Countdown

Chapter Two: Seiichi

I stared in horror at the scene playing out in front of my eyes. What happened. How can a girl her age die just like that?

Everyone stood staring at her limp body for a while, before the nurse and some paramedics rushed in and ushered everyone out.

I turned back to grab Sho, but he was gone. I mentally cursed. I should have kept an eye on him.

I have a suspicion that Sho has countdown anxiety. He doesn't act normal. Like most others, he doesn't ignore his clock. He's constantly staring at it, not paying any attention to anything else around him.

To be honest, it's scary seeing him like that. Some of the cases of countdown anxiety you see on the news scare the crap out of me. I don't want my best friend to end up like one of those. But it seems to be getting worse by the day.

Another thing is that he's a stubborn fool and refuses to get help, let alone believe that he has it, so he hasn't been properly diagnosed. The fact that he lives alone also concerns me, so most days I stay the night.

I rushed through the cafeteria doors and sprinted through the hallway. I know exactly where he is, the one safe space in the school where he can let out his emotions and no one else will see. I shoved the fire escape doors open and ran across the school field. At the bottom, I saw Sho, his head buried in his curled up legs.

'How does he get down here so quick?' I thought to myself as I gasped for air. I walked the rest of the way and sat down slowly next to him. He had already calmed down quite a lot, but he would let out a small sob or sniff now and again.

we sat there for a while, and in the distance, I could hear the bell ringing for the next period, however, I wouldn't be surprised if our year got sent home after seeing a student die. Finally, Sho lifted his head, wet streaks lining his face, his eyes red and puffy.

"How are you feeling? Ready to go back yet?" I asked softly. He shook his head but continued to stare at me. I could tell he wanted something. He has a habit of staring at people instead of asking them.

"What's up?"

We locked eyes for a second before he turned his body towards me. I turned slightly to face him, but before I could finish he wrapped his arms around me, burying his face in my chest. I was taken aback at first, but eventually, I returned it, stroking his hair slowly.

We stayed in that position for a while before he suddenly stood up, his hand reaching behind his neck and his face turned away from me.

"I guess we should get back," he exclaimed, his voice still a little wobbly. As he turned to walk towards the school, I could have sworn I saw the slightest bit of blush, but shook away that feeling as I followed him.