Dear Starboy Fan rewrite (neighborhood AU)

Page 8

His hair was completely messed up, thrown every which way instead of slicked up and back, slightly matted and knotted at the top of head, with his hair color, it looked like a bird's nest. Like someone had beaten up his scalp in frustration, grabbed or balled up to undo any sort of combing that had been done previously.

His clothes were entirely creased and wrinkled, He was holding his jacket and his tie was loosely hanging over his broad shoulder, jeans scratched chalky white up the sides and the shirt was prompt coming undone from the top buttons being broken.

Sweat patterned his face, his cheeks were blazing red like he had been in the sun for days, and beads of bodily water rolled in drops down his neck.

Tord dreamily gazed upon at him, The first thought popping into his mind was just how the modern male model looked with the whole messy disheveled appearance. His second thought was nothing but worry. It looked as if someone had bullied him. If someone hit his Tom...

Quickly pushing past the fantasies and throwing his daydreams to the side, he plucked up a cherry from the bag on the floor, ran to the window and threw.

Perhaps it was much harder than anticipated, because he made Tom jump out of his skin, but in a split second, he was back to a depressed look. He lazily looked at where his companion was, but just shook his head. He seemed overwhelmingly down, and the faintest trace of fear rimmed his mouth.

Tord lightly pushed open his own window.

"Kittyboy?" Tord called calmly. Tom waved him off.

"Not now. I'm not in the mood right now, Tord."

Tom remained quiet as he paced throughout his room, he tore off his tie and kicked his shoes off into the wall, throwing his fists around before flopping onto the bed and screeching as loud as he could into the pillow.

Tord patiently sighed and sat himself down.

On the one day his outfit was perfect, Pretty neighbor is having a bad day.

He wore a pink sweater with yellow stars, with a matching flower crown, and soft teal shorts and yellow striped cat high socks that matched the stars. He nibbled little by little on a dark cherry, peering at the black skin on the fruit, mentally trying to tune Tom out for his privacy. But curiosity and worry took hold of him.

"Er.. Tom..?"

"No. Tord, I told you already I'm not in the mood for anything. Leave me alone."

"Just checking in I promise, Why are you home?"

Tom got up. "What?"

"School ends later. Much much later. I'm sure of it, I know it's different in Norwat\y, But it's only sensible."

Tom simmered slightly. Tord knew he was right, but was he really ready to ask those questions? To find out what Tom is going through, What he's experiencing? Was Tord ready to be his personal problem solver?

The urge to trust him was strong to Tom. He didn't seem the type to ever harm someone. He trusted him.

"Tom, Why are you home?"

Tom inhaled a deep breath before crossing the room and coming to the edge of the outside. His hands took hold of the window sill so roughly and aggressively that the wood began to splinter under the pressure and his knuckles turned white, while Tord did nothing but sit there with a warm smile.

He trusted him.

"I had an anxiety attack because of those shitty exams. During my math one, on top of it. That crap is impossible. I know it. I just do."

Tord sat silently as he ranted. His smile dimmed as he breathed
"Why is it so important to you, though? It's just those stupid quadratic formula questions, why should I be so upset over this?" Tom's voice grew louder before he became quiet again. "It's nothing important. Just my nerves fucking me over yet again."

Tord felt his face and stomach drop throughout Tom's words. Anxiety attacks. He had a couple before and they were petrifying. It came as a shock to starboy that the boy he viewed as stoic and collected, did in fact have anxiety.

"Are you home alone now, Tom?"

"..Yeah."

"Would you like to come over to my place to stay for a bit? You know, to calm down a little...?" There was hesitation in his voice, though meaning as well.

"Thanks but no thanks. I'm very unstable right now, I don't wanna talk to anybody for a while."

"Mhm. I understand. Then... Do you want a cherry?"

Tom nodded slowly as Tord came as close as he could before muttering a "catch" and tossing the fruit.

Tom caught it with two shaky hands and started to gently nibble at the sleek red skin.

"Anxiety, huh?"

"Don't get all smug."

"I'm not, don't worry. I only just had an idea for our first voyage."

"I told you already, I'm not going on any fucking illegal voyages with you."

Tord paused before adjusting his pink rose crown. Tom was still shocked at how it didn't attract any bugs yet.

"What if I told you it was legal."

"Doesn't matter."

"Safe?"

"Nope."

"Away from all humanity?" Tord bargained, looking for any sign of approval, and to his fortune, Tom had a little glint in his eye as he raised his head just a slight.

"...Maybe."

Tord beamed and clapped his hands joyously. Like a little kid who was just given a stuffie.

"Great! Meet me back at the window at nine o'clock."

"I'm sorry, do you mean nine... at night?"

"Yes! Just trust me. Wear something pretty for me."

"I will literally wear a trash bag with holes for my limbs."

"Please don't."

"I'm just teasing, stars."

The two boys shook on it and turned to continue personal tasks, Tord happily skipping down the stairs to tell his tutor about his new plan.