Fixing A Broken Compass

Carry on

"On my silent days I miss you a little louder"

The sound of the school bell made him jolt awake. Breaking through the fog of sleep that he'd nestled into, his eyes flew open, chest bursting with panic.

The room was just and dim, and quiet as when he'd enter it, but the sound of the school alarm ringing was loud enough to make him almost stumble out of the chair.

Had he slept through the whole class? He wiped his hand over his face, his heart feeling like it was about to pound out of his chest.

Immediately his eyes darted to the wall checking the time. His panic rising as he realized he was running late. The pressure in his chest stung like it smacked him across the face.

What if he hadn't woken up to the bell?

His mind still felt so groggy and tired his eyes burning at being forced open so abruptly. He couldn't believe how stupid he had been. If he hadn't woken up Willow and Reggie would be sitting ducks.

He couldn't believe that he'd been so careless.

Normally with school ending he was done just early enough to wait for the twins before rushing to be done to pick Willow up when her day ended. Reggie was the most flexible of the group with the day care.

Still they were both struggling with the ever changing schedules, he didn't need another thing to bring them anxiety.

Panic clawed at his ribs, he forced himself out of the chair, stumbling slightly as dizziness washed over him like a wave. His nap hadn't been long enough, his head throbbed, body longing for sleep.

The feeling of being tired wasn't anything compared the the intense anxiety he felt at being so reckless. He had responsibilities now he should have been more mindful. More prepared.

As he rushed out of Raven's office, he nearly crashed into Gabe. Nathan, Brandon and Corey lingering behind him. They all must have been hanging out in the hallway after gym ended.

Gabe grinned at him eyes bright, but his expression faltered when he saw the wild look in Miles's eyes. His hands instantly moved to Miles shoulder's helping him stand still. Miles leg's still felt entirely to much like jello.

He leaned into Gabe partly blinking a few times.

"You good, man?" Nathan questioned, concern lacing his voice as he watched Miles pace frantically.

"I'm fine," Miles muttered, he hated the way his voice sounded strained. He ran a hand through his hair tugging at the strands. "Just... gotta go pick up Reggie and Willow."

"Take a breather, first," Brandon said giving him a look that made him freeze in his place.

He shuffled on his feet again almost stumbling as he blinked a few times. The blinding lights in the hallway were enough to almost induce a headache. He had certainly stood up from the chair to fast.

"Whoa, calm down," Gabe also encouraged his head tilting as he inspected Miles. "You're barely walking straight. What's going on in your head?"

"I - shit, I just... I don't want to be late." Miles tugged at his hair again, feeling the tension in his muscles. "I should have set an alarm." he rephrmanded himself.

He was certain he'd be atleast a few minutes late at this rate and that thought alone made him squirm.

He didn't have anyone to fall back on.

When school ended he was on a tight schedule. He'd already messed up once when he'd gotten attack by Greg and his squad. An Willow had been so on edge.