Runaways

Noise

Each minute felt like torture, felt like long life draining hours. Craig's eyes seemed to drift towards the clock each second. Staring at the clock, the clock's hands seemingly teasing Craig by moving somehow agonizingly slower than usual. He looked away from the clock and looked across the room, he felt odd. He didn't like the noise, there was so much noise, hearing the girls next to him gossip and giggle immaturely, hearing a few boys laugh and talk about sports. It seems so stereotypical but it was true, kids were talking so much, too much. Craig started to feel a bit overwhelmed, he wanted to see his boyfriend, he had no idea how the poor boy was doing in gym class. His mind raced, so. much. talking. It made him so uncomfortable, he grabbed at the ends of his blue Chullo hat and tugged on them a little, hoping the noise would drown out. His attempts were pathetic, each giggle felt mocking, each laugh seemed directed at him, was this anxiety? He's never felt this before, or at least not this strongly, he felt like picking his skin off. He shut his eyes closed feeling his breath pick up pace in the slightest, this started to progress in intensity. What the fuck was happening to him? The atmosphere felt so suffocating, it felt as if the air got thicker and this caused tears to prick into his eyes. God this was so embarrassing.

Everything stopped for a moment, Clyde Donovan, a dear friend of his tried to tap his shoulder in concern for his friend. He'd never seen Craig in such a state since the boy always looked so nonchalant. Craig seemed paler, Clyde was genuinely so concerned and it took little to no time to notice the tears starting to run down his friend's face. Hearing the quick and barely audible hyperventilations he was making, it made Clyde start to shake his shoulder a bit.

"Craig? Dude...are you okay? You look like you saw a ghost."

This made Craig snap, the teen was so overstimulated he opened his eyes and got up abruptly. Clyde's sweet touch felt like cactus pricks to Craig. And even though Clyde's intention was to comfort the boy, he didn't understand that Craig didn't want anything to touch him or look at him, Craig wanted everything to stop. Craig's eyes quickly shifted to the door. Not caring about the kids who whipped their heads at his direction and whispered things that didn't seem so welcoming. Craig rushed out of the room without looking back. Clyde was left stunned and bewildered, what happened to the usually chill boy?

"Wait! Where do you think you're going-" The English teacher asked, sounding rather upset. She was asleep the whole time, how convenient that she woke up at such a moment, luck really wasn't on Craig's side today. She couldn't finish her sentence because Craig slammed the door behind him, cutting the teacher off mid sentence. She sighed and glanced over at Clyde.

"Clyde, would you please help your classmate calm down?" She asked sweetly, Clyde quickly nodded,"Yes Mrs. Marci." he muttered, and nervously walked out of the classroom, most kids were quiet, it was so awkward.

Clyde looked around the empty hallways, walking. His footsteps echoed in the quiet hallway, not a person to be seen or heard. Just his sneakers squeaking.

He heard something.

Crying.

Clyde tried to follow what he heard, for some reason he felt anxious, and he wasn't even the person supposedly struggling. Clyde's eyes were all over the place as he tried to spot the monotonous boy that usually never acted like this. Clyde put his hands in his pockets and tried to keep his head up and not let his shoulders slump, he was just a bit confused and concerned for his friend. The crying seemed to get louder and closer, Clyde made a stop as he faced class A-103, an empty classroom that was abandoned when the art teacher got fired, who knows why. The classroom door had faded painting, it needed a new paint job but the school didn't care for it. The boy slowly opened the door and peaked his head through, it was dark but Craig's silhouette was visible in the dim light of the hallway that flooded slightly into the room.

"Craig?" Clyde spoke softly, moving his hand to turn on the classroom's light.

"Stop, please." Craig mumbled, hugging his knees, he was on the floor slightly rocking, but at least he looked way calmer and in a better state of mind.

"What?"

"I don't want the light right now"

"Dude what's happening to you, you're never like this!" Clyde tried to voice his concern. Craig didn't want to talk about his problems, he felt too embarrassed but he managed to make his mouth speak the words on his mind.

"I..m not sure? If I'm being honest I just started to feel weird, and some sort of panic"

"Like...a panic attack?" Clyde asked stupidly, Craig glanced at him and gave him a slight nod, Clyde slowly approached Craig and sat down next to him with an appropriate distance, Clyde caught onto the fact the boy didn't want any sort of physical touch. Touch was a no-no.

"I guess? It was too loud."

"Maybe you're like one of those special kids"

"That's rude, Donovan"

"Well it's true, I've never met someone like you."

"I'm taking that personally, but I genuinely don't think there's anything wrong with me. It was probably the upcoming exam that got me all anxious." He lied, burying his head in his knee. Clyde sighed, catching onto this lie, he didn't say anything though..he didn't want to start uncomfortable conversation or unnecessary arguments. Craig needed help, and Clyde kept this noted in his head and he would NOT forget.

"Hm, maybe. I'm always here to talk to you."

"I know."

"Good! I love you dude, you're my best friend. I won't stand here while you struggle." Clyde admitted softly, glancing at craig, who only nodded awkwardly.

"Nice to know."

"I'll be here for you." The boy added, Craig looked at Clyde once more and wiped his tears stained face.

"Thank you, means...a lot, even if I don't show it." Craig murmured. Clyde had a big grin on his face now, Clyde got up and looked down at Craig.

"C'mon, class ends in 5 minutes either way, there's no point in going back-"

"We need our pencils and notebook." Craig spoke.

"Oh yea, awh shucks." Clyde spoke with a disappointed sigh, both boys got up and walked out of the empty dark classroom. Craig didn't feel as anxious anymore, and the arm around his shoulder didn't feel prickly no longer. Craig felt the knots in his stomach untwist and loosen, he felt so tired after crying his eyes out alone. He felt way better, he felt his throat open up again, the weight on his shoulders lifted. Off to class once more, this time Craig was more prepared.