Breathe

Eyes

"Um. I'm Rihannon. I'm sixteen. And I um-,". I looked down at my drawn on blue Converse All Stars. I was standing in front of 12-18 year olds admitting my problems to people that supposedly were 'here for me'.

"I-. I self harm. Um I don't wanna talk about my problems. I'm here because my mom and doctor said it would be a good idea. I, on the other hand, think it's complete bull crap." I sat back down in the most god damned uncomfortable metal chair.

They all nodded sympathetically.

Then a brown haired boy stood up. He had on a grey hoodie. His jawline appeared soft. I had a bit of a jawline fettish. He had on dark blue jeans. And his hands were in his pockets. He looked nervous.

"Hi. My name is Nathan. My friends call me Nate. Um, I self harm. I'm here because my dad said to be."

"Would you like to talk about your feelings?" Daniel asked.

Dan was the supporter of this support group. Almost no one wanted to talk about their feelings. But some time. We all had to.

Nate continued, "That's why I'm here. Is it not?" He said with a bored grin.

Daniel made a breathy laugh. "It is."

Nate looked over at me. I guess he noticed I was the only one staring at him. He smiled shyly and I blushed. I looked away quickly.

Other people told their names, why they were here, and if they wanted to talk about their problems.

After the meeting was over I took the stairs down to the main lobby. I walked out in the middle of the hallway with my unzipped book bag across my right shoulder. I wasn't paying attention and bumped into Nate.

My book bag fell off of my shoulder.

Nate grabbed my shoulders lightly and looked into my eyes.

"I'm so sorry." He said. He was still looking in my eyes.

I looked down. "It's okay."

I started picking up my belongings.

"Lemme help you with that." He kneeled down across me. He helped me pick up my things. He handed them to me and I put them in my book bag. I zipped it this time.

I stood up. He stood up with me.

We stood there in the hallway for about 10 seconds before he said, "Hi."

"Hi." I said back.

"Um. Your name's Rihannon. Right?"

I smiled. "Yeah."

He laughed quiet and awkwardly. "Can I walk you out?" He asked me.

"Um, sure."

We walked down the hallway to the doors. I got in front of him and he held the door for me. We got outside and stood on the small sidewalk. I leaned back on my heels. He did the same.

"So. Rihannon?"

"So. Nathan?" I said with a smile.
He looked over at me.

"What's your story?" He asked me.

"Ooh. That's hard." I said with a stern look.

"Just tell me. Oh, and call me Nate. You'll be my friend soon."

"Easy tiger. Well. My story?"

"Your story."

"It started when I was fourteen. My Dad left. My mom started drinking again. People at my middle school found out...". My sleeves were coming up. I sighed and pulled them back down.