We're Just Misfits

Chapter 6 - Genuine Hope

Liam looked around the school, still half asleep. His eyes wandered about, searching. After glancing off the back of a random student's glossy black hair, those eyes found the only person that never failed to make him smile: Elisa, commonly known as El, and if you wanted to annoy the hell out of her, Elly. The boy walked over, his normal strides replaced with miserable plods. Last night's dream had been very unwelcome. Liam had woken up shivering and soaking wet, his sweat having drenched his boxer-briefs. Even now, hours after having been in a cold, sobering shower, his hands still shook. The teenager hadn't dreamt anything like what he did last night for years: 6 years to be exact. And it had been exactly six years, to the day, that he'd last had that exact dream. His sister Ayla getting diagnosed with cancer had triggered that, the emotions inside him exploding like the car did all those years ago. What, in his awful mind, has triggered last night?

The teenager reached Elisa and they high fived. The younger girl immediately launched into conversation about P!ATD before abruptly stopping. She stared into Liam's eyes with a disapproving look which basically commanded Tell me what the hell you're so miserable about. He knew better than to ignore her, so explained.

"Oh my, Liam. Do you have any idea what might have brought it up?" El said softly, her eyes resting at his. And Liam had worked it out, but he wasn't going to readily admit it.

"Nah. It's just now bought up so many other memories, and I don't exactly want to go through them. Just, as long as it doesn't happen again, I'm sure I'll be fine." He replied, and he knew as Elisa watched him she could see right through the mask. But she also knew not to push Liam if he wasn't ready: that would only lead to a fight. She lowered her eyes, and the boy sighed in relief. He really didn't fancy talking about it any more. After a few seconds, they drifted back into general conversation, Liam's worries slowly fading away until only his most faithful friend's laughter was what he could think about. It was such a free sound, and it left a smile on his face as he walked up to his form room to start another miserable day.

*

The bell shrieked, sounding the end of fourth period, and the start of lunch. Liam shoved everything into his backpack with haste, and practically sprinted from class once the teacher deemed it ok to leave. He raced into the canteen, but stopped in his tracks when he noticed someone sitting by themselves, head down and playing with the food on their plate. Walking over, Liam quickly realised that the person was Jack. The teenager sighed and walked the rest of the way over, knowing he had to fix what he'd done.

Liam sat down opposite the boy, who didn't even bother looking up. The taller guy studied him for a moment before giving his best shot at an appropriate apology.

"Jack, I'm sorry. I didn't realise the topic was one not to be commented on, but now I do. I want to put this past us, and I want to get to know you better, I want to help. But if you don't I understand: just please talk to somebody. You probably won't believe me, but I've been in a situation like this myself, and I know others that have as well. Just please let someone help you." Liam said softly, tears threatening to fall from his own eyes. This had come all too soon for last night's dream to be forgotten, and he knew all too well the feeling of emptiness that Jack would be feeling.

Jack looked up, tears sliding down his cheeks. "I... I just snapped. All anyone had been saying to me at home was "I'm so sorry for you" and I thought being at school would get me away from it. I wasn't angry at you; I was angry at everyone who thought saying sorry would make it all ok. I didn't respond to you outside of school because I was angry at myself for lashing out at you. I... I should be sorry not you." He choked out, his light voice barely audible above the chatter of the hall.