Catch Me When I Fall [BxB]

Not Okay

"So... we ditch math class again because you need it today."

"It's not just math, Khai." Tyrone says sorrowfully.

I look at him sympathetically, not knowing what to do to help him.

I decide to take hold of his hand, squeezing it gently.

"Whatever you choose to do, you're not alone. I'll be with you." I say.

Tyrone glances down at my hand, then smiles at me.

"Thanks, Khai."

I try to smile back, but I hardly can because I'm worried about him. He's still so shaky.

"Tyrone, I'm here for you." I try again.

"I know." He replies, his eyes starting to look a little moist.

"I don't think you're ready for class." I voice my opinion.

"No, I'll be fine. I've got you, right?"

I nod.

Today, we don't separate to go to our own lockers. Instead, Tyrone walks with me to mine.

"Look, I'm getting better at this." I say, trying to open my locker. It doesn't budge, and I struggle for a few seconds.

"I... shouldn't have said that. I jinxed it." I say miserably. "Or maybe I shouldn't show off. I swear it was starting to work for me." I tell Tyrone.

He smiles at me, but I can tell he's distracted.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

"I will be, but you need to stop asking me that." He replies.

"So... you're not okay."

"No, but I just want to get through the day. In order to do that, I've got to fake it. I know you don't like it when-"

"Ty, it's okay. I get it. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. I'll never get mad at you for just caring. It's nice, I like that you care about me. I just need to be strong to do this and you make it hard to be because when you worry about me, I worry, too."

I nod, and my locker decides to quit playing games with me then, because it opens.

"Congrats." Tyrone says, giving me a high-five.

I smile before retrieving everything I'll need for math class.

I close my locker again, but I suddenly spot Zevon and it fills me with a deep hurt, or betrayal.

Despite everything that's going on with Tyrone, he notices my mood shift.

He turns around and also spots Zevon.

"He looks sour." Tyrone comments. "I still want to beat him up so badly." He adds, already trying to walk towards Zevon.

I take hold of his arm.

"Please don't." I say.

"Why, do you still like him?" Tyrone asks.

I take a second to reply, surprised that he seems jealous.

"No, but why would it matter to you?" I ask.

Tyrone chooses not to reply.

"I don't want you fighting him because I care about you. If you get in another fight Mr. Williams will probably tell the cops and then they'll come after you and send you to juvie and then the inmates will do horrible things to you because you're hot-"

"Khai stop." Tyrone says very abruptly.

I look at him curiously and happen to notice that his heart is beating so fast now that I can see the movement from it underneath his shirt.