Chapter 5
A few days later...
Nick POV
Ever since I had a talk with Sebastian, he's been avoiding me. I think it's weird because I didn't even say too much to him. I just told him to stay away from Jeff, and that was it. But now he's nowhere to be seen... Except in class. But otherwise, I don't really see him in the halls or the cafeteria.
Jeff hasn't had any more panic attacks or nightmares for that matter. And I'm glad about that. I'm beginning to worry about him every day though. He just seems... anxious... and upset...
"Hey, Jeff?"
He looked over at me from his bed.
"What?"
"Do you want to go somewhere?"
"Where?"
"It's this place called the Lima Bean."
"What?"
"It's like a coffee shop type thing."
"Why are we going?"
"Just for fun. To get out of Dalton for a little while."
"Ok."
The truth is, I just wanted to try to cheer him up a little.
"So you want to go?"
"Sure. But I don't have money. I can ask my dad for some when I go home tomorrow."
"No, it's fine. You don't need to bring any money."
I led Jeff out of Dalton, and we started walking down the sidewalk.
"How far of a walk is it?" Jeff asked.
"Not too far. Just 5 or 10 minutes."
"Ok."
"So what do you think of Dalton? You've almost been here for a week."
"It's... ok."
"Besides Sebastian, what do you think of it?"
"I don't know... It's kind of like my old school, I guess... Except I have you."
"Me?"
"You're my friend, right?"
"Yeah, of course I am."
"I didn't have any friends at my old school."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Aw, Jeff. I'm sorry."
"It's ok... You get used to it after a while..."
"Jeff, you know if you ever need anything, you can ask me, right?"
"Yeah. Thanks, Nick."
We walked the rest of the way in silence. And then we got to the Lima Bean.
I led Jeff inside, and took him to the front counter.
"Pick anything you want to get. It's on me," I said.
"Nick, you don't have to-"
"I want to."
"Thanks."
Jeff studied the menu for about a minute.
"Can I just get a hot chocolate, please?"
"Sure."
I ordered 2 hot chocolates and paid. And then I led Jeff to a table in the back. I gave him his hot chocolate too.
"Thanks, Nick."
"You're welcome."
"Do you come here a lot?"
"Yeah. This is where a lot of us like to hang out. I come here a lot with Trent and David."
"Oh... But now with me?"
"Yeah. I want you to know all the cool spots we like to hang out."
Jeff smiled, but then it faded.
"Am I a good friend?" Jeff asked.
"Uh... Yeah...? What kind of a question is that?"
"Well I've never been a friend before. So I want to make sure I'm doing everything that I should."
I laughed.
"Jeff, you're doing just fine."
"Ok, good."
"Jeff, can I ask you about something?"
"Yeah."
"Ok... Well you know how you had a panic attack the other day?"
"Yeah..."
"Do you get those a lot?"
"I don't know... It just kind of depends, I guess."
"Do you have... an anxiety problem?"
"Yeah."
"What do you do to help it?"
"I don't know. I just... sort of deal with it."
I sighed.
"Ok, one other question."
"What is it?"
"Why'd you want me when you were having a panic attack?"
"I don't know... I didn't really even have a chance to think... But you were able to calm me down from my nightmare, so I guess I just figured maybe you'd be able to help me calm down from my panic attack."
"Ok. That makes sense."
"Sorry... I interrupted your Warbler practice..."
"It's fine, Jeff. Really. If you ever need me and I'm not around, just text me."
"Really?"
"Really. I don't mind."
"Are you sure? I'm sorry... I feel like I'm being a pain."
"Jeff, don't worry about it. Really. I promise."
"Ok. Thanks, Nick."
We finished our hot chocolates, and then headed back to Dalton.
YOU ARE READING
Best Friend
FanfictionJeff Sterling transfers to Dalton Academy because he was bullied at his old school. His new roommate Nick Duval quickly realizes that Jeff desperately needs a friend. And maybe some help.
