Azrael is siting at his desk when I walk into class the next day. He's wearing a black hoodie similar to the one he had on yesterday. He looks up at me as I take my seat next to his.
"Are you okay?" I ask him not expecting a response.
"No." He replies quietly, his voice soft and calm.
"I'm sorry." I say.
"It's okay, it's not your fault." He puts his head down on his desk.
The teacher walks in and asks how everyone is today. Azrael stands up, grabs his backpack and walks out of class.
I raise my hand and ask for a bathroom pass. I run out of the classroom and follow him quietly. He runs into the bathroom and I walk up to the door and put my ear up to it.
I hear him coughing hard and getting sick. I can hear his sniffles and I assume he's crying. What is causing him to be so upset? The toilet flushes and I turn to walk back to class. The door opens before I get a chance to walk away.
"What are you doing?" He asks me as he walks out. "You weren't eavesdropping were you?" His voice sounds tense and afraid.
"I - uh, yeah I was." I reply. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
"I'm far from okay." He replies his voice tense. "I don't need you to follow me around and check on me. I can handle my problems by myself."
"Don't. Please don't hide it from me. I can see it in the way you look at me."
"The way I look at you?" He frowns in confusion.
"The pain, I see it in your eyes. I hear it in your voice. Let me help you please." I step closer to him.
"I - I don't understand. I - I have to go." He tried to walk past me and I grab his arm gently.
"Tell me how I can help, please. Anything and I'll do it."
"You can start by leaving me alone." He pulls his arm away and walks down the hallway back to class. I walk slowly back and don't bother to look at him as I take my seat.
***
Later that evening I lay in bed and wonder how someone can have so much hurt and pain that they won't accept any help. What is wrong with him? Is he okay mentally? Is it something I can help him with?
I don't care what he says, I'm not going to give up. I want this boy to trust me. I want to know why he's hiding all his problems.
YOU ARE READING
Seasons #1
General FictionAzrael Roquel is not your average teen. He's been through hell and still has not let his past go. At only twelve years old he watched his mother be tortured to death by his father. Forced to watch, it's been forever engraved into his mind. Now at a...
