Boy in Pink

Chapter 26

A/N: (Sorry for not posting in a hot minute, I've been on vacation lol. Also, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASEEEE give me constructive criticism. I'm not very sensitive about it so just comment or DM me - or however it works I dunno honestly)

I walked into Homeroom, waving slightly to Aria, who was talking to Ryan.
“Hey newbie!” Aria greeted me.
“Hey!” I greeted back with a smile. Ryan glared at me as I sat next to her.
“Why do you always sit next to Aria?” He asked, clearly jealous.
“Because it’s my assigned seat?” I told him, slightly confused. “Why? Am I not supposed to?” He just glared, then looked away and to the teacher, who just started talking about a game we’d be playing tomorrow, on Tuesday. It was very confusing, and I did not understand , but we had to do a practice game. “Ari, I don’t understand…” I whispered as the teacher set up the table we’d be playing ‘The Hand Game’ on.
“And that’s why we’re playing a practice round,” she told me as everyone took their seats at the table. I then sat next to her, and the teacher repeated the instructions, which I still don’t understand.
“Ari, I still don't get it yet…” I mumbled to her.
“You’ll get the hang of it, I promise,” she reassured me. I didn’t exactly believe her, but I didn’t say anything else. As we started the game, I started getting overwhelmed. Apparently, it was my turn, but I didn’t know that it was. Then, everyone started talking to me at once. I started hyperventilating and stood up, quickly rushing outside the classroom. Aria followed me, and saw me hugging my knees, sobbing to myself. “Hey, Rory…” I shook my head, not wanting to talk. She sighed and then, footsteps moved away and it soon fell silent. I sniffed then looked up. She was gone. I wiped my nose and looked around. There was no one else. I was alone. Scared. I started crying again, but then I heard 2 pairs of footsteps. I stopped crying and looked up. I froze. Braedon and Aria were standing in front of me, looking very worried.
“Braedon…?” I asked in the whisper. He smiled softly and opened his arms. I sniffed and quickly got up to hug him.
“Hey, sweetheart…” he whispered as he held me. He then nodded to Aria, who walked back into the classroom, leaving us alone. “So, Rory…” I averted my gaze, knowing he was going to ask about it. “Did you get overwhelmed again? Because the same thing happens at lunch, and that’s what Aria told me. ‘Braedon, Rory got overwhelmed again and needs your help’! So, is that what happened?” I nodded sheepishly. Let me explain what he meant by ‘Because the same thing happens at lunch.’ So, basically whenever I get to lunch, it’s always so loud, annoying, and obnoxious, as the average lunchroom is. And me, being the easily overwhelmed and stressed kid I am, start hyperventilating. So he would see me, then coax me out of the lunchroom and into the quiet library. They have this one corner in the library that has a few bean bag chairs, blankets, and books. It’s just a nice place for when you’re stressed or overwhelmed, like me. Thankfully, the librarian - who’s usually there when I arrive - is really nice and understanding. She’s an older woman, long, gray hair, Windsor glasses - they have, like circular lenses and a thin metal frame - plus a kind smile. She greets me everyday with a “Hello, little Rory!” and a small wave. I’d then wave back and reply, “Hello, Ms. Alma!” We’d chat for a while about life as she escorts me to the back of the library where the corner is. Once we got there, we say our goodbyes and she goes back to the front. Anyways, enough of that.
“Yeah, I just got overwhelmed.” He nodded understandably and sat down.
“Care to tell me what happened?”
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I sat down next to Aria again, after our class finished playing ‘The Hand Game.’
“Where were you?” Ryan scoffed, but I saw something else from him… almost like, worry.
“I just stepped out for a bit.” I told him. He rolled his eyes, but his expression was softer.
“Did Braedon talk to you, then go back to class?” Aria asked, and I nodded.
“Yep.”
We were silent for a couple minutes, until the bell rang.
I packed up my things as Aria waited for me. We walked down the hallway until we met up with Braedon.