Anthropophobia → a.i

0.6

~Ashton~

"What are you thinking? "

"Nothing"

"That's a lie" she mumbled against my chest as she kept pulling on my shirt. She said it made a funny noise.

"Tell me. I won't tell mum" she tried once more as she wiggled her eyebrows to convince more.

I sighed and laughed. My sister was a real weirdo sometimes. Not more than my brother but still. Yet I couldn't love them more.

"There is this girl..." I started. I missed Natalie. I see her every day at school yet it feels like I don't. Maybe because she doesn't want to talk to me anymore. Not that she ever did.

"Oh tell me. Is she pretty? Is she smart? How does she look like? " Lauren kept asking me questions all the time. On and on.

"She's really pretty. She has long brown hair and those small hazel eyes. I don't know if she's smart. She doesn't talk much" I said doing my best to not speak of her illness.

If you had asked me six months ago if I knew of a mental disease called Anthropophobia I would laugh and say you're crazy. But it certainly is real and making even my life difficult.

"Why doesn't she talk?" I chose to ignore that question. Instead I got up and made my sister get up as well because otherwise we would be late for school. And I really want to pass this year with ease and no struggle.

I dropped Lauren off at her school and then drove the rest of the way towards mine and with a few minutes to spare I went to my locker. Just to pass time I guess.

"Um...hi" I heard a tiny voice from the other side of my locker. I swear if it is her again I will shoot myself.

For the entire six months that have passed my ex is trying to get me back or something when in reality I wasn't even that hurt about her cheating. I should be I guess but I just wasn't.

"What? " I said in an annoyed voice as I slammed my locker shut. Instead of Kathryn though someone entirely different was standing there waiting for me.

I blinked a few times to make sure I was actually seeing Natalie and wasn't dreaming or anything. Once I realised that I was even more confused. I thought she had trouble talking to people?

"Um...sorry. Hi" I said back eventually and she made a face that sort of looked like a smile.

"I wanted to say thank you" she spoke up again after a rather small pause. I was a bit surprised if I'm being honest.

"For what?" I asked feeling my throat dry. Why was I so nervous?

"You made me realise how much I needed the help my parents were giving me. So thank you" she said one more time and tried the smile again. It looked better than before but she still needed practice. She was like those robots in movies that need to learn how to blend in with people. Only more awkward.

"You're welcome" I said and smiled back. I was about to walk away and do as she had implied so many times. I was just going to leave her alone but soon enough she was walking beside me, not too close, and looking down at her hands.

"My therapist says I should ask you out for coffee or dinner at my house but I don't know if this is too much for you. I understand if you decline" she talked so fast it was hard for me to understand what she was even talking about.

"Shouldn't this be hard for you? " I asked back and she shrugged her shoulders.

"She thinks it will help. My therapist, not some imaginary friend or anything" she added quickly to her first statement with wide eyes.

"Will that help you? " it was the only thing I could think of. I don't want to cause her distress. So it's all about what she wants.

I,myself, would love to spend some time with her. And to know something about her. Other than her name and her illness that is.

"I believe my therapist. She helped a lot these past six months" Natalie smiled again. Each time it looked better on her than the previous time.

"Just what are you so scared of? "

"People" was her answer. And a shrug of her left shoulder.

"Let me know if you can come after school on Friday" she said and then left for nearly the end of the classroom she and I walked in together just a moment ago.

Nearly at the end of the classroom but not quite there. And she was actually sitting next to another girl.

It's amazing what six months can do I guess.

***
Update time!! :D

This story is now full speed people.

Enjoy ;)