Disciple (Sal x Travis)

Depressive Episodes and Ginger Tea

Sal
Sometimes I get in these weird funks. Like, I start really thinking about myself, and I get.. sad.
Everything kind of sucks.

I haven't been to school in three days. My dad says it's okay if I need a break if I'm feeling down, but I just feel more like a failure.

Like all I'm doing is wallowing in my bed.

Not going to school means I haven't seen Travis. I wouldn't want him to see me anyway, I'm gross. I haven't showered the whole three days.

My self-hating thoughts were interrupted by a knock on my door.

I was wrapped up comfortably in a cocoon in my blankets, too comfy to get up.

"Come in." I  droned.

I watched as my door creaked open, expecting my dad to appear. Instead, a tall long haired, certain someone showed his face.

"Hey, little dude." Larry grinned.

A forced smile pushed onto my lips, my prosthetic was off and at the moment I didn't care. Gross either way.

"Hi, Larry face."

He came in and shut the door behind him. His bookbag hung from his shoulder. "Are you about to go to school?" I asked, pulling the blankets tighter around my body.

Larry gave me an odd look, "Sal, it's almost four. I just got back from school."

God dammit. I missed four days. Stupid fucking fuck. Dumbass.

My best friend sat at the end of my bed and we sat silently for while. He slung his bag around into his lap and dug around inside. Larry retrieved a math textbook, a pencil, and a piece of paper.

"What are you doing?" I asked, peeking over the blankets at him.

"Homework."

"Here?"

He nodded, matter-of-factly. I watched him for a good minute, before asking my next question, "Why?"

"Well," he erased something off his paper, "Mom said Henry called her and said he was going out for a bit, and for me to come up here when I got home from school and sit with you for a while."

"Why?" I asked again.

Larry paused and glanced at me, his eyes dripped concern, "Because he's worried about you.."

I snorted, readjusting my head on my pillow. "Thats dumb. I'm fine, dude."

"Yeah? When's the last time you got out of bed?"

I thought for a moment, and instead of answering his questions, I felt myself getting a little aggravated, "Are you trying to say you think I'm gonna kill myself or something?"

"Wh-" Larry sighed and rolled his eyes, rubbing his temples, "No, Sal. That's not what I said. At all."

"Right. Sorry.." I sat up, leaning against the wall, remaining in my blanket swaddle.

Travis
I haven't seen Sal in a few days. At all.

Everyday, I look for him in the hall, and after school I go where we usually meet and wait, and wait. I've done this the past four days.

Each time, I leave with my a knot in my stomach. Today I went into the cafeteria and noticed he wasn't with his table. Meaning, he may not have been avoiding me. Maybe he's sick.

Oh no, maybe he's sick.

As soon as I got home, I put together all the little things my grandma would make me when I was sick as a kid.

I grabbed a pot and boiled water, pausing when I heard the front door open.

"Honey?" My mother's fragile voice travelled through the house.

"Um," I put a couple tea bags in the water, "No, Mother, it's me."

She came through the living room and stopped in the doorway of the kitchen. I looked over my shoulder at her. There was a bruise on her cheek, but she was wearing makeup. She always wears makeup when she goes to work.

My mother had a sweet smile, "What are you doing, baby?"

She's always called me that, it's embarrassing, but if it's just us I don't mind it.

"Making tea. Ginger."

My earliest memory of my mother, was after I had already went to be with my grandparents. She had taken me to a lake and we fed ducks crackers.

"Mommy, I thought ducks liked breads?"

"They do, baby, but it's not good for the little ducks bellies."

I smiled to myself at the memory, and took the pot off the stove. She creeped into the kitchen and opened the cupboard, pulling out a tea cup.

"Oh, no, I uh.. need the thermos." I pointed at it in the back of the cabinet.

Mother's eyebrows twitched, pulling the thermos instead, "Are you going somewhere?" She handed it to me.

I took a breath, taking a moment to carefully think my answer through, "Yeah."

"Where?" She hovered behind me, looking over my shoulder as I cautiously poured the scalding tea into the thermos.

"Just gonna take a walk. I wanted to take some tea since its kind of cold out."

For a second, she didn't say anything, but then she pressed a kiss into my cheek, "Make sure you wear a coat."

I smiled, "Of course, Mother."