Capturing Us (bxb)

Chapter Seventeen

Blake's POV

A week had passed.

A silent, torturous week filled with restless nights. 

Blake had become quickly used to the routine that they had fallen back into - talking before practice, rides home, laughing with the team - that Blake felt out of place in the absence of Liam.  

But he wouldn't like to think that it was because of his lack of trying. In fact, Blake had exhausted every resource he could, starting with direct confrontation.

On Monday morning, Blake forced himself to get up from the warm abyss that was his bed. The soft sheets had been his company for the weekend, seeing as he had no reason to leave aside from the necessary tasks. So when Monday rolled around, the bed seemed more inviting than ever, but he decided against his urge. Honestly, his only motivation was the idea that he could possibly repair things with Liam. 

All weekend, Blake laid beneath his comforter, staring at the yellow sticky note on his door. He had yet to rid of it, just like he had yet to rid of the dull ache he felt in his chest. Blake did, however, get a break from this feeling every so often, but it was only to be replaced by an overwhelming anxiety. He knew that sulking and bathing in his emotions provided him nothing helpful, so in the slightest way, he was thankful that he was forced to remove himself from his thoughts. 

Blake rushed around the empty house, readying himself for school. His father, as usual, was already on his way to work, so he didn't have to worry about how loud he was being. It was nice to have the freedom of listening to music or cooking with no limits on the volume, but he found that it got lonely, especially after he was so used to spending his mornings with Liam growing up. 

But he had gotten used to the quiet. 

Arriving at school, he approached Clayton, who stood at this locker. Meeting up before class was part of their routine, so Clay was already expecting Blake. 

"Yo, Blake. Last night, I found out-," Clay started, rummaging through his locker, but stopped when he turned his attention to his best friend. "Dude, you look like shit."

"Yeah," Blake sighed, turning to open his locker, which was conveniently located right next to Clay's. 

Clay shut his locker and leaned against it, giving his full attention to his best friend. "Blake, look at me," he demanded, and Blake complied. "Are you okay? Are you having nightmares again?" Clay was now wearing a worried expression, eyebrows furrowed and pleading eyes, as he continued to question Blake. "Are you taking your meds? I thought that-."

"Clay," Blake cut off with yet another sigh. He was thankful for his best friend and how much he cared; however, Clay had the tendency to get too worried sometimes and often got ahead of himself. "No, I'm not having nightmares. I just... haven't been sleeping, I guess," Blake finished, shoulders slouching. 

Clay examined Blake's face as he pursed his lips. "Okay... but I can tell that something is bothering you. I won't pressure you into telling me, but just know that I'm here for you, bro," Clay offered, putting his hand on Blake's shoulder. 

To that, Blake could only respond with a tight lipped smile. He was glad that his best friend understood him. Blake had always struggled with opening up, but ever since he had made significant progress in therapy, he had been able to confide in Clay, though it was nowhere near easy. Blake would tell Clay about his situation with Liam, but he needed time. He was too emotionally drained from the past few days and didn't have it in him to open up just yet.  

Soon enough, the warning bell for first block sounded, and the two boys were off to their shared psychology class. A few passerby's congratulated Blake for their win on Friday, to which Blake was caught off guard by. He had been so caught up in his own mind that he completely forgot about their game.