Troye's pov
"Troye, how are you? I heard what happened." None other than Ben J Pierce walks up to me in the academy hallways, bumping into my side.
I've been expecting this, I saw the phone call to him in my contact history. My guess was Jacob called in the middle of everything.
"Hey Benny," I mumble through a small smile, continuing waddling down the hall.
"I'm sorry- that was straight forward. I just miss you i-is all." He stutters, tightening his grip on his book bag.
"I miss you too... maybe we can get coffee some time." I trail off, watching the boy get hit with a big brick of shock.
He whips his head over to gawk at me, "Are you serious? You'd- you don't hate me?"
That's when the guilt settles in, making home on my shoulders.
I shake my head no, frowning at him.
"No- never. I could never hate you, Ben. You were my best friend." I assure him.
His look quickly turns to a pure expression of genuine happiness.
"Really? Troye, I've missed you so much."
I nod, "Really. Just... try to go slow, please? Don't push or pry?"
He nods anxiously, "Yes, of course, anything. Just tell me if I cross a line and I'll stop. I promise."
I look over at the guys and gals huddled by their lockers, noticing that same joyful Joe Sugg again. I flash him a smile and turn back to Ben.
"Okay, I'll message you." I chirp.
"Alright, I'm looking forward to it. I'll see you around Troye." He grins and waves at me. I spot his group, my previous one, a few metres ahead staring at the two of us.
I wave at Ben and quickly turn away, pacing back down the hall to get out. Seventh period can wait, I am not messing with them. Ben is the least problematic, I actually trust him. I can't deal with the others right now.
"Troye! Mate, wait up!"
I glance back to see Joe Sugg trying to catch up to me.
I slow my walk a bit and smile timidly at him.
"H-hey Joe, can I do something for you?" I ask.
His bright smile contorts a bit as he furrows his brows, shaking his head.
"No, I just came to say your last class is that way." He mutters and gestures down the hall where Ben, Tyler, Zoe, and everyone else are all still standing around staring at me.
I freeze up a bit and look down to the tile, "... I'm avoiding them."
He looks back down the hall and notices the dozen eyes intently watching our every move. Joe places his hand on my shoulder and turns me back to the exit.
"Alright, don't worry about it. I know another way." He smiles and walks with me down the hall and out of the building.
I stay quiet, my mind rattling in thought of what they're whispering about me.
"Don't worry about them. They're the ones wasting their education to stare at an innocent boy. Don't stoop down to their levels, let's get you to class." He looks down at me, patting my back.
I smile up at him thankfully and nod, "Thank you, Joe."
What an awfully paternal bloke he is, practically taking me under his wing like that.
