Drowning : Troyler AU

Chapter Three - Laughing Fits

*Tyler's POV*

I spent the whole morning trying to make him laugh, or blush or get any reaction for him at all really. Here's what I've learnt; he's smart, not just book smart but has interesting ideas about the world and the way he approaches situations is very clever. He's quite removed from society. He knew everyone's name in the class yet I don't know of a single person who talks to him. He's always noticing stuff too. Like when we are talking, he's ears will suddenly prick up and he'll focus his attention to a different conversation. He reminds me a bit of a puppy. I love dogs.  

"Mr Oakley"

"Mr Oakley, can you please tell me the name of an angle less than 30 degrees" I look up to see Miss Hurley and the whole 4th period class looking at me. I zoned out again. "A-acute." stumbles out of my mouth. "Correct Mr Oakley, but from now on can you at least try and pay attention in my class." She replies firmly before flipping her hair of her shoulder and returning to reviewing angle definitions (as if we didn't learn this in eighth grade).

I zoned off thinking about Troye again. This has been happening all day. Literally. I have taken no notes for any subject. My group work in drama was atrocious and I ended up embarrassing myself in front of the whole class. Zoe seemed to be quite amused by it though. So there are positives. I haven't told Zoe about Troye yet. I usually tell her everything but there's something special about this one. So special I'm starting to think he isn't real. It's like if I try to explain him, she'll tell me I've made him up because he's so perfect it's hard to believe he's real in the first place.

I hope I see him at lunch. Where did all that time go. There's only two minutes until the break. I could have sworn I got here 10 minutes ago.

*Troye's POV*

I haven't laughed like that in so long. Actually I can't remember the last time I laugh at all. I hope I see him at lunch. I've decided to brave the cafeteria today just in the hopes of seeing him again. I know I shouldn't bother him and he'd probably be embarrassed to talk to me outside of the bio classroom but just having the chance to look at him would be enough for me.

I know crowds make it worse. It makes me think that everyone is laughing at me. That everyone is judging me. Logically of course I know that they aren't but it's really hard to be rational when you feel like bursting into tears and running away. If your emotions refuse to be rational you can't expect to be able to cope rationally with everyday situations. At least that's what I tell myself.

As my walking towards the cafeteria I start reciting my mantra. One foot in front of the other. One foot in front of the other. Just breathe. Breathe.

It never used to be this bad. I used to be able to walk the alls with my head tall, like the thoughts didn't affect me at all. I'm not saying they weren't there but the world didn't know they were there. Now they are so ridiculously obvious. Guidance councilors are always asking me to come by to see them. Teachers reach out to me, ask me to stay after class Even my parents the two most oblivious people in the world keep asking me what's wrong. I must look like the depression poster child. I wonder if I can beyond blue to sponsor me, I am after all spreading awareness for the effects of depression by just existing. Gorilla marketing at its finest.

Oh. I'm here. Fuck this. I shouldn't have come look at all these people. They can see, there judging me. They know I'm gay, they know I'm depressed. They know. I scan their faces trying to convince myself that they are smiling at me or better yet are completely ignorant to my existence.  Then I spot a face smiling at me. Weird.

Is that Tyler? Oh my Gandhi he's waving me over. Shit what do I do? I just wanted to look at him, stare a little, be perv-y. Ahhh fuck now I have to go. Try to look confident Troye, confidence. Of course at that very moment I slip of my shoelace and almost face plant. I catch myself but Tyler is letting out his unmistakable witch cackle. I'm not even upset, his laugh is contagious and I join in without realizing it.Just before I sit down I realize we are not alone. There's this adorable girl smiling right at me, her ombre hair bobbling all around her face. Zoe, I think was her name, we had English together junior year. She said hi to me when I walked into class in the mornings. I had liked her.

" Hi. Your.. grace" Tyler managed to choke out between cackles, who had now gone a deep shade of red from the laughing fit he seemed to be suffering.

" Yes, don't you think I'd make an amazing ballerina? I'm so poised and light on my feet." That just made him burst into another laughing fit just as he seems to be regaining some control. I turned to look at Zoe, unsure of how to introduce myself. Hey, I'm Tyler's friend...Hi, I'm Troye... How's it going? None seemed appropriate.

"Hey" She opened up to a warm smile "You're Troye, right? We had English-lit together last year."

I felt so at home with her. I didn't know why but I  did nonetheless. "Yeah, that's me" I say relaxing into the conversation now. "So tell have you recovered from Mr Michaels scarring, yet oddly moving one man rendition of Romeo and Juliet?" Zoe asks. "I don't think I'll ever fully recover. I'm going to need therapy, some serious therapy." I joke. We smile at each other for a bit. Before too long I realize that Tyler is starring directly at me. I try not to make eye contact with him looking down at my nutella sandwich. Nutella is like my life force, honestly. Nutella is love, Nutella is life.

Tyler blurts out, "Didyouwannatosomethingafterschool?"

I didn't  catch a word that he said, but Zoe seemed too, "Sorry I can't Tyler. I'm going over to Alfie's." A huge smile takes over her face and she gets this devious glint in her eye. "What about you Troye, I'm sure your up to doing something with Tyler. Your not busy are you?" Winking at Tyler when she thinks I can't see. "Urr... no I'm free." I stutter back awkwardly.

"Great" She exclaims almost in a squeal. "Now the two of you guys can spend the afternoon together."

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A/N:

Two updates in two days. Lucky. Lucky. But guys seriously. Feedback - I needs it.

Soz it's a bit short but I just felt like their afternoon should have its own chapter. Or maybe a few chapters so this one needed to rap up here :)

Oh BTW I'd like to send anyone reading this over to read Denial: Troyler AU. It is the best fanfic I think I have ever read and its only 11 parts in. Get in early.

Stay awesome xx