Show Me Who You Really Are

Eleven

Gabi woke up and began getting dressed for school. She was worried about Ian because he left in such a hurry the day before. She got on her board and began heading to school. Mia was feeling sick and Gabi didn't catch sight of Ian anywhere.

It was awkward going to school alone,  but she managed to get there without having a panic attack. When she entered the hall, she saw Sammy there. He smiled awkwardly at her and looked around to see where Ian was. Noticing that he was nowhere to be found, Sammy let out a breath of relief.

"Hey. Gabi, right?" He asked. Gabi nodded with a smile. She took a deep breath. "Sa-ammy, right?" She asked. Sammy smiled. His bright blue eyes met hers as she blushed.

The two began walking to the cafeteria. Sammy glimpsed at Gabi often, noticing that she'd fix her lips to speak then go mute again. "Hey, Gabi, you can talk to me about anything." He said with another wide smile. Gabi forced a huge breath into her lungs. "I have a-a spe-eech im-p-air-pair-ment. St-stuttering." She said.
Sammy smiled at her. "It's fine. I think it's cute." He said. Gabi's cheeks flushed and she hid her face with her binder. Sammy giggled and Gabi giggled with him.
*****
Ian gripped a handful of his hair in both hands and gritted his teeth anxiously. He wanted to go to school. Desperately. Gabi was at school probably hanging out with Sammy. Ian kicked the wall.

He scratched at his head wildly. He didn't want to see Chase again. He would've rather killed himself right there. But, once again the voice came along.

"Oh, how pathetic Ian. Thinking about suicide again, I see. Very pathetic indeed." It said with a mocking tone. Ian's eyes widened with fear. He sank into the floor and began rocking back and forth as tears flowed down his cheeks with a stinging heat. "Not again...not again..." he said to himself as hot tear drops splattered on the charred wood.

"Oh boy, what now?" The voice said. Ian gritted his teeth. "Every time you pay a visit...someone I love dies." The voice burst into laughter and sighed. "Poor, poor, Ian. Boo-hoo! You think that's me who does that, huh? You just pass it off to me to make yourself feel better. May I remind you of the moments you got so bad you'd black out for an entire week? It was like you were possessing yourself!"

Every sentence got more aggressive. And, with every word, Ian felt himself lose air in his lungs. All he could do was curl up on the cold bed of ashes and cry.