BREATHE [✔]

1. Stranger

Much like Atlas, you carry the whole world on your own but instead of on your shoulders it's all on your mind-Atlas' Mind Collection

Chester

I felt my mind drift off as Precè and Amery got into yet another argument of some hypothetical scenario. We did this like all the time someone could watch a new show and state the situation to see how we would have handled it if it had been us. Don't get me wrong I liked my friends it's just that at times I wish I didn't have any, then I could disappear into a cacoon.

I was brought back by a hand tapping my shoulder. I did not recognize the face but she seemed to be in a hurry to tell me something.

"Hey, are you ok?"

"Umm yes, why? " I felt my brow crease in concern.

"Actually that guy over there said you needed help. "

I looked in the direction she was pointing at. And I noticed Conrad-Judd leaning back studying me as if to see my reaction.

"When you say that guy do you ...do you mean Conrad?"

"Oh, so you know him?"She answered looking more relaxed.

"Not really, I don't even think he knows me. "

"Funny he said the exact thing. "

"Did he say what kind of help because I am fine."

"Nope just you needed help and if I said hie you would be better. Just trying to help you know."

By this time Amery and Precè had stopped talking. Their interest was piqued I presume. I was confused but I wanted to know what was going on. Why would Conrad care if I was okay?

"Okay um thank you, I guess."

"Cool." She answered cheerily walking away.

Conrad Judd was a Mess of a man. Well, not really but I always described him like that. I didn't know much about Conrad he was one of those people you see with the crowd following behind. He was adored by many and it was clear most people wanted to be him. But then again my Grandma always used to say there are three types of people in this world ' Those that want to be you, kill you or fuck you. '

And I am pretty sure every type of those people was what made Conrad's little groupies. Conrad was loved by many but he wasn't exactly a model student. He was like the in-between guy. Popular enough to hang with the cool kids but also bad enough to be accepted by the so-called very few Bad boys of Broosters College.

"Hey, Chester where did you go? "
Sammy the only female in our friend group said.

"Hey Sammy, you are late. "

"I know, I had calculus!" She said with an exasperated sigh.

"Hey, Babe," Nic said from behind Sammy.

Nic was my girlfriend. How I managed to fool her into believing I was cool was beyond my comprehension. When Nic and I started seeing each other it had caused a bit of tension within the crew. Amery wanted her, and Sammy didn't want any of us dating the only female friend she had. But hey, due to some miracle all that, was solved and Nic and I had never been better.

"If you two are going to kiss or make out please go to the bathroom like civilized humans. " Sammy said rolling her eyes.

I was never one for public display of affection but Nic was into it. And me being the weird human I was I couldn't say no to her. Live to please was my thing. Not because it was romantic or any nonsense like that. Actually, because Nic was like my second official girlfriend and she had passed the three-week bench that was my last relationship. Of course, none of my friends knew. At least not these guys.

Amery glanced at his watch, stood up and mumbled something to Precè. I wasn't sure what was up but I always felt like the third wheel in our friendship. It's hard being in a friendship of three one is always the odd one out. They always seemed to ask each other for favours even though I was probably better suited to help with some. But I learned a long time ago that not everyone is good at this friendship thing. So to avoid damage I always expected less from people.

I watched Amery and Precè say their goodbyes whilst Nic and Sammy got into some discussion about some hairstyle Sammy was planning on getting. I did not understand all the fuss for me I usually walk into the saloon get the same hairstyle I have been getting since my first year. Since this is my third year I am pretty content with my regular cut.

I felt my mind drift again into a far of place. I wasn't really thinking neither was sure I was feeling anything. But then again I stopped understanding my mind six months ago. I don't even remember what changed just that I woke up one day and I had to physically force myself out of bed.

A tap on the shoulder brought me back to reality again. Another random girl. But clearly this time Nic wasn't taking it.

"Who are you?" I heard Nic say with a certain tone I knew all too well.

The girl blatantly ignored Nic like she hadn't spoken. Well, this was interesting. People didn't really mess with Nic she was a bit feisty. To put it lightly. But this girl did not just ignore Nic no she turned to look at Nic smiled sweetly. If Sammy hadn't taught me that girls only smile like that when they are metaphorically giving you the finger I wouldn't have been worried.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Nic preparing to stand up and I placed my hand on her lap as a sign to say I got this. I gave her thigh a little squeeze of assurance and she eased up a bit.

"Are you okay?" the girl said with a concerned look in her eye.

I felt Nic tense up.

"Did Conrad send you?"

"Yeah, He said I should check up on you. "

"I am fine. Just confused." I said.

At this point, I was expecting to turn and find that Nic had turned to stone. She hadn't loosened up or breathed since the last time I felt her tense up.

"Oh okay then." The girl said before turning and leaving.

"What was that about," Sammy asked.

"I have no idea I said." Leaning in to give Nic a reassuring kiss.

"It better be nothing." Nic said now more relaxed " And I don't trust that Conrad guy, stay away from him. "

"Okay, but he's harmless, I answered her packing my things to get ready for my next lecture, Biochemistry.

[Written 10.12.18]

[Edited 05.02.20]