MCYT angst oneshots

"Friends"

Wilbur, Tommy
- eating disorder
- purging

I place my plate down on my usual table and swivel my head around, looking for the group of students that usually come here at the same time that I do. Sure enough, they've gathered around the big table in the middle of the room, chatting and laughing. My eyes are drawn to the boy at the end picking at his own plate. I don't know him, but everyday I look for him, just to see how he's doing. I can tell he's not well. For some reason I'm the only one. All of his friends are completely oblivious.

The boy takes a few bites before excusing himself to the bathroom. I wait a moment, then follow him quietly and stand by the sinks. Soon I hear the familiar noise of vomit hitting the toilet. It makes me shiver. I need to say something to him, but I don't know what. What would I want to hear? I would want to be left alone, most likely, but that isn't an option. He's going to kill himself. I can't let that happen. I have to say something.

The boy stumbled out of the stall. How long had I been thinking for? It doesn't matter. I need to say something now.

"Um- hey." Smooth.

"Hi? Do I know you?"

"No, I- I come here to eat a lot and I've just seen you around a lot."

"Oh- well I'm Tommy."

"Wilbur. Um... are you okay?" Stupid question, of course he's not.

"What do you mean? I'm fine."

"I heard you throw up."

"I have a sensitive stomach. Is that a crime?"

"Are you sure? You hardly ever eat anything."

"Have you been watching me eat?! Get away from me, creep!"

"No- please! I know what you're going through."

"I'm not going through anything, I just feel sick. Uni germs."

"You need help."

"I'm fine. Leave me alone."

He starts to walk away, and I panic. I can't let him leave. I spin around and grab his wrist. He yelps.

"Let go of me!"

"Please Tommy, just listen. You're starving yourself. It isn't sustainable. You're already skin and bones. You will kill yourself!"

"So what?! What if I want to die?!"

"I-"

"It isn't any of your business anyway..." He turns away as his eyes start to water.

"I just want to help you..." I let go of his wrist, but he doesn't leave.

"Why?"

"Because I know how you feel, and I know that you deserve better." He turns back towards me with tears running down his cheeks.

"You don't know that."

"Trust me, you don't deserve to suffer." Tommy wipes his cheek with his sweater, and looks up to me. I wrap my arms around him gently as he nuzzles his head on my shoulder. I can feel him shaking now.

"It's okay."

He lets out a shaky breath and starts to cry again, louder this time. I pull him in as tight as I can and just hold him. It seems like nobody has done this for him in a long time. His friends clearly aren't very good to him.

"I'm sorry..." Tommy says, pulling away.

"Don't worry about it."

"I'm tired..."

"Can I walk you back?" He drives his face once more and smiles weakly.

"Yes please."

We walk out of the bathroom together and pass by his "friends". A brunette boy gives a confused glance.

"Where are you going, Tommy?"

"To my dorm..." The boy look to me and stands up.

"Can I come with?" He asks Tommy.

"Sure..."

Together we walk Tommy back to his dorm and help him to bed. I step outside with the new boy.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Wilbur."

"Why were you with him?"

"Call down, I was just making sure he was okay."

"Why wouldn't he be?!"

"Oh please, can't you see it?! He's sick! He needs help! You're an awful fucking friend if you couldn't see it!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Did you really never notice how he barely eats anything and then goes to the bathroom straight after? How he always comes back with puffy, red eyes? How he never takes off that damn sweater? He's been... starving himself." My voice starts as a yell but slowly becomes a whisper. The boy doesn't say anything.

"I couldn't bear to see it go on any longer."

"I had... no idea. I can't believe I never noticed it..." The boy stares at me in shock, tears welling up in his eyes. "You're right, I'm an awful friend. We were all awful..."

"It doesn't matter anymore. What matters is that he gets the help he needs." He nods slowly.

"I'm... going now. Please watch over him."

With that I turn to leave, not wanting to be in that situation any longer than necessary. Tommy was already asleep anyway, so there was nothing more I could do for him. I do wish I had gotten his number...

(I feel like my writing has gotten a lot worse recently and idk why 🥲 is this chapter worse than the others or am I just being overly critical?)