A Moment Too Soon (Yaoi boyxboy)

Yuuichi

I glanced over at Nowaki again to see him staring at the board. He didn't exactly look focused,but he didn't seem like he was off in some other world either. My eyes left him and found the clock on the wall right as the bell rang. At least half of the day was over. I made sure to tidy up my desk before pulling my lunch out and standing to meet Elisa by the door. When I reached her along with the others, we still didn't leave the classroom. Like the day before, Nowaki was still sitting in his desk. At least this time he didn't look like he was in pain. Elisa sighed and called out to him.

"Nowaki?" She said. He waited a brief second before looking over at us.

"Yeah?" He said.

"The lunch bell rang." She told him. He stared at her for a moment, like he expected her to know what he wanted. Then, after realizing that she wasn't going to move, he decided to speak.

"I know." He answered. She laughed and waved him over.

"Well then let's go." She waited. He opened his mouth, most likely to object, but then he shut it again. I could see exhaustion wash over him suddenly. He didn't want to have to explain why he wanted to stay in the classroom, so he sighed.

"Alright..." He agreed and stood. He walked over to us and she led the way, out of the classroom. Of course, the others all started to talk with one another and Nowaki stuck to the back. He wasn't as far away today, though. I looked back at him and we made eye contact. He looked away quickly though, and I decided that maybe he didn't really want to talk to anyone right now. It was too bad that Elisa made him come with us. It was obvious he didn't want to come.

I knew his friends just wanted to have him around and be part of the group, but they needed to realize that they were probably overwhelming him. I hardly knew him and I could see that, so being his friends, they should realize it way before me. I looked back at him again, and I started to feel kind of bad again. He didn't want to be up here where everyone was talking and laughing, but he didn't seem like he was enjoying himself being alone back there.

Maybe just walking with him wouldn't upset him. We wouldn't even have to talk...I just didn't want him to feel like he was being set aside. I slowed my pace until he had reached me, and then walked by his side. He looked at me with an odd expression...like he was confused as to what I was doing.

"I thought maybe you wouldn't want to walk alone." I smiled at him. I stayed quiet after that, and he did as well. I watched as his expression, which had turned a little dark from having to come with, lighten a little bit. Not so much that he looked happy, but he didn't look upset at least. As we walked down the hall, we passed the spot where he had run off yesterday. I wondered if he would go to the rooftop today...

Then, right as I thought it, I noticed him fall back from my side. He stood in front of the stairs, not moving. I stopped walking and turned around, waiting for him. His face was dropping into that same, pained expression, and I wracked my brain for anything to say. I couldn't come up with anything except a basic question.

"Nowaki? Are you coming?" I asked, even though it was clear he wasn't going to.

"...Sorry..." He spoke so quietly that I could hardly hear him. Then, just like yesterday, he rushed upstairs. Elisa had turned around just in time to see him hurrying away, and she ran to the edge of the stairs, looking upwards.

"Nowaki!" She called out, but didn't go after him. I watched her sigh and then turn back around to the others who were walking towards us now.

"Did he go upstairs again?" Jacob asked. Elisa nodded, clearly defeated by what happened. I looked up the stairs, and then at the others. They didn't follow him up there.

"Do you guys not usually follow him?" I asked. I knew he wanted to be left alone, but I was slightly surprised they hadn't. Usually they were always trying to stick with him.

"Not when he goes up there." Aiden sighed. "That's kind of...his place, if you know what I mean." I could understand what he meant. They probably knew that was the only place he could really go to at this school, and it was probably even more important to him, considering the fact that that's where him and Kida used to spend time together.

"Well...I guess we'll just have to wait some more. I'm sure he'll come with us one of these days." Elisa said and began to walk. Hesitantly, I followed her. I couldn't help but think, though...wasn't there something that somebody could do to help him? Was letting him sit up there alone in a place swarmed with memories guaranteed to cause him more pain really okay? I didn't think so...