Sander sides one shots

Logan + Nicky - Stressed Out.

Warning: Sleep deprivation.

***

Fifteen minutes had passed since the end of school bell had rang and most of the students had left the school grounds. Still Logan didn't feel right leaving the classroom as one of the desks still sat a student, hunched over as she spelt. He hadn't the heart to wake her yet, especially with how tried and out of it she seemed during his lesson before she passed out of course.

Eventually, he decided that it was best to wake her since he was needed to be home soon and he assumed she was the same. Walking over, he gently shook her by the shoulder, causing her to bolt up right. She looked around frantically, trying to figure out where she was. Logan retracted his hand as his expression softened as he looked at her in concern. "Nicky, is everything alright?"

Her brown eyes gaze immediately shot to her teacher, only just noticing him there. Blinking a few times, she tried to process the question through her tiredness. Before she could answer, she cut herself off with a yawn. Logan sighed. "You seem very sleep deprived, you fell asleep during class." Technically he wasn't wrong. Compared to her usual self, she wasn't nearly as well put together.

The hair on her head was untamed and knotty, her beanie nearly falling off her head. Her sweater was musty and dirty. Her eyes were dull and lifeless. Though still rubbing the large bags underneath her eyes, she tried to protest. "I'm fine, Mr ˈLäjik. Just a bit tense with all the tests going on." Trying to shake off her own triedness, smiling sleepily but she ended up looking like she was stoned.

A single knowing look shut her down completely. Bending down to get on her level, he put a hand on her shoulder gently and kindly, catching her off guard slightly. "Is something happening at home that's causing you stay awake during the night?" Though he wasn't the caring type, he felt the need to be sure that she was getting enough sleep. After all, she was his best student.

From the way her eyes widened at the concern, it was clear surprised her that her stoic teacher cared that she was getting enough sleep. Her hand reached the back of her neck, rubbing it bashfully that he noticed how out it she was due to her lack of good sleep. "No... just stressed with exams is all." Her speech was slightly slurred together and quiet due the obvious tiredness.

Logan had realized that fact had completely changed her mannerisms from energetic and spastic to blunt and limp. It was sad to see her a shell of her former self. Quickly being overwhelmed by the many emotions going through his mind, he glanced to the clock on the wall. He turned back to her, pointing at it with his thumb. "Well, I believe you may of missed your bus."

At his words, she glanced at the clock, seeing her bus would have left seven minutes ago. "Ugh! Of course." With a groan, she face planted into the wooden desk, without even a sign of pain. She just kind of stayed there for minute before slowly lifted her head up with more effort than it should of taken. For a minute, he thought she had passed out again. Christ, he needed to get this girl home.

Without thinking, Logan's problem solving skills quickly found a solution to the issue. "I'll go the office to call your parents so they know to pick you up, ok?" In response, Nicky weakly nodded, beginning to trace pictures with her finger against the desk, leaning her face into her palm. Just as he was just about to leave the room, he lingered in the doorway for a moment.

His protective instincts got the better of him, words that held so much care despite being monotone left his lips. "Try and get some sleep when you get home please. Not having adequate sleep is damaging for a developing brain." The only sign she had heard him was the slight glance in his direction and a little, barely noticeable nod. With a huff, Logan left the room and, with one final glance at the tired student, closed the door.

Her gaze remained on the door despite her teacher having left. A sigh echoed though the empty classroom, her eyes scanning the room in hope that something interesting would pop out from the curtains. Her eyelids kept slowly falling down, begging her to sleep again but she quickly blinked them awake. God, she couldn't wait to go home and take a nap or something.

***

775 words.