Aiden let out a loud sigh as he sat down at his lunch table. School went back to normal, things barely even last when it comes to highschool. No one dared to bring up Kay in daily conversations. Aiden's friends were walking on eggshells. They knew that one wrong word would set him off. Nathan stayed with him as long as he could. Knowing Aiden for two years, Nathan had never seen him so vulnerable and emotionally fragile.
Aiden quietly finished his lunch and leaned back on his chair. Nathan noticed the the frown on his face and turned towards him.
"Do you wanna talk about it Aiden?" He asked. Aiden stayed silent. "Dude, how long are you gonna avoid talking to us? To me? I get it, you need space and stuff but if you don't speak up about it, you're not helping yourself. Please Aiden. You've done enough harm by not saying anythi-" Aiden's head shot up as Nathan said the last line, a look of disbelief on his face. "I'm sorry I-" Nathan tried to correct himself.
"Save it Nathan. I'm leaving." Aiden got up from his chair and stormed out of the cafeteria.
"FUCK!" Nathan kicked the chair next to him and ran his fingers through his hair.
Aiden found himself in the back field of the school once again. The vast empty field have him this feeling that was next to control. Knowing what's right up ahead even if its just for a moment, knowing that things are within reach gave him the feeling that his life failed to provide him with anymore. He walked to the abandoned wooden crate in the corner of the field and sat on it. His eyes wandered off into the forest that created a boundry on the opposite side of the field. About two minutes later someone walked up next to him. He looked up to his side when he heard the sound of crunching grass next to him. "Hannah." He said as she dropped her bag next to him.
"Aiden, how are you?" She asked.
"Okay I guess." Evident doubt in his voice. Silence settled between them, until Aiden spoke up, "When will it end Hannah? When will we get back to our everyday lives?"
"Normal is the last thing that's ever going to come back." Hannah said as she sat on the cool grass. "But it will get better. Only if you let it." Aiden turned to Hannah. He let her words sink in, realization washing over him like a wave. Hannah raised her left wrist to her face to take a look at her watch. She let her arm fall to her side and stood up. "I have lab." She said as she lifted her backpack to her shoulders. "I will see you around Aiden." She smiled and turned on her heels, making her way back into the school building. Aiden's gaze followed her until she was out of sight. He ran his fingers through his hair and lowered his head, staring at the ground. Momentarily he stood up and walked back inside too. Aiden pushed past the wave of teens to find Nathan. He knew for a fact that Nathan wasn't going to class on time. Aiden murmured a string of sorry's and excuse me's as he reached his lunch table. His eyes searched the crowd for a tall, tan skinned Nathan. As soon as he saw Nathan he called out his name and speed walked towards him.
Nathan was standing by the library browsing on his phone. He looked up to find who called out his name and saw Aiden walking towards him. His slid his phone into his pocket and sighed. "What's up?" He asked as Aiden approached him.
"Look I'm sorry Nathan." Aiden started. "I shouldn't have yelled at you."
"No its okay Aiden, I understand." He nodded. Aiden shook his head in disapproval.
"I keep on pushing people away, you were trying to help me. I just- I just don't know what to do with everything that's happened. I can't handle it anymore." Aiden explained.
"I get where you're coming from buddy. I sort stepped out of line too. I probably don't know what it's like to be in your shoes right now, but I'm here for you. I hope you know that." Nathan replied and held his hand up for Aiden to shake. Aiden took his hand and smiled. "Thanks man. Means a lot."
"I know how much Kay meant to you Aiden. So let's do something for her tonight. Be ready at 7 tonight we're heading out." Nathan said as he walked backward towards his class and then spun on his heels, not giving Aiden a chance to protest. Aiden sighed in relief. It felt like a little weight was lifted off his shoulders.
~~
Having a support system when times are rough, and letting those people help you is the best medicine in the process of healing.
