eyes [maxpres highschool au]

two. conversation

TW: mentions of homophobia (it's just jokes tho)

   Max kept an eye on Preston during lunch. It seemed he wasn't the only one. He saw Nerris and Harrison glance at the couple every now and then. They still weren't used to Preston not sitting with them.

   "Earth to Max. Hey, Earth to Max?"

   The dark-skinned teenager blinked a few times, before turning back to Nikki. "What?"

   "You were staring at Preston and Nurf for a long time there," Nikki commented.

   "Oh god, don't tell me you're homophobic," Neil groaned.

   "What? No! I'm- I'm not homophobic, it's just..." Max sighed. "It doesn't feel right."

   "...So, you are homophobic?"

   "No- their relationship doesn't feel right. It feels... forced," Max explained. He glanced around for a few seconds, then leaned in to the two, whispering. "Preston was tapping in Morse code during history today. He was saying S.O.S."

   "Are you sure?"

   "Wh- of course I'm sure!" Max said, leaning back. "And he looked at me a few times, and his eyes... oh god, he looked terrified."

His two friends stayed silent for a few seconds before Neil finally spoke up.

"Well, what are you gonna do about it?"

"Huh?"

Neil leaned forward. "Nurf is always around Preston whenever they don't have class. You'll never get the chance to talk to Preston about it."

Max thought about it for a few seconds. And then, as if on cue, Nurf muttered something to Preston, then got up and walked out the door. Max took this as a chance to immediately approach the theater kid, who had dropped his happy facade and was now on the verge of tears.

"Jesus Christ, Preston, are you okay?!"

Preston's lower lip trembled. He handed Max a folded note.

"Wh-?"

"Please help me.." Preston begged, voice barely above a whisper. "Everything you need to know is on that paper. You should go back to your seat, now. He'll be back any minute."

Max opened his mouth to say something, but decided against it. He nodded and walked back to his seat.

"Soooo, how'd it go?" Nikki asked.

"He gave me this note... I haven't read it yet-"

"Well read it, then!" Neil exclaimed.

"I'm working on it..." Max mumbled before unfolding the paper.

"Dear whoever is reading this,

Please help me. I can't handle this anymore. He's hurting me. He won't let me go. He won't let me leave. I'm trapped. I want to be free.

Please. On Saturday, at 9:40 am, call 9-1-1. Direct them to my address (at the bottom of the paper). If they ask what for, tell them it's for domestic violence. I'll handle things when they get there. Please, just do this for me. I don't want to live like this anymore."

Max started at the letter, mouth open in shock. Right on cue, Nurf re-entered the cafeteria, sitting down next to Preston who had put on a smile again.

"So... what do we do?" Nikki asked.

Max sighed. "We wait."