Oh God, what is this? James stared numbly at the blurred letters, trying to understand what the question was saying.
His hand shook. Crap, if he didn't pass this test, things were going to get ugly. Everyone would find out what a failure he was and how bad things have gotten since his parents had died a few weeks ago…
He shook his head and he rested his chin on his left hand. Focus, James, focus. You learned all of this stuff last semester and got an A on the test! Just dig up that knowledge!
James blinked twice, clearing his vision, and gripped his pencil a bit tighter in his palm. He read the first question once, then a second time, and then again.
He looked up at the clock and was instantly relieved to find that he still had thirty minutes left of the test. Briefly, he allowed his eyes to scan across the other students. Bad choice, James, he thought to his self as his heart pounded even harder at the sight of other students scribbling away.
He glanced back at his own test and closed his eyes, forcing air through his lungs. If he just breathed, maybe things would make a little more sense on the test. After a few seconds of deep breathing, James sighed and opened his eyes.
It still didn't make sense.
--
There was a cloud hanging over James' head after class. The time had drained away quickly and before he knew it the teacher had called out ten minutes remaining. That's when the panic had really set in, leaving James to fill in his sheet with guesses. Damn, he really felt like a failure.
"James! Just the man I wanted to see!" the one and only Eddie called from down the hall.
James spun on his heels and gave an irritated glare. "What do you want?"
"How cruel!" Eddie said dramatically as he pushed through the crowd of students to come to a stop beside him. "Not even a 'Hello' or a 'How you doing' for one of your best friends?"
James' eyebrow twitched. "Where the hell did you get the idea that we are best friends?"
"Well we play together on the soccer team and we both seem to really enjoy the sport and we have the same friends and we…"
James closed his eyes, tuning out Eddie's rant with a sigh. "Eddie."
"And then there was the thing in the park last night and since you told us that-"
"Eddie!" James cried, completely exasperated. Quickly, he looked around the hallway, looking for anyone that could be watching. Luckily, there wasn't.
"You can't just blurt these things out in public! In fact, never speak of this again to me or anyone! I will kill you if you tell a single soul, got that?"
Eddie laughed nervously. "Wow, you don't have to be so mean, James."
"Who's being mean?" Jordan asked, showing up suddenly behind Eddie with Seamus in tow.
"It's James!" Eddie whined, turning to Jordan. "You should punish him for being a naughty little boy!"
James reddened in indignation. "Who's being naughty?"
"I bet it's you who's being the pest here, Eddie!" Jordan said, pulling on Eddie's cheek.
Looking over, James almost went into shock. Was he seeing this right? "Seamus, are you smiling? Genuinely?"
Utter shock rippled over Eddie and Jordan, who turned instantly. "What a rare sight!" Eddie practically shouted. "Quickly! Does anyone have a camera? We have to document this moment!"
YOU ARE READING
Behind Closed Hearts
Fanfic""I don't hurt myself. I don't. I don't." He inhaled sharply. Through his mind flashed images of Nathen at his worst, towering over him with that look in his eyes. James flinched into his arms, gasping. "I wish he would just leave me alone," he said...
