Hide Behind Trouble - Kellic

10. Cold

December 7th

The past week, Oli was always by Josh's side. Matty had let off of harassing all of us, even apologizing to Josh at one point. He still grimaced at the sight of anything not straight, and I could tell he was still trying to tell himself he wasn't gay, but he was getting there, and I was proud of him.

"Oli, I'll be fine," Josh assured the taller boy.

Oli glanced at me. "Take care of him, would you?" He was so scared for Josh's well being, even though Josh's bruises had healed and Matty was no longer a threat.

I chuckled. "Of course man, relax. You'll scare Josh off."

Oli grumbled something but walked off. Me and Josh sat down as first hour began. I didn't pay attention, but when did I ever? I was too busy writing in the notebook I'd made my mother get me.

Dear-

No, ew, be original here.

Hi,

Fuck it, what's the worst that could happen?

Hi,

I stopped, wondering where to go from there. For christ sake, I was overthinking it. I picked up my pen and started again.

The bell rang before I could finish the paragraph. I hadn't known we were even close to the end of class.

I picked up my things and followed the crowd of eager teenagers to my second hour.

Classes flew by without my notice. I was on autopilot, lost in my mind while I stared ahead in class, until lunch came around.

"Kellin!" Jack appeared, quick to lift me off my feet and carry me into the cafeteria.

"What the hell?" I tried to get out of his arms, but he spun around and held onto me tighter. "Let me go!"

"What the fuck are you doing?" Alex asked when we arrived in line.

"He won't let me go!" I whined.

"If you wanted to be let go so bad, you could've just said so." Then, without warning, Jack dropped me and I fell flat on my ass.

"You dickhead!" I scrambled up, clawing at his face.

Rian and Alex held me back, laughing hysterically. "Relax, you too. Jesus."

I pouted, flipping Jack off and getting a tray.

The rest of school flew by with Jack being the idiot he is, until I was let off from the crowded building. Instead of going home, though, I turned left on the road home and walked into the forest.

The cold nipped at me as the sounds of my feet crunching on the leaves with the smallest traces of snow filled my ears. I enjoyed it while I could, because who knew how much longer I'd enjoy the feeling of cold, of snow. With that though, I took off my shoes and let my bare feet feel the cold as well.

I sat beside a tree after dusting away frost and opened the notebook. With no one around to be bothered, I turned on my playlist. Soft lofi began. It was the calmest moment I'd had, even in quiet my mind would be screaming, but here, it was silent. Only the sounds of wind and piano.

Of course, that was all interrupted by the sound of my ringtone screeching.

"Hello?" I asked over the phone, I hadn't cared to look at who it was calling me.

"Where are you? Your mother said you never came home." It was Vic. Then I remembered; it was Friday, I was supposed to be meeting with him.

"Shit, I'm sorry. I forgot I was supposed to come over today. I'm in the, um, forest."

"Why are you in the forest? It's freezing out."

"It's calming," I said simply. "Do we still have time? Don't you have a class in thirty?"

"It's fine, I can miss out on class."

"No, I won't do that to you," I argued, beginning to shiver.

"Oh, sorry, but I don't care. What forest?" He changed the subject and I grit my teeth.

"Vic-"

"Kellin," he mocked. "I want to take you somewhere, and by the sounds of it you're about to get hypothermia. So I ask again, which forest?"

"Uh, you know the high school by that big mansion? If you go out the back, there's a long road. When you turn left there's the forest I'm in," I explained.

"So Galzier Forest?" Vic confirmed.

"Didn't know that was their name, but okay."

Vic chuckled. "I'm on my way." We said goodbye and I hung up, closing my eyes and letting the coldness fill me again. It was freezing- I was wearing a thin flannel and shorts. It was a stupid outfit for December, but I hadn't put much thought into it.

"Kellin?" My eyes shot open at the sound of a voice. Vic was kneeling in front of me, looking worried. "I thought you were dead for a second."

I shrugged, yawning. "You gonna take me home?"

"I'm taking you back to my place after you change into something warm and appropriate for the weather." Vic helped me up and put his coat over me.

"I don't want to take your coat from you-"

"Too bad." He buttoned it around me, pulling me close. My bare legs were shivering and my feet were numb, but standing so close to Vic I felt warm, safe.

"Let me get my things." I slung my backpack over my shoulder and grabbed my notebook and phone.

Vic led the way out of the forest, a way I'd completely forgotten. Maybe it was good he came to get me, I otherwise would've gotten lost.

"Get in." He showed me to his car and got in on the other side.

"Your house, then?"

"Yep." He started the car, and I felt myself falling asleep in the new warm area.

Apparently I had, because when I opened my eyes again it was to Vic putting a blanket over me. I let him, closing my eyes again and letting my exhaustion take me under.

~_~_~_~

I didnt know where I was going with this chapter so now it's this-

uwu..
I've been sent crisis number lines and I laughed when I saw the text-

Anyways, suck dick and dont die <3

~ISweepy