Galaxies

Chapter 10

The week continued on like that, classes changed a bit but other than that everything was normal. James and AJ talked in hush whispers about their art project. James never let me watch him draw, sketch or paint no matter how much I asked so I had eventually stopped asking. Then Friday came. I had woken up around 8 as per usual, James long gone back to his own room and I was sitting in my animal anatomy class when I got the text.

From James:

You wanna hang out after class?

Maybe watch me work on my project?

From Me:

Okay, see ya later Super nerd

From James:

Whatever you say sunshine,

See ya later.

I couldn't have left class faster. Chris was trying to keep up, holding onto the hem of my shirt as we went from one class to the next. They followed nearly tripping up over their feet as I ran down the hill before them. "Hey wait up!" Chris yelled, pulling on my shirt when they could reach. I sat down at a table and began filling my mouth full of food, it being one of the days James didn't have the same lunch time as me. Adam, Benny and Lu sat around the table Adam obviously taking the spot next to Chris and I liked the way they were getting along. Adam would say something that would make Chris laugh and it was such a different experience from when we all first met. Chris would now throw back their head and let out boisterous laughs but before they would only chuckle from behind their hand. Chris was tucking a strand of hair behind their ear when a French fry hit me in the face. "Space cadet, I asked you a question" Lu smirked and Benny followed with a little chuckle. "Huh... uh what?" I asked and Lu rolled her eyes, "You coming' to Mimi's? It's just gonna be Benny, Jen and I but it'd be nice if we had a fourth player in the game." Lu smiled and I shook my head, "Got plans, gotta do this essay for my anatomy class" I muttered around the French fry that was a salty missile shot at me not a even a few minutes before. "What essa- eep" Chris started but Adam threw his hand over their mouth, shaking his head at them. Lu rolled her eyes and took a gulp of her water, "Whatever floats your boat" she smirked and took another sip before stopping herself and starting again, "Oh, but don't get too over stressed in your work, you might get sick or somethin' dumb" she noted and continued to finish her lunch. Benny nodded in agreement as AJ entered the cafeteria and joined us. "Hey where's James?" Chris asked and AJ pinched the bridge of his nose, "He's working on his project, and hasn't eaten since yesterday." My throat nearly closed at the thought, my food was suddenly not worth eating and my stomach churned a bit. "Hey um... I'm gonna go stop by the dorms real quick before I head out to class" I announced, taking my things and throwing them away as everyone gave their little goodbyes.

I ran. I ran out of the building and towards the closest place the sold good food. It dawned on me that I had no idea what James would eat so naturally I bought... a lot. You tend to get a few looks when you walk out with 4 bags of food and 2 large drinks. It wasn't long before I was hauling myself to his dorm. I only had about 20 minutes and going up the hill of dorms took about 10-15 depending on how fast you were. I had planned on making it in 5. Once I finally reach his dorm I'm out of breath and ready to collapse. Lungs burning and blood rushing I slammed my shoulder into the door with a groan. I was greeted by something not human. James looked like crap, and that's a compliment. His hair was a mess, with some paint that smeared from his hairline to his cheek. Dark circles under his eyes and a tired look that resembled a dead one. "Jesus... Are you okay Sunshine? D-Did you run here?" He asked helping me stand upright. I smirked and coughed a quick quip of "Food delivery" and handed him the bags. It must've seemed weird that I had gone to that extent to get him a couple burgers but when you're someone who knows what it's like to go hungry... to starve and have nobody notice... you tend to go to extremes for others. Little thing called empathy. "W-Why?" he asked, taking a bag and going through it's delicious smelling contents. He took one of the drinks from the tray and I watched in exhaustion as he raised his eyebrows impossibly higher on his forehead."You're the best, ya know that" he chuckled, "seem to be getting told that lately" I panted back and our laughter filled the dorm.