Trapped (egobang trans)

Chapter 16 - You Look Terrible

A/N: not really related to the chapter at all, but just found these guys and this song ^^^ is reeeeally good! Just thought I'd share lol, now you know what type of music I listen to :)

ANYWAY ONTO ZE CHAPTER

One week of school down with only one incident. That was progress as far as Danny was concerned. His arm was still in a sling, but according to his doctor it would be for another few weeks yet. Luckily it was his right arm, so he could still write.

The next week started normally enough. By now people had started to realise that they wouldn't be beat up by looking at him the wrong way, so Danny no longer felt like he had some kind of contagious plague walking through the school.

He'd fallen into a routine quickly, sitting with Brian almost every lunch time and now band practice after school. He technically wasn't part of it since he didn't play an instrument, and singing lessons were a separate thing, but it felt like it with how much he was there.

Everything was standard, nothing interesting happened. Until about half way through the week. Danny was sat in his English class, leaning back in his seat as he only half listened to the teacher at the front, when the door opened.

Usually Danny wouldn't have bothered to look up, but the way that the whole class, even the teacher, went quiet sparked his interest. Raising his head Danny was shocked and oddly concerned by what he saw.

Arin walked into the classroom, looking like an absolute mess. His hair was all over the place and his whole outfit looked careless, which surprised Danny since he was usually the slob of the class.

As per usual the shy boy was staring at the floor, though Danny could just about see his eyes past his hair. They were all red. Without a word he walked to his seat and sat down. The teacher didn't even scold him for being late, just turned back to the front and tried to pick up where she left off. She seemed a bit derailed by Arin's entrance, but she couldn't exactly stop the lesson.

Danny's last sliver of focus disappeared and he couldn't help but keep glancing over at Arin. Luckily he was sat further back so he didn't have to turn around, and could get away with it. He felt a stab to his heart seeing Arin like this. A part of him felt guilty; they hadn't spoken since earlier last week. Maybe if he hadn't got so wrapped up with Brian and his friends, he could have been there. It was last lesson, and Danny remembered with a sinking feeling that he'd promised to go to band practice with Brian after school. For some reason he desperately wanted to talk to Arin instead.

When the lesson ended finally Danny rushed to pack away, worried that Arin would run away like he always seemed to do. But Arin's packing away was uncharacteristically slow and most people had left before he was done.

With cautious steps Danny walked over. The teacher gave him a wary look, but seemed to assume that Danny knew what was wrong and could help and left hastily herself. That couldn't be further from the truth. Danny had no idea what to do here.

"Hey." Might as well start somewhere.

Arin physically jumped. His hands tightened on the book he was in the process of putting away and he turned his head away further from Danny.

"H-Hi, Dani. S-See, I remembered..." he muttered in reply, rambling a little as he didn't seem to know what to say.

"Yeah... Uh, are you okay? You came in kind of late and you look a bit-," Danny started.

"Terrible? Yeah, I know," Arin snapped in a hurt tone.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"I have to go."

Arin picked up his bag, poised for flight. He started to walk away, but Danny wasn't about to let him escape that easily. He couldn't, not when he looked so upset.

"Arin, wait!" he cried, grabbing his wrist forcefully.

Arin tried to twist from his grasp, but Danny held on strong. With no luck Arin let out a panicked whine, trying to use his other hand to pry Danny away. Danny just held on tighter.

"P-Please, just l-let me go. I-I want to go..." Arin practically begged, which was when Danny realised he was crying.

His heart broke at the sight and he released his grip finally. Arin rubbed his wrist, but to Danny's surprise he didn't move.

"Arin, I... I want to help," he said weakly, not even knowing how he was going to do that.

"H-How?" It was like he read Danny's mind.

"We could walk home together? I could... keep you company for a while and maybe you can tell me what's got you like this?"

Brian: hey Dani you still coming to practice?

Oh, right.

Danny: no sry got smthin I gotta do. See u tmrw tho

The text was hurried and heavily abbreviated, but Danny didn't want to take his attention off Arin right now. He half expected to look up and see him gone, but was pleasantly surprised to see nothing had changed.

Arin was staring at him, tears still in his unreadable eyes. He looked lost, and once again Danny felt a wave of heartbreak. If they knew each other better he'd give him a hug.

"So, wha'd'ya say?" he urged gently instead, smiling warmly.

Arin's eyes flickered, and after a moment of hesitation he returned the smile. Albeit a smaller, uncertain one, but a smile nonetheless. It was nice to see him smile.

"That sounds nice."

A/N: kinda short ik :/ Arin's not doing too well, but hopefully Danny can cheer her up!

Now that I think about it the song could kind of connect, like the "sit next to me" is Danny trying to get Arin to trust him????