Secluded - Jeffmads [DISCONTINUED]

Chapter Three

James' teeth chattered as he stepped out into the cold air. He looked around the small courtyard, relief flooding his system from the lack of other people there. It was autumn, so it wasn't exactly the right weather for James' thin t-shirt, but he tried his best to ignore the goosebumps arising in his arms.

With shaky hands James pulled his phone from his pocket, the device already lit up with notifications. 47 missed messages from mom, 5 missed calls from mom, not a good sign.

James dialed his mother's number, and it took merely seconds for her to pick up.

"James Madison Jr., why the hell am I getting emails from your school saying you've been absent in three different classes?!" She shouted, making James put distance between the phone and his ear, fearing he might go deaf from the shrill screaming. Eleanor Madison wasn't one to raise her voice, but there were times when she found it necessary.

"I'm sorry," James mumbled, feeling tears pool in his eyes. "I-It's not my fault."

Eleanor's voice softened, hearing the shakiness of James' tone. "Look, whatever this is about, we'll talk about it later. I have to get back to work. Please get to the rest of your classes honey." Before James could get another word out she hung up abruptly.

James wiped the tears from his eyes. "Nice going James, now even your mom hates you," James muttered as he shoved his phone back into his pocket, taking a seat on the bench that lined the brick wall on the left side of the courtyard. He could see the lunchroom through the windows, how everyone seemed so energetic during the time period. James had about a half an hour before he had to be back inside, to hopefully get through the rest of the day without embarrassment.

James' eyes widened as he looked down at his hands, his chest tightening with panic as he realized he left his things with Thomas. "No, no, no," James pulled at his hair, trying to keep his breathing at an optimal normal pace. It didn't work however, James started to hyperventilate, which stirred up an asthma attack.

And of course, James' inhaler happened to be in his pencil bag, which was in the possession of Thomas.

James gripped his shirt with his hand, trying his hardest to breath though his lungs felt like they could collapse at any second. The lack of oxygen intake made him lightheaded, and he fell from the bench, crumbling to the ground.

"James?!" Thomas yelled as he entered the courtyard. He rushed to James, kneeling beside him with concerned eyes.

"M-My-" James wheezed tugging at Thomas' sleeve. "In- Inh-haler. P-Pencil bag," Thomas took a second to realize what James was saying before digging around in James' pencil bag, his fingers eventually landing on the small device. Thomas handed the inhaler to James, his hands shaking nervously. James sucked in air as he clicked the button of the inhaler, which was pressed to his lips.

James coughed into his arm, his breathing starting to slow and even out. Thomas helped him to his feet, his eyes still full of worry and concern.

"Are you going to be okay?" James nodded, avoiding Thomas' gaze. Thomas watched James carefully, noticing how the short boy seemed like he was freezing, his thin frame shivering with every small gust of autumn wind. "James what were you thinking coming out here in a t-shirt?! You must be freezing."

"I-I'm fine really-" James tried to protest but before he knew it Thomas removed his letterman jacket, pulling it around James. James wanted to take it off, to return it to its rightful owner but he couldn't deny, he liked the warmth of it. "Now you're going to be cold," James muttered as he put his arms though the lengthy sleeves that covered everything but the tips of his fingers. Thomas shrugged, buttoning up the jacket for James, a soft smile on his face.

"I'll be fine. Besides, you were freezing and it looks cute on you," Thomas gave James a toothy grin as he buttoned the top button. James blushed, fiddling with the cuffs of the jacket nervously. "Why'd you run away like that?" James shrugged, staring at the ground. "D-Did I say something?"

"No!" James yelled, his eyes darting to Thomas. "I-I uh, I mean, no. Y-You didn't do a-anything wrong."

"Do you want to go back inside?" Thomas asked, making James' eyes widen in fear. He shook his head profusely, backing away from Thomas. "Hey, it's okay. I'm not going to make you. I was just asking," Thomas said gently. "Do you want to sit down?" Thomas asked, gesturing to the bench. James nodded hesitantly, taking a seat on the bench next to Thomas. James fiddled with the hem of the jacket, feeling awkward sitting next to Thomas silently. "You don't talk much, do you?" Thomas asked, glancing at James.

"N-Not really," James said quietly, shrugging. Thomas giggled, making James' head snap in his direction. "W-What's so f-funny?"

"Nothing, it's just, I think your stutter is really cute," Thomas said, grinning. James' face reddened as he looked away, flustered by Thomas' constant compliments. "I'm serious you know."

"W-Why do you t-talk to me?" James asked, his eyebrows furrowing.

Thomas smiled. "Because I like you, James."