit. Mike noticed how withdrawn Stan was acting, but he decided not to press. He knew it wasn't his business and he didn't want Stan to stress about it. If he did want to talk, he would.

The bell rang and both Mike and Stan tried not to feel as sad as they were about the class being over. They honestly enjoyed the other's presence a lot, and having to leave wasn't much fun. Also, Stan remembered that Henry was still looking for him. Especially since he'd very blatantly disrespected Henry.

"Stan, wrong way," Mike, once again pulled him from his thoughts. Stan looked and hadn't realized he'd been walking away from his destination. Stan groaned and looked back at Mike. "Is everything okay?"

"No, I think Henry Bowers is going to try and kill me," Stan groaned and he noticed Mike looked worried. Stan had almost forgotten that the Bowers and Hanlons had a war that hadn't been started with Henry and Mike, but it'd certainly been pushed onto them.

Mike sighed, "Well I know what that's like. You need some help avoiding him?"

Stan quickly nodded. So Mike led Stan off to his classroom on a path he knew Henry didn't go. Stan thanked Mike profusely before going to class.