Aiden [Book Two]

3

For the longest time, the constant tapping of sneakers against metal chair legs filled the quiet school corridor. It echoed through the room, but only one of the two noticed.

Aiden's counselling sessions always started this way.

He anxiously sat outside, waiting for the teacher to let him in. It was hard not to become worked up, even with his friend by his side, animatedly chatting because he knew what was coming.

Reid sacrificed his lunch break to sit with the redhead. He could have been at the table with his boyfriend and their friends; instead he choosing to keep Aiden company.

The sandy-blonde knew the boy needed support before and after his conversations with Miss Vance. Although he'd only attended a few sessions with her so far, they seemed to help; but he still got jumpy and agitated afterwards.

"Do you think he'd prefer the blue one or the green one?" Reid asked, interrupting Aiden's thoughts by waving his phone around.

He was talking about Evan.

Soon, the youngest of the group would turn sixteen. Just as they did for Nathan, the boys wanted to celebrate his birthday with a meal and a party.

Reid was particularly excited for his boyfriend's birthday, and wanted to buy a special gift, but struggled to find the perfect one. He was looking for something to nurture his boyfriend's artistic side, but struggled.

The orange-haired boy took a deep breath, stilling his feet to study the screen. "I think the-"

"-Aiden?"

His voice cut off when a door squeaked open and a female called his name. Looking up, he saw the counsellor in the doorway with a welcoming smile on her face.

She was a small, dark-haired woman with bright eyes and crystal-pink framed glasses. The lady was a little shorter than her student, but stood as if she were six-foot tall and fearless.

Every time Aiden saw her, she wore something unique and colourful, and today was no different. She reminded him a little of Jasper and all his quirky patterned clothes.

Reid confidentially patted the smaller boy's thigh and offered the gentle reassurance that he would wait for him. He'd sit outside the office for the next forty-five minutes until the session finished or if he needed support.

Chewing his lower lip, Aiden nodded, wiping his sticky palms against his jeans as he walked into the office to start the usual pattern he'd adopted.

The counsellor's office had a large window overlooking the neighbourhood, which included the local park. Aiden started every session by the window, ringing his fingers together to prevent pinching his skin, trying to stay calm and collected.

Observing the trees in the park helped -most of the time.

"How's Nathan doing?" Miss Vance asked, taking a seat behind her desk and observing her anxious student. "He was having his check up today, right?"

Aiden smiled, thinking about the text message waiting for him when lunch started.

Nathan knew missing the appointment bothered his boyfriend, and didn't want him worrying all day, so as soon as he returned from the hospital, he left a comforting note.

Nathan :)

Everything's fine, ready to start physiotherapy. Talk when you get home, can't wait to see you.
Love you. Xx

Alongside the message was one of the very few selfies the elder had taken in his life.

The boy crept back to his favourite place, their bed, and buried himself under the duvet. He propped himself up in the corner, against a mountain of pillows, with a drowsy grin and messy, fluffy hair. Nathan looked worn out and pained, but still content.