mentanoia - ben gross

chapter sixteen;

Chapter sixteen;

They never spoke about that afternoon again, though the conversation they'd had would effect everything for Ben. It was the following Monday when he walked the corridors of his high school again, but his usual high chin was now pointing towards the tilted floors. His usual massive forced smile had been replaced by his lips being pressed into a firm line.

He made sure not to look at anyone, yet felt countless of eyes burning in his back. The whispers from all across the corridor made his heart beat quicken and his walking pace fasten. Ben could feel the trembles of his breakdown return.

He rushed into the History classroom, aware that he once again was the first one there. Taking his beloved seat in the front row. He leaned over the wooden desk and grabbed his forehead with both hands. Closing his eyes, he tried to slow down his breathing, but he couldn't.

Patches of sweat started forming in his armpits, but it was only the pain in his chest he could pay attention to. He hissed and rubbed his left hand against his neck as he slowly started feeling a bit faint.

"You know how I think about these things, but birthday acknowledgement Ben-" All of a sudden Mr. Shapiro had appeared out of nowhere.

Ben jumped up, the jump scare made him hold his breath for several seconds before he gasped for fresh air. "Uh- Thanks?" He mumbled, his eyes wide as he felt goose bumps all over his arms.

Mr. Shapiro tilted his face and straightened his back. "Are you okay?" He muttered, seeing Ben emotional made Mr. Shapiro extremely uncomfortable. "You don't like like your..." He paused, too awkward to open himself to a genuine conversation, "Vibing."

Ben frowned. By now his body had calmed down enough for him to take control. The sweat pats around his armpits had become visible through his grey shirt, unfortunately. "Uh, sure." He sounded convincing, even to himself.

Mr. Shapiro nodded satisfied and turned around to get to his desk. As he walked away, Ben could see a third figure standing in the door frame. Somehow Ben could read worry in the guy's eyes as he watched Andre take a seat next to Ben.

"Birthday boy Ben? Congrats man." Andre patted Ben once in his shoulder, before he started taking his books out. "Now, when you go to Guatemala you can legally drink."

Raising his eyebrows high, Ben wrinkled up his nose. "Why would I go to Guatemala?"

The moment Andre shook his shoulders, Jane entered the classroom. She greeted both of the boys with a wide smile, one that felt so unfamiliar to see on her face at school. Taking the seat behind Ben, Jane started taking out her books as well.

Forced, though it surely didn't seem like that, Ben turned around in his chair with a toothy smile. "How was your weekend?" He asked her.

Jane looked up at him and felt herself blushing, "It was busy, but good. What about yours?"

But before Ben had the opportunity to respond, Andre cut in. "Did you know it's his birthday today?" He didn't mean it in a cocky or rude way, but still he managed to piss Ben off.

Ben let out an annoyed sigh and sank deeper into his chair. Facing the front of the class, he felt Jane drumming her small hands softly on his shoulders just a few seconds later. Excitement in her voice as she wished him an absolutely amazingly beautiful birthday. He was glad to be looking the other way as her voice touched him deeply. He felt blessed Jane wouldn't be able to notice his rosy cheeks.

"Thank you." He replied shortly, trying to kill the conversation on the spot, and thankfully for him, Jane had a skill for taking hints.

"How was your weekend, Andre?" She asked instead.