Don't Touch Me [ryden]

(9) Odd

In the middle of class that day Ryan was less than excited for their lecture to end. Not because he was interested in Maslow's theory for man, or that he liked being big hall lectures, as a matter of fact he hated them. He hated why he had to be in a big room full of people who stick gum under the desks or randomly taps the shoulders of their seatmates to ask for a pencil or some spare paper. It wasn't that either, instead he was contemplating about not going back to his room thinking Brendon might possibly be there again hanging out with Dallon like he always did for the past week now. He always thought it was rude to invite someone in their room without asking, he wanted his space but he presumes Brendon would ignore this. Ryan saves himself the talk and usually just grabs his books and studies in the library to avoid them, but practically checking the room and his things from time to time making sure they weren't touched, moved or messed up.

His eyes starts to burn and he finds himself yawning and his eyes water. Luckily his eyelids weren't as heavy and he was still able to keep them opened. He twirls his pencil in his fingers not bothering to take notes that day, he felt too preoccupied and taking notes completely slipped away from Ryan's mind. He would definitely need them for finals, he didn't want to ask notes from other people either and this makes Ryan sigh in frustration, a bit more loud than he would've expected. The whole hall went silent for a few seconds before Ryan realizes his professor was now gazing at him with eyes just peeking over his glasses that was perched in his unusually long nose. "Mr. Ross, would you mind enumerating man's hierarchy of needs based on Maslow?" Ryan swallows a big lump in his throat before he looks around and at the ceilings, hopeful that maybe some sort of answer was going to magically appear and save him from this nightmare, but he was shit out of luck. His professor caught up with Ryan's non verbal response and raised his brows. "I thought so. This is why you should all be attentive in my class. If you want to pass finals, pay attention. You should all rely on your notes since I will not be giving you handouts for the rest of the semester. Mr. Ross?" He sheepishly nods his head at the older man before shifting in his seat as if he was going to pay attention for the rest of the class, which he didn't.

* * *

The only time where he wouldn't bother about germs at all. That one thing he could do and involve in without feeling such a freak. Ryan inhales deeply and slowly exhales through his mouth, just small intervals of air spilling from between his lips. He adjusts his arm and let's his muscles on his arms and hands carry the weight of the ball before he effortlessly sends the baseball flying in a straight line, the sound of the ball against soft leather somehow tore Ryan away from his gaze reminding him that the other guy managed to catch it, then throwing it back to Ryan, catching it flawlessly just by raising his glove covered hand just slightly in front of his face. He found himself gazing at the white empty benches and the people walking outside the gates. He doesn't spot a familiar face and his lips chew on the insides of his cheeks before throwing the ball back to his team mate.

"You alright man? Where's your head at?" Jon asks Ryan while he jogged towards the lanky boy but stopped until he was just close enough. Ryan shakes it off and pulls his head back a bit and gives Jon an oblivious grin. "What do you mean yeah, s'all good"

"I don't know either, you waiting for someone?" Jon wiggles his eyebrows at Ryan while he motions to the bleachers.

"What are you talking about? No, you know me better than that."

"Nothing, hey you know I'm just looking out for you, and you look like shit Ryan. Jesus christ have you been sleeping lately?"

Ryan doesn't say a word and digs his nail on the ball, slowly drawing a thin stroke across the white leathery surface in attempt to avoid Jon's question. However Jon shifts his body a little bit closer to Ryan this time and crosses his arms in front of his chest and Ryan knew there was no way he could bring himself to lie to Jon, he always manages to find a way through Ryan's fibs. "I mean it wasn't so bad last night. I slept for a few hours, it's alrig--you know what yeah I'm fine. Let's just concentrate on practice right now"

"Whatever you say George, you know you could always hang out with me and the boys later we could paint each others nails and shit" Jon laughs loudly while he jogs away from Ryan who slightly chuckled at his friend. "Seriously, party, at The Barrel, 9 o clock! Maybe you could get laid, you look like you need it!" Jon yells from a distance. "I don't like parties, thanks though" Ryan saluted Jon who was now on the other side of the field.

As if Ryan would let himself go to a college party.