Platonic Problems

Chapter 3

Chapter 3.

Tobias found himself awake on his couch rubbing his eyes. He looked around dazed and confused trying to remember the events of the day before. His dog sat soft and silent on his legs. Tobias didn't want to move him so he just layed there. It's not like he was going to get up anytime soon. Slowly easing back into sleep, his mother came downstairs.

'Tobias, why did I get a call yesterday from your teachers that you skipped almost a whole day?'
'Is everything alright?'

Tobias ignored her pretending to be asleep on the couch. He didn't want to ignore her. He just couldn't find how to acknowledge her.

'Tobias I know you're awake. Come on, you'll be late for school, I'll drive you.'

He finally got the courage to say something but maybe the wrong thing. He's never been good at talking with his mother about things due to her not being around as much. He tries though.

Tobias sat up from where he was once sleeping and looked at the dog in his lap.

'I'm still wearing the same clothes as yesterday,' he paused,

'I failed in my class, I cried all day, Violet hates me, everything is so confusing right now I don't know what is happening with me-'.

He started ranting on and on about things but keeping a careful mind on more... things he would like to keep private incase of anything.

By the time he was done speaking his mother had already left. He had been talking to himself for at least 5 minutes. Well not all by himself. Tometio was still there in his lap. That's what dogs are there for. Mental breakdowns.

For the most part, Tobias just wanted to get the school day over with, it was the day before Friday. Everyone would be too eager to pass the day and make it to friday. No one will notice him if he keeps a low profile.

Wearing the only uniform he had left in his wardrobe he put the rest of his clothes in the washing machine before leaving.He , now all dressed and clean, knew he couldn't turn back. This school was the highest of them all. You would either have to come from money or be a genius to get in. Even a day off can affect your grades, they even counted that here.

On his way to school, Tobias remembered the note that David had given him. The words at the end. What was a panic attack? Is that what he had experienced? How could the probable cause of it also help him? Another question Tobias seemed to never know the answer to.

While He was zoning out he heard someone call his name from afar. A short figure came up behind him, he was well aware of this but still jumped when thé figure took ahold of his hand.

'You are SO late. I can't believe you, the teachers sent me out to look for you during the first break. You're so dead'

At this point Tobias started losing sense. He didn't want to hear violet's voice anymore. He just wanted to rest, which seemed impossible because of how hard she was dragging him. He didn't even know where they were going.

A second later he wound up in the principal's office. No idea how he got there but well aware about what to come. He sat there for what felt like an eternity, just him and his thoughts. It can be a good thing, just you and your thoughts.
Although this wasn't one of those times. Not when your head is filled to the brim with disturbing thoughts. Negative feelings and-

'Mr Castro'

Tobias swiftly moved his gaze to the side. The vice principal signaled him to come inside the principal's room. He didn't even know he was shaking until the desk lady asked if he was okay. He hated those words, ugh.

He took a seat looking the principal in the eyes. The vice principal stood in the corner with a pen and clipboard observing the two making eye contact.
After a short pause, the principal spoke;

'Mr Castro, you skipped most of yesterday, and the day before you got your very first low grade. This surprises me'

He slowly got up from his big leather chair, taking a slow stride to the window with his hands behind his back.

'Is there something I should know about? Is there any problems that have come up?'

Tobias felt personally targeted. There were no problems. No problems at all. Nothing is wrong and nothing that he should ever know about. Nothing at all.

'No sir, I have just been off my usual game. I just feel as if something pushed me too far. I'll be fine in a few days.'

The principal slowly turned his head half way meeting the wall as if he was trying to make eye contact but wanted to stay in the same spot. There he stood about to say something. He seemed to be still thinking.

The poses he stood in each time were poses that would normally scare a student. Giving off a dominant feeling. The only feeling Tobias felt here was fear, not from this principal but from himself. If he slips up once they would think something is wrong with him.

'There is something wrong with me. But I don't know.'

He thought to himself.

Tobias must have gone inside of his head for too long for when he opened his eyes regaining his own consciousness, the vice principal had her hand on his back. He had been crying into his own hands for who knows how long.

He fucked up royally.

The principal was just staring at him. Shooting daggers from his eyes. Tobias just stayed in that position for a while until he heard someone speak;

'Why don't you go back to your class honey? I think that's enough for today. You can talk to us on Monday.'

The vice principal spoke softly. She was one of the nicest ladies Tobias has ever met. Maybe she had an easy mind. Maybe never over-thought herself.
Despite putting up with petty teenagers for years, she always was so kind.

Tobias slowly looked up from his hands and with his voice cracking said;

'Monday? It's not Friday is it?'

The principal replied with;

'No, but we think you might need some rest. Don't push yourself.'

Tobias nodded and slowly got up from where once he was sitting. As he was walking out the vice principal followed behind him. She tapped his shoulder on the way out.

'If you ever need to talk I'm always here.'

Tobias just nodded again. He didn't have the words to say anything, or the engry. Just a simple signal drained the rest out of him.