The bustling noise of the cafeteria can be heard down the hall, dishes clattering and voices booming. It's almost shocking that the noise doesn't take its own form of life, blanketing the once quiet room in an auditory atmosphere that dares to flood out into the less booming halls.
It's intimidating for people like Sam, causing them to either risk it and try to be the first in to get food and then get out or dare to sit at a table alone, or- like Sam, bring food from home, hoping to god there won't be a day packed lunch is forgotten to be left to either starve or step into the room that fills the body with much anxiety.
However, none of these reasons are for Sam's cause. He's stood infront of the closed cafeteria doors, it's rare that they're closed and Sam is grateful that they are, it gives him more time to prepare what he's about to be faced with.
If he thought it was loud before, he was wrong- it seems to get louder upon opening the door. He slips his slim frame through the door and he gently shuts it behind him, eyes wide in fear as he sees the busy area, kids stood in line or sat, stood up as they make the trek to their seat. Sam almost regrets his decision, confidence shriveling as his eyes search panicked around the packed area.
He takes a hesitant step forward, eyes still searching the area, he's almost glad that it is so loud, knowing everyone is doing their own things makes him believe no one notices he's in here, not that anyone would realize but it still eases his heart.
The door behind him slams shut making him jolt in fear, spinning around to see what's going on soon to find Devyn entering, Corey by her side "oh! Sammy! What are you doing here? Did you forget your lunch?" she frowns sympathetically and Sam let's out a breath, a small relieved smile making way upon seeing his friend.
"Wanna come get lunch with us?" She smiles welcoming as Corey tugs her hand in need of food and Sam shakes his head "hm, okay then," her brows pinch together confused "well- feel free to join us at our table! It's just right over there, okay?" Sam follows her finger, eyes finding the already full looking table, heart increasing when finding Colby- the whole reason why he dared step foot in this awful place.
"O-okay.. thank you" he murmurs, offering her a small wave when she begins to walk away hearing her words to her boyfriend of hoping he'd join them.
His exhale is heavy, bones trembling as he takes another step into the boisterous cafeteria of the school. Taking step after step in caution, eyes locked on the wanted destination as his mind racks of things to say, honestly, he has no plan, he just got a sudden urge to finally make things right.
Pearly whites are on full display as Colby laughs, dimples popping out prominently as he nods his head at whatever it is his friends talk about, sharing a laugh with the jokes being thrown, sharing his own words out there as well, making the best out of his time with all his friends before they're separated again.
Sam comes to a halt, heart beat increasing as he's now stood right behind Colby, hand lingering, ready to nudge him in some way for his attention. Suddenly, the conversations die out and he panics, he feels the judging eyes on him and he tries to ignore it as he tugs at Colbys hoodie sleeve.
The brunette turns his head, eyes meeting Sam's and he pushes down the bliss that dares to fill his body, he doesn't want to jump to any conclusions. For all he knows he could be here to ask where Devyn is.
"I- erm-" his voice strains to speak over the noise, trying to find something to say. He's not sure if he should apologize or straight up tell him he'd like to be friends- this scares him thinking that maybe he's already moved on.
"Hi." He lets out, cheeks pink in embarrassment as he avoids eye contact.
To Colbys friends, they think he should be mad or something of the sorts. Think Sam's absurd for approaching after weeks just to offer a simple hi as if nothing's wrong. However, Colby understands what it means. He offers Sam a smile and turns his head back to his friends "I'll catch you guys later" he dismisses himself.
The walk to the blossom tree is silent, it's not until they finally sit down does Colby speak up "how've you been?" Sam cringes, he didn't want it to turn out to be small talk again, he wanted the topic to start head on, but, he goes with it, he doesn't know what to say anyways.
"Okay" he whispers, speaking up again before Colby got to say something else "how about you?" The brunettes lips stretch into a smile "fine" he bites the inside of his cheek "I'm sorry" he rushes, tears pricking his eyes causing them to burn with discomfort.
Colby frowns, scooting closer to him "what happened?" He murmurs, he wants to know why he's suddenly changed his mind, to know why he couldn't trust him before.
"I- I didn't know what to do" he whispers, voice timid "I wanted to... But, I just- couldn't.. but the second it washed off my arm I regretted it. I-" he stops, he doesn't know what possesses him to show full vulnerability as tears begin to leak hot down his cheeks but it happens and quite frankly, he hates it.
Colby watches with sad eyes, watching as he lets out a quiet sob almost as if he's trying to hide the fact he's crying as he brings his hands to his face, wiping his tears away with the back of his hands "I'm- I'm really sorry-" he croaks, the sob getting its way up his throat causing his body to double over, face feeling tense and sore as he tries to hold his emotions back.
The brunette reaches over, planting a gentle hand on his knee, gently thumbing it "I understand, Sam" he murmurs and he watches as Sam shakes his head, but he doesn't say anything. He doesn't understand, Sam wants to tell him, because why can he understand if he himself doesn't?
"Your overwhelmed. Your all worked up, Sam, you need to calm down. What happened sucks, yes, but it doesn't matter now. If I'm honest I think I was going to give in soon and try to talk to you again, I believed that something went wrong, that maybe you were just too scared at the thought of commiting to a friendship knowing your going to have to build trust and understand it's okay to open up. But it's okay, your feelings are valid and I'm always here to listen to whatever you need to say, okay? What I said before still stands, if you need time to get used to holding conversations with me and it goes back to me just talking that's fine, as long as you come around soon enough it's not going to bother me at all."
The blonde nods, breath stuttered as he takes in a deep breath "I'm here Sam, I promise. I'm not giving up on you" he mumbles as he tugs the other into his arms, hugging him tight to comfort him.
"Not again."
—
I know I said I wasn't going to write anymore but apart if me feels wrong leaving an unfinished book up.
Im open to finishing this if there's a good handful of you that are interesting just lmk please :)
Otherwise I think I'm just going to take this down.
I'm happy to do whatever !
<3
YOU ARE READING
Quiet Boy in a Noisy World
Fanfiction" It's easy for Sam to become his own worst enemy and he often finds himself thinking and expecting the worst because it seems to be the easiest thing to believe in when he isn't true to himself. He only realizes when he becomes aware of how he fuck...
