Meet You at the Graveyard.

Chapter Eight

"Travis Phelps! Are you even paying attention or are you too busy staring at nothing?!" Mrs. Packerton raises her voice from her calm voice just moments ago, everyone's eyes darting towards Travis.

My eye was already on him. That's why I thought Packerton was talking to me, but then when I saw who she was staring at I knew she wasn't.

Travis flinches at her voice, his eyes meeting hers. "I'm sorry. I spaced off." He mumbles, his eyes unable to hold her gaze.

I noticed the moment I saw Travis today that he was off, because he didn't bat an eye towards me or anyone else. He kept his head down, acting like a sad dog.

Mrs. Packerton just rolls her eyes before she goes back to teaching, while I continued to watch Travis for a few more minutes.

He wasn't okay, I could tell that much. But the thing is, I can't just ask him if he's okay, because I think Travis would rip my head off if I ever even thought about asking him such a thing.

Another way I could tell he wasn't okay was because he wasn't... Perfect, like he always is. His hair didn't have gel in it, he had bags under his eyes like he barely slept; or cried and other than the obvious; him spacing off, he just wasn't himself.

I shouldn't even care. Hell, I should be glad that Travis isn't beating the shit out of me for once. But I'm not that kind of person. I'm the kind to actually care for other people, even if they don't deserve it.

~~~

At lunch when I would glance at Travis, I realized that Phillip was gone today, and I could tell that only upset Travis more.

That would be like Larry being gone if I only had him as my friend. I think if Larry was my only friend and he was gone one day from school, I'd be kinda bummed out.

When I take another look towards Travis, he's suddenly out of his seat, walking towards my table before he walks past, leaving out the doors next to our table.

I turn to look at everyone, trying to see if any of them had just noticed Travis walk past, and when I knew that none of them did, I couldn't help but excuse myself.

"I'll be back. I have to go piss." I stand up, everyone glancing over at me before nodding, Larry giving me a thumbs up.

I walk out of the cafeteria, looking around to try and find out where the hell Travis went. He could be literally anywhere.

I decide to start with the bathroom, because if I was upset that's where I'd go, unless people were in it then I would probably go find an empty classroom or something.

I silently walk into the bathroom, glancing under the gaps of the stalls before I spot Travis's distinct green shoes. I wish he'd get new shoes. They're kind of horrible.

I was about to take a step when I could've sworn I heard a little sniffle. He's definitely not okay.

I don't know what to do. Should I leave? Try and talk to him?

Suddenly my body is moving without my mind agreeing, and I pause in front of Travis's stall, my mouth opening before I can stop myself.

"Travis?"

What the fuck am I doing?

"Are you... Alright?"

Stop talking you idiot.

I run a hand over my prosthetic. I can't believe I just did that. He's going to murder me.

"Wha– What the fuck? Of course I'm fine." He sneers, then I hear a small scoff. "Is that you, Sally Face?" He drags out my nickname, the Travis I know already making his presence.

"Yeah. It's me." I reply, my voice and my mind doing two different things at once. Why did I have to speak?

"Were you following me, you freak?" He asks, his words laced with disgust.

"No. I just- I dunno. You seem... Out of it."

"Out of it? You don't know shit about me, Sally Face."

"I know more than you think."

"Bullshit."

I sigh, leaning against the wall behind me. "If you would just– Just see all the other people other than Phillip that would-"

Travis swings the stall door open, his brows furrowed together, his hands balled into fists, and his eyes red.

"Don't fucking start this shit with me, Sally. I don't need you or anyone else, and you don't have to pity me." Travis glares down at me, and I saw him tense up for a split second.

"I'm not trying to pity you, Travis. I'm just trying to not be your enemy."

"Well, I don't want you to try anything with me." He steps towards me, and I could see something that he probably didn't mean for me to see.

Pain.

I saw the slightest glimpse of pain in his eyes. Sadness. Confusion. Anger.

"Travis, I just want you to know I understand you more than you would think." I whisper.

"Fuck you." He turns away from me, and I was surprised he didn't punch me or shove me or anything at all.

"I don't care if you like it or not, but I'll be there for you if you need me to be." I suggested as he walks- more like storms, out of the bathroom.

I should've just left him alone, I know. But I couldn't. And after I saw the pain in his eyes, I knew there was more to Travis than some boy who just likes to bully people for no reason.

I know because I have felt the exact same pain he's trying so hard to cover up.