Mistakes ~skepnoblade~

9.

Zak gave a sigh as he made his way to school. He missed being able to talk to Dave on the way there. He missed Dave in general.
It was currently raining, and Zak didn't really wear much. It was the usual. A light-blue hoodie and jeans, which definitely didn't keep him warm enough.
He smiled a little as he recalled a day maybe two months ago, it was raining hard, and Zak proceeded to wear thin clothing. Regardless of how cold he was, Dave made fun of him the entire walk. It wasn't until Zak was pretty soaked and shivering that Dave handed him his jacket. He had rolled his eyes and called him a nerd.
But Zak wasn't sure when that would ever be able to happen again. He missed the teasing and the dumb remarks. Sure, he might be overreacting or being dramatic. Dave wasn't the only person that mattered in his life, but he was what mattered most.
Zak blinked back the tears that welled up in his eyes. He was close to the school, he wasn't going to walk in there while crying. That'd be awkward, as well as plenty of reassuring statements from Darryl and worried questions from Vincent.
Those two really cared about him.
He didn't deserve it.
As he he entered the school, he looked for his two friends. Eventually finding them, he slowly approached them and waved slightly.
"Hey, muffin."
"I'm still not exactly sure where you came up with the nickname 'muffin'." Zak said quietly, although he was smiling a little.
That was probably his first time saying something besides "Hi." "I'm okay." And short phrases like that. It surprised the others, but they didn't mention it, only felt glad that Zak was beginning to converse more.
"I'm not really sure either. It most likely just slipped and kind of stuck." Darryl responded with a laugh. "Well, class is starting soon. We should start going."
"Alright."
When Zak came into the classroom, he awkwardly looked down to the floor as he went to his seat right beside Dave. It didn't feel right. There were no soft jokes being mumbled or anything. Just silence, and an uncomfortable one at that.
They both avoided each other's gaze. It wasn't normal. Dave would usually catch Zak staring at him and roll his eyes, making a sarcastic remark like "take a picture, it'll last longer."
But now, not one of them had the courage to look at the other.
Zak hated the uncomfortable feeling in the room. He'd rather suffocate.
When class had ended, Dave immediately stood up and left, seemingly disliking the uncomfortableness between them as well.
Zak sighed and stood up as well, leaving the classroom.
After a couple more classes (one of which he sat by Dave), it was time for lunch. Zak made his way to the lunchroom, getting a tray and looking at the back of the cafeteria. He was checking to make sure that Darryl and Vincent were sitting where they always did, even though he knew they would. Dave wasn't there though.
As if he could expect him to be.
He sat down at the table, not exactly speaking much. After the encounters with Dave, he preferred to keep to himself. It hurt to know that he was the one who caused all of this, and he wasn't even sure how to fix it. If he couldn't talk to the taller one about it, then what could he in all honesty do? Wait for Dave to speak to him? Because that most likely wouldn't happen soon.
Zak didn't blame him at all. If he was lied to and in this situation, he wouldn't want to talk to the other person either. So, he understood.
"Hey, Zak. Are you doing alright?" Darryl asked gently, with the stupidly comforting tone of voice he had. He didn't know what it was, but Darryl could always make you feel more at ease no matter how bad the situation got. It was kind of nice.
"I'm fine." He muttered.
Vincent nervously glanced at Darryl.
"I'm worried for the both of them." He murmured quietly, not loud enough for Zak to hear.
"I'm sure everything will turn out okay. They can work it out, because they're both a literal baby. They'd miss each other too much." Darryl responded just as quietly, attempting to lighten the mood with a small nudge. Vincent chuckled, saying, "You're right."
When school had ended, Vincent and Darryl offered to walk home with Zak if he wanted, but Zak shook his head.
"I need to return a book to the library anyways." He had told them. It wasn't a lie, he did have a book he checked out that needed to be returned. Although, he only really made that excuse because it was just probably a way they were trying to get him to open up again. He knew they were trying, and he appreciated that, but he really just didn't think things could go back to normal until things were okay with Dave and him. He wasn't sure how long that would take, though.
As he opened the door to the library, he pulled the book out of his backpack. He remembered sitting in here with Dave one time trying to do his homework.
"Zak-"
"I'm lost. At least you're explaining it better than the Math teacher."
"Zak, you are an idiot."
Zak chuckled a little. He missed him. He was being stupid.
He slid the book toward the person checking it back in for him.
"Will you be getting another book?"
"No." He responded, thanking her and leaving the library.
He walked down the hallway and to the entrance of the school. Pushing the door open, he headed out.
On his way back home, he noticed someone under a tree. They looked like they were crying. He wasn't sure who it was because they had a hoodie on, covering most of their face. He approached them, kneeling down.
"Hey, are you okay?"
He froze, soon realizing who it was. It was Dave. Was he okay? No, Zak, you idiot, he obviously wasn't.
"I-Go away, Zak."
"No. I'm not going to keep leaving you alone."
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hI im really sorry if this was cringy i- oop- i hope you still enjoyed it nonetheless!
zak finna go full on therapist mode 👀